Readers, forgive me. This update took too long. (Writer´s Block)

Hope the wait was worth it.

I will try to update regularly again.

Thanks for your patience.

Thanks for the newly added follows and the favourites in general.

Thanks for reading.

Enjoy.

We must go on

Calemireth steps out of the Citadel and regards the White Tree again. As of yet, it shares her mood. Here at Gondor but useless against the injustices of this world. However, his destiny will turn for the better. She lowers her gaze till it catches a scratch. The lady would have touched it, but she refuses to not earn the enviousness of the guards. "I see you found it, milady. A pleasure to finally see you again," Calemireth hears him say and turns around.

She smiles," Indeed, a long time has passed since I last saw your face, Faramir, second son of the Steward." He returns it and bows slightly. His left arm was bandaged but his eyes looks at her kindly. Calemireth views the scratch on the tree again.

Next to her Faramir chuckles and bends his head, then he explains," I am responsible for this scratch. I hit the tree as a child. It was an accident." She regards the young ranger. Did she ever heard him laugh so freely before? However, the Lady could not join in the laughter. His eyes found hers. "Milady? I suspect you think that my brother does not share your feelings," Faramir concludes. Calemireth lowers her head and views the arm protector she received as a gift of Boromir.

"Obviously, I am not very good at hiding it," she then mumbles.

"He neither. Never have I seen my brother like this. Not even when our mother died," the man replies. Calemireth looks up.

"So, he is too proud to show it?" she asks. Faramir slowly shakes his head.

"I would not say that. No. It is new for Boromir to feel that way for a woman. It would lighten my heart if you decide to not blame him. He is different around you," the younger one answers.

"It is surprising that there is no woman in your life," she concludes. Her friend encouraged Calemireth with his words. He is gentle and fair. A scholar, a warrior. Faramir looks at her again and it was as if he could read her thoughts.

"You are the second lady with a sword I have seen today," he then speaks up.

"Do you know her name? I haven't seen her since," she replies.

"Her name is Éowyn," the man responds, in a way that told her that this woman earned his liking.

"Go to her," she counters. He nods slightly.

"I will," Faramir states and was about to leave but turns around again," I am glad, milady to know you stand by my brother's side. You have my thanks." Then he left. Calemireth followed with her eyes till he was out of view. Yet, she was glad about his visit. It gave her new hope and confidence to wait for this one man as long as it takes if it has to be

Éowyn watched the riders depart. She did not enjoy the parting of her folk, her family, her friends. Yet, the shieldmaiden did not manage to convince Éomer to let her ride with him. Then there was the death of Théoden. She has failed her loved ones. Éowyn could not protect her uncle, could not help her brother in battle. When the fair-haired woman heard footsteps, she turned around. Faramir smiles faintly at her and stops beside her. "It may feel that way but milady, you have not disappointed your folk. Not at all," he began and looks at her. She remains silent, so he continues," You wish to be with the soldiers but only because the battle is elsewhere does not mean, war is not here." His smile lessens. "However, I do not believe that this darkness will endure. Our men, your brother, my brother will return safely," Faramir states.

"You think that because Aragorn is with them," she mumbles.

"I have faith in my friend who will be my king as well. Yes, I know that," the younger one answers. While he said it, he places a blanket around her shoulders.

"Thank you," she manages to say. The intensity of his smile increases.

"My pleasure, Éowyn," the young ranger replies. Silence. "I will be in my mother's gardens. Should you...," Faramir was about to leave but she reaches for his hand.

"Stay with me please. I was alone in that chamber for too long," the shieldmaiden speaks up. He nods and remains by her side. "I suppose you cannot understand why I was on battlefield. It is no place for a woman. Not if one asks men," Éowyn began.

"You fought most bravely," he responds. She smiles weakly at him.

"I did what I thought was right. I swore myself to fight for the land I call my home," she continues. Next, his eyes find her diary, which the fair-haired woman holds in her other hand.

"Is this yours?" Faramir asks.

"It is," she replies. "However, I haven't made an entry for years," the shieldmaiden adds. She only brought it along to have as much of her family near as possible. Like Éomer had carried it in battle.

"You should. Mine did me a good service," the man responds. Éowyn bows her head but does not answer. She hides the book under the blanket.

"It is nice," the woman states while viewing it further. There were white circles placed on a green background and along the edge a golden fabric with faint lines.

"It once belonged to my mother and was a gift to her from my father," he explains.

"She must mean a lot to him," Éowyn concludes.

"She did. He never recovered from her death," Faramir responds.

"I am sorry," the shieldmaiden returns.

"Years have passed since but she has not been forgotten," the man answers.

"I wish he would be still alive," she mumbles referring to her uncle. He looks at Éowyn then carefully lay his hands around her shoulders. Her head rests on his and she lets the tears run free.

"Boromir?" the little one asks from behind.

"Aye," he answers.

"What happened to you that night?" Pippin continues. The Captain General regards Thunderstruck while searching for an answer. He could not admit that Saruman tricked him. Not in front of his men.

"I am curious as well, friend," joins in Éomer. Aragorn smiles and bows his head.

"Well, I took some private sailing lessons. Missed training in the past years," Boromir then responds.

"Waters were never the element of mine," states the marshal.

"Next time you will join me, friend of Rohan," the older one counters.

"Never. Not even when all black riders would be behind me. I rather fight my way through them," Éomer answers with a grim face.

"Yet, it was water who helped our brave ringbearer to come so far. I admire your courage but they are strong. Too strong even for the blade of Andruil," declares Aragorn.

"I value your counsel. Only yours," admits the marshal.

"However, what lays in front us is something we can battle. They are plain orcs," states Boromir. Next to him Imrahil nods.

"Yes, and all we need to accomplish is to receive their whole attention," adds Estel.

"With you at the top my friend, it is guaranteed that we will get it," responds Gandalf.

"Then let us start," Aragorn declares.

"That we understand each other correctly this time. The battle will start for us at the same time. When an orc is dead, it is dead and a certain someone will not fire an arrow at it. One beast, means one kill. Does the elf agree?" speaks up Gimli who shares a horse with Legolas. The prince smiles.

"If my friend feels better then," he agrees.

"I will watch you closely. Even when it feels I am not, know I do," replies the dwarf. "I see your back but I know you are smiling," his friend adds.

"Impressive," comments the elf.

"I did not really like these fellows but they would have made the difference in this battle," states Gimli.

"I agree but the enemy does have no dwarf," counters Legolas.

"And no elf," joins in his companion. In front of them rides Aragorn on Brego. Next to him, Boromir and Éomer. They talked as well but fell silent.

"Blood will be spilled for one last time," he concludes and spoke no more.

"Not the one of us," declares Gimli. "The one of them," the dwarf adds and it appears to him that he said it with a grim smile.

Arwen could feel his pain. Aragorn did not wish to risk the lives of men again. However, he knew there was no other way. All of this she felt while lying in her bed. Arwen had given up her immortal linage to be with him. To share a lifetime with him. Her father did resist of course but, in the end, she could convince him. It bore a risk this was true. Should her love not prevail, she will be claimed by the darkness. However, Arwen trusts Aragorn. He is all their light against evil. One that won't go out, not in their deepest need and not very soon. She felt his heartbeat and every breath he took, as if he would be here with her. Estel turns around and it was as if they exchange views. Once more her hand searches for his ring. It was a promise of him to return to her.

Oh, Nin mel. She looked so pale. When Aragorn saw Arwen for this short moment, it only reaffirmed him knowing now her life accounts on being successful. To push the shadow away and to bring back the light. Underneath the borrowed armour, her gift, the evenstar pulsates and seems to agree with his thoughts. So, be it. The dark will not last. They will bring back the brightness. When Estel looks aside, he witnesses the change in mood of Boromir. His friend still seems to think about Calemireth what meant they have not talked since. The older one may not suspect it but Aragorn does share real sympathy for the man. To fight and earn for the love of a maiden was not an easy task. However, one made where a man should be successful for his own sake. A life without Arwen, was inconceivable. Thunderstruck neighs and the Captain General lifts his head only to meet Estel's eyes. His companion silently asks if there was anything, Aragorn wants him to do. He slightly shakes his head. Boromir nods in return and takes up the reins again. Soon, the battle of their life will begin.