Faramir woke up early the next day to take the last watch of the night, relieving Frodo, who had the watch before him. Standing, he stretched and looked around for the hobbit, frowning when he couldn't see him. Waiting for several minutes, he grew worried; Frodo had still not returned, and with the orcs near them, it wasn't safe to be wandering. He quietly made his way to Aragorn's side, kneeling next to him as the older ranger woke, sitting up with a hand on his sword's hilt. Faramir motioned for him to follow him and quietly moved to the edge of the camp, where they could speak without worrying about waking the others.

"Frodo is missing. I'll go after him if you keep watch." Faramir watched as Aragorn frowned in worry. "Do you think we should wake up the others?"

After a moment, Aragorn shook his head. "No. We should let them get the most sleep they can; if you have not found him by the time they wake, then we should all look."

Faramir nodded silently before slipping into the woods. Moving swiftly, he was soon out of earshot of the camp. He stood still in the silence, straining his ears for any noise that a hobbit would make. Hearing nothing, he made his way further into the woods, stopping once again after a few minutes to listen. He continued on this way as the black of night gave way to the grey of dawn. As it was growing brighter he began looking for signs that someone had passed that way. The sun had just made its way over the horizon when he found the first sign. The branches were bent in a wandering path, which Faramir followed to a clearing.

He froze as he saw Frodo; the hobbit was standing in the centre of the clearing, his back to Faramir, his shoulders slumped, and his head bowed. The ranger stepped on a branch, cracking it, letting Frodo know he was there. The hobbit spun, showing his drawn features; his skin was pale, and the bags under his eyes stood out starkly. Taking a step forward, Faramir froze again as he saw the ring. Frodo was holding the chain, watching the ring swing on it. The hobbit looked up, suddenly holding his hand out and looking up at him with pleading eyes.

"Would you take it from me?" His voice was tired, and resigned. "It is too heavy of a burden for me."

Smiling gently, Faramir walked forward, kneeling and looking into Frodo's eyes as he pushed the voice whispering in his head away. Reaching out, he pulled the ring up by the chain, settling it into the hobbit's hand and closing Frodo's fingers over the ring.

"It is your burden to bear, Frodo. But remember this: every person who is given a burden is also given the ability to bear it."

He watched as Frodo nodded, slipping the chain over his neck with a resigned sigh. "I know that I must bear it. But it is heavy, and it is getting heavier."

Faramir nodded. "I know." Frodo take a deep breath stiffening, and the ranger smiled. "You have decided what we must do?"

The ringbearer nodded. "Yes. I must continue on my own." He looked at the Faramir. "It is as you said. It is my burden to carry."

Suddenly Faramir stood, drawing his sword and pushing Frodo into the trees. There was the faint sound of swords clashing and orc cries. He pushed the hobbit ahead of him as he ran, trying to keep them away from the direction the battle sounds were coming from. He could see Frodo growing weary as they ran, the weight of the ring holding him back. The ring-bearer stumbled, falling to his knees, head bowed. Faramir crouched beside him, pulling him to rest against a tree as he scanned the area around them. There were no orcs within sight, but the sound of crashing in the trees was growing closer. He looked hard at Frodo.

"I need you to run. That way." He pointed in the direction of the river. "I will try to stay behind you, but you must run without thought till you reach the river and the boats." He stood and pulled Frodo to his feet. "Stay safe, Frodo Baggens."

Faramir pushed Frodo ahead of him, watching as the hobbit ran. He followed just as Frodo was disappearing from his sight, scanning the woods around them for orcs. There was a sudden noise behind him, and he spun, bringing up his sword to block the orc's weapon that was aimed at his head. The fight ended quickly, with Faramir's own sword strike being the last. He spun back around, searching for Frodo. He made it only a few more steps before three more orcs came upon him. This time the fight was for his life, and Faramir knew it: the orcs were strong and outnumbered him, making it easy for them to surround him. He heard in the distance the sound of battle fading and the remaining army of orcs running directly towards him.

As he ducked the enemy swords, he made use of his small knife in his boot, driving it into the leg of the largest and strongest of the orcs. The orc howled, swinging his sword more violently, hitting another orc. The last uninjured orc turned on the largest orc, leaving Faramir the chance to slip away. He ran swiftly to the river, breathing in relief as he saw one of their boats in the distance. Frodo was sitting in the boat, looking back at the shore. The ranger lifted his arm in a salute, smiling as Frodo answered with a salute of his own. As the boat turned to face the other shore, Faramir felt his heart lighten as he saw Sam looking back at him. He was not surprised that the loyal gardener had gone with Frodo.

He stood staring across the river as the hobbits reached the other shore before pushing the empty boat back into the river, letting it drift down the water and over the falls. He turned as the two hobbits disappeared and slowly gathered up the remaining packs, sorting through them and putting the important things in one: the remaining food and medical supplies. He did not know if the others had survived the orc attack, but he would look for them. As he was kneeling next to the packs, he heard footsteps coming into the camp. He stood, drawing his sword in one motion only to sheath it right away, nodding in respect as Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli walked into the camp, worn and weary. He looked for the two youngest hobbits.

"Merry and Pippin?"

Gimli sighed, shaking his head as he looked at the ground. "They were taken by the orcs."

Aragorn looked at the two remaining boats. "Frodo made his decision then?" He nodded as Faramir answered. "I thought that would be his decision. Sam went with him?"

"Yes. Nothing would separate the two of them." His voice held a tinge of amusement. He stepped up to them, growing serious as he placed his hands on Gimli and Aragonr's shoulders, looking into Legolas' eyes. "We cannot leave Merry and Pippin in the hands of the orcs." He squeezed Gimli's shoulder. "The fellowship may have been separated, but the friendship will last. Do not doubt that." Legolas completed the circle, griping Gimli and Aragorn's shoulders as well. With onelast look at each other, they separated. Faramir grabbed the pack, and together they ran into the woods, chasing after their friends.

The End: For Now