These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain
Half hearted - Elrond - Co-written with Raksha "I have pledged myself to Aragorn, adar; and given him my heart. Together we shall abide the Doom of Men." My daughter’s words strike me like a blow. Long have I feared the day when a child of mine would forsake the Eldar. I still miss my brother, through all the long years since we were sundered. Were Aragorn an Elf, I could rejoice with my whole heart. None of my many fosterlings have become so close a son to me as Estel. And yet, if my brother chose a mortal life, how can I deny it to my child?
The Mission - Faramir “Your brother shall go to Imladris,” Denethor said firmly to his younger son. “I have granted him the errand.” “I had the dream several times, father, Boromir had it but once,” Faramir protested. ”Maybe he dreamed, because I told him of my vision.” “I have decided and will not be gainsaid,” said the Steward, looking at Faramir sharply. If this dream portended what he thought it might, he was not risking this impressionable wizard’s pupil of a son on such a mission. Should the heir to the sword -that -was broken come forth, he feared Faramir’s head would be turned. A/N
The idea of Denethor fearing to send Faramir on the mission came about in e mail discussions on the subject with Raksha some months ago and was her idea. The conversation in the story takes place in July 3018
The Parting Gift - Galadriel I could have turned him away; made certain he never passed my borders to behold her again. Instead, I bade him welcome, had a bath prepared and fine garments laid out for him. Joy had long eluded Arwen. I feared her fading. Aragorn ached with emptiness. I saw into his heart and hers. Destiny dictates that they be united. Today I bestow the bride gift upon him. The adoration in his eyes at her name awes me. I lose much at his gaining. Yet, he is worthy indeed. Though I am doomed to diminish, their fruit will flourish. I rejoice. A/N. The events take place as the Fellowship takes leave of Galadriel. She is looking back to events of almost 40 years earlier.
Last Thoughts - Boromir I wish I could have seen you one last time, Faramir. Perhaps it is better this way. I failed to fulfil the mission that you would have claimed. Would you have succumbed so easily, little brother? I sought only to bring glory to Gondor. My eyes grow dim. Elendil’s heir is beside me, holding my hand. Weeping, he blesses me. I have no choice but to charge him with saving our people. Had I not fallen this day, would I have hailed him as king? Would I have let this Ranger from the North supplant our father? I know not...... A/N
This is a sequel to my story “The Slave of the Ring”.
The events take place in the book on 26th February 3019
Blessed by Hope- Éomer - Co-written with Raksha Hope has long faded from the Riddermark. Yet yield I will not! While I can still bear blade, I shall fight the fierce foes, defending lord and land and my shadowed House. Today we slew many Orcs, though we lost brave comrades in the battle. I was weary. Then I espied three strangers, seemingly springing from the grass to ask my aid. Do I dream? Elves and Dwarves are known in tales of sorcery. But never have I seen the like of the man who stands before me. He stirs my soul. The light in his eyes kindles hope anew A/N .The events in this drabble take place in the book on the last day of February in 3019. Thengling mighty -Théoden With grateful thanks to Raksha for suggesting the title and beta reading. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Isaiah 60 2-3 Darkness enshrouded him. Deep darkness. He knew not for how long. Day followed day, month followed month, and year followed year. The children of his House tried in vain to lift his spirits. The darkness though was stronger. Wormtongue's words seemed wisdom, lulling him back to lethargy when inklings of awareness dawned. Dark were his days and darker his disgrace. Then hope entered the hall. The wizard once grey garbed, now gleamed white. Stretching forth his staff, he kindled anew the King's fading flame.
A/N Théoden was healed by Gandalf on March 2nd 3019 and died in battle on March 15th.
A Man of Worth - Éowyn Why does no one understand? I cannot lie here. I want to fight and die beside my brother and beside him, though he loves me not. What hope remains for me? The Steward turns to look at me, his gaze both stern and sad. My heart leaps amazed. It were almost as if l looked upon the Lord Aragorn. I sense rare nobility and great strength within this man too. He gently smiles upon me; his grey eyes kind and insightful. I sense an inner pain there, reflecting mine own. Maybe Lord Aragorn is not the only man of worth?
This is my version of Éowyn’s first impression of Faramir. at the first meeting Tolkien described in his book .I imagine it takes place around March 20th,depending on how quickly they recover from their injuries. We know the Host departs on March 18th from Minas Tirith. I imagine this taking place two days after my story “Facing the Darkness” ends.
Flame and Shadow – Aragorn The King, his Queen beside him, lit the bonfire. It first flickered, then flared to full flame. Aragorn drew Andúril and stepped away, hailing the year’s rebirth. The firelight rose behind him, seeming to wreath his sword and noble features in living flame. Faramir hung back within the shadows. “Come forth and stand beside me,” Aragorn invited. “A new age has dawned, the returned King should greet the year,” the Steward answered. “What is the future without the past?” Aragorn replied. “Our land needs both. Together we shall build Gondor anew.” As he spoke, the bells proclaimed the sun reborn. A/N .I imagine the events taking place during the Winter Solstice of 3019 after "The White Tree" but before "Shadow and Thought."
The Right Choice - Arwen
Now it can never be. I shall not see my mother until the ending of the world. I have made my choice. My son starts to cry. I take him from his cradle and put him to my breast. He suckles contentedly. The love I feel for him is overwhelming. I understand now the truly wondrous depths of a mother’s love. Aragorn awakes beside me. He smiles at me, his eyes filled with adoration. I have chosen rightly. My mother will understand.
A/N . We do not know when Eldarion was born in Tolkien’s version of events. In my stories this takes place near the end of “Burden of Guilt” and could be a missing scene from the story.
The Lesson - Aragorn and Faramir The covered object stood in the centre of the table. Faramir approached it hesitantly. He was known as a tamer of man and beast, but this thing and the memories it evoked caused even his valiant heart to quail. Yet, learn to use it he must, if he were to prove a worthy Steward of the Realm. “You do not have to do this, my friend,” Aragorn said gently. “I must,” Faramir replied. ”It cannot destroy me as it did my father. Sauron is no more.” “I will teach you how best to master it,” Aragorn replied, unveiling the palantír. |