Chapter 12

The Sacrifice of Faramir

Not long after the beacons had been lit, the three companions found themselves back on Shadowfax, as Gandalf rode to try and help the retreating army. "It's Mithrandir! The White Rider!" One of the soldiers called out as they came into their sights. When they had neared the men, Gandalf raised his staff and a pure light issued forth out of it, seeming to emanate from his very being as it drove the Nazgûl that had been chasing and killing the soldiers only moments before back. Once this was done, he fell in line at the head of the company and helped to lead their withdrawal into Minas Tirith.

"Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river." One of the men, who appeared to be their leader, told the wonderful wizard once they had reached safety. Or what they hoped was safety, at least for the moment.

"It is as the Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom!" One of the other soldiers despaired, causing Gandalf to turn Shadowfax around to face him. Immediately the first man took in the Hobbits sitting in front, and then seemed to stare at them with an expression Ruby couldn't quite place, but it made her feel uncomfortable. Especially since his gaze seemed to be specifically trained on her.

"Foreseen and done nothing!" Gandalf said, his voice filled with frustration. Then noticing the man's staring he asked, "Faramir? These are the first Halflings to have crossed your path." This was more of a statement then a question.

"No." Faramir admitted, and Ruby's heart leapt within her chest to think of what this must mean.

"You've seen Frodo and Sam?" Pippin asked the question that seemed frozen on the tip of her tongue, and Faramir nodded in his direction, though his eyes never left Ruby's.

"And Hazel? You've seen my sister?" Ruby pressed finding her tongue at last, once again earning a nod from Faramir and the tiniest of smiles.

"So, you are the sibling of which she spoke so highly. I thought so. Your hair and eye color are different, but your countenance is the same." He mused kindly, and Ruby was nearly overcome with relief, not to mention flattery.

"She mentioned me?" She asked smiling at the thought.

"Indirectly, but yes." He admitted his own smile growing the tiniest bit wider. "I could tell she loved you very much."

"Was she alright?" Ruby pressed desperate to learn all she could. After all this was the first she'd heard of her sister in… Well she wasn't sure how long.

"Yes. At least she was when I saw them." He assured her.

"Where and when was that?" Gandalf asked him, regaining his attention with his urgent and curious tone.

"In Ithilien. Not two days ago." He replied, and the three turned to look at one another filled with the same happiness and relief. Faramir's expression on the other had turned almost grave. "Gandalf, they've taken the road to the Morgal Vale."

"And then the Pass of Cirith Ungol." Gandalf breathed his own expression falling even as he spoke the dreaded words, and once again Faramir could only nod his head.

"What does that mean?" Pippin asked concerned at the solemnity on the two's faces.

"What's wrong?" Ruby pressed her own anxiety growing.

"Faramir, tell me everything. Tell me all you know." Gandalf said, completely ignoring the two of them, and that's when Ruby's relief faded into an even greater sense of anxiety as she realized her sister was headed for great danger, if she had not found it already.

After Gandalf had gotten what he deemed an acceptable explanation from Faramir, they all went back into the citadel. Ruby was sitting alone in one of the many rooms, waiting for Pippin to come back with his brand-new armor and uniform on, while she fiddled with what she imagined was supposed to be a petite little apron (though it was a little big on her) which was the only added part of her own- uniform that is. "What were you thinking, Ruby Goodchild? What service can a Hobbit offer such a great lord of Men?" She murmured to herself, not for the first time and certainly not for the last.

"It was well-done, on both your parts. A generous deed should not be checked with cold counsel." Faramir said, startling her as he walked into the room, Pippin not far behind him striding over to Ruby and wrapping her up in a warm embrace.

She smiled shyly at both of them, embarrassed for being overheard and yet grateful for Faramir's kindness and advice. "You look great, Pip." She told him, earning her a small embarrassed smile of his own. "Like a true soldier."

"You are to join the tower guard." Faramir informed him and Pippin nodded, turning to face their new friend, his arm still wrapped around Ruby's shoulder.

"I didn't think they would find any livery that would fit me." He admitted sheepishly.

"Once belonged to a young boy of the City; a very foolish one who wasted many hours slaying dragons instead of attending to his studies." Faramir explained a trace of humor and perhaps longing in his voice while he said it, though also sadness.

"This was yours?" Ruby asked gazing up at him in wonder, and Faramir cracked a smile.

"Yes, it was mine. My father had it made for me." He admitted and the air grew a bit tense as they all thought about his 'great' father, though she could tell he still loved him just by the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes.

"Well, I'm taller than you were then. Though I'm not likely to grow anymore, except sideways." Pippin said, effectively breaking the tension, and they all laughed at the ridiculousness and yet truth of the statement.

"Never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier. They were so alike, he and my father. Proud. Stubborn even. But strong." Faramir said when they had finally found their breath. Ruby looked up at him in that moment and thought about his words in regard to Boromir. He was right, Boromir had been a fantastic soldier, one of the best Ruby had ever met, and truly he had been strong in battle. But he definitely had his weaknesses (one happening to be the dreaded Ring), and his strength was not enough to save him in the end. But she sensed something different about Faramir, something internal and just bursting for the chance to prove it.

"I think you have strength of a different kind." Pippin said gently but firmly, finding the words that Ruby could not. "And one day your father will see it."

After that they were lead back into the Great hall before Denethor's throne, where both Hobbits made an oath in order to seal the offer of earlier. Not that they had any choice in the matter, they were as good as bound to their word anyway, but they complied nevertheless.

"Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, in peace or war, in living or dying, from… from this hour henceforth until my lord release me, or death take me". Pippin stammered through it, his nervousness ringing clear in his voice.

"And I shall not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given." Denethor replied standing up with and amused smile on his face at the notion of having two hobbits in his service as he reached out his hand so he could kiss his ring. He did so reluctantly. "Fealty with love. Valor with honor. Disloyalty with vengeance." This last was said with a direct glare at Faramir before the cruel Steward made his way to a table, allowing both Ruby and Pippin to rise to their feet as she reluctantly set with a platter of filled with food, mostly fruits and meats, that a servant had brought in only moments before. (After she had made her own oath, which had been quite similar though she had been forced to swear fealty and service directly to the Steward rather than Gondor, and death it seemed would be her only escape.) "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 his voice sounding the tiniest bit hollow and dejected, as if he knew what was coming but was helpless to stop it.

"I will not yield the river and Pelnnor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken." Lord Denethor insisted stubbornly continuing to glare at his son, as if it were his entire fault.

"My Lord, Osgiliath is overrun." Faramir insisted but his reasoning fell on death ears.

"Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?" Denethor demanded and both Hobbits exchanged confused and worried looks.

"You wish now that our places had been exchanged, that I had died and Boromir had lived." Faramir said his voice cracking even as he said it.

"Yes, I wish that." He admitted, almost to himself, as he brought a goblet to his lips and took a long drink. Ruby just stared at him in stunned silence. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. How could any father say such a thing to his son? In that moment Ruby felt a rush of hatred well up inside her, which quickly melted away into a sorry and pity for Faramir. He deserved far better treatment than this.

"Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead." He said staring at his father, tears beginning to brim in his eyes which only encouraged those to form in Ruby's as well. He bowed and then turned away, Denethor remaining coldly silent as the two Hobbits watched after him. "If I should return, think better of me, Father." He said stopping to turn and look at his father for what he knew well may be the last time.

"That will depend on the manner of your return." Lord Denethor replied his voice as cold as ice, never looking up from his food, as Faramir nearly undone by this show of near indifference and disappointment turned back and left the room.

"Ruby, bring me some more wine." Denethor demanded, and for a moment she had the temptation to dump the wine cup he already had in his hands right over his idiotic, cruel head. Suddenly she thought of another reason why she hadn't been given a knife (or any weapon really) to defend herself even in these perilous times. Not that she herself ever would have done it, but just in case one of his other servants were not so gentle and sweet (or perhaps just weak), and might have stabbed him with it. She wondered if it had ever happened before.

"Yes, my Lord." She choked out trying her best to not make it sound like the sob that was threatening to escape her, and then she rushed from the room as fast as she could. "Faramir! Faramir!" She called out desperately after his retreating figure, seeing the opportunity the Steward's request had granted her, even if unintentionally. "Please Faramir! Don't do this."

"I appreciate your bravery and attachment, my dear friend, but I must do this. It's my duty." He told her solemnly as he turned to face her, completely determined to push forward with this mission.

"But it's complete insanity!" She protested rushing forward and throwing her arms around the surprised man (she was surprised herself, since back in the Shire she had always tended to be a more shy and reserved Hobbit), as if she would try to keep him here by force if necessary though they both knew the results would not be in her favor. "You'll die if you go! Please!"

"Oh, little Ruby." He sighed hugging her back for a moment before pulling away to look her straight in the eye. "I wish I could make you understand, but there are things that are worth sacrificing one's life for: the lives of one's family, friends, and people; their beliefs and values; the chance to protect those they love." He paused and wiped at the tears coursing down her face, forcing a small but determined smile on his own. "Don't you see? I am a soldier of Gondor. I will gladly give my life to defend her beauty, her memory, her wisdom."

"You truly are a great man Faramir." She told him, staring at him with a mix of awe and admiration. "Your father is lucky to have such a son."

"Thank you, sweet, precious Ruby." He replied his smile growing a little sadder. "You are as magnificent as your sister-in a different way perhaps, but just as grand. I pray you will leave to see her again someday." At this he reached for a small scabbard she hadn't noticed before on his belt, and pulled out a tiny dagger.

"To defend yourself with." He explained as he handed it to her and she gazed at the gift in wonder. "In case the need ever arises." With that the two shared one last embrace, before Ruby stood back and watched him walk off into the distance, heading to what they both knew was his demise.

Reluctantly she turned and got another pitcher of wine and brought it back to refill the Stewards cup just as she had been requested in the first place. "Took you long enough." He scowled ungratefully at the solemn and weary girl, though she refused to respond to such cruelty so he turned his attention elsewhere. "Can you sing, Master Hobbit?" He asked Pippin who was still standing there unsure what to do, as he continued to eat.

"Well, yes. At least well enough for my own people. But we have no songs for great halls and evil times." Pippin admitted humbly.

"And why should your songs be unfit for my halls? Come, sing me a song." Lord Denethor demanded again impatiently his expression grim. Pippin seemed to think on this a moment, before starting.

"Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread. Through shadow, to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight. Mist and shadow, cloud and shade, All shall fade! All shall fade…" Pippin sang, and as he did so Ruby felt something extremely curious happen within her. She had surely heard Pippin sing at least a million times back in the Shire, especially with Merry in the Green Dragon, but never before had it seemed so… pure. That was the only way she could describe it, as it sent warm chills racing threw her body, literally took her breath away, and for a brief moment she could have sworn her heart stopped. She didn't care if that sounded cheesy, that is exactly how it happened.

For a moment, all was still after it had happened, until poor brave Pippin began to cry and Ruby rushed to comfort him though they ended up comforting each other as she started to cry as well wrapped in his strong but gentle arms. "That was beautiful." She breathed pulling back sheepishly as the Steward cleared his throat (but not before Pippin had the chance to steal a quick kiss), knowing she would never be able to look at him the same way again. She had felt her love for him grow in that moment in a way she never would have dreamed possible.

"Quite." The Steward agreed his own voice a little hoarse. "What about you Miss Hobbit? I see you carry around that violin like some sort of precious treasure. Can you actually play it though?" He asked trying to make his tone as rude as possible.

"Oh yes. Ruby's fantastic on her violin. The best in all the Shire." Pippin informed him, smiling at her proudly after he had wiped the remaining tears away.

"I try my best anyway." She amended humbly, blushing both at the complement as well as the Stewards demeaning tone.

"Play me a song then. Something a bit more cheerful." He ordered, and so she carefully pulled her violin out of its case from off her back, and after thinking a moment began to play. It was not a song any of them had ever heard before, for she had composed it herself right there on the spot as she thought of the only thing in the world that she still found cheerful. Her home. In the tune were all of her memories of the Shire, with all of its beauty and peace, as well as the loved ones she'd known there. Her mother, her sister Hazel, her cousin Sam, her friends Frodo and Merry, and most of all her Pippin (despite the fact that she hadn't known how much he would come to mean to her at the time).

The song was almost magical, her violin ringing out vibrant and rich. She called it, 'Concerning Hobbits'.

Once she had finished the hall fell completely silent, as both boys simply stared at her (even Lord Denethor was no longer eating) in awe.