Chapters are getting longer...and I think my writing is getting better! Let me know if I am mistaken...

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Chapter 3 - Lunching

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So many of my favorites eats! Meat pies, boiled potatoes, even some crusted fish. And curiously, that delicious cheese I was so fond of when I was stuck in the Houses...ah. Faramir. He is here. Well, he isn't yet.

A servant pulls out the chair for me to sit. I am next to Lothiriel. There are place settings for seven other attendees. Lothiriel's father, her brother, her other brother, her other brother...wait, how many brothers does she have again? My question is quickly answered as men begin to fill up the room. I do not recognize the younger ones. They are all clean shaven and have dark hair like Loth, but light eyes rather than her honey-brown ones. Imrahil sits at the head. His sons all look like slight variations of him. One is accompanied by a woman with sandy hair and dark eyes and is seated to his right. He must be the eldest. I have never been good at remembering names! The woman sits opposite of him. Between her and I is another brother. Lothiriel introduces him to me as Erchirion. Across from him must be the youngest. That leaves two empty spots in front of me and Loth. I want to ask who else is attending, but Lothiriel throws herself into all the introductions to be made. Elphir and his wife Ariel are next to Imrahil, followed by the one I already know, Erchirion, and he at whom I guessed, Amrothos. As each man is named, he inclines his head and holds a fist to his heart. Ariel smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. I got the distinct impression she did not like me. Nothing to which I am not accustomed. I hear the door open again and look around to see who has arrived.

Faramir. But he is accompanied by a small boy. A child? He never mentioned this! The boy enters with a huge grin, but as he nears the table, his face falls into seriousness. He keeps looking at the woman, Ariel. The two sit in the empty chairs. Faramir sits opposite Loth and the boy opposite me. He has yet to look at me. Is he shy?

'Eowyn, allow me to introduce my nephew, Alphros.'

The little boy finally looks up from his hands. At the sight of me, his eyes light up and the grin returns to his face. Not shy! I smile back at him, suddenly filled with joy.

'Hello, m'lady! How old are you?'

'Alphros!' The woman hisses at the boy and apologizes to me. Yes, she must be his mother.

'I am not offended, Lady Ariel.' I wave my hand and turn back to the future heir of Dol Amroth.

'I am very old, my lord. How old are you?'

'Four!' He holds up four little fingers triumphantly, leaning onto the table.

'My goodness, you are almost a man!' Much of the table chuckles and Alphros sits back in his chair, still grinning.

'And I believe you are already familiar with my dear cousin?' Loth gestures to Faramir.

'A delight to see you again, Lady Eowyn.' I cannot escape this accursed title!

'A pleasure as always.' Did his eyes linger?

Imrahil stands with his arms outstretched.

'Now that we are all here and well met, let us begin the meal!'

Plates, silverware, and goblets clang together as servants bustle around with drinks and eaters dig into the food. I keep quiet most of the meal. Faramir assists Alphros with cutting some of his meat while the family tell each other of their doings in the past week. If I have a question, Lothiriel answers it for me. She almost seems to know my query before I ask her. I expected less laughter and more stuffiness in this Gondorian household, but this family meal surprises me. I actually find myself longing for the large, loving family I never knew.

Inexplicably, my eyes stray to the man at the end of the table.

The Steward has hardly spoken as well. I have the feeling he does not normally attend these luncheons. He is not particularly ignoring me, but neither is he making conversation. I know not what to make of him. The talk down the table turns to the new King and when he will return.

'I believe I have heard it will be quite soon. Perhaps in a day.'

'Do you think they could arrive today, Father?'

'I find that unlikely. We would have heard by now.'

'My Lord Steward, have you any information the rest of us are not privy to?' The youngest brother, Amrothos, looks over the head of his nephew for an answer.

'My watchmen tell me that tomorrow evening is expected. In fact, I really should be helping with preparations in the White Tower for the arrival of our King. If, Uncle, you will excuse me.'

Imrahil nods. Faramir rises from his seat to bow to the family. "Helping with preparations" my horse. Taking any excuse to leave sounds more like it. I clench my jaw in annoyance.

'Thank you for your hospitality.' He turns to me. 'My Lady.'

I am so shocked that I do not reply. Luckily, he quickly bends down to Alphros.

'Farewell, Alphros. I will see you when you return to Minas Tirith. Mind your parents for me.'

He smiles and put his large fist to the small boy's chest. What a curious gesture.

'Farewell Fara!' The boy nearly punches the Steward in his enthusiasm to return the strange action. The raven-haired man chuckles and walks back through the door from which he came. I do not realize that I have been watching him leave until the door clangs shut. My gaze shifts back to my nearly empty plate. I recount his playful demeanor with the child. Another side of him I have never seen…

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Feel free to ask questions!

-Anarwyn