Sorry for taking so long to update. Life has been kinda crazy lately and I just haven't found the time until now. Some news, my mom is reading the finished copy of this story and is actually liking it! She got a little confused when I introduced Pippin and I realized that I hadn't told about where he came from and stuff. I might go back and add that into chapter 23, but I don't know.
Reviewer Responses
Narn= Do not worry, I will try to never write a character-death fic again. (Killing Legolas was too hard on my heart. I had to bring him back again.) Therefore if any character seems to die, never fear, for they will be back. I'm glad you don't mind my use of words, I wasn't sure how to do it otherwise. Thanks for encouraging me, I really appreciate the support.
Tigermouse= I'm glad you like it. Of course there will be Faramir/Eowyn in this. It was challenging writing a romance, I haven't really done that before, even if it was already set up. You're from Iceland? That's kool! Forgive me for the long wait. I hope you like the rest.
Trata= Nope, Aragorn is clueless. And it takes him a long time to figure it out, especially considering he's a Ranger. I guess he just can't comprehend that Faramir could be Tir.
Silmarien= I agree, Faramir is the best character in the books.
Argentum-Draco= Yes, Denethor is dead. He burnt himself up because he went crazy from looking into the palantir.
Ewan is hot= I don't mind at all. Glad you liked it enough to review.
The evil witch queen-=Aragorn is coming. And he's clueless!
Thank you to all who reviewed.
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Faramir knelt in the midst of the nightmare world, surrounded by shadow. He did not see the darkness, though, only scenes from memory, from dreams. As if with fresh eyes, he relived each hurt, each injury he had been dealt by his father. Every pain lingered in his flesh, every heartache remained burned on his soul. But Faramir did not fight, letting each memory come as it willed. His brother was dead, and now so was his father. He was alone. He had no reason to resist.
Estel, now known by his true name, Aragorn, walked into the room holding Faramir, the new Steward of Gondor. He immediately saw the man's resemblance to Boromir. The Steward seemed to be barely breathing, his pulse slow, as he burned with fever. //Time is running out for him. He has fought long, and will not last through the night. I must help him, and soon.//
Faramir came at last to the memory he most dreaded. It was the last time his father had hurt him, the worst time. Again, he listened to Denethor's words. "You are weak. You are worthless!" Faramir braced himself for the last sentence, prepared to accept them, to give in to the shadow. But they never came. Instead, Denethor disappeared, a smiling young boy in his place. At first Faramir didn't recognize him. When he did, the Captain gasped.
"Boromir!" Indeed, it was Boromir, as he had looked years before.
"Why are you listening to him?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you believe what Father said? It's not true, you know. I thought you learned that in Rivendell?"
"I did. I just don't want to fight anymore. I'm tired."
"You can't give up! Did I give up trying to save the hobbits as I died?"
"I'm not like you, Boromir."
"No. You are stronger. But even the strongest man can fall if he doesn't let others help him. Let someone help you Faramir."
Faramir hung his head. "I don't know if I can."
Young Boromir smiled. "Here is your chance to start." In the distance, Faramir heard someone calling his name. "Estel calls. Go to your brother."
"You are my brother."
Boromir placed his hand on Faramir's shoulder. "And I always will be. But now you have another. At first I was jealous of him, but now I see that he cares for you. He and Elladan and Elrohir are your brothers now. And Elrond is your father."
"Ada." Faramir whispered, remembering the elf lord and his kindness.
"Go on, little brother."
Faramir looked at the boy. "Farewell, Boromir." He stood and walked toward Estel's voice.
Boromir watched as he left. "Farewell, little brother. Till we meet again."
Near the edge of the darkness, Faramir found Aragorn. "It is time to leave this place, Lord Faramir." Faramir smiled at his foster brother. Aragorn, though, did not recognize Faramir as Tirpalandil. //That will come in time. For now, he is my King.//
"Lead the way."
~*~
Faramir blinked at the bright light, as his eyes opened. Focusing, he found that Aragorn was bent over him. "My lord, you called me and I come. What does the king command?"
Aragorn smiled. "Walk no more in the shadows, but awake! Rest a while, for you are tired, and have something to eat. Be ready for when I come back."
"I will, lord, for who would lie idle when the king has returned?"
"Farewell then for a while. I must go to others who need me." And Aragorn left with Mithrandir and a reluctant Imrahil, leaving the guard Beregond and his son, Bergil, to watch over the Steward. It wasn't until later that Aragorn wondered how Faramir knew he was king.
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I think I'll post at least another chapter tonight.
