Chapter 33 Victory and a Vision
Mariell's leg was starting to feel better, though it was still tender. Apparently the pendant still had a bit of power left. But the relief she
felt could not overcome the fear she felt deep in her heart as she and Eowyn rode toward the White Tower. She knew that the tower
was overrun with orcs, how she was going to get Eowyn inside and to a healer, she did not know. Eowyn had drifted into
unconsciousness once again. For Mariell there was no escaping what went on around her. The closer they got to the tower the worse
the carnage got. All around her were the dead bodies of the Rohirrim, orcs, and men. After a while she ceased to be able to tell the
difference between them.
"Mariell," Eowyn whimpered.
"I'm here cousin," she said holding her tight.
"Merry," Eowyn whimpered. "Where is Merry? He was riding with me. We got separated. I promised I'd look after him." Her voice
faded as she fell back into unconscious. Mariell's heart clenched. She had not seen Merry anywhere on the battlefield. She was tempted
to turn Alkiar around and go look for him, but Eowyn needed her. As she neared the tower she saw that things were worse than she
originally feared. The orcs were all over the place. She dismounted and pulled Eowyn down with her. She hid them behind a stonewall
her eyes scanning the area looking for any possible way in. She closed her eyes and projected her mind to surround the area looking for
any way to get in. It did not look promising. She saw orcs marching toward the river where the black ships were coming in, no doubt
bearing more of Sauron's minions.
"Get out here!" one ugly orc yelled toward the boats. Mariell nearly howled with joy as Aragorn leaped from the boat his sword drawn.
He was quickly followed by Legolas and Gimli. Mariell closed her eyes and found herself back at Eowyn's side. She watched in
astonishment as Minas Tirith was overrun with the green spirits of the cursed Gondorian soldiers. In a matter of minutes the orcs were all
dead. Mariell stood up, wincing as she put pressure on her leg, and lifted Eowyn onto Alkiar's back. She rode into the city searching for
someone who could help her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a familiar face.
"Gandalf!" she yelled. The wizard saw her and hurried to her side.
"Mariell," he said. "I'm so glad you're all right." It was then that he noticed that Mariell was not alone.
"Lady Eowyn?" Gandalf gasped in shock. "She killed the Nazgul that killed Theoden," Mariell said urgently.
"Theoden is dead?" Gandalf said sadly.
"Yes," Mariell said her own grief threatening to consume her. "She's badly injured. I must get her to a healer"
"The House of Healing is in the west wing," Gandalf told her. He quickly gave her directions.
"I have other things I must see to," Gandalf said, almost as an apology.
"Go," Mariell told him. "I will take care of her." Gandalf hurried away as Mariell turned Alkiar toward the house of healing. Once there,
she got down and gathered Eowyn in her arms. She kicked open a door with her bad leg and rushed inside. All around her people were
rushing about tending to wounded soldiers.
"Someone help me, please!" she called. "This soldier is badly wounded!" A man in his forties with graying hair wearing a long white
robe came to her side.
"Bring him this way," he ordered her. Mariell followed the man up a flight of stairs to a small room.
"Lay him down on the bed," the man said to her. Mariell went to the bed and gently laid Eowyn down. The man came over to the bed
and stared down at Eowyn.
"This soldier is a woman!" the man gasped. He then looked at Mariell.
"You're both women!" Mariell was getting annoyed. This man was wasting time that Eowyn did not have.
"She is Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, niece to the late Theoden, king of Rohan. I am Mariell daughter of Thendilen, and this woman is
my cousin. Now will you help her or not?" The man seemed to pick up on the deadliness in her tone and asked no more questions. He
immediately called for assistance as he began tending Eowyn's wounds. Another man and two women hurried into the room. Mariell
stepped back and allowed them to work. As she watched she felt as though she should be doing something, anything.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked the man, whose name she had learned was Hamilath. Hamilath looked up at her with a
look of wonder.
"There is a man in the room across the hall, that could use some tending to," he told her. Mariell nodded and turned to go. She hesitated
and turned back to look at Eowyn, not sure if she should leave her.
"She will be all right my lady," Hamilath assured her. Mariell nodded again and left the room. She went to the room across the hall and
pushed open the door. On the bed she saw a man. There was a young woman tending him. The young woman stood up when Mariell
came into the room.
"Please do not get up," Mariell said holding up her hand. "Hamilath said I could help in here." The woman nodded.
"You can indeed," she said. "I am Maya, daughter of Malidan"
"Mariell, daughter of Thendilen," Mariell introduced herself. She turned her attention to the man on the bed. She could see that he was
suffering from several serious looking burns. He also had an arrow wound in his shoulder but that looked as though it were healing.
"What can I do?" she asked Maya. The other woman handed her a vial and several rags.
"Rub this ointment onto his burns," she said. Mariell nodded and began to tend to the burns. There were so many.
"How did he get such numerous burns?" she asked Maya. She saw a tremor go through the woman's body.
"His father, Lord Denethor, thinking he was dead, tried to burn him alive." Mariell felt nauseated at this. How could a father do s
something so horrible to his son?
"Captain Faramir was lucky though. Someone, I don't know who, pulled him out of the flames. Lord Denethor was not so lucky. He
was killed by the fire he'd set to burn his son. It's not my place to say, but I think Gondor is well rid of such a man. Denethor has been
losing his mind for years. But do not tell anyone I spoke so. I will surely be punished"
"Don't worry Maya," Mariell said. "I will not say a word. For I very much agree with you." "Oh my lady, you are injured," she cried
pointing to Mariell's leg.
"It's not bad," Mariell said. "I tend to heal very quickly." She was concerned about the wound though. It was not as bad as it had been
before, but it should have been just another scar by now.
"Please, my lady, let me treat your wound. I am not as skilled at healing as my father but I would like to try." Mariell glanced at the
young woman and relented. Maya scurried off and returned a few minutes later with ointments and bandages. Mariell sat patiently while
Maya rubbed the ointments onto the wound. She gritted her teeth as the sting of Athelas sunk into her skin.
"Indeed the wound is healing quickly," Maya said in amazement. "But you should have someone more experienced than I look at it
later. I don't think it went all the way to the bone but I cannot be certain"
"Thank you, Maya," Mariell said. A loud commotion was heard in the hall as more wounded soldiers were brought in.
"Why don't you go and help?" Mariell said to the young woman. "I will watch over Faramir." Maya seemed uncertain but then she
nodded and hurried from the room. As Mariell continued to rub ointment onto Faramir's burns, she couldn't help studying the man. She
guessed him to be about Aragorn's age though the lines on his face made him seem older. He had several scars on his arms and chest.
She imagined he had seen many battles. She hoped he would recover, it would be a shame if he was lost because of his father's insanity.
She reached up and gently pushed his hair away from his face. It was a good face, strong and brave, but with a hint of kindness. She
sighed with relief as his eyes opened.
"Wha…?" he muttered.
"Shh," Mariell said running her fingers over his forehead. "Rest easy Captain Faramir. You've been badly injured but I think you'll be all
right." Faramir was looking at her with confusion.
"You are not a healer," he said. His eyes went to her uniform. "You're from Rohan"
"Yes," she said. "Mariell daughter of Thendilen at your service"
"You're a soldier?" he asked her.
"For my part"
"Rohan has come then?" he said. "Rohan has come to aid us"
"Yes," Mariell said. "The battle is over. Gondor is victorious"
"The orcs are defeated?" Faramir asked. "Praise be to Valar." Mariell decided that it would be best not to mention the ghost like figures
that had come and saved the day. Faramir probably wouldn't believe her anyway.
"Mariell?!" a voice said behind her. Mariell's heart soared as she turned and saw Pippin standing at the door. The hobbit ran to her and
she held out her arms.
"Oh Mariell, I'm so glad to see you. The battle is over and we have won. Aragorn came and brought the most powerful army and the
orcs have been completely wiped out"
"I know Pippin, I know," she said ruffling his hair. "But what brings you to the House of Healing? You're not injured are you"
"No, no I'm fine," Pippin said hurriedly as Mariell began looking him over for injury. "I brought Merry here after I found him on the
battlefield"
"Merry," Mariell cried as she remembered, "is he all right"
"He has some injuries, but he will be all right. He's sleeping now. He was asking about you and Lady Eowyn. He said he saw you stuck
under a dead man while Eowyn was fighting a wraith. He was afraid that it was going to kill her so he stabbed it in the leg"
"That was him?" Mariell said in amazement. "Eowyn is fine. She's been badly injured but she is with the healers now. They are taking
care of her. I am fine as well"
"Good," Pippin said. "Merry will be happy to hear that when he wakes up"
"I would think you'd be with him right now, Pippin," Mariell said. "Did the healers shoo you out of the room"
"No, actually I came to check on Faramir," he said. Mariell turned and was startled to see the man had been watching them.
"How are you, Faramir?" Pippin asked the man his voice full of concern.
"I am well young Peregrin. Thanks to you." Mariell was watching the two of them in astonishment.
"I'll have you know, Mariell, that this young hobbit saved my life"
"Really?" Mariell said in amazement. "I must say the hobbits have certainly proved their worth today." She let Pippin and Faramir talk
for a few minutes and then she noticed that Faramir was beginning to look drowsy. She stood up and lifted Pippin off the bed.
"Come Pippin," she said in a voice that would brook no nonsense. "Let's let Faramir get some rest." "Very well," Pippin said. "Rest
well Faramir." The two of them left the room. They had only walked a short distance when Pippin grabbed her hand and yanked her
down to his level.
"Mariell, there are some things I think I should tell you about Faramir." Mariell raised an eyebrow at Pippin's urgency. What could he
possibly have to tell her?
"I'm listening"
"Faramir is Boromir's brother," the hobbit said. Mariell felt a shiver go up her spine at the mention of Boromir's name. "There is more,"
Pippin said. "He has seen Frodo and Sam."
Her heart heavy in her chest, Mariell pushed open the door to Frodo's room. Ever since Pippin had told her that the man had seen
Frodo she had been anxious to speak to him. He sat propped against pillows his eyes watching her as she came into the room.
"You were Boromir's brother?" she asked him. The man's eyes widened as he looked at her.
"Yes," he said. "You knew Boromir?" Mariell clenched her fists at her side so that he would not see her hands trembling.
"I did. He knew me as Mariell Baggins," she said flatly. Faramir's face turned from suspicion to utter shock.
"Baggins," he whispered. "You are the sister Frodo spoke of." Mariell came forward and sat by his bed.
"You have seen Frodo?" she demanded.
"Yes," Faramir said. "Several days ago." Mariell felt as though her heart would burst from her chest.
"Tell me everything," she begged him. Faramir sighed.
"My men and I were scouting the terrain, taking out as many spies of the enemy as we could, when we came across the hobbits. I
brought them to our camp and Frodo told me his name as well as Sam's. He told me that there were ten set out from Rivendell. One
who they lost in Moria, two were his kin. Also a lady who was adopted by his family. A elf, a dwarf, and two men, Aragorn son of
Arathorn and Boromir." As he said his brother's name his voice seemed to catch.
"Frodo was shocked when I told him that Boromir was dead. He did not know how it happened"
"No, he wouldn't have," Mariell said. "Frodo had already left us when Boromir was killed"
"When I found out about the ring, I attempted to take him to my father." Mariell stiffened at this confession.
"Why?" she demanded. "Did Frodo not tell you he was going to destroy it"
"He did," Faramir said. "But my father wanted the ring for Gondor and I…I wanted his love"
"I don't understand," Mariell said. Faramir looked at her sadly.
"You see Mariell, all my life I have lived in my older brother's shadow. My father loved Boromir and treated him like royalty while he
treated me like dirt. All I ever wanted was to be seen as equal to Boromir in my father's eyes. When we learned that the ring had been
found, my father sent Boromir to bring it back for Gondor." Mariell shivered, remembering Boromir's insistence at the council that they
give the ring to Gondor.
"When the ring crossed my path I saw it as my opportunity to finally earn my father's respect. To do what Boromir could not"
"What stopped you?" she asked.
"Sam told me what Boromir had done to Frodo, and to you." Mariell shuddered at the memory.
"Boromir taught me that women were creatures to be cherished and protected. So when I heard what the ring had driven him to do, I
knew that it could only be used for evil." Mariell felt as though a veil had been lifted from her eyes. To hear Boromir spoken of with
these words gave her quite a different view of the man.
"I know what you must think of my brother, but I assure you that he was a good man." Mariell stared down at the man. His eyes held
much grief over his brother. It occurred to her that he most likely did not know all the details of his brother's death. Having only heard
from Frodo and Pippin he could not have heard the entire story.
"How much do you know of his death?" she asked him. Faramir sighed in anguish. "Pippin told me that he was killed by an Urak while
defending him and his cousin. He was struck by three arrows but still continued to fight. They were carried off before he breathed his
last breath. That is all I know"
"Then you do not know everything," she said. As much as she wanted him to tell her about Frodo, she felt she had to bring Faramir
some closure about his brother's death. She owed Boromir that much.
"The Uraks attacked us almost immediately after Frodo and I got away from Boromir. Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and I fought them. We
heard the Horn of Gondor being sounded and Aragorn immediately went to Boromir's aid. I came upon them a short while later.
Boromir was badly wounded and Aragorn was fighting the Urak that killed him. Before I could do anything I was grabbed from behind.
The Urak would have killed me but Boromir, as much pain as he must have been in, threw his sword and killed it. He saved my life." A
wave of shock and relief spread across Faramir's face.
"So he redeemed himself in the end," Faramir said, tears forming at his eyes.
"As far as I'm concerned he did. And he died knowing that I forgave him for what he'd done to me"
"He did not die alone?" Faramir asked.
"No," Mariell said. "Aragorn and I were with him until he passed from this earth"
"You don't know what joy you have brought to my heart, Mariell. My greatest fear was that Boromir died alone amongst the corpses of
his enemies, the madness of the ring torturing him"
"The madness had left him by then. He knew he was dying but his first thoughts were of Merry and Pippin. He begged me to forgive him
and I did. With his last breath he swore his allegiance to Aragorn. Aragorn promised him that he would not let Gondor fall. Though I did
not say it aloud I also made such a pledge." Faramir reached forward and took her hand.
"You have brought me great comfort with your words, my lady. Thank you"
"You are welcome," she said. They sat in silence for a moment, Mariell allowing Faramir to take in what she had told him. "So you let
Frodo go?" she asked, still eager for him to tell her more about her brother.
"Yes," Faramir said. "With great trepidation I did. I fear for him, though. The gangly creature who was guiding them leads them to Cirith
Ungol, a place where no one has ever returned from alive." Mariell's hands clenched at her sides.
"Gangly creature?" she asked. What was he talking about.
"Frodo called him Smeagol." Mariell gasped.
"Gollum," she stated. "Gollum leads Frodo to Mordor"
"Yes," Faramir said, concern on his face. "I did not trust the creature in the least bit"
"Nor should you have. That vile thing has nothing in him but lies and deceit." She jumped to her feet and began pacing the room. Gollum
was with Frodo. The same Gollum who had led the enemy to them. What could Frodo possibly be thinking, trusting the creature.
"If that wicked little worm hurts Frodo I swear to Valar I will hunt him down and torture him until he begs for death!" "I doubt Sam
would allow that to happen," Faramir said. "He seems very devoted to Frodo"
"He is," Mariell said. She bit her lip until she drew blood. She had something she needed to do. She had to know that Frodo was alive.
She sat back down in the chair and closed her eyes. When she opened them she was surrounded by darkness. In the distance she could
see the mountain of fire. It was a long way away. All around her were orcs. They covered the entire area. Nothing would be able to get
through without being seen. A slight movement caught her eye and she focused on it. It was a very small figure making its way down the
mountain. It was joined by another figure. It looked like a very small orc. But as she focused more she saw a pair of blue eyes. Eyes
that she would know anywhere. It was Frodo! He was alive. The second she realized it she was swept away from him. She opened her
eyes and found Faramir staring at her.
"My lady?" he said clearly worried. "Are you all right"
"I am fine," she said.
"You looked as though you had fainted"
"No, nothing like that." She would have explained what had happened but the door to Faramir's room opened and Maya strode into
the room.
"Forgive my intrusion," she said. "My lady, Lord Aragorn is looking for you."
"Thank you," she said. Maya curtsied and left.
"I must go," she said standing up. "It was an honor meeting Frodo's sister," Faramir said. "And do not fear for Frodo. I'm sure he's all
right"
"Thank you Faramir," she said. She turned to go but stopped and turned back.
"Faramir," she said with all the feeling in her heart. "For what it's worth, I think your brother would have been very proud of you"
"It is worth a lot to me, my lady," Faramir said with a sad smile. Mariell gave him a last look and hurried to find Aragorn. A wide smile
spread across her face as she saw him coming toward her, with Legolas and Gimli not far behind. He held out his arms to her and she
collapsed in them. She did not speak, just held onto him never wanting to let go. Finally she did and her husband held her at arms length,
studying her. He cringed when he saw the wound in her leg, which had stopped hurting about an hour ago. He pushed a strand of her
hair back and kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry about Theoden," he whispered. She felt the grief rise in her throat again but she pushed it aside.
"There will be time for grieving later," she declared. "Frodo needs our help."