Time has come again for a new chapter. Thanks again for reading and the newly added review according the last chapter. I´m glad you welcomed the little reference.

This part will be more serious again. You´ll find a long content of Boromir, one of Faramir + entry and one of Aragorn. Besides that, I added content of Éomer and a short one of Éowyn. As well, I were not able to go without Brego. Couldn´t believe this sweet horse is not in the books. (I am still reading Fellowship of the ring so yes; I need to google to stick to the story in books. But I am eager to finish LOTR 1 soon to continue with the trilogy.)

I hope you´ll like this chapter as well.

Enjoy.

Dawn of bad times

All men and women outside watched Grima Wormtongue leave the city. Boromir was no exception. "My king, your son, he died," the woman who rushed to the King's side minutes ago, informs the regent of Rohan. Théodred, ever a good and fair men, his friend in war, deceased? Boromir looks to the ground to hide the shock visible on his face. Théoden nods and gestures his men to follow him to prepare the funeral of his son.

The Fellowship, with its six members remains at the entrance. "We may liberated the King but it hasn't even begun yet. There are dark times that do approach," Boromir states while lifting his head.

"I fear so too," Aragorn replies.

"Even worse my friends. It has already begun. Saruman lost control over Théoden so we can guess his next move," Gandalf declares.

"They will attack the folk of Rohan," Legolas ascertains.

The wizard nods and adds," We should convince King Théoden to be prepared for them." Boromir wonders when it will be Gondor's turn. Their forces were spread along the borders. The hit that comes sooner or later, will be hard to bear. Minas Tirith should no longer delay it to build up a defence. Deep in thoughts Boromir realized too late that his friends already made for the throne room.

"You were thinking about Gondor," Faramir determines, his brother remained at his side as the younger one ever does.

"Father should withdraw our troops from the borders to gather them around Minas Tirith. If the enemy attacks Rohan, then we will be next," Boromir replies. The gaze of his brother saddened, as it ever does when they discussed war.

"Rohan will not fall, neither will Gondor. We have someone the enemy wouldn't expect us having and we have each other," Faramir adds with an encouraging smile.

"I do understand it now why you became such a respected captain," Boromir declares while answering the smile of the younger one. The two of them were about to enter the halls of Edoras again but were stopped from Théoden personally.

"We will waste no more time to bury the prince of Rohan. The men of Gondor have ever been our allies. As King of Rohan I would ask you to join us," Théoden requests.

"Théodred was a good man and ally to Gondor. We will be honoured to join you for his farewell," Boromir answers.

"Then you may follow me," Théoden said and takes lead. The Captain General welcomed the offer of the King. Would he not have been asked, the older one considered to query permission. At the grave entrance many women were to be found. Boromir decided to stay at the edge of the assembly. After all he was not a close relative to Théodred. His brother chose the same spot on the opposite site. The women of Rohan start a moan and the prince was brought. Never again will Théodred enter the halls of Rohan or Gondor. Boromir bows his head when the wooden litter of the Prince passed him. One thing the Captain General won't get used to it is the unfair death of brave men who only fought for their country. However, he can maintain a strong facade. Of both brothers it was expected to do so. Faramir mastered it long time ago that Boromir alone could see his pain through it. While the older one could allow to show an insight of his true feelings towards their father, his brother could not. When Faramir did, Denethor reacted even more unfairly. Multiple times has Boromir tried to prevent these occasions from happen again. With missing success because Denethor was a very stubborn man and still blamed Faramir for Finduilas death. If only the matter were it alone. Denethor used every opportunity to remind the younger one of the accusation. Boromir once more regards his brother. If only he could protect him more often. When Faramir pledges his allegiance as a soldier of Gondor, the older one hoped that his brother would have been assigned to his unit. However, his brother has joined the Ithilien Rangers. They were not in one unit but at least Faramir was as safe as possible. His little brother soon became Captain after the younger one proved himself worthy. Faramir must secretly blame him for the look he gave him again. Boromir's gaze returned to the sorrowful task that was worked out. The grave was closed and all returned back to the city.

After Théodred's funeral the King was to be found at the throne room and the Fellowship gathered around him. Boromir and Faramir participated in it as well and entered after Théoden. "Rohan should be prepared for the next aim of the enemy. He will come and we better expect no mercy of him,"Mithrandir addressed towards the King.

"We will go to Helm's Deep and my people will be sent to Dunharrow for their safety," Théoden declared. The regent of Rohan instructed his men to initiate the steps that were needed. Aragorn knew of the benefits of Helm's Deep. He has not served there before but it may would have been his decision too, were it about him to determine Rohan's next steps. They were dismissed and each of them went to a different spot to prepare for departure. Aragorn went to a room where occupants of the Golden Halls pack their belongings. Their he was part of a reunion between brother and sister.

To hear the news that this snake of a man left Rohan sounded like a sweet melody. Éomer was released and his first wish was to see his sister. He found her in the common room viewing a sword. Yes, he knew very well for Éowyn's wish to fight but he could not allow it. With Théodred dead, she was the only sibling left to protect. Carefully, he made two steps behind her and took the sword out of her hands. "Éomer. I thought you were banned of Rohan," Éowyn states and the relief to see him here was visible on her face.

"He told you that? No, he didn't dare. I was held prisoner in the darkest cell avail. The very one Théodred hid when we played hide and seek. Where it took a while to found him," he explained. Then he pauses because Éowyn embraces him tightly. "Could you may inform me about our next steps?" the marshal asks the shieldmaiden.

Instead of her a man answers his question, "The King and Rohan's troops will make for Helm's Deep to await the enemy. Remaining inhabitants of Edoras will seek refuge in Dunharrow." Éomer releases his sister and turns around. The man was one of Boromir's friends. He identifies the man as Aragorn.

"My thanks. Based on your information I better assist my men," Éomer replies.

Aragorn bows his head, "My thanks as well. You let us pass beside the law of Rohan forbids it. We will join you in Helm's Deep." Éomer hold out his hand and Aragorn took it. Then the marshal left to reunite with his éored.

Though Faramir refused the offer to accept a horse, he made for the stalls. The young ranger escaped the war preparations. He would not be much help anyway. Rohan's inhabitants deserved time alone to say farewell for now to their city. Faramir doesn't want to hinder them from doing so. In the stalls, horses were saddled and laden. There were already enough helping hands so the younger one decided he could write another entry. Faramir leans against a wall, out of way and revealed his diary. He was surprised to realize a new entry was made. The young ranger recognises Boromir's handwriting. Faramir smiles when he read the words. Back at the funeral his brother gave him that look again. The younger one was grateful for his brother's acceptance. He owned Boromir quite much. His brother endured the several sword battles and because of him Faramir became the man he is today. He had known of his brother's wish to join the older one's troop but he has welcomed it a lot that he was assigned to Ithilien. Would the younger one has joined Boromir's unit he would had seen his brother more often but would had been forced to participate in the rough battles Boromir fought. There had been no other way than to grow into soldiership but at least being an Ithilien Ranger, meant to evade the heavy battles. Faramir finishes his musings and fetches his quill to add an entry for the last days:

Isildur's Bane

As already mentioned by Boromir I was hurt quite badly at Amon Hen. There our hobbits were taken away from us. We followed the tracks of the Uruk-hai into the territories of Rohan. Reunited with a friend, the next mark was Edoras. Boromir and I joined the funeral of Prince Théodred. His death was a deep hit for his folk. My brother lost a good friend. Unfortunately, I never really met Thèodred, only heard of him from Boromir. With the enemy on the heels Rohan now prepares for war. Gondor won't be spared as well. There lay dark times ahead. Our solidarity and friendship will now be tested.

"A pleasant sight to see you fill your diary," Aragorn states when his king entered the stalls.

"I wasn't able to thank you yet," Faramir answers while he stores it away. Elessar smiles at him then Aragorn hurries to the back of the stalls. The younger one followed him. A horse was obviously agitated and it was impossible to saddle it.

Elessar soothes the horses and queries, "To whom does it belong to." It was a noble beast, similar to the one Boromir owned.

"It is Brego, the horse of Théodred." a man replies as Faramir has supposed it.

"We should grant him freedom," counters Aragorn and removes the headcollar. The horse's eyes found the one of Elessar, then it gallops into freedom.

"I suppose you'll join me on foot," Faramir determines. "I will. A ranger fares better at service without a horse," Aragorn states. "Certainly, you found a friend in Brego, shall you ever need one," declares the younger one.

"Shadowfox and I will leave you now. Look to my coming, at first light, on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East," Mithrandir let them know while coming from behind.

"Go," answers Aragorn. Then the wizard departs leaving the two of them behind.

An hour later Rohan departed. The folk of Rohan makes move for Dunharrow and the army heads towards Helm's Deep. Éowyn would have preferred to join her uncle and brother for the fortress instead of accompany the inhabitants of Edoras to their refuge. She will patiently wait for her turn. One day the shieldmaiden will go along with the soldiers of Rohan. For now, Éowyn kept pace with the others.