Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a great Christmas, Hannukah, etc! I have seen TT twice and hope to go again Wednesday or so. *sigh* Legolas is so hot! And he has lines!!! And please don't throw things at me, but I think they did a decent job with Faramir. From writing this, I know how hard it is to write a character that remotely resembles Tolkien's ideas. I still think they should have mentioned Boromir more and how Faramir felt, like seeing a flashback to finding the boat. Oh well, I guess I will just have to hope it is in the extended DVD.
Reviwer Responses
Ithilwen= I'm glad you like the story. One of the greatest compliments I got was from my friend who read the part where Faramir received the letter and asked if Tolkien had written it! I am also glad that you didn't mind me taking Tolkien's lines. I was worried it would change the whole tone of the story. And you are right, there should have been more Faramir in TT. I think more of him would bring out his true character. The actor did do a good job, though. He did seem a little too much like Boromir, but hopefully that will change in ROTK.
Smeagol= Elrohir is my favorite twin too. I think it had to do with another fanfic I read that I can't remember the name or in which Elrohir was just so kool. Gollum was actually better than I thought he would be considering he's CG. I did keep laughing when he sounded like Yoda. (Something like: "soft and silent like shadows we must be.) I kept laughing at inappropriate times or screaming when Legolas appeared. Haldir was so sad!! I really liked him and they killed him! *pouts* Yes the drowning and Frodo in a ring-trance does seem to happen a lot. Lol! He'll probably drown in Mount Doom! Don't kill me, but I liked the horses for the Nazgul steeds better. I don't know why. Perhaps I just like horsies. Faramir feels a bit guilty about the letter, but I don't really go into that. And I hate Denethor too. When I see him in ROTK I am sure I will be thrown out of the theaters when I start throwing popcorn at the screen and yelling about "Evil jerk dude!" You'll just have to wait and see about Denethor.
Argentum-Draco= You're going to China? Kool! See above last sentence for the answer to your question.
Eowyniel= I can't believe you hate my story, I worked so hard on it! Lol! Glad you finally reviewed, I've been waiting, Linde. Did you ever finish the story? By the way, I'm kinda writing a sequel. I think it may be shorter than this one, but who knows?
Ewan is hot= Thanks for reviewing! If your name is connected to Ewan McGregor, I totally agree.
The evil witch queen= Hmmmm. Working to death on purpose. . . I think I feel a plot bunny biting.
Lady Evenstar= Yes, everyone loves reviews, including me! Thanks for encouraging me! I hope you like the rest of the story.
Silmarien= ROTK was my favorite book for just that reason... Faramir was in it! Even though Legolas is my fav movie character, Faramir is my fav book character.
RRP= Don't worry, you get lots more! Your compliments and others really encourage me to keep writing. I hope the rest of the story lives up to your expectations.
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Faramir woke early the next morning. Though wishing to turn over and go back to sleep, he made himself get up, knowing that his father would call the council of captains together. Faramir decided to catch a quick bite to eat as he passed through the kitchen, a shortcut to the council chambers. He was surprised to see that Pippin was already there. Faramir eyed the hobbit's steadily growing plate with astonishment. Sensing that he was being watched, Pippin looked up. The hobbit jumped to his feet and bowed. "Good morning, my lord. Off to the council?"
"Yes I am. I thought to eat something, but it seems I got here too late." Pippin turned red.
"Sorry, my lord." Faramir smiled and Pippin hastily offered him something from his plate. The Captain selected a crispy, browned croissant and hid a grin at the sad, longing look on the hobbit's face as he ate it.
"We must not abandon the outer defenses. The Enemy must pay dearly for the crossing of the River. He cannot attack us from north of Cair Andros because of the marches, nor south towards Lebennin because of the width of the River there. He will attack at Osgiliath, as he did before, when Boromir denied him the passage."
//When Boromir denied him the passage? You forget, Father, that I also was there. But I do not expect that you wish to acknowledge that fact.// "That was a trial. We may make the Enemy pay ten times our loss at the passage, but at our own cost. He can afford to lose a host more than we can afford to lose a company. Even then, the retreat of those we put out far afield will be dangerous, if he wins across in force."
"And what of Cair Andros?" put in Imrahil. "That too must be held, if Osgiliath is defended. There is danger on our left, for the Rohirrim may or may not come to our aid in time. But Faramir has told us of the great forces drawing ever to the Black Gate. More than one host may issue from it, and strike in more than one place."
Denethor would not listen to their arguments. "Much is risked in war. Cair Andros is manned, no more reinforcements can be sent. I will not yield the River and the Pelennor without a fight... not if there is a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will." The council was silent, all knowing that the last comment was directed at the Steward's son.
Finally Faramir answered. "I do not oppose your will, sire. Since you no longer have Boromir, I will go and do what I can in his stead... if you command it."
"I do so."
Faramir stood, knowing that he would have to leave as soon as he was given leave. "Then farewell. But if I should return, think better of me."
Denethor stared at him, his eyes revealing nothing. "That depends on the manner of your return." Faramir left then, being dismissed by a wave of Denethor's hand. He quickly prepared his horse to leave, Mablung, Damrod, and Jirnlen saddling their own to accompany him. As they were mounting, Mithrandir came up to speak to Faramir.
"Do not throw your life away rashly or in bitterness. You will be needed here, for other things then war. Your father loves you, Faramir, and will remember it before the end."
Faramir answered softly so that only Mithrandir heard him. "My friend, you are of the wise, but in this you err. I will not throw my life away, for I know that Father will never care, no matter what I do." Faramir mounted his horse before Mithrandir could reply. "Farewell, my friend." Without looking back, he led his men, as well as other men of Minas Tirith who wished to fight, away from the City.
Mithrandir sadly watched him leave. "Farewell, son of Denethor. May both of you find the truth before it is too late."
~*~
"Captain, the enemy is winning over the River crossing!" Above the din of battle, Faramir heard his lieutenant's call. Dispatching another hideous orc, Faramir sounded the retreat from his horn. The defenders of Osgiliath pulled back to the Causeway Forts, protected some by the walls. In the lull in fighting that followed, Faramir surveyed the damage to his men. Many were wounded, many were dead. And from the looks of the opposing army, they were ten times outnumbered, if not more. Faramir turned to a messenger. "Ride to the City. Tell the Steward of our plight." As the messenger left, Faramir turned towards the battlefield, laden with bodies of Rangers, orcs, and Southrons alike. In the sky rode the Black riders, not attacking, but without a need to. Their presence was enough to terrify the men. //We cannot hold out much longer.//
It seemed that hours passed before help arrived. And that help was in the form of one man, Mithrandir, upon his horse Shadowfax. At the sight of the White Rider, the Black Riders broke away from harassing the army of Gondor. Mithrandir came up to Faramir. "Captain Faramir, what do you need me to do."
"We need to retreat back to the City. We will have to fight our way back, so the wounded need to be moved before the army withdraws."
Mithrandir nodded. "Give me a handful of horsemen and I will do as you ask."
"Thank you." As Mithrandir left, Faramir began to fully realize the trial the rest of the men would now have to face. //May Eru help us all.//
As soon as the train of wounded men was out of site, Faramir began organizing the remaining troops for the retreat. He started sending soldiers back to the City, under the control of his second-in-command, Lieutenant Hawkor. The Lieutenant was not pleased at leaving his Captain. "Sir, come with the first withdrawal! I will stay behind with the rearguard."
Faramir shook his head. "That is my job. I must see all my men safely to the City! Now move it, Lieutenant, that's an order!"
Unfortunately Faramir now found himself at the brunt of the attack. The rearguard held the orcs and Southrons at bay as best they could. //Only a quarter of a mile left// thought Faramir as the rearguard turned to face the oncoming lines of fire. He could see the City, towers gleaming through the smoke of war. Faramir focused his attentions on the lines of orcs bearing torches, the scarlet-clad Southron men. Suddenly a shrill screech filled the air. Terror took hold of both men and beasts as the Black Riders stooped to kill. Faramir could not hold his soldiers together; they fled in all directions, casting their weapons aside. Only a precious few men managed to keep their horses in check, and fought by their Captain's side. Things were desperate, when a trumpet rang from the Citadel. From the Gate sprang a small calvary, led by the swan-knights of Dol Amroth under Prince Imrahil. Leading the charge was the white blur of Mithrandir upon Shadowfax. The Black Riders again fled from the gleaming wizard.
Faramir, though, had no time to marvel at the sight. He was embroiled in fighting a mounted Southron, a champion of his people, very skilled and deadly. Suddenly, a white agony burst in his chest and he fell from his horse, for a Southron dart had hit him. Faramir struggled to remain conscious, watching as the Southron's sword swept towards him. As he watched death coming, he stared back in its face, facing death with the dignity befitting a Steward's son. Closer the sword came, only to be stop by a gleaming sword of Dol Amroth. The swan-knight pushed the Southron back. At last Faramir could no longer hold back unconsciousness. He slipped into darkness, a sleep of nightmares.
As the knights of Dol Amroth drove back the army of the Enemy, Prince Imrahil rode with his honor guard to find wounded. "Over here, my lord!" cried out one of his men. Imrahil rode over to where the man stood. Fear gripped him as he saw the dangerously peaceful face of his nephew. Imrahil dismounted in a flash and knelt by the body. "Faramir." He hesitantly felt for a pulse, dreading what he would find. Relief filled the Prince as he felt Faramir's heart still beating. Imrahil checked the Captain for wounds, finding and removing the deadly Southron dart that pierced his chest. Faramir's ribs had turned the dart, but Imrahil still did not know if it was poisoned or not. Remounting his horse, Imrahil placed his nephew in front of him and began riding towards the City. "Please make it Faramir," he whispered, "for your people need their Captain. And I would not have my beloved sister's last child die in my arms."
Denethor heard the people's wailing long before Imrahil carried Faramir to him in the chamber of the White Tower. "Your son has returned, my lord, after great deeds." The Prince told Denethor of Faramir's bravery and sacrifice. Imrahil's eyes blazed with accusation. The Steward knew that his brother-in-law blamed him for Faramir's injury. And he blamed himself.
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Is Denethor changing? Is that possible?
