A/N:

Nenuks: Thank you for your review! So great to hear from new readers! I'm glad you're enjoying my direction and find my character developments believable, that is a wonderful compliment to receive as a writer! There was a long span of time that I did not update due to some life events, but I think my other reviewers can agree with me when I say that I have been quick to update for months now. Usually I will post a new chapter every week or every two weeks. I will strive to update sooner, reviews like this are certainly a good motivator! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Mari Clair Roemajji Celts: Hello friend, you went above and beyond with your HP story recommendations I can't wait to check them out! I'm sure it will get my own mind churning with lots of ideas, inspiration, here I come! Now what happened to your computer?

Now as for your review, which was amazing and well thought out as always, I can see Anion is growing on you even more so; he seems to have become a very well liked character by the readers! Which is so great to hear, OC's are always risky, people either love them or hate them but you're keeping me in the mindset that both my OC's are holding up well and standing out on their own against the other amazing characters of Lord of the Rings.

I'm glad you liked my little humorous part with adding that interaction between Merenwen and the little boy; I was hoping to add some lighthearted humor in there. I hate kids like that too, but you can't help but laugh!

Shipping Anion and Merenwen more now eh? Yeah, I can see that. I'm guilty of playing on the thought of other relationships…if you haven't already noticed, but I'm a girly girl and part of me thinks its fun to write about characters crushing on the main female character. It's all good fun, but still believable in a sense as well. But let's face it, no one beats Legolas and Merenwen together, I'll make sure to remind everyone of that within the next chapters!

Wraiths, mouth of Sauron and all the excitement you love will be coming up in the story very soon! Hope you enjoy this chapter too my friend, hope to hear from you soon!

Maple12: Hello again! Great to see another review from you! I can't thank you enough for your awesome reviews of my writing! And you totally nailed it; the climax is just about to happen! I'm going to make sure all the fun, action, battles and of course unexpected twists and turns are on the way! Hope you enjoy reading this next chapter! Thanks again for your review!

Elleth of Light

Chapter Twenty-Five

Merenwen's POV

Anion and I stood frozen, unsure what to say or do to assist Faramir in presenting our intentions to Denethor. We were surrounded by a cold world clad in black and white. Statues of men carved in the finest marble appeared to be glaring down at us, judging us where we stood. It was a grand space to behold but it was lacking warmth; there was no welcoming feeling in the great hall of Gondor.

I studied Denethor intently; watching the snarl of his lips as he spoke to his son. His eyes were as cold as the statues that kept him company; he was dead inside. His body slumped into the throne sitting in the shadows of the throne intended for the king. There in the shadow he must have withered into the man he had become. His behavior was erratic; his words were intertwined with a hatred that even Faramir could not fathom.

Out of respect for Faramir I remained behind, Anion and I stood only a few feet from the doors, awaiting a signal to approach the steward but I was beginning to wonder if such a signal would be seen. Denethor was shouting at Faramir, speaking to him as if he were nothing but a loathed subject in his kingdom. I was growing impatient…and angry the longer I watched Faramir lower his eyes, fearful to even interject a single word in his father's speech of disloyalty.

We were outsiders; no elf is a friend to this land he explained. The very idea that Faramir had befriended us only confirmed his disloyalty to his people, his kingdom and his very family. My blood was boiling. I could feel Anion place his hand upon my shoulder, a method to keep me in place as the conversation continued.

"You will only make the situation worse my lady." Anion spoke but my eyes could only see Denethor. This wretched man degrading us and his son before my very eyes; I could not remain a mere bystander any longer.

"My lord I really must object." I said in a stern voice while shrugging Anion's hand from my shoulder. I approached with steps intentionally echoing through the hall. Faramir turned to face me with concern and confusion only to step aside as I drew near.

Denethor raised an eyebrow at my actions and motioned for his guards to approach as well.

"You dare speak to me without being spoken to in my own hall elf? That is an offense worthy of death."

"What's the matter my lord, afraid of someone brave enough to speak out against your cruelty? Do you fear me so much, that you order your guards to keep me from getting too close to you? Coward." I spat while facing the royal guards standing between us.

"How dare you! How dare you bring this disrespectful creature in my presence Faramir!" He roared, pushing his body from his seat and trying to appear far grander than he knew he truly was.

"How dare he? How dare you speak to your son in such a way? What is there to respect in you steward. I see nothing but a frightened old man refusing to creep out from behind the shield of denial you've placed before your eyes. You are a fool and you will not live long enough to witness the days of this land restored!" I was no longer speaking to him, I was shouting.

"Is that a threat? Are you threatening me? I will have you arrested! Your corpse will rot in the dungeons for the manner in which you have spoken to me!" Denethor was outraged by my words but I stood my ground as he pushed through the guards to face me directly. I could feel his breath upon my skin, he was panting from the rage dwelling inside of him.

"You fear what I speak! You fear the truth!" My eyes narrowed as I sneered; I wanted him to see that I did not fear him, not in the least. Nor did I fear imprisonment because one way or another I would find my way out. I would claw my way through every stone that stood between me and my freedom if I had to. But this man needed someone to stand up to him. He needed to see that he would not break every spirit that came before him.

"You pathetic little girl! Trying to play games in a world of men. You may have captured the heart of my son but I am not so easily bewitched. You are a snake…that is all that you are." He was now circling me. An intimidation attempt, he must be desperate to gain the upper hand at this point.

"Listen to me you worthless scum…I did not intend to come here to engage you in a battle of insults; my companion and I came here to help you! We came to help this city in the war that will come to your doorstep whether you accept it or not."

"I am not blind to the threat of Mordor child, I have seen more than you know."

"Child? I have walked this earth for decades before you were even a thought in the mind of those that brought you into this world. You are blind if you refuse to act upon the best interest of this city! Ready your people, evacuate the women and children, prepare your warriors to fight!" I yelled. Denethor stopped his pace before me and grabbed my chin and forced my face into the light of the sun peering through the hall. He began to examine me, before speaking in a hushed tone.

"You may hold more years of life than I do but you are still a child in the matters of men! You cannot waltz into my kingdom and claim to know what's best for my people upon arrival. I do not know what position of power you hold in your land but you do not rule here. Your opinion means nothing to me and your life is insignificant in my eyes. You will bow before me, plead for forgiveness and perhaps I shall overlook the crimes in which you have committed." He released my face and stepped back, allowing me enough room to grovel at his feet. A request I would certainly refuse.

Before I could speak I heard the doors to the hall swing open. A deliberate pace of anger reached my ears as well as the clang of a staff driving hard into the floor with every step. I knew who it was but still I turned to face him. Gandalf.

"Enough of this! Denethor I will ask that you overlook the impudence of my friend here. We will take our leave from your hall." My jaw dropped, what did he just say?

"My patience with you and your friends is growing thin. Leave me, all of you and let me be clear to you Merenwen of Lorien…you will not be so lucky to leave without chains if you chose to enter this hall again." Denethor said as he returned to his throne. Faramir, in a fit of confusion and regret, made his way out of the hall from the rear doors without so much as a word to me.

Before I could object, Anion and myself were shoved out of the grand hall by the mighty hands of the wizard. After the slam of the doors reached my ears I turned and faced Gandalf with an expression of disbelief.

"What the hell are you doing?" I exclaimed.

"You fools! Running your mouth like an immature child and being thrown into the dungeons for insubordination is hardly an act of bravery. Your stupidity will accomplish nothing! Perhaps a night behind bars would have taught you to be wiser in your attempt to play the role of a hero!" I could not believe what I was hearing. I was being spoken to as if I were being scolded by a parent.

"Gandalf I-"

"Silence! You have said quite enough today. I suggest you find someplace to cool off before we speak again. I trust you Anion to keep her out of trouble. I can't be around to save you from your lack of self control every time you decide to act impulsively." With those direct and rather hurtful words, Gandalf left our sight.

"Did I not say-" Anion started until I groaned loudly in objection.

"I do not want to hear it Anion!"

"Look, I admire your spirit, that fire within you is...devastating but it is also one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed. Every elf I have met in my life has been kind but in a cold manner, strong but reserved, trapped by the constraints of elvish ways…but you my friend, you are what we all desire to be. All elves could learn from you, but there are things you could also learn from them." He was right; in everything he spoke of.

"You are far too gracious with your words; I'm realizing the things Gandalf said may be more accurate though. But you are right; I do have a lot to learn from my kin. Now, how shall we cool off?"

"I'm afraid there will be no time for you to cool off my lady, we now have orders from my father." A familiar voice spoke. Faramir came into sight, however this time he was bearing garments I did not expect to see: armor. He was no longer wearing his leather robes and boots; instead he was clad in steel bearing the intricate design of the white tree of Gondor.

"We?" Anion questioned.

"Aye. In order to grant your stay here within the city walls, you must prove your worth…same as I." He replied with great sadness.

"And how might we go about proving our worth?" I was afraid to know the answer, if it required armor...then it would be no easy task.

"Osgiliath must be reclaimed."

"You mean to tell me we must walk blindly into the fallen city where the enemy now gathers? It is folly! None shall survive entering the city, we would be outmatched tenfold! Faramir, we cannot allow your father to send us to our death!" Faramir refused to look at me directly, he merely stood tall and remained stoic in his demeanor.

"If my father demands it, then so it shall be done. You will follow me to the stables; we shall ride to Osgiliath within the hour." He said without expressing any amount of emotion, so much so I wondered who this man was. This certainly was not the man who had his hands around my neck in a burst of emotion, unleashing the pain, suffering and rage that dwelled within his heart from the life he faced.

"What did he say to you? What did he do to break you Faramir?"

"We will speak no further, we have our orders." He replied while beginning to make his way down the steps. I shook my head before chasing after him, instantly placing myself in front of his path.

"Look at me! Faramir, would you truly ask it of me to watch you throw away your life, and the lives of Anion and myself just for the sake of appeasing your father?" I was pleading with him, the fear of dying becoming all too real for what seems like the hundredth time in my life.

Still, Faramir refused to look at me. He stood as still as a statue, forcing his eyes away from me until I took hold of his armor opening beneath his neck and I pulled him into sight. His eyes finally met my own and tears began to swell within them before he spoke.

"I do not wish this. But…this much is certain…" He started, I allowed my hands to release him but he remained in my direct gaze. He placed a hand upon my cheek; the warmth of his calloused hand was instantly felt.

"I will not let harm come to you or your companion; so long as I shall live I will protect you. I know it is not I who dwells within your heart, and it matters not to me. You have become a dear friend to me and your life is important to me and to this world. I shall ensure your light will continue to shine. Now please, do not make this harder than it already is. I will do all that I can to see you through this, I simply need your trust."