Faramir's pov (cause why not )
Me and one of my rangers look over a map.
"What news?" I ask.
"Our scouts report Saruman has attacked Rohan. Théoden's people have fled to Helm's Deep. But we must look to our own borders. Faramir, orcs are on the move. Sauron is marshalling an army. Easterlings and Southrons are passing through the Black Gate." Madril says.
"How many?" I ask.
"Some thousands. More come every day." Madril says.
"Who's covering the river to the north?" I ask.
"We pulled five hundred men out of Osgiliath, but if the city is attacked, we won't hold it." Madril says.
"Saruman attacks from Isengard. Sauron from Mordor. The fight will come to men on both fronts. Gondor is weak. Sauron will strike us soon. And he will strike hard. He knows now we do not have the strength to repel him." I say. The two hobbits' hoods are removed.I approach them.
"My men tell me that you are orc spies." I say.
"Spies! Now wait just a minute." The blonde says.
"Well if you're not spies, then who are you?" I ask. The hobbits remain silent and I sit down.
Faramir: "Speak!" I command.
"We are hobbits of the Shire. Frodo Baggins is my name and this is Samwise Gamgee." The dark haired one replies.
"Your bodyguard?" I ask.
"His gardener." The one who is Sam says.
"And where is your skulking friend? That gangrel creature. He had an ill-favored look." I say.
"There was no other." Frodo says. "We set out from Rivendell with nine companions. One we lost in Moria. Two were my kin. A dwarf there was also. And three elves. And two men. Aragorn, son of Arathorn and Boromir of Gondor."
"You were friend of Boromir?" I ask.
"Yes, for my part." He replied.
"It would grieve you then, to learn that he is dead?" I ask and stand.
"Dead? How? When?" He asks.
"As one of his companions, I had hoped you would tell me." I say.
"If something has happened to Boromir, we would have you tell us." He says.
"His horn washed up upon the riverbank, about six days past. It was cloven in two." I say. "But more than this, I know it in my heart. He was my brother."
I'm on a riverbank, turns and see a boat approaching. I wade into the river.It is filled with water and Boromir is lying dead inside.The boat continues past me.
Back in the caves of Henneth Annûn, I sits alone holding Boromir's horn.Another flashback, this time to a crowd at Osgiliath, facing Boromir.
"Boromir!" The crowd yells.
Boromir is waving the white flag of the Stewards.
"Boromir!" The crowd yells.
Boromir stands upon a high wall in Osgiliath. He lifts his sword and addresses a crowd of Gondorian soldiers below.
"This city was once the jewel of our kingdom. A place of light, and beauty, and music. And so it shall be once more!" Boromir yells. The crowd cheers.
"Let the armies of Mordor know this: Never again will the land of my people fall into enemy hands." Boromir says.
More cheering.
"The city of Osgiliath has been reclaimed. For Gondor!" Boromir exclaims.
"For Gondor!" The crowd cheer.
"For Gondor!" Boromir exclaims.
"For Gondor!" The crowd cheer.
"For Gondor!" Boromir exclaims.
"For Gondor!" The crowd cheers.
Back on the streets, Boromir and I meet and embrace.
"Good speech. Nice and short." I say.
"Leaves more time for drinking!" Boromir exclaims.
"Break out the ale! These men are thirsty!" Boromir yells.
"Remember today, little brother. Today, life is good." Boromir says.
I look past Boromir and stop smiling.
"What?" Boromir asks.
"He is here." I say.
"One moment of peace. Can he not give us that?" Boromir asks.
"Where is he? Where is Gondor's finest? Where is my first-born?" Our father asks.
"Father!" Boromir exclaims.
Boromir and our father embrace.
"They say you vanquished the enemy almost single-handedly." Our father says.
"They exaggerate. The victory belongs to Faramir also." Boromir says.
"But for Faramir, this city would still be standing. Were you not entrusted to protect it?" Our father asks.
"I would have done, but our numbers were too few." I say.
"Oh, too few. You let the enemy walk in and take it on a whim. Always you cast a poor reflection on me." Our father says.
"That is not my intent." I say.
"You give him no credit and yet he tries to do your will." Boromir says.
Boromir withdraws to an alcove. Denethor follows.
"He loves you, Father." Boromir says.
"Do not trouble me with Faramir. I know his uses, and they are few. We have more urgent things to speak of. Elrond of Rivendell has called a meeting. He will not say why, but I have guessed its purpose. It is rumored that the weapon of the enemy has been found." Our father says.
"The One Ring. Isildur's Bane." Boromir says.
"It has fallen into the hands of the Elves. Everyone will try to claim it: Men, Dwarves, wizards. We cannot let that happen. This thing must come to Gondor." Our father says.
"Gondor." Boromir says.
"It's dangerous, I know. Ever the Ring will seek to corrupt the hearts of lesser men. But you, you are strong and our need is great. It is our blood which is being spilled, our people who are dying. Sauron is biding his time. He's massing fresh armies. He will return. And when he does, we will be powerless to stop him. You must go. Bring me back this mighty gift." Our father says.
"No. My place is here with my people. Not in Rivendell." Boromir says.
"Would you deny your own father?" Our father asks.
"If there is need to go to Rivendell, send me in his stead." I say.
"You? Oh, I see. A chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his quality. I think not. I trust this mission only to your brother. The one who will not fail me." Our father says.
Boromir sits his horse and looks up at the flag of the Stewards.
Boromir and I look at each other.
"Remember today, little brother." Boromir says. Boromir rides away.
