One By One by Willow-Wode (PG)

[kadollan.livejournal.com]

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: willow_wode
Author Website: Willow’s Wode
Why this must be read:

Willow Wode is another of those brilliant LOTR fanfic authors who really seems to get it right. One By One is a “missing moment” type of story. Set around the dissolution of the Fellowship, Willow Wode shares with us the thoughts and feelings of Frodo and Boromir just prior to their final confrontation. Frodo’s growing sense of fear and isolation is poignant, but more poignant still is Boromir’s slow decline into madness and desire as the ring overtakes him. He sees what is happening to him, tries to resist the One Ring’s pull, and is ultimately powerless to stop it.

There is a sense of understanding that passes between the two, even as Boromir is about to betray Frodo. Its as though Boromir were saying “I’m sorry I’m doing this, I can’t stop.” With Frodo answering, “Yes I know, I understand. I have to leave now, before it takes you all.”

In this exerpt, Boromir remembers the ring's seduction on Caradhras.

So cold, the snow, yet the Ring burns even colder in his hands. And Frodo’s gaze, more frigid still; for the first time Boromir sees suspicion spark there. He returns the Ring, he reaches out and ruffles the dark mop of hair as if to say: It doesn’t matter. See, it’s all right. I’m all right!

But neither of them believe it...

One By One can be found archived here.