Approaching Emyn Arnen Faramir is relieved to arrive home safely. For himself and his guards as well as for his guests. He is glad that there are no dangers in Ithilien that his rangers know of. That way he is sure that his people will also be safe. Or as safe as possible for he knows that it is impossible to protect his people from all dangers. Some dangers can only be found after they have happened nor is he able to be everywhere at all times. For that, he has the village elders. They will inform him about dangers and other matters that he needs to be aware of. Thus he is confident that he will learn about such matters as soon as he is able to. When he looks at his parents and Boromir he can see that they are looking attentively at the city. It gives him the impression that they want to learn what they can about his city before they reach his home. Thus they are studying what they can see from the city.
Meanwhile, Denethor and Finduilas are impressed by what he sees from Emyn Arnen. The city and the buildings look beautiful from what they can see. Considering the appearance of the buildings Denethor considers which kind of neighborhood it can be that they are traveling through. A noble neighborhood would be more decorated than what he can see so this falls off the list. That leaves the possibility of a merchant or trade neighborhood. Both are equally possible so he is unable to determine what kind of neighborhood it is.
He recognizes the building style of the building as a popular Gondorian style with some unknown aspects. The styles he recognizes because there are many buildings he has seen in the last year which are being built in these styles. The unknown aspect he knows are not of Gondorian origin. Still, he recognizes these aspects and wonders where he recognizes them from. This has him carefully considering where he could have seen them. As he is rarely able to leave Gondor and then only travels to a few foreign places there are but a few places he is able to recognize them from. Thinking about the buildings in those places he is able to determine that the aspects are of Rohirrim origin. He remembers seeing such aspect on Rohirrim buildings during his visits to Rohan. The few visits he made that is.
"Nana, ada, look at the people. They have come to great us." Boromir says excitedly and points in front of him.
Denethor instantly looks in the direction his son points. He wants to know what has gotten Boromir more excited than he was before. In the direction, his son pointed he can see a woman waiting for them with an infant on her arms. Next to her stands a young girl who also holds a young child in her arms. Around them, he can see three young boys standing. He is unable to tell their age as he is still too far away from them to be able to tell. Still, he suspects that this is the prince's family considering the building behind them. It is the kind of home the lord of the city would live in. When he looks at Filnduilas he can see that she is looking at them adoringly. This confuses him because they do not know the prince so intimately as to care for him and his family. No matter what feelings he might have toward the prince, they do not explain Finduilas's reaction. Soon they reach the group waiting for them before the house and the lady steps forward.
"Hail, travelers. Welcome to Emyn Arnen. My name is Éowyn, Princess of Ithilien." The lady says once everyone has demounted.
Faramir smiles at Éowyn to tell her that he is grateful that she refrained from mentioning his name. Having that question to answer would be difficult to do. He does not know how he would explain to them that they are in the presence of their youngest son. For Éowyn to do this means that she is willing to go along with him. Unfortunately for him it also means that she will be questioning him about his reasons whenever she finds the time to do so.
"Hail, princess Éowyn." Denethor says with a bow. He does so because he is aware that everyone sees them as lower ranking people than the prince. Protocol demands then that he bows and his wife makes a courtesy. She does so not long after him. Boromir amuses them for he attempts to copy his father's behavior with little success. His bow looks clumsy to their eyes. Hopefully, the prince and his family will not be offended by it because Boromir meant well.
Just when the princess wants to say something she is interrupted by the arrival of the grooms. They have come to take care of the horses and bring them to the stables. Denethor is surprised to see that there are some Rohirrim among the grooms. Why would they be here working for a Gondorian lord? Normally they are never long outside of Rohan. He can tell that they have been here for some time because the clothing they wear is in part Rohirrim and in part Gondorian. But all that does not explain why they are still here. He wants to have an answer for it because he does not like it when he is unable to answer a question.
It is then that he takes a closer look at the princess to see what he can learn about her. Based on her appearance she is of Rohirrim as well as the two oldest children. Also, these children do not look like the prince at all. The younger children do look like the prince. This tells him that the oldest most likely have a different father than the younger ones. Denethor wonders if the princess is a widow and has remarried. Normally Gondorian nobility is not too fond of marrying widows to put it likely. They usually live with their family or seek sanctuary somewhere because a widow has nothing. Thus for a Gondorian lord and prince to marry a Rohirrim widow, it would mean that she is of noble birth. That would be the only reason for the prince to marry a widow. Society would still deem her a good match. Also, their marriage would answer his question.
For the oldest to be living here with their mother is a surprise because normally the family of their father would raise them. Either because the new husband does not want to have anything to do with the children or because the fathers family does not want to part with them. That usually results in stressful relationships. That they are allowed to be here and interact with their half siblings shows the kindness of the prince. Many men would keep half-siblings separated. Denethor is happy to see this because he has never liked to separate a mother and her children. No matter what society expects.
"Sir, lady, I would like to introduce you to my children, Elboron, Arthoron, Rohiril and Rocwen." The prince says and pulls Denethor out of his thoughts. While telling the names he points to the respective child. Elboron is the oldest child of the prince and thus his heir. He appears to be around six or seven years old. Arthoron is his younger brothers and Denethor deems him to be a toddler. Rohiril and Rocwen are the infants. Rohiril is in her mother's arms while her sister is in their half-sister's. The boys smile at them when they are introduced while dipping their heads a bit. This tells Denethor that they also consider them to be if lower rank. They would have bowed if they considered him to be of equal or higher ranking. It is no surprise considering the prince's behavior towards them.
"And these are Leofdæg and Ceolwyn, the children from my wife's first marriage." The prince says while pointing to each child. As he says this Finduilas can see the affection in their eyes as they look at the prince which is mirrored by the same look in the prince's eye. She smiles because she is pleased to see that they care for each other. Leofdæg is a boy in his teenage years with typical Rohirrim characteristics. Blond hair and blue eyes. Ceolwyn hair is a bit reddish hair and grey eyes. She appears to be close to her teenage years. If Finduilas has to guess her age she would place it around ten to eleven. Absolutely no older. Based on their looks she can make an image in her head what their father looked like. Their father must have been an attractive man just as the prince is. The princess definitely has good taste in men.
"Shall we go inside before the food turns cold?" Princess Éowyn says with insistence.
"Of course, your highness. No one enjoys cold food when it can be eaten warm." Finduilas says with a smile.
"I am glad that you agree with me. If you would follow us then we will guide you to the dining room." Princess Éowyn says. Afterward, she takes the prince's arm and gently directs him into the house.
Finduilas does the same thing with Denethor. Then she looks to see where Boromir is bit does not find him near them. She looks around hurriedly while being worried where Boromir has disappeared to. She does not have to look around long to find him alongside the prince's children. They have also gone into the home of the prince.
Ten minutes later the two families sit in the dining room. They entered the room not long before but after the servants have left the room. Before leaving they had placed the food on the table on heaters so that the food will still be warm enough for eating. This they did according to the instructions of their lady. She informed them to do when the group entered the courtyard in front of their home.
At this time, Faramir sits at the head of the table with Éowyn on his right side. Their children and stepchildren sit next to her from youngest to oldest. This way Éowyn can aide the child who might need it the most. The older children can manage well enough on their own. Normally, they would not be present during these events as they are too young and will be eating with their nurse then. As they are now in the presence of family this rule does not apply. She recognized them when she managed to glimpse their face beneath the hoods of their cloak.
On Faramir's left side sit Denethor and his family. It is clear for all the adults present that Boromir and Elboron are excitedly talking to each other. Those close to the two can follow their entire conversation while the others manage to catch glimpses. From what Faramir is able to grasp Elboron and Boromir are planning what they will do tomorrow. Elboron is thereby forgetting the lessons he will have tomorrow.
"Elboron, I do not mind that you make plans with Boromir for playing but do not forget your lessons. You will not escape all of them now that we have visitors." Faramir says mildly scolding.
"I know that, ada. I know that. Whenever Dar is visiting I cannot escape them. But can Boromir join me? Please, ada. And which lessons will I not have?" Elboron asks while giving his most innocent look. That way he intends to get his father to be lenient.
"It is good that you know that, Elboron. As for Boromir joining you, I cannot answer that. That is for Boromir's father to decide as I am sure you know quite well. Know that I will not forbid it. As for the lessons you do not have to take, I believe that you can answer that on your own." Faramir says. Elboron knows what are considered his most important lessons and which ones he might be able to miss for a few days. Those lessons Faramir remembers from his own childhood so he knows that his father will be pleased with the possibility of Boromir joining Elboron's lessons.
"I would appreciate it was Boromir to join your son for his lessons." Denethor says. From what he heard the prince say earlier he is certain that it will be possible. When he looks at Boromir he sees the pleased look on his face. This makes him smile because he is glad that Boromir is looking forward to his lessons when normally he despises lessons. That he is looking forward to this is because Boromir found a friend here. For that he is glad. It is rare for his son to make friends whose fathers do not have ulterior motives.
That turns his mind to the person Elboron mentioned. He would like who the person is. The name that was used he feels is an abbreviation the persons' actual name. But that name he is unable to figure out as he cannot connect it with the names he knows. He is sure that this Dar is the son of a lord with whom the prince is friends of allies. That he will only be able to determine once he knows Dar's actual name and that of his father. Hopefully, the prince will be able to give him this insight once he has an opportunity to ask him.
"Of course, sir. I will ensure that they will be able to follow the lessons together. Afterward, you are free to play. But enough about lessons. Let us start our supper or it will turn cold." Faramir says with a smile. This he does to tell everyone that the last part was meant as a joke. It is then that everyone stands up and looks toward the West for a short while. A tradition all are familiar with. Once that is done everyone starts serving and eating the soup. Eating is done in silence and only afterward when they start on the main course does talking resume.
"Your Highness, might I ask who this Dar is your son spoke of?" Denethor asks. Now he has the opportunity to gain the insight he wants to gain. He hopes that the prince is willing to give him the information he desires. Also, he hopes that the prince is not offended by this question. As he does not know his relationship with Dar's father he is unsure if it will be seen as an insulting question. Some would see such questions as insulting depending on the relationship they have with the person being inquired about. He intended for his question to be an innocent one. Now he has to wait and see if the prince does so too.
"Dar is the son of a lord from Minas Tirith and a good friend of my son." Faramir answers. He knows that he is not telling the entire truth but feels unsure how much he should reveal. What will his father reaction be if he tells him the entire truth? He does not believe that his father will be happy with it. To avoid strive he decides to hide this information until he has talked to the king. Only that which he needs to release he will. But nothing more. He also wonders how everything he does will impact the timeline. That is something which he will not know because he will never learn of it. Still, he needs to be careful with what he will tell his father to restrict the changes that can come from this.
"Then I will have known him when he was younger. I have lived all my life in Minas Tirith so know all the lord. What is the lord's name and that of his son?" Denethor asks intrigued. What he said is true because he knows all the entire nobility of Minas Tirith. Some better than others. If he knows the names then he will be able to determine how close the relationship is between the fathers. Or at least make an educated guess about it. It would help were he to know the name of the prince. But considering that the prince has refrained from giving it until now he will have to wait until the prince reveals it. He feels that it will not take too long before he knows the name of the prince. Then he will be sure if his guess is correct.
"My son's friend is called Eldarion and his father is called Elessar." Faramir says after some time considering how to best answer his father's question. He revealed those names because he is sure that his father does not know them. Thus he feels it is alright for him to supply him those names.
"Who is this Elessar? I never heard of a man called by that name." Denethor says confused. Elessar is a name he has never heard in the noble circles so how can there be a lord who is called by this name. It does not make any sense to him why a prince would be friends with a lord of unknown origin. The only reason he can imagine is that this Elessar uses the prince to gain influence. That, in turn, will only be possible if the prince is close to him. Denethor believes that he has not died and thus is still the steward of Gondor.
His statement results in a silence falling over the room. The silence has kind of hidden heaviness to it because the children do look confused while their parents have a stressed look on their face. Their posture is at the same time easy. It appears that the prince and princess want to hide whatever has them stressed from the children. Denethor can see that they look at each other as if to decide who will answer him. In the end, it appears as if the prince is to answer his question to him. He can see that the prince is considering how to best answer his question. Denethor wonders why it is so difficult to do so. He would only have to say who this Elessar is. It is not as if he approached a sensitive subject. Or has he? Before the prince can answer his son does so for him.
"Why do you ask that sir? Elessar is the king. Everyone knows that." Elboron says with the conviction only a child can depict.
"But there has been no king in Gondor since Eärnur." Denethor says totally confused.
21-12-2018: small update due to a mistake which has been pointed out to me.