Day 270: Upon the stricken field

[tanaquiljall]

Prompted by a conversation with elena_tiriel: a drabble about Imrahil rescuing Faramir outside the walls of Minas Tirith during the retreat from the Causeway Forts.

Day 270

as part of the Wild Swan series.

Upon the stricken field

In the press of battle, Imrahil glimpsed a familiar profile engaging a Southron rider, and rejoiced his nephew yet lived. But even as hope flamed, he saw Faramir stagger and fall.

Fear lent speed to his arm to end the contest with his current foe. Then, heedless of what else passed upon the field, he wheeled his horse and rallied his knights in a charge.

Others may die because I seek to save him. Is this for Gondor, which can ill afford to lose his captaincy? Or for mine own sake, who cannot bear to mourn another dear to me?

Comments

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this,I always wanted to know more about this moment.

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks, Linda - I definitely think we didn't get enough from Tolkien about it. *g*

[elena-tiriel.livejournal.com]

Oh, how poignant, Liz! No doubt Imrahil is still shocked by the loss of Boromir.... and given how sunk into his mourning Denethor is, I bet he didn't deliver the news gently!

But the shock of having his hope raised by seeing Faramir alive, and then witnessing him fall must have been horrible.

Touching and well done, Liz!

- Barbara

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks, Barbara. {{{hugs}}}

[rakshathedemon.livejournal.com]

Interesting; in this drabble; Imrahil ponders the same dilemma that Gandalf did - whether or not to save Faramir; knowing that the action would probably cause the deaths of others. Of course, Imrahil makes the same decision; one can't let Faramir die!

Well-written.

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks, Raksha. I was trying to make Imrahil's decision a little more personal than Gandalf's, but you're right that it's the same choice about whether one life outweighs others.

And of course one can't let Faramir die! *g*

[dkpalaska.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! I can only echo other comments as to the emotions and immediacy you packed into this drabble. Imrahil's questioning of his motives is apt, though as noted he of course made the right decision. On the side of "for Gondor", too, is the fact that Faramir is Steward's Heir now.

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks Denise. {{{hugs}}}

the fact that Faramir is Steward's Heir now

Well, I was sort of encompassing that in "captain". ;-)

[sgafan.livejournal.com]

ooh, I love that! *applause*

[tanaquiljall]

Thank you, sgafan. {{{hugs}}}

And thanks for all your comments!