VI
We arrived at Osgiliath when the Sun was in her prime. How bleak Osgilitah was! Grey stone, and more grey stone. Where was the rich colors of Ithilien? The only things green there were the grass from the Field of Pelennor and the tufts of grass that stuck up from the crevices.
"Make yourself comfortable, lads," Faramir said. Men settled everywhere, scattered here and there.
That night, Faramir and I were on our backs, gazing at the stars. They were like diamonds on a bed of black velvet. It was just like old times again. Although Faramir was a good three years older than me, he was still my best friend. "Remember when we were younger, I used to sneak you in for my astronomy lessons?" asked Faramir.
"Aye. And good old Arnothran never betrayed us," I said, laughing as I remembered the old times. I pointed to a star. "I can't remember the name of that star."
"Elthoniel-tinuvai," Faramir recited from memory. "'The most beautiful'. I wanted to marry a lady as beautiful as that star. As beautiful, as fair... like your sister Elana. She was fair and beautiful. A good cook too." We both laughed and laughed. "I miss Elana," he whispered.
"I do too," I whispered back, feeling tears welling up. I wiped them away and glared at Elthoniel-tinuvai. I sat up and leaned against a wall. I folded my legs up and wrapped my arms around them. "Your father seemed to turn down every wench you sought to wed."
"Aye. For Boromir, he was pestering to marry. Do you get the feeling my father hates me sometimes?" Faramir spat and wiped a hand over his eyes. I felt that he was trying not to cry either. I knew why Lord Denethor hated his lesser son. But I could not say it. Not yet. I attempted to make a more light-hearted conversation.
"Remember when we wererowing down the river, and we got swept down Raous?" I asked. Faramir nodded and smiled. "And then we survived. You insisted that you saw a pair of blue eyes of an elf through the trees that day. When we made it back to Minas Tirith, my father was screaming at me."
A dark shadow crossed Faramir's face. "My father did not notice I was gone. He was too busy teaching Boromir his steward-duties."
So much for light-hearted conversations.
"Ah Faramir, Faramir," I sighed. I got up and said, "If you will excuse me, captain. I shall retire for I am dreadfully weary." Faramir was too deep in his heavy thoughts to notice my absence.
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I was awakened in the middle of the night by Elhor. "What is it Elhor?" said I.
"Orcs coming in boats, sweeping down the River-in-Pelennor," Elhor said urgently. "Captain Faramir is calling for you." I got up immedietly. I ran up the stairs, skipping two stairs at a time. I saw Elthoneil-tinuvai on the way up. May the Valar protect us. Faramir was standing, gazing out a window.
"I see their torches," Faramir said softly. "They will be here before dawn. The men must be ready to fight." He turned to me and grabbed my shoulders. His voice grewgrave."Eorl. If I am slain, I want you in command. If you see us losing the battle, take the men back to Minas Tirith."
"Faramir--"
"Don't tarry Eorl. Go, go, go."
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The orcs were here when a grey glimmer covered Minas Tirith. Dawn was here. I could feel my heart ramming into my chest. The legions of the Haradrim seemed easier than these orcs, well trained and well fed. Faramir was next to me, his sword drawn, the blade bressing lightly on the point of his nose. He was hyperventilating.
I looked opposite us. Kennith and Duhildir were hyperventilating too. Orcs rushed past us without noticing us. They smelt foul, like stagnant water with green scum in it. Faramir closed us. May the Valar protects us, I thought, feeling my heart ram harder.
"Now," Faramir whispered to me. I rushed out right behind him and thrust the sword blindly. It caught an orc between the eyes. I drew the sword. It was covered with black blood. Yrch, Elvish word for 'orc', I thought. Where did I learn that word? "Eorl!" Faramir cried. "Watch out!" I turned and an orc swung a mallet into my forehead. I fell back and darkness swallowed me like a wave. The last thing I saw was the orc leering down at me, exposing his yellow fangs.
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Wind was rushing into my face, it whistled in my ears. My left eye was glued shut by something sticky. I was on a horse, I could feel it. Someone's arms held the reins. Faramir.
"Duck!" he shouted. I looked up. Nazgul, fell beasts of the air. "Duck Eorl!" The Nazgul grabbed men by their sharp claws. Faramir was nearly carried away once. Luckily, someone shot an arrow and killed the fell beast. I ducked. Faramir's chin wasupon my back. When they had passed, we straightened again. Foam flew out of the horse's mouth.
"You should have left me in Osgiliath," I said.
"Nay Eorl. You are my friend aren't you?" I felt him smile. His hands gripped the leather reins tightly. I could see them tremble. Men screamed as they were picked up.
"Watch out!" I cried. A Nazgul dropped a man infront of us. Faramir's horse trampled the poor lad. I winced as blood gushed up onto my boots. I touched my forehead and winced. I think it was cracked. It was a miracle that I survived. I felt the world spin. My head ached.
"Look!" someone cried and pointed. I looked.
"Faramir," I said. "It's Mirthandir!"
Mithrandir rode on a snow-white horse. He had a staff in his hand. It was white. The horse was more graceful than I had ever seen. I could not take my eyes off it. Faramir breathed a sigh of relief.
"Praise be to the Valar."
Mirthandir raised his staff. The light was white, but not blinding. The Nazgul screeched and they fled, their wings beating furiously. I looked up and smiled at their retreat.
Men were chanting Faramir's name loudly. "Faramir! Faramir!" The women were crying with relief, maybe from seeing their beloved captain, maybe from seeing their sons. I saw my father Ithran in the crowd. He was chanting Faramir's name.And then I saw a little boy. Nay, he was not a little boy. A short man, about the size of Sam. A hobbit! He, too, was chanting Faramir's name.
Faramir's sharp ears picked up the hobbit's high and clear voice. He turned, eyes wide. "What is this? Another hobbit?" He put his lips to my ear and said, "A strange time we live in, Eorl. Hobbits turn up every two days." I laughed but found that it hurt to laugh. Maybe my ribs were broken, too.
Prince Imrahil, Faramir's uncle, rode up next to his nephew. "Faramir," said Prince Imrahil, "your father Lord Denethor the steward is looking for you."
Faramir bit a lip. It was then I noticed a big gash on his cheek. Blood trickled down and dripped off his jaw. "Tell my father I will be there after my friend Eorl is treated," Faramir said. I hid a smile in the folds of my cloak.
The captain rode up to the House of Healing. Ioreth, the Warden's wife,gasped when she saw my wounds. She made me sit on a tuffet as she cleaned my forehead.
"You should've left me in Osgiliath, Faramir," I said. I yelped in pain. Although Ioreth was gentle, it still hurt terribly. When she touched it, it felt like the orc was attacking me again.
"And what?" Faramir demanded. "Left my brother and only friend for the dead?"
I smiled. "Well, you have always protected me when we were but children."
Faramir shifted the weight from one foot onto the other. Ioreth declared me done. A white bandage ran around my head and gold hair.
"Come, Eorl. We will go to my father," said Faramir.