Unable to stop for their grief because they know that orcs will soon pursue them, the remaining members of the Fellowship race away from Moria. Only pausing long enough to tend the injuries of Frodo and Sam, they reach the elven woods of Lothlórien that night. Although the elves of Lothlórien are mistrustful, especially of the dwarf, they admit the Fellowship into their protected land. Word of Gandalf’s fall deeply troubles the Lord and Lady of the Wood. Lady Galadriel observes that the quest hangs in the balance, but it may still succeed if the remaining eight remain faithful. Her gaze affects them all deeply, and she seems to offer each a choice to abandon the quest in exchange for their heart’s desire. Frodo and Boromir seem most affected, but neither will explain what she offered him.
The elves offer shelter, healing, and advice to the Fellowship, and they linger in the timeless beauty of the elven realm. When Frodo becomes restless, he and Sam encounter Galadriel. She offers them a vision from her mirror, which can show the past, the present, or the uncertain future. When Sam looks, he first sees Frodo lying pale and lifeless, then he sees the felling of trees in the Shire and the destruction of his own home. Galadriel warns him that his vision was of the future, and any attempt to prevent it might actually bring it to pass. Frodo’s vision shows first a man like Gandalf, then Bilbo, and then a series of unexplained images. Suddenly the mirror goes dark, and he sees the Eye of Sauron searching for him. He looks away just in time. Impressed by Galadriel’s power, Frodo offers to give her the Ring. Sorely tempted, she resists and accepts that her fate will be to diminish and leave Middle-earth.
The entire Fellowship resolves to continue beyond Lothlórien, but they are divided as to what direction they should take. Boromir plans to return to his home in Minas Tirith, and many would prefer that destination to Mordor. Aragorn had planned to go to Gondor himself, but he hesitates to choose between his own desire and the need of the Ringbearer. The elves outfit boats to navigate the Great River, but this only delays the decision. The Fellowship receive elven cloaks, which change color to match their surroundings, coils of elven rope, and lembas, a highly nourishing food for travel. Galadriel bestows gifts upon each member of the company. To Aragorn, she gives a sheath for his reforged sword as well as a green elfstone as a token from Arwen, his love. Boromir receives a belt of gold, and Merry and Pippin get silver belts. Legolas’s short bow is replaced with a longbow of the Galadrim. To Sam, in recognition that he is a gardener, she gives a small box filled with enchanted earth from her own orchard and the seed of a mallorn tree. She does not know what to give Gimli, because the elves and dwarves have been unfriendly for many years, and he hesitantly asks for a strand of her hair. She gives him three. Lastly, she gives Frodo a small phial that shines with the light of Eärendil’s star, to shine for him “in dark places, when all other lights go out.”
For several days, the company travels downstream through barren countryside. One evening, Sam describes a strange sight—a log with eyes that seems to be following them. He and Frodo suspect it is Gollum, who has been following them since Moria, and Aragorn soon confirms their guess, but they are unable to catch him. A party of orcs attacks them near the rapids of Sarn Gebir without causing significant damage, but they are accompanied by a great flying creature that inflicts terror on all beneath its shadow. Legolas shoots the creature with the bow of the Galadrim and it falls, but now the party knows that the Black Riders have taken to the air.
After passing the Argonath, enormous statues carved from the cliffs themselves that mark the ancient boundary of Gondor, the party comes to a lake and the shores of Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight, where they must decide which way to take. Frodo cannot choose, and asks for an hour alone to consider his options. Boromir secretly follows him and tries to convince him to take the Ring to Minas Tirith. Boromir’s words reveal that he desires to wield the Ring himself, and he attempts to take it from Frodo. Frightened, the hobbit puts on the Ring and runs to the top of the hill, where he finds a stone seat. From that spot, he magically perceives the movement of armies and the smoke of battle throughout Middle-earth. As with Galadriel’s mirror, he is nearly seen by Sauron, but a voice warns him to remove the Ring just in time. Aware of the danger and knowing that the madness that took Boromir will gradually reach all the other members of the Fellowship, he resolves to go to Mordor alone.
When the other members of the Fellowship realize that Boromir has gone, they separate and begin to search for him and Frodo. Aragorn runs toward the Seat, but Sam realizes what Frodo will decide to do and returns to the shore. He catches Frodo trying to slip away in one of the boats, and insists on going with him. They cross the lake and set off together toward Mordor.
