Nope...still not mine
Faramir pulled his tunic closer around him as he walked into the courtyard. The chill of the winter mornings still lingered on as the year progressed into a mature spring. He walked up to the line of people with their backs towards him. With a small smile and a nod of the head, he took his place next to his King and Queen. He stared ahead at the large gates in front of him as the rest of the Councillors and staff arrived after him.
Eomer, the King of Rohan and his sister, the Lady Eowyn, were to arrive in the next couple of minutes. It had been a busy winter with the preparations for the King's tenth anniversary of coronation keeping everyone on their toes. Aragorn was not one for too much festivity, but the entire kingdom had been waiting for an occasion to celebrate not only the victory of the king, but also their new lives and happiness after those days in the darkness of Mordor. Faramir had been swimming in the piles of work that had found its way into his rooms and he had just about been able to get through all of it.
The loud flourish of trumpets shook Faramir from his thoughts and through the haze of the morning, the King and Lady of Rohan entered the city of Minas Tirith. Eowyn and Faramir had met before, in the Houses of Healing. Their illnesses had made them good friends, but they had not risked a closer relationship. Over the years, their correspondence was limited to formal dignatorial purposes and nothing more.
The King and Queen moved towards Eomer and Eowyn as the latter fluidly jumped off her saddle. Elessar and Eomer beamed as they grasped each others arms.
"Fifteen years is too long a time, dear friend." said Aragorn.
"Ay, but not too long for a merry drink, Elessar!" replied Eomer with a chuckle.
Both burst into laughter as they mocked their introductions.
"It is good to see you well, Lady Eowyn," greeted Arwen as the two women embraced.
With a graceful smile, Eowyn replied, "As it is to see you, Queen Arwen."
Faramir stepped forward to carry out formal procedure.
"King Eomer, I hope your journey was comfortable?"
"As ever, Prince Faramir!" replied the King, with a cheerful smile on his face.
"Prince Faramir, it is a pleasure to meet you again after so long!" exclaimed Eowyn as she stepped forward.
"An honour, Lady Eowyn."
Eomer's chief advisor, Rhowyn, and Faramir rode together behind Arwen and Eomer, who in turn were behind Aragorn and Eowyn.
Flocks of people had lined the road to the palace and the city was in full swing. Cherry blossoms and confetti mingled in the air and the sun had come out, its golden rays piercing the clouds. Faramir could hear Aragorn and Eowyn laugh while he exchanged polite conversation with his counterpart. By the time they had reached the palace gates, the morning had grown warm and Gondorian spring was at its best.
Once the guests were shown their rooms, Faramir returned to his own and changed into something lighter and decided to finish off some of the previous day's work. "Maybe this might not turn out to be so bad," he thought, and placed the unappealing stack of papers in front of him.