DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sailor Moon or Lord of the Rings.

Recap: Èomer shouted from the front of the large group of soldiers.  "Now is the hour.  Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken.  Now, fulfill them all.  To lord and land!"  Led by King Théoden, the Riders of Rohan filed across the vast hilled countryside that led to Gondor.

Chapter 39

"There are 7 young women and two little girls coming."

"The Sailor Scouts?"

"Yes."

"Does that mean that-that-that vagabond Aragorn is coming as well?"

"That is unimportant."

"Unimportant?!"

"Excuse me, my lord, but I believe you need this ... opportunity."

"...Opportunity?"

"One of the girls, Serenity, the one with golden hair in an unusual style, has in her possession a magic crystal that has the potential to save your little nation and return your son to you."

"What's the catch?"

"Only that you hand Serenity over to me after you seize the crystal.  And I understand there's a young woman who arrived in Minas Tirith with Faramir?"

"Yes. He says her name is Minako."

"It is as I suspected, then."

"What?"

"Silence! As well, you must retake Osgiliath.  It is necessary for Faramir to go."

"Faramir?  Why?"

"It is not your place to ask questions.  See that it is done."

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Pippin spoke slowly and haltingly.  "Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, in peace or war, in living or dying, fr-from..."  Denethor looked on with a comical expression.  "From this hour henceforth, until my lord release me or...or death take me."

"And I shall not forget it," said the Steward while rising, "nor fail to reward that which is given."  He extended his hand.  Pippin kissed the Lord's ring reluctantly.  Then the man's oily hand raised Pippin's chin.  "Fealty with love."  Releasing the Hobbit, Denethor proceeded to a table set with food.  "Valor with honour.  Disloyalty with vengeance."

Minako stood at Faramir's side alone in the centre of the room.   The man is repulsive, thought Minako.  Leaves guests standing while he sits to eat.  And he looks like he hasn't seen a mirror, or a bath, in far too long.

He set selected items on his plate.  "I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses.  Defenses that your brother long held intact."

"What would you have me do?" Faramir asked.

"I will not yield the river in Pelennor unfought.  Osgiliath must be retaken."  He said this without looking up from the selection of food before him.

Faramir tried to reason.  "My lord, Osgiliath is overrun."

Denethor finally looked up, sharply.  "Much must be risked in war."  He turned hi eyes back to his food.  "Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?"  Pippin and Minako glanced between the two men with worry and a measure of sadness.

Then Faramir spoke, although the words pained him.  "You wish now that our places had been exchanged, that I had died and Boromir had lived."

Denethor, staring dimly ahead, nodded slowly and whispered, "Yes, I wish that."

Faramir's eyes were brimmed with tears. He blinked them back harshly before his father saw them. His father. He took several deep breaths. It hurt in his heart, for something wonderful and innocent in him had finally shattered after all the years of wear.

The Hobbit stood uncomfortably in the atmosphere of the hall.  Boromir is alive! he wanted to shout.  Gandalf told us so!  But...he had just been sworn as a Guard of the Citadel just minutes ago. Pippin didn't want to anger the Steward so soon.

Before he could worry on it any longer, Denethor cleared his throat and returned his attention to his food.  Faramir slowly spoke.  "Since you were robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead." He stiffly bowed, and headed to the door with a blank expression.  He paused.  "If I should return...think better of me, father."

Denethor still did not look to Faramir.  He didn't look away from the brim of his goblet.  "That will depend on the manner of your return."  Faramir kept his pace steady as he left the hall, not acknowledging the last remark.

Minako barely held back her anger towards the Steward.  She granted him the barest of curtsies before running out after Faramir.  "Faramir! Please, wait."

He did not stop, but he called to her over his shoulder as she ran to catch up.  "I do not ask you to come with me."

"You're not...going back there...are you?  We...barely...escaped...with our lives...and that...was with...Gandalf's...help." She gasped for breath as she reached him.

He continued straight on, not turning to her or slowing his pace.  "I am.  I will gather as many men as I dare and leave immediately."

She stepped firmly in front of him, forcing him to stop.  "Then I am coming with you."  They stood there silently.  The seconds dragged on.

Finally he raised his eyes to her face.  "If you come," he said, "it is to your death."

She smiled slightly.  "You have no idea how often I hear that."

AN: is on sugar high I'm too happy to write any more just now. But I WILL update soon. Because all my friends but one are out of town. L Anyways! Your reviews are smiled upon!