Hey, here is another chapter. Thank everyone for reading. We, the authors do not own Lord of the Rings, Troy, and Gladiator. We are just fans. Thank you, please R/R.

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Faramir awoke the morning after the battle; he opened his eyes but could only see blurs of shapes. He did not understand where he was, all he knew what that he was comfortable and lying on soft pillows. The last thing he remembered was being on the battlefield, seeing Mithrandir and a flash of white light. Then it was all engulfed in a fire that descended into blackness. Yet he was not dead, he rubbed his eyes and tried to focus. He blinked and began to adjust his eyes to sunshine streaming into the room. He sat up slowly and saw Gandalf sitting in a chair beside him, calmly reading a book. And he could see the sadness in the old man's eyes.

"What happened Mithrandir, I cannot remember; it feels like it was all a dream. I

remember being on the battlefield, there was the Balrog, and you saved me. And

Aragorn! Aragorn fell! But no that cannot be, it must have been a dreadful vision because

how could someone so great be taken from the world? "

Gandalf only stared back at him and Faramir knew that he had not dreamt; he

knew that it was true. They both sat there in silence when Faramir noticed something

move out of the corner of his eye. He saw that there was another chair at the far side of

the room, and on it was a mass of golden hair and beneath it was a sleeping woman.

Gandalf saw his eyes move to her and he said, "She was the one who rode you

here. She refused to leave you for even a moment, and she sat by your bed the entire

night to see if you would wake. It took a great deal of persuading in order to get her to

even close her eyes for a moment. Though when she did she fell into a sound sleep. She

loves you very much you know."

As if knowing that she was being discussed Eowyn stretched and yawned and

opened her eyes. She saw Faramir looking back at her and she jumped up and ran over to

the bed to embrace him. "Faramir, you're awake! I was so worried about you!" she said

as she kissed his forehead.

"I m fine, no need to worry I'm fine..."

"Are you sure, you were so dreadfully hurt? Do you need anything, do you feel alright?"

"No, I am fine..."

"No you're not, please tell me. Faramir..."

"Well, I am fine that is true, but others are not. Aragorn is dead, along with many

of my men, and the bravest of Middle Earth. So much death. .."

Gandalf got up and motioned to Eowyn to leave, she did so knowing that Faramir

was indeed healed in body but the loss of so many would take longer to heal. Gandalf

walked over to Faramir and said, "Faramir, indeed we have lost much, I have lost one

who was a great friend to me, and a great hero. There will be time to mourn Aragorn, and

indeed such a great man shall be mourned and praised for many years, yet now is not the

time. War is still upon us, and we must quell the chaos which shall result from such a

loss. Yet that is for later still, now is a time for rest and healing. I shall leave you now to

gain your strength for the trials to come. "

And with that Gandalf left the room and shut the door firmly behind him. He stood outside the door for a long time, and simply lost himself in thought. He knew that Faramir would have asked him many questions, asked him for guidance. Yet Gandalf knew he was not prepared to answer those questions, since he had not answered them for himself. He knew that he would be looked to for wisdom and guidance, yet now he could provide none. He left the Houses and went back to his room, where he stood on the balcony smoking a pipe, losing himself in thought.

After Faramir heard Gandalf's steps getting softer and softer, he got out of bed and began to dress himself, he could not simply lay there, and he needed to walk, to think. He left his room and quietly shut the door, making sure there was no one to see him leave. He went first to the gardens, a place where he had happy memories. Yet he could not resurrect those feelings, now he only felt lost and sad.

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All the greatest of Middle-Earth were gathered in the throne room where the pale light of dawn illuminated the now empty throne. This only served as another painful reminder of the great loss of their noble king. Several feet before the throne was the king. He was adorned in his finest garb, clutching Andruil at his chest. His casket was simple, the only decoration being the tree of Gondor carved onto the lid, to match his armor and his crown. Emerging from the crowd were those who remained of the Fellowship. Each approached the casket bearing some remembrance of their time spent together.

Sam went first and placed in the casket a beautiful flower. "Strider, I hope that wherever you may be, you may walk in the gardens and enjoy the sweet smell of flowers. Goodbye old friend."

Pippin then followed bearing an apple, "May you always find time for second breakfast, my dear friend."

Merry slowly approached the casket bearing Anafalas, King's Foil; "You once had healed me, now I pray that you shall be healed of your woes and sufferings and find peace."

Gimli was next, and he brought with him a crystal with a single golden hair trapped inside, "The beautiful Galadriel once gave me a gift, three hairs from her golden head. I now share that gift with you laddie so that you may remember her beauty for eternity."

Legolas approached with a single arrow in hand, "You and I fought together as brothers, and now you have my arrow so that you shall always remember those who would willingly die for you, as you have done for us."

Gandalf was the last to give his gift, "My dear Aragorn, you have been my dearest friend throughout the years, and there is no gift I could give that could match what you have given me. Yet he placed in the casket an ancient book whose cover was dusty and worn. The words written on the front part were partially covered, yet Merry could see plainly two words, Luthien Tinuviel.

Gandalf and Legolas remained by the casket as the other Fellowship members returned to the crowd. Out of the crowd two men, Faramir Steward of Gondor, and Eomer King of Rohan, approached the casket and stood beside Gandalf. They stood looking at the casket in silence, deep in their thoughts about the friend and king that they loved.

His young eyes were constantly moved around the room, glancing at everyone. He knew what was going on, he understood why they were all gathered here, but it did not make it any easier. He stood in front of his mother who had her hands placed firmly on his shoulders. He had not heard a word out of her for two days, two of the longest days of his young life. He watched men, the dwarf, elves, and Gandalf the Wizard pay their last respects to his beloved father, the King. Everyone spoke so highly of him, and everyone had tears on their faces. He looked up into his mother's face and noticed that she was not crying. Her face was blank but her eyes looked straight ahead. Her eyes, he stared at what of them he could see, to him looked like she was in another world, envisioning things that no one else could see.

He looked to his right where Elboron stood between his parents. He gave him a look as Faramir stepped forward and approached the casket of Aragorn. Eldarion scanned the crowd again; the whole city was gathered to mourn their king. King... the man who was dead, the man who would never come back. Eldarion knew that one day he would be king, at that time he would sit on the throne and not on his father's knee. Would he have to do that now? Was he expected to take the place of his father? No one had mentioned anything to him, but his father had always said that when a king died, their son would become king. A sick feeling settled in his stomach, he did not want his father's position. He did not want to be king... not yet, now. How could he do that? How could he take the place of the people's beloved king?

Looking around he noticed some people were now looking at him. They were watching his every move, eyeing his every action. He desired to get away, to run away, and to hide, but his mother's hands still gripped his shoulders. What did those people want? Why were they looking at him?

He looked at the ground and did not look up again. He did not desire to see the eyes of his people.

Gandalf turned to the people gathered and with tears in his eyes spoke, "Here is Aragorn son of Arathorn, Chieftan of the Dunedain of Arnor, Captain of the Host of the West, bearer of the Star of the North, wielder of the Sword Reforged, victorious warrior, gentle healer, the Elfstone, Elessar of the line of Valandil, Isildur's son, Elendil's son of Numenor, and the greatest of the kings of Gondor. He continually sacrificed himself to protect his people and those he loved. Now he has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life for the protection of his city. He could easily have chosen to hide in his high towers while his men gave their lives, but instead he chose to fight, and die, alongside them. He was the greatest of our time and his sacrifice shall never be forgotten nor shall his great deeds in life. Let us now bear his body to the Citadel and there in the Tombs shall he be given a Kingly farewell. There he shall join his ancestors in whose mighty company he will not feel ashamed."

Then the four, Gandalf, Faramir, Legolas, and Eomer lifted the lid and placed it on the casket. In unison, they lifted the entire casket and the crowd before them parted and they began the procession.

The casket led the procession and all the people of the city came out to follow behind. Immediately behind the casket was Pippin whose song and sweet voice ensured that no eye was tearless.

Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's rising

He rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.

Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended;

Over death, over dread, over doom lifted

Out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.

He may have died but from his ash a fire shall

Be woken, Ellesar indeed has passed

In this darkest hour. Oh Great Ellesar!

Oh Great King! Come all to praise our fallen king!

Behind Pippin walked Queen Arwen with her son Eldarion beside her. Arwen wore long robes of black and a dark veil covered her pale, beautiful face. Despite the loss, her head was still held high, though her walk was slower as if the great grief on her shoulders made it a struggle to take each step. Soon the procession reached the Tombs where the casket entered followed only by the King's closest friends and allies.

Upon entering the Tombs, Gandalf, Legolas, Faramir and Eomer gently placed the casket down on a great platform around which all were gathered. Legolas then sang and his soft voice carried with it the pain and sadness of his heart.

"Et eärello endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta"

Faramir then spoke, "Out of the Great Sea to Middle-Earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world."

Gandalf then responded, "Here is where Aragorn son of Arathorn, King of Gondor, shall now abide, may he finally be at peace."

The four then lifted the casket and began to bring it over to the great memorial upon which it would be placed. Suddenly, Merry, who was weeping uncontrollably, stepped out of the crowd and found himself crying out.

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken:

The crownless again shall be king.

The casket had been placed and all stared at the little hobbit. Gandalf walked over to him, smiled, and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Then, in silence, they began to solemnly file out of the Tombs, everyone too overcome with emotion to speak.