Faramir POV
Faramir's eyes widen. What is his father talking about? Why would he have to leave for a battle which will surely be a defeat? An attack on Morannen is useless. No, that is wrong; it is suïcide. No one can gather the numbers needed to win. Not in all of Middle Earth. Even considering such an attack is ridiculous. Whoever came up with the idea has surely lost their mind. But this is not what he voices.
"Why do you say that? I am the captain-general. If someone needs to go it should be me. You should not risk your life like that, father. If anyone needs to do it, it would be me."
He pushes himself up further on his elbow. He struggles to stay upright and staggers a bit. In the end, he throws his blanket off. A hand pushing on his shoulder stops him in his tracks. The hand pushes him back onto the mattress. He looks at the arm and is met by a vambrace.
"You are still too wounded to fight. It would be foolish for you to leave with the troops. Besides, I am confident you can look after Gondor for the time I am away."
His eyes widen at these words. He knows they are reasonable and just. At the same time, he refuses to accept them or the decision accompanying them. He would have wanted to have had a voice in making it. Being with the army is his place; not his father's.
"Father! You cannot join such a dangerous battle. You are the steward and should stay here in Minas Tirith. Let me go. My injuries will not hamper me during a battle."
"Oh, but they will and you know that. You will be following the order I gave you."
"I will not follow an order which is just completely insane. You have a duty towards Gondor as the ruling steward. I have a duty as captain-general. Do not risk your life so easily, father. Allow me to fulfill my duty."
"I will not let you risk your life needlessly, Faramir. I will not lose both my sons to Mordor's agents. Not while I am alive and able to do something about it."
"Father, you are losing your mind. Do not do it. Change your orders as you have done so often before."
"I refuse to do so. I will go to Morannen and fight there. My decision stands."
Faramir looks down at the blankets gripping them tightly. He bites his lips. He does not like it but gets the impression he has to accept it. His father does not seem to be willing to change his orders. He did all he could to sway his father without success. He sighs knowing what he has to do.
"Come home safely, father. I will look after Gondor during the time you are away."
"I will do everything in my power to return safely. You know I cannot give you any assurances. But let us move on from this. How have you been doing so far?"
He looks at his father while scratching the back of his head. How has he been doing? He is not sure. He feels he is getting better the more time passes. But then he also has a slight memory of a healer. He frowns. The healer was not really dressed as those from the houses. He shakes his head. The healer is not something his father wants to talk about. Maybe if he is lucky he can bring the matter up. Else he will have to ask master Neston or another healer at another time. Looking his father in his eyes, he receives a questioning look and grimaces.
"Oh, I have been doing fine. I would like to leave this room, to be honest. But then the healers have been forbidding me from doing so. And I refuse to risk anything by disobeying them."
"I understand that. Disobeying them is never a good idea. So you have been healing well?"
"Yes, I have been. Father, there is something else I want to talk about."
"And that is?"
"There was a healer here some time ago. He attended to me but no matter who I ask they cannot tell me who he was. Of where I can find him. I would like to know how he aided me"
"What makes you ask that?"
"Well, from the words of the healers I get the impression he did something impressive."
"Oh about that. He is not someone you need to worry about. All you need to know is he is a powerful healer who has some ancient healing knowledge."
He frowns. What is his father omitting? Ancient healing knowledge. What does father mean by that? Does he know the healer? And why should he not worry about the healer? If he is to be acting steward of Gondor then he should know about the healer. Especially if the healer indeed knows some secrets the healers here do not know. Something he cannot imagine but then father is not someone to give praise where it does not belong. Just as he is about to speak up regarding his feelings, knocking sounds on the door. He frowns and turns to his father who does not seem surprised. Who was he actually expecting? He tries to gain his father's attention but is ignored. His father only has attention for whoever is on the other side of the door.
"Enter!"
The door scratches as it opens. Why has he not noticed it before? The sound is loud if not deafening. A familiar form enters the room. He recognizes master Neston immediately. What is he doing here? A healer was with him earlier today. There should be no need for additional care. Or has he missed something?
Master Neston makes quick work of moving towards them. He bows to his father. They look at each other with slightly narrowed eyes. His father nods only. What is he missing? He looks between them but cannot figure it out. A scaping throat has him turning to master Neston.
"How are you feeling, my lord?"
"I am feeling as fine as can be. There is some pain still in my shoulder but it is something I can manage."
"Mhh, let me know if you need anything for your pain."
"Of course, master Neston. I will inform you if my pain becomes unbearable."
"You better do so the moment it becomes more than it is now. Not when it becomes unbearable. I know you too well, lord Faramir, and you would only inform us after you have suffered for quite some time and when someone is pressuring you."
Faramir bites his lips. Master Neston does not trust him to decide when he actually feels the need for pain medication. His words are clear orders. But will he follow them? He is not sure for he has a duty to fulfill. Something he cannot do while under the effects of pain medication. He knows their effects on him. At the same time, he also knows master Neston. The better part of wisdom will be shading the truth.
"I will do as you ask. But tell me why you really came. I cannot imagine it being to berate me for my habits of dealing with pain."
"No, it is not. I came here to determine how we can ensure you recover well and at the same time conduct your duties as the acting steward."
"Well, I have not really thought about it because I only learned about it recently. I was actually intending to leave the houses to look after everything."
"And for how long? You are not yet recovered enough to leave for a long time."
"I feel I have recovered sufficiently. My idea was to leave completely. You must have more need for this room than I do currently."
"Not for as long as you need it. Besides, there are not many nobles injured. I have more than enough room in this wing which will only be used by an injured noble. And in my opinion, you need to stay here for some time yet. Yes, you can leave but not yet completely."
"I disagree, I need to do my duty."
"If I may offer a suggestion?"
Faramir takes a deep breath and turns to his father who looks expectedly at master Neston. He smiles amused because it is clear his father is equally frustrated with master Neston as him. Father is just better able to hide it. He glances at master Neston whose only response is a deep frown.
"Of course, my lord. What is your suggestion?"
"My suggestion is more of a compromise. For the first few weeks, Faramir will conduct his duties from here with Lord Húrin's aid. Afterward, if we are not back yet then, he can work from the citadel and rest here during the night so long as you deem it necessary."
"Mhh, it might work. I would need to ensure lord Húrin does not tire lord Faramir too much."
"I am sure you can work this out with lord Húrin."
"Then I agree."
"Faramir?"
Four eyes turn to him. Faramir bites his lips. He would have liked to get involved when they were discussing the compromise. As it has been done now, he has no other choice to accept. Even if he dislikes having to sleep here in the houses while working from the citadel. He knows he will not get anything more out of it.
"I agree as well. I feel it is the best solution which can be found considering the circumstances."
Denethor POV
"Having come to this agreement, Lord Faramir. I have a few more I wish to discuss with you."
"Of course. What are those matters?"
What follows, Denethor shuts out. He has some ideas about what master Neston wanted to discuss. But it is not what needs his attention now; the agreement does. An agreement which unfortunately needed his intervention. Both men were too stubborn to make one themselves.
Nevertheless, he is pleased with their approval of his suggestion. Had they not done so, he would have used other means to ensure they would agree. But fortunately, he did not have to do so for both men agreed. And with it, Faramir will be served well for the duration of his recovery.
At the same time, Faramir will have aid while looking after Gondor. It means there will be people around to call Faramir out if he goes too far. Not that he would have accepted such a thing should he ever hear about it. No, it would have ended in a fight. Maybe the reason why no one has done so in a very long time. Or because they do not want to irritate master Neston more than necessary or at all.
On another note, by ensuring Faramir has aid he will also ensure everything gets done. With his need to recover, Faramir will have too little time to handle everything. Master Neston has already ensured it is known Faramir's recovery is his main priority. Lord Húrin does not need to voice his opinion; he knows he will look at it in the same manner as master Neston. This means should Faramir endanger his recovery there will be two people berating and stopping him.
The only one who does not have it in mind as a priority is Faramir. Faramir will only want to please him. Especially with how he has been in the last few years. And because of it, Faramir will forget his own health. This is something he has to keep an eye on in the future. Faramir will be of no use to him or Gil if he is not in good health. But regardless of all this, he is certain of one thing; Faramir will look after Gondor to the best of his abilities.
A cold wind blows into the room with the sound of a door opening. Footsteps can be heard as well as voices talking. Denethor looks up but just as he does so the noise disappears with the sound of the door closing. He looks around. What has happened? Master Neston is gone. Only he and Faramir are left in the room. Did he just really miss their entire conversation? As well as master Neston leaving? He was not that long left in his thoughts, right? He turns his eyes to Faramir.
"What did you discuss with master Neston?"
"Not much, father. I was just getting berated for trying to risk my health. Master Neston actually threatened to confine me if I do not keep my health in mind in the future."
"It is good to know someone has your health in their mind. You never do."
"I know. I just have too much left to worry about to concern myself with my health. It seems insignificant in the larger scale of things."
He just shakes his head. It is of no use to try to talk any further about it with Faramir. He will not change his mind. He smiles amused when he thinks about the warden's words. At the same time, his irritation remains. The warden should know better than to make his threats come true.
"Well, let us move to another topic. There are preparations you need to make. Some do need to be done right now. Those you will know when you have insight into the damages done to the city. Others can be done later after we have assured our victory."
"Are you so sure we will have a victory, father? And what kind of preparation do I need to make then? Preparations for a victory celebration?"
The frown on Faramir's face is truly impressive. It reinforces the questions which were asked. They confirm his belief in what has Faramir worried. Some of the preparations normally do not require any words. So, the confusion is understandable. But how to answer? If he gives a direct answer it will only result in more questions being asked. So how to solve it?
He presses his lips together. He can give an indirect answer. But then he will most likely also gain more answers. He knows he has to give a sufficient answer no matter what he dies. An idea comes to his mind.
"It is something similar to a victory celebration. I will give you more information as soon as I can."
"What do you mean, father?"
"You will figure it out on your own."
"What did I miss?"
"That you should ask the captains who remain and lord Húrin. They can give you more answers and have the time to explain everything to you. I have to leave soon.
"Of course, father. I will do what I can."