Solatiri helped the servants in the throne room set the table for Denethor's mean. She watched as Pippin knelt to his knees in front of Denethor. He was now swearing an oath to the most loathsome man in all of Gondor. She looked over to Faramir noticing he had a look of regret on his face. It seemed he too knew that Pippin was going to be unhappy here.

"Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor in peace or war, in living or dying, from…"

Denethor watched with a smile as he waited for Pippin to finish.

"…from this hour henceforth until my lord release me or death take me."

"And I shall not forget it", Denethor said as he stood. "Nor fail to reward that which is given."

Pippin sighed as Denethor offered his hand toward him. He looked down as he leaned and kissed the ring on his finger. Denethor smiled as he gently raised Pippin's head to meet his gaze. Solatiri glared at Denethor hearing him speak in a much gentler tone that his own son.

"Fealty with love", he continued. "Valor with honor. Disloyalty with vengeance."

Denethor took his seat at the table and started piling food onto his plate as he turned his attention to Faramir.

"I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses", he said. "Defenses that your brother long held intact."

"What would you have me do?" Faramir asked.

"I will not yield the River and Pelenor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken."

"My lord, Osgiliath is overrun."

"Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?"

Solatiri glared at Denethor and looked at Faramir worried. She watched as tears came to his eyes as he spoke, his voice beginning to quiver.

"You wish now that our places had been exchanged…that I had died and Boromir had lived.

"Yes", Denethor said not even giving his son a second look. "I wish that."

Solatiri gasped. How could a father say such a thing, or even wish it? Faramir said nothing as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Since you are robbed of Boromir I will do what I can in his stead. If I should return, think better of me, father."

"That will depend on the manner of your return", Denethor said uncaring.

Faramir looked down in shame as he turned to leave.

"You terrible man", Solatiri said. "You are his father. How could you hurt him so?"

She rushed to the door to catch up with Faramir. He continued walking with his head down in silence.

"Faramir!" she called. "Faramir, wait!"

Solatiri put her hand on his arm making him stop. She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He returned the hug feeling comfort from her. He needed it most at this hour.

"Faramir, don't go", she said. "You don't have to. Help from Rohan is coming."

"I cannot sit around waiting for help", Faramir said. "I am a captain of Gondor. I must not let my father down."

"Why do you listen to him?" Solatiri asked. "He is a despicable, hateful man! He is not worthy of being the caretaker of Gondor!"

"Solatiri, enough!"

She backed away quickly. Faramir had never raised his voice to her. Then again, she never spoke ill of Denethor to this extent. Faramir sighed as he turned away.

"I will take my leave now."

"Stay safe, my friend", she said as she watched him continue down the hall.