Chapter 25: Boromir's Child
The morning sun seemed to bless the sleeping child in Pharazphel's arms. Pharazphel took it as a good omen as she kissed her new daughter. Faramir approached her bedside as he had done before and could not help but beam at his niece.
"I have looked upon the fairest child of all," he said. "She looks like an Elven child than a child of Men."
"She's perfect," Pharazphel said. "She's my golden Pharazith. I'm certain Boromir would agree."
"He would," Faramir said. "He would have been overjoyed to have such fair and valiant women by his side."
Pharazphel only half smiled. "And what of your father?"
"What of him?"
"Is he still angry that I did not bear him a grandson?"
Faramir stopped short and sighed. "I am sad to say that he is, my dear sister."
"I am sorry that I disappointed him so," Pharazphel said bitterly. "In tragedy or joy, he cannot give us one moment of peace."
"I am sorry, my sister," Faramir said.
"No, I am sorry. Sorry that I do not know how to please your father," Pharazphel said. "I wish I knew how to gain your father's love, but I do not and I will not beg for it. I will not make my children do so either."
"I know my father's coldness is not making this any easier for you," Faramir said.
"It matters not," Pharazphel said. "I have Pharazith and you. I have all the courage I need to endure."
"I am glad to hear of that," Faramir said.
"And what of your father?" Pharazphel asked.
Faramir sighed. "He keeps himself shut up in the halls, cradling Boromir's broken horn. I hear him screaming for Boromir."
"At least we know we are not suffering this pain alone," Pharazphel said.
Faramir gazed at Pharazith. "She looks like him already. I know Boromir would be proud if he could see her."
"He would. She is his child," Pharazphel said proudly. "She is strong, like him. I see she already has his grey eyes."
"You have done well, my sister. She is the most perfect child of Gondor and Rohan," Faramir said.
"I have the foolish hope that your father might see that she is Boromir's child one day," Pharazphel said. "I still hope that one day he will remember his love for us in the end, but I will not beg for it. No family should beg for their love."
"A hopeful sentiment, indeed," Faramir said.
Just then, there was a knock on the door from Madril. "Captain Faramir, your father wished to speak with you. Come to the Hall now."
"Best not to keep Father waiting," Pharazphel said.
"You rest until I return," Faramir said.
Faramir quitted the Houses of Healing and made for the his White Tower. He found Lord Denethor in the white halls, sitting atop the marble seat, cradling Boromir's broken horn.
"What news, my lord?" Faramir asked.
"How fares the Rohan wench and her spawn?" Denethor asked.
"My lord, is this why you have called me here?" Faramir asked.
"Answer my question!" Denethor said.
"She and the child are well, my lord," Faramir said.
Denethor brought forth the broken horn. "How is it that my son is dead while that wench and her spawn live?"
"My lord, Pharazphel and her child are not to blame for Boromir's death," Faramir said.
"She is a temptress! She put Boromir under her spell," Denethor cried.
"My lord, there will be time to grieve. Why have you asked me here?" Faramir questioned.
Denethor collected himself and spoke again. "I have seen where the Enemy will strike. He will strike from the East. He is gathering in Ithilien. You will take your Men and march there."
"My lord, how do you know the Enemy wanted you to see this? Are you certain you can trust this?" Faramir asked.
"I know what I have seen," Denethor said. "You and your men will march to Ithilien and take out the Enemy before he strikes us. A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor to show his quality."
"But my lord, I cannot leave Pharazphel and Pharazith," Faramir said in protest. "She has only just given birth and I swore to Boromir that I would look after her and the child while he was on his journey."
"Boromir is dead," Denethor said. "You are no longer bound to your oath to him. Would you disobey an order from your lord and father?"
"No, Father," Faramir sighed.
"Then take your leave of the Rohan wench and be on your way," Denethor said.
Faramir bowed and took his leave of the hall.
When Faramir return to the Houses of Healing, Pharazphel was smiling brightly as she held Pharazith in her arms. Although he was troubled, it gave him great joy to see the child cradled in Pharazphel's arms.
"Have you not rested at all, my sister?" Faramir asked.
"How could I rest now?" Pharazphel asked. "I only wish to spend every possible moment with her."
"You are the most stubborn and strong woman I have met!" Faramir said with a half smile.
"Faramir, what is the matter? I don't think Father could have ruined the entire day for you," Pharazphel said.
"But he has," Faramir said. "I am to leave for Ithilien at first light."
"Why?" Pharazphel asked.
"He believes that Sauron is gathering forces there, and I am to take my men and stop him."
Pharazphel could not contain herself. She felt her heart tear in two.
"Is there no mercy in him at all?" she asked. "How could he command you to go now?"
"I do not know my Father's mind anymore, I fear," Faramir said.
"This is cruel. He cannot do this. Can you not send someone else in your stead? You have done enough to please your Father, whether he will see it or not," Pharazphel said.
"It is my lord's command, and I must obey," Faramir said.
"No, I will not have it!" Pharazphel said. "He cannot tear us apart. I lost Boromir. I will not lose you on the whim of your Father!"
Pharazphel composed herself, trying to put herself back together. "I'm sorry."
"I know, my sister. I do not wish to leave you or Pharazith. I promise that I will return to you both."
At first light, Faramir and his best men were ready to march out of Gondor. Before Faramir could make way, he heard someone stop him.
"You did not think you could slip away at first light without my notice, did you?"
Faramir turned to find Pharazphel with Pharazith in her arms standing before him.
"No, I did not," he said.
"I have trusted you with my life and Pharazith's and you have never been false. I beg forgiveness. I was wrong to despair," Pharazphel said.
"There is nothing to forgive," Faramir said. "I do not wish to part from you or Pharazith. I promise you that I will return."
"I will await your return," Pharazphel said.
Faramir leaned down and kissed Pharazith's head. He heartily embraced Pharazphel. Reluctantly, he released her and mounted his horse.
"Remember today, my sister," he said.
Pharazphel held Pharazith close and watched as Faramir and his men galloped off on the way to Ithilien.
Boromir strayed out of his mind and body as he lay on the ground. He did not know how long it had been since the strange day in which he was wounded and the Uruk-Hai had taken his friends, Merry and Pippin. He did not know if the Uruk-Hai had kept them alive. His thoughts strayed to Pharazphel. He wondered if their child was safe. All he knew was pain.
Boromir heard footsteps that drew him from his stupor. Boromir had no hope of defending himself against Uruk-Hai or any enemy that approached him.
"Who are you?" Boromir called out weakly.
Desperately, Boromir crawled, pulling his frail body to safety. The footsteps continued to follow him.
"Who are you?" Boromir called.
Boromir was blinded by a glowing, white light. "Saruman!"
Boromir tried to crawl away, but he found himself unable to move, trapped in the wizard's spell.
"I would not move as wounded as you are, Boromir son of Denethor, said the White Wizard.
"Saruman! What do you want with me?" Boromir asked.
"I am Saruman, if I must be called that," said the wizard. "I am Saruman as he should be."
"Where are the Hobbits, Merry and Pippin?" Boromir asked.
"They are perfectly safe and unharmed. They were reunited with an old friend. Are you comforted, son of Gondor?" said wizard.
"Show yourself, White Wizard!" Boromir said.
The figure from the light stepped forward and Boromir found himself stunned.
"How can this be?" he gasped. "Gandalf!"
A/N : Gandalf is back to save Boromir! Yay! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I appreciate the reviews and favorites. Thank you so much! Enjoy!