To my defence, I wrote this chapter yesterday evening and this morning. I was not able to resist. I changed the events that happen in the paths of the dead, as I thought it could have been. I laid a hint in the previous chapter. I would welcome it if you would let me know whether or not you liked it, once you finished this chapter. As well, this chapter contains the first real meeting of Faramir and Éowyn.

Content you will find in chronologically order: Faramir + entry, Legolas and Aragorn

Enjoy.

Various encounters

By the time the Grey Company arrived at Dunharrow the sun was already setting. Faramir looks around and a smile forms on his face. Here at the safe haven of Rohan it was very peaceful and the world was fine. Aragorn dismounted and he did the same. While the younger one pats his horse, eyes followed his friend and king. Then he saw her again. The fair-haired Lady of Edoras. When the young ranger saw her for the first time, he was highly impressed. However, in her beautiful face Faramir could register traits of sadness. If only, there was something he could do to bring a smile back to her face. Right now, she was approaching Aragorn and viewed the Dúnedain quite intensely. His friend did not notice it, may did not want to see it. Still, it was obvious that the young woman likes him. The two of them exchanges a few words. Afterwards, Estel left and proceeds to a tent. Legolas and Gimli followed him. The rest of their men and company stayed near the camp. Faramir regards his horse, then the young woman once again. As soon as he mustered courage, he drew near. "Unfortunately, we were not introduced yet, milady," the younger one began. "My name is Faramir," he continued. "Éowyn," she replies. The young ranger smiles and bows his head. Éowyn remained silent so he decided to speak up," Forgive me, if I am wrong but I suppose that you enjoy the company of my friend." Finally, her eyes found his. "I could not forget him. I was impressed at first glance," she counters. The gray steed, the one of him, nudged Faramir from behind and he stumbled forward. What caused Éowyn to smile. He could not help, the more he got to know her, the more he likes her. "Aragorn is indeed a very noble man," the younger one states. "You are one of Gondor's man," she declares. "I am, milady. Younger son of the Steward," he replies. "I haven't known, milord" Éowyn responds. "You could not," Faramir reassures her. "I suppose your company awaits you," she ascertains. The young ranger looked into her eyes. "I suppose you speak the truth, milady," he counters. With a bow of his head and a smile he left. Faramir lead his horse to a post near their tent. Then he removed his gloves and went inside. "Cin talked na i bein-haired híril who na- secretlui in mel with mín mellon," states Legolas. The younger one nods and adds," So, ho na- aware -o ha." Aragorn was seated in the corner of their tent. "May use a language I do understand as well," complains Gimli. "May the dwarf should master it soon, if he wants to participate," replies Legolas. "May the elf," the dwarf began but Faramir departs and makes for the corner where Aragorn resides. The young ranger silently asks for permission if his presence was welcomed and with the approval of his friend got seated. "Yes, im am aware i he na- fond -o nin. However, nin emel alreadui belongs na a adaneth," Aragorn declares. "He was i er who gifted i lúth na cin," Faramir determines. Both fell silent. "He was," Estel responds. "Gar- cin oiale been na Minas Tirith alreadui?" he questions. "Yes, but i was a an anand io. Im was known bui i est- Thorongil at i anand," his friend replies. So, the very man who was responsible for many successful actions in service of Gondor was right in front him. "Im ceri- know i est- o books. Nin adar oiale disliked ha," Faramir states. "Denethor always saw nin sui a threat," Aragorn agrees. "You should rest now, mellon," the Dúnedain then suggests and walks over to the opposite bed. Indeed, it was time for them to sleep. Though, there was one thing he still had to do. The younger one fetchs diary and quill and began:

Gondor's hope

Brother mine, I do hope that we are reunited very soon. The remaining ones of our Fellowship will have to face a key challenge at midnight. Now, the final battles lay in front of us all. I do hope with all my heart that we won't suffer much losses. However, the light will return causing our all countries to flourish. I do believe it will be like that. Besides, I met the wonderful woman again, I had last seen at Edoras. Her name is Éowyn. My brother may, no, would tease me, but I have to confess that I am in love. Hopefully, I will see her again.

(Translations: Exchange between Legolas and Faramir: L: You talked to the fair-haired Lady who is secretly in love with our friend. F: So, he is aware of it.

Conversation between Aragorn and Faramir: A: Yes, I am aware that she is fond of me. However, my heart already belongs to a woman. F: She was the one who gifted the charm to you. A: She was. F: Have you ever been to Minas Tirith already? A: Yes, but that was a long time ago. I was known by the name Thorongil at that time. F: I do know that name from books. My father ever disliked it. A: Denethor always saw me as a threat.)

The Grey company departed as soon as the sun greets the next day. Now the entrance lays in front of them. All horses became unsettled the closer they drew. Aragorn dismounted and the rest of the Fellowship followed. "We will be right behind you," declares Halbarad. Estel drew Andruil and hands the reins of Brego over to the man. "The entrance could need a bit of light. At least one," Gimli states. Legolas silently agrees with his friend. Indeed, the dark that greeted them was not a welcoming sight. Even the paths are dead through and through. Aragorn reveals a glimmering banner and presents it to Faramir, who took it with a bow of his head. Then time has come to enter the paths. Estel forms the beginning and they followed. Once inside, the dark claimed them and Legolas holds on to his bow. Gimli regards him and nods to admit he felt uncomfortable too. Faramir did not look much better. Only Aragorn was very collected and eager to fulfil the task. "One of my kind and an elf working together. I cannot believe my eyes," a foreign voice declares. Legolas scans the area, then his gaze rested on the appearance who could be a spirit of a soul that passed. However, he could not recognize the spirit of the man. "Thorin Oakenshield," exclaims Gimli. Now he did remember. The man that appeared in front of them was no other, than the leader of the dwarf, Legolas aided once because he followed Tauriel. Though, the elf did not make it close to him, too much orcs were in his way. Thorin died that day together with a good friend of Tauriel. A sad day he did not dare to remember because he sympathised with the dwarfs. "The elf did?" questions Thorin. Impressive, the dwarf could read his thoughts. "I truly did," agrees Legolas. Gimli could not follow. "I participated in the battle of the five armies. Unfortunately, I was not much of a help," the prince explains. "You were elf. It was me who should not had gone alone. I allowed it that the trap was successful," replies the spirit of Thorin Oakenshield. Legolas nods his thanks. "You are the son of Glóin," now addressed to Gimli. "T'is is true," responds his friend. "How foolish of you to have come here. But very brave as well," with that words the spirit vanished. Aragorn and Faramir followed their exchange but now a spirit appears before the two what claimed their attention. The spirit looks like a man but again Legolas did not recognize him. "Ecthelion," his long-time friend proclaims and bows his head. "Thorongil and Faramir, grandson of mine," the man replies. "You recognized me," the young ranger counters. "I did," the spirit answers. "How it comes we see you here?" questions Aragorn. "How it comes you came here?" asks the man in return. "My pardon, grandfather but he is not accountable to you," speaks up Faramir. The spirit of the man smiles while saying," You're right, grandson." Estel steps forward," May let us pass." The man bows his head but before he vanishes, Ecthelion addresses the word to Faramir, "Grandson, my son Denethor is under influence of the palantír and in need of your help." Then the spirit was gone. "Now we do at least know why your father has been acting weird over the past few years," Aragorn declares and smiles at Faramir. The younger one could not return it yet because it seems he still comes to terms with what had happened.

Aragorn lay a hand on the shoulder of the young man, then he moves on. It was new to Estel that spirits of the past welcome the ones that chose to walk these paths. He was surprised to see Ecthelion, no less than Faramir. However, it seems that they all have proved to be successful. The mountain was very dark but it was expected of him to be strong. Aragorn was not afraid but felt uncomfortable. He checks on his friends and registers that Faramir' right hand lay on his sword. Legolas and Gimli hold their bow and axe at the ready. They would be prepared for that what might come but he does not think weapons are needed. Estel follows the path deeper in the dark of the caves, if that was even possible. Finally, the stone of erech lay in front of him. He lowers Andruil and touches the stone with his left hand. In the first place nothing happened but then green lines emerge from the place where his hand laid. Aragorn' eyes follows these lines and could witness how they unfold to the shapes of death men. In an instant they were surrounded by thousands of men. Next, a dead man with a crown appears in front of him and Estel presents Andruil, simultaneously Faramir steps forward to reveal the banner. "I am heir of Isildur and I ask you to fulfil the oath you till now failed to come after," Aragorn declares. "I do see that and we promise to be there whenever you call for us," was the answer he received. Then, the death vanishes and green lines were now visible on Andruil. Estel grabs the hilt of his sword one more time, then he put it back into its scabbard. Never would he had thought it to be that easy but luckily the death accepted his offer without need to convince them. Again, he regards his friends and company. The relief was written on their faces. Faramir furls the banner and stores it in one of his saddlebags. Legolas lowers his bow as Gimli did his axe. Halbarad, Elladan and Elrohir looked back and nodded to him. Then he felt a tingle in his left hand and searched for the cause. A green light had encased it and a dark circle around his wrist remained. When his eyes found Faramir again, the younger one held up his hand to show him that the same happened to his wrist. So, they all received such a sign. He supposes that the stone of erech was responsible for it. This day they will remember. The sign ensures it.