A/N: Hey guys, I updated this a little later than I liked, but at least I was able to update--right?
Reviews:
-windstar: Yes, poor Faramir; thanks for reviewing ; )
-The Elvish Pirate And The Hobbit Ninja: I think that Selwyn has someone to fear...you go girl!
-MAEday: I'm glad that you like the story! Cute penName BTW : D
-Rana Ninque: I'm glad that you decided to read it--despite the B/E thingy, and to tell the truth, even though I'm tpying a B/E, E/F is my fav. And I don't mean to give away any spoilers or anything, but both of your questions concerning Jaylyn and the dagger will be answered in this chappy! thanks for reading and reviewing!
Uncertain Fates
Selwyn was lying down, but not sleeping, when he saw a shadow lingering outside of his tent.
The elf sat up and once he lifted the tent flap, he found himself face to face with Faelivrin.
"Why are you disturbing me at this hour?" Selwyn asked sharply.
"Two things," replied the Shadow elf.
"Go ahead; I am listening."
"Bashgash wants to set out immediately, for he fears that his men will not be able to fight when the sun comes up."
Selwyn had meant to ask the orc about that, so it came as a minimal surprise to him; he just nodded. "And the second thing?"
"What should we do with the Gondorian? His very presence is angering many—especially Mordecai, who wants nothing more than his permanent demise."
Selwyn sighed; "Leave him there until we are all ready to set out for Osgiliath; but do not let Mordecai get the chance to strike that fatal blow. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good, now assemble the others; I shall join you shortly."
0-0
Faramir's eyes opened; he was cold and wet.
He didn't even dare to try to sit up, for he was not sure how much strength he currently had; then suddenly, his mind drifted back to the dagger which he had taken; he knew that it was just wishful thinking, but he hoped that it was still there.
His shaky hand traced the Elven belt in search of the dagger; and to his luck, he found it! He clutched the hilt for he saw it as his only hope of escaping; he was shocked that the elves hadn't seen it, but he was very grateful.
000
Eowyn stared hopelessly at the black sky, hoping yet dreading for daylight to come; hoping, because she would be able to see her surroundings better, providing hope for an escape.
Dreading, because she did not know what daylight would bring; for if she could not find a way to escape, she would be brought closer and closer to Gondor, where she would have to face her husband—her very angry husband.
They had resumed their journey, for the soldiers did not want to delay; Eowyn had been able to rest a little, so she did not feel so fatigued, but it was not the physical pain that she cared about, it was the very thought of having to return to that cage, and never getting the chance to escape again; for she was sure that Denethor and Boromir would do everything in their power so that she wouldn't get that opportunity again.
She now wished that she had stayed in Rivendell with Aragorn, for then she would not have had to worry about getting recaptured; after all, Aragorn had offered her to come, and he told her that she was well liked there and would enjoy it very much, but she had refused, insisting that Mirkwood was her home and despite how wonderful Rivendell was, "I just cannot bring myself to say goodbye to this wood."
According to Eowyn, that was one of the most foolish mistakes that she had made.
000
Almost everyone had assembled now, and Faramir had fallen into a light sleep; but he soon awakened when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind; he held his breath—and his dagger, and hoped that the unidentified person would just pass by.
But it was not so.
The person walked up to Faramir, and turned his over. Faramir figured that it would be safer if he just pretended to still be unconscious.
"Now, let's see what you're really hiding," said the sneaky elf, which Faramir now recognized as Jaylyn.
Faramir immediately felt a cold chill run up his spine.
What was Jaylyn talking about?
He did not have to ponder on that for too long, for Jaylyn saw something in Faramir's hand—the thing that he was looking for.
He attempted to take the dagger, for he thought that Faramir was still unconscious; but when Faramir realized what was happening, he knew that he couldn't just let his only hope of escaping slip away. He opened his eyes and despite his weak condition, began to struggle with Jaylyn for the Elven blade.
Jaylyn elbowed Faramir in the face, but the Ranger was relentless; he continued to hold on to the blade.
But Jaylyn continued to hit him again and again and again, until the pain became so bad that Faramir could not hold on any longer. Jaylyn saw this and with all his might, flung Faramir into the moist soil; Jaylyn, in truth wished that it had been a cliff.
Faramir was glad that he hadn't been flung onto a harder surface, but he also knew that if someone didn't come soon, Jaylyn would probably try to kill him.
He wiped some of the dark blood off of his face as he stared at his approaching enemy; Jaylyn held the dagger in a stabbing position. Faramir knew that he was out for blood—his blood.
"I have waited for this moment for too long; my only regret is that Tatiana could not be here to see this, but the two of us will just have to do—I am going to grind your bones into the dust," he sneered.
"You will do no such thing," said a voice from behind.
000
Unfortunately for Boromir, his plans for searching for Faramir were delayed, for the next few days would be very busy indeed.
As he strapped on his armor he began to think of how Denethor was seemingly overjoyed that Prince Imrahil, lord Addreoryn, and his son lord Addraran of Lossarnach, lord Sadarmir, father of Laddyn and his other son, Philippe of Lebennin, and last but not least lady Gwendolyn, widow of Cair Andros, and her two twin daughters; Enya and Moriah, were coming in just a few days to Minas Tirith. Denethor also thought it mandatory for Boromir to be present.
So that meant that Boromir could stay no longer than two days in Osgiliath; he wanted to argue with Denethor on this, for he thought that his men there needed hi, for scouts had reportedly seen that reinforcements were on the way—in the form of Haradrim, orcs and…elves?
That was the part that Boromir didn't understand; but as a soldier, sometimes you had to ask questions later, and that was what Boromir thought the situation currently called for.
His thoughts were interrupted when there was an urgent knock on the door. He opened the door and found himself face to face with Norah.
When Norah saw him dressed in armor, she almost choked although she didn't understand why; it was normal for men to go to war, but then there was always that possibility that they would not return.
"What can I do for you, Norah?" Boromir asked casually, stepping aside so that she could go in.
"I cannot stay, my lord," she began. "For I was only sent by lord Denethor to tell you that King Théoden, lord Eomer, and lord Theodred have entered the city," as she spoke, she began to feel much better, considering how embarrassed she had felt due to the little 'I love you' incident.
"Why did father wait until the last minute to tell me this?" Boromir groaned, putting his hand on his forehead. "What good is this news to me?"
"Lord Eomer and Theodred are going to accompany you to Osgiliath," Norah explained.
"So they have come to give us aid, then?" Boromir asked.
"I do not know the entire story, my lord; I am just passing the message on."
"Thank you, Norah; tell father that I shall meet with him shortly."
"Yes, my lord," said the obedient maid before walking off.
When she left, Boromir sighed; the surprises just kept on coming.
000
By now, the soldiers and Eowyn had reached the field of Celebrant, and there was still no hope of escaping. All Eowyn could do was think of how angry Boromir and Denethor would when she returned.
It seemed that she could see their faces looming in the air, shouting at her; she closed her eyes for a moment, but could still hear their voices.
"How could you run away from your duty? What kind of woman are you to run away from your husband; you are an embarrassment to Rohan!" she imagined that accusation coming from Denethor.
She was in a rut, a very deep rut, which she feared she would never climb out of.
000
It angered Theodred to see Grima within touching distance of his father; he could tell that it angered Eomer also.
He, Eomer, and about thirty soldiers of Rohan were soon going to set off for Osgiliath to aid the Gondorian soldiers; after all, that was a part of the deal that had been made between Denethor and Théoden—the deal which had sealed Eowyn's fate.