CHAPTER 27 : The Right Thing

Thoughts ran through Faramir's mind haphazardly as he paced. The One Ring… Isildur's Bane… so that was what the dream meant… The Ring was powerful, very powerful, that much was a well-known fact. It could do anything, he had heard, and perhaps it could even be used against Mordor, perhaps it could repel Mordor's armies and save Gondor. If I could do that, if I could get rid of Mordor, get rid of Sauron, erase the threat… I could save Gondor, and Father will finally recognise that I am no less than Boromir. He saw himself, loved by everyone in Gondor, but most of all, appreciated by his father.

Faramir stopped his pacing and made his way to where Frodo and Sam were kept, having made up his mind.

"NO!"

Aislin sprang awake at that shrill scream. Liana was curled up in a ball, sobbing. "What's wrong, Liana? What's the matter?"

Liana didn't answer, but whispered, "No… Faramir, no…" Then, gradually, the child relaxed. She reached out for Aislin, and Aislin pulled her close, comforting her. Finally Liana drew a ragged breath. "Faramir was going to make a mistake," she said softly. "He was going to do something wrong… and he'd put himself in danger…"

"Shhh…" Aislin said soothingly. "Don't worry, dear, it was just a dream. Don't worry, Faramir's not in danger. He's too smart for that, isn't he, dear?"

Liana nodded, her sobs dying down, turning into hiccups. "It was so real, Mother… so real…"

"It's all right now, Liana. Everything's all right now."

But was it?

Frodo stood up as Faramir entered. It was certain now that Faramir knew his secret. Gollum would not keep silent, why would he? Now everything hung by a thread. What would Faramir do? Sam stood up, next to Frodo, as if he would prove to be very useful should Faramir like to skewer him

with his sword. Good, reliable Sam. But if Faramir wanted the Ring, there was nothing the two of them could do. Not for the first time on this journey Frodo wished that he could be about two feet taller, so at least he would stand a better chance.

Faramir stood before the two of them, his hand tightening about his sword hilt.

"What are you going to do?" Sam demanded in a rather shaky voice.

There was no reply, but then Faramir took a deep breath and released his sword hilt. "I know what you carry," he said, addressing Frodo. "It is dangerous, and I have doubts about your guide."

Frodo relaxed. It's all right, it's all right, he thought to himself. "He is the only one who can lead us into Mordor now. He says he knows a secret way, and there is no choice but to trust him for now."

"The paths of Cirith Ungol are not safe. Something lurks there, and if you venture in, I do not know if you will see the sun again."

Sam drew a sharp breath. "I told you, Mr. Frodo, Gollum is up to something!"

"Sam, it's dangerous no matter how we enter Mordor. We've got to take this chance, it's better than walking in through the gates!"

"But…"

Faramir interrupted before Sam could protest further. "I'm afraid that I have to agree with Frodo. There will always be great risks when you want to enter Mordor. I would never attempt it, not even with all the armies of Middle-earth behind me. But it is necessary for you. I will offer you safety, Sam…"

"I'm going with Mr. Frodo!" Sam sounded indignant, as if he had just been greatly insulted.

Faramir smiled despite himself. "I know, Sam. Since you do not accept my offer, there is little that I can do to help except to give you food and water. There is little of those to be had in Mordor."

"Thank you, Faramir. Thank you." Frodo smiled. Finally some light on this dark quest.

Faramir watched as the hobbits walked away from him and the Rangers. Be safe, the fate of Middle-earth depends on it, he thought grimly. Then he turned, making his way back to Henneth Annûn.

He didn't really know why he had let them go. The Ring could have saved Gondor, repelled their enemies, and he had gone to Frodo and Sam with the intention of seizing it from them. But just before he could say a word to them, he had heard a voice that he could have sworn was Liana's. She was crying. And suddenly he saw it clearly. The Ring would not save Gondor, but through him it would bring the doom of Middle-earth upon everyone. He would not be a hero, but the one that destroyed everything, that allowed Middle-earth to be covered in shadow.

I must be going crazy, he thought, shaking his head.

He did not know it then, but that vision had saved Middle-earth.