Chapter II

Faramir rode at the front of the Rangers and knights that had come with them, with the rest following in more of a clump either on horseback or on foot, riding in silence towards Minas Tirith. None spoke. There was no sound, no shouts of joy or laughter, no soldiers speaking amongst themselves. It felt as if they hardly breathed. All was silent except for the thundering of the horses' hooves. It sounded empty and dull, as if the horses knew what had happened to Boromir. Usually, when they could see the city gates when riding home, Boromir would blow on his war horn, to alert all of Gondor that they had returned. Today, since the Horn of Gondor horn had been broken, and it's owner killed, Faramir took it upon himself, taking out his Ranger horn, urging his horse to go faster and going on ahead of the others, he blew a single low tone on his horn to call to them to open the gates. It was a low, mournful sound, that echoed off the walls of the great city.

Eowyn could barely hear the sound of hoofbeats from where she was sitting outside, reading. That could only mean one thing. The Rangers and Knights of Gondor had returned from Osgiliath. Faramir, as well as Boromir, had returned. She ran up to the wall to see, smiling at the mix of silver armor and earth toned uniforms. But she stopped suddenly, frowning. They were closer to the gates than usual. Usually she knew they were coming long before this, thanks to Boromir's horn. She watched as a rider, a Ranger on a fine black horse-Faramir-rode ahead of the rest. But no armored knight rode ahead of him. He alone led the ride towards the gates of the city. She watched silently as he raised his own horn, smaller and more slender than the Horn of Gondor that Boromir held. She watched Faramir raise it to his lips and blow a long single drawn out tone on it, alerting them to open the gates. The sound was continuous, and sounded mournful and sad as it echoed across the city like a low wail. Eowyn suddenly felt a cold knot of dread grow in her stomach. Dread and fear that something terrible had happened. She turned and ran down towards the Citadel as the gates opened just in time to let the first riders pass through, condensing to fit through the gate. She needed to speak to her closest friend, to find out what had happened. For she knew something did. She could feel it in her bones.

Faramir dismounted from his horse, barely seeing where he was going, walking in a daze. He looked at the surprised faces, everyone looking wary and uneasy, like they knew something was wrong. It was probably written all over his face. He wondered how much they could tell. Suddenly, Eowyn was there in front of him. She was watching him with concern, fear in her eyes, fear for him-how deeply the fierce warrior-maiden cared for him always left him breathless-and normally, since she was an ambassador of Rohan and he was son of the Steward of Gondor, when in the presence of the other Rangers, knights, guards, and civilians they tried to remain professional and cool towards each other, at the gentle suggestion of Boromir and rather indiscreet hints from his father, but this time he couldn't find it in himself to care.

"Lord Faramir, what-" she was cut off in surprise when he stepped towards her and pulled her against him, trapping her in a tight hug, as he buried his face in her hair, shoulders shaking as he sobbed. She ran a hand through his hair soothingly, holding him tight. She felt her heart drop further, as this confirmed her fears that something terrible had happened. And it appeared to be something to do with Boromir. She gestured at the Rangers who were still standing around them, and they respectfully left to give their Captain some space. Eowyn turned her attention to her best friend.

"Fara, what happened? What's wrong?" She asked, taking his face in her hands, looking in his eyes, searching for the answer to her fears there. Faramir shook his head, trying to look away as more tears fell. Eowyn held his face firmly forcing him to look at her. "Please, please tell me! I can't help if I don't know what happened." She begged, wiping the tears from his face gently. She wanted so badly to just gather him in her arms and hold him safe, to take away all the pain and grief and guilt she saw in his gaze. Faramir looked up at her, pulling out the two broken halves of the Horn of Gondor for her to see. She looked up at him in dawning horror. "Fara, what happened to your brother? Where's Boromir?" She asked, praying she was wrong.

Faramir shook his head, taking her hand and pressing to his cheek near his lips, squeezing his eyes shut as tears ran down his face. After a few moments he straightened to look her in the eyes, pulling himself together.

"Lord Boromir-" his voice cracked and he almost started sobbing again, and Eowyn's heart broke at the grief and pain in his eyes. After taking a few deep breaths he managed to continue. "My brother-was killed by Orcs." Eowyn gasped and pulled him into a tight hug, holding him close as he clung to her, tears spilling from her own eyes as Faramir told bits and pieces of the story. After a few moments of shared grief and comfort, Faramir drew back again. "I must go and speak with my father. He...I need to tell him."

Eowyn took his face in her hands. "Faramir, you don't need to repeat it to him, you don't have to face his grief and rage. You can send one of the guards to tell him." She knew full well how much Denethor doted on Boromir, and could picture his reaction to the news of his death. She didn't want her best friend to have to face that.

Faramir shook his head. "It should be me, Eowyn. I need to be the one to tell him. To do otherwise would be cruel and cowardly. Besides he'll call for me to tear into me if I don't go first anyways."

"Do...do you want me to go with you?" she offered. It was no secret that she did not enjoy the presence of Steward Denethor, partly because of the unfair way he treated Faramir, and partly because of their clashing personalities. They would argue often about matters that involved the relations with Rohan, although Eowyn tried to remain diplomatic and courteous, despite it going against her nature. They both knew that if she went with him and the tirade that she expected happened, she could very well lose her cool and damage things further between the two.

He shook his head again. "I know you don't like to spend any more time than you have to with my father. I will go." He managed a weak smile, squeezing her hand before releasing it and turning away, summoning all his courage as he walked towards the hall where his father would undoubtedly be working with the King while waiting for their return. He knew as well as Eowyn that what awaited him there would not be a pleasant encounter.