Bravery and Courage. Found on the Battlefield.

Chapter four: Preparing for Battle and the Battle.

Arneths POV.
It has been less then four hours since Osgiliath fell and less than three since I overheard Denethor and Faramir's conversation. At the moment I'm standing on the wall with Gandalf who is talking to some soldiers. "What of Théoden's Riders? Will Rohan's army come? Mithrandir," the soldiers are bombarding Gandalf with question and I can tell that he is trying his hardest to answer them without making the men fear for the future. "Courage is the best defense you have now," Gandalf says. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I turn then and decide to go find Pippin. I touch Gandalf's arm as I pass him. Pippin is sitting alone in a chamber just off the throne room. "What were you thinking, Peregrin Took? What service can a Hobbit offer such a great house of Men?" I hear him mutter to himself. I looked up then and my gaze connected with Faramir's and I nodded in response to his unvoiced question. "It was well-done. A generous deed should not be checked with cold counsel. You are to join the tower guard," he said. "I didn't think they would find any livery that would fit me," Pippin admitted. I have to say I was surprised also. The seamstress didn't have enough time to pull Pippins clothes together however it turns out she made mine in a night, with the help of many others no doubt. "It once belonged to a young boy of the city. A very foolish one who wasted many hours slaying dragons instead of attending to his studies," I say from the doorway and throw a pointed look in Faramir's direction. Pippin looks up to Faramir and asks; "This was yours?". "Yes, it was mine. My father had it made for me," Faramir says while nodding. "Well, I'm taller than you were then. Though I'm not likely to grow anymore, except sideways," Pippin says and that we all laugh gently. "Never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier. They were so alike, he and my father. Proud. Stubborn even. But strong," I smile gently at Faramir's words and turn to leave. But Pippin's next words made me pause. "I think you have strength of a different kind. And one day your father will see it," he says and you can hear the sincerity in his voice. Oh, little hobbit, how are you so insightful.

Earlier on today Gandalf told me I would have to have Pippin swear on oath of fealty to Gondor. I spoke to Pippin about it after he had a lengthy chat with Faramir. So now I am perched in my throne with Faramir on my right and Denethor on the stewards chair as we watch Pippin swear his oath from his position in front of the throne, where he kneels. "Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, in peace or war, in living or dying, from...from this hour henceforth, until my lady release me, or death take me," he finishes. I take a deep breath and pray that it won't come to the last and hating myself for doing this to Pippin. Just as I was about to say my part to accept Pippin's oath Denethor speaks up. "And we shall not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given. My lady," Denethor says with an amused smile as he waves me down. I stare blankly back at him before turning my attention to Pippin. I smile brightly as Faramir helps me stand without me falling down the stairs. As I descend I glare at Denethor who seems confused. He does not know that I dislike him now for his earlier conversation with Faramir. On reaching the bottom I stand in front of Pippin and I feel Faramir come to a halt behind me. I extend my hand to Pippin, he looks confused and I quickly flick my gaze to the ring on which the emblem of Gondor is engraved. Pippin,nods slightly and kisses the ring, I look him in the eyes and see his fear. I can only offer him a sad smile in return before I lay my hand on his cheek. "Fealty with love. Valor with honour," Denethor pauses staring right at Faramir before continuing. "Disloyalty with vengeance.". Denethor then goes and sits at a table on which there is a platter of fruit and meats. Pippin stands and moves to my side and I put my arm around him. I get the feeling we need to be here for this conversation, because I know Denethor is not finished. I was right. "I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses, defenses that your brother long held intact," I gasp as he says this to Faramir. For the moment I will stay out of this conversation. "What would you have me do?" Faramir asks. "I will not yield the river and Pelennor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken," Denethor says. I scoff and the attention turns to me. "Osgiliath is overrun. We have no chance at getting it back and even if we did I will not put more men at risk," I say glaring at Denethor. He is shit-stirring here, trying to guilt Faramir into doing his bidding, he no longer has the authority to order anyone to do anything while I reside here. "Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?" Denethor looks between Faramir and I. "That's the thing Denethor, you are not the Lord. You hold no power. Not any-" I trail off as I realise what Denethor had implied. I look at Faramir, I know he got the implication as his face has saddened then at Pippin, he looks confused. "You wish now that our places had been exchanged, that I had died and Boromir had lived," Faramir's voice is cracking, he's trying not to cry. Denethor is silent for a while, he looks very serious. "Yes, I wish that," Denethor says almost as if he was only saying it to himself. Denethor brings a goblet of wine to his lips and drinks. Faramir looks at his father, tears forming in his eyes. I put my hand on his arm silently begging him not to do anything stupid. "Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead," Faramir says and he bows to his father and turns to leave. "Faramir please don't do this, don't let him win," I beg as I follow him trying to stop him from limping, yes limping, away. Pippin watches us, utterly shocked by what has occurred. Denethor merely sits with the wine goblet in his hands and is silent. Faramir stops and looks at me before pulling me into a hug. He turns then to look at the piece of filth that was once an honourable man. "If I should return, think better of me, Father," Faramir says. "That will depend on the manner of your return," Denethor replies coldly, not even bothering to look up. Faramir turns to leave again and I hold onto his arm until we get to the door. Pippin has followed us this time. "Look after the lady Pippin, I daresay she will need you before the end," Faramir says as he crouches to embrace Pippin. "Do not think unkindly of me Arneth, I am just giving him what he wants," Faramir puts his hands on either side of my face before wiping away my tears and kissing my forehead. This is what Aragorn would do and now, like many, many times before I wonder how my brother, my love and my best dwarf friend is and what they are doing.