Here's the chapter. Hope you didn't lose interest in over a month I didn't upload. I was busy with my other fanfic, "After me, I come again".H
Three times sun has passed on the sky, before Palando recovered. Everybody wanted to know who was he. Entire Erebor was like a hive, with dwarves and men and elves trying to find out anything about the stranger in blue. And Faramir was no exception; he delayed his return to Gondor, and stayed with his men in Erebor. It was beginning of September when a messenger handed him a message from Aragorn. Come to Palando's room tonight. We will hear a tale, the message said.
That night, Faramir wore his finest armor, as suits the Steward of Gondor. When he entered the room, he saw a middle-aged man, with graying hair and a couple inches of dark beard, in a white shirt. He was half-sitting, half-laying in his bed, supported with numerous pillows. He started: "I am Palando, one of the Istari, known to men as wizards. My companions were Curunir, Mithrandir, Aiwenur and Alatar. We came to Middle-Earth from Aman, to fight Sauron and his minions. But we were sent to help different races and regions; and so me and Alatar went to the far East and South, to help men under Sauron's rule." "So you know Gandalf and Saruman?", Aragorn asked. "Yes.", Palando said, "I remember them from Aman. Curunir the Wise, and Mithrandir the Powerfull. My task was in Harad, to raise rebelions and make turmoil; Alatar was in lands of Rhun, and he was a spy and an assassin. We didn't meet often, since our tasks were very dangerous. During the War of the Ring, we did what we could to slow down the Dark Lord; I believe we prevented a million men to reach Fields of Pellenor and the Black Gate." Legolas gasped in surprise: "A million men? Not even Gondor could stand that power."
"You have my deepest gratitude, Palando. Gondor would be no more, if you weren't there to help.", Aragorn said, inclining his head towards the man in bed. "Just after the war, many of Harad men fled or surrendered to you, so I went north to meet Alatar. My journey was neither long nor hard, since King's rule now reached through entire Ithilien. But as soon as I entered Rhun, I was attacked by a dozen soldiers of Rhun. They wore bronze masks, had cloth and bronze armors, and wielded strange, curved swords. I didn't know how they knew I am their enemy, but I defeated them easily. The next day, an entire company of horse archers started to chase me. Although my horse was among the fastest in the entire East, they caught up with me after three days of chase. The ensuing fight was hard, and I was wounded many times, when I heard their commander shout in language of Harad: "We will catch you, you Gondor scum! Just as we caught your brother!" That sentence just fueled my rage, and I charged at them. But they were too powerful for me, and I had to flee. Alas, I lost my staff there.", Palando said in a hollow voice. The room was in silence.
At last, Palando said: "That is the reason I came here, my lords. I need help from you to free my brother." Aragorn just said: "We will consider it tonight, Palando. You shall hear our answer in the morning." One by one, everybody left the room. Legolas was last to leave, and he joined Faramir, Aragorn, Celeborn, Gimli, Eowyn and Gloin on their way to the King's Council room. They entered a long room with a high roof, long wooden table and richly ornated chairs. The room was built for a hundred dwarves, and seven of them gathered at the one end of the table. Faramir first thought it was just a piece of wood, damaged and discolored by time, but when he saw 'Ithilien' written on it, he realised it was, in fact, a giant map of entire Middle-Earth. Faded blue areas were Sea of Rhun and Forochel Bay, forests had a green shade to them, and mountains pushed out of the flat surfaces, dark and grey. He was fascinated, but payed full atention to Aragorn when he said: "I wanted to finish with Rhun a long time ago." "Me too, Elesar. Me too.", Gloin said grimly. "Although we are strong, Erebor is still a frontier to East, and we have seen quite a few skirmishes around here.", Gimli picked up. Legolas added: "I can't send for more troops, but those three dozens I have are yours, Aragorn." Lord Celeborn said in his soothing voice: "Elves of Lothlorien are wounded by Sauron's sieges, and my people are far. And still, I came with one hundred warriors; I can spare six dozens." Aragorn thanked Celeborn. Faramir was next: "I have two hundred Gondor men, and a hundred Ithilien rangers." "Nothing. No men of Rohan came, and my fighting days are over.", lady Eowyn said, ashamed. Aragorn spoke: "My five hundred are ready for war, but I say that we wait for my Ithilien army; they will be here in less than a week." "Army of Erebor counts no less than eight thousand men; but only six thousand shall leave, since we have homes and families to protect.", Gloin sain. Aragorn quickly counted: "That is six thousand and nine hundred warriors, if we leave now; and eleven thousand if we wait for Ithilien Army. What numbers does the enemy have, Lord Gloin?" "Our scouts should return tonight. In less than half an hour, I think.", Gloin informed them. "Let us wait for them.", Aragorn decided. Legolas stood up, and poured himself and Celeborn some wine. Gloin called in a guard, and told him to immediately come when scouts return. "And bring in some food from the kitchens.", Faramir heard him whisper. Eowyn absently played with a dagger.
Faramir poured wine in a golden cup, and gave it to Eowyn, saying: "I have not seen such darkness on you since you killed Witch-King of Angmar. What happened to you, my dear?" "Nothing. I just miss those days when I rode from Edoras to Minas Tirith, like a man.", she replied, and stuck the dagger in soft wood of the table. "But... I thought you were happy with our life in Gondor.", Faramir said. Eowyn sighed: "Yes. Yes, I am. But I can't live on like I have never riden with men of Rohan, or seen battle." "If that is your wish, we will visit Edoras and Helm's Deep next summer, and hold a tournament.", Faramir promised. But she said: "If you are here next summer." As Aragorn took his seat, two dwarves entered, bowing to the ground. "Nar, Loni. What have you seen in lands of Rhun?" "My lord Gloin,", the one named Nar said, "Enemy is gathering his forces along Celduin and the Inner sea. They will be ready to march in a week's time." "And will they march?", Gloin asked. The other dwarf said: "They will. Their king has called to war. We may expect their envoys of war soon." Aragorn looked at the rest of the lords, and said: "Looks like we will have war." "Aye!", Gimli shouted, "Let's give them a taste of dwarven steel." They sat again aroud the painted map. "Where from can we find help? Ered Luin are too far, and so is Imladris.", Faramir said. Legolas added: "My father hasn't marched out from Mirkwood since Battle of Five Armies, and I doubt he will march now. He... does not trust anybody who isn't an elf. Especially a dwarf." He paused for a moment: "No help will come from there." "Caves of Aglarond are far to south, and my rule is not yet established.", Gimli said. "And Gondor already gave almost five thousand men. As I said, Lorien can't help in this war.", Celeborn repeated. "King Bard II... King Bard is an envoy to Grey Havens, and his son is too young for war", Gloin said. "My brother will ride out if king Aragorn summons him. But any message will come in more than two week's time, since even the fastest horse needs a forthnight from Erebor to halls of Edoras and back, and Eomer will surely call the council.", Eowyn informed them. "Fine. I want all men and elves tomorrow in the Main Training Range.", Aragorn said, and continued, "We shall not send messages to King Eomer. A forthnight would be too long, and men of Rhun might strike." "As you wish, King Elesar. Legolas and I will lead them tomorrow, after third hour of the day.", Faramir said.
The next day, Faramir was up in the second hour of the day, and was in the common eating room with many of his men. The room was filled with many stone pillars, making a true forest, through which shone golden rays of morning sun, coming from skyboxes. Faramir looked down at his plate, and took another bite of meat. He loved dwarven cuisine, and so did his men. After a sip of wine, he looked at Legolas and his Elves; as he expected, they just sat in one corner and ate some lembas, since 'Dwarves do not serve anything green' , in the words of Gimli that morning. Faramir smiled for himself. His men finished eating, and Faramir ordered them to go to the Main Training Range, and practice. He slowly chewed down his meat, and went to his chambers. There, he dressed himself in plain Ranger clothes, and walked to Aragorn's chambers. Aragorn already waited for him in the hallway. After a brief talk, they went together to one of the balconies high above the Training Range. The Range was gigantic stone room carved in stone. Many wooden shelves were placed along its high walls, and they were full of dwarven weapons; axes, short swords, and an occasional crossbow. Men and Elves were already fighting; but men trained with men, and Elves trained with Elves, Faramir noticed. Gondor warriors attacked and parried each other's strikes, while elves focused on a small archery part along the western wall. "Our men fight well.", Aragorn said, "But this is not exciting for them, and soon they will fight worse. Follow me." Faramir obeyed, and came with Aragorn. They descended down massive stairs, and walked across one of the thin arched bridges over the unmeasurable fall that separated Outer Caves and Mines from the Inner City. After passing through a wide hallway, they came to the Range. All men snapped to attention, while Elves remained politely uninterested. "Captains, come.", Aragorn ordered. Sixteen men came to them. "Haven't you noticed men are bored by the same training?", Faramir asked. "Yes, Lord Steward. But what to do? We know no other training.", oldest one said. "I'll show you training.", Aragorn said, drawing a sword and walking towards the center of Range.
I hope this chapter was expected. It took so long... I hope it'll be faster next time.
PeakOfMeneltarma done.