Sorry for the long wait. With work and sweeps-month on TV, I've kinda been ignoring my poor readers. Please forgive me. On the plus side, I finally got the keyboard back for Evil Skittle so now for a very nice, non-angsty chap… hey! Get back here. Oh dear. Evil Skittle stole the computer again. My apologies, but the non-angsty chapter has now been replaced by Evil Skittle's minions, the Mountain Dew gang.
Reviewer Responses
Wenham-Wonderer Can I borrow Hibby again? The MD gang won't let go of the mouse.
Forever Faramir I'm glad the Lokir thing worked. I was worried it would be too thready a connection. Thanks for the offer of butterflies, but I'm afraid Evil Skittle eats butterflies for lunch. Any other options?
lindaholand thank you. Blame Evil Skittle.
arwens-light Thanks for reviewing! Sorry for the wait. (Of course, I'm still waiting for an update so fair is fair D) Yah, All I came up with is Barahir as well, so that means we are free to do as we like. And for what you said about Éomer…I swear, you must be reading my mind. That's all I'll give you, sorry.
steelsheen This is the last sequel I'm afraid. I was going to do a series of prequels, but I don't have enough time and I have a huge case of LOTR writer's block that doesn't seem to be going away. So I hope you enjoy this last story.
flowerbee Evil Skittle wishes to inform you that she does not taste good. I have to agree. Thank you for reviewing.
Elenhin You plan probably would work, except right now she has the real computer and wouldn't go after a fake one. I'm starting to think she's one of those smart evil people, which bodes ill for Faramir. Thank you for the compliments, they really mean a me. And don't worry about people thinking you look like an idiot when you burst out laughing at the computer. My family thinks the same of me. So you're in good company.
cleasmile Lirenel may be released in time for the end. There is really no telling, though. And good insight on Eistavar, that was what I was going for.
Andi I'm going to have to say no to no more cliffies, since at the moment Lirenel is tied up and Elladen has his hands full with the Mountain Dew gang. As for a happy ending, it all depends on your definition of "happy".
the evil witch queen For the foreseeable future Faramir will not be happy. And as for your other questions…You'll have to read to find out. Thanks for reviewing.
Rana Ninque Hmmm, I like the names Faramir series. Short, but exactly what it is (although this has a lot more Éomer in it). Thanks for your support.
Voldie on Varsity Track Thanks, but I can't tell you.
Well, since the response to reviewers are longer than the chapter, I'll be nice and add another today as well. Thank you so much for your reviews!
"So, Éomer. Now that we are here, stuck for who knows how long, you have the time to tell me about Squiggles the worm." Faramir laughed at Éomer's dismayed look.
Éomer glared at his brother-by-law when he realized that Faramir was just kidding. "Very funny. I think our time would be better spent trying to escape."
"Unless you remembered a way out in the last three days since we have been here, I see no reason why we can't lift our spirits with embarrassing stories of your childhood. Well, at least lift my spirits."
"How about stories from your childhood. Surely your life is much more interesting then my unusual choice of pets."
Éomer wondered at the strange look that came over Faramir's face, but the look was quickly replaced by laughter. "I am sure nothing can compare to Squiggles's story. Especially since it is the apparent cause of my wife's hatred of spinach."
"I am afraid the talk of vegetables must wait until later, little Steward." Faramir and Éomer stiffened as Pelatarn entered the cell followed by four of his dark soldiers. "We have finally identified all the corpses from my army's little attack, and it seems that the body of a certain White Lady is missing. Now, either it is disfigured beyond recognition, or she somehow escaped my little trap. The latter, I think. Do either of you wish to tell me, or do I do this the hard way?" Both remained silent, neither wanting to give this man anything he wanted. "The hard way then." Pelatarn motioned to his soldiers. Two grabbed Éomer's now unbound arms, while the others pulled Faramir over to Pelatarn, forcing the Prince of Ithilien into a kneeling position. Pelatarn stood close to Faramir, his crimson eyes sending shivers up the Steward's spine. "Well, little Steward, I think it is time you and I had a heart to heart talk. Or should I say, mind to mind!"
Without warning, Pelatarn seized Faramir's head between his hands, staring deep into the Prince's eyes and soul. Éomer watched in horror as tendrils of endless darkness spread from Pelatarn's hands to wrap around Faramir's head. The Steward could not hold back a cry of dismay and pain as he felt the darkness take control of his mind. Faramir both felt and saw Pelatarn search his memories. The day's events flashed through his mind as if they were happening at that moment. Pelatarn stopped when the dark farmer convinced Éowyn to leave the city. Faramir had felt uneasy at the time, but now he was only relieved. 'He saved her life. At least she can safely get to Estel.'
Pelatarn frowned, recognizing the man in his employ. "So the rat betrayed me. I will have to... arrange something for him." He let Faramir go, and the Steward's mind snapped painfully back to the present. Pelatarn left with his soldiers. Éomer walked over and knelt beside Faramir, who held his head between his hands.
"How do you feel, Faramir?"
Faramir just groaned in response.
Lothiriel sat sullenly in her chair as their father, King Aragorn, Lady Éowyn, and Captain Beregond argued over what course of action to take. 'This is taking too long! It has been five days since Faramir's capture and we have yet to do anything! Who knows what those monsters are putting him through!' The Princess of Dol Amroth was not a patient person. When people compared her to her younger sister, many thought that Lothiriel was the quiet, calm daughter, for she was pale and dainty in appearance. (At least that was what polite people said. Lothiriel just thought she was short.) Though her eyes and hair were brown like her mother's, she had her father's facial features including his somewhat elvish gaze. Her sister on the other hand, was tall, strong, and had their father's coloring. Yet she also had Imrahil's pacifistic temper, while Lothiriel took after Freyaniel in that she was quick to anger, stubborn in her grudges, and had little patience. But whereas her mother controlled her temper, Lothiriel was constantly being held back by her father and patient younger sister.
In fact it was because of her obstinate attitude that she knew at all about her evil uncle Denethor and how he had abused and nearly killed her favorite cousin. When her father had returned a few years before, after being summoned to Minas Tirith by Steward Denethor, she had overheard him telling Freyaniel that it lightened his heart to see Faramir smile after all he had suffered at his father's hands. Lothiriel had burst into the room demanding to be told what had happened. Though both Imrahil and Freyaniel refused to tell her at first, they finally gave in after she threatened to go ask Denethor himself, for they knew their daughter well and knew that she would go talk to the Steward no matter how rash it seemed. Since then, Lothiriel had ever hated her uncle and had not mourned his passing.
Lothiriel was pulled back to the present by a scream from Eistavar. "No! No!"
King Aragorn stood. "What is wrong?"
"He has found out! Help me!" The small man fell to the floor, clutching his head. "Help me! Help..." He shuddered and lay still.
Imrahil leaned over and felt for a pulse. He shook his head. "He is dead." Everyone in the room stared at the body in shock.
Arwen looked at her husband. "What kind of monster are we facing."
Aragorn stare grimly at the body. "One who must be stopped at any cost."
Hehe. Don't worry, I'm posting another chapter today.
