Lord of the Rings Discussion Project: Book III ch. 1 and 2 Pt. 1

[Forkbeard]

The Departure of Boromir:

When last we left the company, Frodo and Sam had crossed the river Anduin and were among the Emyn Muil on the Mordor side. We had hints that all was not well among the remainder of the Company, but nothing substantial. This chapter opens with Aragorn ascending to the seat at Amon Hen to discern there things for himself and to find Frodo. Aragorn sees nothing, but is interrupted by the blowing of Boromir's horn and the sounds of battle below him. He rushes down and finds Boromir sitting against a tree, apparently sleeping were it not for the arrows sticking out of him. Aragorn believes him to be dead, but on taking his hand, Boromir opens his eyes. With his last breath, Boromir informs Aragorn of what happened, his attempt to take the Ring from Frodo, his repentance, and the capture of the hobbits by orcs. Boromir's last statement is a request/command that Aragorn go and save his city, for he has failed. Legolas and Gimli come upon the scene moments later to find Aragorn mourning Boromir.
As they examine the scene the note that there are orcs from the North, Moria probably, orcs from Mordor, and orcs bearing a White Hand among the dead. Aragorn after deliberation guesses that these are probably from Isengard and Saruman. The three discuss what is to be done and how to do it, and it is decided that before chase is given Boromir's remains must be taken care of; and the easiest way to achieve this and yet still remain respectful is to commit him to the river. They convey his body and such weapons of his fallen enemies as they can carry back to the river, retrieve the boats (only 2, the third is missing). They then send Boromir and the weapons in one boat down the river. Aragorn and Legolas sing a dirge for Boromir.

The companions then return upriver to Parth Galen where they had camped and Aragorn began tracking and piecing together events. He guessed, and was later confirmed in, that Frodo had tried to go into Mordor alone, not wishing to have anyone die or be tempted by the Ring. He could not however leave Sam behind, so Sam was with him. So with the 3 of them standing there, Boromir and Gandalf gone, that leaves Merry and Pippin in the clutches of the orcs. Legolas and Gimli leave the decision to Aragorn who decides that the Ring and Ringbearer are beyond their help now, but Merry and Pippin are not. So they begin their pursuit of the orc force across Rohan.

The Riders of Rohan

The 3 Hunters begin their pursuit. Early at dawn on the second day of the chase, the hunters discover two orc bodies cruelly hacked--Aragorn guesses that there was disagreement about the road to take, and that there can be little doubt now that the troop is headed to Isengard. As they come to the eastern wall of the Emyn Muil and enter Rohan proper, Legolas sees an eagle far off and very high, seemingly heading northward. There is speculation as to whether this is the same eagle seen in book I and what its mission is. Not finding an answer, the chase continues. Not far into the day as they cross the plains of Rohan, they find a trail that breaks away and then stops, surrounded by orc boots. And among the prints is a pin of Lorien, the beautiful leaf that clasps all the Company's cloaks. Aragorn, based on the size of the footprints, thinks Pippin may have broken away and left the leaf for anyone who might follow--a very hopeful sign. They rest that night, and the third day brings nothing but league after weary league of following a trail growing increasingly cold. Aragorn notes in passing that the land is strangely silent--no animals of any kind, much less humans. They rest again the third night. On the morning of the fourth day, Legolas expresses his fear that the orc force has reached Fangorn; Aragorn remarks and Legolas and Gimli confirm that they feel some sort of force working against them that saps the will of the heart more than stops the body--a force emanating from somewhere ahead of them, not Sauron behind them. Saruman. His treachery is becoming clear and evident. They began the fourth day in urgency--Legolas feeling that they were "called." Toward mid-day they reach the downs that begin the approach to the mountains and the gap of Rohan. They come upon the top of a hill where the orc troop rested awhile and then proceeded, and Aragorn notes how old now that trail is. But they continue onwards. As the day ends, the sleep atop a green down, as the fifth day dawns, they see coming toward them a troop of riders, the sun glinting off their spear points.