After hours of battle, the Orcs ran off toward the river defeated. The men cheered as the Orcs swam through the river knowing Osgiliath was theirs again. Boromir sheathed his sword with a proud smile on his face.

"Brother!"

Faramir carried the flag of Gondor. Boromir took it into his hands and climbed to the top of one of the many ruined towards.

"Boromir!" the men began to cheer. "Boromir! Boromir! Boromir!"

"Boromir", Solatiri softly said with a smile on her face.

She watched as he perched the flag on top of the tower.

"This city was once the jewel of our kingdom. A place of light and beauty and music. And so it shall be once more!"

Boromir raised his sword into the air. Solatiri smiled as she raised her bow in return. Sunlight shone through the grey clouds that covered Osgiliath. The wind blew strong, letting the flag wave for everyone to see.

"Let the armies of Mordor know this", Boromir said. "Never again will the land of my people fall into enemy hands! This city of Osgiliath has been reclaimed for Gondor!"

"For Gondor!" the men cheered. "For Gondor! For Gondor!"

Solatiri ran forward with a smile on her face as Boromir climbed down from the tower. He turned and smiled as she removed her helmet. Her curly ginger-red hair fell onto her shoulders until it reached the middle of her back.

"You were wonderful!" Solatiri said as she jumped into his arms.

Boromir couldn't help but chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her and spun her around.

"What were you doing here?" he asked. "This is no place for a lady."

"Waiting at the White City is no place for someone like me to be", she answered. "I had to be here with you."

Boromir looked into her brown eyes knowing there was something Solatiri was not telling him. He leaned his head forward to hers. Before he could say a word, Faramir came walking toward them laughing. Solatiri pulled away allowing the brothers to hug.

"Good speech", Faramir said. "Nice and short."

"Leaves more time for drinking", Boromir laughed as he turned to the soldiers. "Break out the ale! These men are thirsty!"

The men cheered as goblets filled with ale. Boromir took two, one for him and one for Faramir.

"Remember today, little brother", he said handing Faramir a cup. "Today…life is good."

Solatiri smiled as she watched the two brothers take a drink. Their happiness was cut short as Faramir frowned.

"What is it?" Boromir asked.

"He's here."

Solatiri looked in the direction Faramir was looking.

"Denethor", she said with a frown on her face.

"One moment of peace, can he not give us that?" Boromir asked.

He looked at Solatiri who was fidgeting nervously. Denethor already disapproved of her. What would he say if he saw her on the battlefield fully dressed in armor?

"Where is he?" Denethor asked walking past the men. "Where is Gondor's finest? Where is my first-born?"

"Father!" Boromir said as they hugged.

Solatir stood next to Faramir and watched as Boromir looked uncomfortable. Denethor smiled proudly at his son.

"They say you vanquished the enemy almost single-handedly", he said.

"They exaggerate. The victory belongs to Faramir also. And of course Solatiri. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be standing here."

Solatiri quickly bowed her head to the Steward of Gondor showing him respect. Denethor looked at her in disgust.

"A Rohan maiden standing as a soldier of Gondor", he spat. "She's a disgrace to both kingdoms."

Boromir looked at his father angered by his words. Denethor then turned to Faramir with his eyes full of disappointment.

"But for Faramir, this city would still be standing", he said. ""Were you not entrusted to protect it?"

"I would have done, but our numbers were too few," Faramir explained.

"Oh, too few..." Denethor said with a mocking smile. "You let the enemy come in and take it on a whim. Always you cast a poor reflection on me."

"Who do you think is at fault for that?" Solatiri said having had enough of Denethor's abuse.

"You will hold your tongue, girl", he said giving her a nasty look. "You are not a member of this family. You are not a maiden of Gondor. You don't belong in Gondor. You have no say in my matters."

Boromir walked away having had enough. He hated his father for the way he treated the people close to him. Especially Faramir, his own flesh and blood. Denethor followed him into an abandoned building.

"You give him no credit, yet he tries to do your will", Boromir said. "He loves you, Father!"

"Do not trouble me with Faramir", Denethor said with a frown. "I know his uses and they are few."

Denethor was such a bastard, wasn't he? I always hated him!