Chapter 21: Lady Galadriel and Denethor's Command

Boromir could not believe his eyes as he and the Fellowship were led into the Elven haven of Caras Caladhon. He had never seen trees like the great mallorn trees where the Elves made their homes. The trees reached high up into the sky, and their roots were long. Haldir led the Fellowship up a great set of stairs on the mallorn tree. They crossed a short bridge before they came upon the house of Celeborn and Galadriel. The house was shining, as if it were made of stars. Descending from the stairs came Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, hand in hand. Boromir and his companions looked on at the Lord and Lady of Rivendell in utter awe. Both Celeborn and Galadriel were tall and beautiful. Their skin was as white as the lights that shone about their city. Both had a river of golden hair. The face of Celeborn was troubled.

"The Enemy knows you have entered here," he said. "What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight that are here yet nine there were sent out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him, and I can no longer see him from afar."

"He has fallen into Shadow," said Lady Galadriel.

"He was taken by both Shadow and flame," Legolas said sadly. "A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life," Galadriel said. "we do not yet know his full purpose."

Galadriel turned to Gimli, who hung his head in grief. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-Dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands love is now mingled with grief."

Galadriel turned to Boromir. As Galadriel held Boromir in her gaze, Boromir could hear the voice of Galadriel in his mind.

"Do not let your heart be troubled by the peril of Gondor, son of Denethor," she said. "Your father is a noble man. In all lands, even the noblest lose heart. You need not despair. For even in the most perilous of places, there is still hope."

Boromir looked wide-eyed at Galadriel, who still gazed at him. He could not bear to look upon her anymore and bowed his head. Galadriel then released him from her eyes.

"What hope could she speak of?" Boromir asked himself. "Every day my people lose heart. How can we have any hope when it abandoned us long ago?"

"What now becomes of this Fellowship?" Celeborn asked. "Without Gandalf, hope is lost."

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife," Galadriel said. "Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace."

Boromir turned to Frodo, who was now held in the gaze of Lady Galadriel. He noticed that Frodo could not bear to look upon Galadriel any longer, and she turned her gaze away.

The Company were then led outside where they were given food, drink, and rest. Boromir was curious about what Galadriel had said to Frodo. He could not help but press Frodo about what he heard.

"She held you long in her gaze, Ring-bearer," Boromir said.

"Yes," Frodo said. "but whatever came into my mind then I will keep there."

"Well, have a care!" Boromir said. "I do not feel too sure of this Elvish Lady and her purposes.

"Speak no evil of the Lady Galadriel!" Aragorn said. "You know not what you say. There is in her and in this land no evil, unless a man bring it hither himself. Then let him beware! But tonight I shall sleep without fear for the first time since I left Rivendell."

The Company could hear the song of Elves ringing in the night sky. They sang a lament for the fallen Gandalf, who was dear to them. They called him Mithrandir, just as Faramir did. Hearing the song of the Elves only brought more discomfort to Boromir, as he thought of his family in Minas Tirith. Although he knew Faramir and Pharazphel were strong, he feared for them in his city. Aragorn saw his comrade was troubled and he sought to bring him comfort.

"Take some rest," he said. "These borders are well protected."

"I will find no rest here," Boromir said. "I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. And she said to me, even now there is still hope left, but I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope."

"Your thoughts dwell on your wife and unborn child, do they not?" Aragorn asked.

"I think of them on every step of this journey," Boromir said. "My wife is a strong and able woman, but I fear for the peril that awaits her and my child. I cannot bear to see them taken by darkness."

Aragorn sat next to Boromir as he spoke once more.

"My father is a noble man," Boromir said. "but his rule is failing and our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right, and I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored. Have you ever seen it, Aragorn? The White Tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. Its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?"

Aragorn nodded. "I have seen the White City, long ago."

"In time, our paths will lead us there," Boromir said. "And the tower guard shall take up the call: 'The Lords of Gondor have returned!'"

"We will see the White City again," Aragorn said. "For now, take some rest, for we need not fear any danger here."

Darkness had again begun to take over the land of Gondor. Osgiliath, the city that Boromir and Faramir fought so hard to hold, was now being taken by the enemy. Orcs had begun to cross into the city. Faramir was often sent to Osgiliath in order to drive back the Orcs. Faramir and his men managed only temporary victories. Sauron had begun to poison the mind of Denethor through the Palantir. Through the Palantir, Sauron showed Denethor the defeat of Gondor and Sauron rising to power. Sauron's poison slowly started to twist Denethor's mind. He was often shut up in his halls, gazing into the Lost Seeing-Stone. Denethor would not let the Enemy defeat him, no matter how great his forces were. Many times Faramir tried to reason with his father, but Denethor would not hear his counsel.

"My lord, Sauron's forces are growing stronger every day," Faramir said. "Orcs continue to cross into Osgiliath. We do not have the strength to repel them."

"I will not yield the city that your brother fought hard to defend," Denethor said. "We must continue to defend Osgiliath at all costs."

"My lord, we cannot continue to hold back Sauron's hordes," Faramir said. "His forces are growing greater, and our men are growing to few."

"Too few? Are you certain that you do not speak of your usefulness?" Denethor said angrily. "Before he departed, your brother held Osgiliath's defenses valiantly. Now that he has departed, Osgiliath falls into ruin. I believe the city's destruction is a mark on yourself and not our lack of men."

Faramir felt the sting of his father's words. They bit into him as a sword bites into flesh.

"Since you are still robbed of Boromir, I shall continue to hold up his defenses," Faramir said.

"You may try," Denethor said coldly. "Have you heard no news of Boromir? Whither does he go? Why has he not returned?"

"I cannot say, my lord," Faramir said. "I do not know where Boromir goes or what keeps him. Until his return, I shall continue to serve you as he did."

"You can never serve me as he did, even if you desire to," Denethor said.

Still wounded by Denethor's words, Faramir bowed and left the Steward's halls, bound for Osgiliath.

As Faramir was bravely defending the city of Osgiliath, Pharazphel languished in the Houses of Healing once more. Her child's arrival drew nearer every day. Although she was a strong woman, carrying Boromir's child was a difficult task. She remained in the Houses of Healing to await the approaching birth of her child.

Pharazphel yearned for company in the Houses of Healing. Boromir had been kept from Gondor for many months. The approaching danger of Sauron often kept Faramir away at Osgiliath. The only company Pharazphel had was Ioreth and her unborn child. Pharazphel also wished to be with Boromir during these perilous times. Pharazphel did not know what kept Boromir from Minas Tirith, but she wished she could be by his side. The child that kicked in her belly gave Pharazphel hope that Boromir would return. As she awaited her child's arrival, she thought of Boromir's return and the defeat of Sauron. These thoughts lightened Pharazphel's heart.

Just as Pharazphel yearned for company, she received it from the most unlikely person. Denethor had come down from his halls to the House of Healing.

"My lord Denethor," Pharazphel said, surprised.

"I received word that you were being tended here," Denethor said.

"I am being tended here until my child arrives, my lord," Pharazphel said. "Have you heard any news of Boromir?"

Denethor shook his head. "We have received no word at all. I do not know what keeps him."

"I understand how you yearn for your son," Pharazphel said.

"You know nothing of what I speak," Denethor said angrily.

"I believe that I do, my lord," Pharazphel said. "I am Boromir's wife, and it is his child I carry. I do not think I am mistaken how much we both yearn for his company."

"You are not worthy to be a wife to my son, daughter of Rohan," Denethor said.

"Why have you sought my company, my lord, if all you desire is to try and wound me with your words?" Pharazphel asked.

"I have come to speak of your child," Denethor said.

"I thought you took no joy in my child's arrival, my lord. You couldn't have spoken much plainer," Pharazphel said.

"Silence!" Denethor said. "I do not love your child, but I do recognize that he is the child of Boromir. Any child of Boromir should have his valiance."

"My lord, you are too hasty," Pharazphel said. "I will not know if I bear Boromir a son or a daughter."

"You will bear him a son," Denethor said. "I have seen the impending doom that awaits us. Gondor will need sons if we are to defeat the armies of Mordor. If you bear Boromir a son, he will one day defeat Sauron's forces. When you give me a grandson, I may think more highly of you as my daughter."

"Am I not a daughter to you, my lord?" Pharazphel asked.

"Give me a grandson, and then I may think of you as my daughter," Denethor said coldly.

Denethor left the House of Healing, leaving Pharazphel in solitude, save for the child in her belly. Once Denethor had left, Pharazphel felt a great pain as the child moved inside her.

A/N: Uh-oh! Things are starting to get tense. Once again, I thank you for all of the reviews, favorites, etc. It means so much to me. Thank you!