Read LotR Aloud: "The Breaking of the Fellowship"

[dreamflower]

Transcription behind the cut...

Aragorn sprang swiftly away and went in pursuit of Sam. Just as he reached the little lawn among the rowans he overtook him, toiling uphill, panting and calling, _Frodo!_
`Come with me, Sam! ' he said. `None of us should be alone. There is mischief about. I feel it. I am going to the top, to the Seat of Amon Hen, to see what may be seen. And look! It is as my heart guessed, Frodo went this way. Follow me, and keep your eyes open! ' He sped up the path.
Sam did his best, but he could not keep up with Strider the Ranger, and soon fell behind. He had not gone far before Aragorn was out of sight ahead. Sam stopped and puffed. Suddenly he clapped his hand to his head.
`Whoa, Sam Gamgee! ' he said aloud. `Your legs are too short, so use your head! Let me see now! Boromir isn't lying, that's not his way; but he hasn't told us everything. Something scared Mr. Frodo badly. He screwed himself up to the point, sudden. He made up his mind at last to go. Where to? Off East. Not without Sam? Yes, without even his Sam. That's hard, cruel hard.'
Sam passed his hand over his eyes, brushing away the tears. 'Steady, Gamgee! ' he said. `Think, if you can! He can't fly across rivers, and he can't jump waterfalls. He's got no gear. So he's got to get back to the boats. Back to the boats! Back to the boats, Sam, like lightning! '
Sam turned and bolted back down the path. He fell and cut his knees. Up he got and ran on. He came to the edge of the lawn of Parth Galen by the shore, where the boats were drawn up out of the water. No one was there. There seemed to be cries in the woods behind, but he did not heed them. He stood gazing for a moment. stock-still, gaping. A boat was sliding down the bank all by itself. With a shout Sam raced across the grass. The boat slipped into the water.
`Coming, Mr. Frodo! Coming! ' called Sam, and flung himself from the bank, clutching at the departing boat. He missed it by a yard. With a cry and a splash he fell face downward into deep swift water. Gurgling he went under, and the River closed over his curly head.
An exclamation of dismay came from the empty boat. A paddle swirled and the boat put about. Frodo was just in time to grasp Sam by the hair as he came up, bubbling and struggling. Fear was staring in his round brown eyes.
`Up you come, Sam my lad! ' said Frodo. `Now take my hand! '
`Save me, Mr. Frodo! ' gasped Sam. `I'm drownded. I can't see your hand.'
`Here it is. Don't pinch, lad! I won't let you go. Tread water and don't flounder, or you'll upset the boat. There now, get hold of the side, and let me use the paddle! '

Comments

[addie71.livejournal.com]

Dear, dear, wise Sam. I love this part, so much.

Well done.

[dreamflower]

Sam knew his master very well-- and he didn't hesitate once he figured it out!

[shirebound]

I'm really enjoying hearing everyone read to me today. :)

[dreamflower]

Isn't it fun? I do so love this project!

[periantari.livejournal.com]

awesome job to one of my favorite parts! nice reading-- esp. love the part "back to the boats, Sam!"
Good job!!

[dreamflower]

Thanks! I could so easily imagine poor Sam's urgency!

[trianne.livejournal.com]

Lovely book Frodo and Sam here, beautifully done. Thank you :)

[arcadiaego.livejournal.com]

Saaaaam. <3 Aragorn is clever but Sam is such a good judge of people. Very well read!

[singeaddams.livejournal.com]

Great stuff. Thanks for this!

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

I don't think there are words enough to describe how I love this scene and dear, dear Sam. Even at this incredibly tense moment, there's a touch of humor, too. Thank you so much, Barbara! And thank you for being a part of the journey from the beginning and all the way through! Now onward to TTT!! :D