Chapter 16 Osgiliath hours earlier

Prince Faramir, youngest son of Denethor, steward of Gondor, brother of Boromir and captain of the city was hiding among the stones. Two days ago he had brought two hobbits to the ruined city. One of them had around his neck the One Ring and the young man wanted to present this gift to his father, however he had seen reason when a Nazgul almost took the ring to Sauron. Knowing that for the world to need peace, the Ring had to be destroyed he had freed the two hobbits and the pitiful creature that served as their guide and watched them disappeared in the tunnels leading toward the forest.

Faramir attention turned toward the river and the numerous orcs that were coming from it. He knew that the chances to keep the city for Gondor were minimal as he didn't have enough men. At least he was going to do everything in his power to keep Osgiliath theirs as long as possible. The battle was short and bloody and very soon he gave the order to retreat to the city, however this retreat wasn't going to be easy as in the sky riding some kind of flying creatures made by Sauron were three of the nine. The Nazguls were decimating the riders and soon enough in the field between the two cities two thirds of the bodies of the horses and men who escaped Osgiliath could be found. Faramir saw a Nazgul coming toward him and prepared himself for his upcoming death when suddenly the creatures flew away chased by a bright light, and a rider clad in all white came from the city.

Minas Tirith gates were finally in sight and soon the surviving riders entered the city. Faramir saw the white rider coming close to him and he right away recognized Gandalf, however his eyes stoped at the hobbit in front of the wizard.
- This isn't the first hobbit you have seen- Gandalf sed while looking at the young man
- No- Faramir said and he saw hope blooming on the hobbit face
- When? Where?- He asked
- Not two days ago in Ithilien- Faramir responded- but Gandalf they are taking the passage of Cirith Ungol
- What is so bad about it- asked Pippin when he saw the whitening face of the wizard
- Its reputation, very few who have entered it have came back to tell their tale.

Hours later Gandalf and Faramir stood in front of Denethor and watched the little hobbit give his fealty oath to the steward. The oath finished Pippin took his place between the wizard and the man and watched his new liege lord. The steward turned his gaze toward his son and sed.
- This is unacceptable, if Boromir was here, Osgiliath will not have fallen- raged Denethor- In fact if he was here things would have been different.
- Does that mean, that I should have gone to Rivendell, and maybe it would have better if it was my corpse in that boat instead of my brother- Faramir sed
- Yes, it would have been better- Denethor sed to the horror of Pippin- Boromir would have not lost the city to some orcs.
- Then what you want me to do?- Faramir asked
- What you have, to do reclaim the city from the hands of the enemy. You will take your riders and storm the city- the steward ordered

Faramir knew that going against his father was useless and he mentally prepared himself for his fate as he knew that this order was more than likely leading to his death,but his father was the steward and ruler of the city in the absence of the king and his word was law. - As you wish, my lord- Faramir sed and exited the room mentally preparing himself for what was to come.

Pippin looked at Denethor and could not believe it. How cold an individual could be to sent his flesh and blood quite possibly to his death? For the hobbit, who has grown up with the notion of the importance of friends and family this was simply difficult to understand. He looked at Faramir and then at Denethor and followed the ruler son outside. He stopped next to Boromir brother and both of them watched the fields of Pelenor and the city of Osgiliath.
- Hobbit, do you see that high edge in the city rocks?- Faramir asked
- Yes, my lord- Pippin answered like a good member of the royal guard
- Find Gandalf, and climb to it. By my experience with hobbit, you can be silent when you want to be- Pippin nodded- On top of that ledge is the start of a signal fire, that leads all the way to Edoras. Your task is to lit it, my father may be blind but I am not, we will need Rohan aid in the days that are to come.
- I understand my lord and good luck in your endeavour- Pippin sed while both man and hobbit knew that the taking back of Osgiliath was a lost cause that more that likely will lead to death.

Faramir and his cavalry slowly descended the numerous circles of the city knowing very well that more than likely this was the last time any of them were walking the streets alive. Each of them knew that the steward order was suicide but neither of them could do anything as Denethor was the ruler of the city in the absence of the king. The riders exited the city and assumed a line formation. Faramir gaze was strictly on the peak of Amon-din where suddenly an orange crest could be seen. He smiled, even if he and his men failed the message to Rohan has been sent. He gave the order and all his riders unleashed their horses, each and everyone of them ready to great death in defence of their city. The battle was short as all bar Faramir who was shot by a black arrow fell. Faramir has been saved by his horse. While not as sturdy and intelligent as the Rohan horses, the moment the horse had felt that his rider position in its saddle had changed, he turned tail and started to walk toward the imposing gates of Minas Tirith. Soon Faramir was in the guards hands and brought in the halls of healing..