Now dressed as a middle class Gondorian inhabitant it was much easier for me to blend in. One night I followed Faramir (unbeknownst to his knowledge) as he went to meet up with local anti crown faction leaders. Cowl raised I initially appeared as any other Gondor young woman would. The white city's economic status had bounced back faster than initially thought. It had taken hits with the dark events post crowning that had taken place but there was still a prevailing cautious optimism. The city was far from rebuilt but it was well underway and local businesses had seen a small boom take place.

Faramir entered one of the main taverns at the city's mid level. Other females had entered as well and were customers in there. This was helpful despite Gondor being patriarchal like many other middle earth cultures were. Still, I'd blended into many such ancient like environments very well in the past.

I entered too shortly thereafter and went straight up to the bar and ordered an ale from the barman. I kept my cowl raised; it actually looked more fashionable than concealing on a female in this situation; thus it drew less attention/suspicion. Faramir had gone to the far side of the tavern and sat with a man the wonder plane had identified as Talmar; a noted Gondor merchant leader that had been close to Faramir's brother/father and the country's many commercial/treasury dealings. Despite their distance from me I could easily eavesdrop with enhanced hearing and the wonder plane's sensors themselves could record everything instantly as it occurred.

"I never agreed with the king's return," said Talmar to my super hearing's detection, not bothering to hide his contempt. "Your father and brother were the truest and best leaders this realm ever had..." "Perhaps, Talmar..." "No Faramir - you know I'm right." "It's a new era now..." "New era. Ha! Look at what's happened already - and now we have this mystery woman advising the crown - a woman of godlike power..." "Lady Diana is true to the ideals that the king and queen seek restored here. We need to give them a chance." "But who really rules? Surely you've heard the rumors about the king's condition? How do we know this isn't something else entirely?" "Lady Diana alone defeated Morgoth..." "Did she...?" "Talmar, I need you to trust me on this..." "I trust 'you' Faramir - and the great men that made something out of this kingdom following the end of the crown's corruption; like your brother and father did. But to me, a simple merchant, these outsiders are nothing more than demons of their own kind...and the sooner the line of steward can be restored...the better - and more prosperous - the realm and all of middle earth will be again."

Obviously Faramir was the heir to the house of steward inasmuch as Aragorn was to the throne. It was also obvious that this Talmar was trying to appeal to Faramir's sense of power hunger. The ring had tempted Faramir, as it had so many others; whether or not it left something of a lingering taint as it had with Frodo was another matter entirely. But honestly it couldn't be ruled out either. I continued gathering intel.