The next days were much of the same-holding their boat steady by day as the river Anduin carried it ever downstream, gathering on the shore to eat in the evening on some days, eating on the boat with only Pippin as his company on others.

Once or twice, to make better time, Aragorn had them start before dawn and stay on the river until after dusk. Never once, however, did they risk travelling through the night. The Anduin was dangerous enough by day, when most obstacles were easily visible. To stay on it in the darkness of the night would have been their death, and torture for poor Sam, who was afraid enough of water as it was.

Robb had seen neither hide nor hair of Grey Wind since that last glimpse just outside the borders of Lothlórien, but his wolf dreams had him certain that his companion was following them, if at a distance. Besides his dreams of Grey Wind, Robb slept surprisingly well. Every once in a while, he woke with a start, heart hammering away in his chest, but he could never remember what it had been he had dreamt of. As Robb was always able to fall asleep again afterwards, however, he took it as a good sign.

In the early evening of the ninth day after their departure from Lothlórien-Pippin had kept count, Robb had not-they came upon a sight more wondrous than any Robb had seen before in his life. As they rounded a bend in the river, ahead of them, two statues came into view. Stood tall on either side of the Anduin, reaching high into the skies were two men, crowns of stone upon their heads. Both had one hand held out as if to ward off enemies.

His head craned back, mouth wide open, Robb had the momentary thought that not even the Wall might be able to measure up to this. He had never seen it, of course, but right then, he could not imagine anything more awe-inspiring.

"The Argonath," he heard Aragorn whisper from one boat over. "Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."

Argonath, Robb mouthed to himself. He did not know what the word meant, but by sound alone it fit perfectly.

As he carefully steered the boat past the feet of the statues-the smallest toe at least three times as long as Robb was tall-the river gradually widened. Before long, the steep cliffs on either bank of the river had receded to reveal a large lake, the other end of which Robb could not make out. To their right, the sun had already disappeared partway behind the wooded hilltops of the shore. The trees, which were still mostly devoid of leaves, cast long shadows over the narrow beach and shallow water.

They continued on until the sky had become fully dark before Aragorn had them land their boats. As soon as Gimli had started a small fire, the Fellowship gathered closely around it, both to keep warm and in an effort to conceal the light from prying eyes. Now no longer hidden by cliffs, Aragorn took every possible precaution to prevent discovery-Robb knew he had toyed with the idea of foregoing a fire entirely, but the Hobbits were not used to sleeping in the cold and everyone knew it. Even now, they sat closest to the flames.

Conversation stayed sparse, Merry and Pippin the only ones still in a light mood. Robb hid a smile behind his hand as they once again argued over the best pipeweed. This, it seemed, was an inexhaustible topic.

When Boromir cleared his throat meaningfully, every pair of eyes flew to him.

"I know I have asked you this many times before, Aragorn, but as the Falls of Rauros draw near, I fear I must do so again," he said quietly. "Where does our path lead us now?"

Robb raised his eyebrows. This, it seemed, was a conversation he had not been privy to. Surely they would continue on to Mordor?

Aragorn sighed. "Boromir-"

"Why do you distrust the people of Gondor-our people-so much?" Boromir demanded again, eyes sparking. He shook his head. "I know no man can wield the Ring. You have told me so often. But you must see that it would be more intelligent to keep it safe in the White City-guarded by soldiers, by my father's men-than to deliver it into the heart of Sauron's domain!"

Aragorn pinched the bridge of his nose. "I do not doubt the valiance of Gondor's people, Boromir. But the Ring is dangerous. It is seductive and there are those who would be tempted to use it, to disregard all warning. I know a heavy burden rests on your father's shoulders-"

Boromir sat up ramrod straight. "My father is a noble man!" he hissed, pointing at Aragorn. "And he bears his burden bravely, where you shy away. Do not insult him by implying he would act as a fool!"

The Fellowship's horrified gazes flew back and forth between the two, watching as though the debate was a roadside accident-you wanted to look away and forget about it, but could not. Frodo's eyes, especially, were wide and filled with fear. His hand clutched at his shirt over his breastbone, where Robb knew the Ring rested on its chain.

"I did not intend to insult him, Boromir," Aragorn said with raised hands in an effort to pacify the other man. "I only mean that desperation often leads people to act in ways they otherwise would not. The ring would draw the entire might of Sauron and Saruman to Minas Tirith-I would trust no one, not even myself, with the Ring if it came to that."

Boromir exhaled sharply, but demurred. "We reach the falls of Rauros tomorrow," he said, eyes still hard. "I disagree with your assessment, but until the time to decide on our path comes, I will speak on the matter no further."

Aragorn sighed, but nodded. "Very well."

Silence swept over the Fellowship, even Merry and Pippin keeping quiet. It was only when Gimli stood with deliberate nonchalance, announcing his intent to go to sleep now, that the tension in the air slowly dispersed.

"I'll take first watch," Robb volunteered as most of his companions started to prepare their bedrolls as well. Aragorn squeezed his shoulder in thanks before disappearing into the darkness, his place to sleep as always farthest from the fire and closest to potential danger. The only person who did not move from the fire was Boromir who was still staring into the flames with pinched lips even when the camp had finally settled.

Neither added more wood to the fire, content to let it die down until all that remained were gleaming embers. That light alone was dangerous enough as it was.

"Have you ever loved something or someone so much you would do anything for them?" Boromir suddenly spoke up.

Robb's eyes flickered towards him before turning back to roaming the dark woods. "My family," he answered carefully. "My home."

Boromir nodded. "As a leader should."

Robb suppressed a sigh, already seeing what Boromir was getting at. And he was right.

"Why does Aragorn distrust the people of Gondor so?" Boromir asked. "They are his people."

"I understand your anger," Robb said, looking Boromir into the eyes for just a moment. "Believe me, I do. As their future king, he should strive to love and protect his people, and right now, it seems to you he is doing neither. Right?"

Boromir nodded choppily.

"Well, what if he feels that he can best protect them by keeping the one thing Sauron desires more than all else far away from them?"

"Sauron's gaze has been set on Gondor for a long time, Robb," Boromir said, pressing his lips together. "And if Aragorn means to draw His attention to the Ring instead, then taking it to Mordor is folly. The mission would fail, you know it would. As it stands, either Sauron continues to attack Gondor until inevitably it falls, or Sauron finds out about the Ring, obtains it and then takes Gondor with all His might restored. Either way, Gondor is destroyed."

"And you think combining the two will make Gondor fare better?" Robb asked sharply, leaning forward. "Boromir, if He wants Gondor and He wants the Ring, and the Ring is in Gondor, that means Sauron and Saruman both can focus all of their attacks on one place. Sauron would defeat Gondor and take the Ring in one fell swoop, and the rest of Middle-Earth would be done for. This way, they have two objectives. They have to split their power."

"You don't understand!" Boromir lashed out, jumping to his feet. Robb flinched, the image of his father for once coming back to his mind. "With the Ring in the White City, we could use it!"

"Ah," Robb replied drily, pushing his reticence down. Boromir was not his father, and Robb did not need to defer to him as one would to a parent. "And there we have it. You do want to use the Ring."

Boromir blinked, then shook his head as if to clear it from unwelcome thoughts.

"No," he said, backing down. "No, you are right. I could not use it." He shook his head again and took a step back.

"I will go to sleep," Boromir continued. "Whichever way the decision should fall tomorrow, I shall accept it."

Robb nodded. "Good. Sleep well, Boromir."

The man went off into the darkness and laid down.

Robb's eyes stayed fixed to his still form until Gimli came to take over his watch.

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Yeah. Boromir is sus and Robb knows it. Who knows how well that's going to turn out?

Me. I know. Because I wrote it months ago lmao. And I just gotta say, it's gonna be painful for everyone involved.

In that spirit, happy Hallowe'en, friendz!