Here is another chapter. I hope you like it. Yes, we used Remember Me, from the Troy soundtrack. It doesn't belong to us; it just fit really well into this story so we used it. We don't claim to own it. We don't own any of the characters either, and they belong to many different people. Thank you for reading, please R/R.
The sun was setting over Minas Tirith and Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, walked alone in the beautiful gardens, and could not help but wonder at the skill of Master Gardner Samwise Gamgee, who brought such life to a city of stone.
Yet this was but a passing thought, his mind was drawn to the horizon, to the growing shadow enveloping Osgiliath, a growing shadow, which he feared even the dawn, would not dispel. He began to sing an ancient Elven song, sad, like all the songs of old, and fitting for the dark times ahead.
As he walked, his keen Elven eyes spotted a figure standing at the edge of the wall. Upon approach, he saw the motionless figure to be the young Steward of Gondor. He recognized his noble face, and Legolas saw that in his grey eyes was despair. He walked up beside him, and was about to address him, when the Steward spoke first.
"It reminds me of Numenor," he said to the horizon rather than his companion, "of the lands of Westernesse that foundered, and of the great dark wave climbing over the green lands and above the hills, and coming on, darkness inescapable. I often dream of it. Yet now it appears to manifest before my eyes. "
Faramir then turned to Legolas. "The reason of my waking mind tells me that a great evil will befall and we stand at the end of days."
Legolas, who was greatly moved by this, said, "Do not despair; for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt, we do not. However small, hope still remains."
"It is long since we had any hope," said Faramir. "We had believed that with the defeat of Sauron there would finally be peace, no more wars, battles, bloodshed. But it is like things are in the world. Hopes fail. And here we are, lost in ruin and downfall awaiting the final stroke of doom."
Legolas stared at the encroaching darkness, and even his light elven heart faltered, and felt the pangs of despair, "Yes, so we come to it in the end, the great battle of our time, in which many things shall pass away. And so passes also the days of Gondor that you have known, for good or ill they are ended, and who knows what blessings or terrors tomorrow will bring."
Faramir's face, which had been stern and somber, was suddenly changed, lightened by some hope. "For myself I would see the White Tree in Flower again in the courts of the Kings, and the Silver crown return, and Minas Tirith in peace. Minas Arnor again as of old, full of light, high, and fair, beautiful as a queen among queens. War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who will devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of Numenor, and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry, her beauty, and her present wisdom. And I would enter into battle; give my life willingly, in order to protect her."
A man of Gondor then entered and said to the steward, "My lord, the army has been gathered, and they have taken positions on the walls and at the gates...yet too few men we have, and the orc army fast approaches. The scouts say they will be here by dawn."
Faramir, though greatly moved by this message, retained his composure. "Yes, we do not have enough to defeat the armies of Melkor, yet we shall meet them in battle nonetheless." He then turned to Legolas and said, "The time has come for us to draw swords together, and fight alongside one another, as brothers."
Legolas smiled and responded, "I am honored to fight with such a man, and for such a place as this. I am proud to defend this city and I am proud to fight alongside men once more."
Aragorn, King of Men, walked the length of his private rooms to the balcony. It was a rather large balcony, with multiple chairs and tables. He put his hands on the railing and looked out at his city and land, taking in the sights and the smells. He loved Minas Tirith, and took pleasure every morning in taking a walk through the roads. He was so deep in his thoughts that he did not realize Arwen as she came up behind him and put one arm around his waist. She tucked herself under one of his strong arms, and looked up at him smiling.
He smiled back and kissed the top of her head. Together they looked out at the city until Arwen whispered, "Don't go tomorrow. Don't fight."
"I have to, the commander cannot send his men into battle without being at the head," Aragorn shook his head. He always believed that he consciously could not ask his men to do something he was not ready to do.
"I have a bad feeling about tomorrow," Arwen, begged him. "Please don't leave me."
Aragorn turned her so that he faced her. She now had her back to the balcony. She tried to put her head against his chest, but with one hand, he lifted her chin and their eyes met, "No matter what happens we will be together in this world and the next."
With a small sob, she left him standing by the balcony. She made her way across the room and into their son's room. Tears were now flowing down her face but she did not wipe them away. She went to the bed of Eldarion, who did not know that his parents were watching him.
Aragorn came in silently after her and now stood behind her. He looked down at his son and titled his head to whisper into Arwen's ear, "I would love to be here with you and Eldarion for eternity. I would love to watch my son grow, watch him chase girls and enjoy life. But I cannot escape war. It is my life; it is my destiny to fight for Gondor and for my country. Whatever evils are fated for me, I must face them, and I can only pray to the Valar to help me through the day."
"I cannot survive without you. Before I married you, I was a ghost. I walked and ate and I wandered the forests... I was just a ghost."
Aragorn looked long into her eyes but finally turned away. He walked out of Eldarion's room with one hand to his forehead. Arwen remained in his room though. She walked to his bed and looked down at the sleeping form of her son. Wiping away a tear, she knelt by the bedside.
"Remember
I will still be here
As long as you hold me
In your memories
Remember
When your dreams have ended
Time can be transcended
Just remember me
I am the one star that keeps burning so brightly
It is the last light to fade into the rising sun
And with you whenever you tell my story
For I am all I've done
Remember
I will still be here
As long as you hold me
In your memories
Remember me
I am that one voice in the cold wind that whispers
And if you listen, you will hear me call across the sky
As long as I still can reach out and touch you
Then I will never die
Remember
I'll never leave you
If you will only
Remember me
When your dreams have ended
Time can be transcended
I live forever
Remember me
RememberI'll never leave you
If you will only
Remember me"
"Sleep well my son," Arwen kissed the top of his forehead and left the room.
Eldarion opened one eye and watched his mother depart. He wondered why she sang that old song to him. What was going on?
As Arwen sang to her son, Faramir stood and watched his son, not far from the King's rooms. "Young boys should never be sent to bed... they always wake up a day older." Faramir sighed as he heard Eowyn approach. He put out his arm and she took his hand and moved closer to him. They stood in the doorway of Elboron's room and watched him sleep.
"Every day he looks more and more like you," Eowyn smiled.
"Is that a bad thing?" Faramir asked.
"Indeed not."
They looked at each other, and then back at their son. Faramir smiled, Elboron did look a lot like him.
"When will you begin to train him to act like you?" asked Eowyn.
It took Faramir a minute to realize what she was asking. He knew from their talks that as much as she loved to fight, and be involved in war, she did not want their son involved. One of her dreams was for him never to know war, and never have to wield a sword.
"A few years yet, he is young still," Faramir comforted her.
"He won't be happy with that," She responded. She tightened her grip on him; "Hopefully he will be more like you than your brother."
Faramir shook his head; "He'll be like Boromir. I know it in my heart and from speaking with him, he's anxious to begin."
Eowyn left his protective hold. She wiped away a few tears and turned her back to him.
"It is not all bad. Sometimes people need a warrior, not a leader learned in lore."
"I want him to know peace not war," Eowyn cried.
"This is why we fight now. We have no power over the future. What the future holds will come, and we will have to accept it when it does. His job will be easier than Eldarion's at least."
"A king who fights his own wars... that will be a sight to see," Eowyn turned back to him.
"Some kings fight. Aragorn fights."
"Your father didn't," Eowyn said knowingly.
"I see them fighting together, side by side; they will protect each other, fight for each other, and die for each other. Do not worry my love; they will have us for many years."
"I want to fight, I want to raise my sword in victory..., but I want my son to know none of it. Let him not hear stories of war, of our victories, let him be naïve and innocent."
"Would you really want that for him? Even now, he is dreaming of being a warrior, of wielding great swords, and fighting in the greatest wars. Do not disrupt his dreams by plaguing him with terror of war. One day he will learn reality, and you cannot shield him from it. This is life we have chosen, but in my life time I will do all so that he may never have to fight, like I have spent my whole life doing. I promise you that. I will fight until the end of my days so that he does not have to. Be at peace, my love, do not worry about things you have no control over. Let us sleep now, I fear tomorrow will bring evils that the world has not seen for many years."