Disclaimer: This is stupid. I do own LotR. All three books, the one volume edition, all three theatrical editions, and all three extended editions. So there.
A/N: I am super happy! I don't have to go into work until Thursday and I just got my ACT score back! 31, baby! So, I'm using my good mood to update as many of my stories as possible! Hope ya'll enjoy! BTW, I've been asked what time this was set in. It's set in the year 3014 T.A. Arwen is in Rivendell, and Aragorn and Gandalf have discovered that Gollum is being held in Mordor and therefore have suspended his hunt for him. Oh, and although I am following mainly book-verse, I have let some things stand as they do in the movie. For example, Aragorn still wearing the ring of Barahir, even though the book says that he gave it to Arwen in Lórien when they pledged their love.
Thanks to:
Bluie Twilight Star - Thank you! Time travel stories are among my favorite as well, but I've noticed a distinct lack of them in the LotR fandom. I decided to rectify that.
Aislynn Crowdaughter - You know, I don't know how to respond to that. You kinda overwhelmed me with all the possible scenarios. I'm not going to give away anything, but I will tell you that a paradox will be prevented. Thanks for the review!
lindahoyland - Glad you think so!
Caroly - I'm glad you like it. I must say that it will be fun to write about everyone's reactions. The story is set in 3014, which is four years before the Council of Elrond.
Julia - Let's just say that Denethor won't be too happy about things. Of course Faramir handled it well! He is a very understanding and intuitive man. And I'd be more worried about Aragorn's attitude toward the past rather than the other way around. It's set four years before FotR. Faramir is 31.
Elenhin - I'm glad you are interested. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Out of Time
Chapter 2
"Why is it called Minas Tirith now?" Isildur asked, looking about at the city he knew as Minas Anor. The city had changed much, but he could still recognize it as the Tower of the Setting Sun.
"It is a city ever on guard against the evil of Morgul," Faramir stated. "Is it now fitting to name it the Tower of Watch? So it became after Gondor lost her king."
Suddenly, Elendil, Isildur, and Anarion stopped dead, staring in horror at the sight before them. The dead and withered White Tree of the King. Sure, they had known that there was no king in this time, but seeing the very symbol of their house dead before them was appalling.
Faramir looked at them with sympathy. "Come, Lord Denethor will be cross enough at your presence, it would not be wise to keep him waiting."
"Why would our presence cause him to be cross?" a blonde she-elf, the only female among them, asked.
"Can you not guess, My Lady?" a voice from behind them said. They turned to see a tall, powerfully built man with dark blonde hair. "You represent a time of glory, a time where a king sat upon the throne of Gondor. Now is a dark time, a time where the shadow of Mordor grows and creeps across the lands, a time in which the true king of Gondor is nowhere to be found, believed by most to be dead."
"Apparently Sauron doesn't believe this, brother," Faramir pointed out. "He would not hold back as he does if he were certain of victory. He obviously considers the heir of Isildur to be alive."
"Clearly, he isn't the only one," Boromir observed. "I do believe you know something that you haven't told me, brother."
"Perhaps I do, then again perhaps I've told you and you didn't listen," Faramir retorted. "Now, I do believe I should report to Father."
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"I'm surprised to see that you had the good sense to bring them before me, Faramir," Denethor stated and then looked at the elves and men assembled behind his son. "Most of your names I can guess, but not all. Who are you?"
"I am Elendil, High King of Gondor and Arnor," Elendil proudly said. "These are my sons, Anarion and Isildur," he said, gesturing to the younger men next to him.
"I am Gil-Galad, High King of Elves. This is my herald, Lord Elrond of Imladris, and Lord Glorfindel, formerly of Gondolin," Gil-Galad said, motioning to each in turn. "With them are King Oropher of Greenwood the Great, and his son, Prince Thranduil. Also, the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien, as well as Lord Cirdan, the Shipwright."
"Well, well, well, what shall we do with you?" Denethor asked rhetorically. "I would lock you in the dungeons and forget about you, but that really wouldn't solve the matter, now would it? No, I think the only thing to do is something I am loathe to do."
"My Lord?" Faramir said in askance.
"You are dismissed," Denethor said impatiently. "I will draft a letter to Thorongil and have it sent to Rivendell, where I am sure it will find its way to him."
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"Thorongil?" Boromir said, puzzled.
"Do you know him?" Faramir asked.
"I remember him," Boromir replied. "Not much, for I was only two when he left, but I do remember him somewhat. He was a great captain of Gondor."
"Why did he leave?"
"He and Father never got along very well. He knew that Ecthelion was nearing death and that once Denethor was steward, he would not be tolerated. So he left," Boromir said with a shrug. "Can't really blame him."
"Why would Denethor send a message to him about us?" Isildur asked. "What would this Thorongil be able to do?"
"I do not know," Boromir answered. "Now, my little fox," he said, using his old pet name for Faramir. "What do you know of Isildur's heir that I do not?"
"If you had half as much brain as you do brawn, you would not have to ask that," Faramir replied. "But since you asked, I know that the Chieftain of the Dúnedain is a direct descendent of Isildur."
"The Dúnedain?" Elendil said. "Who are they?"
"Rangers of the North," Boromir stated. "They protect what once was the kingdom of Arnor. But I don't see what they have to do with the heir of Isildur."
Faramir sighed. "You know that Elendil's eldest son Anárion was given the kingdom of Gondor and that Isildur, his youngest, was given rule of Arnor. However, Isildur and his three elder sons perished in the Gladden Fields before he could take up his rule and so it passed to Valandil. Time goes by and we get to Firiel, daughter of the King of Gondor and descendant of Anárion, and Arvedui, King of Arnor and descendent of Isildur. They wed, and then the King Ondoher of Gondor is slain. The crown of Gondor passes to Eärnil, descendent of Ondoher's grandfather, Narmacil. The northern kingdom of Arnor is then overrun and destroyed by the Witch-king and his forces. Arvedui and his wife perish, leaving behind their only son, Aranarth, who then takes up the title of Chieftain of the Dúnedain. And as far as our records tell, that line branched only once, only to be reunited again just before the fall of the last known Chieftain."
"And that was?" Isildur asked.
"Arathorn, son of Arador," Faramir stated.
"And you say that he fell?" Boromir inquired. "What good does that do us if he's dead?"
"He had a son, Aragorn," Faramir answered.
"And what became of him?"
"He was presumed dead," Faramir said.
"But you don't think he died?" Elendil said.
"No, I don't," Faramir said with conviction. "I think he is alive and well, living life as a Ranger of the North."
"Is that what my line has come to?" Isildur asked bitterly. "Rangers living primitive lives and protecting a fallen kingdom. What a disgrace!"
"Do not say such things about the Dúnedain!" Boromir said heatedly. "Or Rangers in general! The lives of Rangers, whether they be the ones of Ithilien or the North, are not easy! That they are able to survive such a lifestyle and choose to for the good of others speak volumes."
"And I dare say that whoever your heir is won't be too happy to be descended from you, either," Faramir said cryptically.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Isildur asked defensively.
"Nothing that you won't soon find out."
Tbc…
Hope you liked it! Sorry to bore you with all the history in it, but I find it all fascinating! Please review! Next chapter, Aragorn! With the twins and Legolas, of course!