Sorry this Chapter isn't very long, we will try and post a longer one next time. Thank you all for your continued support even though we suck at updating.
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Earlier that day in Gondor
Celandine stood at Gandalf's side as the Riders of Gondor rode through the streets of the city. Many had come to pay their respects to their brave warriors who were going out into battle. Faramir was at the head of the company, leading them to their almost certain doom. But this knowledge did not sway him from the task at hand. The task of defending this great city, and the task of gaining his father's love.
The streets were silent as the men continued to ride through the city, its people dressed in sombre black and grey. It was as if they were already mourning them. Faramir took in the people's solemn expressions, the people knew as well as he did that they would not come back.
As the horses drew nearer, the people of Gondor began laying flowers before the soldier's path, wishing them a safe return. The image of flowers being laid over cold marble was a jarring one, a haunting prophecy of things to come. A few women handed flowers to the men, who took them with a small smile before continuing onwards.
The air was thick with grief as the city's people watched their men flow out of the gates like blood from a wound. Celandine watched in silent awe, marvelling at the men's fortitude. The wizard suddenly pushed forward from the crowd calling out to Faramir.
"Faramir! Faramir!" the she-hobbit quickly followed after Gandalf as he pushed his way through the crowd and up alongside Faramir's horse. "You father's will has turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so rashly." He tried to reason with the man, willing him to turn away from this certain doom.
"Where does my allegiance lie if not here? This is the city of the men of Numenor. I will gladly give my life defending her beauty, her memory, her wisdom." Faramir replied. His voice was steady. His face was set. He would not turn away from this mission.
Gandalf stopped at these words, causing Celandine to bump into the wizard. The she-hobbit grumbled under her breath, complaining about having to try and keep up with the wizard's long and earnest strides.
"Your father loves you, Faramir." Gandalf called out to the departing steward son "He will remember it before the end." He added dismally.
The pair watched on as the Riders left the city gates to face their enemy.
Celandine sighed with a grief she did not fully understand. "Dey well come beck wont dey Gandalf?"
The wizard gave no answer but the look on his face told her what his words could not. Her heart was still within her. She turned and ran.
* * *
Celandine made her way to the walls with the rest of the city people, watching as the warriors of Gondor got closer and closer to their almost certain deaths. She did not know why she didn't turn away, didn't close her eyes and refuse to watch. Something bade her to bear witness to this atrocity and recognise it for the horrible madness it was. She watched in horror as the warriors of Gondor began to fall from their horses. As they died.
It was in this moment she wished she had never left the safety of the Shire, and wished to feel her families embrace again. It was now that she saw war for what it truly was. It was mad old men sending their children to die, shedding innocent blood for a vague ideal and a fool's hope.