Hey we're back to Faramir's view! This is getting more and more into the books, so I have taken some of Tolkien's lines word for word, and some I have changed to make them fit better.
I saw the TWO TOWERS!!!!!! I went opening day. It was so totally awesome!!!!!!
Reviewer Responses
Smeagol= I loved the TT! Gollum was so kool!! I loved his nice side, it was so sweet! Yes I was very sad when Haldir died, especially since he wasn't even supposed to be there. All I can say is if they introduce the twins in ROTK and kill one or both I'm gonna have a fit!
Ithilwen= I hope I do the book justice with the next chapters. It was really hard writing within the confines of Tolkien's words.
Niakelt-luna-moon= I am incredibly sorry for calling Eowyn a spoiled brat. I was basing my opinion on the trailers which didn't do the movie justice. In the movie, I thought Eowyn wasn't as bad as I thought. She was pretty cool. Please forgive me!
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"Sir, look!" Faramir turned to where one of his men, Mablung, was pointing. He frowned as he saw smoke rising above the trees. Turning to his men, Faramir motioned for them to follow him. They crept to where the smoke came from. As Mablung and Damrod talked, two small figures jumped up, raising little swords at the Ithilien Rangers. The four Rangers stared, astonished at the creatures in front of them. "What are these?" wondered Mablung aloud.
"Not Orcs," said Jirnlen, releasing his sword.
"Elves?" asked Damrod, skeptically. //Elves?// thought Faramir laughingly. //Hardly.//
"No, not elves." Faramir declared. "Elves do not walk in Ithilien in these days. And Elves are fair to look upon." There was a pause before he realized that his words could be taken to mean that he had seen elves before. "or so it is said."
"Meaning we're not, I take you," protested one of the little men. "Thank you kindly. And when you've finished discussing us, perhaps you'll, say who you are, and why you can't let two tired travelers rest." Faramir laughed, though grimly.
"I am Faramir, Captain of Gondor, but there are no travelers in this land, only servants of the Dark Tower, or of the White." The small men began attesting that they were just travelers, nothing more. Faramir believed that they weren't lying about not being servants of Sauron, but they certainly weren't simple journeyers. He especially didn't like their reaction to his question about their third companion, who had disappeared. The little men seemed to be hiding something from him.
"I do not know where he is," said the other small man. "He is only a chance companion, and I am not answerable for him. If you come to him, please spare him and send him to us. He is under my care. As for us, we are Hobbits of the Shire. Frodo son of Drogo is my name, and with me is Samwise son of Hamfast, a worthy hobbit in my service. We have come a long ways, out of Imladris." //Rivendell! These must be the Halflings of my dream. Yet they are so small, why would Ada let them come all the way here?// "Seven companions we had: one we lost at Moria, the others we left at Parth Galen above Rauros: two of my kin, a Dwarf, an Elf, and two Men. The men were Aragorn," //Aragorn! There is definitely something going on here, more than I suspected. And why would he give his true name to the keeping of these hobbits? Will he come to take the throne of Kings?// "and Boromir, who said that he came out of Minas Tirith, a city in the South."
"Boromir!" //Boromir! So he did make it to Rivendell. // "Boromir son of the Lord Denethor? You came with him? That is news indeed, if it be true" //Which it is, they do not lie in this.// "Know, little strangers, that Boromir son of Denethor was High Warden of the White Tower, and our Captain-General: sorely do we miss him." //Very sorely. My brother, why did you have to go? Why did I not listen to my feelings and find a way to go in your place?// "Who are you then, and what had you to do with him?"
"Do you know the words that Boromir brought to Rivendell?" the one called Frodo asked. He recited the first two lines, much to Faramir's astonishment. He had thought that Boromir would only tell Elrond, but perhaps he was mistaken in that.
"Yes, I know them. It is some token that you tell the truth, since you also know them."
"Well, Aragorn is the bearer of the Sword that was Broken and we are the Halflings that the rhyme spoke of." Of course Faramir already knew of Aragorn and had quickly figured out about the Halflings.
"That I see, or I see it might be so. And what is Isildur's Bane?" That was one question that Faramir especially wanted to know. In his heart, he felt that Isildur's Bane was Boromir's as well. Frodo, though, did not want to tell him. Faramir still wondered about that, as well as what the Hobbits were doing here in the East. Yet he did not have time to ask, for the Haradrim, or Southrons as they were called by some, were coming up the road, and Faramir had to prepare his men for battle. Leaving Mablung and Damrod to guard the hobbits, he and Jirnlen headed back to the other Rangers.
~*~
"The Southrons will reach here around noon." Faramir had gathered his men together to form a plan. "We shall hide near the trees at this pass." He pointed to the diagram spread out on the ground. "As always, we use secrecy. Be on alert, they may have Mumakil with them." A collective shudder ran through the men. Mumakil, the fierce creatures used by the Southrons, were feared greatly for their strength and the great tusks that could skewer men. "May Eru and the Valar be with us."
Faramir stared grimly south down the ancient road. From his hiding spot behind a great tree, he watched carefully for any sign of the enemy. A flash from a treetop caught his eye. One of his men had spotted the enemy coming. Faramir signaled those nearby to be on ready. The dark Southrons marched past. At Faramir's signal, horns were blown and the Rangers swiftly attacked.
From his position, Faramir let loose a barrage of arrows, taking down many Southrons before they could react. He pushed aside his feelings of guilt. This was no time for moral issues. If he didn't kill these men, they would kill his. And if his men died, the road would be open for the Southrons to pillage and murder innocent victims, women and children. Soon, his arrows were spent and he drew his sword. Unlike many men, Faramir had not named it. He saw the sword as a tool for killing, not as some intelligent being. It was a light sword, made of mithril, very rare. Elrond had given it to him twenty years earlier, before he left Rivendell to return to Gondor. The elven words *osta en'coia*, defender of life, was inscribed in its hilt, a reminder to Faramir to try to protect life, rather then take it.
A scarlet-clad Southron rushed at Faramir, his curved sword sweeping towards the Captain's head. Faramir ducked and twisted away, thrusting his own sword into the enemy's back. Pulling it loose, he turned to face another Southron, then another. Soon Faramir was lost in the battle, fighting to stay alive. A cry to his left alerted him that one of his men was in trouble. Three Southrons had teamed up against one Ranger, a young man of considerable skill. But skill would not help him against three battle-hardened Haradrim. Faramir fought his way over to the other Ranger. With a cry, he hit the first in the side, catching the swarthy man by surprise. Seeing this new danger, the other Southrons turned away from the young Ranger to face Faramir. This was a fatal mistake, for the young man quickly dispatched one, while Faramir took care of the other.
Suddenly a bellowing trumpet froze many men on the battleground. A Mumak ran free, his rider having lost control. It threw its bloodstained tusks in the air, and trumpeted loudly through its monstrous snout. Faramir stared in wonder at the beast, clad in scarlet and gold. The battle resumed quickly, the Mumak rampaging against Southron and Ranger alike. Most were able to get out of its way, a few were not so lucky, crushed beneath the giant feet. As Faramir slew another Southron, he looked up to find the Mumak thundering towards Mirdan, one of his good friends. Without thinking, Faramir pushed the unsuspecting Ranger aside, trying to roll away from the beast's path at the same time. The Mumak had other ideas. As Faramir lay on his back, the creature charged him. Rolling to get away from its crushing feet, Faramir found himself under the great beast. He began a deadly dance, twisting this way and that, to avoid being mangled by the angry Mumak. Faramir thrust his sword into one of the giant tree-like legs, bringing forth a bellow from the creature. Twisting quickly as he pulled his sword out, he was able to roll away from the dangerous animal.
Faramir barely had time to catch his breath before another Southron attacked him. He managed to get on his feet and returned each attack blow for blow. The enemy soldier fought skillfully and was harder to kill than the other's Faramir had faced. As the Southron brought his sword around, Faramir jumped back and shoved his sword into the man's stomach. Turning from the dying soldier and preparing himself for another attack, Faramir realized that the battle was over. The remaining Southrons were fleeing, some of his Rangers in pursuit. His lieutenants, battered and bloodied, came up to him.
"We have beaten them back, Captain! What would you have us do?"
Still trying to catch his breath, Faramir answered. "Set scouts on this road. Watch for orcs and others of the Haradrim. First we gather the captives, then we head to Henneth Annun."
When he returned to the hobbit's camp, Mablung and Damrod greeted him. One of the halflings, Sam, was still asleep, but Frodo had woken at the Rangers' return. Faramir took the time to begin questioning Frodo on the hobbits' journey, and the Fellowship, particularly Boromir's part in it. There was a murmur of astonishment that passed through the Rangers of Ithilien at the mention that Aragorn was Isildur's Heir, though Faramir himself already knew. He had to pretend to disbelieve Frodo, if only for appearance's sake. Then came a harder question, at least for Faramir. "Were you a friend of Boromir's?" The look in Frodo's eyes caused Faramir's farsighted ones to harden. Something had happened between the hobbit and Boromir that Frodo did not remember as pleasant.
"Boromir was a valiant member of our Company. Yes, I was his friend, for my part."
"Then you would grieve to learn that Boromir is dead." The hobbit looked shocked.
"Dead? How did he die?"
"I was hoping that you would know that, you being his companion."
"But he was alive and strong when we parted. And he lives still for all that I know. Though surely there are many perils in the world."
"Many indeed, and treachery not the least." Yet Faramir had a nagging feeling that the treachery was not on the part of this hobbit, and he dreaded hearing on whose part it was.
Suddenly, the other hobbit stood up angrily. Sam had obviously been listening to Faramir and Frodo's conversation and was unhappy at what Faramir was implying of his master.
"See here, Captain!" Faramir managed to hold back his laughter at this small halfling standing with his hands on his hips and talking to him like a schoolmaster to a pupil. "What are you driving at? Let's come to the point before all the orcs of Mordor come down on us! If you think my master murdered Boromir and then ran away, you've got no sense; but say it and have done! And then let us know what you mean to do about it. But it's a pity that folk that talk about fighting the Enemy can't let others do their bit in their own way without interfering. Sauron would be mighty please, if he could see you now. Think he'd got a new friend, he would."
"Patience, I do not need any to teach me of our peril. Even so, I spare a brief time, in order to judge justly in a hard matter. Were I as hasty as you, I might have slain you long ago. For I am commanded to execute all whom I find in this land without the leave of the lord of Gondor. But I do not kill man or beast needlessly and not gladly even when it is needed. Neither do I talk in vain. So be comforted. Sit by your master and be silent!" Sam obeyed, surprised by Faramir's words. "You asked how I know of Boromir's death. Night oft brings news to near kindred, it is said. Boromir was my brother." Neither Frodo nor Sam could hide their surprise. But now that he thought of it, Frodo did see the family resemblance. Yet, somehow, he felt that this Faramir was very different from his brother. Sadder, perhaps.
Faramir asked them about the Horn of Gondor, which they did remember. He told them of the Horn's tradition, that the eldest son of the Steward wore it and when blown within Gondor, help was sure to come. "Eleven days ago, I heard the sound of Boromir's horn. Both my father and I felt a foreboding since we had not heard from Boromir since he left for Imladris. Three days later, I sat that night by the shores of the Anduin under a pale moon. I was on watch for the enemy, but what I saw wasn't an orc. A small, grey boat floated down the river, no one steering or rowing it. I walked out to it, drawn by a glow that surrounded it. As it floated by, I noticed that it sank low from being nearly full of water. And in that water lay Boromir, my brother, dead. His sword was broken and I saw many wounds from arrows. Yet his horn was not with him, though he had a new belt of golden leaves. The boat carried him down the river, to the Sea. That was the last I saw of Boromir."
Frodo looked at him sadly. "Yes that was Boromir. The golden belt was given to him by the Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien. This brooch is of the same workmanship." He showed Faramir the green and silver leaf that fastened his cloak.
"It is work of the same craft. You passed through the Land of Lorien? Laurelindorinan was its name of old, but none have gone there in recent times." They talked more of Lorien and then Faramir told the hobbits about how they had found the Horn of Gondor in the river, broken in two.
Faramir remembered vividly of taking the Horn to Denethor. The sadness on the Steward's face, he would long remember. But what stayed with him the most was the look in Denethor's eyes. A look that told Faramir that his father wished that he had gone in Boromir's place. And died.
~*~
As they walked to Henneth Annun, Faramir questioned Frodo more about Isildur's Bane. He was further grieved to hear of Mithrandir's fall in Moria. The wizard had been Faramir's friend. He had first met Mithrandir as a small child, and again in Rivendell. The Istar had come a few times to look in Minas Tirith's library, but always would take time to talk to Faramir.
As they neared the great waterfall, the hobbits were blindfolded. He led them into the refuge, Henneth Annun, the Window of the Sun and removed their blindfolds. After Frodo and Sam had rested, they all sat down to eat. Afterwards, Faramir sat the hobbits away from the other men and they talked about the Quest, about Gondor, and finally about Lorien. There Sam made the grave mistake of mentioning the 'Enemy's Ring'. At once, Faramir realized that Isildur's Bane was the One Ring of Sauron, and that Boromir had tried to take it. He thought of his father. //Boromir tried to take it because that is what father would want. If I would return with the Ring, perhaps he would think more highly of me.// Faramir shook that thought from his head. //Nay, he would not. Not even the Ring would make him like me. And I would not give Denethor such a corrupting gift.// He reassured the frightened hobbits that he would not try to take the Ring, much to their relief. After talking a bit more, Frodo became weary and fell quickly asleep. Sam decided to rest to, but not before talking to Faramir.
"Good night, Captain, my lord. You took the chance sir."
"Did I so?"
"Yes, sir and showed your quality: the very highest." Faramir smiled.
"You are a pert servant, Master Samwise. But no, the praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards. Yet there was nothing in this to praise. I had no lure or desire to do other than I have done."
"Ah, well, sir, you said my master had an elvish air, and that was good and true. But I can say this: You have an air too, sir, that reminds me of... of... well Gandalf, of wizards."
"Maybe. Perhaps you discern from far away the air of Numenor. Good night."
"Good night sir." Faramir turned to leave them, but then Sam sat straight up. "Captain, sir! Why I near forgot!" The hobbit began digging through one of his bags.
"Forgot what, Master Samwise?"
"This!" Sam held out a letter, crumbled around the edges, but with the seal holding. "It's from your brother, sir. He gave it to me to give to you in case anything happened to him. I can't believe I forgot, he seemed so sad at the time. Sorrowful too, like he knew what was going to happen." Faramir took the letter, smiling sadly at his brother's seal.
"Thank you Samwise."
"You're welcome, sir. Good night." Faramir walked back to his private alcove, away from his men, and carefully opened the letter.
***Dearest brother,
If you are reading this, then I fear that we will not meet again. I feel a sense of foreboding, and I would not die without you knowing that I love you, little brother. I want you to know this, and that I am sorry.
I am sorry for so many things. I am sorry for my weakness, for my blindness. How blind I was! Only in the elf city did I find out the sorrows you went through. I stumbled across your journals and drawings, and found out to my horror, how father treated you, how you suffered. You cannot know how sorry I am that I didn't help you. It is all my fault, I should have known, I should have protected you!
Instead you nearly died. I thank the Valar for Uncle Imrahil. How could I not have seen your pain in Dol Amroth? How could I not realize the true reason you didn't come home? Lord Elrond told me that you stayed in Rivendell for seven years, as his son. I can tell from the look in his eyes that he loves you like a father should. Like our father should. How can you still love Denethor, after what he did? I know you do, and that you want his love. Why? He does not deserve your love. Nor do I. Lord Elrond said that you do not hate me, but I cannot believe him, after what I did, what I *didn't* do. I do not ask you to love me, Faramir, for I can see how that is impossible. But I ask that you forgive me. Please forgive me Faramir! I am sorry.
With all love,
Boromir ***
Tears fell from Faramir's eyes. //He thought I hated him? How, he is my brother! I never hated him for what happened! He never knew, because I kept it from him. I never wanted him to know.// His head in his hands, Faramir quietly sobbed, thinking of his beloved brother, dying while believing he hated him.
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I know when Boromir talked with Lord Elrond he knew that Faramir had forgiven him, but remember, he wrote this letter when he was under the influence of the Ring. The Ring used his guilt about what happened to break Boromir's will, making him easier to ensnare. In the end, though, Boromir felt that Faramir truly forgave him. But that was after the letter was sent.
