tolkienmatters: “`Why are you so unfriendly? ’ said Boromir. `I am a true man, neither thief nor…

Wednesday, December 25th, 2019

tolkienmatters:

“`Why are you so unfriendly? ’ said Boromir. `I am a true man, neither thief nor tracker. I need your Ring: that you know now; but I give you my word that I do not desire to keep it. Will you not at least let me make trial of my plan? Lend me the Ring!’ ‘No! no! ’ cried Frodo. ‘The Council laid it upon me to bear it.’ `It is by our own folly that the Enemy will defeat us,’ cried Boromir. `How it angers me! Fool! Obstinate fool! Running wilfully to death and ruining our cause. If any mortals have claim to the Ring, it is the men of Númenor, and not Halflings. It is not yours save by unhappy chance. It might have been mine. It should be mine. Give it to me! ’ Frodo did not answer, but moved away till the great flat stone stood between them. `Come, come, my friend! ’ said Boromir in a softer voice. ‘Why not get rid of it? Why not be free of your doubt and fear? You can lay the blame on me, if you will. You can say that I was too strong and took it by force. For I am too strong for you, halfling,’ he cried; and suddenly he sprang over the stone and leaped at Frodo. His fair and pleasant face was hideously changed; a raging fire was in his eyes. Frodo dodged aside and again put the stone between them. There was only one thing he could do: trembling he pulled out the Ring upon its chain and quickly slipped it on his finger, even as Boromir sprang at him again. The Man gasped, stared for a moment amazed, and then ran wildly about, seeking here and there among the rocks and trees. ‘Miserable trickster!’ he shouted. `Let me get my hands on you! Now I see your mind. You will take the Ring to Sauron and sell us all. You have only waited your chance to leave us in the lurch. Curse you and all halflings to death and darkness! ’ Then, catching his foot on a stone, he fell sprawling and lay upon his face. For a while he was as still as if his own curse had struck him down; then suddenly he wept. He rose and passed his hand over his eyes, dashing away the tears. ‘What have I said? ’ he cried. `What have I done? Frodo, Frodo! ’ he called. ‘Come back! A madness took me, but it has passed. Come back! ’”

— Boromir attempting to take the Ring from Frodo in his madness. Fellowship of the Ring, The Breaking of the Fellowship.

Reposted from https://lies.tumblr.com/post/189864224985.