Chapter 7: A Close Run Thing
It was morning on March 13, 3019 of the third age. The prince was talking with Gandalf and Pippin over some tea.
"How long has it been since you have had any word from the ring bearer?" asked the prince thoughtfully.
"It has been a few weeks since Faramir claims to have met Frodo and Sam. They were not yet in Mordor so it is impossible to say what happened to them trying to enter that realm," the wizard replied.
"It is funny," Pippin said offhanded, "here we are talking about the safety of Frodo and Sam and yet we are in peril ourselves."
"Our safety would only be a temporary thing no matter what we accomplish unless the ring is destroyed." Gandalf said sternly back.
"What do we hope to accomplish here then Gandalf?" Imrahil questioned.
"Sauron is scared and that is a good thing." Galdalf said with relief. "It appears he thinks the ring may be here and not heading right under his nose."
"Sam is good at hiding out of site as I recall," Pippin said jokingly and the three laughed.
"It sounds like your friends are both brave and close to your hearts. I do hope I have the chance to thank them on behalf of my people some day." Imrahil said as the Wizard and Pippin nodded.
"Ouch!" Howled the hobbit. "The sword keeps poking me.
"Feel good it is the top that is doing the poking Master Took." Imrahil said. "You may scream louder.
Just as these words escaped from the mouth of the prince, a sentry howled. "Its Faramir and his men, they are in danger."
Gandalf quickly sent Pippen away to tell Denethor that his son was hard pressed trying to escape to the city.
Imrahil put his help on his head, jumped on his horse and with great haste sped to get some men. His knights, ever brave, were already mounted. Imrahil led them to the gate of the city.
Arriving at the gate at the same time as Gandalf the riders paused for a brief second. Before them was Faramir and only a few other survivors, riding on horseback being followed by a force, mainly Haradrim, much greater than them and a Nazgul riding a fell beast.
"We have no moment to spare." Gandalf yelled "Forward!"
Imrahil spurred his horse on. A second felt like a day to the prince, minutes were like years. Riding at full speed his men and their fabulous horses quickly passed the steward's son and his men and crashed into the hoard of evil men that were on his tail. The crash as they rode into them was like a thunderstorm. "Back with you, back with you I say" Imrahil yelled as he slashed down some of the enemy. He could see his men being circled, but the Nazgul had fled. The light of Gandalf's staff had pushed back the most feared foe.
"Get back to the city! Make Haste!" The Wizard cried.
"Back men, retreat, back to Minas Tirith!" echoed the prince to his men.
They turned and spurred their mounts swiftly back toward the gates. The enemy paused to recover from the sudden, if not effective, attack.
Imrahil spurred toward Faramir. "Something is wrong, his horse has slowed." Cried the Prince. He quickly dismounted and realized that an arrow had pierced Faramir. With expert care the prince removed the arrow from Faramir's body. He could tell that his nephew was still breathing. "I am sorry nephew" he whispered as he picked up Faramir and rode back to the city with his beloved nephew on his horse.
As he arrived back in the city, onlookers cried as the prone body of Faramir was seen. Denethor, having been alerted by Pippen as to what was transpiring was there to meet them.
"Oh, my dear Faramir. The enemy has struck you down." Denethor cried.
"He is alive brother, though it was a close run thing." Imrahil said with urgency, "He needs more care, the arrow has been removed from him."
"You idiot, had you been paying a closer eye on the enemy and less on yourself, you could have arrived earlier." Denethor said with mad rage.
Denethor had Faramir taken back to the tower and he quickly went from site. Imrahil went to go with them, but Gandalf stopped him.
"Do not bother prince. There is nothing more you can do."
Imrahil, dejected, collapsed in tears. The enemy could now be seen closing around the city.
"Up my prince, it is time to see what strength man has left." Gandalf gazed across the Pelennor.