Lost Without You

By Adri

Type Romance/Angst/Alternate Universe

Pairing Faramir/Eowyn

Summary Eowyn is captured by Sauron and only the One Ring can save her. So was there another motive for Faramir holding Frodo at Osgiliath? Faramir/Eowyn, AU.

Disclaimer I don't own Lord of the Rings or any of the characters, nor did I make them. I am merely a Faramir/Eowyn obsessed fangirl trying to write about them.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I enjoyed reading them :) As for DianaBananna's question, I had to put Eowyn with Faramir at that point because the capture at Osgiliath came before Faramir knew Eowyn. As to why a Nazgul would capture Eowyn...I guess to get to Faramir so he would be preoccupied and Gondor would fall more easily...I don't really know but I think that's what I was thinking XD. Thanks for asking :)

Chapter 2

It was cold and windy, and looked as though it would rain any time, which added to the already gloomy feelings of the Ithilien rangers heading for Osgiliath.

"Look Osgiliath burns..." a ranger suddenly pointed out.

All eyes turned to the burning ruins. A feeling of helplessness came over the Men. "The ring won't save Gondor. It has only the power to destroy! Please...let me go..." the ringbearing halfling pleaded to Faramir.

Faramir's eyes held a look of determination. 'I can't...Eowyn is depending on me...I won't give this chance up...' Frodo looked up into the Man's eyes and was startled by what he saw. There was courage, and dedication, but no lust for power. No it was...longing and worry? But for what?

"You seek something else besides power?" the halfling inquired.

"It concerns you not."

"Please...this can't be the only way...let me help you!"

Faramir didn't look at him.

"Can you not tell me?"

Faramir sighed. His heart was moved by the pity and compassion he saw in the halfling. "I...I wish to save someone who is beloved to me. She...was captured by a servant of Sauron. I intend to use the Ring of Power to save her." The off look returned to his eyes and he gazed at Frodo. "You will give the ring to me."

Frodo shook his head. "Faramir! You mustn't use it! You must let me go!"

In Osgiliath

For the first time since his wound Faramir was back in Osgiliath. And the situation wasn't improved much. A tall man approached him.

"Captain Faramir! They've taken the Eastern shore! By nightfall we'll be overrun."

Faramir shook his head. The situation got worse everyday. If they were overrun, there'd be dire consequences...including the capture of the ring.

'They'll be safer in Minas Tirith...my father will see to it. And maybe finally I'll earn some respect.'

"Take them to my father...tell him Faramir sends a mighty gift. A weapon that will change our fortunes in this war."

Sam turned around violently his voice full of anger and warning. "You want to know what happened to your brother?! You want to know why he died?! He tried to take the ring from Frodo! After swearing an oath to protect him, he tried to kill him! The ring drove your brother mad!"

'Maybe so…but I know Boromir was never in love.'

Faramir looked down at Frodo. He saw something in the hobbit vanish and something more sinister take its place. Frodo's eerie voice spoke. "They're here...they've come."

"Nazgul!! Take cover!" Faramir turned and quickly pulled the hobbits to shelter. "Keep out of sight." 'They've already taken Eowyn. They won't take my last best chance at saving her.'

Running quickly, he tried to find a clear spot to shoot. He looked around and saw the Nazgul was bending over as if trying to reach. But for what?

"NO!!"

Frodo was handing the ring to the Wraith…

Tears began to well up in his eyes. No living man could slay a Nazgul…no one could fight it off and the ring would be taken. 'Eowyn…I'm sorry…I've failed you…'

Suddenly out of nowhere, the other halfling came running up the stairs, and to Faramir's relief, pulled Frodo away from the Nazgul. Seeing opportunity, he quickly got out an arrow. 'For Eowyn…and for Gondor.' He shot the dragon squarely in the chest causing the creature to scream in pain and fly away. It was only a small victory though, and a new wave of despair flooded through him. As he looked at the retreating Wraith, he realized he'd never be able to save Eowyn…or Gondor for that matter. He was only one Man, and Sauron's servants were too powerful even if he made it past the endless ocean of Orcs behind the Black Gate. Slowly walking back to where the halflings stood, he began to let the tears flow freely, caring not that he was in the sight of many. 'Maybe I'm meant to be alone. Mother, Boromir, now Eowyn…and I can't even defend my own country. Father's right to have valued Boromir more than I…'

When the halflings finally stood in front of him again, he looked down upon them, half-heartedly listening to Sam's speech. As he did though, he heard something that broke down the walls of his reverie.

"…even darkness must pass…a new day will come. And when it does the sun will shine out the clearer…those are the stories that stay with you, that mean something…even if you're too small to understand. But I think Mr. Frodo, I do understand. The folk in those stories…had lots of chances of turning back only they didn't. Because they were holding on to something…"

Frodo looked ready to give up. "What are we holding onto Sam?"

A voice welled up inside Faramir. 'And you…you're holding onto something as well. Your heart.'

Sam however, wasn't letting Frodo give up. "That there's some good in this world…and it's worth fighting for."

'And Eowyn…she's worth fighting for.'

A renewed conviction flowed through Faramir. 'Hold on Eowyn…I won't give up on you. I'm coming.' By this time both halflings were in tears, silently gazing at one another, a resigned nature about them. They both looked apprehensive at Faramir's approach, as if he would strike them down any time. But Faramir simply kneeled down and looked Frodo in the eye. "I think at last, we understand one another Frodo Baggins."

The tall Man from earlier approached him. "You know the laws of our country…the laws of your father. If you let them go your life will be forfeit."

Faramir looked sad, but determined. 'Yes it will be forfeit…but not because of my father. Because I am going to save the one I love…or die trying. I'm going to Mordor.'

"Then it is forfeit. Now, release them."

The Men quickly complied to their Captain's request. Frodo looked relieved. Sam's face was written with an impatient look that said, "You heard him! Get off me!"

A few minutes later, the hobbits arrived at the exit gate of Osgiliath. "Well Mr. Frodo…I guess its time to be going."

"Yes…it is." Frodo's quiet voice replied. The hobbits barely took two steps forward when they turned at the sound of a horse galloping. It was Faramir.

"Wait!"

"Now what do you suppose he wants?" Sam wondered quietly aloud.

Faramir dismounted, and Sam noticed he looked quite well prepared…for a long journey. Faramir approached Frodo. "I'm coming with you."

"Not wait just a minute!" came Sam's objection. "After trying to steal the ring you think we're going to trust you?"

There was no challenge from Faramir. Only, "Please…I must."

Sam was about to object again, when Frodo spoke up. "Let him come with us."

"But Mr. Frodo…what business does he have coming along? Who's to say he won't try and steal the ring again?"

Frodo gave a small smile to Faramir. "He won't…he's fighting for something much more valuable."

Sam still looked skeptical. "Like what Mr. Frodo?"

Frodo turned toward the direction of Mordor. "His heart."

- - - - - - -

More soon =) Again I apologize for the huge AU, this plot line is just my insane imagination. Please continue to review, they really help with inspiration!