The Rival

[lindahoyland]

Disclaimer: The characters are the property of the Tolkien Estate. No profit has been, nor will be made from this story

I look at the unconscious man’s face. How like his father he is!

I sense he is very near death.

 

Should Sauron fall, Denethor’s son would be the last obstacle between my hopes of Gondor’s crown and winning Arwen’s hand.

 

I am exhausted, yet Gandalf requests I heal my rival, the man who could destroy all my hopes.

 

I take Faramir’s hand and feel his brow. I sense a man of quality and goodness. I cannot allow this man’s life to be forfeit to the Dark Lord when I could prevent it.

 

Whatever it costs me, I must save him. 

A/N. A very personal view of a favourite moment from LOTR. Written for the "Difficult Decisons "Challenge.

 

Comments

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I inadvertently smiled evilly when I read this. No fault of yours or your story--but it just provoked a plotbunny for a scary dark!fic in my mind. Don't worry though, I don't write dark fics, but Halloween and requests from friends for scary stories are all about me this month. Of course, Aragorn is far too strong and noble to give in to such impulses, but maybe he could have his brain scorched by a Nazgul or something (damage only temporary, but enough to cause some nervous moments at Faramir's sickbed). I am so sorry! I am not usually so silly (I am silly, but not about other people's lovely, well-written stories); please take this in the spirit it was sent--me overwhelmed by people nagging me for dark and scary ficlets or making me Beta-read them.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I'm not at all offended, but could easily see it as the basis for a scary AU, while naturally preferring Tolkien's version of events! I'm pleased you enjoyed this.Thanks for commenting.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

Don't worry--I will never write it. And I do like your version better!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you.LOTR is full of fascinating what ifs? Maybe why we so love writing fanfic.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Their reply was:
Aragorn might think Faramir will be just like his father and brother.

Absolutely! What an original angle to put on the challenge! Like everybody else, I never considered Aragorn as seeing Faramir as a rival - when of course he is... just as much as Boromir was... great drabble.

Kortirion

[juliaaurelia.livejournal.com]

Liked this one--very good first person perspective from Aragorn.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I think it caused a minor stir amongst some readers!

Difficult decision

[nestashouse.livejournal.com]

This is very striking. Faramir might have proved to be a very dangerous enemy, and nobody could really have blamed Aragorn if he'd stood up, shrugged regretfully, and said 'awfully sorry, there's nothing I can do'.

But he couldn't have lived with himself afterwards, could he?

Re: Difficult decision

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

If Aragorn had chosen not to help Faramirr,it would make a interesting AU(Not that I would wish to write it) but you are write,he would be unable to live with himself.

Thank you,I'm pleased you found this striking.

[nierielraina.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like this Linda! Great job!

NiRi

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.