Hiya everyone! I can't believe it, but 'Faramir's story' has over 70 reviews! Thanks to everyone who contributed, you guys inspire me to keep writing. Additional author's note: I changed Denethor's response to Faramir's question, hope it is better than before.
Reviewer Responses
Niliwen= Denethor? Nice? Ummmm, maybe. You'll have to read for yourself.
Steve- What do you mean? I don't love sleeping. =D hehe *shifts eyes nervously* Anyway, henneth Annun should be in the two towers so we will get to see it!
Smeagol= yes poor Gollum was in it. I feel so bad for Andy Serkis, he had to pretend to dive after a fish in freezing water, and they made him do it FOUR TIMES!!! Gollum is so not a heroin addict, schzophrenic maybe, but not an addict. Awww, don't hurt the poor kid. Little kids are kool. And I warn you again, making Elrond angry is NOT wise. Neither is surgery without gloves like Iorwyn. Sorry, but I see middle earth kinda medievil and they certainly didn't use sanitation then. And you notice, Faramir did get infected, but he's strong and got over it. Hehe. Darth Denethor! Nope, he's still an evil jerk. You'll see more of that later. Happy Hanukah!
Arabella Figg= He's not a Ranger, per se, but a soldier. He kinda moves up the ranks until he leads the ithilien rangers.
Ithilwen= If you like Boromir, I have more of him soon. I fear I am very into angst, especially when it ends with mush. I take it you're an artist? I was thinking of having Faramir find his artwork destroyed, but I thought the atmosphere would be ruined. I was going for a little foreshadowing, if you can tell.

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17 years later Faramir is 35


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.


          Faramir awoke with a start, then settled back down to his pillow, stifling a groan. The same dream continued to plague him through his nights. Why was it telling him to go to Rivendell? Did it mean to actually go to the Shards of Narsil, or to Estel, the rightful wielder of the sword? What was Isildur's Bane, orc arrows or something else? And what in Varda's name was a Halfling? His thoughts were interrupted when Boromir burst into his room. Both were in Minas Tirith for the first time in months. "Faramir, you are the far-sighted one, I need your help."
          "With what, brother?" Boromir sat at the end of Faramir's bed.
          "You know that I do not have dreams such as yours." Faramir nodded for him to continue when he hesitated. "Tonight, though, I feel differently about my dream. I saw a light in the west and a voice crying out: 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," Faramir recited the last part with Boromir. "For Isildur's Bane shall waken, and the Halfling forth shall stand." Boromir was startled that his brother already knew his dream.
          Faramir too, was startled. Never before had Boromir had a prophetic dream, though his blood was the same. "Boromir, I also dreamt the same tonight, as I have many nights since the fall of Osgiliath. I do not know its meaning in full, only that we must go to Imladris to find the broken sword."
          "I agree. We should ask Father tomorrow of the location of this Imladris for I will wish to start my journey as soon as possible."
          The younger brother arched his eyebrows in question. "Your journey? I believe, Boromir, that as the youngest, it should be me who travels. You are needed here in Gondor."
          Boromir grinned. "And you are needed in Ithilien. You cannot win the argument that way, brother." He stood up and headed for the door. "Good- night, Faramir. We will talk to Father tomorrow, and see who he chooses to go." With that he left Faramir to contemplate how to convince Denethor that he was the right son to send.

          Both brothers got up early and headed to their father's study to talk with him. Denethor listened silently as they told of their dreams, although he did tense up at the mention of Imladris. As the brothers finished their tale, Denethor stood. "Am I to believe that both of you wish to know more about this Imladris." Boromir nodded his head while Faramir just stared at his father. "Very well. I know little except that Imladris is the elven name of a far northern dale, home of Elrond Halfelven." Faramir couldn't help but notice the tone of dislike in Denethor's voice at the mention of Lord Elrond. Boromir, though, did not and was quick to speak.
          "Father, I wish to ride in search of the Sword that was broken."

          Faramir objected. "I do not think, father, that Boromir is the person who should search. He is needed here, while I am but the younger son. Send me to Imladris."
          "As the elder son I beseech permission to go on this quest. Faramir is just as needed in Gondor as I. Father, I feel that finding the Sword is crucial to the survival of our country." Denethor held up his hand before either son could continue.
          "I have listened to both of your arguments. Leave me so that I may make my decision without interruption. I will call you both back in when I am ready." Faramir and Boromir bowed and left Denethor to his thoughts.

*You should send Faramir. He knows the ways of the elves, he can convince them to come to Gondor's aid.*
No, send Boromir. Faramir is too weak, the elves will control him, make him betray Minas Tirith.

*Faramir is not weak. He is trusted by Lord Elrond, he will show the greatness of your country.*
Not as well as Boromir. The dreams mention Isildur's Bane. It could be a great weapon to use. Boromir will bring it to you, for the good of Gondor. Faramir will do whatever the elves tell him, even if it means Gondor's destruction.

          The voices warred within Denethor's mind. Finally he had had enough. The Steward called his sons back in. Standing tall and regal, he declared, "Boromir shall ride to Imladris. He is the elder and deserves this honor. Faramir, you will return to your post in Ithilien." Faramir began to protest, but Denethor refused to listen. "I will have no arguments. I am Steward and my word is final. You are dismissed." Boromir left, but Faramir refused to follow.
          "Father, you know that I am the best suited to go to Rivendell. Why do you refuse me?"
          Denethor glared at his son. "I know I can trust Boromir in this task. But you, on the other hand, can not be trusted with so vital a mission. It pains me that you will be in charge of the army while your brother is gone, but it cannot be helped. Just see to it that you do not destroy Gondor before Boromir returns." The Steward's chest felt strange as he saw the wounded look on his younger son's face, but he ignored it and dismissed Faramir. //Valar, bring Boromir home soon. I cannot depend on so pathetic a son.//


          Boromir left a week later on the fourth day of the seventh month. Faramir hadn't been there when Denethor had bid farewell to his son, but as Boromir left the city gates, he stepped out of the shadows. "Take care, Boromir. I love you, brother."
          The Steward's heir smiled down from his seat on his horse. "I love you too little brother. Be careful out there in Ithilien. I will be back before you know I am gone." Boromir rode off into the distance, turning back one to wave. Yet as his brother disappeared over a hill, Faramir couldn't shake the feeling that he would never see Boromir again.

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next chapter deals with Boromir. Hope you don't mind that I take the focus off Faramir a bit.