Here's chapter 18 ! Before you start reading it, I just need to tell you that I have uploaded chapters 8, 9 and 12. Basically, I simply replaced most of Sellenya's content by Celeborn's (especially the parts with Sauron), because I thought it made more sense.

Anyway, this chapter will be centered only around Aragorn and the others and you'll find some Sauron's POV. I hope you'll like it and thank you again for reading this story, you're awesome ! All of you !

Faramir literally fell on his couch. Valar, he was so exhausted ! It had been two days since the four companions, Éomer and a great part of his Éored had left the city of Edoras on horseback, and now seemed like the first time they were able to finally get some rest. On the first day, they had simply rode, desperately seeking for a place secure enough to make camp, which was not an easy task when the only things surrounding you were green and perfectly treeless plains.

"We could ride to Fangorn's Forest, like this we will get closer to Isengard and will be hidden from unfriendly eyes." one of the youngest Rohirrim had suggested innocently.

"Are you out of your mind ?" had come the very sharp reply from Baldwig on the young rider's left, "These woods are in no way a place to settle. This would be as safe as deciding to make camp in Mirkwood."

Certainly, the man had spoken before truly thinking, but Faramir and Gimli had clearly sensed Legolas tense the slightest at the sharp remark. Especially Gimli since the dwarf had been riding with the Elf on a white horse named Arod. Aragorn had not been with them at that time, for he had been discussing with Éomer nearly all journey long. Soon enough, as the cloudless and peaceful day had gone on, leaving Gimli in a state close to sleep, Legolas and Faramir had begun discussing of their homelands.

Truly the man would have never thought he and the Elf had so much in common. They lived in a land plagued by evil, a land where the sun was barely visible, they both had an overly authoritative father who had lost his wife quite soon after his son's birth and who also happened to be the ruler of said lands.

But most of all, the two friends didn't particularly appreciated the constant need to fight this period brought. And that had not much surprised Faramir, for he knew the Elves were very close to nature, and he also very well knew what kind of scars did battles left on a land.

Yet, there was one thing the Prince of Mirkwood had said that, even now, kept running through the man's mind :

"I guess you have been taught about this, but Orcs used to be Elves. And each time I am forced to hurt or kill one of these creatures, I cannot help but think that this might have been a person I used to know..."

Legolas' voice had held so much despair... And Faramir had been forced to admit he had never thought about this...

Eventually, as the sun had begun to set, every rider had realised that Fangorn was their best if not only option, for it seemed like the only place in Rohan that could truly hide them from Saruman's spies.

"We will remain on the borders of it, I promise." Éomer had spoke, trying to reassure his most skeptical and afraid soldiers. He had looked weary, tired, almost desperate. Surely a consequence of the events in Edoras.

Faramir hadn't slept well that night. He had been seeing things... But was completely unable to tell if they were nightmares or foresights. The Palantír... Minas Tirith invaded... Nazgûls... Minas Morgul... Sauron... Boromir... There was something very wrong with him... So much darkness, so much pain, for no apparent reason... Faramir couldn't stop worrying about his brother, but in a way he had never been before, for this time, he had no idea what was wrong with him. Or maybe... No. Still...

On the second day, they had planned how their attack would be going, and it had soon becomes clear to everyone that it was suicide. They were too few, despite the fact that nearly a hundred warriors had chosen to follow Éomer. They needed help. But from who ? The discussion had soon turned into an argument, and no solution had been found in the end.

Legolas hadn't spoke a word. He was leaning against a tree, eyes closed, looking deep in thought. Eventually, he had stepped forward and spoken :

"Why not call for the aid of the Ents ?"

At first, every Rohirrim had laughed, throwing comments like :

"Yes, why not. Maybe we will be able to overrun Isengard in the Fifth Age."

"And why would they help them."

But Aragorn, Gimli and Faramir had thought about it, and soon enough, the Rohirrim followed. And it turned out this wasn't so much of a bad idea. Saruman was slowly deforesting Fangorn, destroying the Ents' very homeland... And Legolas was an Elf... Elves were good with trees...

And less than ten minutes later, Legolas was leaving for the heart of Fangorn, insisting that no one followed him, for Ents weren't truly keen on receiving much visitors, especially men.

And so, the discussions had ended. Everything was now awaiting for the Elf to come back, taking a moment to rest their tired minds.

Faramir closed his eyes, but knew he would never be able to sleep. He had not stopped thinking about his brother, and he was afraid. No. Not afraid. Terrified. The more he had thought about him, the more his certitudes had become to waver, before finally vanishing. And what seemed now to be the truth, indeed, terrified him.

'What have You done to him ?' he thought in fear and despair. He did not even know why. What was he thinking ? That He would answer him ? The worry had made him act without thinking straight. That was stupid. He needed to pull himself together, and quick.

But suddenly, Faramir felt the barriers around his mind begin to waver and, before the man could realise what was happening, Sauron himself was here and stood tall in all his dark majesty in front of him, a deep and dark laugh echoing painfully his mind. Faramir felt himself involuntarily shaking in fear, and closed his fists tightly to hide it, vainly. What... How... Oh, no...

"What are You doing here ? Haven't you had enough ?" Faramir asked through gritted teeth. By the stars ! He was burning him. No... Not again...

"You call me, I come." the deep voice answered in a mischievous laughter that made the young man wince in pain. He felt the Dark Lord's attempts to break through his defenses, but this time, he resisted. Yet he was afraid it would not last long. He had to push Sauron back, now !

Faramir closed his eyes and gathered all his will into pushing the Enemy away. It seemed to work at first, but the man was too exhausted and his strengths were decreasing every minute. Yet, he kept stubbornly going on. It was partly his fault He had come here, he had to win this battle.

Sauron could not believe what was happening. The man was winning, he was pushing Him, the Dark Lord, the Lord of the Rings, away. How could this be ? Of every men, the one gifted of foreseeing had to be strong ? Nay, impossible. Men weren't strong. They all had a weakness. Even this Aragorn had one. And so did the son of the Steward. This weakness was what they called 'love'.

The Dark Lord knew His time was running out. He had to choose his words carefully.

"You are right about your brother. I am the one plaguing him."

Sauron felt the man's concentration waver for a second, but that was not enough.

'Curse it. Curse these elf lords and their mind-shielding.'

The Lord of the Rings was losing his strengths. Too quickly.

"I am his only hope of salvation. All you have to do is kneel and I will save him." He rapidly added, hiding the despair and hurry in his voice.

This time was his last shot. Sauron had already lost too much energy the last two times. But He needed the man, He needed his foresights, He had to succeed !

"Never !" Faramir answered sharply, but weakly, and that did not escaped the Dark Lord. He had an idea. He knew of the gondorian's greatest weak spot. He had it under his control. Maybe if He simply... Aye, aye, this might work... But He would have only one shot... And the elves might arrive soon... Why weren't they already here, by the way ? Nevermind. This was the least of His problems.

"Then prepare to have his death on your conscience." He spoke, smiling in satisfaction. This was a good plan.

Sauron then focused back on the older man that had been left in Edoras. The man he had been plaguing since a few days in order to weaken his younger brother's mind.

A loud scream of pain suddenly filled the Healing Wards, echoing into His mind and Faramir's. The Dark Lord smiled. Oh ! What a sweet music to his ears ! Melkor would have not done better.

Sauron then quickly focused back on Faramir and his evil smile widened even more. The man had fallen on his knees, his hands covering his ears, a beautiful wince of pain creasing his features, sparkling tears streaming down his face. But more importantly, the barriers around his mind were wavering. Eventually seeing his shot, Sauron broke through it. He was not strong enough to take control over the man, but that was not what He had been looking for... Where was it...? Here ! He had found it !

But at the same time, two white silhouettes appeared before Him. Lord Elrond and Lord Celeborn. A deep laugh escaped the Dark Lord. So He had indeed hurt Lady Galadriel... Interesting...

"Back away ! Leave him !" Lord Elrond shouted at Him.

Sauron knew He was not strong enough to fight the two Elves once more. But that did not matter. He had found what He had been seeking.

"With pleasure." He replied before disappearing in a cloud of fire, a wide smile on his face.

Aragorn could not help but feeling concerned about Legolas. He hadn't been particularly agreeing with the idea of leaving his friend going into the forest alone, but it was for the best. And hopefully, he could count on Gimli to reassure him :

"Now come on, we've survived Caradhras, Moria, Parth Galen, and you're afraid that some trees might represent a danger for an Elf ?"

And Aragorn could only agree with the dwarf. He was surely overreacting.

"Do you think the Ents will truly help us ?" the worried voice of Éomer interrupted his thoughts. Aragorn took some seconds to study the fair-headed man. He surely did not look well. There were dark circles under his eyes and he seemed constantly alert and tensed, for he kept glancing worriedly around him.

"I think they will, yes. Have faith."

Looking slightly reassured, the man sat down next to Aragorn and Gimli and they simply stared at the soldiers before them in silence. Most of them, including Faramir, had fallen asleep against trees or on their couches, but some kept pacing back and forth, looking awfully stressed, just like their Lord did.

"You should take some rest." Aragorn suggested the younger man, who replied him with a small chuckle.

"Even if I wanted to, I am not sure I would be able to-..."

The young Lord was interrupted by a pained moan coming from Faramir's couch.

An instant later, Aragorn and Gimli were on their feet, hurrying to the man's side. This was surely another nightmare. They had to wake him up.

"Faramir ?" Aragorn tried, gently shaking the young man by his shoulders.

His only answer was another moan, quickly followed by a gasp and a cry.

"Faramir !" Aragorn cried, now attempting to slap the man awake, but this did nothing. By the Valar, he was getting much harder to awake !

"Éomer ! Your flask ! Now !" he shouted as Faramir kept screaming, looking in terrible pain. Immediately after, the dark-haired man poured the water on the younger Ranger's face.

He choked on it and the blue eyes suddenly shot open, filled with a look of pure fear.

"Faramir ? You with us, lad ?" Gimli gently asked, grabbing the man's shoulder.

He was breathing quickly, too quickly.

"It is alright, Faramir. You're back, it was just another nightmare. It is alright." Aragorn tried to soothe him, but Faramir hurriedly shook his head, eyes still wide open, before whispering something. Aragorn's breath caught in his throat when he recognised the word.

Sauron...

Here it is ! I don't really know what to think of the quality of this chapter, because I wrote most of it while making boxes and listening to music... I've checked it twice already, and I truly don't know what to think.

I hope you liked it anyway, and if not, please tell me what I could improve.

Stay well !