So...this chapter has some extra AU stuff going on with Faramir's history. Although...it could be plausibly true I think. We do not know much of Faramir and Boromir's childhood so Faramir could have been kidnapped. Also, from what I could tell, Denethor began using the Palantir around the time when Faramir was five to around fifteen. Also Denethor may have started using it before Saruman.

More than a week had passed since they had left the elf's land. It was mostly a calm, safe leg of their journey, but at one point they could hear a crashing sound in the woods beside them, Legolas had said that there were orcs running thorugh the woods. Faramir was grateful to see the others returning to themselves, as the first days of them travelling on the river were quite each wrapped up in their own thoughts. They were stopped for the night, just at the head of a water fall, where they would need to choose, before they left the next morning, which way they would take. The path leading to Rohan and Gondor and past them to Mordor, or the path across the country leading to Mordor through dangerous snares. Faramir, seeing the decision weighing heavily on Frodo and Aragorn, and stood from where they had been sitting, deciding on the path.

"We now know the two paths. Let Frodo and Aragorn think over it tonight. If we rest now, the decision will come easier." Frodo met his eyes, and he continued. "We can't afford to take the wrong path, not with the ring."

Aragorn nodded and stood, gathering wood for a fire, as Sam pulled food out of a pack and began preparing supper. Faramir knelt by the hobbit and helped him. Once the supper was ready, Faramir began handing the food to the others. When he reached Pippin, the hobbit's voice was quiet as he took the plate. "Thanks."

Faramir looked at the young hobbit in worry. Lokking up, he met the gaze of Legolas, who was standing behind Pippin. The elf slilently watched as he began handing the rest of the plates to the others, and Faramir saw the hobbits jump when Legolas' voice broke the gloomy silence. "Faramir, would you tell us something about when you were on the ship? I'm sure the others would enjoy hearing of it."

Faramir lifted an eyebrow. "And you do not?" He smirked at Legolas' sheepish smile, shrugging. He sat down, staring into the small fire. "It's a long story; I wish it had not happened, but..." He trailed off, looking at Pippin, who had grown animated at the prospect of a distraction from the gloomy atmosphere. Looking back up at Legolas, he saw the elf nod, and he knew that he started the conversation for that reason. He took a bite of his food and chewed, thinking over what he was going to say.

"Remember how I told you of the servant who thought I was his son, how he was killed, and how I was taken?" He watched Sam nod. "The servant was killed by pirates, and I was taken by them. After a long two years in their hands, my uncle was able to rescue me, and I made my way home." He grinned suddenly. "It was not all bad. We sailed all over Arda, finding new lands and ports."

Merry watched him intently. "Did you ever get lost?"

Nodding, Faramir continued. "One time, we had been sailing for several weeks and were running out of food and water. The lookout reported seeing a strange creature swimming around us. The captain looked and saw a dolphin swimming around our ship, it soon swam off, coming back almost at once. After the dolphin did this a few times, the captain, who was very superstishous, ordered us to follow the dolphin. Soon, we came to a small island. Once we landed, we wandered around the small island. There were birds flying around--clourful birds that made had sounds. We made our way to the centre of the island and found a waterfall in a clearing, coming from a crack in a rock, and landing in a pool. There was green grass and flowers all around, the pool. We rested there for a few days, gathering our strength and fixing the ship. By the time we left, we had found a food source, and gathering it and some of the water, we set sail again." He smirked. "The captain kept trying to find the island, but never was able to."

Faramir told of other things that happened while he was on the ship. Storms, exotic lands, and strange animals. He watched the faces of his companions. The hobbits, except for Frodo, who was distant and not listening, were engrossed with images of an adventureous voyage on the sea. The others in the company who heard what he hadn't been saying were watching him with interest, and something else-- not pity, but something he couldn't understand. Gimli growled, his hand gripping the axe that lay beside him. "Those Orcs!"

Smiling Faramir shrugged. "Well, yes. But they were given the justice they deserved." He fell silent, letting Sam take the plate from his hand as he stared into the fire. After a few minutes of silence from the others, Legolas turned to Gimli.

"So, I suppose that it's true that your father was one of the thirteen dwarfs who tramped through my home many years ago, forcing us to imprison them for our home's sake?"

Gimli sputtered, his voice raising slightly in outrage. "They did not tramp through your home. They were captured by your people and placed in prison."

Faramir heard the others laugh as they began talking together. He felt someone moving to sit by him, and turning his head, he saw Pippin. The young hobbit looked at him, all traces of mischief gone from his face as his eyes grew solemn. "I'm sorry, Faramir, for all that happened to you."

Faramir looked hard at the hobbit. He was continually amazed at the hobbit. He seemed to be only mischievous and someone who didn't think, yet he was thoughtful and smarter than he let on. He smiled gratefully at Pippin, his smile growing to a grin as he laughed over Legolas and Gimli's argument. They spent the rest of the evening telling stories and laughing at jokes as they relaxed.