Lord of the Rings and all its characters belongs to J.R.R Tolkien This is a not for profit work.

To Whatever End

So Close Yet So Far

Ithilien

He almost seemed to glide along the muddy soil. They were catching up with him, and he knew that he had to get to Henneth Annun. Faramir, Prince of Ithilien and Steward of Gondor was being chased . . . or so the enemy thought. In truth he was leading them into a trap, but he had to make it believable. The Ring War had ended not four months before, and the forests of Ithilien, his new Princedom, were ridden with Orcs.

Just another mile he thought, one more mile and I can breathe. He didn't have to look behind him to know where they were. Faramir was an expert hunter, tracker, and commander. He has spent many years in these forests and knew them better than anyone, even the king.

The Lords of Middle Earth had been working without halt, to rid the country of the filth of Sauron, but it wasn't easy. Faramir hadn't seen the White City in two months. He would be returning after this last mission, to relieve Aragorn. The King and the Steward/Prince, had been taking revolving shifts of active command in the country side and forests. Aragorn had gone first, and now Faramirs term was at an end, and he was grateful for it. Though he was an excellent leader and the men all loved and respected him, battle was no love of Faramir s'. He wanted nothing more then to be in a council room, sign some papers and then see Eowyn.

They had met in the Houses of Healing, and after a short courtship she had agreed to marry him, and they were both very eager to start a life together. He knew that all he had to do to see Eowyn again, was to lore the enemy close to Henneth Annun, and then leave his men to it. The orcs really had no chance, and this gave Faramir a slight mischievous grin.

Faramir, after the battle was over, would be greeted heartily by his men. They were all looking forward to the journey back to the White City. Faramir was grateful to Aragorn for making the tours of duty only two months at a time, only two months away from family and friends, or in Faramir's case...Eowyn.

The Orcs knew who they were trailing. They were, though stupid creatures, aware that they were in for a trap. They knew this only because of their leader. He was the one that no one saw, he was held up in an out skirt of Ithilien heavily guarded by his most loyal followers. His name was Cellas, and the men and women of Middle Earth had learned to fear him in a very short time. He stormed villages and torched crops, destroying the meager reconstruction since the Ring war had ended. The Lords of the land had been after him for the past four months, and though they didn't want to admit it, they were no closer to finding him

Aragorn hadn't come close, though at the time they knew little about Cellas, Faramir, though had learned a great deal during his time in Ithilein and for this he must be destroyed. The Orcs were sent on another seemingly mindless pillage, but only the higher ups knew they were sent to capture the Gondorian prince. They had been chasing him for over a league when they sensed him starting to slow his pace. This meant that he was either tiring, unlikely, or that he was near his destination.

Faramir was getting very close. He decided that he was safe enough to his rangers to slow his pace a little. He didn't think that his enemy would understand his reason for slowing. He started to make the familiar call out to his ranger, a bird like sound, something like an owl. He heard the sound called back to him, and though he couldn't see his rangers he knew that they were there.

As he sprinted along he noticed a strange thing dangling from the branch of a tree, as he came closer he started to make out the form. It was small and glittering, a jewel of some sort, but the sunlight filtering through the leafy forest ceiling cast too strong a glare, at first. It indeed was a jewel, but whose, and how did it get in a tree. To his utter horror the first question was to be quickly answered as he hurriedly approached the ornament on the branch. He then reached up without even looking and pulled it from the branch, when he looked down and saw what it was his mind clouded over for an instant and he tripped.

Shaking his head he tried to catch his breath for a moment but he had to get up, he was to far off from his Rangers yet to stop his pace but he was glued to the ground. How did this get here, how had his beloved mother's necklace, the same one he knew should be sitting around his Lady Eowyn's neck, get here?' the Lord of Gondor thought to himself.

With his head spinning he got up, he dared a glance around him and then began to run again, but in the other direction. They had Eowyn, he was enraged now and the hellion that rarely surfaced, but those closest to him knew was inside of him bubbled to the surface. He knew that this was foolish, knew that if he had any brain power left he should be running towards his men and not away, for they would surely aid him. Or would they say it was to late? Would they tell him to move on and find someone new? For Faramir their was no one else. He had lost to many that were dear to him, and if Eowyn was lost now as well, he wanted to be lost along with her.

Minas Tirith

"Lady Eowyn, surely you would take an escort along for your ride?" called a squire who was tending some of the horses of the high court members.

"No master squire, I should like to be alone for a time. Just Windfola and I for a change" she gave him a sweet smile, and her blue eyes shone with a joy she had not know since she was a child, or perhaps ever. Faramir would be home soon, and the very thought of her beloved made her smile involuntarily, though ever since she had agreed to marry the gentle lord she really hadn't stopped smiling or so she was told.

"Very well my Lady, but I beg you to tell me when we ought to watch for your return. That way should anything ill befall you a search would be started right away." said the young man with a deep bow.

"Oh before mid-day meal I should think. Thank you young sir" said the Future Princess of Ithilein and current Lady of Rohan.

With that she mounted Windfola, and with a gentle nudge of her heel, the white mare started out at a gallop. She rode for sometime until she reached the first tree's north of Osgiliath, that were the first of the great land scape of Ithilien. It was so beautiful, and the very sent of it made her happy. To think of her and Faramir in the Capital city of Amyn Arnen, in their home with their children was so wonderful, and to think that a sort time ago she wanted to throw her life away, and so rashly at that. Now her future was so bright it shone farther then the sun on this clear day.

"Should you like some water Windfola? Their are bound to be some streams not to far in that should due." Windfola gave a great 'Neigh' of approval and Eowyn dismounted and lead the great mare into the thick of the trees.

Citadel

Aragorn was uneasy, he knew that he was going to have to be away for another two months, but at the moment he was wondering how he was going to conceal his joy from the court, for he had learned but this morning that his wife, Queen Arwen was with child.

"My lord, the other council members are starting to arrive, shall I tell to go straight to the dinning hall, or shall they be taken to their rooms first?" this was Doriell, his personal squire, he was a bright lad of about 15, who soon would enter the Military Academy, and then the become a Captain if all went well. Aragorn liked the boy, he was a sweet natured lad, the Nephew of the Lord of Lebennin and courteous to a fault.

"To their rooms first, I think they should like to get cleaned up before the meal. That will be all Doriell, thank you young Lord" Aragorn smiled widely at the dusky skinned youth, and then the boy was off to the inform the Citadel staff the Kings orders.

Arwen walked lazily out from the bath chambers where she had just emerged from a long delightful soak, she walked over to her husband and he breathed in her scent, lilac, and honey.

"My Lord please, we will be late for dinner with the council!" She said as he pulled her close to him.

"What say you if we forgot about the council, just this once? They surely won't miss us too much, not with Lords Dirhreal and Imrahil there to provide the entertainment!" he whispered to his beautiful wife, who was smiling lovingly him.

"I think that the Lords of Lossanarch and Dol Amroth would not want to have to explain why we are missing in action my Lord" she said impishly, and tapped Aragorn on the tip of his nose, then got up to dress.

"Faramir is expected early tomorrow, he should get here in time for the start of the council meeting, as my chief advisor I would be hard pressed without him. Not to mention we need his news on the dealings of Ithithien" the King said loudly, as Arwen was in the next room deciding on a gown for the dinner.

"Eowyn will be pleased, she misses him so, and they will finally be able to marry!" Arwen reflected upon her friend Eowyn, and was glad that her friend was so happy. "She has been able to talk of little else, what with Eomer coming, and the Hobbits also. Not to mention the festivities to follow, the city will be glad for them"

"Faramir is a good man, and a good friend. They deserve to be as happy as we are my love" Aragorn just finished his sentence when Arwen walked out in a gorgeous silver velvet gown, and she looked every inch the queen she was.

"Beautiful, darling I love it. Shall I wear my silver tunic to match you, love?" he then started to get up when an urgent knock rapped at the door.

"Come in" was Aragorn reply, and in walked a Citadel guard, he was pale as a ghost, and his eyes were wide.

"Well, what is it man?" said the King, and the guard straightened.

"I'm sorry to disturb you My Lord King, and you as well my Queen. Im afraid I bear some troublesome news, the Lady Eowyn has gone missing! She was out for a ride this morning and was due in by mid-day and has not yet returned." the guard seemed unburdened now and he waited for his orders to be dealt out.

"Missing, and I am only told now. It is just turned dark! Bring me to the man she last spoke to!" yelled Aragon, and then he and Arwen followed the guard down the corridor.