We have reached Minas Tirith hours after the first group did. We moved through the city towards our family home. Araithil was leading the three of us when he 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 he opened it he felt stunned. I just watched with Iarnuil as we were confused with all that. 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 Araithil looked like he was about to cry which was so strange for him. Father's 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. Araithil looked down. We watched them until he looked at us. They talked for a long while after many troublesome things. Me and Iarnuil just watched, we had no words left to say. They talked a bit more then Araithil took his leave, leaving me and Iarnuil here. We sat in a such weird silence for a while before father spoke once again. "I guess this is it boys. You are the glory of Gondor given form. And you shall be victorious and avenge my father, the one thing I never could in my time. And please, come back to me in one piece." - He then looked at us and gave us a hug and a strong handshake. "I hope that we will return..." - Iarnuil then said to our father. - "We will avenge grandad. I don't care for anything more." - I then said right before Iarnuil left to join the other soldiers. I took the advantage then as I didn't like talking in front of everyone even if they are my brothers. "May I have a question?" - I then asked and as dad agreed I continued to speak after a brief moment of thinking. "How was it for you when you were my age? The battles and all that?" - I then asked, I was wondering if I was different from all of them or just took it after my dad or grandad. "This might be the last time we see eachother, should things go awry, so I shall be honest with you. Things, changed, after I lost my father. Before, I was eager and the sounds of battle excited me. When I was alone, I grew to hate it. I hated everything, and I had no mercy for my enemies. I was determined to make the world pay for taking my dad away. But it passed. And after a time, battle does nothing anymore. It doesn't make you happy, nor angry. As a soldier, I did what I had to, I followed orders. If you can't distance yourself from being human before you enter combat, it will break you mentally. That in itself is not difficult, the hard part it bringing yourself back each time. That is something your brothers, and I too, and every soldier, struggles with." - Father then answered satisfying my needs of knowledge and after placing his hand on my shoulder he continued. - "But fear not, trust in your sword arm, and trust in your comrades. And you can face even the worst of odds without hesitation." - He finished speaking and then I glanced up at him. "So it is as I thought. I believe I can face anything. And all of us will return..." - I answered and then stood up. "I believe that too, but the enemy we fight is cunning, and even the bravest of men can be surprised. Bravery does not equal victory, as much as we'd like it to be so. But I have faith in you, and you will return to me." - Father then said smiling at me but I knew that wasn't all he wanted to say. I could sense it. "One way or another." - He then added with lower tone, probably hoping that I didn't hear it. I felt broken after such words but didn't show that it affected me. I just left and joined the others.
Two hours after we were already leaving the city. Many people were watching our leave for the war. We rode halfway to Osgiliath, staying out of sight for the enemies. Then it was the time to part our ways. Araithil approached Nethillon and then us. We embraced ourselves, all four of us and remained like this for a while. Then we split our ways, rode to the east and followed Nethillon to whatever may come.
