A/N: I think I'm really lousy at this. I must say this isn't my magnum opus. Really. Sorry if there are any inaccuracies. Like I said, I'm lousy at this. My spelling is like... whatever. Anyway, thanks to:
FFAMasquerade2005
MordeMe
Rana Ninque
Navaer Lalaith
For reviewing my silly fantasy story. I'm gonna try and make up for it. Now, let us let the fun begin...
VI
"Fari is going away for a while," Ethwyn said as she sprinkled some black flakes into the pot.
I looked up in surprise. "Where's he goin'?"
"His father wants him to scout the lands up north, near Lorien." Ethwyn lifted the ladel to her mouth. "Needs more pepper," she mused and sprinkled more black flakes. "As I was saying, Annie. Fari is going a way for a while. Denethor wants him to scout, and to hunt down any orcs that he finds so as to lessen the chances of an orc raid. My, last year..." Ethwyn babbled on but I wasn't listening.
Why would Denethor ask Faramir to look for orcs near the land of the Elves? From the impression I got, they were pretty good orc-hunters... killers... whatever.
And then it hit me. Maybe this was one of the attempts to kill Faramir! My stomach churned uncomfortably. Denethor had a palantir, I knew this. Maybe he used it to see where orcs were and... and...
"Ohhh," I moaned softly.
"Did you say something, Hannie?" Ethwyn asked. She ladeled some stew onto a plate for me.
"When is Faramir leaving?" I asked.
"In two days time. Why do you ask, Ellie?"
"Oh... never mind."
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"You're an idiot for doing this, Carrie Mendenberg," I told myself. I was in the amory, leaned against a wall in a dark corner. A Ranger came in. I knew he was going with Faramir's company. His back was turned toward me. I had a wooden club in my hand. I crept up behind the Ranger and hit him on the head, hard. His legs buckled underneath him and he passed out. "Sorry," I whispered.
In five minutes, the poor Ranger was in my Nike t-shirt, sweat shirt, and jeans. He was about the same size as me, so the outfit fit me pretty well. It smelt of... ugh. Someone needed a good shower.
I sprinted to the stables where my horse Betty was. She looked happy to see me. "Hello Betty," I whispered. I saddled her and slipped a briddle on. "We have to hurry, Betty. Faramir's company leaves in ten minutes." She looked at me as if she were trying to say, Why are we going, Carrie? I took her out of her stall.
The Rangers were gathered near the gate of Minas Tirith. I pulledthe hood over my head, so that no one would recognize me. The people of Minas Tirith looked on.
"You're an idiot," I repeated.
The man infront of me turned around in surprise. It was Faramir. "Did you say something?" he asked. Wow, he didn't recognize me. Cool!
"Oh, no." I shook my head and added quickly, "M'lord."
Faramir smiled and rode to the head of the column. The gates opened and then I kicked Betty into a run. She ran and ran. I thought about Eric. How was I gonna get back to Greenwood when I'm doing something crazy like this? I thought and bit my lip.
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We've been on the road for about two days. From what I heard, we are at Cair Andros. Betty was tied up to a stake I had pounded into the ground. My stomach growled. Every man had his rations, and no one shared it with me. I didn't know where I could get something to it, and I didn't know how.
"Here," someone said. I looked up. It was Faramir. He sat down next to me. He handed me some bread. I ate. "What is your name?" he asked.
"Uh-uh," I stammered. My mind scrambled wildly. "Erath. Erath."
"Did you forget your ration in Minas Tirith, Erath?" Faramir asked. He looked almost amused.
"Yes," I lied glibly. "I'm quite forgetful." Faramir leaned against a tree trunk.
"If all goes well," Faramir said, "we'll be in Nindalf by tomorrow evening. After that, we'll arrive at Rauros."
"Oh."
Faramir got up and went to help a poor Ranger who's horse was prancing around wildly. The men laughed and laughed. I couldn't help laughing. I leaned against the tree and went to sleep.
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Some villagers at Nindalf told us it wasn't safe to be going by this way.
"There have been many a-orc these past wintry months," said an old man. He was smoking his pipe. "No, m'lord. It isn't safe. If I were ye, I'd take me company and git out of here."
A few other villagers murmured in agreement.
"I thank you for your advice," said Faramir. "But I am obliged to obey Lord Denethor's instructions. We are going north to Lorien and back again."
The old man sighed. "If you insist, m'lord. My village is open to ye anytime."
Faramir bowed. "I thank you."
How determined Faramir was! I began to fear for him.
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We weren't really out of Nindalf when orcs attacked. I had no experience of fighting, so I looked for ways to escape. I was panicking. Men were beginning to fall around me. Dead, dead, dead. Blood was everywhere. The orcs didn't seem to notice me, though. Someone had left a boat on the banks. I had to leave Betty behind. "Sorry Bets, I love you," I whispered and stroked her mane. I got off her and ran for the boat.
I tripped over someone. It was Faramir. "Ohh," I moaned. I dragged Faramir across the banks to the boat. I pulled him on, pushed the boat into the water and began to row like a maniac. I wasn't sure which way to go. I just went with the tide.
You're an idiot, Carrie, I thought. Here you are, escaping orcs byway of the AnduinRiverand you have no idea where you are going. That's just great, Carrie. Just great.