Only a Fool's Hope
just making sure i have it in here too-- not sure how to cross-post from Dreamwidth (and i still want to keep my fics here). :P
A little ficlet because i have a Siege of Gondor obsession these days ;)
“Do not throw your life away rashly or in bitterness,” he said. You will be needed here, for other things than war. Your father loves you, Faramir, and will remember it ere the end. Farewell!”- Siege of Gondor, RotK
Faramir knew that Gandalf went well but he could not see the hope or love that his father still maintained for him. He doubted that Denethor cared. Denethor seemed to have changed since the news of Boromir’s death in which Faramir was still feeling sorrowful about. But he had long mastered his emotions and did not respond to Gandalf, only continuing on his path down the levels of Minas Tirith so that he could gather whichever men that could be spared to lead the charge to defend the city. It was not the time to show weakness and he had something to prove before his end.
“Faramir!”
“Where does my allegiance lie if not here?” he replied softly, not meeting Gandalf’s gaze for he did not want to show that his eyes were full of unshed tears.
Gandalf looked on hopelessly. It was not that he disagreed with Denethor’s tactic in having his men have one last stand to defend the Rammas Echor and the Pelennor, but the sour mood that Faramir was in leading his men could not lead to much hope and if Gondor loses its only hope? The attempt to thwart the enemy was a fool’s hope at best. He was concerned for Faramir and looked on with worry.
The mood of the city was somber as many Gondorians loathed the fact that their troops had to go out for one last stand for the city. The city itself was half its normal occupancy, the women and children had already left to the southern cities in order to make sure they were not harmed. Those that stayed behind were mostly royalty and those that had nowhere else to go. The Gondorians felt that the darkness had already started. Hope waned in everyone’s hearts. It was not long till the enemy may be at their doorstep. Will their Captain deliver them to safety? Can his men defend the walls of the city?
When Faramir was leading his men in the retreat against the orcs and Nazgul later, Gandalf would appear again and Faramir was glad for all hope had already left him and seeing Gandalf help gave him one more concerted attempt to fight back the orcs and the Haradrim.
“Help me guide the wounded back to the city!” cried Faramir to Gandalf. “I will guide the men back.” Faramir looked fatigued but his look of determination was still there. His weary eyes shined with resolution.
The enemy had made the day seem like nighttime as a strange darkness had a hold of the lands. Faramir’s men can barely handle the orcs but the dreaded Nazgul appeared as well and a cold terror seized even the most stout men that Faramir had. Even Faramir felt the effects of the Nazgul so close upon him and he felt light-headed.
“Fall back!” cried Faramir.
Gandalf helped fight off one Nazgul on air, but another Nazgul had caused flight for Faramir’s men and the retreat became a rout. The presence of the Nazgul made Faramir and his men be discouraged and even Faramir felt some negative thoughts return.
“Then farewell father, if I shall return, think better of me.”
Was anything he did ever enough for his father? Would he remember his efforts before the end? The momentary lack of concentration made him lose sight of the Haradrim that was quickly gaining on him. He used his sword to defend against the first blow that the enemy gave. The hand to hand combat would have been lost if he had not had his chain mail intact. He thwarted the enemy’s blows and finally gave a mortal blow to a soft spot in the Haradrim’s armor.
“Watch out Faramir!”
But he did not know what caused the searing pain that pierced his shoulder. He tried to recover and drive his horse forward. Weariness and pain was overwhelming. Then something hit him in the head. He can only feel himself falling and he knows no more.