Disclaimer: I own neither the characters nor the stories of the great J. R. R. Tolkien. The epic tale of adventure and all of its properties are his and his alone. I have searched for this story or a similar one online and have not found it, which surprises me. If this story does exist in another form, I am deeply sorry for missing it; however, I did not plagiarize. All similarities, if any, are complete coincidence. This is a question which I have asked myself many times; it has also been posed by David Wenham, the actor who played Faramir. What would happen if Faramir had gone in Boromir's stead? The prologue is taken almost entirely from Peter Jackson's The Two Towers: Extended Edition. This is a very moving scene between Boromir and his brother, and I have quoted it almost exactly, adding or changing some parts to fit the story. However, I hope this will be a new look into the endless tale by one of the greatest authors ever. All hail J. R. R. Tolkien!

A/N: Now arises the entire reason I began this journey into the land of Fan Fiction. A tale of joy, of sorrow, of love, of death: retold. Here begins

Faramir's Journey

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Prologue: The Retaking of Osgiliath

"Boromir!" The men chanted, "Boromir!"

Boromir looked over the city with pride in his heart. He placed the white flag of Gondor in a hole at the top of the ruined citadel and turned, clutching his newly wounded arm. He grimaced, then removed anew his sword from its sheath. The blade glimmered red in the rising sun.

"This city," Boromir began, "was once the jewel of our kingdom, a place of light and beauty and music. And so it shall be once more!"

The crowds resounded with another cheer of victory.

"Let the armies of Mordor know this: never again will the land of my people fall into enemy hands!"

A cry of defiance shook the newly acquired city.

"This city of Osgiliath has been reclaimed: for Gondor!" shouted the captain.

"For Gondor!" The crowd shouted back.

"For Gondor!"

"For Gondor!"

"For Gondor!"

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Faramir wound his way through the throngs of soldiers congregating in the narrow streets of the city. Finally he reached his brother and gave him a hug.

"Good speech. Nice and short," Faramir joked.

"Leaves more time for drinking!" laughed Boromir. "Break out the ale! These men are thirsty!"

"You're hurt, Brother."

"It's only an arm. I've got two," replied Boromir.

"Always making the best of a situation, Boromir," laughed his brother as a soldier handed them each a goblet of ale.

"Remember today, Little Brother," said Boromir. "Today, life is good."

"I'll drink to that," Faramir replied with a twinkle in his eye. The twinkle soon faded when he chanced to look to his left.

Boromir chuckled. "What?"

"He's here."

Immediately Boromir's smile faded from his face.

"Darn well." A man in an elegant fur robe was talking to one of the soldiers.

"Oh, one moment of peace, can he not give us that?" questioned the elder.

Denethor approached. "Where is he? Where is Gondor's finest? Where's my first-born?"

Boromir faked a well-practiced smile. "Father!" He walked slowly to the steward and embraced him while Faramir looked on.

"You're hurt!" exclaimed the steward.

"I'm fine," said Boromir.

"They say you vanquished the enemy almost single-handedly!"

"They exaggerate," replied Boromir. He pointed to his brother. "The victory belongs to Faramir also."

As Faramir approached his father, the steward's voice turned to ice. "But for Faramir, this city would still be standing. Were you not entrusted to protect it?" Denethor asked pointedly of Faramir.

"I would have done, but our numbers were too few," the younger replied the same thing he had said every time his father asked him the same question.

"Oh, too few." Boromir hung his head as Denethor started scolding his brother again. "You let the enemy walk in and take it on a whim!"

Faramir gazed dejectedly at his father as he continued his quiet rant. "Always you cast a poor reflection on me."

Faramir shook his head. "That was not my intent."

Boromir whispered in his father's ear while walking away. "You give him no credit, and yet he tries to do your will."

Denethor stopped for a moment, then turned to follow his eldest son.

"He loves you, Father!" cried Boromir.

"Do not trouble me with Faramir; I know his uses and they are few. We have more urgent things to speak of. Elrond of Rivendell has called a meeting. He will not say why, but I have guessed its purpose. It is rumored that the weapon of the enemy has been found."

Boromir stared. "The One Ring? Isildur's Bane?" He glanced warily at his father.

Denethor's eyes took on an unearthly light. "It has fallen into the hands of the Elves. Everyone will try to claim it: Men, Dwarves, Wizards. We cannot let that happen. This thing must come to Gondor!"

Boromir looked at his father in fear. "Gondor…."

"It's dangerous, I know! Ever the Ring will seek to corrupt the hearts of lesser Men. But you! You are strong, and our need is great. It is our blood that is being spilled, our people who are dying. Sauron is biding his time; he's massing fresh armies. He will return, and when he does, we will be powerless to stop him! You must go! Bring me back this mighty gift."

"No, Father. My place now is with my people. I cannot ride in this condition. I cannot go to Rivendell!" Boromir cried as he turned back towards Faramir.

"Would you deny your own Father?!" shouted Denethor in a rage.

Faramir turned to face his father. "If there is need to go to Rivendell, send me in his stead."

"You?" Denethor considered his options. If Boromir is hurt…lesser men…dangerous…. "Oh, I see, a chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his quality. Normally, I would trust this mission only to your brother, the one who will not fail me."

Faramir hung his head.

"But," continued the steward, "I have no choice in the matter. My son is wounded and the meeting is soon. YOU shall ride to Rivendell by way of Edoras in his stead."

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Boromir looked up at his brother as Faramir mounted the Gondorian steed. "Remember today, Little Brother," he said as Faramir turned away and rode into the West. "Remember today."

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A/N: Once again, this story is almost quoted from a scene in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended Edition. I realize this; do not send me flames about that. However, I would enjoy some reviews. If you give me ideas, you might see them used later on. Don't worry; I won't quote the movie the entire way. I will integrate both the books and the movie as I go along, using whichever suits the story best. Thank you ahead of time for reviewing. Oh, did I mention this: Please Review!!! Thanks.

--Valgorúth