A Risk And What It Brings

The Son of Gondor

Within hours, the four arrived.
Boromir, Gimli, Merry and Pippin arrived at Gondor.
They dismounted their horses, and Boromir was greeted by a man.
"Companions, this is my brother, Faramir."
He greeted them kindly, and they bowed to him.
"Was your trip successful, brother? Do you have it?"
Boromir looked uneasily for a second, but said that he didn't.
"Father won't be pleased to know."
"Well, we have more than a simple disappointment to tell him."
The five entered the Hall of the Kings, and Denethor sat on the throne beside the King's throne.
"Son," he exclaimed, getting up.
The two hugged.
"It has been a short while, but at last you return. Now, show it to me."
"I do not have the Ring, father."
Denethor looked at him, feeling a little disappointed.
"There are more important things to discuss. Mordor is growing. Soon they may attack, and we must be ready when they do."

Theoden sat where his son, Thengel had been buried. He had missed much during his time under Saruman's control.
"The time to mourn Thengel will come soon. That time is not now. You must bring your army together, and we must make ready to fight against Saruman's forces."
Theoden sighed.
He knew in his heart that Gandalf was right.
After convincing Theoden to bring together the Rohirrim, and Gandalf rode off to Fangorn.

Frodo and Sam raided Saruman's storeroom.
They had taken some apples.
They had nothing to eat for a while besides the Lembas bread.
Sam discovered some Pipe Weed in a pot.
Frodo immediately hid it from Treebeard's sight.
"Might be a relative," chuckled Frodo.
Gandalf rode up, discovering what had become of Saruman's army.

"Young Master Gandalf," said Treebeard.
"Gandalf!" exclaimed the hobbits, trudging through the water to greet their once dead companion.
"Hobbits truly are amazing creatures," said Gandalf.
He quickly looked up and Orthanc, and back down at Frodo.
"Is it safe?"
Frodo felt his pocket. The ring lay in there on its chain.
Frodo nodded.
"Treebeard, I may need some assistance in a place far from here. We must defeat more of these Orcs."
"Anything for you, old friend," said Treebeard.
"I must stay to keep watch over the wizard."
"And we must continue to Mordor!" exclaimed Frodo.
"Very well, my friends. I say farewell, hopefully not for the last time. I must go now."
Gandalf rode off, bringing some smaller Ents with him.
"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Mr Treebeard," said Sam.
"An honor, it was to me," said Treebeard.
After stocking up on items from Saruman's storage room, the two headed south.
They didn't know that from behind the trees, a pale figure watched them. He knew what Frodo had. And he wanted it.

The soldiers and guards made ready. They had even begun building a wall on the outskirts of Gondor to slow down the armies of Mordor.
"When ready, we will light the beacons. Minas Tirith will not fall." said Boromir.
Denethor nodded. He had known something that Boromir hid from him. He himself had a palantír, and he knew that Aragorn would one day reluctantly come for the throne. Gondor had no king, and as far as he was concerned Gondor needed no king.
Faramir had made ready to fight, and sent a faction led by himself and Boromir to defend Osgiliath, were it to be attacked.