As promised, I am putting this up before anyone had time to review the last chapter. Enjoy!
^these^ mean talking in Elvish.
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The week passed by quickly with the preparations to go to Rivendell. When she first heard about the trip, Freya insisted on going along with them. Imrahil managed to convince her that it would be all right for her to stay in Dol Amroth by agreeing to take Rendil for protection. The servants and the people of Dol Amroth were told that Faramir was returning to Minas Tirith and that Imrahil would be staying there for a few months.
Finally the day came that Imrahil, Faramir, and Rendil left Dol Amroth. It was a tearful good-bye, at least on Freya's part. She hugged Faramir tightly, promising him that he was always welcome in Dol Amroth and that she loved him. Then Faramir did something surprising. He returned her hug and smiled at her for a brief moment in thanks for all she had done. Freya felt her heart melt and she barely contained her tears. She said good-bye to Imrahil with a long kiss and the three travelers were off.
Rivendell was many weeks away from Dol Amroth. The three had to travel up the South Road to Minas Tirith, take the West Road to Edoras, go through the Gap of Rohan, proceed up through Dunland on the Old South Road a ways, cross the Glanduin into Eregion, and follow the Bruinen to Rivendell. They traveled by foot, for horses would be easy to notice and would make them prey to robbers. It rained and so their clothes were considerably dirty and wrinkled by the third day. Both Imrahil and Rendil, normally clean-shaven, had grown a fair amount of stubble, which made them look more like the common folk than nobility.
Besides the rain, everything went well until the fifth day. That night they had decided to continue walking in the dark in order to make up for time lost by the rain. As fate would have it, a group of soldiers from Minas Tirith were camped nearby. One of the scouts spotted the trio and detained them, taking them to the tent of his commander. Luckily, Faramir had had time to cover his head with his cloak so that the soldiers could not see his face. When he saw the commander, he nearly drew back in fright. It was Commander Lokir, a tall man with a mean-streak a mile wide. Lokir had always disliked Faramir and was a close confidant of Denethor's. The Commander gave them a smile, though it was clearly fake. "My good people, what reasons have you for traveling at this time of night? Surely it is too dangerous to be wandering around so." Imrahil took charge, displaying his skill in fabricating stories at a moment's notice.
With a very convincing peasant accent, he said, "I am sorry sir for disturbing you. I am traveling north to Rohan with my brother and daughter. We felt it was safer to travel at night, for neither my brother nor I can manage to stay awake to keep watch, making us prey for bandits." Faramir didn't like being introduced as a girl, but saw the wisdom in it. If these soldiers were looking for them, they would look for a young boy, not a girl. Apparently the commander fell for their trap.
"Should not a young girl be accompanied by her mother? And why does she hide her face? I can assure you that my men will not take advantage of her."
"Ah, but we do not wish to scare them, do we? I fear the girl is quite ugly, since she was mauled by a wild pig as a child, leaving her scarred and mute. As to her mother, my dear wife recently died in childbirth, along with my son. I am taking the girl to my wife's kin in Rohan to learn to be a good mid-wife, for I fear no man will ask for her hand." It was not a full lie. A wild 'pig' had indeed scarred Faramir, and he would not speak.
"Forgive me these questions. Indeed I would not have apprehended you myself, but my men are restless at having to leave our post at Osgiliath in order to march to Dol Amroth and rescue the Steward's youngest son. In my opinion, the brat isn't worth it. Why the Prince kidnapped him is beyond me. The brat is worthless and his father doesn't even like him. The boy deserves a good whipping for causing the Steward so much trouble." Imrahil felt his heart sink at the commander's words. He knew that Faramir would be hurt by what was said, and wished desperately that Lokir would let them go before any more damage was done. Thankfully, his wish was granted for Lokir seemed to notice how much he was saying. "I'm sorry for rambling on like this. You need not concern yourself. I bid you good-night and fair travels." The three bowed and left the camp, continuing north.
As Imrahil feared, Faramir did take the commander's words to heart. He withdrew from his companions and it seemed that all improvements he had made would be for not. Imrahil talked to him continuously in order to keep him from retreating into himself. Rendil, knowing about what Denethor had done to Faramir, helped Imrahil as much as he could. They felt it best not to enter Minas Tirith when they reached it, opting to go around.
It took two months to reach the glade near the path to Rivendell. Faramir seemed to grow more anxious the closer they got. Would this Lord Elrond let him stay? Or would he see how worthless he was and refuse to give him sanctuary? The trio walked quietly and carefully through the woods. Suddenly, a voice yelled out to them in Sindarin. Faramir, having learned the elvish language early in life, knew what the elf was saying. ^ Halt! You are not welcome in this land, mortals. ^ Imrahil stretched his hands out to show he was unarmed.
^ I apologize for intruding on your land, but I need to speak to Lord Elrond. It is of utmost importance. ^
Without warning, a dark-haired elf leaped from a tree and landed in front of them. Looking closely at Imrahil, the elf's eyes widened in surprise. ^ You have elven blood in you! ^
Imrahil nodded. ^ I am Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. I come with my nephew, who also has elven blood, and my guard who I trust with my life. ^ The elf nodded.
^ I am called Tatharwe. I believe you, and if you follow me, I will take you to Lord Elrond. ^
It did not take them long. Soon Tatharwe and the travelers stood in the Hall of Fire, awaiting Lord Elrond. Faramir took this time to study the elf. It was the first elf he had ever seen and he couldn't help staring at the regal figure and the pointed ears. If Tatharwe noticed, he said naught and Faramir's study was interrupted when another elf entered the room. ^ Lord Elrond, I found these three in the glade. One says he is Imrahil of Dol Amroth, and I believe him for I sense that he has elven blood. ^ Elrond inclined his head in acknowledgement and motioned for Tatharwe to leave. Turning to his guests, Elrond spoke in the Common Speech, which relieved Rendil who spoke no Sindarin and had no clue what was going on.
"Why have you come here?"
Imrahil stepped forward. "My Lord, I am Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. I will tell you why I came here, but I would like to talk privately, not where we could be walked in on at any time." This seemed reasonable, so Elrond led Imrahil to his personal study while Faramir and Rendil were allowed to rest in a sitting room.
Imrahil spoke first. "Forgive me, my lord, for disturbing your peace here. I would not have come, but I knew not where else to turn. My nephew, Faramir, is in need of protection and Dol Amroth is no longer safe for him. I know it is much to ask, but I ask you to give him sanctuary here."
"What do his parents have to say about this?" Imrahil looked at the elf lord sadly.
"His mother, my dear sister, is dead these three years. And as for his father, Steward Denethor of Gondor, it is from him that Faramir needs to be protected."
"Why would the boy need to be protected from his father?"
"You saw the scar on my nephews cheek?" Elrond nodded. The scar ran from Faramir's ear to just underneath one gray eye. "That scar is from my brother-in-law's dagger. Denethor struck him, broke his arm, and would have killed the boy had I not intervened." Lord Elrond nearly dropped the glass of wine he held in shock, his face not betraying his anger. Imrahil continued. "That night I took Faramir from Minas Tirith and brought him to Dol Amroth. He has lived there for the past year, but now Denethor wants him back and threatened to send soldiers to take him by force. I could not let that happen, so I brought him here. That is why I plead with you to let Faramir stay here."
Elrond agreed whole-heartedly that the boy would be safer in Rivendell. "Prince Imrahil, your nephew may stay here for as long as he would like. Yet you hold something back about him."
"I do. Since the night his father tried to kill him, Faramir has not spoken a word and has smiled once. He fears daggers and the smell of alcohol reminds him of the times his father hurt him."
Lord Elrond tensed. "Times? Do you mean to tell me that the Steward had hurt him before?"
"Yes, but not as badly. I fear that this last time, Faramir's injuries were more than physical. Denethor has always looked down on his younger son, thinking him weak and worthless, and I think he said so to him."
"He has an older brother?"
"Yes, Boromir. Denethor favors Boromir, for he is more war-like and strong. And yet Faramir loves his brother and I do not think he blames Boromir for having their father's love when he himself does not."
"That shows much for his character. Come, a room will be prepared for Faramir. You will stay a few days, will you not?"
"It would be best if Rendil and I left as soon as possible, for I cannot be away from my city for so long. Already, it has been two months." They entered the sitting room where Rendil was pacing and Faramir was silently counting how many circuits Rendil was making. Seeing Imrahil and Elrond enter, Rendil quit walking and Faramir stood up. "Rendil, we will leave the day after tomorrow. Faramir, Lord Elrond had agreed to let you stay here." The boy nearly smiled in relief. He cautiously looked up at the noble elf lord. Elrond wore his long, brown hair down, held back from his face with clips and braids. He wore a long green robe that gave him a royal appearance. The elf lord wore a stern expression on his face, yet there was warmth in his eyes.
"Young Faramir, I am honored to have you as part of my household. It will be refreshing to have a young face around here. The last child here, my foster son, Estel, left forty-one years ago. Now, I believe it is time for dinner, if you will follow me."
Faramir spent the next day getting used to his new home. It helped having Imrahil and Rendil there, and Lord Elrond was very pleasant when it came to his ward. The second day, though, Imrahil and Rendil left for Dol Amroth. It saddened Faramir to see them go, for his uncle had been the one who had saved him from Denethor, taken him into his home, and now had provided him with a haven. On the journey, Rendil had become a good friend, a man Faramir knew he could trust. As Rendil stood by, Imrahil knelt to give Faramir a hug. "I wish you could stay in Dol Amroth with Freya and I, but I know you will be safe here with the elves. Good-bye, I love you." He began to stand, but Faramir tugged at his sleeve. The boy gave him a hug in return and, to the prince's great surprise, spoke. "Thank you, Uncle." It was only a whisper, yet it filled Imrahil's heart with hope. Imrahil hugged his nephew again, and he and Rendil walked away, led by Tatharwe. Faramir watched until they were out of sight, then ran to his new room and shut the door, closing out the world.
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In case I didn't make it clear, Faramir is NOT healed. His speaking was spur of the moment. I'm not done with him yet. *evil laughter heard from a distance* sorry that's my evil counterpart, Evil Skittle. If you're wondering about the name, you don't want to know. Please review!
