The young steward of Gondor stood silent and still on the walls of the city. Remnant of the celebrations of the return of the king still remained here and there, and people could still be heard, drinking, shouting. But steward Faramir stood alone, keeping away from any such happiness. To him, there was no reason to be happy. The war had taken everything from him, leaving darkness and emptiness.
Stars were scattered across the sky, and Pippin, Frodo, Sam and Merry watched them as they spoke to each other.
'Really, I don't think this adventure wasn't all that bad,' Pippin sighed. 'More exciting than Bilbo's…'
'A lot more to write.' Sam groaned. 'This one is going to take a while to recount Mr.Frodo.'
'Hmmm.'
Pippin glanced up as a tall figure stood over them. 'Strider! You wouldn't have anymore of that fine ale would you?'
'Pippin!' Merry scolded, a smile playing across his face. 'Is that anyway to speak to your king!'
Aragorn laughed. 'You have had far too much already, Pippin.'
'But he can hold it down,' Frodo murmured.
Aragorn smiled for a moment more, then looked over his city. 'Actually, I was wondering if you had seen Faramir. I desire to speak with him. '
Sam shook his head. 'He said something about it being dark, then he wondered away.'
'Thank you,' Aragorn replied, a worried frown gracing his features.
In the dark, there was a movement. A wind rose and voice could be heard upon it, singing softly.
'Once you smiled,
To the sky,
But now you don't,
I wonder why.
For though I left,
I once returned,
You just can't know,
The things I learned.
For wild and dark,
My path has turned,
And blissful black,
Is what I earned?
Is what I earned?
I wonder why,
Did this occur?
Why do I,
Live this lie?'