AN: Here it is at last: 11th chapter, I think most of you already suspect what it is about. It was hard to write it. It took me two weeks or was it even three, it is one of the longest chapters what I have written this far in this fanfiction, and I changed many things in it many times, when finally I was happy how it came out. But now without further ado, read and enjoy.
So to remind you this story is book and movie based. And if you find any mistahes in there, they are all mine, I don't have beta.
Disclaimer: I don't own Middle-Earth and the characters in it; they all belong to J. R. R Tolkien
They had travelled down the Great River for six nights. They rested at day on the shores of Anduin. It seemed like they were in no hurry, none of them wanted to think of the decisions that would face them at Emyn Muil, not yet.
Faramir stayed far away from Legolas, they didn't talk to each other, and if they did it was only in very short sentences. Everyone knew that something had happened between Faramir and Legolas, but no one dared to question what?
When they rested for the first time that night on their journey down Anduin. Gimli was finally the one who had enough; when Legolas had gone to look ahead he approached Faramir.
"What happened between you and the elf?" Gimli grumbled.
"Nothing," Faramir really didn't want to talk about it.
"Yes, nothing happened," Gimli said gruffly, "And we all are blind as well." That had gotten all the hobbits and Aragorn's attention.
"Don't ask Gimli, I don't have the answer for you."Faramir rose from where he had sat, "I'll go and collect some firewood." And he went even though he knew Sam had found enough firewood to last the night.
"Foolish man," he heard Gimli mumble.
He was almost in the woods when Aragorn caught up with him. "Faramir!"
"Like I said, Aragorn, I don't have the answers." Faramir didn't have enough energy in him to discuss this with the Isildur's heir.
"Should I talk to Legolas, Faramir?" the Dúnedain asked.
"No, Aragorn, don't. Legolas and I shall make our peace soon." Faramir stepped into the forest and didn't look back.
He wandered aimlessly in the woods, but he never went far from the camp. Finally he found a tree stomp and sat. Where had Legolas' mistrust come from, hadn't he proven himself already? He thought that he and Legolas had become something close to friends.
Suddenly he remembered what Gandalf had said before the council about Legolas' father: "The Father of Legolas is King Thranduil, he doesn't like Men, and he accuses them of being weak. He fought beside Men in the last Great War. But after Sauron was defeated he returned to his home to Greenwood. It was conquered by spiders and he blames the Men for that."
Legolas was brought up believing that Men are weak. Faramir knew that the prince didn't believe that. He just didn't trust Men, except one and that was Aragorn. Faramir had thought that he had gotten the elf's trust, but it was not so, it seemed.
The feeling of disappointment was back, the disappointment at himself. He had almost gotten over it on this journey, but Legolas' mistrust had brought it back and hurt him deeply. How could he protect them, fight beside them, if they didn't trust him. It felt like he was back at citadel and his father looked at him like he had let them all down. He had almost lost that feeling, forgotten how it felt like.
"Faramir?" he looked up and there stood Merry and Pippin. Well, it would have been strange seeing one without another.
"You have been gone so long that we all got worried." Merry explained seeing Faramirs questioning eyebrow.
"My apologies, my head was so full of thoughts that I didn't notice the time flying away." He rose and then he realized who he was talking to, "What are you two doing here? These woods are not safe."
"Aragorn was with us…" Pippin started.
"…but he went the other way to search for you, and we have our swords with us…" Merry continued. They both showed him their weapons.
"…we wouldn't have gotten into any trouble, you yourself and Aragorn taught us to fight…" and there was Pippin again. Sometimes Faramir felt that if he wouldn't have known that Merry was the older one, he would think that the two Halflings were twins, because they always could finish or continue each other's sentences.
"…so we know how to protect ourselves. And Aragorn is not far away, he said to call if there is trouble and he would be here." Merry concluded.
It was the strange hobbit logic again, but who was he to argue it. "You may be right. I apologize that I snapped at you two."
"No need to apologize, Faramir, we know that you are worried about us." Merry said.
The only thing that Faramir could do was nod, instead of saying something he started picking up fallen branches.
"What are you doing?" Pippin was confused.
"When I left the camp, I said I was going to find more firewood. And I don't want to go back without it." The ranger explained, and then it occurred to him. "Where are Sam and Frodo?" He really hoped that the other two little ones weren't looking for him.
"They are back at the camp." Merry answered.
"Legolas and Gimli stayed with them. Gimli grumbled that he was not running after some foolish man and Legolas said that he would stay and guard the ring bearer." Pippin explained.
Faramir started to answer when there was a rustling of leaves behind them. He was ready to grab his sword when Aragorn stepped out from the shadows.
"Seems like Pippin and Merry are much better trackers than I am, they found you first." Aragorn smiled as he stepped beside Faramir.
"Yes, we have taught them well." When Pippin and Merry enjoyed the glory of the praises Faramir gave a questioning look to Aragron, asking what had the Dúnedain thought taking the two with him.
Aragorn rolled his eyes and whispered: "I tried to argue with them, but you know them, they would have still followed me, if I would have said no."
Faramir suppressed a chuckle and shrugged, he had argued with them enough times to know exactly how stubborn they could be.
Aragorn smiled, patted him on the shoulder and headed for the camp. Merry and Pippin followed.
"Faramir!" Merry called when he saw that the man didn't follow.
"I'm right after you, Merry." He followed them, even though he wanted a little more time by himself.
When they reached the camp side Sam and Frodo smiled, Gimli grumbled something and Legolas just nodded.
Somehow he felt that he was unwelcome, he didn't know where that feeling came from, but it had set itself in his heart and wouldn't budge. Even the log he sat on seemed like it was part of the others, far away.
He didn't speak; he needed to be alone with his thoughts. Instead he looked at the fire, how red, orange and yellow flames played over the branches. The fire had always made him curious, he didn't know why, but fire had always calmed him.
Suddenly the fire was gone, he was surrounded by shadows. They were everywhere, he couldn't breathe or move. There where people behind the shadows, he tried to yell, to call out, to ask help, but no words fell from his lips. He felt death, hatred, disappointment, pain and loneliness. He was alone; there was no one, no friends, allies. No one, and he felt fear, his heart was full of it. Then he heard a vicious whisper somewhere from the shadows: "Renewed shall be the blade that was broken and crownless again shall be king." Cruel mocking laughter followed it. Faramir backed away, shook his head and closed his eyes.
The next time he opened his eyes he was back at the camp lying on his back. The worried faces of Aragorn and Frodo leaned over him; he could see others behind them.
"Are you alright?" Frodo asked.
"Yes," everything was fuzzy; he didn't understand what was going on.
"Alright, he says, he's alright, foolish man. Everyone can see that he is not." Gimli continued with his grumbling.
"What happened?" Faramir asked confused.
"We don't know," Pippin explained. "One moment you sat there and then you went white as sheet and fell on your back."
Fog fell from his mind, he had had a vision. That was it, that's why he was confused. It was strange, he had never felt like that after a vision, this time something had been different.
"I'm alright." Faramir scrambled on his feet, he didn't want to discuss what had happened.
"No, you are not." Since when was Gimli an expert on how he felt.
"What happened?" Sam eyes were full of concern, they all were concerned.
"He had a vision." Of course Legolas knew.
"Yes, I had a vision." Faramir didn't want to talk about it. It had scared him.
"What was it about?" Aragorn came and stood beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Faramir didn't want to tell them but then remembered what Galadriel had told him. He needed to trust the fellowship even if one of them didn't trust him.
He told them what he saw. "I don't know what it all meant, it was so strange. I felt like I was dead, but I wasn't, it felt like the shadows had swallowed me whole. And the last part…" He couldn't finish that sentence. Everyone was silent; no one knew what to say.
Pippin, the only one who was brave enough or didn't possess the patience the others possessed, asked. "What did it all mean?"
Faramir smiled sadly. "It can mean one thing, my death."
"Faramir!" Aragorn voice was full of command and worry. "You know very well, it may not mean your death. "
"You're right it may not, but still." Faramir didn't find enough hope in his heart to agree with Aragorn.
"Go rest, Faramir, I shall wake you when it is your turn to take the watch." Aragorn gently guided him to his bedroll.
Faramir did as he was told, sleep didn't reach him for a long time and when it did it was full of death, shadows and cruel laughter.
The next morning they continued their journey down the Anduil towards Rauros. Faramir was tired and weary; the dreams hunted him even at wake. He still felt tired even though his friends hadn't woken him to take his watch; Aragorn had extended his own so Faramir could sleep.
But Faramir was use to feeling tired. When he had been at home his dreams had always troubled him they had been full of death, battles and shadows. When he reached Rivendell the dreams had stopped. He had finally slept peacefully after so many years. But when Gandalf fell the dreams returned with vengeance, he hadn't had a good night's rest for days now.
He was weary, tired and dread had settled into his heart. Something was coming and he didn't know what. He saw that the same fear had taken over his companions. Departing from the camp had been hurried. They all feared something but didn't know exactly what.
A sudden gust of wind brought him from his thoughts he raised his eyes and his breath was caught by the magnificent sight before him.
"Merry, Pippin," he caught their attention and pointed before them. "The Argonaths." Upon great pedestals founded in the deep waters stood two great kings of stone: still with blurred eyes and crannied brows they frowned upon the North. The left hand of each was raised palm outwards in gesture of warning; in each right hand there was an axe; upon each head there was a crumbling helm and crown. Great power and majesty they still wore, the silent wardens of a long-vanished kingdom.
"They have guarder the Northen border of Gondor almost an age, from here my homeland starts." Faramir lowered his head; such was the sight before him, he felt so little before them. So little, so small, that he couldn't even look at those powerful and mighty kings. He had seen them from afar standing there, guarding. But he had never seen them from this side. Their stony glares fell up on him, he felt like an enemy of Grondor. But he was; he was a banished Lord of Gondor. He went against his father's rule and orders, he had no right to enter Gondor, if he were to be discovered; his sentence would be death.
Aragorn calling out, "We shall pass them soon. Keep the boats in line, and as far apart as you can! Hold the middle of the stream," brought him out of his thoughts again.
They made their way between the Argonaths boats side by side like Aragorn had ordered them. He couldn't look at the magnificent guardians, but the hobbits admired them.
"They seem so familiar." Merry was the one who pointed it out.
"They should, look at Aragorn. These are Anárion and Isildur, sons of Elendil, ancestor to Aragorn." Faramir explained.
"They look like you too." Pippin was confused.
"All Gondorians look the same, stone faced, like Gandalf once said. It's from the Númenórean blood; some have it less some have it more." Faramir chuckled; he didn't know that he looked so similar to Aragorn.
They sailed on, when the sun set was near three peaks came to sight. The lowering sun gilded over them. Faramir could hear how Aragorn explained to Frodo and Sam. "Behold Tol Brandir!" pointing south to the tall peak "Upon the left stands Amon Lhaw, and upon the right is Amon Hen the Hills of Hearing and of Sight. In the days of the great kings there were high seats upon them, and watch was kept there. But it is said that no foot of manor beast has ever been set upon Tol Brandir. Ere the shade of night falls we shall come to them. I hear the endless voice of Rauros calling."
They shored at Amon Hen, Faramir felt like someone was looking at him when they pulled the boats to shore and he could hear whispering in his mind, the ring was calling, he needed to get away from Frodo, he wasn't so strong to resist the calling of the ring. As soon he could he made his retreat to the woods to go and pick some firewood.
But his plan had backfired; he had wandered around in Amon Hen for a time when he stumbled upon Frodo, who had decided to collect firewood as well, seemed like faith worked against him.
"Faramir?" Frodo asked when he saw Faramir taking a step back.
The whispering had started again this time louder. "Faramir… Faramir… you can be king of Gondor … ruler of all the Men … You wouldn't need the heir of Isildur… you could rule them yourself … they would love you … honour you … obey you … fear you." But he didn't want to be the king of all Men; he didn't want anyone to fear or obey him. He wanted peace and quiet, Arda with no shadows in it.
But the whispers didn't stop. "Faramir … son of Denethor … you would be mightiest of all Men … you could have the glory… the valour… Denethor's second son could prove his worth." But he didn't fight for valour, for the glory. He only fought for Minas Tirith and Gondor, he only fought for peace. He didn't want the ring.
"Faramir?" Frodo questioned again. That brought Faramir out from the haze. He saw the fear in Frodo's eyes. He knew that Frodo understood what just had happened.
He stepped in front of Frodo and smiled gently. "Fear not! I would not take this thing, if it lay by the highway. Not where Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I alone could save her, so, using the weapon of the Dark Lord for her good and my glory. No, I do not wish for such triumphs, Frodo son of Drogo."
"You wouldn't?" The fear dimmed in the ring bearers eyes.
"No I wouldn't." Now he knew it, the ring didn't have any power over him, because he didn't want the things it offered. "Even when my life depended on it, I wouldn't take the ring from you. It wouldn't bring peace to Gondor, but destruction."
"Thank you." It was all Frodo could say.
"No need." Then he heard something, this was not right. "Frodo you must go. Something is not right, go somewhere safe. Go find Aragorn. Now!" Frodo ran has fast as he could.
Faramir looked around he couldn't understand where the threat would come from, he ran towards the camp side. He stopped again listening, he could hear running, clanging of the armour, heavy footsteps. Those sounds weren't gordorian he knew how Gondor's armours clang and how heavy their footsteps were. Those warriors weren't Citadel's guards or Ithilien rangers. There was only one other possibility - orcs.
He started to run, he didn't know where. He reached a clearing and sighed in relief, there stood Merry and Pippin. "Thank the Valar."
"Faramir, what wrong?" Merry didn't understand.
"Something is coming, we need to go back to the camp." He had just gotten the words out when Pippin cried and pointed behind him, his and Merry's eyes were full of terror. Faramir turned around and saw what had filled his heart with dread: Uruk-hai.
"Run!" he yelled to the Halflings, and at the same time crabbed his bow from his back and started shooting arrows as fast as he could, he didn't even look if he hit or where he hit.
But that was not enough, there were too many. He threw away his bow took his sword and started to back away. He took his horn with his other hand tried to call help but it was torn from his hand and he couldn't do anything about it. He raised his sword and with a battle cry charged into the hoard of Uruk-hai. He fought with all of his might, enemies fell on his right and left. He didn't know how many he had killed already when he heard a cry that split his heart in two.
The Uruk-hais had crabbed Merry and Pippin, he charged at them. He took his elven dagger from his belt and trusted it into the neck of the one who held Pippin. And hit his elbow into the face of the one who held Merry. He got the hobbits free and attacked again. He killed another one when sudden pain stopped him; he looked down and saw an arrow in his left shoulder. He fell to his knees from the pain, he collected himself and raised his eyes and saw another wave of Uruk-hai coming towards him and amongst them was their leader who held a bow.
He bit his lip and rose; it had felt so familiar this place now he knew why: this had been the place where his brother had died; he had tried to save the hobbits.
Well, Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel had told him that some patterns of the future were changed but some things in them stayed the same. That had meant instead of Boromir it was him who had to die.
If it meant that, so it should be. He wouldn't let them take the little ones. He charged them again he was trying to get to the leader but before he could the leader let another arrow lose and it nicked Faramir's right thigh. But he didn't give up he fought with everything that was left in him and then he felt himself weakening. He fell again and as soon his knees touched the ground he could here Merry's and Pippin's cries, he knew they had been taken. The Uruk-hai put another arrow on his bow and stood over him it was his execution and he accepted it, he had done all he could.
Suddenly there was a battle cry and he saw how the Uruk-hai was pushed away from him. It was Aragon, he knew his voice. He couldn't watch he didn't have enough energy in him. He closed his eyes and listened to the battle continuing. It was moments later when someone leaned over him and Aragorn whispered, "Faramir."
He opened his eyes and looked at his friend, who was looking at his wounds, "Leave it, Aragorn; go after the little ones. I can handle these wounds and if not I'll die. They have the little ones, I couldn't save them."
"Be quiet, Mellon-nin." Aragorn ordered.
"No, Aragorn, go save them! Leave me, I'm already dying. You have been a great friend, brother even. I would have gladly served you, followed you …"
But Aragorn didn't listen. "You are not dead yet, mellon-nin. Don't swear your fealty to me; wait until you are well enough to mean your words." And he went back to inspect Faramir'a wounds
At that moment Legolas and Gimli reached them. Faramir sighed there was one more thing he needed to do before he died.
"Legolas," he whispered. The elf came closer, "I still own you an answer. I would never sell my beliefs not even for my father's love. Please remember that." Legolas nodded. Now Faramir had made his peace and could die. He passed out when Aragorn pushed the arrow through his shoulder.