The Fellowship clambers through rock and snow. Frodo slips on some shale as he scrambles to his feet, causing the Ring to fall onto the ground, gleaming in the snow. Boromir's hand picks it up by the chain, the ring dangling before his eyes. He seems to grow in stature, as if absorbing its power. Aragorn warily approaches Boromir. Boromir is motionless, staring at the ring as if transfixed."Boromir?" Aragorn's voice breaks the silence. "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing... such a little thing," Boromir murmurs, still fixated on the ring."Boromir, give the ring to Frodo," Aragorn commands, his hand inching towards his sword hilt. "He's right, Boromir. Give Frodo the ring," Liv adds, backing up Aragorn's plea.Boromir glares at her, then reluctantly hands the ring back to Frodo. "As you wish. I care not," he says, tousling Frodo's hair. Aragorn, relieved, releases his grip on his sword.

"So, Gandalf, you try to lead them over Caradhras. And if that fails, where then will you go?" Saruman muttered to himself.

Back on the mountain, the Fellowship struggles through the snow. "If the mountain defeats you, will you risk a more dangerous road?" Saruman questioned.

The Fellowship continues to struggle through a blinding blizzard as they ascend towards the mountain. Legolas moves lightly across the snow, suddenly pausing as Saruman's voice sweeps by in the wind. "There is a fell voice in the air," Legolas alerts the group. "It's Saruman," Gandalf confirms. Rocks fall from the mountain, prompting Aragorn to declare, "He's trying to bring down the mountain. Gandalf, we must turn back.""I have to agree with him; we have to turn back," Liv chimes in."No," Gandalf replies, raising his staff and chanting a spell. Saruman continues his incantation, causing the mountain to crack and giant rocks and snow to start falling from all directions. Frodo looks up in horror as a huge amount of snow descends towards them. The Fellowship throws themselves against the cliff face as the snow crashes onto the narrow ledge. Legolas pulls Gandalf and Liv to safety, while Aragorn shields Frodo and Sam as the snow piles around them. Within seconds, the Fellowship is covered in snow.Boromir and Aragorn, with Liv's help, begin digging. "It's no use; we're never going to find them," Liv laments."Do not give up now; they are here somewhere," Aragorn insists."Hang on, I think I know how to find them," Liv interjects. She reaches into her back pocket and takes out a Poké Ball. "Come on out, Sandile," she commands."Sandile," the Pokémon responds."Liv, what is that thing?" Aragorn asks, bewildered."Relax, he's not going to hurt us," Liv reassures them."How exactly is this reptile going to help us find the hobbits?" Boromir questions."Watch," Liv says confidently. "Sandile, use Dig and find the hobbits."Sandile follows Liv's command, using Dig. Not long after, Sandile returns, signaling to Liv that he has found the hobbits."Good work, Sandile," Liv praises, patting the Pokémon on the head. "Can you lead us to them?" she asks. Sandile nods and guides Liv and the others to where he found the hobbits. They start digging where Sandile indicated, and soon they uncover the hobbits, who are shivering in the snow."Are you guys alright?" Liv asks with concern."Yes, we're fine," Frodo assures her."Thanks for your help, Sandile. Return," Liv says, returning her Pokémon to its Poké Ball.

"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the West road to my city," said Boromir."The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard," Aragorn countered."If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it. Let us go through the Mines of Moria," Gimli suggested."Moria. You fear to go into those mines, don't you? The dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dum. Shadow and flame," Saruman cautioned."Let the Ring bearer decide, Frodo," Gandalf interjected."We will go through the mines," Frodo replied. Gandalf nods. "So be it," he said.

To be continued