Whoa... I can't believe the response to this story; it's only my third one on Why do you all like it so much? What has it got that makes it so good? 'blinks'
Anyway...
Third chapter up and running. I now have a forum for this story, as I'm looking for some ideas for the next chapter and I need some help. Look for the 'Boromir Lovers Club Forever: BCLF' forum in the LOTR section, and the 'Faramir's Chance' topic. All ideas are gratefully recieved. More info on what I'm looking for on the first post in the forum; I won't say anything here just in case it spoils the next chapter!
Evendim: Such a faithful and caring friend 'sobs' I can't believe I had the luck to review your story when I registered on here, you've made me feel so welcome! And I really appreciate you reading my work, especially when you told me you don't usually read stories. And I do beta read all of my stories myself. I never knew I could ask someone to be a beta reader... I usually find any mistakes as I read it thorough because I'm such a perfectionist, it's in my starsign! Hugs!!! Han XxX
Celebne: I just HAD to add in the twins; they were missed out in the films so they end up being in every LOTR story I write!
Mark Solo: I'm planning on making both brothers survive the War of the Ring... I just haven't figured out how yet... If you have any ideas, please let me know either by PM or in the forum! I'd be so grateful!
dancingkatz: 'Tolkien flavour'? OMG!!!! I can't believe you actually think my work is like Tolkien's!!!! That has got to be the highest praise I've EVER recieved! EVER!! 'faints' (And I HAVE to be kind to horses; they're my favourite animal and I just think they're absoloutely wonderful creatures. And the elvish is taken from the Council of Elrond website; very useful stuff...)
Time and Fate: 'bows' Thank you!
Sarahbarr17: I wanted to make it so that people would realise that Faramir knew the twins were there because he was a Ranger, and everyone seems to have got it! Yay! And I knew that people would link Faramir to the Elves; more of the twins in this chapter!
Awen1923: Eveyone likes the introduction to the Elves; cool! I was hoping it'd go down well.
Ithil-valon: 'Hugs' I love you guys!! You, Evendim and dancingkatz!!!! You make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! More of Elladan and Elrohir as much as I can fit into the story, just for you! And I think I have such a good grasp of Faramir's character because I tend to be a lot like him in some ways. Reading instead of physical pursuits, soft and sensitive, yet tough and determined... Okay, enough ego inflating... 'More hugs' Thank you so much!
Susan W: Everyone loves that last chapter! The meeting with the Elves, the horse, the Elvish... I'm going to be hard pressed to keep up this level of writing! Dan and El are going to be up to mischief in the fourth chapter though...
Elfinabottle: New chapter for you to read!
Sarasrati: Just to clear it up for you, Faramir had been travelling for over two months to get to Tharbad. Two weeks on from the tree part, he meets the twins in the forest close to Rivendell. Hope that helps!
GreenTeandHoney: Oops... I didn't think of that... rats... Nevermind, it'll just make it better when Faramir does meet Eowyn for the first time. If you have any ideas on how to make Faramir fall head-over-heels in love with eowyn, head to the forum or PM me... please!
Aswen: I didn't want to make Denethor mean and Evil, I get tired of fics like that. So mine is going to be different!
Nelarun: I was hoping to project the feeling that Faramir has more knowledge of different cultures than Boromir, and this is why he's going to feel so much more comfortable on this quest. And I'm glad I could help you with your nephew!
Caet Rae: Whoa... Alert listed... Just like that... erm... Thank you!
Faramir's Chance
Chapter Three: Rivendell
The sword passed straight through the Orc like a hot knife through butter, only a lot gorier. Faramir wrenched his sword from the carcass and turned to meet another oncoming Orc, waiting for its momentum to carry it onto his blade; it saved energy didn't it? No sense in wasting what little energy you have in driving your sword into the thing's body, when it could do all the hard work for you! Faramir smiled and the though, wondering what Boromir would think of his new theory…
He sighed as he killed another Orc, thinking that the sounds of battle were enough to drive a man to insanity. The cries of the Orcs grated on his nerves, the screams of the injured men tortured him, the creaking and groaning of the bridge- The bridge? Faramir looked around, noticing the puzzled expressions on the faces of the men fighting beside him; this wasn't meant to happen, was it? He slashed and stabbed his way forward, pushing through the crowd of soldiers to that blonde head on the front line.
His brother was… massacring… the Orcs… there was no other word for it. Left and right, the monsters fell to Boromir's sword; none could get close enough to the Captain General of Gondor to inflict but a scratch.
"Boromir!" Faramir yelled, ducking as an Orc head came flying his way, "The bridge!" His brother couldn't hear him over the noise; he pushed his way even closer, hitting Boromir on the shoulder to get his attention… Nothing…
"Boromir!" Faramir stood before his brother, oblivious to the battle still raging around him; the blonde still took no notice of him, "Brother?"
Suddenly, the bridge gave an awkward shudder, stones grinding together as the slid around, unbalancing everyone stood upon it; Boromir stopped fighting and looked around wildly for someone.
"Faramir?!" he cried, slicing the head from an Orc as it ran towards him, "Faramir?"
"I'm here!" Faramir answered, waving his hand before his brother's face, "I'm right in front of you!"
"Faramir!!!" Boromir yelled desperately, his face a mask of fright. Faramir went cold as he spotted a familiar looking red-head moving in their direction, but his brain refused to admit that Faramir was now looking at himself. This couldn't be happening! How could there be two of him here? It was impossible!
"Boromir, we must move!" the other Faramir panted, gesturing to the West bank of Osgiliath, "Now!!" Boromir nodded tiredly, grasped his brother's shoulder and pushed him back the way he had come.
"You call the retreat," he gasped, "I'll hold the lines together," The other Faramir nodded and clasped his brother's hand in a warrior's handshake - determined to do as he asked - and ran, calling the retreat as he went.
Faramir stood and watched in disbelief as 'he' ran away, doing exactly what he had done what must ahve been 2 months ago or more. His brother turned back, only to meet the blade of an oncoming Orc. Boromir grunted in pain before taking the life of the creature and carrying on fighting, ignoring what Faramir knew to be a potentially life-threatening wound. So this is how Boromir was injured… Faramir pondered upon this, wondering what in Eru's name was going on here…
But before the other Faramir could order a full retreat, the bridge gave way, plunging everyone into the icy Anduin. Screams rent the air as Orcs and men alike hit the surface. The Orcs that couldn't swim, drowned, left to die by their allies. Most of the soldiers were covered in plate armour which pulled them down into the water, friends unable to help as they were in the same situation.
Faramir had managed to hang onto the edge of the bridge, fingers scrabbling for purchase on the unyielding rock. But he wasn't strong enough, and fell…
Faramir hit the floor with a loud 'thud' and a yell, his bed sheets tangled around his legs and body as he struggled to get up. He gave up trying to free himself and just lay there getting his breath back; he felt as if he'd just run the seven level of Minas Tirith without stopping…
Why was he dreaming about Osgiliath now? Why not before he'd left? Or during his journey here, to Rivendell? Faramir shuddered as he remembered Boromir's injury; how could he have not noticed his brother in pain? Then he berated himself; after falling into the river, he, Boromir and the other two survivors were too busy dragging themselves out of the water and retreating to worry about who was bleeding or not. Tears sprang to Faramir's eyes as he recalled the bodies left in and beside the river. There had been too many for four of them to try and return them to their loving families in the city. The most they could do was offer a prayer to the Valar for them and observe a minutes silence… A minute that nearly killed Faramir, stood staring at the bodies, there being no other place to look.
The door to his room slammed open as Lord Elrond's twin sons came running in, swords drawn.
"What happened?" the one on the left asked - Faramir was guessing it was Elrohir, looking at the long braid that hung on the left of his head - "We heard you cry out,"
Elrohir had formed a sort of bond with Faramir, liking his quick wit, personality and compassionate nature. The twins had actually felt comfortable enough to talk to this human on the journey home, slipping into Elvish every now and then to test his knowledge of their language. Faramir had surprised both of them, calling to them in the trees; never before had anyone knew when the twins were tracking them. But Faramir's explanation had peaked their curiosity; no one had ever mentioned a group of Rangers living in Ithilien before… And so Faramir had described Henneth Annûn to them, making sure to add in all of the rather gruesome details, like the wearing of damp clothes practically all of the time, the 'mystery meat' in the stew… The living in caves part made the Elves grimace and shudder as they realised what this Ranger had to put up with for the good of his country.
Faramir shook his head and began finding his way out of the bed sheets, undoing the knots that must have been made as he tossed and turned during the night.
"I had a nightmare, that's all," he answered Elrohir's query, standing up triumphantly, the bedclothes clutched in his hand, "I must have shocked both of you, I'm sorry," The twins slid their swords back into their scabbards, frowning; nightmares were not uncommon to them, and they wondered what his had been about, wondering if they could possibly help him.
They moved forward and took the bedclothes from Faramir's hands and proceeded to show him how to put them back on the bed neatly; Erestor would have a fit if he saw the bed in this mess, and they didn't want the new guy getting into trouble… yet…
"Thank you," Faramir sighed in relief; the way the Elves dressed the bed was totally different to how it was done in Minas Tirith. The only bed Faramir usually had to make was his small pile of sleeping furs in Henneth Annûn, and they didn't really require much messing around with.
"No problem!" Elladan smiled, "We want to keep Erestor on our good side for a while anyway," Faramir grinned, not even asking what they were planning. As long as he wasn't a part of it, nothing could be blamed upon him and he couldn't get into trouble. From the quick audience he had had with Lord Elrond after arriving, he did not look like the type of person to tolerate childish behaviour…
"Why don't you get dressed, then we'll take you down to the break of fast," Elrohir suggested quietly, shooting his brother a warning glance; Faramir noticed the look but kept quiet.
"Thank you," he nodded his head, "I'd be grateful for that; I've got a feeling I'm going to get lost in here…" The Elves smiled and left the room to let him dress and wash.
"He could be a useful ally…" Elladan mused, leaning against the wall outside Faramir's room; Elrohir look at him.
"We can't get him into too much trouble," he told his brother, "Besides, it'd be fun to be friends with another mortal," Elladan grinned.
"Okay, but when should we introduce him to Erestor? And how?" Elrohir noticed the mischievous grin on his brother's face.
"Not yet," he replied, smirking, "We'll have to be subtle-" He closed his mouth as Faramir opened the door to his room and stepped out, closing it behind him.
"Ready?" Elladan asked, and Faramir smiled. The twins shared a grin before leading the man away for some food.
SO... What do you think? Is it as good as the last chapter? Or should I have put some more Elvish in? Let me know and I'll try and make the next chapter as good as I possibly can! Whilst applying for uni at the same time!
Iana XxX