A/N - Most of the confrontation between Denathor and Faramir is a condensed version of the two seperate ones from the book and not my own. If you have read the book then you should be able to devide my original stuff from Tolkeins. Enjoy:)

Chapter Seven

Gentle north winds carried the sweet scent of athelas over the dew-dripped valley, while golden fingers of sunlight touched the great five- leafed lebethras. With them the sound of laughter.

A young child ran through the forest, dodging between their black trunks, locks of red falling softly to her waist. Behind her the grey-eyed boy. Short curls of auburn hair tossing in the breeze, he hurried across the cool earth calling her name. "Aramaea!"

Laughter revealed her hiding place, and then he turned, the silver on his black surcoat gleaming in the sun, catching her behind the black trunk.

"My hero! " The girl exclaimed. "I would have been devoured by dragons had you not rescued me!"

Restless from the ever-growing dreams in her head, Eliahna arose from her bed. Bare feet stepped over the smooth hardwood surface as she glided over it following the scent of the dew of dawn. She leaned herself upon the doorpost gazing out into the sky of hazy starlight. These few clusters that refused to grow dim even under the black hand of the shroud of Sauron threatening over the mountains and spreading over the hills as an incurable disease.

Celeborn, Aragorn and now Gandalf had all tempered her worry with gentle speech. Aragorn, of the three, was most likely the closest to understanding. The blood of Isildur ran through his veins. The same weakness that drove him to love the ring and betray his people and the land by refusing to destroy the one ring drove him to his death, and plunged Middle earth into the shadow that now sought to engulf it.

This same blood indeed ran through her veins, but her own existence was born from that shadow as well. From the bowels of Mordor. How many upon knowing her siring would have the same disregard of it? The same mercy?

She had come to terms with many burdens while on this journey, but this one had sprouted within unexpectedly and should she not find some manner of peace, of resolution, she feared its roots would wrap around her heart and strangle the life from her.

In the early rising of the sun, Eliahna received word that Lord Denathor requested her presence. This was not a circumstance she anticipated with much joy. Though, for the sakes of both Faramir and Boromir alike, she would do her best to oblige the Steward.

She shivered inside the wide and lofty marble corridors leading to the Tower Hall, feeling insignificant within their splendor.

Moving about within their excellence, she was distracted by a glimpse of something in the white-marbled archway. Faramir stood there with someone small of stature. Intending to see who it was, she stepped towards them, finding some familiarity with the small one.

Faramir greeted her, and was puzzled with her vague reply. He studied her while she grew more intent on the small fellow. It was just the previous night she had dreamt of the boy she thought could perchance be from Gondor. She hardly believed what her eyes beheld.

His head was adorned with soft curls of auburn. Dressed in black and silver, he wore a surcoat of black, but on the mail was embroidered, in silver, the image of the white tree.

Lowering herself to his height, she stared into his grey eyes and inquired. "What is your name? For I have seen you in many dreams wandering the wood - but never with my eyes as I do now."

Pippins voice jumped up with surprise. "Why, Eliahna are you well? Does the food and drink of Gondor not agree with you? Or have you forgotten Peregrine Took overnight? "

She blinked and then saw clearly that it was Pippin who stood before her and not the boy of whom she had dreamt. She found herself a loss for words while becoming aware of the redness growing in her face. She eventually managed a quick and embarrassed laugh. "Pippin! Is that really you? Why, you look so handsome, I did not recognize you! "

"Why, thank you m'lady! And you look more splendid than the yellow stars of Elanor - that I say myself! " He chided, feeling pleased. "Does she not My Lord Faramir?"

She found her gaze stray and settle into Faramirs own as he beheld her fondly and answered in a manner that left her with a strange feeling. "Indeed, she does. "

Pippin seemed even more pleased and rattled off. "These clothes once belonged to Lord Faramir. Did you know he enjoyed slaying dragons as a boy?"

Pippin gave Faramir a quick wink, who nodded a smile in return.

She straightened herself, while glancing over Faramir timidly and responded. "I ... no … I did not. Dragons you say? "

His smiled warmly while gazing on her and answered. "Yes Many. Rescuing damsels in distress. "

She stepped back as if someone had pushed her, and blinked wide-eyed, although attempting to hide her astonishment. She had first awaked in Minas Tirith to find Faramir by her side after her encounter with the Nazgul. She dreamt of the boy there as well. Faramirs hand was resting on her shoulder when her eyes opened, had he witnessed her vision? Is that how he had found his own way with her there in the wood observing the two children playing?

Perchance it was mere coincidence that he mentioned this. It would not be too much to say that many young boys enjoy sporting and pretending to slay dragons and other such creatures.

There was however, the matter of the black and silver surcoat embroidered with the white tree on the mail. The same of which she dreamt.

She quickly withdrew from her thoughts, while nodding her head to the both of them, though not without a fraction of timidity. "I am sorry, I must excuse myself."

Looking fondly upon Pippin, she complimented him on his lordly appearance and remarked that any woman of the Shire would swoon in his presence. Faramir's eyes did not stray from her until she had disappeared through the doors and this long glance did not pass by Peregrine who made special note of it.

Lord Denathor was a man of great stateliness, though under his regal demeanor lingered one of overwhelming disillusion and despair. Eliahna saw this, as well as a certain hint of shadow deeply hidden behind his eyes and knew her words must be delivered carefully.

He raised his eyes and considered the woman before him. She wore a cream dress with long swooping sleeves, the hem touching the cold marble floor beneath her feet. Her red locks combed straight and softly lay behind her shoulders, adorned with a small braided band. She was not tall but carried herself somewhat high, though with a manner of uncertainty.

He rose, stepping from his place down to where she stood with head bowed, and circled her so that she liken him to one of the crebain. "So ... this is the woman who disarmed Faramir?"

He drew her chin up with his hand until she found herself captured in his steely blue-eyed gaze. "Yes …your eyes are startling … as I was told."

Then He grimaced, harshly withdrawing his hand. "Though I see nothing unique here. My son could not manage such a plain woman without aide?"

She watched him circle again, closer this time and more deliberately. He took a strand of hair between his fingers while breathing hotly into her face. "Still, yet. You are alluring ... for a commoner. "

She dropped her eyes, while attempting a tone of humility within her voice. "My Lord, I would never willingly dishonor Gondor nor its lordship … be it Steward or King. Please do not force me. "

"Gondor's King? " He spat. "Gondor has no King! Gondor needs no King! "

It was then that a sound was heard behind them. Faramir cleared his throat, and then both he and Pippin entered further, but not without a displeased look from Faramir.

Though fully clothed, it seemed as though she were fully exposed. She gazed on him, where he stood not far from her, hoping he had not witnessed that which passed between her and his father.

In her heart, she looked upon Lord Denathor with disgust, yet she dare not reveal it. For the sake of Faramir and Boromir alike, as well as for the place he held, the only honorable action was to regard him with deference.

Denathor raised his eyes, and saw Faramir grasping something at his side. "What do you hold there, Faramir? "

Faramir approached the Steward with a demeanor not so proud as before, but seemed almost boyish. Eliahna guessed that it was the presence of his father that made him so. It was as Boromir spake. Their father was harshly opinionated towards his youngest son. He had never said so, but he felt that the death of their mother was so difficult that Denathor placed his grief onto Faramir, and that is why he dealt with him so faulty.

"I have brought you Boromir's horn, my father. I am sorry for your loss. "

He placed the broken horn within the man's hands, bowed his head and stepped back. Denathor dropped his head and then growled. "What is this you place in my hands? Boromir would have remembered his fathers need and brought me a mighty gift, but you bring me a useless cloven horn?! Dare you bring me such a thing? Take it from me! "

"Your bearing is lowly in my presence, yet it is long now since you turned from your own way at my counsel. Boromir was loyal to me, and no wizard's pupil! But Mithrandir has long had your heart in his keeping. Ever your desire to appear lordly and generous as a king of old, but in desperate hours gentleness is repaid in death. Alas, alas for Boromir! "

It seemed as though Faramir would not respond to Denathors provoking. He stood among the marble archways holding the cloven horn between his hands as a child parched for his fathers love. When their eyes met again, a simple look crossed his face as he asked plainly. "Do you wish then, that our places had been exchanged? That Boromir had lived and I died? "

The answer came as swift as the sharpest blade, piercing bone and marrow. Denathor narrowed his eyes and murmured seemingly thoughtlessly. "Yes, I wish that!"

Upon hearing this, she could hardly stand still and silent. Yet, when she looked, she saw Pippin meeting her gaze with a stricken look in his eyes. She thought Faramir would never answer, but was glad when he did yield, for a moment to his own heart. "And why was it I, and not he, in Ithilian? It was the Lord of the city that gave the errand to him."

"Much must be risked in war. " Denathor responded as if not hearing the words spoken by his son. "I will not yield the river and Pelennor … not if there is a captain here who still has the courage to do his Lord's will. "

Faramir dipped his head low. "Since you were robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead. Should I return, think better of me father. "

He did not remain to hear his fathers last cutting words, but turned his back. Eliahna took some steps behind him, but paused when she heard the reply. "That will depend on the manner of your return."

Eliahna was unlike Faramir in that she had grown accustomed to being far more outspoken and not as disciplined. Perhaps this was a characteristic she had acquired from her halfling friends. Having known both Boromir and Faramir, she found her anger kindling to the surface upon hearing the manner which Denathor spake and could not control her own tongue. She wrenched herself round much to the astonishment of Pippin and more to the amusement of the Lord and hissed.

"You do well to wish that Faramir had gone to Rivendell and not Boromir, for if so, then you would have both of your sons living! Since Boromir was rash and proud, but Faramir is wise and honorable! You do not deserve such a son! "

She left the tower in great haste, shedding tears of pity for the misfortune of Faramir and the mourning of Boromir. Pippin met her outside, for Denathor had found no other use for him.

"Eliahna!"

She brushed the tears, hoping that he would not see them and then turned. "Yes Pippen. Yes, I am here "

"I didn't know you had so much passion." He said smiling.

She laughed placing her arm around him and kissed the top of his head. "Ah Pip. It is a long way from the Shire."

"Yes," He returned her pleasantry. "But there are no eligible Lords waiting for you in the Shire."

"Why Pippin!" She scolded.

He only laughed and then said more seriously. "I may be a Took, but I am not blind. And it is well for you for he is a great man! "

She sighed and could not help but look on him fondly. "Nothing is between myself and Faramir, my dear Pip. You should stick to stealing from Wizards! "

"Aye! Maybe so, but it was not of Faramir I spake, but Denathor! "

He looked for her response but she simply rolled her eyes feigning not to be amused. "But since you've now mentioned his name then. Perhaps there is some truth in it! I think you may love Faramir yet!"

"Oh Pippin, please stop now. You have had your fun. These are not the days for it. You should wait for fairer weather and then we can play your games as you wish."

Faramir was brooding in his quarters when Eliahna approached the door. He called to her upon seeing her turn away. She carried a tray bearing meat and bread she had managed to persuaded Pippin to help her retrieve. "I know that you have not eaten."

He seemed distant and slow to respond. She thought it best that she left him but he then spake with a disheartening trouble in his voice. "I am sorry for the way my father treated you."

She closed her eyes for a moment, distressed by his tone. She had wanted to keep him unaware of how his father had dealt with her. She sighed. "It is a mans world and he is grief-stricken."

He silently gathered his brother's cloven horn, inquiring after more silence. "What is the song you sang to Frodo in Henneth Annun?"

The question caught her off guard. In truth, she wasn't certain from whence it came. She only remembered always knowing it and singing it often in times of distress, which came more often in these dark days. "It was only a song I learned as a child. It speaks of the undying lands. I was unaware that anyone else had heard."

"I heard." He responded. "It is Elvish, but you have lived all your life in the Shire ... I am not forgetful though. You came for more than to deliver a meal. What is it that you mean to say now?"

She was pained by his speech, for it was harsher than he meant. She stepped farther in his quarters, having lain the tray down, and set her eyes on his straightforwardly. "I will speak plainly then. "

"I see you as a man of valor, honorable and wise. Yet, Boromir was rash. He lacked fortitude, but you are not such. You perceive between right and wrong quicker than others I have known. "

"Your father would have you abandon your own conviction because you have the courage to contradict him when your heart leads you to. Your own judgment will not fail you. You must not fear to do that which your heart knows is right … not now … for it will save your life and those of your people as well. "

Though she spoke gently, her speech was stronger than any he had heard from her yet and he snapped thoughtlessly in return. "What do you know of me, my brother or my father that you should speak so outrightly?"

Wounded, she was unable to control the emotion welling in her throat while trembling under the soft creases of her dress. She dropped her head and whispered. "Forgive me, Lord, it was not my intention to offend. I have not had father nor brother to mourn. I suppose that I envy those who do. "

Then she turned, intending on leaving him there and hoping to hide the wound he had unintentionally left. He called her name and then he moved so close that she thought she could hear his heart. He raised his hand and placed it on her cheek as she had before.

"I was wrong." He spake gently. "My words were not meant to harm you. And yet they have and I am sorry for it. "

She glanced up and found his grey eyes tender towards her. "Faramir. "

"Captain Faramir!" A man interrupted abruptly, bringing word that Gandalf called for Eliahna.

Gandalf announced there was need for her return to Rivendell, for she would meet Elrond there. Both she and Faramir looked on him with puzzlement, but she inquired with slight objection within her tone.

"What need does Elrond have of me? I am to leave now? Alone?"

"Yes." Was all that he answered.

She sighed, understanding that this was all the answer she would receive … though he did add in his usual cryptic language.

"Oh, you will not be alone completely, for you will be joined just outside of Minas Tirith by a messenger sent by Elrond and he will be your guide there. Now you must leave immediately. "

It was strange and not like him to advise in such a way … commanding her to leave the fortified walls of the city alone for Rivendell?

Lastly, she set her gaze upon Faramir, who nodded. "You are not a prisoner here. You are free to go where you wish. "

Mablung, who was friend to Damrod before his part was revealed, led a saddled horse out by the reigns. Faramir had whispered for it to be sent while she was arguing with Gandalf. "This is Estel the fastest among our horses. If it is to Rivendell you ride, he will bear you there quicker than any."

He looked to Gandalf. "Mithrandir has never led astray."

She touched the muzzle of the horse while he shook his mane as if in greeting a friend. "Estel - Hope?"

"Yes, and a great name for a time as this. For you will then reach Rivendell on the back of Hope. "

Her glance now to Gandalf, she regretfully complied. "Then I go."

She spoke last to Faramir before parting. " … But I shall return for I made a vow. "

(This she said remembering the bargain she made to tell him everything if he let Sam and Frodo go.)

Having set her eyes upon Faramir and Gandalf once more, and then embracing Pippin, she climbed atop the black- maned, grey horse, leaned in and whispered gently. The steed kicked his heels and turned, setting itself out towards the gate and then they were gone.