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That night, Braenna slipped out unnoticed to the stables, so she thought. She was just swinging into the saddle on Minuialwen's back when Legolas seized the filly's bridle. She realized the Elf wasn't going to budge and sighed.
"You told Gandalf you would remain with the Rohirrim," he reminded her softly.
"My place is with my people, Legolas. I must ride now if I'm to make it to Minas Tirith in time. Please, this is something I feel I must do," she pleaded with him. He sighed before releasing the bridle and watching the filly gallop beyond even his strong elf-eyes.
In three afternoons, Braenna handed her horse over to a stableboy, tossed back the hood of her traveling cloak, and marched to where the beacon of Minas Tirith was perched. Gandalf saw her and had Pippin follow her at a safe distance. She was stopped by the guards, and Pippin stayed hidden around a corner.
"My Lady, you do not have the authorization to go beyond this point," one of the guards said to her against his will.
"I know this. I bring a direct order from the Lord Denethor that the beacons are to be lit immediately. Good day, sirs," she replied. She watched in satisfaction as they both rushed out to light the beacon. She turned to walk away and stumbled over Pippin. "Come, then. Allow me to follow you back to Gandalf," she sighed.
Pippin led her to the wizard. "A roguish move, my Lady," Gandalf commented, smiling.
"Something must be done and it has become quite apparent that it shan't be my father doing anything," she replied. "What word comes from Osgiliath?"
"None yet, I assure you," Gandalf said gently, resting a had on her shoulder. "Do not doubt Faramir's skill. He is a good captain."
Braenna sighed, "Aye. It is not his skill I doubt, but his heart. He may be willing to do anything to save the realm of Gondor, but he is not the warrior at heart as Boromir was."
A cry went up from the guards atop the wall, and the trio ran up. They could see a lone horse trotting towards the gates before a massive swarm of creatures of Mordor, its rider dragging behind. Braenna was gone in an instant, running to the gate.
She hurriedly followed the men carrying Faramir on a litter up to the top level of the city. She sat with Faramir's head in her lap when Gandalf, Pippin, and Denethor joined them. She watched in horror as Denethor proclaimed his last son dead and tell his people there was no hope until Gandalf struck him down with his staff. Braenna, despite her grief at the moment, took up her temporary role as Steward (until her father awakened) and gave orders.
Gandalf stood over and Faramir for a moment. "He is not dead. His pulse and breathing are shallow. I fear it may be the black breath," she whispered tearfully.
"Aragorn will heal him when he arrives. Faramir's wounds run deeper than just the physical," Gandalf said before leaving her. Pippin went with him.
She had known Gandalf's meaning when told Faramir's wounds were more than the arrow she had removed. She glared at her father in hatred as the man stood. She had Faramir moved to the Houses of Healing where she could tend to him to the best of her abilities as well as the other people brought in.
She had moved from Faramir's side once, when all in Gondor heard the horns of the Rohirrim coming to their aide two days later. When she returned, she was alarmed. Pippin came rushing to her side.
"Your father had slipped completely into madness, my Lady. He's trying to burn Faramir alive," he announced.
"What!" she cried out, more from alarm than not hearing him. "Go to Gandalf, with haste, my friend," she instructed him. She was then racing off to the chamber where the kings of old were lain to rest.
She slipped through the doors unnoticed to see soldiers stacking wood around Faramir and Denethor, who was coating both of them with oil. Fear gripped her heart. She moved swiftly into action.
"Stop this at once," she ordered. "Can you not see how far into madness Denethor has strayed? Faramir lives, I forbid this. You must listen. This is murder!"
"Remove her," Denethor seethed. "You have always proven yourself worthless, Braenna."
"You are not yourself, my Lord. You once loved us all equally and now all you long for is Boromir. He has passed, why can't you let him go?" she demanded.
"Because he is the most loyal child of the three I have borne. REMOVE HER!" he shouted.
Two of the soldiers stepped forward as two others moved forward with torches. "NO!" Braenna screamed.
Gandalf and Pippin burst through the doors on Shadowfax just then. Braenna gave praise to every god and goddess she could think of as she darted forward. She stepped onto the dais just as Denethor dropped a torch onto the wood himself.
With help from Pippin, she managed to push Faramir onto the floor and out harm's way. She heard him groan and kneeled over him in concern. He gently stroked a tear from her cheek with a small smile before they both looked over to the dais where Denethor had remained.
"Father?" Faramir said questioningly.
"Faramir," Denethor whispered. He then caught fire and ran from the room, straight off the uppermost point of the outer wall.
Braenna buried her face in her brother's shoulder. "So passes Denethor, son Ecthelion," she heard Gandalf announce somberly.
Faramir was unconscious once more when returned to the Houses of Healing. Braenna wanted to stay beside him, but Gandalf reminded her that because the Steward (now Faramir) was unable, it was her that must stand to govern her people. She much preferred the job be left to Imrahil, distant cousin and prince of Dol Amroth.
"Braenna, the House of Stewards belongs in your line, not that of Imrahil," Gandalf reminded her.
"I am not the person to rule in such times. I am simply a woman. I know nothing of war or governing Minas Tirith," she protested. Gandalf gave her a mocking look that told her he knew he clearly knew otherwise.
The Battle of Plennor was soon over. Braenna sat in shock when not only Théoden King, but Lady Èowyn were brought into the throne room. She had been told both were dead, but upon closer examination realized Èowyn was alive and immediately had her brought to the Houses of Healing.