The story is set during the books starting somewhere in Two Towers. I will be following a mix of the movie and books in terms of story. It begins a couple of days before Faramir leaves on the raid during which he meets Frodo and Sam. I apologize in advance if I twist Tolkien's story a little.

Chapter 1.

The sound of metal on metal was all he could hear.

Smoke and sweat all he could smell.

Blood and fear all he could taste.

The hilt of his sword all he could feel.

Death and despair all he could see.

Faramir parried the stroke of a huge orc before gutting the thing. He desperately cast a glance over his shoulder, his men were fighting bravely but for every orc they slew three rose to take its place. They were outnumbered and the soldiers were tiring, slowly but surely. "Fall back!" he screamed over the raucous sounds of battle. "Retreat to Osgiliath!" His men needed no convincing and in one wave turned and began to run for Osgiliaths gate. The words had hardly left his mouth when yet another foe attempted to slice him open. He brought his sword up to meet the foul orcish blade and as the two weapons met a great ringing sound filled the air. He felt the reverberations all the way up his arm, and realized that he to was tiring.

When his current enemy lay dead before him on the blood-soaked ground he turned himself to run towards the relative safety of Osgiliath. He could see no more men of Gondor on the field, at least none that still live, they were already back at the stronghold. He also found that to his horror when his back was turned his route to the city had been blocked by yet more orcs. He shook his head, readying himself for battle but his heart was heavy, for he saw no escape for himself.

Over and over he pulled his blade out of orcish bodies and more and more of the fell beasts appeared. His arm grew tired and his strikes weak as he was slowly driven away from the gates despite his best effort. Yet a small part of his heart rejoiced for it appeared that his men had made it to the safety of the ruined city. At least he had not failed them in that respect.

Just as all hope in Faramir's heart was lost and he resigned himself to his inevitable death and the fact that this battlefield would become his grave his back collided with something. He spun around on lighting fast swinging his sword at head level, expecting to meet and orcish warrior only to find something else entirely. A soldier of Gondor stood but a few feet away from him. His armor spattered with dirt and grime, blade dark with the blood of orcs but a man no less.

For a brief moment the two of them simply stared at each other, time frozen. Grey eye's met grey eye's and they felt joy at finding a friend surrounded by so many terrible foes. At that moment hope rekindled in Faramir's heart, for here was another of his kind, he was not alone. And maybe the two of them could survive this if they had each other. The moment was broken as a mace crashed down between the two of them, breaking the tenuous tie their crossed swords had created.

Faramir fought with a renewed vigor however. Now not only fighting for his own life but for the life of another. The life of the unknown man behind him. He faintly heard him shout "To the gate!" but did not waste breath replying. At one point as they slogged their way arduously towards Osgiliath Faramir witnessed the man fight. It was not the powerful assured fighting of one who'd been trained in the art of war like his brother Boromir, nor was it the gleeful hacks and swings of one who loved it. It was the desperate, ungainly fighting of one only seeking to survive. Yet despite the gracelessness of his strokes the man none the less had a way with the blade that suggested an innate talent. Certainly the soldier was holding his own as the growing pile of orcs he left behind him proved.

Then, to his surprise Faramir saw that they were nearing the gate. And a good thing to as his new found energy was beginning to fade and weariness was again hanging like weights on his arms and doubling the weight of his sword. At that moment a rain of arrows sprang forth from Osgiliath and Faramir felt joy fill his heart for he had not been abandoned by those inside. Miraculously, none of the falling arrows hit Faramir or the soldier instead felling several orcs around them and allowing the two men to spring forwards toward the gate.

The orcs, perhaps sensing a lost battle began to withdraw. Leaving them to finally relax and draw breath. Faramir heaved a gusty sigh, they would live to fight another day. He turned to clap the soldier on the shoulder and congratulate him only to see a not quite dead orc wrap a filthy hand around the mans ankle and drag him to the ground. The mans eye's bored straight into Faramir's as he fell and he saw the fear in them as the soldier let loose a strangely feminine cry of alarm ripped itself from his throat.

Adrenaline coursed through Faramir's body and quick as he could he impaled his sword through the orcs head. It spouted blood, twitched for a second before dieing, releasing the mans leg. With a sound of disgust Faramir twisted his sword from the orcs deformed head while reaching down to pull the man up. "Need a ha…" the words died in his throat, for as the soldier stood his helmet had fallen from his head to reveal a full head of flowing brown locks and the face of a woman.

Faramir stood in shock for a moment, mouth hanging open before he found his voice again. "You're a….a…" with a sigh the man-no woman finished his sentence for him. " A girl, yes. And I would understand if you would wish to send me away from Osgiliath. But-" and her voice began to rise defiantly " I have as much right as any of you men to defend my home! And I will NOT leave to slink back to Minas Tirith with my tail between my legs to do nothing but tend to the wounded and mend shirts and cower in fear when war comes simply because that is what is expected of me!" She was quite a sight when she finished, breathing hard, covered in blood with her hair flowing wild behind her. Faramir was almost feared of her. Then as if suddenly remembering who she was speaking to she looked abashedly at her feet. In a much quieter tone she began again "Captain, forgive me. I let my temper get the better of me." She looked up at him with her steel gray eyes. "But I do not take back what I have said."

"Nor should you!" Faramir exclaimed. "For you are right. Nor shall I attempt to send you back. Not that I think you would go." He added, smiling a little. Now it was the girls turn to stare at Faramir in surprise, obviously expecting more of a fight. Faramir continued "But I believe we should continue this conversation inside Ogiliath's gate. The orcs will not stay away forever." She started, remembering where they were. "Oh, of course! That would be wise, Captain Faramir." A slight smile creeping onto her lips. He banged on the door and it slowly swung open. He bowed slightly and gestured to the opening. "Ladies first." He said in a joking manner. "Why thank you, my lord." She said, stepping in. Faramir followed and the gate swung shut heavily behind them. And both their hearts felt a little lighter, for it was good to smile and find mirth surrounded by so much death and horror.


Thanks so much for reading! Every review is appreciated and constructive criticism is always great. If you notice and mistake or errors feel free to point them out. I have the next chapter written and hope to post it soon.