A/n: Thanks to Noa9 for sending me the script! (Oh no, it was Noa9 who sent
it to me, right? *wails* I have such terrible memory. . .) Thanks to her, I
can write more detailed and accurate. *big hugz* Unfortunately I haven't
had much time to write because it was the end of the term this week and I
had tests and homework in cartloads. I whipped this together on Thursday
and I hope it doesn't seem to rushed. This chapter focuses on Dan. I'm
trying to tell the story from different points of view and Dan was the
logical place to begin. Please read and review! Thanks!
R/n:
Mojo: Oh no! *hides from you* You are very violent, aren't you? Can't tell you what's going to happen. *muahahahahaha* Please don't hurt me though!
Alida: I'm very interested in your summary for the story. . .I just need to get the time to actually read it. *sigh* expect reviews as soon as I get the chance! Hehe, Dan has lots of reasons for going. One, you are right, he was scared away by the whole marriage thing. And another, he just felt something that drove him to go. Have you ever experienced that? Like you're going somewhere but you just feel like you should go somewhere else? No? lol! Neways, thanks for the review! As always, I loved it!
Oil Pastel: That poor little fat hobbit! You're so cruel and violent to him. *eyes fill with tears* You're heartless! You hear me? HEARTLESS! *clears throat* uuum right. No idea where that came from. Loved your review, its great hearing what you think, you always make me smile. Thanks hun!
Noa9: Thank you, thank you, thank you. *hugz you tightly* uuumm. . .it was you right? I'm gonna feel really dumb if it wasn't. Anyway, thanks so much for the review! I'm glad you like so far!
Vorserkeien: Hehe, didn't like Elijah's acting? I thought it was good. I just felt that some parts were overly. . .sentimental. Know what I mean? I was waiting for Frodo and Sam to kiss and I was watching it all happen from between my fingers just shaking my head and saying, "Please don't do it, please don't do it." Heh, yah, the sex scene will take a little from the story but it will probably be the only one. So it kind of adds emotion/love to it. Hopefully. I'm going to be so embaressed to post it. Heh, thanks for the review!
Loveoflegolas: Thanks for your review! I love hearing from you. Lol, how's your cheesestick? I must admit I am not very happy that you didn't give me one *eyes narrow* A girls gotta have her cheese, know what I mean?
KnowInSight: Hehe, haven't read the story yet. I will as soon as I find the time! Thanks SO MUCH for the review! I love hearing from you *hugz*
Crecy: Thanks for your review! It's nice to hear a new voice every once in awhile ^_^
---
Dan groaned and rolled off his thin blanket as the sun peaked over the rim of the mountains in the distance. He stretched, pulling his aching muscles that had knotted from sleeping on the hard ground.
Reaching into his pack across the horse, he pulled out a thin strip of tough meat and chewed thoughtfully. He had been on the road for nearly four days now. According to Aragorn's directions, he should be reaching Gondor today. He would have gone into Minas Tirith at night but had assumed that the gates were locked at night. That's how it was in movies so he concluded that's how it worked here.
After finishing his small breakfast, he rubbed his horse and then hopped onto its back. "Just a little further," he said encouragingly.
With that, the horse took off on a brisk trot, making its way down the small trail that Gandalf and Pippin left behind. Hoof prints were far from one another and Dan knew that Gandalf had galloped nearly the whole way there. He had a very strong horse, Shadowfax, that was his name.
As the day wore on, Dan's thoughts drifted to just about everything to keep himself occupied. He often thought of Hanalee and fear and sadness enveloped him at the same time. He hated to admit it to himself, but she was mostly the reason he had decided to leave. It was one thing to have a girlfriend and to like being around her. Marriage was completely foreign territory and one he didn't want to travel just yet. He loved her, he was sure of that. But marriage? It didn't sound right to Dan, at least not yet. He had assumed that Hanalee would feel the same but from the look in her eyes when her sister had mentioned it. . .Dan shuddered. She had wanted it. She was considering it. It was too much for him to cope with at the moment. Being thrown into another world, watching two enemies fall in love, and then getting marriage said in the same sentence as his name was too much.
As much as Dan would have liked to get away from Hanalee for awhile, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Was she okay? Did she miss him? Was she blaming herself for his sudden departure? The more he thought about it, the more his head ached right alongside his heart. Luckily, he couldn't think on it for long. His horse rounded a bend and before him was the city that had to be Minas Tirith. It was an enormous white city situated comfortably between two great mountains. Flags billowed in the sharp wind and darkness stretched across the sky, casting dark shadows onto the towers raising toward the heavens.
"Whew," Dan whistled in awe.
He let his gaze shift around the area surrounding the great city. It was a very open field until a river wound its way into sight. He thought he could see a city there but it looked forlorn and desolate. Slowly his eyes went upward, his mouth dropping as he looked upon Mordor for the first time. A darkness surrounded the sky, a darkness darker than any he had ever seen. The only light that punctuated the black was fiery flames shooting into the sky. Red lava burst from the top of a volcano.
"Shit," Dan whispered. He only now realized the danger this Frodo fellow was in. He would hate to have to throw some tiny ring into a volcano that looked that terrifying. His eyes then registered something else. A bright green light streamed in a steady line, never ending as it pulsated to the sky.
"Can anyone tell me what the hell I was thinking?" he asked glumly.
His horse neighed and pawed his hooves on the ground. "If your saying I'm crazy," Dan muttered, gripping the reins, "I completely agree with you."
Taking a deep breath, he urged his horse forward, making his way down the slope and into the valley. As he neared the wall, he felt eyes watching him from the top of the battlement. He glanced up and then quickly shifted his gaze down again. A line of archers aimed arrows directly at him. It was very disconcerting to see that and not be able to do anything about it.
"What business do you have here stranger?" a deep voice yelled.
"I come behind Gandalf the Gray who should have arrived here already," Dan called back.
No answer came back but the doors opened, allowing him to enter. Dan shifted uncomfortably and as soon as he entered the walls of Minas Tirith, he jumped off his horse. Slowly, he made his way through the village. He found a stable where he could tie his horse up with a little bit of money that was given to him in Edoras. After paying the man, he walked along the streets, searching for Gandalf and Pippin.
As he did so, he took notice of the people of Gondor. The most of them looked tired and worn. While Dan was still awed by the dangerous volcano across the street, the people around him paid no heed to it. Laughing sounded unnatural and forced and beggars hid within the shadows of the city. This was a place that had seen too much war, Dan concluded. They were worn, tired, beaten. They were poor and unhealthy. Who ruled Gondor in Aragorn's stead? Dan wondered. Whoever it was, they were doing a lousy job.
"Dan?" a voice called incredulously.
Dan turned to see Gandalf standing nervously against a wooden pillar. Dan grinned, "Wassup?"
Gandalf looked confused but didn't respond. "What are you doing here?"
"I decided to follow. I figured you'd need all the help you could get," Dan offered.
Gandalf nodded his hand vigorously, "Your aide will certainly be needed. How did you come here?"
"I left soon after you. I've been tracking your footsteps." Dan replied. He looked around and frowned, "Where's Pippin?"
"I believe the answer to your 'Wassup' question could wisely be answered with Pippin," Gandalf replied with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Dan frowned and glanced up. He nearly fell over in shock when he saw how high Pippin was. The hobbit was climbing on top of a pile of hay, more than fifty feet up. "What the hell is he doing up there?" Dan yelled.
"Shh!" Gandalf replied, looking around him nervously. "You'll see in a moment."
Dan watched as a great flame burst from the haystack. Gandalf grinned and dashed off and Dan reluctantly followed, still mystified as to how and why the hobbit climbed all that way.
Dan and Gandalf reached a small bridge and Gandalf seemed to be searching for something. Finally he grinned and whispered, "Amon Dîn. . ."
"Amen to what?" Dan asked confused.
"The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!" a guard near them cried, pointing.
"It's a beacon," Gandalf replied, his eyes sparkling, "to call for aide. They will be lit all across the land and will eventually reach Rohan."
Dan watched as lights burst further and further down the mountain, "Call aide for what?"
Gandalf looked at him wearily but didn't answer. Instead he whispered, "Hope is kindled."
--
Dan peered over the edge of the wall fearfully. Gandalf had insisted he come up here, something about checking Osgiliath. Dan had decided that Osgiliath was the city he had seen resting on the river.
He stared blankly at the city, wondering what he was supposed to be looking for. Suddenly he saw something. "Gandalf," he whispered.
Gandalf snapped his head quickly to Dan. "What?"
"What-what is that?" he asked fearfully, pointing to black specs flying above the city.
Gandalf paled. "Nazgul," he whispered. In a heartbeat, Gandalf was down the stairs and he and Pippin were on a horse. Dan followed (though he didn't know why) and jumped onto the familiar horse who had taken him from Rohan.
"What are Nazgul?" he asked as they galloped at a breakneck speed through the city.
"Ring wraiths," Gandalf replied quickly.
Dan didn't even want to know what those were. Instead, he urged his horse to go faster. Soon they were outside of the city, Dan confused about where they were going. And then he saw them. Rows of men riding as fast as they could across the plains. The Ring Wraiths flew above them and Dan felt his stomach churn when he saw what they were. They were men of some kind with great, billowing black capes. Every inch of their body was covered and death was written all over them. They rode on the backs of dragons, great leather harnesses held between their hands.
"What doesn't this world have?" Dan wondered aloud, trying to beat back the fear that threatened to overwhelm him. He couldn't figure out how they were going to help the people riding fearfully away.
The answer to that question came from Gandalf. He raised his staff, muttered a few well chosen words, and a bright light erupted from the end of the stick. The dragons immediately reared and screeched, flying away from the light. Dan had nearly forgotten. Gandalf was a wizard.
They turned around and galloped, with the men from Osgiliath, back to the city. When they got through the gates, a man with shoulder length brown hair walked wearily to Gandalf. "Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river."
Dan paled. He suddenly understood why they would need aide. There was going to be a war. Another bloody war against the Orcs. Suddenly he felt alive. He was ready to fight again.
"It is as the Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom!" a Gondorian soldier muttered as he passed by.
"Foreseen and done nothing!" Gandalf spat.
Dan stepped forward. "Dan," he said, offering his hand to the man.
The man bowed his head in appreciation and shook his hand, probably confused by the strange salutation. "Faramir."
Dan could tell that he already liked the man. He had a kind demeanor about him. Faramir reminded him of Scott in a weird way. "Nice to meet you," he said.
"And you," Faramir replied.
Gandalf shifted on his horse and Faramir looked astonished as he saw Pippin. Dan could remember feeling the same thing as he gazed on the hobbit. They looked like little kids. Gandalf, however, saw the look in Faramir's eyes and said softly, "This is not the first hobbit that has crossed your path."
Numbly, Faramir shook his head. "No. . ."
Pippin, whose head had been lowered, looked up eagerly. "You've seen Frodo and Sam?"
"Where? When?" Gandalf asked eagerly.
"In Ithilien, not two days ago."
Dan, Gandalf, and Pippin looked at each other, feeling immensely relieved. Dan had never met the hobbits and didn't really care if they were alive, but if they were moving toward Mount Doom, the war could be prevented. While he enjoyed the thrill of fighting, he was really starting to miss Hanalee. Maybe it would be better if they could just end it before it began.
Faramir suddenly said urgently, "Gandalf, they've taken the road to the Morgul Vale."
The what? Dan wanted to yell, but managed to keep quiet.
"And then the Pass of Cirith Ungol?" Gandalf asked, his face falling in a matter of seconds.
Silently, Faramir nodded.
"What does that mean? What's wrong?" Pippin asked worriedly. Dan completely agreed with this question.
"Faramir, tell me everything." Gandalf said hoarsely.
--
Dan came across Faramir later. He was scrubbing his arms in a basin, his armor draped over the side of a wooden chair.
"Getting ready for something?" Dan asked.
"I must visit my father," Faramir said softly. Was that fear in his voice? Sadness?
"He's the Denethor guy, right?" Dan asked, taking a seat.
Faramir smiled thinly. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Dan laughed. "No, from very far away."
"How far?" Faramir asked curiously.
"Further than you have ever traveled," Dan replied.
"Fair enough," Faramir said. "I'd noticed your accent. I thought you were from Rohan."
"That's where I was last," Dan replied, shrugging.
Faramir nodded and looked at Dan closely. "You look sad, why?"
Dan turned away, kicking a rock with his shoe. "I left my sister, my friend, and a woman that I love there."
Faramir suddenly looked sad. "Never leave your sister. It may be the last time that you see her."
"Do you have one?" Dan asked, swallowing the fear that rose in him.
"I had a brother," Faramir said sadly. "He died."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Dan replied sincerely.
"You seem to be a good man," Faramir said boldly, pulling on his armor.
"And you."
"Care to join me in my father's presence? Perhaps we can share stories on our way."
Dan grinned. "Sounds good."
--
A/n: Hopefully it wasn't too bad. *smiles nervously* please review!!
R/n:
Mojo: Oh no! *hides from you* You are very violent, aren't you? Can't tell you what's going to happen. *muahahahahaha* Please don't hurt me though!
Alida: I'm very interested in your summary for the story. . .I just need to get the time to actually read it. *sigh* expect reviews as soon as I get the chance! Hehe, Dan has lots of reasons for going. One, you are right, he was scared away by the whole marriage thing. And another, he just felt something that drove him to go. Have you ever experienced that? Like you're going somewhere but you just feel like you should go somewhere else? No? lol! Neways, thanks for the review! As always, I loved it!
Oil Pastel: That poor little fat hobbit! You're so cruel and violent to him. *eyes fill with tears* You're heartless! You hear me? HEARTLESS! *clears throat* uuum right. No idea where that came from. Loved your review, its great hearing what you think, you always make me smile. Thanks hun!
Noa9: Thank you, thank you, thank you. *hugz you tightly* uuumm. . .it was you right? I'm gonna feel really dumb if it wasn't. Anyway, thanks so much for the review! I'm glad you like so far!
Vorserkeien: Hehe, didn't like Elijah's acting? I thought it was good. I just felt that some parts were overly. . .sentimental. Know what I mean? I was waiting for Frodo and Sam to kiss and I was watching it all happen from between my fingers just shaking my head and saying, "Please don't do it, please don't do it." Heh, yah, the sex scene will take a little from the story but it will probably be the only one. So it kind of adds emotion/love to it. Hopefully. I'm going to be so embaressed to post it. Heh, thanks for the review!
Loveoflegolas: Thanks for your review! I love hearing from you. Lol, how's your cheesestick? I must admit I am not very happy that you didn't give me one *eyes narrow* A girls gotta have her cheese, know what I mean?
KnowInSight: Hehe, haven't read the story yet. I will as soon as I find the time! Thanks SO MUCH for the review! I love hearing from you *hugz*
Crecy: Thanks for your review! It's nice to hear a new voice every once in awhile ^_^
---
Dan groaned and rolled off his thin blanket as the sun peaked over the rim of the mountains in the distance. He stretched, pulling his aching muscles that had knotted from sleeping on the hard ground.
Reaching into his pack across the horse, he pulled out a thin strip of tough meat and chewed thoughtfully. He had been on the road for nearly four days now. According to Aragorn's directions, he should be reaching Gondor today. He would have gone into Minas Tirith at night but had assumed that the gates were locked at night. That's how it was in movies so he concluded that's how it worked here.
After finishing his small breakfast, he rubbed his horse and then hopped onto its back. "Just a little further," he said encouragingly.
With that, the horse took off on a brisk trot, making its way down the small trail that Gandalf and Pippin left behind. Hoof prints were far from one another and Dan knew that Gandalf had galloped nearly the whole way there. He had a very strong horse, Shadowfax, that was his name.
As the day wore on, Dan's thoughts drifted to just about everything to keep himself occupied. He often thought of Hanalee and fear and sadness enveloped him at the same time. He hated to admit it to himself, but she was mostly the reason he had decided to leave. It was one thing to have a girlfriend and to like being around her. Marriage was completely foreign territory and one he didn't want to travel just yet. He loved her, he was sure of that. But marriage? It didn't sound right to Dan, at least not yet. He had assumed that Hanalee would feel the same but from the look in her eyes when her sister had mentioned it. . .Dan shuddered. She had wanted it. She was considering it. It was too much for him to cope with at the moment. Being thrown into another world, watching two enemies fall in love, and then getting marriage said in the same sentence as his name was too much.
As much as Dan would have liked to get away from Hanalee for awhile, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Was she okay? Did she miss him? Was she blaming herself for his sudden departure? The more he thought about it, the more his head ached right alongside his heart. Luckily, he couldn't think on it for long. His horse rounded a bend and before him was the city that had to be Minas Tirith. It was an enormous white city situated comfortably between two great mountains. Flags billowed in the sharp wind and darkness stretched across the sky, casting dark shadows onto the towers raising toward the heavens.
"Whew," Dan whistled in awe.
He let his gaze shift around the area surrounding the great city. It was a very open field until a river wound its way into sight. He thought he could see a city there but it looked forlorn and desolate. Slowly his eyes went upward, his mouth dropping as he looked upon Mordor for the first time. A darkness surrounded the sky, a darkness darker than any he had ever seen. The only light that punctuated the black was fiery flames shooting into the sky. Red lava burst from the top of a volcano.
"Shit," Dan whispered. He only now realized the danger this Frodo fellow was in. He would hate to have to throw some tiny ring into a volcano that looked that terrifying. His eyes then registered something else. A bright green light streamed in a steady line, never ending as it pulsated to the sky.
"Can anyone tell me what the hell I was thinking?" he asked glumly.
His horse neighed and pawed his hooves on the ground. "If your saying I'm crazy," Dan muttered, gripping the reins, "I completely agree with you."
Taking a deep breath, he urged his horse forward, making his way down the slope and into the valley. As he neared the wall, he felt eyes watching him from the top of the battlement. He glanced up and then quickly shifted his gaze down again. A line of archers aimed arrows directly at him. It was very disconcerting to see that and not be able to do anything about it.
"What business do you have here stranger?" a deep voice yelled.
"I come behind Gandalf the Gray who should have arrived here already," Dan called back.
No answer came back but the doors opened, allowing him to enter. Dan shifted uncomfortably and as soon as he entered the walls of Minas Tirith, he jumped off his horse. Slowly, he made his way through the village. He found a stable where he could tie his horse up with a little bit of money that was given to him in Edoras. After paying the man, he walked along the streets, searching for Gandalf and Pippin.
As he did so, he took notice of the people of Gondor. The most of them looked tired and worn. While Dan was still awed by the dangerous volcano across the street, the people around him paid no heed to it. Laughing sounded unnatural and forced and beggars hid within the shadows of the city. This was a place that had seen too much war, Dan concluded. They were worn, tired, beaten. They were poor and unhealthy. Who ruled Gondor in Aragorn's stead? Dan wondered. Whoever it was, they were doing a lousy job.
"Dan?" a voice called incredulously.
Dan turned to see Gandalf standing nervously against a wooden pillar. Dan grinned, "Wassup?"
Gandalf looked confused but didn't respond. "What are you doing here?"
"I decided to follow. I figured you'd need all the help you could get," Dan offered.
Gandalf nodded his hand vigorously, "Your aide will certainly be needed. How did you come here?"
"I left soon after you. I've been tracking your footsteps." Dan replied. He looked around and frowned, "Where's Pippin?"
"I believe the answer to your 'Wassup' question could wisely be answered with Pippin," Gandalf replied with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Dan frowned and glanced up. He nearly fell over in shock when he saw how high Pippin was. The hobbit was climbing on top of a pile of hay, more than fifty feet up. "What the hell is he doing up there?" Dan yelled.
"Shh!" Gandalf replied, looking around him nervously. "You'll see in a moment."
Dan watched as a great flame burst from the haystack. Gandalf grinned and dashed off and Dan reluctantly followed, still mystified as to how and why the hobbit climbed all that way.
Dan and Gandalf reached a small bridge and Gandalf seemed to be searching for something. Finally he grinned and whispered, "Amon Dîn. . ."
"Amen to what?" Dan asked confused.
"The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!" a guard near them cried, pointing.
"It's a beacon," Gandalf replied, his eyes sparkling, "to call for aide. They will be lit all across the land and will eventually reach Rohan."
Dan watched as lights burst further and further down the mountain, "Call aide for what?"
Gandalf looked at him wearily but didn't answer. Instead he whispered, "Hope is kindled."
--
Dan peered over the edge of the wall fearfully. Gandalf had insisted he come up here, something about checking Osgiliath. Dan had decided that Osgiliath was the city he had seen resting on the river.
He stared blankly at the city, wondering what he was supposed to be looking for. Suddenly he saw something. "Gandalf," he whispered.
Gandalf snapped his head quickly to Dan. "What?"
"What-what is that?" he asked fearfully, pointing to black specs flying above the city.
Gandalf paled. "Nazgul," he whispered. In a heartbeat, Gandalf was down the stairs and he and Pippin were on a horse. Dan followed (though he didn't know why) and jumped onto the familiar horse who had taken him from Rohan.
"What are Nazgul?" he asked as they galloped at a breakneck speed through the city.
"Ring wraiths," Gandalf replied quickly.
Dan didn't even want to know what those were. Instead, he urged his horse to go faster. Soon they were outside of the city, Dan confused about where they were going. And then he saw them. Rows of men riding as fast as they could across the plains. The Ring Wraiths flew above them and Dan felt his stomach churn when he saw what they were. They were men of some kind with great, billowing black capes. Every inch of their body was covered and death was written all over them. They rode on the backs of dragons, great leather harnesses held between their hands.
"What doesn't this world have?" Dan wondered aloud, trying to beat back the fear that threatened to overwhelm him. He couldn't figure out how they were going to help the people riding fearfully away.
The answer to that question came from Gandalf. He raised his staff, muttered a few well chosen words, and a bright light erupted from the end of the stick. The dragons immediately reared and screeched, flying away from the light. Dan had nearly forgotten. Gandalf was a wizard.
They turned around and galloped, with the men from Osgiliath, back to the city. When they got through the gates, a man with shoulder length brown hair walked wearily to Gandalf. "Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river."
Dan paled. He suddenly understood why they would need aide. There was going to be a war. Another bloody war against the Orcs. Suddenly he felt alive. He was ready to fight again.
"It is as the Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom!" a Gondorian soldier muttered as he passed by.
"Foreseen and done nothing!" Gandalf spat.
Dan stepped forward. "Dan," he said, offering his hand to the man.
The man bowed his head in appreciation and shook his hand, probably confused by the strange salutation. "Faramir."
Dan could tell that he already liked the man. He had a kind demeanor about him. Faramir reminded him of Scott in a weird way. "Nice to meet you," he said.
"And you," Faramir replied.
Gandalf shifted on his horse and Faramir looked astonished as he saw Pippin. Dan could remember feeling the same thing as he gazed on the hobbit. They looked like little kids. Gandalf, however, saw the look in Faramir's eyes and said softly, "This is not the first hobbit that has crossed your path."
Numbly, Faramir shook his head. "No. . ."
Pippin, whose head had been lowered, looked up eagerly. "You've seen Frodo and Sam?"
"Where? When?" Gandalf asked eagerly.
"In Ithilien, not two days ago."
Dan, Gandalf, and Pippin looked at each other, feeling immensely relieved. Dan had never met the hobbits and didn't really care if they were alive, but if they were moving toward Mount Doom, the war could be prevented. While he enjoyed the thrill of fighting, he was really starting to miss Hanalee. Maybe it would be better if they could just end it before it began.
Faramir suddenly said urgently, "Gandalf, they've taken the road to the Morgul Vale."
The what? Dan wanted to yell, but managed to keep quiet.
"And then the Pass of Cirith Ungol?" Gandalf asked, his face falling in a matter of seconds.
Silently, Faramir nodded.
"What does that mean? What's wrong?" Pippin asked worriedly. Dan completely agreed with this question.
"Faramir, tell me everything." Gandalf said hoarsely.
--
Dan came across Faramir later. He was scrubbing his arms in a basin, his armor draped over the side of a wooden chair.
"Getting ready for something?" Dan asked.
"I must visit my father," Faramir said softly. Was that fear in his voice? Sadness?
"He's the Denethor guy, right?" Dan asked, taking a seat.
Faramir smiled thinly. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Dan laughed. "No, from very far away."
"How far?" Faramir asked curiously.
"Further than you have ever traveled," Dan replied.
"Fair enough," Faramir said. "I'd noticed your accent. I thought you were from Rohan."
"That's where I was last," Dan replied, shrugging.
Faramir nodded and looked at Dan closely. "You look sad, why?"
Dan turned away, kicking a rock with his shoe. "I left my sister, my friend, and a woman that I love there."
Faramir suddenly looked sad. "Never leave your sister. It may be the last time that you see her."
"Do you have one?" Dan asked, swallowing the fear that rose in him.
"I had a brother," Faramir said sadly. "He died."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Dan replied sincerely.
"You seem to be a good man," Faramir said boldly, pulling on his armor.
"And you."
"Care to join me in my father's presence? Perhaps we can share stories on our way."
Dan grinned. "Sounds good."
--
A/n: Hopefully it wasn't too bad. *smiles nervously* please review!!