The Eastern sky grows dark, and Doom approaches swiftly. But in the West a pale light lingers, and far away a voice, distant but clear, cries for all to hear:

"Seek for the Sword that was broken:

In Imladris it dwells;

There shall be counsels taken

Stronger than Morgul-spells.

There shall be shown a token

That Doom is near at hand,

For Isildur's Bane shall waken,

And the Halfling forth shall stand."

And thus you awaken.

:------------------------------:

Isildur's Bane. This journey should reveal plenty of this riddle. Elves are wise; they will help me in my search for answers. My country, my people, my family... I worry for them. Our doom is at hand, and it is my duty me to stall it.

"Brother! Wait!"

I turn as my younger brother approaches, his brown horse panting. It looks as though he has ridden long and hard to catch up to me. I know he has, for I departed hours before he awakened, and have been traveling at a good pace.

"What is it? I have much traveling to do before nightfall." While my voice sounds angry, I am actually rather glad he is here. I truly did not wish to leave without saying goodbye.

"I...I do not wish you to go. It is far too dangerous. I...I have a bad feeling about this journey. It will lead to suffering, I know it."

"Not again, little brother! It is not as though the Elves of Imladris will eat me!" Here a change to a kinder tone, "Nothing will happen, I am well- equipped and able to defend myself. You shall see me again in no more than two years' time." He looks pale, as if he has had another of his dreams.

"But...but...It was I who had the dream most often and clearly. Surely I should go in you place!" I give him a doubting look, but he continues breathlessly, "Please! I know if I make this journey in your place no harm shall come to us or our country!"

"You must stay. I will go, and no harm will come, of this I am sure. Naught can overcome me. You have said so yourself."

He is ashen and grim of face, as though he has just witnessed the death of a loved one. He starts to worry me. "I had another odd vision last night, brother. I dreamed of garbled things, things that make little sense in the waking world. Of greed and power and death. Of an Elven boat, and us, and a riverbank. Of you, but you were no longer of this world. You spoke to me, though I can no longer recall your words. There was blood and hideous things, and everything spoke of your death. I do not know how or when you will perish, but I know this: If you go on this journey, you will not cross our borders again alive."

Now a solitary tear rolls down one of his cheeks. I merely laugh. "Brother! Do not be troubled! You have dreamed strange things for as long as I care to recall. I tell you, I shall return. But, if I do not-" And here I look him in the eye, feigning seriousness, "-if I do not, I need you to do this for me: tell Father that he is a wearisome bag of bones, and he needs to live a bit more!"

At this he starts to protest, but I do not let him. I embrace him instead. "Farewell, little brother, and take care. I shall see you not too long from now, so do not fret!" And I rode away. He calls after me, but I head him not.

It would be the last time I would see my beloved Faramir in this world.

:------------------------------:

Alas for a brother's unheeded dream,

Alas for a single laughed-at tear,

Alas for a desperate journey wasted,

Alas for Boromir.