Finally, thought the author while posting the next chapter. Again, there was a bigger break than planned. I am sorry. I love to work at this story. I do not why it took me so long again.

Thank for staying with this story.

Thank you for reading.

Enjoy.

Battles must be fought

Denethor, again, sat in his chamber. To send Faramir away, had to be done. The former Captain of Ithilien supported Thorongil, a man he disliked. His son was blind to the consequences that would come if this man became king. All he, Denethor did was for the best of the family. With Faramir gone, he could ensure to prevent Thorongil from entering the city. Boromir will forgive him. His eldest will understand. It was for the best of Gondor. He had opened the book again, from which he read to them aloud when they were young. He should have given it to Faramir but it was too late. His son has already left the city. After he dealt with Thorongil, he will have them both close again. Denethor lowered his head and smiled. How he looked forward to it. However, it was important to keep his face emotionless when someone was present. To let his facade falter would only lead to his own defeat and the counterpart's advantage. Then his eyes found the stairs that led to his palantír. So, he rose, took the stairs and entered the room. Instead of the reassuring light of the orb, shards laid all across the floor. Denethor sank to his knees and grabbed one. Absently he cut his hand by clasping it too long. Blood trickled down and hit the floor. He closed his eyes and dropped the shard. The steward bandaged his hand with a piece of the garment he wore, arose and left without looking back. The steward will find the one who did this and he will regret to have done it.

Aragorn exchanged strokes and blows with the enemy. He was the leader of his unit, therefore bound to where the battle was hardest. At his left Boromir and not far behind Legolas and Gimli who became inseparable in battle and friendship. He always knew it would be like that one day. Elessar barely evaded the hit that came from behind and Boromir, who witnessed it, beheaded the orc before turning back to the enemy he had fought. Aragorn moved to back his friend up and lifted Andruil. Hopefully, Merry and Pippin were safe. He saw them not. Then he had to swing his sword again and could no longer allow himself to drift with his thoughts away. "Reminds me of Moria. Darkness and devilry everywhere," commented Boromir. Elessar nodded in agreement.

"Is there a place where you have not been?" asked Éomer who appeared next to them.

"I fear not, friend. If you knew," answered the Captain General during fighting. They were now close to gate. Aragorn looked up. It loomed over them and promised ruin. Their all goal was to see it fall. And to know the ring destroyed. He lowered his head again, exhaled and swung Andruil. For Frodo.

Éowyn enjoyed it to have a sword in her hand again and someone who understood: Calemireth. Both women were fighting against each other on the training grounds. Through the swordplay she indeed found distraction. However, the ever-present worry for Éomer was still there. One look in Calemireth's face told her that the other woman could not put aside the death of her father either. Nevertheless, the swordplay ended in a tie. Both put their swords aside and exchanged a smile. Then they began walking and the shieldmaiden instinctively took the path to the Lady's garden of Findulias, mother of Faramir. Éowyn would not have thought to miss the young ranger because she recently met him, but she did. "It appears to me that we both wish to the see the sons of the steward," stated Calemireth. The shieldmaiden nodded. "This garden is really beautiful. It reminds me of my home town, Dol Amroth," added her friend, referring to their destination.

"It is. It's his mother's garden," she answered.

"Who could you mean," Calemireth teased her.

Éowyn laughed. "You do know exactly who I mean," she replied.

"I do," agreed the brown-haired woman and returned the smile.

"So, you are from Dol Amroth?" asked the shieldmaiden.

"I am. As are all the swanknights and Prince Imrahil who participated in battle," her friend replied. "And you? You belong to the Rohirrim?" Calemireth then questioned. Éowyn nodded and opened the gate which would lead them into the gardens. While doing it, the diary which she still carried in her pocket, fell to the ground. It was not her own, it was Faramir's diary which he gifted to her. At first, Éowyn refused to take it but the young ranger insisted and she gave in. He told her, through reading it, she would receive inspiration for her own story. Faramir had smiled and gently closed her hand around it. The son of the Steward had given it to her, shortly before he left. Now, it laid on the bare ground and Éowyn bended down to pick it up. Calemireth smiled. "I suppose this is a gift of Faramir. It´s nice. I received one of Boromir too. His arm protector," the other woman returned.

"Yes, it is Faramir's diary," agreed the shieldmaiden. Calemireth viewed her.

"Have you read it?" her friend asked.

"No. I have not. Not yet," Éowyn answered. The brown-haired woman nodded while adjusting the arm protector.

Then Calemireth looked up, "You should visit Dol Amroth one day."

The fair-haired woman smiled," I may do that if I manage to sneak past my brother." Her friend searched eye contact and Éowyn explained," He dislikes water but I do not know why." Calemireth returned the smile.

Faramir was now dressed in his ranger garment again and together with Mablung had saddled a horse to depart from Minas Tirith. They had decided to make for Osgiliath. Firstly, to check on what has survived and what was destroyed. Secondly, to be in the look-out for the return of Aragorn. Oh, how he disliked it to leave the city in these times! The younger one did only carry his bow, not the sword. He was dismissed from services, so it had to be. However, it did not hurt because the use of a sword, never was something he enjoyed. While on the way to Osgiliath, they of course, had to cross the Pelennor. Many fallen soldiers of their own and the one of the enemies laid here. Again, Faramir regretted it deeply to have war at all. The price to pay was simply too high. "My lord," with these words Mablung interrupted his thoughts. He stopped his horse and turned around to look at his second in command. The man smiled weakly and nodded to direct his gaze forward. They arrived at Osgiliath. The ruins were all that was left of the once glorious part of Gondor. Even before the recent war started, this city was destroyed. However, his father and brother adored it nonetheless, for a reason he could not understand. Faramir would have, if war has to be, focused on places where people live who should be protected. Still, the ranger supported the ones he loved and so valued the wishes and orders of his family to defend this place many times. He dismounted and Mablung followed his example. During the recent battle, Osgiliath was taken by the enemy and therefore they had to be careful. There may was some guards left. Faramir took out an arrow and stretched his bow, as did his friend.

"Wait here by the horses, I'll scout the area," he commanded and carefully walked around a corner. This place became the last resting place for many of his men. The ranger bowed his head while passing each of them. He failed to protect them, to guide them. He had failed. Then Faramir apprehended a noise from behind. He turned around and fired his arrow at the orc. Again, the man heard some enemy sneaking up to him. The man was too late to shot him. So, he hurried to hide behind a pillar. Next, Faramir saw the orc fell to the ground. Mablung did not miss his target.

"My lord," his second in command called for him.

He stepped forward," My thanks." His friend nodded towards him.

"My lord, there may be more of them. We should search for them together," the second ranger advised.

Faramir viewed him and then asked," The horses are firmly tied up?" They could not afford it to lose them just now.

"Of course, my lord," Mablung answered. "My lord, I forgot to mention that we had come after your request according to the hobbit. They safely passed Ithilien," his commander spoke up again.

"I thank you, my friend. It was the right decision to let them pass," he replied. With these words, his mind drifted away to the brave ringbearer and their good Sam. If he had not been injured, he would have joined his king and friend, like Boromir did. He closed his eyes. Éowyn. Éowyn would fare well. Calemireth. Calemireth would be found by her. His father... His father... would sit in his chamber alone. Aragorn. Aragorn will return and be king. He opened his eyes again. Mablung smiled at him. Faramir managed a faint smile in return. "Let us see that Osgiliath is finally freed," he declared and made for one tower. His second in command followed.

For Frodo. For Gondor. These were Boromir's only thoughts while he fought the battle of his life. It was heavy and at the brink to hopeless but they fought for their country. So, they were brave. Their force too weak. Their men too less. Their determination, however, strong. Every second the Captain General could spare he used to check on his little ones and his king. It mattered most that they would not be touched and hurt by the enemy. Their lives were more important than his own. Again, he swung the borrowed sword. Boromir had to search for his own when they returned and for a certain white wizard. The one he disliked. The one he would listen to, fought most bravely in current battle. Next, he grabbed for one orc who made the mistake of approaching his brother and king and brought him down. Aragorn turned around to thank him with a bow of his head. He returned it. Not far away fought the fair-haired marshal of Rohan alongside his uncle Imrahil. One orc then aimed at him and he easily blocked it and hit back. Then he felt someone clasping his leg. It was Pippin who wore the old armour of Faramir. It suited him perfect like his brother promised when giving it to the hobbit. "I nearly fell to the ground and luckily I caught your leg. I did not hide," the hobbit explained.

The older one smiled, "I would not even think of such a thing, brave soldier of Gondor." Pippin returned his smile and Boromir shielded him from the approaching orc. After the Captain General had dealt with this one, he turned back to the hobbit. "Should the unlikely event occur that you need my help then you know where to find me," he spoke up.

"This won't happen but I thank you, Captain. I'll see you later," Pippin replied.

"I take that as a promise," he answered and then had to turn back to fighting.

"It is one, Captain," he heard the hobbit shout.

"Stay safe, Soldier Took," Boromir countered.

"Stay safe yourself, Captain," Pippin responded. When the next orc fell and the man turned around, he saw Aragorn smile.

"The little ones are well," he declared and returned it.

"I am most glad they are," his friend replied. Then both turned back to fighting.

Stay safe yourself.

Hope you liked it.

And should you enjoy to read this story, the plan is to write beyond movies. I definitely have some wedding and coronation in mind. As well, may some negotiations with… you will see.

Read you.