I'm sorry I know it's been a long time since I've updated this, but I'm determined to finish!


Chapter 29: A Song for The Fallen

It felt like hours as Pippin and I stood near the pretend king hearing his ghastly chewing making me turn towards the door. I had hoped Faramir would come to his senses and kick his father off the throne and reclaim the city. As time ticked by though I knew it wouldn't happen letting out a small, defeated sigh looking down at the ground.

"Do you sing elf?" I heard Denethor's voice say making me look up slightly offended by his tone replying, "No."

He grunted saying, "An elf who doesn't sing that's a new one, I thought it's all you people did while prancing through the forest."

My eyes narrowed going to speak as Pippin cut in saying, "I can sing… though, we have no songs for great halls and evil times."

I could see the serious look on his face staying quiet only hearing the chewing loudly while he said, "Well why should your songs be unfit for my halls? Come, sing me a song."

Staying quiet my eyes stayed on Pippin as he began singing, "Home is behind, the world ahead and there are many paths to tread, through shadow to the edge of night, until the stars are all alight..."

Hearing his voice begin to crack I frowned sadly seeing him take a breath finishing, "Mist and shadow cloud and shade, all shall fade, all shall fade."

I looked away quickly wiping away a tear that was threatening to fall getting my posture back as Denethor finished his meal. Judging by his expression the song meant little to him even though it should have but that was his loss.

"That will be all master Hobbit, you may retire to your room for a meal, but I shall see you bright and early tomorrow understood?" the king said hearing Pippin say quietly, "Of course my lord."

He bowed his head as I did the same seeing him eye me for a moment before Pippin took my hand escorting us both out. I kept my hand in his gazing at the tree seeing it appeared to be more shriveled than the last time I saw it frowning. Walking past the guards we didn't run into Gandalf since no doubt he was preparing for the worst. Pippin opened his door to see food was sitting on a tray beside his bed as we both ate in a comfortable silence.

"That song was beautiful… very sad but still beautiful." I said seeing him look towards me replying, "I'm glad you liked it… wish it was just you I'd sing for but under the circumstances could have been a lot worse."

"Still surprised you could sing though…" I mumbled giving him a small smile seeing his eyes lighten a bit smiling back replying, "Not as well as an elf but I'd say I manage in a tavern any day."

"We shall have to sing together once we get back to the shire." I said gazing out seeing the sun would be setting soon hearing him say quietly, "You think we will… you know get back?"

I laid down on the bed closing my eyes as I said, "I think we will… we still have a long journey and no doubt it will be painful but, in the end, … I truly believe we can make it through this."

"Even the others… Frodo, Sam… Merry too?" Pippin said laying down beside me as I smiled saying, "Yes… I have faith Frodo will do the right thing so long as Sam is by his side and Merry well, he's as resilient as you… I imagine he's on his way here with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli."

"Wish I could be as optimistic as you..." he said quietly while I turned towards him saying, "In times of war all we have is our hope that things will come out right, otherwise we would be just setting ourselves up to fail."

"Then I must confess… I love you." he said softly making my snap my head towards him saying, "What did you say?"

I felt his hand reach over putting it against my cheek saying, "Marina Baggins… I love you."

I felt tears in my eyes but smiled at hearing him call me by a Baggins as I leaned in closer to him saying, "I love you too Peregrin Took."

"You know my full name?" he asked surprised while I laughed saying "Gandalf told me… well more like was cursing your name a few times."

He laughed gently but it died down knowing that Faramir and the other soldiers were probably marching to their death as we spoke. Gandalf would no doubt be waiting for any news of their return so for the meantime we had to bide our time.

"We should rest… the sooner we sleep the sooner morning will come." I said seeing him nod knowingly pulling me closer to him feeling his warmth instantly.

Not bothering to change our clothes I laid against his chest listening to his steady heartbeat closing my eyes relaxing slightly.

"You know..." Pippin began feeling my eye open as he said absentmindedly, "We may not survive tomorrow… wouldn't want to waste a night witho-"

"Shut up and go to sleep Pipsqueak." I said in a lazy annoyed tone knowing what he was getting at hearing a heavy sigh leave his lips as he whispered, "Worth a shot."


I awoke first going out onto the balcony seeing the darkness had reached the city noticing black specks begin to make their way to us. Grabbing some fresh clothes, I heard Pippin stirring in his sleep knowing that we would have to fight today. Despite all the training I had with my mother and Gandalf I had never taken part in a real war.

"Eyes forward Marina." I said taking a deep relaxing breath as Pippin yawned sleepily behind me watching his hair stick up all over the place as he said with a lopsided grin, "Good morning."

"We should get going, your steward is probably waiting." I said walking over to him giving him a small peck on the lips before he nodded knowingly.

Standing beside the man who let his son ride off to a hopeless battle only hearing the chewing of his ghastly open mouth. All was quiet unbeknownst to us that tragedy was heading our way until the doors burst open turning at the sound.

"My lord, news from Osgiliath." the man said seeing the pretend king not even look up replying, "Yes what is it?"

"Our men were slaughtered, their heads thrown into the city to mock us." he said as I spoke up saying, "What of Faramir?"

"He was dragged back by this horse." the man said grimly watching his father look up now interested saying, "My son is dead?"

Watching him stand as he walked briskly to the door his guards followed while Pippin and I kept up with their strides going through the doors. Seeing four men carrying Faramir's body my heart clenched in my chest knowing this would be the outcome.

Denethor kneeled beside his son as one of the men said, "They were outnumbered, none survived."

"My son is dead..." Denethor moaned walking away from the body seeing Pippin run over to Faramir while I did the same running my hand over his forehead.

"He's alive." I said feeling his breath coming from his nose seeing none of the men go to move as Pippin yelled, "He needs medicine my lord!"

"My line has ended." Denethor said in anguish as I looked up starting to hear the loud chants coming from below, the orc army had arrived.

Hearing and feeling the rumble of stone hitting against stone I knew projectiles were beginning to hit the city as their cries could be heard. I looked towards Pippin with worry as he mirrored my expression knowing this was the final stand.

"Abandon your posts!" we heard Denethor yell suddenly looking up at him shocked as he said, "Flee for your lives!"

Turning as I saw a white flash Gandalf appeared watching Denethor turn around getting hit multiple times with his staff until he was on the ground. Standing up besides Pippin, Gandalf turned towards us and the soldiers as we stood ready for commands.

"Prepare for battle." he said as we all nodded going to our rooms and grabbing our weapons and armor seeing Pippin remained in his steward's clothes.

"This is it." he said looking towards me seeing the worry cross over his features making me place a gentle hand on his cheek saying, "No matter what happens I will stay by your side and together we will survive."

He nodded while I pressed my lips gently to his before pulling away spinning my daggers with a smirk saying, "Come on we have a city to save."


I will have another chapter up soon!