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About palantírs and debates
The first thing Éowyn could see was Éomer. He kissed her hand and she looked at him, still weary. "Wyn, better don't do that to me again," he had said. The shieldmaiden had managed a faint smile. Her brother then left to exchange a few words with Faramir because she asked him to do so. Since the marshal and new heir of Rohan's throne returned, Éomer stayed by her side. Éowyn turns her head to regard him.
"Did you receive any wounds?" she questions. The fair-haired man shakes his head.
"Not even a scratch, Wyn," he answers. Éowyn closes her eyes again. Silence. "The second son of the Steward seems fair to me," Éomer states. She nods. Faramir was.
"I saw him in my dreams," Éowyn began.
"Faramir?" he asks and his eyes are on her.
"No, Thèodred," she replies. "He said that... I should be faithful," the fair-haired woman continues.
"Wise words," Éomer agrees. "You are safe within the walls of Minas Tirith. Besides...," he stops and searches for something in his pockets. "I brought your diary along. Forgive me the minor damages. It participated in battle," he finishes and lay the diary next to her. "I failed to find you before we left for the Pelennor. So, took it with me. Never would I have dared to think that you joined the soldiers. However, it is good that I took it. While I am away, at least this diary stays here with you," he adds.
"You must leave again?" Éowyn asks in a worried voice and opens her eyes. The fair-haired man smiles sadly at her.
"I fear so. One battle must still be fought. Details will be discussed shortly," he responds. She was about to rise but was held back. "Wyn. You are injured. Severe. Stay here. Stay safe," Éomer requests.
"I cannot when you ride into battle," the shieldmaiden mumbles.
"You can and it is an order, Wyn," he replies. The shieldmaiden closes her eyes again. The marshal takes her hand. "I already lost to many dear to me. Wyn, you are the only one who remains. Hate me, but I will go alone," Éomer states.
"You are the only one I have left as well, Éo," she counters. The fair-haired man kisses her forehead.
"I know," her brother responds. "Rest, Wyn. The debate calls. However, I promise to stay with you till it is time to depart," he adds, stands up and leaves her chamber.
"Finally, we found the two of you," states Gimli and enters the chamber. Him and the dwarf were told that Merry and Pippin would be found in the Houses of Healing. After many talks, their search was successful.
"It is long since we last saw you," Legolas adds and smiles.
"We missed our two lively hobbits," admits his friend. The chamber was bright with a small window. Not yet sun shone through it but soon enough. Light always prevails over the dark. As long as one believes in it. There was a bed in which Merry lay and Pippin sat on a chair next to him. The dwarf found another chair and carries it to the other side of the bed. Obviously, Legolas had to stand.
"How were you faring?" he questions and draws near.
"I had some thoughtful and interesting moments with Gandalf. Oh, and I saved him," answers Pippin, a bright smile on his face.
"I am a scarce of Rohan now and therefore helped you in battle," replies Merry.
"And you fought with this Witchking as they call him," adds the younger hobbit.
"Quite a lot happened then," concludes Gimli.
"I am most glad you got along without us," responds Legolas.
"May you tell us more about the green soldiers that accompanied Strider?" asks Pippin. "
We met these fellows inside the Paths of the Dead. They agreed to follow us and vanished within Andruil. I do not know how they did it. However, green lines remained. They were... very good in battle as you have seen," explains the dwarf.
"Besides, their use in this battle the oath breakers captured the fleet at Pelargir for us," continues the prince.
"I was not forced to draw my axe," chuckles his friend. Both hobbits join in the amusement of Gimli. When their journey started, Legolas did not suspect to be that close with his companions in the end. But now, the elf would give his life for them. He walks over to the window and regards sky and city. For that it was built by men, Minas Tirith nevertheless had some flair. Not comparable with the beauty of Mirkwood but one of another kind. Soon, sun will return to shine on the centrepiece of Gondor and all of Middle Earth.
Imrahil arrived at the gates. They received a request to come together. He, the marshal of Rohan and the wizard were already there. Soon, the heir of Isildur will come. Then the debate will begin. Boromir should join as well. Regardless of his dislike towards discussions. The prince set up a letter and sent a messenger to Dol Amroth. For the families of the fallen soldiers. Instead of his nephew, second in command of Osgiliath's force, Aearon draws near. Imrahil smiles and nods towards the man. "Lord Boromir reversed my resignation. There is something he has to do. However, he promised to join the battle," the soldier states. It was then that Aragorn, accompanied by two elves join them.
The man bows his head to greet the commanders, "Thank you for coming." All gather around a table. "It is essential to guarantee that his attention belongs only to us," declares the Dúnedain referring to their enemy.
"This should be easy. All we need to do is to knock at his doors," replies Éomer.
"The difficulty will be our armed forces," states Imrahil.
One elf nods," Not many of us are left." Aragorn regards every one of them separately. Exchanged views with all that were present.
"All we have to do is save time. I am in need of your support because I cannot achieve this alone," the man announces. The prince does not know him for long nor heard from Aragorn before but was impressed at first glance.
Boromir and Calemireth had arrived at Denethor's chamber. His father was not present. "Beregond mentioned a staircase behind...," he thinks aloud,"... there it is," the older one finishes and climbs the stairs.
"I will be right behind you, milord," states the woman.
"Boromir," he replies.
"Milord?" she asks. The Captain General turns around and offers a smile.
"Call me by my name, milady," he responds. Calemireth returns it. Above was a door. He opens it and enters. A dark and dusty room lay in front him. Not once has the Steward mentioned it, neither Boromir has been here before. In the middle, on a table, was an orb. Within the palantír were green mists. He was asked to give in and to surrender. Nah, the older one would not. Boromir draws his sword and shields Calemireth. He walks towards the table. Someone, something tries to infiltrate his mind. The older one shakes his head.
"Boromir, we should destroy it," suggests his Lady and the voice in his head vanishes. Hearing his name from Calemireth awakened the same power in him as when his little brother said it. The Captain General swung his sword and destroys the table. In the course of that the palantír fell and breaks into a thousand pieces. A force starting from the orb throws him to the ground, regardless of his efforts to prevent it. He shielded his eyes because of the bright light. Then darkness. He opens his eyes but the light stayed off. It cannot be. "Boromir?" the brown-haired woman asks in a worried voice. The older one shakes his head in disbelief.
"My eyes," he mumbles and sank to the ground. She lay a hand on his right shoulder. It seems Calemireth kneels down to him.
"The light must have blinded you. Stay where you are. I go and get Lord Aragorn," the woman declares, pauses for a moment, then kisses his forehead. She was about to rise but Boromir catches her hand.
"What was that for?" he asks and a smile forms on his face.
"I am sorry, milord. I do not know what has gotten into me," she replies and backs away. He lost the grip of her hand.
"Calemireth..." he began but she was already gone. "Damn," the Captain General exclaims and strikes at the floor. His left hand touches his head. "Why did I have to open my mouth?" he mumbles.
The discussion was short and decided unanimously. On last time, they rode into battle. Frodo will receive all help Aragorn could give. His thoughts never stopped to wander to the hobbit. If only he could do more. Estel steps through the gates when a woman comes towards him. "Milord. He does need your help," the brown-haired lady speaks up as soon as she caught breath.
"Who?" he questions.
"Boromir," she replies.
"Lead us to him," Estel declares. His friend was not at the debate. However, certainly with good reason. They passed several men and climbed to the highest level. She leads the way and stops in front Denethor's chamber. "Is the Steward inside?" he asks. The woman shakes her head, enters and shows him a staircase.
"In the room above," the lady indicates. Aragorn walks up and realizes that she was not coming. He turns around and views her. "I will stay... outside. I am not supposed to be here after all," she replies and leaves. So, he continues alone. A small and dusty room opens up in front him.
"It is good to... that you came, friend," a familiar voice state. As soon as his eyes got used to the dark, Estel could see the Captain General. Aragorn kneels down to be at the same level with him.
"Palantír of your father?" he queries.
"You guessed right," Boromir replies. The Dúnedain silently waits for him to speak again. "It is destroyed. However, I got blinded as a result. My king, can you help me to regain sight?" the older one continues. "I know I have failed to attend the last debate," his companion adds.
"Be forgiven," Aragorn replies with a smile. "You still have my trust and friendship," he states and lays a hand on Boromir's eyes. Not long and the man could see again. His friend returns the smile.
"When do we leave?" the Captain General asks.
"By sunrise. Until then, you should rest. This word is not in your vocabulary, I know but a request of mine," he responds. The older one bows his head. Both remain seated. "The lady?" Aragorn questions. His companion became thoughtful.
"Is she gone?" Boromir began. After a while the man continues," My fault. I was wrong." Estel lay a hand on his shoulder.
"If I may give you an advice. Earn her trust and love as you have mine," he declares. Afterwards, Estel rises and leaves his friend alone.
Until I´ve got the next chapter ready, you may take a look at the one-shot "Benefits of war". Till then, friends and readers, enjoy reading fanfics.