Chapter 25

Dream

The garrison, that's what Gandalf called it…it looked old, abandoned, barely worth defending…yet there were men there. There'sa young man…a handsome one too…Denethor's other son…Faramir…a body falls down some stairs…it's been recently shot…

The orcs aren't coming from the north…they're coming from the River…be careful…

Elizabeth watched the battle play out in her mind, and kept a close eye on Denethor's son.

Retreat! Retreat! The orcs have taken control…you must flee, Faramir…return to your Father…

Suddenly, Elizabeth's dream changed. She saw her friends, the ones she longed for.

A blazing beacon…several blazing beacons covering a distance of over 200 miles…Aragorn…he could see them…he tells Théoden…Théoden is coming…with Legolas, Merry and Aragorn…and that meanie head Eomer…

…Many soldiers…Théoden doesn't think it's enough…there are so many, though…Eowyn…she will fight. She brings a sword…Merry will fight too…he also brings a sword…but he is so small…like me….

The dream changed yet again, but back to Faramir's situation.

…Faramir ran into a small courtyard. He hid behind a rock as many of his men shot arrows at incoming orcs. Suddenly, winged beasts and screams emerged from the sky. Nazgul had arrived. The blade…the wound…

Elizabeth cried out in pain as she felt the blade of the Witch king in her shoulder once more. Her eyes shot open. She was in Gandalf's arms! He was taking her somewhere. They were on Shadowfax.

"Gandalf?" she said his name softly.

"I need your help," the wizard said simply.

"Where's Pippin?" Elizabeth asked timidly.

"Never mind him!" Gandalf shouted, a little too harshly. "You must help me fend off the Nazgul."

Elizabeth looked ahead and noticed the soldiers from her dream fleeing towards them. She also noticed the Nazgul on their winged beast picking random soldiers and tossing them.

Elizabeth felt her mind slipping and she allowed the spirit inside of her to take over completely. She grabbed Gandalf's hand and allowed her power to enter him. She could not power his staff, but she could give him power so he could power his own staff.

Gandalf's staff produced a bright white light and the wizard aimed it at the three Nazgul and their winged pets. Elizabeth's small body was draining fast and Gandalf could feel it. He felt the spirit allow Elizabeth to retake her own body and she struggled to keep her power flowing through Gandalf.

"Gandalf," she whimpered loudly. "I…can't…"

Gandalf understood what she meant clearly. ELizabeth's hand slipped from his own and she closed her eyes.Gandalf's light went out and he joined the large group of soldiers heading back to the city. He felt Elizabeth leaning heavilyagainst his chest and he glanced down at her.

"Are you well, Elizabeth?" he asked.

She opened her eyes andnodded, but Gandalf could see weariness in her eyes. She still required more rest. Just aiding the powerful wizard was very taxing for her small power reserves. Elizabeth bounced up and down as Shadowfax slowed his pace as they entered Minas Tirith.

"Mithrandir," a familiar voice called. Gandalf turned Shadowfax around and Elizabeth saw Faramir. The last son of Denethor that she'd seen in her dream. Elizabeth's eyes were wide. "They broke through our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of orcs are crossing the river."

"It is as Lord Denethor predicted." An official said, approaching Faramir. "Long has he foreseen this doom."

"Foreseen and done nothing," Gandalf argued. He moved Shadowfax around a bit more so that Elizabeth was in Faramir's view. His eyes were immediately on her. "Faramir?"

"The child," Faramir said breathlessly. "She looks ill,"

Gandalf looked at Elizabeth worriedly. "Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth stared at Faramir, as if in a trance. "He-He was in my Dream, Gandalf,"

Gandalf looked back at Faramir and then back to Elizabeth.

"I saw them flee Osgiliath and run away. I saw everything up to the point that they totally fled from the garrison." Elizabeth said softly. "And I saw Aragorn, and King Théoden. They've seen the beacons, Gandalf; they know we're in trouble."

"Is that all you saw, child?" Gandalf asked gently. Elizabeth nodded.

"But last night, I saw Frodo. And Sam. And Gollum." Elizabeth said.

"Yes, I know," Gandalf said gently. "You've already told me."

"Oh…" Elizabeth said. Gandalf looked up at Faramir.

"Frodo? Sam?" Faramir asked. "Does a strange being called Gollum travel with them?"

Both Gandalf and Faramir's eyes were upon Elizabeth. She nodded slowly. She looked up at Faramir, suddenly quite excited.

"You've seen them?" she asked. Faramir nodded.

"Yes," he answered. Despite her lack of energy at the moment, Elizabeth found the power to sit up straighter and smile at Faramir's words.

"Where? When?" Gandalf asked, also quite happy to hear this news.

"In Ithilien." Faramir answered. "Not two days ago."

Elizabeth looked up at Gandalf and let out a happy squeal. Gandalf looked down at her and smiled.

"Gandalf," Faramir continued. "They're taking the road to the Morgul Vale."

Elizabeth continued looking up and Gandalf and saw his smile fade at Faramir's words. She herself frowned and glanced at Faramir before looking back up at Gandalf.

"And then the pass of Cirith Ungol," Gandalf concluded. Elizabeth tugged his sleeve.

"Is that bad?" she asked. When Gandalf didn't answer, Elizabeth became worried. "What does that mean, Gandalf? What's wrong?"

Gandalf ignored her. "Faramir, tell me everything. Tell me all you know."

Suddenly Pippin came running up. "Gandalf! Elizabeth! I did it! I lit the beacons!"

His victorious smile faded once he saw the serious expressions on both Faramir and Gandalf's faces and the worried, panicked expression on Elizabeth's young face.

"What's going on?" he asked. Faramir glanced at him and then back to Gandalf. No one answered him. But Pippin got the idea that something was terribly wrong.

Elizabeth's eyes came open and she jolted into a sitting position. The eyes of Gandalf and Faramir were upon her immediately. She glanced at Pippin and saw him sleeping peacefully on the second bed.

"Are you all right, Elizabeth?" Gandalf asked softly.

The little girl looked hesitant to answer. She looked at her estranged blankets and pillow before answering. Elizabeth slid off the large bed and walked over to Gandalf silently. Without a word, she climbed onto the wizard's lap and settled herself there.

"Elizabeth?" Gandalf questioned gently, looking down at his little friend. "How are you?"

Elizabeth looked up at the wizard. "I had another dream, Gandalf."

Faramir, meanwhile, stayed silent during this little conversation. Gandalf's expression turned from worried to serious and concerned. Although Faramir was good friends with Gandalf, he knew little about magic and Dreams and such. He decided it would be better to remain silent.

"What did you see?" he asked.

"I saw Gollum. He's ma-manipu-" Elizabeth struggled with a fairly large word.

"Manipulating?" Faramir suggested softly, speaking for the first time.

"Yes," Elizabeth said, nodding. "He's manipulating Frodo. He's making Frodo believe that Sam wants the Ring. But it's not Sam. It's Gollum."

Gandalf glanced at Faramir before turning back to the little girl on his lap. The little girl had no idea how important her words were and how much they worried Gandalf.

"Frodo feels……" Elizabeth trailed off.

"What does he feel?" Gandalf asked, trying to help.

"I don't know." Elizabeth said softly. "I can't describe it. The Ring makes him feel…heavy."

Gandalf nodded and smoothed out Elizabeth's hair with his hand to soothe her. She, in turn snuggled closer to the wizard and sighed almost contentedly.

"And then," Elizabeth continued. "The Nazgul King was in my dream. He told the leader of the orcs to send forth all the legions."

Gandalf made serious eye contact with Faramir. Both turned their gazes back to Elizabeth. She began crying softly. Gandalf shushed her gently and whispered into her hair.

"It's all right," he said.

"No it's not," Elizabeth whimpered. "Because then the orc leader asked the Nazgul King about you, Gandalf. And the Nazgul King said he would break you! I don't want him to break you! You can't be broken! People don't break; they only die and I don't want anything to happen to you!"

Gandalf drew Elizabeth close to him and continued whispering calming things into her hair. He did not know if she could hear his words, but whether or not it was the words or his embrace, she was calming down. Her body was no longer racked with sobs.

The WhiteWizardlooked at Faramir.

"Will she fight?" Faramir asked softly.

Gandalf shook his head. "Not if I can help it."

The wizard looked out the window. It was time. He needed to meet with the remaining soldiers on some of the higher levels. Pippin and Faramir needed to go the palace where Pippin would be "sworn in" as a member of the tower guard. But what of Elizabeth?

She was too small, young and as reluctant as Gandalf was to say it, too weak to fight in the battle. But Denethor had struck her. She would not want to be in the same room with him either. Although, perhaps Faramir would give her the courage she needed to be in the same room with his father.

"Elizabeth will go with you and Pippin to the palace." Gandalf announced, looking directly at Faramir. "Make sure she stays near you, she does not like your father very much."

Faramir nodded. "I shall watch over her."

Elizabeth and Pippin sat outside of the main hall of the palace, waiting for Faramir to return. Elizabeth now understood why Minas Tirith was called the White City. Everything was white…ish. Some of it was badly dirtied and needed to be washed. Other parts were of beautiful white marble that could be marveled at like gold.

"What were you thinking, Peregrin Took?" Pippin asked himself. Elizabeth listened to him vacantly as she explored the small corridor they sat in. "What service can a Hobbit offer such a great lord of men?"

"It was well-done," a voice said. Faramir had returned. Pippin hopped off the bench and Elizabeth came to stand by him. "A generous deed should not be checked with cold counsel. You are to join the tower guard."

"I didn't think they would find any livery that would fit me," Pippin answered nervously.

"It once belonged to a young boy of the city." Faramir said. "A very foolish one who wasted more time slaying dragons instead of attending to his studies."

"This was yours?" Pippin asked.

"Yes, it was mine. My father had it made for me." Faramir answered.

Elizabeth frowned and looked back and forth between Pippin and Faramir. She simply could not believe that Faramir was as short as Pippin was. She thought that he'd always been tall.

"Well," Pippin said. "I'm taller than you were then. Though, I'm not likely to grow anymore, except sideways."

Faramir laughed.

"Never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier." Faramir said, chuckling still. He noticed Elizabeth's frown. "Something wrong, child?"

Elizabeth's frown deepened. "You were that short?"

Faramir laughed. "Yes, I was. But that was quite a few years ago."

His smile faded as he continued looking at the uniform on Pippin, as if just looking at it reminded him of Boromir. Elizabeth couldn't understand why looking at a uniform could make someone sad. His childhood had been happy, hadn't it? Of course it had, what with servants at his every need and everything he wanted. Living in a palace sounded fun.

"They were so alike, he and my father. Proud. Stubborn even. But strong." Faramir said.

Pippin creased his brow slightly. "I think you have strength of a different kind. And one day your father will see it."

Faramir smiled weakly. Elizabeth contemplated on adding to Pippin's words, but figured they'd have a more lasting effect on Faramir if she left her two cents out of it.

Faramir led Pippin and Elizabeth into the main hall where Pippin took his place kneeling before Denethor and Elizabeth stood nervously next to Faramir.

When Pippin was finished reciting his little "contract" or oath to Denethor, Elizabeth tugged on Faramir's sleeve.

"What is it?" he asked softly.

"I gotta go potty," Elizabeth whispered. Faramir blinked and then realized what she meant.

"Come," he said simply. He bowed to his father and then led Elizabeth from the room and into another adjacent corridor. He stood outside the small lavatory room and waited. And waited...and waited some more.

"Are you quite finished?" he asked impatiently.

"Almost…" Elizabeth answered. "Hey, where's the flushing thing?"

"The what?" Faramir asked.

"Never mind." Elizabeth answered. She exited the room and closed the door behind her. "Ok. Done."

"Finally." Faramir said.

Faramir led Elizabeth back into the hall and saw that his father was eating. Denethor looked up at his youngest son.

"There you are," he said. "As I was saying before you disappeared, I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses, defenses that your brother long held intact."

"What would you have me do?" Faramir asked softly.

Elizabeth felt the tension rising. A few officials that had stayed in the hall to witness Pippin's "ceremony" left at the sign of Denethor's annoyance with his son. Elizabeth wished so badly she could leave with them. She wanted to be with Gandalf. He was always nice, even when you made a mistake.

But with Faramir, there had been no mistake made. His father had sat too long in his boring hall. He no longer knew what it was like to battle the enemies of Gondor. And so, he expected more of his younger son than of his deceased oldest.

Elizabeth almost stamped her foot. Denethor was a big fat stupid old meanie head! How dare he expect Faramir to win against an army that outnumbered him three to one? But Elizabeth knew she could not say anything. Without Gandalf around, Denethor would strike her without hesitation. Yes, perhaps Faramir might stick up for her, but the damage would be done.

"I will not yield the river in Pelennor unfought." Denethor answered. "Osgiliath must be retaken."

"My lord, Osgiliath is overrun." Faramir said, trying to show Denethor that he'd made the right decision.

"Much must be risked in war." Denethor told his son simply. "Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?"

Faramir's face fell. He knew what his father wanted. "You wish now that our places had been exchanged, that I had died and Boromir had lived."

Elizabeth frowned angrily. She was reaching boiling point. Denethor was making her mad, steward or not! But she waited as patiently as everyone else for Denethor's answer.

"Yes," he whispered. "I wish that."

Faramir swallowed, holding back silent tears. When he regained a bit of his composure, he swallowed once more.

"Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead." Faramir answered softly. With that he turned to leave. But then, he turned around. "If I should return, think better of me, Father."

Faramir turned his back and began to walk away. Elizabeth was furious and Pippin was stunned.

"That will depend on the manner of your return." Denethor muttered.

Elizabeth let out a growl and Denethor's eyes were suddenly upon her. He narrowed his dull eyes at her and put his goblet down.

"Do you have something to say, girl?" he asked cruely.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at the steward. He suddenly grew impatient with her and threw his now empty goblet at her.

"SPEAK, WENCH!" he yelled. Faramir stopped in his tracks where he was, his back still turned to his father.

Elizabeth easily dodged the goblet and looked at Denethor with the same look she had before. She had half the mind to just kick him.

"You're stupid." She said simply.

"What…did…you say?" Denethor asked slowly.

"I said: You…are…stupid." Elizabeth answered. "Or should I dumb it down even more?"

Denethor stood suddenly from his seat, sending his chair backwards. He stalked towards Elizabeth with a look angrier than anything she'd ever seen. He grabbed her by the shirt and began dragging her across the floor towards the door.

Faramir, who still stood in his place, watched as Elizabeth was dragged by the collar towards the door. He felt sorry for her. The way his father was dragging her was causing her to have difficulty breathing and she was making a choking sound.

The next thing Elizabeth knew was that she was being flung through the air. She landed on the steps and rolled down. Faramir watched all this happen and then followed his father with his eyes as the steward reentered the hall and took his place at his table.

Faramir then continued on his way out of the hall. When the doors of the hall finally closed behind him, he breathed a sigh of relief. But then he noticed that Elizabeth was not lying on the ground in front of the stairs.

((A/N: OK, yes, it's taken me awhile to update...CRF forms came out in class last week and I got sick and yada yada yada. I know you don't want my lame excuses...so anyhow...ya PLEASE REVIEW!))