A/N: Here it is! Finally! Chapter two is up! I'm really truly sorry that I didn't update sooner but I have been extremely busy! I will definitely be updating on a more regular basis in the summer when school is out! I would also like to say a huge thank you to MiniFruitbat, Moromu, and SarahBarr17 who were my first reviewers! Anyway, please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter Two: Myth and Legend

Fíriel leaned back in her seat with frustration. It had been at least a half hour since they had finished dinner, and still neither Boromir nor Faramir had spoken to their father about the dream… She yawned and looked up at Faramir.

If you don't tell him now you won't get another chance… she warned him with her eyes.

He nodded, almost as though he had understood her and nudged Boromir quietly so Denethor would not notice. Boromir waited patiently his father to finish speaking (they had been talking about the battle and the strategies that had been used) before clearing his throat and addressing the Steward.

"Father," he said in a low voice. "There is a great matter at hand, which we must turn our attention to…"

"My son!" Denethor turned to him and clapped him on the shoulder. "You have driven the armies of the Dark Lord back and nothing can be more important right now than celebrating your victory!"

"The next battle we fight may not be a victory if you do hear me out and consider carefully what I am about to tell you," Boromir replied boldly.

Fíriel inhaled sharply: no one spoke to the Steward like that... Boromir, however, continued in the same tone without faltering,

"The Ring of Power has been found."

A dead moment of silence filled the hall. Denethor sat frozen to his seat and the color drained from his face. Fíriel moved as if to go to him, but Boromir gestured for her to remain where she was. With the same frozen look, Denethor whispered,

"If this is so…" he paused.

"Yes, Father?" Faramir pressed gently.

Denethor rose from his seat and walked to a window to the side of the chamber. Boromir and Faramir got up from their seats also, but only Boromir followed his father and placed a hand on his shoulder while Faramir hung slightly back.

"What is it, Father?" Boromir asked.

Denethor did not respond to the question immediately and stared out of the window over the White City.

"The Lord Elrond of Rivendell has summoned a Council of the peoples of Middle-Earth," he began at last. "Elves, Dwarves, and Men alike… all are called. I am sure now that it is to decide the fate of Isildur's Bane…"

Fíriel strained her ears to hear the murmured conversation and rose from her place to stand beside Faramir.

"You must go to Rivendell," Denethor pressed. "Bring the Ring to Gondor, and let us use it against the Enemy. With the Ring of Power in our hands, we will be a match even for the Dark Lord…"

Boromir shook his head wearily. This was not the result he had wanted from his father.

"My place is here. I will not be sent on a fool's errand to Rivendell when I am needed here to protect my people."

"Will you refuse to obey me in this matter, then?" Denethor's eyes blazed.

Faramir now stepped towards his father and brother. Fíriel caught at his hand to keep him back…but not quickly enough.

"There is no need, Father," he said. "Send me to Rivendell in Boromir's place."

Denethor raised an eyebrow,

"You?"

He laughed…

A cruel laugh, Fíriel thought.

"With such great risks at hand, do you think I would entrust this mission to someone I do not deem worthy enough? No, this is a quest suited for you brother…"

He turned to Boromir,

"The greatest and noblest warrior in the realm of Gondor!"

"You will not go, Boromir?!" Fíriel cried later that night. "Indeed, you cannot! You are the only one who has any influence over the mind and decisions made by our father… The country will suffer if you leave! And what will Faramir and I do without you?"

Boromir dropped his proud head a little,

"I know, little sister. But I am not in a position to overrule Father's wishes whether he is Steward of the city or not."

Fíriel sank down into a chair with her arms crossed.

"Oh Boromir," she said. "Why do you never rebel against him? Why do you never refuse to do his bidding no matter how unreasonable it may be?"

"The trouble of it is, I suppose, that I always do as I am told and you never do," Boromir answered with a smile.

Faramir, who was leaning against a pillar nearby, laughed and added,

"Yes, now I think of it, that is very true."

"Whatever became of your intended betrothal to the son of King Theoden of Rohan? Boromir asked suddenly "I forget his name…"

"Theodred," Faramir said quickly.

He paused for a moment and continued thoughtfully,

"Poor Fíriel would not have him despite the fact that she could have become Queen of Rohan one day…"

"No," said Fíriel defiantly. "And I will hold true to what I said then. I have no wish to leave Gondor and be queen of a wild northern country."

"It would have strengthened the alliance between our countries…" Boromir mused.

"If our sister would have been miserable, then who are we to force her?" Faramir countered. "But you might have given the man a chance," he continued, turning back to Fíriel.

"Do you blame me?" Fíriel asked quietly.

Both of her brothers spoke at the same time,

"No, no, of course not."

"I have heard that Father is opening up negotiations again," said Boromir after a moment.

"I won't do it," Fíriel said stubbornly. "And that's that."

Boromir and Faramir exchanged secret smiles. Their sister was certainly to be admired for her spirit and determination.

A/N: Well, there's chapter two for you! Again I am really sorry that I haven't been able to update sooner but schoolwork is really demanding right know with diplomas coming up… Please review and keep checking back for more updates :)

Justine