Fading Hope
by Eruvanne
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Part 1
June 18, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
Upon this day I have turned 23 years old. You were given to me by
the eldest of my younger brothers, Earnil for my birthday. You truly
are a beautiful book with crimson leather backing and the tree of
Gondor printed in silver on the front. I used to own a diary when I was
younger but I didn’t write in it and lost it. So now I’m determined to
write regularly in this diary. However, I can’t continue now as I am
being called to my birthday celebration. I will write more as soon as I
get a chance.
Gilrael
June 19, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
Since I was unable to tell you about myself yesterday, I will now.
My name is Gilrael. I was born in the year 2995 of the Third Age of
Middle Earth and am the oldest of four children. I have three younger
brothers named Earnil, Valandil, and Romendacil. Earnil has entered
into the service of the Tower Guard while Valandil and Romendacil are
in training. My mother was Firiel, sister to Finduilas of Dol Amroth
who was the wife of Denethor II, Steward of Gondor, and my father was
Eldacar, Guard of the Citadel of Gondor. Unfortunately, both my parents
have perished. My mother was captured by orcs and was never seen again.
Therefore, my father went to search for her while he left my brothers
and me in the care of my Uncle Denethor. My father was gone for one
month and was finally found barely alive. He was brought back to Gondor
where doctors tried to bring him back to health. Their efforts were in
vain and he died within the span of two days. We children didn’t quite
understand what was happening since I was only seven and my brothers
were five, four, and three. We now live with my Uncle Denethor and our
cousins Faramir and Boromir. Both are much older than we are and serve
in the defense of Gondor. Although they are older than us, both are
more than willing to play with and talk to my brothers and me. I must
go now for Uncle Denethor is calling me. I shall write more soon.
Gilrael
Part 2
June 20, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
Oh it’s dreadful! The Dark Lord Sauron of Mordor has attacked the
garrison in the city of Osgiliath. Boromir, Faramir, and Earnil rode
out this morning with many other soldiers to go support the city. I
have been learning the art of healing so I might go to Osgiliath to
help the men there. Oh how I hope my family will be safe. I don’t know
how I would bear the loss of more of my family. How I hope they will be
safe.
Gilrael
June 22, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
I’m in Osgiliath, as I had earlier thought, helping to fulfill the
needs of the men. I go around every day finding the wounded practically
everywhere. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Even now
I can think of one young man who I helped. He had a long, jagged cut
which was an inch deep down the side of his head and his arms and legs
bloodied from smaller wounds and battle. When I came to help him, he
smiled though I could see in his eyes that he was in pain. Oh how badly
I felt for him. He reminded me of Earnil and how it might have been him
with those wounds. I shuddered to think of it. However, I must carry on
since there are those who need me. Thankfully, none of my relatives
have been severely wounded. I must go now as I hear the cry of men in
pain. I will write as soon as I can.
Gilrael
June 27, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
I’m sorry I haven’t written in you for several days but I’ve been
very busy. However, now I have something wonderful to talk about.
Rohirrwyn, heiress of Rohan, has arrived in Osgiliath to help with the
fighting. I would never have dreamed to have seen her here. I have not
seen her much yet as she has been fighting with the men. I will explain
my family’s relationship with this remarkable young lady.
Rohirrwyn is two years younger than me and an orphan. She’s very
good friends with Boromir, Faramir, and me. She and Boromir have done a
lot of mischief together while Faramir and I have watched in despair of
ever curing them of this. However, the four of us have had lots of fun
together. I must go now as the work of a healer never stops on a
battlefield. I shall write more at a later time.
Gilrael
Part 3
June 29, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
The day has been fine. The fighting is lessening day by day so I’m
hoping that soon we will return home. There are so many wounded. It’s
hard to imagine that such a small battle, as my family has told me,
could leave so many men in pain and suffering. I’m sorry if I sound
depressing right now but it’s what is on my heart. Since I work among
them, I can’t help seeing them. Men of all ages from those who should
be entertaining grandchildren to those who seem to still be boys. It
brings tears to my eyes just remembering them. Do you remember how I
mentioned earlier about a young man who I had the facial wound? Well, I
got to see him again today. He was doing well. The surgeon was able to
stitch his cut back together. Oh, I hear Earnil calling for me. Until
tomorrow.
Gilrael
July 1, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
It’s over! We have beaten back the forces of Mordor and we once
again have possession of Osgiliath. Let me recount the events that
happened after the end of the battle. Boromir climbed up onto one of
the walls and set-up the flag of Gondor, a golden tree on a white
background. He then gave a short and concise speech, which is usual to
his nature. Then all the men celebrated by having a drink. I was with
Faramir and Boromir when Uncle Denethor arrived. I have been hesitant
to say this since I don’t like to say anything bad about my gracious
benefactor. But I must say all. Uncle Denethor is partial towards
Boromir.
He lavishes praise and honor upon him calling him his “best
and most worthy son.” But his attentions to Faramir are as little as
can be without completely ignoring him. Whenever he talks of Faramir’s
deeds, it’s always negative saying Faramir would let Mordor into Gondor
on a whim. It’s very frustrating to see one of my closest playmates
dismissed by his own father. But as I was saying, Uncle Denethor came
and, as always, praised Boromir excessively. When Boromir tried to give
Faramir credit also for the recovery of Osgiliath, Uncle Denethor
simply said that Faramir let Mordor into the city. I felt Faramir’s
pain as his father criticized him in this manner. Uncle Denethor then
took Boromir aside and talked to him for a few minutes. Boromir then
stormed out saying, “My place is here; not in Rivendell.” I could tell
Faramir wanted to help by the light in his eyes. “If there is need to
go to Rivendell, I’ll go,” to which Uncle Denethor practically sneered
saying, “So this is a time when Faramir, Captain of Gondor, wants to
prove his worth. No, this is a task I only trust with your brother."
And with that he went away, congratulating men as he went. The three of
us all stood there in silence, contemplating what had happened. Boromir
spoke first in a husky voice. “I guess I should go get my things
ready.” Faramir and I nodded our heads in agreement and we separated. I
couldn’t believe what I had heard. How could my uncle be so cruel to
his son? I couldn’t believe it. My heart was heavy as I came back to my
tent.
After some time sitting on my bed mulling over the recently past
events in my mind, I decided to pour out my thoughts to you. OH! I just
can’t believe how heartless Uncle Denethor was. Maybe there is a
side
to my uncle that I don’t know. There are so many things I don’t
understand.
Gilrael
Part 4
July 2, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
Today was very sad. Boromir left for Minas Tirith today. After he
goes to Minas Tirith, he’ll travel on to Rivendell. He called Rohirrwyn
in and talked to her for just a few minutes. Then he came out and
talked to Earnil. He then came to me, gave me hug, thanked me for my
services to the wounded, and told me to be brave as I traveled back to
Minas Tirith. I couldn’t help the tears that welled up in my eyes. As
he saw the tears, he brushed his thumb against my eyes to wipe them
away and said, “Don’t worry, little Gilrael. I will be back soon.”
Boromir then walked on to where Faramir was holding his horse. After
mounting and looking one last time at the flag he had planted just two
days earlier, he said something to Faramir and rode away without once
looking back. As soon as he was out of sight, I ran back to my tent,
threw myself on the bed, and cried until I was too exhausted to cry
more. Then I heard the flap to my tent move. I turned my face away from
the wall to which I had been staring and looked to see who had come in.
It was Faramir. He looked intently into my reddened eyes and seemed to
understand my feelings. He came and sat on the edge of my bed. I sat up
so I could lay my head on his shoulder. He seemed to understand what I
needed and just let me sit there while he stroked my hair. It felt
soothing knowing I wasn’t the only one who missed Boromir. Until a
later time.
Gilrael
July 6, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
We have arrived back in Minas Tirith. We all still miss Boromir
terribly. However, we have things to do. Earnil went back to training
some more with Valandil and Romendacil. Faramir is now the leader of
the Gondor forces since Boromir is away. He has been very busy meeting
with other military leaders. I have also been kept busy in the Houses
of Healing, helping those men who still need help. I’ve been very tired
of late. I’m going to lie down for a little bit. I promise to write
more tomorrow.
Gilrael
July 18, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
I’m sorry I didn’t keep my promise to you. There hasn’t been much
to talk about until recently. Faramir is leading a company of men into
the Ithilien to try to ambush the followers of the Dark Lord as they
travel to Mordor. All my brothers will go with him. Since I am no
longer needed with the all my brothers leaving to go to Ithilien with
Faramir, I have decided to travel to Rivendell to visit Boromir. I know
it’s a long journey but I believe I can make it. I should tell you I
don’t do things without thoroughly thinking them through first. So I
have thoroughly thought through every aspect of the journey and I think
that it would be alright. I must now pack for my journey. I will write
more when I’m on my way.
Gilrael
July 25, 3018 Third Age of Middle
Earth
I’ve been on the road for one week now. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll
make it to Rivendell in time to see Boromir at all. I mean, what if
he’s left for somewhere? I had no idea why he was going or if he’d be
staying for a while. I simply have too many questions that can only be
answered with time. I should sleep now if I want to have the strength
to continue tomorrow. I’ll write more once I reach Rivendell.
Gilrael
