[Boromir88]

Good Morning everyone, can't believe we are already in TTT discussion.

Interestingly, the book begins with an ending, which only emphasizes the fact that LotR is one book, not a trilogy. (In my opinion, Peter Jackson's use of this chapter at the end of the first movie was a good choice.)

Very true, PJ handled that part well, I can just see it, the movie just cuts off when the orcs attack, then a year later, all of a sudden Boromir is seen dead.

On to more serious matter I'm afraid: This is a chapter of riddles (The S rune, what happened to the Hobbits, who are these bigger, larger orcs, what to do next), so as you can see the chapter is full of riddles. I think the events in this chapter are playing off Aragorn's characteristics right now. Sort of like Henry James The Turn of the Screw. The characters appear all nice and prompt, and they tidy up everything so good, but underneath it all is pretty demented evil. He uses a high vocabulary, rich terms, but underneath all the formality is some disturbing thoughts. Anyway....in this chapter we have a bunch of riddles, and I think this is to emphasize Aragorn's character at this time. Aragorn has no idea what he's done, he has no idea what to do, so Aragorn's personality is like a "riddle." He can't figure it out, he can't figure out the course to take.

Notice, in this chapter when Aragorn struggles who picks him up? Why Legolas and Gimli. Esty, has pointed out from Gimli:

"But after that we must guess the riddles, if we are to choose our course rights," answered Aragorn.
"Maybe there is no right choice," said Gimli.

Aragorn again can't decide what to do:

I do not know," answered Aragorn wearily. "Before he died Boromir told me that the Orcs had bound them; he did not think that they were dead. I sent him to follow Merry and Pippin; but I did not ask him if Frodo or Same were with him: not until it was too late. All that I have done today has gone amiss. What is to be done now?"

This time it is Legolas who picks him up:

"First we must tend the fallen," said Legolas. "We cannot leave him lying like carrion among these foul Orcs."

Once they have solved all the riddles of this Chapter, Aragorn appears to collect himself. When he went through that time "oh woe me," it was Gimli and Legolas who stepped up, but all the "riddles" have been solved, so Aragorn's personality comes back.

"Yes," said Aragorn, "we shall all need the endurance of Dwarves. But come! With hope or without hope we will follow the trail of our enemies. And woe to them, if we prove the swifter! We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Forth the Three hunters!"
Like a deer he sprang away. Through the trees he sped. On and on he led them, tireless and swift, now that his mind was at last made up.

I love the later representation of the strong fellowship between these three people. The "Fellowship" has been broken, but Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli create this Fellowship that is stronger then the old. I wanted to point out the word "hope" again. As I've mentioned in the Farewell to Lorien CbC, Aragorn appears to be a personified "hope" for Gimli. Aragorn is given Estel (hope) and Galadriel instructs Gimli to follow "hope," hold on to it, and Gimli does. Now we have Aragorn saying, "With hope or without hope we will follow the trail of our enemies." This I cannot seem to figure out, I might have to get back to you on that one .