"Where do you think they are going" Luthien asked Finduilas as they saw Gandalf and Pippin going to an unknown destiny "How can He call our allies?" Findulias just smiled and said "I knew Olorin in the undying lands, I'm sure he will come up to something.. In the meantime I want to inspect the defenses of this city. Will you come" Luthien agreed and they both went outside.

They walked through the different levels of minas tirith under the curious glances the people were giving them. Most of the time both elves were in silence, only commenting on the different spots that might be to weak for an assault. When they were on the first level they watched the mighty doors of the city "It won't be easy for the enemy to break through" commented Finduilas.

Their conversation was interrupted when one of the soldiers guarding the wall screamed "The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit."

They stared to a point where the soldier was looking and saw that a great fire was burning in the mountains above the top level of the city.

Finduilas stared at it and then at her friends and said "Gandalf"

They waited in the wall for about one hour, until they saw Gandalf and Pippin approaching them riding in shadowfax.

"The shire folk have proven once again their great value" he told them as Pippin blushed. Finduilas was about to say something, but then she as well as Gandalf and Luthien felt an evil presence coming from Osgiliath. "What?? What is wrong" Pippin simply asked. But then he heard a noise that filled him with terror "Nazgul, Osgiliath is under attack" Gandalf said. They watched and saw as the soldiers in Osgiliath fled and were pursuit by a dark rider in a monstrous bat like creature.

"Is that one of the nine?" Luthien asked. Gandalf just answered "yes he is" as he took out riding towards the gates "open the gates" Luthien screamed to the soldiers. Then she stared and saw Gandalf riding outside the city walls towards Osgiliath. Soldiers around her exclaimed "Its Mithrandir! The White Rider!"

They watched as Gandalf Galloped towards the gondorian troops retreating and the Nazgul attacking them. As He got closer he sent forth a Bright light from his staff that drove away the nazgul, then he joined the soldiers as they made their way towards the city.

Finduilas and Luthien went to the door to wait for them to come, Once they were inside, they approached Gandalf and saw him talking with a young man

"Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the West bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river."

The commander of the citadel guard approached them and said with despair "It is as the Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom" But Gandalf cut him short and said "Foreseen and done nothing!"

Just then Faramir noticed the presence of Pippin and stared at him, Gandalf noticed his reaction and asked "Faramir? This is not the first Halfling to have crossed your path.

Faramir nodded and said "No"

At this Pippin smiled and asked with hope "You've seen Frodo and Sam?"

Faramir Nods and Gandalf ask again with hurry "Where? When?" Faramir answered "In Ithilien. Not two days ago "then he added with a worried tone "Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul vale." At this Gandalf looks horrified and adds "And then the pass of Cirith Ungol."

Pippin asks with worry "What does that mean? What's wrong?" Gandalf looks at Pippin and then at the steward's son "Faramir tell me everything. Tell me all you know"

Faramir is about to tell the details but Luthien approaches him "You are hurt" she takes his hand and closes her eyes as she began a chant of healing while Faramir looks at her with wide eyes, noticing for the first time the presence of the two strangers. As she finishes, Faramir looks at his hand and to his surprise he finds the wound completely healed. "That was very brave Olorin" Finduilas said to Gandalf. Then she turns her attention to Faramir and smiles

"My ladies, I want you to meet Faramir, lord Denethor's son and captain of the Ithilien rangers. Faramir these are the ladies Luthien Tinuviel daughter of king Thingol and Finduilas of Nargothrond" Both of them bowed and said "It's an honor" But Faramir remained silent for a moment, still shocked after hearing the names, for he knew their history "T..The honor is mine" he finally managed to say

His mind filled with so many questions, but he remembered that first he had to report to his father and said "I would like to talk more my ladies" he said "But I'm afraid I must go to my father at once and report him the situation"

But Luthien added can I go with you? I sense you have many questions" Faramir smiled and said "It would be an honor" He blushed as the most beautiful creature that ever walked took in right arm. Then Finduilas took his left arm and said "May I also accompany you?"

As they walked, Faramir asked many questions. He thought "It's true what the stories tell. Mortal tongue can't describe their beauty". Once they were past the hall's doors, Faramir smile faded and said "Now if you will excuse me, I must go and se my father" Both elves remained at the entrance. At first they heard nothing, but as they paid more attention to their shock they hear the fallowing dialoge

DENETHOR:

This is how you would serve your city? You would risk its utter ruin?

FARAMIR:

I did what I judged to be right.

DENETHOR:

What you judged to be right! You sent the Ring of power into Mordor in the hands of a witless Halfling! It should have been brought back to the citadel to be kept safe. Hidden. Dark and deep in the vaults… not to be used. unless, at the uttermost end of need.

FARAMIR:

I would not use the Ring. Not if Minas Tirith were falling in ruin and I alone could save her.

DENETHOR:

Ever you desire to appear lordly and gracious as a King of old. Boromir would have remembered his father's need. He would have brought me a kingly gift

FARAMIR:

Boromir would not have brought the Ring. He would have stretched out his hand to this thing and taking it he would have fallen.

DENETHOR:

You know nothing of this matter!

FARAMIR:

He would have kept it for his own. And when he returned you would not have known your son.

DENETHOR:

"shouting and running towards Faramir" Boromir was loyal to me! Not some wizard's pupil.

Then Denethor stumbles backwards and falls against the Stewards chair.

FARAMIR:

Father? (He moves towards him)

Denethor looks up at him from the floor, smiling and grieving at the same time.

DENETHOR:

My son! (He can see Boromir behind Faramir who turns to face him and walking towards him smiling, fades away. Denethor looks at Faramir full of grief for Boromir. His face changes to one of hate.) Leave me!

As Faramir approached the doors, Both elves stared at him with pity in their eyes "Faramir. I" But Faramir managed to appear strong and said "My ladies, it's has been an honor, but I'm afraid I must go for now" then he left.

"I must talk to Olorin about this" Finduilas said to her friend as they made her way towards their room