My only problem with this chapter, as Mark hilariously points out, is that Frodo is given an hour to be on his own. His OWN. The Ring-Bearer, on whom so much depends, is wandering about with a sword glowing faintly about the edges...and Gollum's obviously been keeping tabs on the Company. He could've given up his floating log disguise and is now disguised in the forest as a fallen log. Who knows? Frodo doesn't, that's for sure.

What is for sure is that Boromir meets up with Frodo in the forest, where the ring's power really ramps up its effect on Boromir's mind. Boromir leaps for Frodo, intending to take the Ring. My question is: had Frodo really strayed so far away from the Company that, instead of putting on the Ring, he couldn't call for help? After Frodo puts on the Ring and sits in the high seat of Amon Hen, he then returns to "the lawn where Boromir had found him. Then he halted, listening. He thought he could hear cries and calls from the woods near the shore below." So, if Frodo could hear them, then surely they could've heard him if he had cried out for help.

I wonder what it was about that particular time and place for the Ring to cause such madness in Boromir, leading Frodo to actually put on the Ring? Why then? Was it because it felt its master searching for it? Because the Eye did indeed come very close to locating the Ring. Or did it perceive the Orcs prowling the borders of the Rauros as simply its best shot of getting back to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?

Whatever its purpose, Frodo believes the Ring will eventually corrupt the other members of the Company as it did Boromir, so he decides to strike out for Mordor on his own. Brave, brave, brave, wonderful hobbit!

What gets me right here *places fist over heart* is that while Frodo knows what must be done, he is scared to death of going alone to Morder. Sam, on the other hand, is ONLY SCARED OF BEING LEFT BEHIND. It's just a given to Sam that wherever Frodo goes, Sam will be right by Frodo's side. That's all there is to it. Could there BE any more beautiful example of the love between two friends? One would spare the other what is sure to be a long, terrifying journey where death most likely awaits them at the end, while the other friend feels that certain death would come from being left behind.

*wipes eyes*

Honestly, this is such an amazing chapter, and while Boromir displayed a noble pride made fierce and arrogant, corrupted as it was by the Ring, Samwise Gamgee stood up and displayed honest love, fierce loyalty, and positive optimism. For me, it was such a heart-warming way to end the book amid all the confusion and fear for the future of the Company.