1 CHAPTER 8

I stood there for a long moment trying to make some sense of this madness. After a while I became numb and started to walk. I made my way down the levels of Minas Tirith watching as many began to line the streets of the city. Why didn't someone stop this madness?

But I knew there was no stopping war any more than someone stopping the rain from falling or the sun from shining. The people were silent and somber as I looked at them. Some had tears in their eyes while others stood tall and defiant. I could hear the sound of horses hooves on the stony floor. They were getting closer.

I stopped and as I turned to face the sound of the horses there he was. Dressed in his battle armor, sitting tall in the saddle of his magnificent horse. His eyes fell upon me and my heart sank. I began to cry. I watched him ride toward me wanting to throw myself in front of his horse to stop him. But his eyes begged of me not to make this any harder. Women and children threw flowers before the soldiers feet. Some of the soldiers hung their heads down as if the whole weight of the world were on their shoulders. A woman ran out to one of the soldiers passing and handed him a flower. He bent down and grabbed it. They exchanged loving looks. I wrapped my arms around my body and continued to cry.

Suddenly there was a loud voice above the silence.

"Faramir!" Gandalf shouted pushing his way through the crowd. "Faramir! Your father's will has turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so rashly."

"Where does my allegiance lie if not here?" Faramir stated as he spurred his horse forward.

Gandalf paused. "Your father loves you Faramir."

Faramir's body froze. His face looked pained. The same look I had seen many times. That hope had died long ago. He knew it to not be true. He had heard it from his father's lips.

"He will remember it before the end." Gandalf whispered as I came to stand at his side.

"I'm afraid the end is at hand Gandalf." I sobbed.

"Ariella. You must find a place of safety." Gandalf commanded.

" No I fear time for me has passed also." I said with a deep breath. "I know must go and watch someone I love die."

I turned quickly and walked to the stairs leading to the wall of the city. The remaining soldiers were lined up on the wall, but there were many who chose to watch their loved ones die also. Men, woman and children all crowded the soldier to get one last glimpse of their beloved.

I pushed my way forward standing as close to the wall as possible. The company had formed ranks. I could see Faramir in the middle of the front formation. That is when I noticed. The enemy was four times larger than the small group of soldier on the field.

"Dear God" I whispered. At that moment Faramir pulled out his sword and gave his orders. The company of soldiers all drew their weapons and charged head on.

I turned to go I could not watch any more. I must run quickly or be over taken by my grief. I would never see Faramir again.

I stumbled up the road trying to see through my tears. Every one had seemed to vanish. Taking shelter from the onslaught that would soon take place I assumed. As I rounded the corner there sat Gandalf.. Silent and still. He looked up at me. His eyes mirrored my pain. He did not speak, but took my hand and led me to the palace where I would be safe.

As we reached the palace a sound that made my heart sink filled the air. Drums followed by the sounds of hideous shouts. War was now upon us. Gandalf rushed me inside and told me to find my room. Then he turned quickly and raced down the road.

I could not move. I sat in the closest chair I could find. Still unable to even think straight. I would die today I thought to myself. Having never seen Eomer again and having hurt Faramir so badly. Where was Rohan and Aragorn? Why are they not here to help fight?

"My lady" Meara's voice broke my thoughts. "I have been looking all over for you. Let's get you back to your room. It is late. You need some rest."

I looked at her kind face as she helped me back to my room.

"I've set some food out for you love." Meara spoke softly.

I shook my head. I did not want any food. I just wanted things to be back to the way they were yesterday. When I was learning to live with Eomer's death and Faramir was here with me.

Meara seemed to understand and led me to the bed. I lay down grabbing one of the pillows and pulling it close to me. I began to cry again. Faramir. So brave and strong. The pictures of the beginning of the battle ran through my head. I could still hear the drums outside my window. The enemy was readying for battle, as well as those in Minas Tirith. I did not care the outcome of this battle. I just wanted it over swiftly. Maybe they will attack us in the dark of night and we will all be dead by morning. My mind continue to race, until finally I succumbed to sleep.

I did not sleep well. I tossed and turned. Evil faces haunted my dreams. Drums ringing in my ears. My eyes flew open. The drums did not stop. I sat up. Jumping from my bed I ran to the window. The enemy had moved closer in the night. Hundreds of thousand of them stretched out as far back as Osgiliath.

I quickly ran and got dressed. Fleeing from my room I ran to the main hall. As I entered through the small door to the side. I saw a guard rushing in.

"My Lord, it is Faramir." He spoke quickly. "His horse has brought him back. They are bringing him up as we speak."

Faramir is back. My heart leaped.

Lord Denethor quickly ran as did Pippin for the door. I ran after them.

"Faramir!" Denethor shouted as the guards lay his lifeless body down. "Say not that he has fallen."

"They were outnumbered" one of the guards spat. Looking over at Pippin and me continued speaking. "None survived."

I gasped as if understanding his meaning. No he came back. That means he is alive. Pippin looked up at me as if to try and comfort me.

Denethor stood and stumbled away.

"My sons are spent." He cried "My line has ended."

He continued to mutter as he stumbled toward the wall overlooking the city.

Pippin glanced down at Faramir. Looking confused. But then running to Faramir's side.

"He's alive." He shouted. "He needs medicine my Lord."

Denethor paid him no mind. He just continued to mutter and shout "My line has ended."

Pippin tried one last time to summons him to see for himself."My Lord!" He shouted.

But Denethor was too far gone in his grief. I ran to Pippins side. I could see Faramir's faint breaths. Pippin was right.

"Quickly! " I spoke. We must get him to the White Tower. Some one run and fetch the healers for the house of healing."

The soldier's quickly grabbed him and began to carry him to the White Tower. I followed behind them. I hoped that I still had some of the knowledge of healing that Aragon had taught me long ago. I have not had any reason to use it in so long. I could only hope it would all come back to me. I was no where near the healer my brother was, but for Faramir I would try my hardest.

We rushed into the room. The women of the House of Healing were coming in at the same time.

"Please help us." I begged. "It is Lord Faramir. He is hurt very badly. We must hurry."

The women cleared the bed and began to work feverishly. They were wise and skilled in the healing of wounds and hurts. They ordered young boys to fetch things that they would need. I tried to help were I could. I hoped and prayed that we were not too late. We worked long and hard.

Suddenly the door burst open and the Steward's guards rushed in pushing the women and myself aside from Faramir's body.

"What is going on." I demanded. "He can not be moved, or he will die."

"Denethor's orders are to bring him to the House of Stewards." The guard spoke

"What!" I shrieked. "He is not dead. You can not bury him while he is still alive."

"Please move aside. " the same guards spoke and he pushed me away from Faramir.

"Restrain her if you must" he spoke to one of the guards standing near me.

He turned and grabbed my arms pulling me back.

"Stop! Please don't do this!" I shouted. The guard only tightened his grip. I closed my eyes feeling completely defeated.

Once the guard had felt that the others were far enough away he let go of my arms with a warning." I will stand outside these doors so that you will not be able to leave."

UUUGGGHHH! I screamed throwing a bowl across the room. Denethor and his madness would surely kill Faramir now. There has got to be a way to stop this. I sat down and tried to think of something. Anything. Suddenly it hit me. Gandalf is my only hope. But he was in the midst of battle and I was locked up here in the place.

"Ioreth, come here " I whispered. "Where is the boy that was running errands for you earlier?"

"He is over there." she said point to the far corner. "Bergil, come here."

The boy stood up and hurried to her side.

"Bergil, I have a very important job for you to do." I spoke softly. I explained to him the plan I had for finding Pippin or Gandalf and explaining what Denethor was doing. He snuck out as quickly and quietly as he could. I could only hope and pray that this would work.