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They rowed down the great river Anduin in the elvenboats, because that made their journey faster and easier than on foot. In the first boat their where Aragorn, Frodo and Sam, in the second boat Merry, Pippin and Boromir and in the third Legolas and Gimli, who had become very good friends, and the main part of their equipment.
On their way southwards Sam and Frodo noticed a secret follower of the company. Gollum has found their track and followed them for a chance to steal the ring. They posted guards, but Gollum never showed himself to them.
Suddenly at nightfall Sam, who was made a watchman in the first boat gave a cry, because before him the rapids of Rauros, the wildest place of the great Anduin with a great waterfall. In the same time there was an unexpected attack by Orcs form the eastern shore and they had to fear their enemies arrows just as the rapids. With a great afford they reached the western shore and looked across the river. Suddenly a great black cloudlike creature arose and Legolas fired his bow at this shadow. With a cry of anger and pain the creature disappeared and they heard the Orcs moan about the black thing.
They carried the boats on a way all around the rapids and then set them to water again. They rowed down the river and suddenly got to the borders of Gondor, marked by the Argonath, the pillars of the kings: two statues of Anarion and Isildur, the former kings of Gondor in the south and Arnor in the north, Aragorns ancestors of old. Thereafter they had no plan where to go, so they searched for a landing place to discuss their next steps.
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