I had a dream that I used this website to get ahold of people during a zombie apocalypse. So new plan, guys. Zombie apocalypse getting you down? I'll be here.

I don't own Lord of the Rings.

(Kristy)

Three days...

Pippin's gone, and Merry's a silent wreck. Tensions are high with Theoden's silly grudge against Gondor, and meanwhile everyone's trying to convince him to send troops to Minas Tirith. We don't have Collin here to lighten the mood, either.

James and I stood on the edge of Edoras's cliff, admiring the scenery. It was a chilly morning, and the sun was just coming up over the mountains.

"I can understand why Collin and Sophie like it here so much." Said James quietly. "Pretty mountains, nice people, great ale, and no giant spiders... Maerwen would like it, too. So would Faelwen. Oh, wouldn't she love all of these horses..." He laughed, his eyes getting a distant look in them.

I gave my brother a sad smile. "You miss them, don't you?"

He sighed. "More than you could ever know. There's nothing I want more than to sprint back to Mirkwood, right now. It's been so long... Too long. I can't send letters to them, because there are no messengers to send them. And I can't just leave, because I have to fight to keep them safe. Now I know how it feels to be a soldier... And I hate it."

Oh, believe me. I hate it, too.

"I want my kids to be happy..." James continued. "There aren't really any other kids in Mirkwood for Faelwen to play with. Elves don't have kids nearly as often as we do. I wish that I could bring them out here, one day. My kids need to be around humans. They need to understand that part of them. Elves are amazing and all, but it feels so good to be around my own people, again."

"I wish that I could meet them, your family. You don't talk about them, much. You don't talk much at all these days, really..." Odd, for him. He used to comment on everything. It was incredibly annoying.

"Meh..." James shrugged. "I don't have anything to say, really. A lot has happened, lately. I'm just waiting for it all to be over."

"Ahh..." I nodded, shifting my gaze up to the morning sky. "How much longer do you think we could last?"

"Oh, I don't know... I'm just waiting for that little light to appear up on the mountains..."

Of course. The beacons. Gandalf left with a promise to light the beacons, should Sauron attack. That's all anyone thinks about, these days. Are the beacons lit, yet? How long until they will be lit? Will they ever catch fire? What do we do, when the time comes? So many questions, yet no one knew the answers.

"Can you see it, Kris?" James squinted at the mountains, lifting a finger to point at one of the peaks. "That tiny black dot up there? That's the beacon. It all comes down to that little dot..."

In all reality, I'm more focused on that little ring and the two little hobbits carrying the ring. So what if Sauron attacks? So what if we all die? If Frodo and Sam can somehow destroy the ring, Sauron won't be an issue, anymore. So far, things are looking up. Sauron thinks that Pippin has the ring, so he clearly has no idea what's really going on at his back door.

"She reminds me of you, you know..."

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, my attention back on my brother.

James gave me a somewhat distant smile. "Faelwen. She's a lot like you, when you were little. Always singing and laughing. She even looks like you." He let out a sigh. "And then there are those moments where she talks like Collin... I swear, it's like his peppy attitude seeped through to my genetics, somehow."

Oh, goodness. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing." Having Collin as a friend is one thing, but I can't imagine the headache he must have given his parents.

"Neither do I."

(Sophie)

"What's he gonna do, send me back to Edoras?" Honestly, we were practically right down the street from Minas Tirith. What logic could he use to back up such a decision?

Collin let out a sigh before whispering back. "Yes, and he'll send me back as your guardian. Don't make me go back there, Soph! All of the action is right here!"

"All I'm asking for is one hour! Just one more hour!"

"No!" Collin slapped his palm to his forehead. "You're not even sleeping, Soph! What do you need another hour for?"

"To rest my butt, that's what!" You would think that I'd be used to riding a horse by now, but I was still unbelievably sore. "I don't want to be limping when I meet my future father-in-law for the first time, okay?"

Collin's eyes shot over to where Boromir was sleeping. We were taking a quick rest before continuing on into the city, and it was almost time to wake up the snoozing Gondorian. At the moment, Collin and I were having a rather heated debate. You see, my dear friend is almost as eager as Boromir to enter into the White City once again, but I am less than thrilled. It's not so much the fact that I don't want to see Minas Tirith again, I do. It's just the fact that I was sore beyond belief, I was exhausted, and the fact that I was about to meet Boromir's dad was finally beginning to hit me. I know, I should have thought about this more before I left Edoras. Do I regret leaving? No. I just regret my lack of preparation.

"I'm gonna wake him up, Sophie." Collin finally declared, standing up to do the deed.

"Don't you dare. Collin..." He got closer to Boromir's still body. "Collin, no! Get back here!"

"Oh, stop your arguing." Boromir yawned, rolling over to face us. "It's impossible for anyone to sleep with you two going on like that."

Collin turned his head to send me a victorious grin. "Not to worry, old chap! Fortunately for you, I don't come with the whole marriage package. Now, I do feel compelled to warn you of Sophie's sleep-talking habbits..."

"I do not sleep-talk!" Do I? I mean, I guess I wouldn't really notice, and we all know that my friends wouldn't tell me if I did. They'd get too much satisfaction from me spilling my guts out without even noticing. Jerks, all of them.

Boromir laughed, shaking his head. "My dear, I traveled with you for quite some time, as I am now. You do tend to talk in your sleep. Whether or not you make any sense is another matter..." He chuckled as I pouted my lips, all the while pulling himself up. "I have been awake for quite some time. My nerves will not rest, for we are so close to my city... It is time for us to move on, although I do wish that we had some time to spare."

Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Guess I'll have to be presented to my father-in-law with bags under my eyes and that unhappy travel odor.

I stood up, my joints aching from the lack of rest. Heck, why am I the one tired if my horse is doing all of the work? Maybe it's because for the past several days I've been fighting to simply remain in the saddle... Living in Rohan didn't do much for my horse-riding skills.

"Up you go!" Collin sighed as he lifted me onto my horse. "Don't get too comfortable, we should be at Minas Tirith in no time."

Great. 'No time' for Collin was an eternity for me.

Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised. Collin was completely right, and we got to Minas Tirith within a few hours. It had been years since I'd last seen this place... I had almost forgotten how absolutely beautiful it was. Or maybe I was just too young to realize it, before? As I gazed up at the massive city in front of me, it hit me. This was it. My home. I would never be a first-time home-buyer. I would be right there on the seventh level in the steward's house. That's where I was going to get married, start a family, and die. Just one step closer to the end. Or the beginning, depending on how you look at it. Yeah... I like that. The beginning.

Oh, look at me. Getting all deep.

As we approached the gates I threw my cloak hood over my head. My hair was gross and I hadn't bathed in several day. There was no way that I was going to walk right into the city looking like poop, especially when I was about to marry one of the most beloved Gondorians of all time. I want these people to like me, and I don't think that I'll win them over with my American charm.

When we reached the gates, Boromir blew on the Horn of Gondor, and the doors opened immediately. From atop the walls I could barely hear the guards shouting, "Boromir has returned!"

The look on Boromir's face as we entered the city was priceless. A mixture of relief and total joy was evident in one of the brightest smiles that I'd ever seen on that man. He held his head high as people rushed out to greet him, relieved to have their hero in the flesh after nearly a year without word from him.

We rode through the streets at a quick pace, not stopping for anyone or anything. People stopped to stare as Boromir of Gondor rode through his beloved city with two odd strangers trailing behind, one with an odd hair-do and the other with a hidden face. Before I knew it, we were already on the sixth level, right in front of Gandalf's old house with the Shakespeare balcony where it all started. A small smile crept up on my lips. I was so young, then.

"We made good time!" Boromir sighed, hopping off of his horse at last. "Gandalf should have arrived yesterday, if I am not mistaken. We should go inside and get cleaned up before meeting with my father. It won't be long before word reaches him that I have returned home, so we musn't wait any longer. I would like for you two to be there with me when I greet him."

Finally! A nice bath and some clean clothes! I nearly kicked the door down and rushed upstairs, hardly noticing Pippin and Gandalf sitting at the dining table.

"You made it!" Pippin cheered, hopping down from his chair to greet the two men as I booked it to my old room. Everything was just as I left it, only Gandalf must have dusted, for it looked as good as new! No dust in sight, and the floors looked nice and clean. I rushed to my drawers, faintly remembering having clothes when we were last in Minas Tirith... Or maybe I was naked the entire time? Who knows.

"Aha!" I pulled out a pretty blue dress that Collin's noble friend's wife gave to me, all those years back. What was her name, again? In any case, I was immensely pleased. Within minutes I was in and out of the tub, patting myself dry with a towl. My hair wasn't too greasy, because I'd washed it before the party at Edoras. I know, a lot of you probably think that a single day without a hair-washing is disgusting. What you don't know is that your hair can be, in a sense, trained to not get dirty. That's why people didn't take as many baths way back when. In any case, I simply tied my hair back in a bun and hurried downstairs.

"Geez, woman! What took you so long?" Collin and Boromir were already ready, and were munching on some apples at the dining table.

I rolled my eyes. "I was up there for twenty minutes, tops. Give me a break!" Had I washed my hair, I'd be up there for another half-hour.

Gandalf cleared his throat, signaling for us to shift our attentions to him. "Now that we're all here, it is about time we get to work. I have met with your father, Boromir, and I find him in better spirits than usual. Still, his pride continues to get in the way of the matters at hand. He has not taken well to news of Isildur's heir returning to the throne..."

Boromir sighed, shaking his head. "Ahh, yes. Aragorn. I was hoping that we would be able to set that subject aside for another time."

"As was I, yet he's discovered the truth, nonetheless." Gandalf stood from his chair tiredly. "I have met many stubborn men in all of my years, yet your father's stubborness exceeds most."

Collin let out a chuckle and elbowed me in the rib. "Sounds a lot like you, eh?"

Had I not been so focused on putting on my lady-like face, I would have punched that boy. Deep inside that little voice in my head just kept whispering, 'be a lady, be a lady.' No stupid American jokes, no awkward slang words. I am going to be in the presence of Boromir's father, and I am sure that he won't find me as adorable as his son does. The heir to the steward's 'throne,' so to speak. I'm sure that Boromir's father would rather his son marry into nobility.

"Now, before we meet with the steward, I wish to speak to you." Gandalf turned to Collin and I with a warning glare. "Denethor is the steward of Gondor and the father of Boromir, as you already know. With that said, I should think that I would have no trouble with you, Sophie, but it is always good to be safe. The steward will not approve of any nonsense, do you understand? These are difficult times, and Denethor is a difficult man. I am pleased to say that you have both matured since we first met, and that brings me to another point. It would not be wise for us Denethor to know of your true origins..."

"Awesome!" Collin clapped his hands together before Gandalf could finish. "Alternate egos! I want to be a prince!"

"Prince of what, might I ask?" Boromir laughed, raising an eyebrow at our so-called 'mature' friend.

"I'll think something up." Collin shrugged, and Gandalf immediately shook his head.

"No, Collin." The wizard looked horrified at the idea. "For the sake of believability, I will be the one deciding your stories. You two are cousins from Rohan. You have lived there all of your lives. Now, let us go."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Collin threw his hands in the air. "That's it? Come on! That's boring!"

"And Collin was always such a well-behaved boy!" Gandalf shot the man another warning glare, and it wouldn't be the last. "Please, be on your best behavior."

Collin frowned, setting his camera on the table. "Guess I'm not allowed to bring the cool technology, either? Hmph. Gondor used to be fun. Alas, it is about time I grew up..." He looked to me with a pout before deciding to study my apparel intensely. "You should wear that necklace."

"What necklace?"

"That pretty silver hair piece of yours."

Pretty hair piece...? Wait... "Were you going through my bags, Collin?"

"Yes. Yes I was."

Sigh... "Well, at least you're honest." Honestly, I was glad that he went through my bags. At the moment I looked plain as can be. The hair piece he was referring to was something I'd gotten long ago. It was a gift from Boromir, back when he was still Romeo and I was still Juliet. He thought that buying me nice things would woo me. Well, I showed him! Even though I ended up engaged to him, anyways...

I quickly ran upstairs and rummaged through my small travel bag. There it was. The beautiful silver hair piece encrusted with pretty blue jewels. If this doesn't make me look rich, I don't know what will.

"Ready!" Finally. Let's get this over with.

It was a bright and sunny morning, and the walk to the Citadel wasn't as long as I would have liked. The entire time, I couldn't decide what to do with myself. Should I stand by Boromir? Should I take his arm? Should I smile? What if I smile too much? Maybe I should just go back home! But I have to meet this man, eventually. Is he really as frightening as he seems? Goodness, I should have stayed in Edoras. Wait! I need to practice my curtsey! Ahh poop!

Before I knew it, my internal panic had led me straight to the Citadel doors, high above Minas Tirith, the dead white tree there to greet us with its many guards.

"I don't like being your cousin." Collin whispered as Gandalf and Boromir had a quick word with the Citadel guards, who were just tickled to see the return of their beloved captain. "I hope we're distant cousins. We don't even look alike!"

Gandalf shot Collin a quick warning glance before the doors to the Citadel opened, and my friend snickered.

"Goodness," He laughed under his breath. "Your lack of faith in me is astonishing!"

Honestly! Gandalf obviously never listened to the stories of our teenage years. If anyone's bad under pressure, it's me. Collin's the one who has no trouble with lying, other than the fact that he says it makes him feel gross. Still, the man could persuade a tiger to become a vegetarian, if he really wanted to. Give him a chance, and I'm sure that he could convince Sauron that the creation of the ring was a horribile mistake.

The doors to the Citadel opened wide, revealing an absolutely stunning throne room. In the center of the room sat a massive and elaborate white throne. In fact, the entire room was rather white and elaborate, with black marble pillars and giant marble statues of Gondor's greatest kings. Sunlight poured in through massive, gothic-style windows, lighting up the room and its many tapestries.

Also in the center of the room, right next to the giant white throne, was a smaller black throne, where old and noble-looking man sat smiling up at us as we approached. Boromir's father, Denethor. My heart nearly killed itself, then, but I shook off the panic and put on a small smile.

"And so the hero has returned!" Denethor declared, standing from his seat with his arms opened wide for his son.

Boromir gave his father a smile and a warm embrace. "Father, it is good to be home."

The old steward pulled his son away to get a better look. "Ah, my son! We shall have a mighty feast for you, tonight! When I heard the rumors that you had returned, I knew that it would only be a matter of time before you came to me. So, I have already ordered plenty of food and drink for tonight! Still, I cannot help but wonder why you did not come to me sooner? One would think that as your father, I would be your first priority. What kept you, my son?"

Well, we've got a talker, here!

Boromir, still with a smile on his face, turned away from his father and ushered to Collin and I. Great. And here I was, thinking that I might get off the hook.

"I bring guests, father. Two very important guests, at that. It is my honor to introduce you to Lord Collin, the man who saved my life, and his cousin Sophia, who I intend to make my wife."

Denethor's already curious gaze turned even more curious, and his eyes were studying my every flaw. Still, the noble man he was, he managed to keep a pleasant smile on his lips. "Wife, you say? Pray tell, how did you come to meet these two? Surely, you are not simply marrying this woman in return for her cousin saving your life?"

What, am I not marriage-material? I knew that I should have washed my hair!

"They are from the Rohan." Boromir shook off his father's last question. "Valued friends of the king. I actually had the pleasure of meeting them several years ago, when they decided to visit Minas Tirith for themselves. I had taken a shine to Sophie, but they left unexpectedly, and I feared that I would not meet them again. I found them again in Rivendell, where they were visiting their friends, and upon my departure, Collin remained with me and Sophie left for Rohan. It is a long story, in between then and now, but it is for another time."

"You are friends with the elves?" Denethor eyed us suspiciously.

"Oh, yes!" Collin quickly replied. "We find them quite handy. Smart, polite, good in a fight... Oh, and they're relatively hard to kill."

"Indeed..." The steward seemed a bit confused, still, but he found it best to drop the subject. "Well, I hope to get to know the two of you well." His eyes shifted and fell on me. "Very well."

Ah, great. I always thought that it was the father of the daughter who was picky about boyfriends, but here I am, under the watchful gaze of a grown man's father. I almost wish that they had guns here, because something's telling me that a father with a shotgun is far less frightening than a father with a sword. Scratch that, a father with an army of men with swords. Just shoot me and get it over with.

Pippin, the little gentleman that he was, hid himself behind Gandalf's robes and gave me the hint to curtsey.

Crap. I told myself to remember that, too!

With no further delay, I did what was probably the best curtsey ever executed. After all of these years, there was no better time for me to get the hang of the odd little greeting. "I cannot express how thrilled I am to finally meet you, my lord. Boromir has spoken so highly of you." Sort of. In any case, flattery is always acceptable when trying to gain acceptance.

Denethor's gaze softened a little, but he was no less terrifying. "I am sure he did." He gave me a friendly smile before taking my hand and planting a kiss on it. "I am eager to discover what it is about you that has stolen my son's heart. That is, of course, if he ever got past your beauty."

Oh, a compliment! I must have done something right! But man, if he thinks I'm that beautiful, wait until he sees Kristy. Darn woman ought to be an elf.

"I would like to hear more of your travels, my son." Denethor turned to Boromir, who was smiling proudly at his father's pleasant reaction. "Come! We shall hear of your travels over a quick lunch."

"Forgive me, Denethor, but perhaps it would be best to delay such stories..." Gandalf was eager to get us out of there, just dying to get us back to the house so we could create an actual backstory. He knew that Denethor was no fool, as well as the punishments for angering the steward with lies.

"If you are busy, then go." Denethor replied coldly. "As for me, I intend to show my guests the honor that they deserve. After all, one is soon to be a part of my family, and the other saved the life of my heir. I am sure that they are exhausted after their travels, and I will see to it that they get a decent meal!"

Collin and I sent each other wide-eyed looks of panic. Clearly someone had an issue with Gandalf, and it wasn't us!

"Father," Boromir interjected. "I agree with Gandalf. We have only just arrived, and I am afraid that I rushed our friends in an eagerness to meet you. It would be best for them to get some rest, first. Besides, I wanted to speak with you and Gandalf..."

"Yes, yes." Denethor sighed. "I know what you wish to speak of, for Gandalf has already made the attempt to counsel me. Gondor has withstood Sauron's attacks for ages, and we will not fall now. Not with the return of our captain!" The steward smiled proudly at his son, who did is best to mask his frustration. He was clearly happy to be back home, and he obviously loved his father, but he knew what threat was at our doorstep.

Boromir's lip twitched, and I knew that look on his face. He was plotting something.

"Father, might we invite our guests to dinner, instead?" He sighed. "I would see to it that they get some rest."

"Oh, very well." Denethor finally gave in. "But remember, tonight is your welcome home feast. I would have them sit with us as our guests of honor. Have them looking their best."

Don't I look nice, already? It's not like I have fancy clothes to go galloping about in.

"Of course, father. I will return shortly. I would like to escort Sophie back home." Boromir turned for the door, the rest of us following after quick bows to the steward. That walk to the door couldn't have felt any longer. I could feel the steward's gaze on my back, and it took all I had to not sprint for the door. That family reunion was just weird.

The second we were out the door, I let out a sigh and let my posture relax. "That wasn't what I was expecting..." Most family reunions are happier. That just felt uncomfortable.

Boromir let out a short laugh. "I am surprised he let us leave! We were hardly in there for a moment! Perhaps intends to use this time to think up horrible questions to ask, tonight..."

"Or maybe we smell?" Collin lifted his arm and gave himself a whiff. "Maybe it's just you, Sophie..."

I shot my friend a short glare. "Shut up. I want the man to like me."

"Like you or not, I do not think that he will have any obejections to our marriage." Boromir assured me. "He's been pressuring me to get married for years. If anything, he should be thrilled that I've finally chosen a wife."

"And you'll make adorable babies!" Collin chirped, making me blush furiously. We don't need to be thinking about babies, right now!

"Blasted man..." Gandalf sighed in frustration. "No offense to you, Boromir, but your father is too proud. You may need to go against his wishes in the days to come. When Sauron attacks, I fear that he will not be qualified for command. With you, though, we may be able to defend this city."

"No pressure, though." Collin laughed.

Pippin, who had been quiet for quite some time, gave us all a bright smile, staying true to his positive nature. "I feel safe in your hands, Boromir. Your men speak so highly of you, and I've only been here a day! As for you, miss Sophie, I dare say you would make any man- or hobbit- a prized wife!"

Awhh Pippin... If only I was a hobbit. Kristy and I could've had awesome hobbit lives with awesome hobbit children. But Boromir's the man for me!

"I hope you're right, Pip. But right now, I'm just focused on getting through the night." After all, I'm pretty positive that the feast won't simply be a family gathering. Everyone who's anyone will be there. That means that I'll have to win over all of those people... Spectacular. "What am I going to wear? What are you going to wear?" I turned to Collin, who had simply changed into some cleaner travel clothes to meet the steward of Gondor. "You hardly pass for a Lord."

"Well, I'm not a lord!" He shrugged. "And I've got something planned, don't you worry about me. As for you, I don't know. I think you look fine."

You always think I look fine... Sigh.

"Don't worry, Sophie." Boromir took my hand and gave it a quick squeeze before letting go. "We'll stop by the dressmaker and have something made."

"But the feast thing is tonight!" Back in America, it could take ages to get a dress hemmed, let alone made. "And I don't have any money!"

Basically everyone turned to give me an eye-roll.

"Really, Sophie. You're about to be the wife of a steward!" Gandalf laughed, shaking his head. "It is time you stop worrying about money."

"And being a beloved captain has its perks." Boromir nodded. "I hate to sound spoiled, but if I want something done in one day, it will be done in a matter of hours."

So, that's precisely what we did. While Gandalf went back to his house on the sixth level, the rest of us went to the dress shop on the fourth level. Pippin was ecstatic to be getting out of the house, and even more thrilled to have us there for entertainment. I love Gandalf to death, but the poor hobbit must have been feeling horrible the past few days. So far from home, in a world completely unlike his own, and without Merry! He asked about his friend's well-being, and it broke my heart that we didn't have anything to say. We kindly explained to the young hobbit that we'd left Edoras right after he and Gandalf moved out. Still, I assured him that Merry was in the best hands. The people of Rohan are awesome.

"Are you going to go the the feast, tonight?" Collin asked Pippin casually as I got my measurements taken.

"Oh, I don't know." The hobbit sighed. "I would love to, of course! You know us hobbits. I suppose you could say that I'm not sure how invited I am... I've hardly spoken a word to the steward."

"Of course you are invited!" Boromir laughed. "You are one of my dearest friends, Pippin. It wouldn't seem right for you to not be there!"

The hobbit's face lit up. "That's wonderful! Thank you!"

I laughed as I listened in on their conversation. We came here with such a serious agenda, but now that we're here it seems as though the situation has become far more relaxed. All of this talk of feasts and dresses... It's silly.

It took almost no time at all for my measurements to be taken, and Boromir gave the women the dress order. Upon heading outside, we decided to go on a walk about the city, but only after much prodding from Pippin. We laughed together as we stuck to the less traveled parts of Minas Tirith. Boromir knew all of the best places, and we did our best to stay out of the public eye. Still, many people recognized him, and everyone wanted to talk about his trip. Oh, and they were also quite curious as to who his friends were. His friends being me, Collin, and Pippin. We tried to avoid those questions as best as we could. He wanted to save the whole 'engaged' thing a surprise for tonight.

Our adventures found us down on the second level around noon. We had attracted a rather large crowd, and just as we were about to head home, a loud screech pierced the air. Pippin's eyes opened wide with terror.

"The Nazgul!"

Some of our followers began to point up into the sky, out towards Pelennor fields. Boromir ran to the edge of the wall his eyes fixed upon the giant winged creatures heading towards Minas Tirith. Below them rode numerous horsemen, sprinting towards Minas Tirith with all they had. I could have sworn that I heard the entire city gasp when the Nazgul began to pick up the soldiers, only to send them smashing to the ground moments later. Boromir looked furious, but he seemed to be stuck to the ground in shock. Everyone around us seemed to be frozen still, their eyes following their men, with various cries of panic filling the air.

"They're not going to make it!" One woman cried, just as another soldier pointed towards the gates.

"Look!" He cried. "It's the White Rider!"

Gandalf was riding out through the farmland on Shadowfax, white staff in hand. He raised the staff high into the air, and the most brilliant light flashed through the sky. The Nazgul screeched out in pain as the light landed on their dark robes, and the winged creatures turned in the opposite direction. It was absolutely beautiful beyond words. A horrible situation, yet entirely breathtaking.

I was brought out of shock when Collin grabbed my hand and dragged me after Boromir and Pippin, who were already heading towards the gate. By the time we got there, all of the horsemen were safely inside, with the gates closing behind them. Boromir pushed us through the crowd, in search of one particular person.

"Faramir? Faramir!" He called out his brother's name.

"Boromir?"

We turned to see a man, tall and very similar to Boromir, dismounting his horse. Boromir's face lit up, and he ran forward to hug the man.

"Brother!" He laughed, clapping Faramir on the back.

Faramir hugged him back, smiling despite the events that had just occured with the Nazgul. "You are back!"

"Faramir, what happened?" Gandalf demanded, riding up on Shadowfax.

Faramir took a step back from his brother, his smile falling. "We were attacked, and outnumbered by far. Osgiliath was overrun." His eyes fell on Collin and I, then moved to Pippin, to whom they stuck.

Gandalf looked back and forth between the two, fighting to make a connection. "This is not the first hobbit you've seen, is it?"

The steward's son shook his head, looking back to the wizard. "Two others passed through Osgiliath, not two days ago."

"Frodo and Sam!" Pippin practically cheered.

Gandalf breathed a sigh of relief. "Come, Faramir. We have much to discuss."

Another delay, and I'm sorry! BUT! I promise, I've got this next chapter DOWN! It was originally going to be in this chapter, but that would have made it freakishly long, and I wouldn't have been able to get it out today... Anyways. Sorry. And just to clear things up a bit...

Pippin is not a part of the tower guard, 'cause he didn't volunteer himself to make up for Boromir's death. Denethor's more chill, because Boromir's not dead. He's still kind of nuts, but not as destroyed with grief as he would have been, had Boromir died. Plus, I've always imagined him differently than most people. To me, he's still nuts thanks to his palantir nonsense, but deep, DEEP down, he's a cool guy. Just sad.

There was something else, but I forget it... So bye!