Faramir rode along the narrow mountain path, he could see Rivendell just ahead. Even from this distance he could see its beauty. The intricately carved stone walls, the rivers and waterfalls that almost seemed to be a part of the structure.

As he arrived he was joined by elves, dwarves and other men. They had all come for this meeting, doing as his father asked wouldn't be an easy task, no doubt all of the others also wanted to use the ring to protect their own homelands.

~⚔️~

Faramir wandered the halls of Rivendell, admiring the artifacts of his kin from long ago, he'd heard legends about the scenes duplicated on the walls. He had wanted to visit Rivendell since he was a boy.

Suddenly his eyes landed on the broken pieces of sword being held by a graceful statue. "The shards of Narsil," he whispered, grabbing the hilt and examining it, he'd heard the legend of how Isildur cut the ring from the hand of Sauron. But he had also heard how the ring had corrupted Isildur, was it possible for the ring to be used for good? He wasn't sure. He wanted nothing more than to defend Minas Tirith, the city of the Numanor. Her beauty, knowledge and strength would always have a place in his heart.

Suddenly he felt eyes watching him, boring into him. He turned surprised to see not an elf but a man. He had shoulder-length brown hair, a thin beard and piercing blue eyes.

"You are no elf, have you come for the meeting?"

The man nodded.

"As have I," Faramir replied. "These are dark days...days like those of Isildur."

The man nodded, his face now grave.

"But I do not believe this darkness will endure, we must learn from our past," Faramir went on.

"Wise words... but I fear that some men will never learn," the man replied.

"There is still good in men... to that I hold my hope," he answered. "I am Faramir, Captain of Gondor."

The man nodded. "I am Strider."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Strider."

"And you," he replied.

Faramir turned and carefully placed the hilt of Narsil back with the other fragments, then he turned to leave.