Hey, everybody. At long last, I have decided to make an update to this story. Now that I actually own the extended editions of the Lord of the Rings, it has given me the motivation I need to get back into this story.
Let's get to it.
Also, full disclosure. This chapter and others after it will bear some similarities to events from Dr. Matthattan's Avengers of the Ring, including plot points used. I have his full permission to use his story as inspiration for mine, but I will try and keep it as different as I can.
Chapter 23- Loyalty
Jakan and Mirta walk slowly behind Boromir as he leads them onto one of the training grounds in Minas Tirith. It had been less than half an hour after Faramir and his men returned to Minas Tirith. Boromir said he had conversed with some of his other officers, and they had agreed that Jakan and Mirta should be admitted in Gondor's Army. While some had at first opposed to Mirta being included with Jakan, Boromir had argued vehemently in her defense, concluding that he believed Mirta could defeat him in combat if she wished. Eventually he had convinced them.
Boromir informed them that he wished them to accompany him to the training grounds for two purposes. The first being that he wished them to oversee how his soldiers trained and make any improvements they saw fit. Secondly, he wished to administer the oath of loyalty to Gondor in front of his soldiers, so that there would be no doubt in the mind of his soldiers as to whether Jakan and Mirta had authority to command them.
As they walk across the courtyard, Mirta speaks up. "I've noticed something Borormir. I should explain, we Mandalorians use our armor for offense as well as defense, as I'm sure you've noticed from Jakan. I think that's something your troops could learn as well. Depending on how dangerous the weapon is or the strength of the blow, your men could allow enemies to hit them, and use that momentary pause by the enemy to strike back. I also think your helmets are strong enough that employing headbutts as a combat tactic could be effective against Orcs, as from what I understand, Orcs' helmets are not particularly well made all the time, and some Orcs don't even wear helmets."
"That is indeed a good idea, Mirta. I will have you work with some of my men on figuring out the best way to implement your ideas. But first, I have a more important task to accomplish," Boromir says. He then looks around the training ground and calls out loudly, "Captains! Assemble your men!"
The captains overseeing the training exercises hurriedly gather their men around Boromir. Once everyone has gathered around Boromir, he loudly begins to speak, "Men, this is Jakan Shan and Mirta Vizsla of the land of Mandalore. They have come to aid us in our fight against Mordor. For that reason, they have volunteered to join the army of Gondor! I invite all of you to witness as they now swear their oath of service to Gondor."
Boromir now turns to Jakan and Mirta. "Jakan Shan and Mirta Vizsla, all who enter into the service of Gondor are required to swear an oath of service prior to their service. When I finish, if you agree, simply reply with 'I swear'. Do you understand?" he asks.
The two of them nod. Boromir, now speaking more formally, says, "Do you, Jakan Shan and Mirta Vizsla, hereby swear fealty and service to Gondor? Do you swear you will always faithfully execute your duties? To speak and to be silent? To do and to let be? To come and go? To fight always for this country? And that you will execute these duties in need or in plenty, in peace or war, in living or dying? And in front of all these witnesses, do you swear to hold to this oath until lord releases you or death take you?"
"I swear!" both Jakan and Mirta say together firmly.
Boromir smiles at them both as he says, "Then, as is my right as Captain-General, I accept your oath, and hereby commission you both in the Army of Gondor with the rank of Condir."
Jakan and Mirta glance sideways at each other. From previous discussions with Boromir about Gondor's army, they know they have been commissioned at a rank just below General. Both of them smile back at Boromir, recognizing full well the amount of trust he has just shown that he has in them.
Jakan steps forward and takes Boromir's hand. "We will not let you down, Boromir," he says.
Boromir grins broadly at Jakan. "I know you won't, Jakan," he says.
Right then, Hirgon, a friend of Boromir's, rushes up and whispers a few things in Boromir's ear. Boromir's expression instantly changes. He nods to Hirgon, then looks at Jakan and Mirta and says, "Something requires my immediate attention. I would like for you to remain here and discuss your ideas for our regimens with my officers. I will see you shortly." He then quickly turns and starts heading away from the training grounds.
Jakan turns to one of the captains overseeing the training grounds. "Well. Let's get started," he says.
Denethor glares at Faramir, Faramir having just explained his decision regarding Frodo. Seething, he says angrily, "This is how you would serve your city? You would risk its utter ruin?!"
"I did what I judged to be right," Faramir says calmly. He's spent his whole life trying to be who he wasn't to impress his father. But now, he will no longer go against what he knows is right just to impress his father.
Denethor sneers at his son. "'What you judged to be right'?" he says mockingly before glaring at Faramir and all but shouting, "You sent the Ring of Power into Mordor in the hands of a witless Halfling!"
Faramir just calmly stares back at his father. Denethor seems to calm down ever so slightly as he stares off into the distance and says, "It should have been brought back to the Citadel to be kept safe. Hidden, dark and deep in the vaults. Not to be used…except at the uttermost end of need."
Faramir stares at his father for a moment, still unable to believe that his father cannot see the truth about the Ring. He saw it plain and simple during his interactions with Frodo: that the Ring could be used for nothing but evil, and would corrupt anyone near it. Is his father's dislike for him really so great that he would not believe him about something so crucial. Knowing he has to keep trying to convince his father, he says, "I would not use the Ring. Not if Minas Tirth were falling in ruin and I alone could save her."
Denethor glares even harsher at Faramir. "Ever you desire to appear lordly and gracious, as a king of old," he says mockingly, feeling his son was incredibly stupid to willingly allow the Ring out of his grasp. However, still trusting in his eldest son's loyalty to his desires, Denethor says harshly, "Boromir would've remembered his father's need. He would've brought me a kingly gift."
"No, I would not have!"
Faramir and Denethor both look in the direction of the voice, and see Boromir striding into the hall, looking harshly at his father. Boromir had had Hirgon watch for when Denethor would call for Faramir, knowing he had to defend his little brother and finally try to make his father see sense.
"What do you mean, Boromir?" Denethor asks in confusion.
Boromir stops beside Faramir, briefly glancing at his brother and giving him a reassuring nod before looking back at his father defiantly. "I would not have brought the Ring to you father. I would have stretched out my hand and taken it for my own. Many times in my journey with the Ring-bearer, I attempted to take the ring. So great was my desire for it that I almost killed the Ring-bearer in a maddened frenzy for it's possession," he says defiantly.
Faramir stares at Boromir, stunned that Sam was right. He had thought that Sam must surely be lying or exaggerating when he said that Boromir had done just that. He hadn't wanted to believe his brother whom he idolized could have fallen so far.
Denethor, however, is unfazed. "As your Lord, you are to follow my orders explicitly. And I ordered to secure the Ring, whatever it took," he says.
"If Gondor believes that murdering an innocent Hobbit to ensure its survival is acceptable, what makes us any better than Mordor?!" Boromir angrily demands.
Denethor springs to his feet angrily. "You are supposed to follow my orders and not question my judgment!" he shouts angrily again.
"Well, father, if you recall, your longest lasting order has been to do all I can to preserve Gondor. This is how chose to do so. But doing that is not enough. If Gondor must survive, it must come together and fight with its allies under one banner. That of the King of Gondor!"
Faramir lets out a slight gasp as both he and Denethor stare at Boromir in shock. All his life, Boromir had shared his father's view that Gondor did not need a king. Faramir had secretly longed for the return of Gondor's king, but he had not really been subtle about it either. Never had he imagined that he would see the day where his brother called for the return of Gondor's king.
"You were once loyal to me! Not some wizard's pupil like your brother!" Denethor all but snarls.
Boromir feels a small tear welling up in one eye, really starting to realize just how little of his sanity Denethor still has. Knowing he has to do something to try and bring his father back to his senses, Boromir gathers all the strength of will he can.
"Father, all we have ever done is to try and make you proud and protect Gondor. Faramir has for so long denied who he really is to try and please you, and you have always scorned him for his efforts. The only reason you show me so much favor is because I have fit your wish. We have always loved you, father, no matter your faults. Why must we win your love, father? Why must your love be conditional?" Boromir asks.
Denethor stands there in shock, unable to respond. He had never imagined Boromir would speak to him like this. But, his anger is quickly replaced by realization and growing shame. As he truly thinks on the words Boromir just said, he starts to realize the truth contained within them. His whole life, he has thought a man's worth has been in his skill as a soldier. But even more than that, the pain of losing his late wife Finduilas has been only compounded by the fact that Faramir takes after her so much. As he continues to think about this, he realizes that he has really made his love conditional to his sons. Thinking back on recent years, he realizes with shock that he can't actually remember the last time he told Faramir that he loved him.
Tears begin to come to Denethor's eyes as he begins to realize how much he has failed as a father. He begins to realize how much he has dishonored his late wife's memory by the way he has treated his sons, but especially Faramir. With tears beginning to run down his cheeks, Denethor says to his sons in a depressed tone, "Leave me." He then turns away, unable to look at them any longer.
Faramir takes a step towards his father, wanting to say something to comfort his father. Boromir, however, recognizes that his father just needs some time. Boromir lays a hand on Faramir's shoulder and mutters, "Come, little brother."
Faramir concedes, and turns with Boromir to leave the hall. As the two brothers are walking towards the main doors into the hall, Boromir looks at Faramir and says, "Our father loves you, Faramir. Do not doubt it. I am sure he will show you before the end."
In the highest room of Barad-dur, the Dark Lord's newest servant kneels as a black cloud begins to gather before him.
"THE MANDALORIANS HAVE COME TO MINAS TIRITH. YOU SHALL REMAIN HERE AS I CONTINUE TO INSTRUCT YOU. SHOULD THE LORD OF THE NINE FAIL TO DEFEAT THEIR LEADER, THEN SHALL I SEND YOU TO KILL HIM," Sauron says in Black Speech.
Answering in Black Speech, his servant says, "I will not disappoint you, Lord Sauron."
And, I'll end there.
The identity of the mysterious servant will be revealed during the Battle of the Morannon, where Jakan will face him.
Next chapter will be up much sooner than this one was, I swear. Until it is, please leave a review and stay tuned!
