They went directly to Gandalf's room, their minds troubled by the conversation Denethor's had with his youngest son "How can a father treat his own blood like that?" Luthien asked.

However, as they entered the room, their previous experience was forgotten for a moment as they saw Pippin in the middle of the room dressed as a guard of the citadel. He didn't heard them come in for he was in deep meditation, with his eyes closed and his lips moving silently as if he was learning something. He was interrupted as an amused Finduilas said to him "You look adorable Pippin, guard of the citadel" she giggled a little. Pippin just blushed and bowed "My ladies.. I am just preparing myself for the oath of fidelity to the steward"

The mention of the Denethor made Luthien remember why they were here "Where is Gandalf Pippin?"

He just answered "He went to the wall, he suspects the attack on the city will happen soon and he wanted to inspect one last time the defenses." Then he smiled and said "Before he left, he ask me to tell you to get ready" Then with a fake seriousness, although he was just trying to hide his fear "Now if you excuse me my ladies, I shall depart to take my oath and become a knight of the white city".

Luthien laughed and said "Can we come with you?? We want to see this important moment. Perhaps we shall feel more secure in the company of a mighty Guard of the citadel" Pippin was happy at the prospect to have company there. He was afraid to be alone with Denethor "You would be doing me a great honor" he bowed.

Finduilas added "Just wait for us for a moment while we put ourselves our armors, we don't want Gandalf to be upset at us" she added with mischief in her eyes.

Pippin waited outside the ladies room for about ten minutes, when the door opened he couldn't help but feel impressed. Sure he had seem them wearing those armors before at Isengard, however it didn't matter how many times one would look at them for it was always an impressive sight.

"Shall we go?" said Finduilas. They went under the curious glances people were giving to the odd group. As they reached the entrance of the hall Finduilas kneeled in front of pippin to be at his level and with a smile asked "Are you ready Pippin?" He just said mostly to himself than his friends "What were you thinking Peregrin Took? What service can a Hobbit offer such a great lord of men? "

At that moment the door opened, and Faramir, who had listened Pippin's words came in and said "It was well done. A generous deed should not be checked with cold counsel." They all turned to face him and Faramir added " You are to join the tower guard."

Pippin answered "I didn't think they would find any livery that would fit me."

Faramir just smiled as if remembering soething and then added "It once belonged to a young boy of the city. A very foolish one who wasted many hours slaying dragons instead of attending his studies. "

Finduilas asked with a smile "It was yours??" Faramir stared at her, noticing for the first time the magnificent amours and swords, but not showing in his features his surprise and answered "Yes, it was mine. My father had it made for me" then he reached down and adjusted Pippin's tunic.

Pippin said "Well, I'm taller than you were then. Though, I'm not likely to grow anymore, except sideways. " they all laughed at this and Faramir added "It never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier" his smile faded and added "They were so alike he and my father. Proud, stubborn even, but strong"

Luthien put a comforting hand in his shoulder and said "you have strength of a different kind. And one day your father will see it"

Faramir smiled at her and then turned his attention to Pippin "we better go my father is expecting us both"

They all went to stand in front of the Throne with Pippin and Faramir walking side by side and fallowed by the two elves.

As they approached Denethor, the two elves stayed behind them to watch the ceremony. Pippin kneeled in fron of the steward and began to recite the oath of fidelity, Denethor just smiled at him

"Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor in peace or war, in living or dying, from" he hesitates over the words for a moment and then continued "…from this hour henceforth until my lord release me or death take me."

Denethor added "And I shall not forget it" he stood up and approached Pippin "nor fail to reward that which is given" He offers Pippin his ring on his finger, Pippin closes his eyes and kisses it. Denethor lifts Pippin's face by the chin "Fealty with love." He then stares at Faramir "Disloyalty with vengeance. He sits at the table and begins to eat. Without looking at his son he says "I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defences. Defences that your brother long held intact."

Both Luthien and Finduilas look alarmed at Denethor and then at Faramir

Farair asks with worry " What would you have me do?" Denethor answers as if commanding "I will not yield the River and Pellenor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken"

Faramir tries to reason with him "My lord Osgiliath is over run.", But Denethor does not listen and said again as if not caring " Much must be risked in war. Is there a Captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will? "

Luthien stared in shock at Denethor while thinking "How can he be so cruel to his own child?", then she stares at Faramir with pity. She sees now an inmense sadness in his face, unshed tears in his bright eyes "You wish now that our places had been exchanged. That I had died and Boromir had lived."

Denethor answers as he drinks from a goblet, his face with emotion as he remembers Boromir "Yes, I wish that"

Faramir just stood there looking very hurt but he managed to ask "Since you are robbed of Boromir I will do what I can in his stead" to the shok of Pippin and the two elves, he He bows deeply and turns to leave the hall. They watch as Faramir turns back to his father and says "If I should return, think better of me father. Denethor answers "That will depend on the manner of your return"

Faramir Turned and moved away. Luthien and Finduilas stood there for a few moment, looking at Denethor as he continued his lunch as if nothing had happened, then they went after Faramir.

"Faramir wait" Luthien called out as Faramir opened the door. He just stood there for a moment "Faramir" finduilas said as she reached out to caress his face "Don't tell me you plan to obey your father on this.. this.. This is madness". But Faramir just said "Remember me my ladies. It's has been a great honor to have meet you both" then he bowed deeply and left. Luthien wanted to do something, to stop him "Olorin" she exclaimed "We must tell him"

They ran without stopping once to the first level of the city and found Gandalf after two hours looking for him "He said that??" Gandalf exclaimed with incredulity. Just then they noticed that the people began to gather around the entrance carrying flowers and saw Faramir in a horse, now dressed in his silver armor leading a small group of cavalry "Please Olororin do something" Luthien begged. They made their way towards the soldiers and Gandalf exclaimed once he was at Faramir's side

"Faramir! Faramir!" Faramir turned to face him and the two elves " Your father's will has turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so rashly."

But Faramir just replied without hope "Where does my allegiance lie if not here?"

This time Finduilas said "You don't have to go Faramir", but Faramir answered "This is the city of the men of Númenor. I will gladly give my life to defend her beauty, her memory, her wisdom"

Then he continued as Luthien said "Your father loves you Faramir. He will remember it before the end."

They watched as the city doors opened and the small group went outside, then as they ran up the wall they saw as the riders began their way to Osgiliath. Each had a different reaction; Gandalf and Luthien showed sadness, while Finduilas had tears running freely in her face and her features showed a mixture of indignation, anger and despair. She looked as if she was about to burst.

Moments passed and they watched how the small group was soon received by a rain of arrows, but kept charging. They watched as they were surrounded by the enemy forces. They fought valiantly and each took at least the lives of three or four orcs. But it was obvious none of them was going to survive.

Gandalf turned to say something to his friend, but to his surprise he only saw Luthien standing there "Where is Finduilas?" he asked Luthien stared at him and then at her side "I don't know, I didn't feel her leave" but then as she turned her gaze towards osgiliath, her eyes widened "Gandalf look" she pointed out. Gandalf stared and exclaimed "Eru" as he saw a lone rider in a bright golden armor riding shadowfax towards the battle, wielding her sword high and her golden hair flowing in the wind