Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot!
Out of Time
Prologue
'Why didn't it work?' the wizard thought in annoyance. The spell was meant to accelerate time, but nothing had happened. Saruman sighed. Another failed experiment. 'What a waste of time!'
Or so he thought…
"Where are we?" a familiar looking blonde elf asked, looking around at the strange wood he and his companions had appeared.
"I do not know, Glorfindel," a tall golden-haired elf with a gold crown on his brow said. He then turned to the oldest of his three human companions. "Do you recognize this place, Elendil?"
A tall man with a silver crown contrasting with his dark hair shook his head. "It is foreign to me, Gil-Galad." He looked around at those that had appeared with them. They were ten in all, eight elves and three men. Why them?
Chapter 1
"My Lord," Ancor, Faramir's second-in-command, called quietly. "Our scouts have detected movement near us. It could be orcs."
"In broad daylight? That is unusual," mused the Captain of the Ithilien Rangers and second son of the Steward.
"Stranger things have happened. Should we investigate?" he asked.
"Yes," Faramir answer. "Take half the men and circle around them. When I give the signal, come at them from behind. I will lead the rest of the rangers in a frontal assault."
Ancor nodded and gathered the men. When Faramir was certain Ancor had had time to get into position, he moved his own men forward. He was fully prepared to see a pack of orcs, but what he saw shocked him.
Elves? In Ithilien? Eight of them to be exact. Three men were with them. All eleven of the strangers had a regal bearing, and Faramir found himself in awe. However, he quickly shook himself out of it and approached them, motioning for his men to stay in place. He strung an arrow on his bow and pulled the string back. Then he made his presence known.
"Who are you?" he demanded, aiming his bow at the nearest of them. "What purpose do you have in Gondor?"
"So this is Gondor," the dark-haired elf his arrow was pointed at stated. "The hospitality of your people has seemed to have lessened, Elendil," he said to one of his human companions.
"What is the meaning of this?" the man the elf had called Elendil asked in outrage. "Do you not recognize your king?"
"I assure you, if Gondor had a king, I would recognize him," Faramir answered coolly. "Elendil he called you. I suppose the men next to you would be your sons Anarion and Isildur, and one of these elves would have to be Gil-Galad, High King of the Elves."
"You say it like it wasn't even possible, let alone true," Elendil remarked.
"Seeing as how they have long since been dead, I would have to say that's a given," Faramir replied. This statement seemed to genuinely confuse them, making Faramir believe that they may actually be telling the truth. He hesitantly lowered his bow. "You really don't know, do you?" They all shook their heads dazedly. "Well, whatever your situation, we have no choice but to escort you to Minas Tirith and present you to our Lord Steward."
"We?"
Faramir motioned for his men to reveal themselves. "I am Faramir, Captain of the Ithilien Rangers." He then turned and addressed his men. "We march now to Minas Tirith! Ancor, stick close to them," he said, gesturing toward the ten companions. "Let no harm come to them."
"Yes, Captain," he replied, approaching them while Faramir moved to the front to lead the men. "I hope Lord Denethor does not pass too harsh of judgement on you. He can be a rather uncaring man. I almost wish Faramir could just let you go on your way. Unfortunately, that's not possible."
"Why not?" Isildur asked.
"Besides the obvious concerns for your safety?" Ancor sighed. "I'm afraid that Denethor would find out about it and unfortunately Faramir would have to face his wrath. Denethor has always been cruel to him."
"Is he that bad of a leader as to be cruel to his captains?" Elrond asked. "Why do the people allow it?"
"His leadership abilities are not the problem," Ancor replied. "It's his aptitude as a father that concerns me. He showers his oldest Boromir with affection and expectations and treats Faramir with scorn and disdain."
"Faramir is the son of the Steward?" Elendil said in surprise.
"Unfortunately," Ancor said. "You'll see what I mean when we reach Minas Tirith."
tbc
I know it's not much right now, but I promise it will get better! And it will have Aragorn, Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, and the rest in it later on. I promise. Please review and tell me what you thing!