I know there are parts that are a bit confusing, so if you don't understand them, feel free to ask. I don't bite =3

Prrrrrr chapter 12 :3

Faramir entered another coughing fit, this one the worst too far. He managed to calm it and when he looked around he could hardly see. But he did see something.

His attention was directed towards Aragorn, whose eyes were so distant, he thought it was dream.

The King had his mouth slightly opened, a look of disbelieve on his face as his eyes stared at noting in particular.

Next to him, Hagen has his eyes and mouth closed; head down and hands on his knees.

"S-Strider?" the Steward's voice was low and dry, but carried worry.

That seemed to snap the former Ranger from his thoughts and look at his friend. "Wenham, you're awake," he took a sharp breath and walked to the Gondorian.

Elessar put his hand on the man's forehead and shook his head. The fever hasn't gone down a bit. It actually felt like it got worse.

"What is it?" both asked, when he changed the cloth again.

He opened his mouth a few times, unsure of how or what to say. How do you tell someone, one of your closest friends and trusted advisers, that they are going to die?

"You should rest more. The poison has almost completely spread through your body," he finally said. He just couldn't…

"I… I want to help *cough, cough* please… I just can't stand back and *cough, cough* watch more of my friends die…" his voice died as he drifted off to sleep.

Aragorn closed his eyes and locked his jaw. He didn't have much time. How could things have turned out so bad? It was just like her all over again…

"I am sorry Estel…" the Elf put a comforting hand on the man's shoulder.

Elessar's eyes started to water as he looked upon the woman's pale, yet peaceful face. She looked young for a woman with the age of 100.

"She told me, that she is proud of you. Of the man you have become and that you would not change. That you not let your past control you. Those were her last words," Elrond closed his eyes and started to sing a lamentation.

"Rest well… mother. May you find peace in death…" Aragorn whispered in Elvish and kissed her forehead.

An uneasy silence drifted amongst them, before the Sango leader said: "I told you about us… How about you tell me the truth about you?"

"How long have you known?" the Gondorian smiled slightly.

"When your 'cousin' returned. As I recall, you said his name is Urban, yet you called him Eomer. Most intriguing I must say," Hagen smiled.

Aragorn nodded, ready to explain the situation. Anything to get his mind off of the dying Faramir, half frozen Eomer, the Ngami and his love… Arwen. Oh how he missed her… He also knew now, Hagen could be trusted.

"Eomer! Eomer please! Please wake up!" he heard someone crying next to him. A female voice, someone so familiar… But he just wanted to sleep. He was so cold.

"Please my lady!" another voice said, but he didn't remember this one.

"No! He needs me! And I need him!" at that, he felt warm hands in his own, shaking as tears dripped down on his skin.

'She's… crying?' he asked himself in his head. But, who was she? So familiar, he wanted to remember, but he was so cold. He just wanted to sleep in peace.

"Please… Please Eomer…" her voice was quiet as he heard her sobs. "You promised me… remember?" she sniffed.

'I promised her something?' he tried to remember to whom this voice belonged.

"You promised me you would stay… that you would not leave me… that y-you *sniff* you will always be there for me… Please, don't break that promise… Please brother…"

'Brother? Eowyn!' At that realization, he didn't want to sleep anymore. With all his strength, he tried to open his eyes.

"Eowyn!" another voice came, this one male; strong and proud. "Theodred!" the female called.

'Theodred?' he asked himself and tried more and more to wake up.

"How is he?" the male asked. "They don't think he will make it…" more tears dropped on his skin.

"Come on Eomer! You can fight this! How can you say you lived proud when you were killed by water? How can you leave her?" his voice was shaky, but it made the last push he needed.

His eyes opened wide and he took a deep, sharp breath. His eyes had to get use to the light and when he could see properly, the first thing he saw was his sister's worried, yet smiling face. And next to her, his cousin who had a look of relief and joy on his.

A moment later, Eowyn embraced her brother so tightly, he could hardly breathe.

"I though you dead…" she whispered, tears still sliding down her cheeks.

"As did I... but you brought me back," they pulled apart and looked at each other, smiling.

"What happened?" Eomer asked, sitting up in his bed.

"The seniors threw you in the lake and you managed to get to shore. But you got frostbite and were losing body heat quickly. Theodred found you and brought you back the fastest way he knew how," the female explained.

"Thank you," he gave a grateful nod. "Think nothing of it. And don't worry about the senior's. They've been taken care of," he smiled reassuringly.

Eowyn had every right to be worried. She was merely 11 and it was only 4 years ago that their parents died. And yes, he promised, over the grave of their mother, that he would not leave her alone.

"I see… So you are after the Ngami as well… I wish I could assist you, but we Sango do not venture there. We only…" he trailed off, ashamed at his actions.

"It is not your fault," the King put a hand on his shoulder. "You only did what you thought best. And we will find them. All of them. You have my word."

"I believe you… But do not risk your lives for my mistakes…"

"We must. This is something we all must do. And not only because of you. We would have gone, even if you hadn't told me."

"Truly… You are most different from the others we have met. But you must rest now. Dona will be ruthless in your battle."

"I can't just-" he wanted to protest, but Hagen cut him off.

"I shall take care of them. I may not be as skilled in healing as you, but I am good enough. They will not die," he assured.

Aragorn hesitated for a bit, before nodding. No matter how much he didn't want to admit it, he was exhausted. So, he slowly took a blanket, put it on the ground and lay there, using his hand as a pillow.

The Chief shook his head as he smiled and took another blanket and put it on the King, before sitting back so he could see all three of them.

"Somehow… I imagined Kings and Stewards to be… different. They act nothing like royals. It is as though they prefer this over their lives in castles," he smiled again.

His expression changed as he got on his knees and spared his arms out.

"Gods… I, a humble human on this great earth you created, beg you. May their life be spared from Dona. They do not deserve to suffer. And if someone must be punished, I will happily take their place," he prayed and bowed so his head was on the ground.

When he was done, he took a deep breath and said in Sango: "You can come out now, Han."

At that, the said male stepped quietly in, bowed and sat before the Chief.

"What is it that troubles you?" Hagen asked.

"Will he live?" the small one asked and the elder one knew who he meant.

"We can only hope…"

"Please, you mustn't let him die," he pleated.

"He… he saved my life! After…" he looked at the ground.

"After what?"

"After Lin threw me off… He risked his own life to save mine! Can you not disqualify him?"

The Chief looked in shock before nodding and putting a hand on his shoulder. "I will do all I can to save them all. But there is nothing I can do about Lin. The only hope is Strider."

Well? Is it getting good or bad? Tell me please Q_Q