- - FARAMIR - -
From the bushes, his men let loose their arrows on to the Easterlings as they rode on the backs of the mighty Olipants, their drab garb and cloaks helping them blend into the surroundings. Faramir watched as one of their enemies was shot by an arrow from one of his men and then flung from the creature's back. He watched the body fly and then land with a heavy 'thud' nearby. He was then most surprised to see three small figures – two curly haired and dressed in traveling clothes and a third pasty gangly looking creature – also watching the caravan of foreigners go by.
His men looked to him silently, waiting for his next command. The sour looking of the three little folk suddenly scuttled away in another direction, while the other two lingered for an instant, staring at the dead body. As they watched the two little men rise and begin to scurry away he held up his hand, commanding his men to wait. Instead of capturing them right away, his party trailed after them through the light forestry for a brief moment. They watched them finish gathering their things before he gave the command to engage.
Swifty, one of his men had one of the little men on his back with a sword at his throat and the other constrained with his hands behind his back at arrow point. From the ground, the ginger of the pair spoke hurriedly, "Ah! Wait! We're innocent travelers!"
Faramir stepped forward from behind his men, "There are no travelers in this land, only servants of the Dark Tower."
The other little man spoke, "We are bound to an errand of secrecy. Those that claim to oppose the enemy would do well not to hinder us."
Faramir looked at him, impressed at such a bold declaration. "The enemy?" He said, turning over the dead man. He gestured to the corpse, "His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from, and if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him to this long march from home. If he would not rather have stayed there in peace." To his words, the little men both remained silent. "War will make corpses of us all." He then gestured to his men, "Bind their hands. We are going." His men did as commanded, swiftly leaving the band of foreign warmen behind as they headed back to Henneth Annȗn.
.
Once back at their base camp among the carved out caves, Faramir began pouring over a map with one of his rangers. "What news?" He asked.
"Our scouts report Saruman has attacked Rohan." Madril, a bit of an older weathered man, started, "Théoden's people have fled to Helm's Deep. But we must look to our own borders. Faramir, orcs are on the move. Sauron is marshaling an army. Easterlings and Southrons are passing through the Black Gate."
"How many?" He asked, eyes roving the map.
"Some thousands. More come everyday."
"Who's covering the river to the north?"
"We pulled five hundred men out of Osgiliath, but if the city is attacked, we won't hold it."
"Saruman attacks from Isengard. Sauron from Mordor. The fight will come to men on both fronts. Gondor is weak. Sauron will strike us soon. And he will strike hard. He knows now we do not have the strength to repel him." The pair then watched as two of their other comrades came up with the two little men and removed their hoods. Faramir watched them blink blearily as the light bombarded their eyes.
He approached them, "My men tell me you are orc spies."
"Spies!" The stout ginger proclaimed, "Now wait just a minute."
"Well if you're not spies, then who are you?" The pair remained silent. Faramir sat down in front of them, "Speak!"
The blue eyed one spoke, "We are Hobbits of the Shire. Frodo Baggins is my name and this is Samwise Gamgee."
"Your bodyguard?"
"His gardener." Sam retorted, offended.
"And where is your skulking friend? That gangrel creature. He had an ill-favored look."
"There was no other." Frodo answered. To this, Sam looked at the Ring Bearer, but said nothing. Frodo carried on, "We set out from Rivendell with eight companions. One was lost in Moria. Two were my kin. There was also a Dwarf and an Elf. And two men and a woman. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and Boromir and Calina of Gondor."
It was here that it was Faramir who paused, and his demeanor shifted to one that reflected the slightest hope. "You were friends of them? Boromir and Calina?"
"Yes, we were. They both have protected us on our journey and were great company." Frodo said.
Faramir then stood, "It would do you well then to know that they are my brother and sister."
"Wait. You're Faramir?" Frodo asked, eyes turning wide.
The man nodded, "Faramir of Gondor. All of us, the children of Denethor, Steward of Gondor."
It was here that Frodo smiled, "Calina told us stories of the mischief you all got in during your youth."
Faramir couldn't help but let out a little laugh, shaking his head, "I'm sure she did. I am pleased to hear she has found those outside our family who have shown her kindness. But you said they were in your company. Where are they?"
The pleasantness of the conversation quickly evaporated. "We were separated from them during battle some time ago. Where they are now, we do not know."
"I see." From beyond them, darkness was beginning to settle in. Faramir rose from his seat, "The hour is late. Sleep. We will discuss more in the morning."
.
It had taken a handful of hours, but his men eventually tracked down the Hobbits lanky companion. With his men hidden in waiting by the Forbidden Pool, Faramir went to retrieve Frodo. He woke the Hobbit, "You must come with me. Now." He then led the confused Hobbit outside. The moon was just skimming the distant horizon, and the valley below was laden with a faint fog, the pine trees striking out against the night like spears.
Faramir then pointed to the pool far below, "Down there."
The Half-ling looked down to see his missing companion dive into the water. "To enter the Forbidden Pool bears the penalty of death." He declared. Frodo looked up at him, distress apparent across his face. His horror expanded when he watched archers step out from the bushes, arrows drawn and poised to shoot.
"They wait for my command. Shall I shoot?" Faramir asked.
From below, the creature had snagged a fish and began smacking it against a rock, singing as he went, "Rock and pool is nice and cool, so juicy sweet! I only wish to catch a fish, so juicy and sweet."
Frodo only stared, mouth now agape. Faramir raised his hand to give the order to fire. "Wait." Frodo finally said, looking up at Faramir, "This creature is bound to me, and I to him. He is our guide. Please, let me go down to him."
The Hobbits' eyes were pleading. Faramir allowed Frodo to go down to the creature. His men stuck to the bushes, unseen, as Frodo went up to the pool. As the Half-ling approached, the gangly figure began to tear at the fish.
"Sméagol," Frodo began, "master is here. Come, Sméagol. Trust master. Come." Frodo tenderly gestured for Sméagol to follow.
The gaunt little figure immediately showed hesitant skepticism. "We must – go now?" He asked, his gravelly voice reflecting his tentativeness.
Frodo kept on, gently insistent, "Sméagol, you must trust master. Follow me, come on. Come. Come Sméagol. Nice Sméagol. That's it, come on." Sméagol paused for an instant before finally putting the dead fish in his mouth and began to follow after Frodo.
As soon as the pair had returned to the cover of the shrubbery did Faramir signal for his men to restrain Sméagol, who immediately began to struggle. "Don't hurt him!" Frodo pleaded from nearby. "Sméagol, don't struggle, listen to me!"
Upon being restrained, Sméagol called out to Frodo, "Master!" He then screamed as a hood was placed over his face, trying with no success at slipping from his retainer's grasp. Frodo looked again to Faramir, who was staring back at him. The man tilted his head to the side, signaling Frodo to follow after his men as they led Sméagol away from the pool.
.
Now back inside the cave, one of the men tossed Sméagol to the ground and kicked him, separating him from Frodo and Sam. He tried to crawl away, but was dragged back by his foot. One of the men held him while another drew his arm back ready to punch.
"That is enough." Faramir commanded. The man drew back, but his companion aggressively threw Sméagol into a corner. Faramir closed in on Sméagol, "Where are you leading them? Answer me!"
Sméagol only cried, curling in on himself. The creature's voice then shifted, turning deeper, and somehow even more raspy, "Sméagol. Why does it cry, Sméagol?"
His voice shifted again, "Cruel men hurts us. Master tricksed us."
Faramir became both disturbed and confused as the creature continued to ramble in its two voices, "Of course he did. I told you he was tricksy. I told you he was false." The deeper version of the voices declared.
"Master is our friend – our friend." The other said.
"Master betrayed us!"
"No, not it's business. Leave us alone."
"Filthy little Hobbitses! They stole it from us!"
"No…no."
"What did they steal?" Faramir asked.
The creature turned back around and turned to face him. It's expression twisted into something malicious. "My… Precious!" An unholy scream erupted from his mouth, his piercing blue eyes blazing with a crazed fury.
Despite the creature's wild cry, Faramir's mind began to turn, 'Precious… what are the chances?' He then pulled back from the creature, "Tie him up. Don't let him out of your sight." He commanded, his two men quickly following the order.
Faramir traveled down the hall back to Frodo and Sam. Upon entering the cavern he drew his sword, pointing it at the Hobbits. Frodo tried to back away, but hit the stone wall behind him. "So…this is the answer to all the riddles. Here in the wild I have you. Two Half-lings and a host of men at my call. And the Ring of Power within my grasp." Faramir used the tip of his sword to reveal the Ring as it sat against Frodo's chest. A deep murmur began to call out from the Ring. "A chance for me to show my quality."
To Faramir's surprise, Frodo shoved his blade away and ran into a corner. The Hobbit clung to the wall, eyes blazing and teeth bared. His expression was wild and had an disturbing resemblance to the violent look the gangly creature had displayed before.
"Stop it!" Sam cut in pleadingly, "Leave him alone! Don't you understand?! He's got to destroy it. That's where we're going. To Mordor. To the Mountain of Fire." The quiet but undeniably voice of the Ring was heard again.
Another man hastily entered all of a sudden, interrupting the encounter, "Osgiliath is under attack. They call for reinforcements."
Faramir pulled back as Sam continued, "Please. It's such a burden. Will you not help him?"
"Faramir?" The other man continued to press.
Though Sam looked to Faramir with a pleading expression, Faramir was committed to his decision, "Prepare to leave. The Ring will go to Gondor."
"Please! Boromir and Calina wouldn't do this!" Sam begged.
To this, Faramir halted. While the Hobbit's words had cut him to hear, he held firm, "No. No, they wouldn't." Without another word, he strode away, leaving a dejected Sam behind him while he prepared to leave.
- - CALINA - -
While the sun had risen and was warm against their skin, the gravity of the impending battle was beginning to set heavily upon the people of Helm's Deep. Théoden had drawn all their forces behind the wall. The gate had been barred, and an extensive watch had been set up all along the wall.
From atop the great wall, Calina stood staring out over the horizon, her thoughts wandering back to the massacure. She was interrupted from her musings at the sound of someone calling out to her. "Are you alright?" It was Haldir. He came up to her, his perpetual fairness forever standing out amongst the rest of the men.
"Just thinking."
"About?"
She bit her lip nervously, eyes landing on the ground. She made a move to speak and glanced out across the horizon. Something caught her eye. "Wait. Is that…?" Her apprehension vanished and the widest of smiles broke out across her face before she whipped around and sprinted past the Elf and down the steps.
"What…?" Haldir looked out across the horizon and soon saw what had caused Calina's elation. He too then hurried off towards the gate after his comrade.
It had taken them both hardly a moment before they came down from the top of the wall. "Open the gate! Aragorn has returned!" Calina called. To her words, the gate was opened and the ranger rode into the courtyard. They both came to a skidding halt as Aragorn pulled Brego to a stop and got out of the saddle. The ranger certainly looked worse for the wear. Without hesitation, Calina threw her arms around him in a hug. Though briefly stunned, he returned the gesture after a brief instant. She pulled back and was practically bouncing, "I told you he'd be back!" She cried joyously, looking at Haldir as a small crowd gathered around them.
"We will not so easily doubt your intuition again." The Elf said. He then placed a hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "You, my friend, look horrible."
From the crowd, Gimli could suddenly be heard, "Where is he! Where is he! Get out of my way, I'm going to kill him!" The Dwarf finally broke through the crowd, and embraced Aragorn, "You are the luckiest, the cunningest, and most reckless man I never knew! Bless you, laddie!"
Haldir reached into his pocket and held his hand out to Aragorn, "This belongs to you." Haldir then placed Arwen's Evenstar back in the ranger's hand.
The man looked at the Elf gratefully, "Thank you, my friend."
Calina glanced off the side and saw Éoywn frozen in place, a crack of sadness on her face. Their eyes met, and Calina sent Éoywn a sympathetic look. The younger women managed a broken smile before hastily turning around and heading back to assisting the people with transporting more food into the caves.
Calina's attention was pulled back around by Aragorn. "Where is the King?" The ranger asked.
"The great hall." Haldir answered.
Aragorn nodded before heading off, the rest of his comrades following after him.
.
With Aragorn's grand entrance aside, the energy in the room was swift to turn grim. "A great host, you say?" Théoden asked, referring to the colossal army the ranger had just informed him was heading their way.
"All Isengard is emptied." Aragorn confirmed.
"How many?" The King asked.
"Ten thousand strong at least."
Théoden whipped back around, aghast, "Ten thousand?!"
"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men. They will be here by nightfall."
A devastating silence fell across the room, feeling much like a smoke that weighed down heavily in their lungs. "Let them come." Théoden declared as he walked outside with Aragorn, Gimli, Haldir, and Calina in tow. The King only stopped when he found Gamling, "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms ready for battle by nightfall." Gamling nodded, walking off to comply with his King's order.
The group walked until they came to the gate. They passed through it and onto the bridge that led into the keep, "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above," the King gestured around them as he spoke, "No army has ever breached the deeping wall or set foot inside the Hornburg."
"This is no rabble of mindless orcs." Gimli declared. "These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad."
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep." Théoden assured firmly as he began to walk back inside. "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn, we've seen it before. Crops can be resown. Homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."
Despite the King's determination, the others could not resist in expressing their concerns, Aragorn in particular, "They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!"
Théoden rounded back on Aragorn, "What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance!"
"Send out riders, my Lord." Aragorn implored. "You must call for aid."
"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not as lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead." Théoden said, his voice full of bitterness.
"Gondor will answer." Aragorn declared.
Aragorn's pledge earned a disbelieving laugh from the King. "Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon – No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone. Get the women and children into the caves."
Gamling hurried over, "We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, Lord–"
"There is no time. War is upon us!" Théoden bellowed.
Gamling paused for an instant before nodding, "Secure the gate." He then commanded. Gamling and the King strode off, leaving the remaining members of the Fellowship walking back in after them, the gate closing shortly behind them once they returned inside.
"I'm not going into the caves." Calina suddenly announced resolutely.
To her surprise, Boromir did not argue, "I knew there'd be no convincing you. Besides, with the spell back in place, your powers are sure to work to our great benefit. Now, let us try to find something to eat. We will need all of our strength for this battle." She nodded in agreement and they headed off.
.
People were scurrying all around the keep, most making their way back into the caves. A man was usering orders to the people, "Come on, quickly now!" He urged gruffly.
From amidst the crowd, Aragorn, Haldir, Boromir and Calina walked, discussing battle plans. "We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate." Aragorn began, eyes sweeping over the crowd.
"Aragorn, you must rest." Boromir said, coming up beside him, "You're no use to us half-alive." The ranger only continued forward, mind still turning over plans for the battle to come.
Éoywn suddenly appeared and called out to them, "Aragorn! I'm to be sent with the women into the caves." She said, hotly frantic as she came up to him.
Though some paces away, the others could clearly hear their conversation, "That is an honorable charge." He replied.
"To mend the children, to find food and bedding when the men return. What renown is there in that? And I've heard Calina has been allowed to fight?"
"My Lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who will your people look to in the last defense? And you have not seen the extent of Calina's powers. They are devastating, beyond anything you can imagine. They will be essential for our success in battle."
"But I can fight just as well! Let me stand by your side."
"It is not in my power to command it." Aragorn then turned and began to walk away.
Éoywn refused to relent, "You do not command the others to stay! They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you."
"I'm sorry." He said with a shake of the head.
Éoywn stormed off angrily, casting Calina a look of jealousy as she went. Calina instead returned the younger woman's look with a sympathetic expression as she stormed off.
.
Some time later, the group found themselves in the armory, weapons being handed out to the villagers. Calina's eyes swept over them, a look of disdain on her fair face. "To be parted from their mothers, wives, children…" She said sorrowfully, the dampness of the walls creeping in from around them.
"Farmers, farriers, stable boys." Aragorn said, shaking his head, "These are no soldiers."
"Most have seen too many winters!" Gimli noticed.
"Or too few." Haldir added. "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes." He looked to Aragorn who turned silent. The pair then began to speak in Elvish, their voices beginning to rise.
"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn suddenly yelled heatedly, the space between himself and the Haldir now tensely narrow. The pair stared at each other for an instant before Aragorn eventually turned and walked away from the Elf. Haldir tried to go after him, but was stopped by Gimli.
"Let him go, lad. Let him be." The Dwarf said calmly as they all watched the ranger head away, a somber air now hanging around them.
.
The moon was now high in the sky, casting a white glow across the keep. From inside, the group was readying themselves for battle, putting on armor and preparing their weapons. Boromir had settled into his chainmail as Calina was putting on light chest armor. "I will not lie," he began, "Our foes are many and–"
"We will be alright." She interjected reassuringly, trying to keep her brother's apprehension at bay.
"As much as I would like to believe it, that is a foolish promise."
She looked at him with deadset resolve, "There is always hope, brother. Never forget that."
They both looked over to see Haldir appear, Aragorn's sword in hand. "We have trusted you this far and you have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." Haldir declared sincerely. The man took back his sword. They then spoke briefly in Elvish, and both smiled at one another at their conversation's conclusion.
Gimli entered the room, now wearing chainmail. However, it was so long that it draped along the ground like the hem of a dress. "If I had time, I'd get this adjusted. It's a little tight across the chest." To this, the others smiled, and Calina couldn't help but let out a little laugh. The sound of a horn suddenly echoed through the night, and immediately drew their attention.
"That is no orc horn!" Haldir exclaimed immediately knowing the sound to be that of his kin. He then rushed out of the armory with Aragorn, Boromir, and Calina in tow. They all headed straight for the gate, the light of the moon helping guide their way. They arrived in time to see the King welcoming Elvin troops. But when she saw a figure amidst the front of the group, Calina froze, for at the head of the column stood none other than Legolas.