Chapter 6: Loyalty

"Wake up uncle," was the sound that stirred Imrahil from his much-needed sleep.

"Faramir, pleasant to see you," the prince said with a smile. Imrahil was quick to realize that his look on his nephew's face was not pleasing. "What is it nephew?"

Faramir's expression was dark; "my father is sending me personally to command the troops at Osgiliath." The captain did not hold much hope to survive and Imrahil knew it.

"That is crazy, you should order your men back at once!" Imrahil said with terror. The horde from Mordor was closing in and there simply was not enough manpower available to hold Osgiliath. However, Faramir was determined to redeem himself in his father's eyes.

"Sorry uncle, but if I do not return remember my love and loyalty to my father. Make sure he knows of it," Faramir's voice was deep and ringed with a fatalistic tone.

"I will look for you to return, I am not about to lose another nephew so soon," The prince said in his ever-loving manner. The men hugged and then parted. Imrahil watched him mount his horse and ride from the city. A tear went down the prince's face.

Imrahil went to his men and checked on how they were doing. He found that they have been hearing the rumors of the enemy's power. The city-folk of Minas Tirith had little hope left in them. Many have not heard from their steward in some time, they can only see men-at-arms heading in and out of the city. Always there were fewer coming back from these sorties. They can read the scarred faces of the soldiers; they could feel the darkness setting in on them. Imrahil continued to tell his men how they have defeated stronger powers before and that their ancestors survived a destruction of a continent. His rousing words stirred his men, but more importantly calmed him and kept his mind from his nephew's duty. Furthermore, Denethor had little to say to him. Imrahil's counsel was not sought and Gandalf's was being rejected at almost every turn. Yet, knowing Denethor was still planning to hold the city to the end was a comforting thought. Even if he had no hope, Denethor was giving him a chance to ready the men for the battle that was coming. Why was Denethor still fighting with so little hope? The answer was clear as bright as a summer day, Finduilas.

There were few things the aging steward ever cared for as much as his sons. One of them was his wife. Finduilas loved Denethor, she was loyal to him and bore him his only children. While she was unhappy being so far from the sea, she tried not to show those feelings for the benefit of her husband. In his better years the steward was fond of his spouse and did all he could to make her life in Minas Tirith a happy one. He had built big fountains and pools so she could sea the bright water that she missed so much. Nothing pleased him more than seeing Boromir and Faramir playing with their mother on the grass under the trees in the court. Denethor used to smile all the time, his pride in his duty and his family always followed him. The people of Gondor admired him greatly, he was one of the most active stewards in the history of the country. It was his loyalty to his family and the memory of Finduilas that kept the steward active in his defense of the place, even with no hope remaining in his soul. He was alone in his thoughts when he heard a thud next to him.

"Ouch, sorry sir." Said Pippin, "I did not mean to run into your leg, I was just hurrying along and was distracted by this bird...." The hobbit's manner humored the prince.

"It is alright master hobbit. I do not think you could hurt a mouse if you ran into it at full speed with a lance beside you," Imrahil said laughing.

"Tell me Pippin, what do you think of loyalty." The prince asked.

"Well, loyalty is important. It is what keeps you trying even when there is little to try for. It is what keeps bonds between people strong." Pippin's face sunk as he felt his answer was too simple.

"Do you have anything that keeps you here? Why not return to the shire away from all this terror and violence." Imrahil asked.

"Well, my friends are all off trying to accomplish things for good, it would not look very well on my part to go home while they are still in danger." The hobbit then continues, "we have come so far together. Now that we are parted, I feel that we can still act as a team though there may be great distance between us. While it seems we all act individually, it is the collective actions of us all that matter together."

"Young lad, you can teach us something about friendship." Imrahil was impressed by Pippin. It is true that as long as everyone was true to a common goal, even if they wished to achieve it differently, they were still being loyal to each other. At least, this is how the prince saw it. With this, the prince asked the hobbit, "Why are you still laying on the ground?"