To Whatever End
Henneth Annun
They entered Henneth Annun, and Faramir went directly to his room, which was little more then a hole in the cave wall with a heavy green curtain to give the Captain some privacy.
The other men seemed concerned, for usually Faramir was very friendly with everyone in his company, he never wanted the other Rangers to think that he thought he was better because of his birth right.
Anborn walked over to Damrod, who was pacing in front of the green curtain, trying to decide whether he should try and talk to Faramir or not.
"What in the name of Eru is going on Damrod? What's gotten into him, he seems...on edge, to put it lightly." Anborn said trying to make light of Faramir's mood, and Damrod snapped.
"There is nothing to make light about, Anborn, something has happened. I dare not say what until I have talked to Fara. What on Arda is he doing in there!" wailed Damrod, as he wanted to aid his friend, but knew not how.
"Alright, take it easy, just give him a minute, you know how he can be, he's a hot headed little thing at times, comes from the red hair you know." Anborn chuckled as he put a reassuring hand on Damrod's shoulder, letting him know that Anborn was taking the situation, even unknown, seriously.
"Should I try to knock?" Damrod looked pitiful, like a lost puppy waiting for his master to find him. Not that Damrod wasn't an exceptional soldier, he just hated seeing his friend in pain and wanted to ease him.
"No lad, I think that he will come to us when he is ready, theirs some soup on the fire, its not much but you know" said the older man, he then put his arm around Damrod's shoulders and lead him to the main chamber of the cave system, and to where Their was some hot food waiting.
Faramir was, in fact writing a letter to Aragorn to inform him of the situation. He figured that by now the Citadel was alerted to Eowyn's disappearance. He wanted to let Aragorn know that he wanted to stay in Ithilein until she was found, until he found her.
"Eru", he thought out loud to himself "Damrod must think that I am crazy."
All he had to prove that she was missing was a necklace, at least that was his only physical proof. He had a feeling, all his scenes were telling him that she was taken captive. He knew enough to trust his instincts, for he was prone to visions and could see in to the hearts of men, a gift some might call it, or a curse, of having blood thick with Numenorien heritage. He knew that Aragorn, of all people would believe in his instinct, but he now wished more than ever that his beloved brother, Boromir was with him. Boromir would not question, he knew better then to second guess Faramir when it came to a feeling, or a dream. Damrod, as well as Anborn and Mablung, would aid him. Perhaps he aught to call Dirihael from Lossanarch, yes he would call on his old friend, being that the King had to stay in Minas Tirith.
Minas Tirith
Aragorn hadn't though about the fact that either he, or Faramir had to be in the city, at all times. He gave a sigh and sat down on the bed next to Arwen. She was looking at him with a little smile in her face, that told him he was starting to get tunnel vision, that he was forgetting that he was King now.
"I think that if you allow Faramir to continue in Ithilien, just to find Eowyn he would appreciate it. They are betrothed after all, and he loves her to distraction, he would be hurt to stay in the city whilst you go to her rescue." Arwen, when Faramir was gone, acted Aragorn's voice of reason on all matters, not just personal.
"You are right. This is more his fight then mine, also he knows Ithilien better than I and the men trust him. He was Their Captain for fifteen years, and I have just arrived on the scene." he said shaking his head, he had been afraid that the men would give Their loyalty to Faramir only, and though he knew Faramir was loyal to him, the rest of the military, exspecially the Ranger still troubled him.
"Aragorn, the men love you, they see that Faramir is Loyal to you and that has helped to make the transition smoother. You have to give them time to warm up to you, the people of Gondor have known Faramir since he was a babe. They will love you, I can see they are coming round already." she said to her husband.
"You are right on both accounts tonight. I shall give Fara leave to go after Eowyn, perhaps he will call Dirihael over from Lossanarch? That would ease my mind about things, Faramir has a tendency to...well to be a hot head when the ones he loves are concerned, though that makes him a better commander and statesmen. I don't know how I would deal if he should fall." Aragorn, in the short time since they had known each other had become close friends with Faramir. It was easy really, he felt he knew the younger man already for Boromir spoke of him constantly during the journey of the ring, they were both rangers, they loved all things Elvish and could anticipate the other during the council meetings.
"I will dispatch a message to Eomer still, he should know what is going on, he may want to send a garrison of his own, though, so many in Ithilien would throw off their cover. The Rohirim aren't know for being...shall we say stealthy" Arwen giggled, at Aragorn's remark and then kissed him on the cheek.
"While you write your letters I will have some food sent up, any requests?" she said to him.
"No, no anything is fine. To tell you the truth I am not that hungry, I am to concerned to eat right now. Perhaps after the letters are on their way I will feel more at ease. I thought that with Sauron gone, I don't know... people were safe, have we not suffered enough!"
"Aragorn, their will always be obstacles in life, you have always faced them head on, this time let others deal, you have to concentrate on rebuilding the City. You trust Faramir and the Rangers, they will find Eowyn and make things right, Faramir will not come back till he does" Arwen meant this to be encouraging but it unsettled Aragorn.
"That's what I am afraid of" he whispered.
Ithilien
Eowyn, was still tied to the damned tree as day was changing to night. They had been resting, or the orcs had been resting, for a few hours now and they looked to be packing it in.
"Alright...My Lady" Gorgen mocked, " is her Ladyship rested, that tree looks so comfy, oh and those chains about you hands must be nice" he laughed with an evil tone, and began, none so gently to untie Eowyn form the tree.
When her arms were free she rubbed her wrists and hands to get the circulation back, but was quickly loaded back on to the foul warg.
"I would prefer to walk, this...thing reeks!" she shouted at Gorgen, who only laughed and climbed aboard the animal himself.
Again they started on another marathon trek, Eowyn didn't realize how vast and large Gondor really was. As frightening as this was, she couldn't help but realize how beautiful the forest was, maybe her and Faramir could be happy here. But now she may never have the chance to find out, she had to get away..
After some hours in the "saddle", the party stared to slow Their pace.
"Gorgen, we are approaching the Cave. should we send ahead to alert the Master?" asked a particularity foul looking orc.
"I was just going to give the order!" said, Gorgen, and in a fit of rage at being advised what to do, he grabbed the orc about the neck, and hurled him form his mount. He was then trampled by the others, yet no one gave it a second thought. These were orcs after all, and they had little if no emotions, except hunger.
Eowyn, though she had no love for orcs', thought that even the foul orc did not truly deserve an end such as that, she wondered if she was next to be thrown away like garbage. She decided to play by the rules until she formed a plan, or until Faramir came for her.
He would come, she knew that he would know she was in danger. That he, being a Ranger, would be best at heading the search. As she lay on the warg, belly down, sprawled over the legs of the stinking beast, Gorgan, she closed her eyes and tried to think. She needed a plan.
Henneth Annun
Faramir drew the heavy green curtain over, he half expecting Damrod to still be pacing in front. When he didn't see his friend at either end of the hall, he went to the mess hall area of the cave. There sitting with Anborn and Mablung, was Damrod. They were talking, nothing that look to serious, Faramir knew that Damrod would not discuss what had occurred, and the others wouldn't expect him to.
"Gentlemen, shall we talk?" said Faramir, he was again steady, he had leveled himself.
"Of course, we were waiting for your orders." Damrod said with a nod.
The men walked over to the hall, that lead to Faramir's own room. The other Rangers knew to keep their distance when their Captain, and his three highest ranking officers were conversing. It was a tight ship at Henneth Annun, they had a routine, with Faramir they knew what to expect, and was expected of them.
"Lady Eowyn has been taken captive, it must have been Cellas, or some of his drones, I have sent a message to the King. I have informed him that I wish to lead the search." Faramir stopped and waited for Their reactions.
"Faramir, how do you know, did you witness this?" this was form Anborn, who was always the pragmatist.
"I didn't physically see it, no, but I found something of hers, and I had a dream. You know that I prone to visions, I would not make such a statement unless I was sure, Anborn." Faramir was tempted to take Anborn to turn, but he valued this man's opinion and friendship, Faramir was quick with his emotions, but not reckless.
"I know, I should not question you, more then my Captain, you are my friend. Why do you think they have taken her?" Anborn said, with a gesture of trust.
"I think that because she is a member of the ruling house of Rohan, and soon to be the Princess of Ithilien, not to mention wife the Gondor's Steward, they think that they have enough leverage to get what they want. I think that they want Ithilein, perhaps more." Was Faramir's response. He looked down, shaking his head and said, "I don't know what they think we will do, simply lay down our weapons and yield! We will find her, and then take them down."
"Are you sure that they King will allow you to stay? Technically your two months are at an end." asked the tall, and broad Ranger, Mablung.
"He will, he was not given a choice." Faramir said assuredly.
"Fara, he is the King you cannot force him."said Anborn
"He is the King, and I the Steward. He listens to me, also we are friends. He would not make me sit idle while Eowyn was in danger. He knows also, that I am the better equipped to lead a search in Ithilien. We are setting out tomorrow, I cannot wait to hear Aragorn's reply, I cannot risk the time."
The three rangers agreed with Their captain, if they wanted any chance in saving Eowyn, and finding Cellas, they had to move quickly.
Sorry, I am posting this in a hurry due to a family commitment. I really wanted to get this chapter out there, so if there are any blaring mistakes or typo's let me know in a message! Thanks.