Disclaimer: I only own Braenna. Anything/body else belongs to Tolkein. Some of the lines belong to Peter Jackson. Please read and review. I welcome criticism openly.
It was not long after she sent Èowyn off that Braenna found herself in the presence of Imrahil and Èomer. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli arrived just behind them.
"'Tis good to see you again, my Lady," Imrahil greeted.
"Aye, though one may desire to do so under less taxing times," she said, realizing now how weary the last several days had made her. She had hardly slept in her duties as healer and Steward to the people.
"Where is she?" Èomer asked. "Where have you bestowed my sister?"
"She lies in the Houses of Healing alongside my brother, my Lord. She was not dead when they bore her hence, and I have considerable skill in healing and so realized she was not dead," Braenna replied.
"What of the Steward, where is he?" Imrahil inquired.
"Denethor has passed. Braenna stands in Faramir's stead for the meantime," Gandalf answered.
"So victory is shorn of gladness and is bitter bought, if both Gondor and Rohan are in one day bereft of their lords," Legolas said. "Èomer rules the Rohirrim and Braenna rules Gondor." He looked into her eyes. "Rather reluctantly."
"Yet I know it is my duty to stand in Faramir's stead," Braenna stated.
"You are a skilled healer, my Lady. I shall need your assistance in the Houses of Healing. We must go now," Aragorn announced. Braenna nodded and followed him out of the throne room. They worked side by side throughout the night, sleeping for the two short hours before dawn.
Èomer looked up as a weary Braenna entered the throne room. She did not meet his gaze as she stood beside Gandalf. He watched as she tediously finished tying her long auburn hair back in a single braid, tossing it over her shoulder when she finished.
All present knew of the quest a Halfling named Frodo had taken upon himself to destroy the Ring of Power. Gandalf began pacing the floor. All of them watched in complete silence.
Finally, Gandalf announced softly, "Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening."
"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it," Aragorn pointed out.
"It is only a matter of time..."Gandalf said. "He has suffered a defeat, yes. But...behind the walls of Mordor the enemy is re-grouping."
Gimli, who was smoking his pipe while sitting in the Steward's chair, grumbled, "Let them stay there...Let them rot. Why should we care?"
Braenna shot him a surprised glance. "I would have thought that much obvious, Master Gimli. If we let them rot then ten thousand orcs or more lie between your friends, Frodo and Sam, and Mount Doom," she replied.
"Precisely," Gandalf agreed. He began pacing once more. "I've sent him to his death."
"No," Aragorn argued. "There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that."
"How?" Gimli demanded.
"Draw out Sauron's armies," Aragorn replied. "Empty His lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate."
Gimli coughed at Aragorn's words. Èomer looked completely shocked and appalled by the same exact words.
"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms," Èomer protested.
"Not for ourselves on a personal level, but the slightest impact makes a world of difference for our people," Braenna reasoned, eyes fixated on Aragorn. He gave her a gentle smile and nodded. "Frodo will have his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us instead of searching for the Ringbearer."
"Keep him blind to all else that moves," Aragorn clarified.
"A diversion," Legolas added.
"Do elves always speak the obvious?" Braenna questioned teasingly. Legolas gave her a flirtatious and knowing smile, causing Èomer to look completely furious.
Gandalf stood beside Aragorn. "Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait," he stated.
"Certainty of death! Small chance of success! What are we waiting for!" Gimli demanded enthusiastically.
It was decided that Braenna was needed in Gondor, so Prince Imrahil went in her place to bear the flag of Minas Tirith among his army. She did not wish to argue this. She walked out with Legolas, their arms linked together.
"Showing attraction in me will only deepen Èomer's anger with you," Legolas pointed out as they walked.
"It is such that I desire. Now that he is King of Rohan, I am not a woman he can obtain and will not hesitate to remind him of such. It is Lotheriel he will be with, she is a princess, fit to be Rohan's queen. I am but the daughter of a king's glorified advisor," she explained. "Well, sister now, anyway."
"Do you believe Èomer to be so petty as to marry for position instead of love?" the elf asked.
Braenna glanced at him. "No. I sadly believe that a king is bound by his position and is forced to wed a woman of the same position with or without love. His council will never allow me to be his bride," she replied. Legolas easily detected the sadness in her voice at these words and vowed in his mind to talk to Aragorn.
Legolas left her at the Houses of Healing. They would be leaving within the hour for Mordor. Braenna was pleasantly surprised to see both Èowyn and Faramir awake. Faramir smiled upon seeing her and laughed as she dove into his arms, holding him tightly.
Faramir held her just as tight. "I feared we would be parted forever," she whispered in his ear. "When you lost all consciousness the second time."
"Nay, dearest sister. I would never give up the will to live knowing my twin sister was in grave danger," he assured. "Come, tell us the recent tidings, for Ioreth will not."
Braenna smiled as she sat back. "The Battle of Pelennor was won, though Théoden King passed valiantly from this world. It has been decided that the remaining members of the two armies of Gondor and Rohan will march upon the Black Gate as a diversion to allow Frodo more time to destroy the Ring," Braenna revealed. "They ride out within the hour. Your brother rides with them, my Lady. The gardens would be a good place to watch them ride out, if you wish me to arrange it so."
"Braenna...was Father bursting into flame but a dream or reality?" Faramir wondered.
Braenna bit her bottom lip. "Father has passed on as well, Faramir. You are the rightful Steward of Gondor now, yet they have given me charge of the Citadel whilst you are here recovering," she revealed.
"No better person to rule Gondor in my stead," Faramir praised. "My twin. My better half. The only person who showed affection for me when no one else did."
"Faramir, I am not your better half, I am your equal. And all within the City walls love you. As I do, if not more," Braenna corrected.
They heard footsteps and looked up. Èomer shared a brief visit with his sister before Ioreth came to whisk Braenna and Èomer away so her patients could rest. Braenna went out to the gardens, not realizing Èomer would follow her.