We have reached Minas Tirith hours after the first group did. We moved through the city towards our family home. I was leading the three of us when I spotted Nethillon passing by. He wasn't even looking at us. He seemed really devastated as he passed. We moved to the door and as I opened it I felt stunned. Our parents stood there by the door embracing each other. We were standing there in silence until they let go of each other and looked at us. "Araithil, Iarnuil, Iarvenil... I am more than glad to see you here. Your brother, he was just here and... he told me." - Father soon spoke towards us and then I understood what happened to all of them, Nethillon and our parents. His eyes seemed full of tears as he looked at us. "How could this happen, what madness has befallen the Steward to order something like this. I can't lose you all..." - He continued then with a desperate voice. I looked down. I felt that I am a disappointment for not protesting against twins going to the task and for having the easier one. "I am so sorry..." - I managed to say then glanced at the twins standing behind him then back at his father before I moved so they were able to enter and so did my mother.
Iarnuil looked from the parents to me and then Iarvenil. "Nethillon tries to convince Steward to move us away from this task, but it's risky..." - He then said confessing Nethillon's intentions to the parents. Iarvenil just looked at everyone, he was the most silent one of us and so he only watched the whole thing. He seemed to don't care about the task. "We should talk." - Father then said inviting us inside and then to the table. - "Do you know what happened, the last time such an order was executed?" - He asked us and all three of us just shook our heads and then sat down. Our mother then suddenly left for another travel and after saying goodbye dad looked at us again. "The last time such an order was executed... I lost my father. Your granddad, who you never got to know because of it. He fell, and I was alone. A young man, not even twenty years old, without parents, left to fend for himself. The Morgul Vale is where people go to die, period. And I won't have it, lest I may join you, that I may die in your stead." - He then spoke with a concern both on his face and in his voice. "I am sorry dad, they would never allow you to come with us..." - I then said as I shook my head analysing all that I just heard. Iarnuil and Iarvenil just watched, they had no words left to say. "I am a free man, and I have proven my worth to Gondor tenfold in my lifetime. I'd like to see them stop me from coming with you. I would gladly give my life to protect those I love. Is that not what being a soldier is all about? If I am to die, I shall die fighting. I'll request an audience with the Steward myself if I have to. He can't deny me to strengthen his force, nor can he deny me my death..." - Father then said hardly. I was against such a decision. Mother cannot suffer from that as well. "Mom needs you... what if we're all going to die? You cannot die with us and leave her alone with no one and no place to go..." - I answered with a hard tone. Father then decided to use that argument against me. "And what about your own son?" - I heard his question then. "Eoric is following his own dream and as well he understands my job. Have you heard about Nethillon?" - I answered and then changed the subject. We talked a bit more then I took my leave, leaving the twins there so they can have the last moments with dad alone. I proceeded and joined the force gathering by the gate.
Two hours after we were already leaving the city. Many people were watching our leave for the war. I heard people crying, saying their last goodbyes to fathers, husbands, brothers... even children. We rode halfway to Osgiliath, staying out of sight for the enemies. Then it was the time to part our ways. I approached Nethillon and the twins. We embraced ourselves, all four of us and remained like this for a while. Then we split our ways. We began the assault on Osgiliath as they disappeared on the east. "Good luck, Nethillon. I know you can keep the twins safe as long as you're alive.." - And that was my last thought before I rode into the battle.
