Ok, first of all, some news:
I recently receive an extensive rant / review from Callisto Star and I like to share with those who are reading this. I agree with her wholeheartedly when she said that reviewers seem to dwindle when a fic has reached upper double and triple reviews. I too thought that it was the effects of summer and vacation. Yet, I still see people updating and writing new stories, but nobody seems to read or want read long standing fics. So, it leads me to the conclusion that the problem probably lies within with SM/Lotr crossovers. Is too saturated with them? Is the plot less fulfilling now that many aspiring authors have created their original works - many of them are interesting and absolutely fascinating to read? However, the SM/GW crossover with its own section certainly qualify as being 'saturated', yet new stories are being added and updated everyday. So the question still remain, what is wrong?
Chapter 18: Synchronizing Blades and Hearts
A lone messenger galloped swiftly across the Southern lands, infused by the urgency of his news. His thoughts were filled by the perpetual noise made by the horse's hooves against the earth. Pounding faster and faster as he reached the outskirts of his destination, the end of his solitary ride. He was met by a solider clad in silver mail that sparkled as the figure ran towards his steed. A shorter figure trailed closely behind the former. As the messenger drew near and slowed his horse to a canter, he realized with awe that the armed figure was a woman. Her fair hair marked a stark contrast to her attire, yet, it seemed fitting for there was something about her stance that displayed a front of dominance.
"What is your business in the Land of Rohirrim - the territory of Theoden?" demanded the shorter fellow which the messenger recognized as a Hobbit.
"I have an urgent message for the King from his allies of the North."
Without a work, the Halfling turned and becked for him to follow. The lady from before had simply tied up his horse. She pierced soundlessly into his earthly brown eyes as if reading into the depths of his soul. As she finally broke eye contact, she said in a mournful tone, "Come, if you wish to see the King."
When the two reached the grand palace hall, the young Hobbit was whispering into the ear of His Majesty. The messenger got down on one knee and presented a single red arrow in the palm of his hand. There was a momentarily gasp from the woman who had taken a place to the left of the royal throne and the King leaned forward. His forehead creased and he said shaking his head, "Never in my years as King has the red arrow been in my land. Has it come to that?"
"My Lord, the great Denethor of Gondor has sent me with this offering for he believed in the alliance between Rohirrim and Minas Tirith. Great wars are rampant in the lands of the North and this is the last resort for the defence of our territory."
The King leaned backwards into his throne and he made a motion for the messenger to rise. As he was doing so, the messenger felt a penetrating gaze of the King before him. He looked up and saw the Hobbit had a curious look on his face. When the Hobbit realized that the messenger had made eye contact, he could not help but to satisfy his curiosity. "When I first saw you, I thought I was starring into the image of Boromir but I was mistaken."
"I am Faramir, son of Denethor, Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien. Boromir is my brother. I am afraid that he has passed away valiantly as a man in battle."
"I am Meriadoc but more often known as Merry. I was with Boromir when ... the last I saw him was that he battled against a group of Orcs in attempt in trying to safe me and Pippin."
Faramir nodded sorrowfully. "I have heard of your travels from other Hobbits - Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee and I believe the last one was Pippin. He arrived with Mithrandir on Shadowfax."
With those words, Faramir suddenly recalled his place as a messenger before a King. The Gondorian immediately snapped back into attention. Theoden merely waved off the etiquette when he said, "Peace, Denethor's son. If Gandalf has arrived in Gondor, then certainly things are much graver than I anticipated. The death of your brother is grievous. Faramir, I will honour the ancient alliance between Rohirrim and Gondor. Though many of our men had just been to battle, they are strong and carry in their hearts courage and strength. Eowyn, sister-daughter, summoned Eomer to prepare the men for battle."
"Yes, my lord." With that, Lady of Rohan stepped from the high steps of the throne in search of her brother. As she was leaving, she passed Faramir who saw the faint tears crystallized at the corners of her eyes. However, they were so translucent that Faramir was doubtful that he had seen the tears at all. Still, he could not believe that he had been in the presence of the legendary Lady Eowyn of Rohan. He saw her fiery spirit and though she was beautiful as the picturesque horizon, it was the purity of the warrior inside that he most admired.
"Come Faramir, you shall lead us the way to Gondor," said Theoden.
As the King and Faramir discussed battle strategies, Merry felt himself left behind. Though he was now the servant of the King, he was sure that he would not battle with the others. Lady Eowyn had given him a sort of battle garments - a request from Aragorn, she explained. Though Merry knew otherwise, he would wear his new armoury with pride.
He reached the palace grounds fully dressed to come face-to-face with great Men on their horses. He felt rather small then, as if he was under the scrutiny of all the Men present. Theoden rode up on his horse, "I am afraid, my dear Meriadoc that you will have to stay behind and be with the people along with Lady Eowyn. She will rule over the people in my absence and I shall entrust her in your care. Though she is very strong willed, be certain that no ill will befalls on her."
"Yes, sire," Merry replied solemnly.
On the command Theoden, the Men were off. A lone solider came up beside Merry and whispered into his ear, "Do you wish to go with them to battle? I can see it in your eyes that you do."
Merry nodded and the soldier whispered, "Come and ride with me. I am Dernhelm and we must hurry if we wish to follow the men to battle."
The Halfling need no further persuasion as he grabbed hold of the outstretched hand that was covered with a cloak. Dernhelm's face was covered by a hood but this was not unusual for many of the Men often travelled in such a manner to protect themselves in foreign lands and to frighten their enemies.
Dernhelm rode like the wind as if he was riding into his destiny, into the battle that shall decided his fate. Merry felt that he too was riding into destiny behind Dernhelm and he was slightly saddened at the thought that he had defied Theoden and left Lady Eowyn behind. Somehow, Dernhelm found himself riding next to Faramir who was near the rear of the pact. Eomer and Theoden was leading the army of Men to Gondor.
As they travelled along a more treacherous route, the Men slowed their pace such that they could easily converse with the rider beside them. Dernhelm's horse was still riding alongside Faramir's horse. The younger son of Denethor let out a sudden sigh and Dernhelm inquired, "Why does a Man of Gondor sigh in a manner? Are you without hope?"
Faramir considered questionably the soldier beside him. He could not discern the face for it was hidden but nevertheless, he told the foreign soldier beside gun. "With my brother's death casting over Gondor, all the responsibilities shall be bestowed upon myself. I sigh for I know my father's heart who is without hope for his youngest. In his eyes, I shall never be as great as Boromir but I cannot be my brother. I am simply myself, a man with my own destiny."
"What is that - your destiny?"
"In a way, I have none for I shall forever in the shadow and the memory of one who is dead and remembered."
"Then your destiny is to be with your people to uphold that valour of bravery and strength but you are not obligated to be your brother. Nobody is certain of your path to fulfill that destiny, certainly not your father, most of all. Yet, I think in his own way, he respects you as his son who can bear the burden of two and the Stewardship of Gondor. Yes, I believe your place with your people as ..."
Dernhelm hesitated when he realized that he had said too much but Faramir was struck by such eloquent speeches by this unknown soldier. "Yes, go on as who?"
"As Lady Eowyn, the Shieldmaiden of Rohirrim. Her brother, Eomer, King Theoden and even Aragorn desires for her to be with her people as a pillar of strength for them but she fears a cage. It is a cage where she will forever be looked upon at, with an impenetrable glass where no love shall reach her except that of her people."
"Though it was only moment that I looked upon the Lady of Rohan, she is not simply a pillar of strength but the embodiment of a free spirit. She needs not to fear a cage for no cage is strong enough to confine it."
A moment of silence elapsed while the two riders focussed blankly on the path before them. Suddenly, there came a halt in their ride as another rider was blocking their path. Faramir rode forward as the Men of Rohirrim circled around their unknown foe.
"I seek Faramir of Gondor for I have an urgent message for him."
"You have found him. What news do you bring of the front?"
"I bear ill tidings that your father has died in battle, killed by the wraiths. They ran rampage in the city while Mithrandir lead an army to defend other parts of the land. Your father has sent me to give you this message before he has fallen," the Man from Gondor said as he handed the parchment to Faramir.
There was an eerie silence and when Faramir looked up once more, his eyes had a gleam that could not be decipher. "Very well, you and I shall lead the way to Gondor."
They were off once more and this time with more vulgar and intensity than ever before. The loss of Denethor had been great. Somehow, Dernhelm found himself riding alongside Faramir. No words were needed but a silent exchange had taken place. A sidelong look from Faramir spoke volumes as they continued onwards.
--oo--
'There are not many nights such as this' she thought.
A night where weary hearts could rest and restless souls could wearily ponder over the things to come. On this tranquil night, the Moon Princess found herself secluded in amongst the trees. Legolas the Elf was taking a rare occasion of sleep but he had been worried lately. Serena could feel his metallic eyes poring into her while they ride as if it would help uncover some of many thoughts hidden within her soul.
She smile inwardly at his concern but still she did not come to the point where she was now by the worries of others. To her, it was all part of the bigger plan, her so-call destiny.
"I see Legolas has passed down more Elven traditions to you," said a voice below her.
Startled out of her thoughts and balance on the three, she gasped and fell right into the opened arms of Aragorn, the night intruder of her thoughts. She glared at him slightly.
"But then again, such skills as staying aloft in a tree are acquired," he said as he lower her to the ground. "It is not often to find an Elf asleep," he continued after a moment of silence.
Receiving no reply, he turned tot he maiden next to him, "He is deeply torn, Lady Serena. His love for you on one hand, is tormented by the independence that you possessed."
"I know, Aragorn but when I heard the voice in the cave, something happened. Though nothing as changed, it was a calling..."
"Of your destiny. I too tried to hide from my destiny and I am quite certain that we have a similar conversation such as this. I search for an alternate path, putting aside my royal bloodline but you as well as I know that there is no such path. I have accepted that I am Aragron, son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir, Elessar, and so much more. I have seen the carnage and destruction of evil on Middle Earth. These people have nothing else but the sheer hope that one day their King shall once again rise and unite them as one. I have that burden of all Middle Earth and yes, I am sacrificing a path of being out in the wilderness as a ranger, a lone man in search for nothing but finding plenty."
"You have Lady Arwen."
"Yes," he replied with a self-knowing smile, "she is the guiding light who sheds its golden rays upon my destined path. However, her choice is both bitter and sweet. She shall exchange the life of immortality in the West amongst her kinsfolk to be a mortal."
"You have great wisdom, Aragorn and perhaps in time ..."
"Always remember, Lady Serenity, that whatever is done or undone to fulfill destiny's plan for you on Middle Earth, your answers lie in the hearts of those who care and love you."
--oo--
They rode unrelentlessly. This time, the lone messenger brought with him, Rohirrim's finest led by King Theoden and Eomer. The scene that met them was stained with the foul smell of the dead. Wraiths and Orcs slew all and sparing none while the brave Men of Gondor honoured their code of loyalty to the battlefields. The sky, there was little of it, was ashen and the new wave of soldiers need no verbal command as the silent order was given to charge onwards.
The enemies snarled at the new soldiers and their pitiful attempts. Faramir's sword gleamed dangerously as its wielder slashed the Orcs one after the other to somehow avenge his people. Dernhelm was close at his side as his sword synchronized stroke by stroke along with Faramir's. One unsuspecting Orc shot a poison arrow from behind the pair and made its mark at the Man of Gondor. Dernhelm witnessing it, turned and attacked the foe for the unjust blow while Faramir fought on this time on ground rather than on his horse. The way that Faramir endured the poison dart would have made Boromir proud. The younger Hurin ignored the pain for his blood was still warm with battle.
With a fleeting look, Dernhelm turned with sword stained with blacken Orc-blood. He caught the attacks of the nearby Wraith as he charged upon his mount to the solider of Sauron. However, the Wraith that Dernhelm had challenged was much stronger than the others and it declared, "Out of my way, foolish mortal Man."
Dernhelm scoffed and nearly laughed for he said, "Perhaps, I am mortal but I am no Man but a woman." With that, she unveiled her cloak. Behind her, Merry widened in shock. However, this did not stop the Witchking from launching his vile weapon into the left side of the Lady of Rohan. She grimaced but did not utter a sound of pain as she fell off her horse, pulling Merry with him. However, Merry let out an anguish cry for it was his duty to ensure her safety. He unsheathed his sword and with a maddening rush, plunging it into the Wraith. Distracted, it gave the right incentive for Eowyn to run her sword through the dark opponent before she too collapsed.
Merry gasped at the state of Eowyn but he had no time to react as he turned to find that Faramir was about to be skewered by a gain Orc that he was previously fighting. Merry ran as fast as he could to jump on the back of the enemy to divert its attention. The plan succeed but resulted with a crushing blow to the Hobbit's left arm. With one last breath, the Hobbit lifted his right arm and twisted the blade into his enemy's right side.
There, three brave souls feel from the battlefields. Faramir laid nearly lifelessly with poison running through his veins. His sword still clutched in his hand. Lady Eowyn and Dernhelm also had been brought gently to the ground by a faithful Hobbit who now cradled her in his lap. The Halfling had suffered much to defend the best treasures of Rohan and Gondor. He too succumbed to the exhausting end, the peacefulness of the blackness. It was as Eomor found them, and the scene brought much grief to his heart.
--oo--
As Aragorn and his Men were making their way to rejoin the battlefields, an abrupt whining sounds of a horse was heard. The rider suddenly pulled the horse to a position on his hind legs. The rider's face was distorted in pain as she murmured breathlessly, "Something terrible has happened to Lady Eowyn."
End of Chapter 18
That was a really long chapter to write but here it is. I know that everybody who has read the book that Dernhelm and Eowyn are the same person but I wanted to develop Faramir's relationship with her. I thought that it was too sudden the way that happened in the book and besides we don't read much about Faramir anyway. So please r/r and let me know. This is certainly a slower and longer chapter than the rest but express your praise and criticism in a review please. Until the next chapter, love and peace!
