Aftermath
Boromir strives through the Pelennor Fields. Unfortunately, the count of losses was high. Neither Gondor nor Rohan were spared. However, it lightens the older one's heart to know that his folk could count on the brave horsemen. Aragorn came and ensured the prevail. Boromir's gaze searches for his friend. Then the Captain General could make out the Witchking and next to this evil creature, the beloved shape of his brother. Again, Faramir was to be found in a bad condition. He smiles sadly and regards the younger one. Then he drew close and crouches down. The eyes of his brother were already open. Boromir smiles and takes Faramir's hand. At the side of the young ranger lay Éowyn and Théoden. Both of them haven't moved yet. He focuses on his little brother for now. "Did I not receive your stone to keep me unwounded because I was meant to be the one who is found by trouble?" Boromir questions. The younger one nods absently, a weak smile on his face.
"Terrible foresights, I guess," Faramir adds. He squeezes his brother's hand. Then Éomer discovers the two relatives of him. The marshal kneels down beside his sister and has troubles to fight back tears. Instead, his friend utters a desperate cry. That caused Faramir to open his eyes once again. His brother was about to stand up but he holds him back. "She is not dead," the young ranger manages to bring out. Boromir caresses his arm.
"Éomer, we need to get them to the houses of healing," he declares. The marshal nods and lifts up Éowyn. He does the same with his little brother.
"They must have succumbed to the cry of the Nazgul," states Aragorn. "I join you then," his companion adds. It was then that the older one remembered Calemireth.
"Aragorn? Could you may take Faramir from here on. I need to... collect someone. Otherwise she would be lost," he addresses towards the man. It felt weird to give his little one away but the woman does only know him.
"I will see you there," Aragorn determines with a smile.
"Be sure of it," Boromir replies and turns around to search for Calemireth. This woman was not only a warrior but a good one as well. When the Captain General was distracted by the Nazgul, he received her help without even asking. She saved his head. As well, back then at the second level. Boromir walks through the gates and nearly collides with her. Calemireth darts a glance at him. "I thought to better collect you. Otherwise you could not navigate through the city," he states.
"Thanks milord. Luckily, I was able to find the gates," she answers in a teasing voice. Faramir has to endure this behaviour of him the whole time. Now he found himself in his brother's position.
Boromir smiles and responds," I am most glad you did, milady." Then her smile vanishes.
"How is Faramir... I mean Lord Faramir?" she questions.
"He will make it. I am sure of it. He cannot afford anything else as long as I am by his side," the older one replies. "Let us go to him," she states. The Captain General offers her an arm and she took it.
Aragorn could not stop himself from chuckling. Boromir and a woman. He was glad that his friend seemed to have found the one that matters. His one and only maiden was Arwen. Minas Tirith has not changed. The houses of healing were full of wounded men. Then Aragorn notices that Éomer regards him. He nods and takes lead. Estel manoeuvres through several beds till a healer was in sight. She gestures to put Faramir in one of the chambers next to him and with a look at Éowyn to place her in one at the other side. The marshal left and Estel did as told. Now, time has come to use the healing hands of the king. Luckily, he was present. Aragorn decides to start with Éowyn because she looks worse than his companion. He walks over to the siblings. Éomer views him and Estel lays a hand on the shoulder of the Rohirrim. He asked a passing healer to get some water. Then the Dúnedain prepares the athelas. He dips a towel in the mixture and places it on Éowyn's forehead. Afterwards Aragorn takes her hand in his left and touches her heart with his right. The gaze of Éomer followed his every movement. When he took away the towel and the hand of the king touches the forehead of the young lady again, Éowyn breathes easily. One was healed. "She will find back to full strength very soon," he states.
"Thanks. You already had my trust and you are most worthy of it," replies Éomer. The fair-haired man regards his sister and takes her hand. "Wyn, better don't do that to me again," the marshal mumbles. Aragorn decides that it would be for the best to grant them some privacy. Besides, another patient requires his attention. He picks up the bowel with the athelas. In time, Boromir enters the houses of healing with the woman his friend mentioned. Together, they join Faramir's bedside.
"Wouldn't that creature be dead by now..." the older one began and Estel understands.
"But it is. Soon, there will be no more forces of the enemy. We, men of the west will ensure it," he counters. Boromir slightly bows his head in response. However, the woman seems to be disappointed. "Milady, you fought most bravely but I would welcome it to know you here," Aragorn states.
"Of course, milord," she answers. He smiles at her and then turns to Faramir. There were small wounds around the man's neck. Besides, the left arm seemed to be broken. The healers will tend to these injuries later. Important was to heal the young ranger from the cry of the nazgul. Similar to how Aragorn tended to Éowyn he now does with Faramir. Like the shieldmaiden his companion breathes even as soon as the Dúnedain laid a hand on his forehead. Afterwards, Estel stands up and makes for the door.
"There will be a debate. It is important to discuss our next steps," Aragorn said addressed to Boromir before he left the houses of healing.
When Faramir opens his eyes, the younger one could make out Boromir. The Captain General was talking to a woman. However, the eyes of the older one found his as soon as the man realized he was awake. "Mir. It appears to me that you forgot about our promise," Boromir states.
"You must mean the one that I should not scare you again," he answers. Faramir receives a smile in return. "How do I look?" the young ranger asks.
"You mean because of the shieldmaiden?" teases his brother. He chuckles regardless of the pain this brought.
"Some material for my story I promised you," continues Boromir.
"Then you should add Calemireth as well," Faramir replies and fondly regards his brother.
"Sometimes your ability to read people's thoughts is ruining it all," responds his warrior. The Captain General took the younger one's hand in return.
"I missed you," admits the young man, having troubles to keep awake.
"As have I," responds the older one. "Rest. I am here now," Boromir adds. The young ranger closes his eyes.
"I will but there is one thing I need to tell you. It is because of father," he declares.
"Captain," his brother answers to let him know he was heard.
"He must own one of the palantírs. It is responsible for his behaviour," Faramir explains.
"I will take care of it," Boromir promises. "Your arm must heal so I do not wish to see you walking around. I mean it little brother. Stay in bed," his brother states. A smile forms on the young man's face.
"Aye, Sir," he answers. Boromir again squeezes his hand.
"I'll be back, Mir," the Captain General responds and left. Faramir sits up and looks around. There were too many wounded. Too many died. He will keep the promise he gave Théoden. The younger one will watch over Éowyn. Then his eyes found the fairhaired marshal. He nods towards him and Éomer returns it while the man joins his side.
"How is she?" questions Faramir.
"Thanks to Aragorn her wounds will heal. Only the emptiness the death of our uncle brought, will remain," replies the marshal.
"I deeply regret his death," counters the young ranger. Éomer regards him.
"Rohan and Gondor will be closer allies now. Your men and my men deserved it after the battles," the fair-haired man speaks up.
The younger one nods, "They have and we will." The marshal returns the nod then the man makes for the door of his chamber and Faramir was left alone. He closes his eyes and lay down again.
Calemireth refused to leave Boromir's side. He could need her. "Minas Tirith is... stony," she states.
"That was meant as a compliment, if I didn't know better. Thanks milady," the older one counters with a smile. The woman already fell in love with it.
"Yes, milord. May I ask where we are heading to," Calemireth responds.
"Of course. To the chambers of my father. Rumours tell there was a green light," Boromir answers.
"So, we trust these rumours," she concludes. He regards her.
"No, we trust the words of Beregond, Guard of the Citadel," the Captain General explains. "I talked to him when you marvelled about the tree," he adds. Again, the man smiles.
"It was... I mean it is a great but sad sight," Calemireth replies.
"Indeed," he admits. "However, the king returned and is now within these walls," Boromir continues. The man views his arm protectors. Then he removes one and hands it to her.
"I can't...," she began.
"Take it. Remember this day. Gondor. Rohan. The men of the west successfully prevailed," he interrupts the woman.
"Thank you, milord," Calemireth responds. He dons the arm protector to her wrist. "A bit... wide," she states with a smile.
"You should not have cut your hair, milady," he counters. She regards him. "Are you ready?" Boromir asks.
"As ready as ever," she declares. Then he took her hand and together they make for the chamber of the Steward.
I am working on the next chapter, I promise.