Disclaimer: Faramir, and all other animals, vegetables, and minerals
included in this are not mine. No animals were harmed in the making of this
story. (Except my stuffed bunny. just kidding. *teehee*)
Yay!! Aragorn and Faramir make up. Midwinter is starting to get happier.
Frodo16424: Yay!! You reviewed again!! You warm my heart. Thanks a bundle!! Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you - most people would become very bitter. But not Faramir!! Even in RotK, he's still loyal and forgiving, even though his father is cruel. Also - I based Denethor's "traditions" spiel on "The Pyre of Denethor". He seems to have been steeped in tradition - the tradition of the Stewards. He says that he would have things as they were: leaving the Steward's seat to his son, keeping the "throne" in their power, etc. It just seems to me that he would be one of those who stresses tradition very strongly. Personally, I agree with you, not Denethor, but there's precious little I agree with him about anyway. Thanks for reviewing, and when I get the chance - this weekend - I will pop by and read ALL your fanfics!! YAY!! THANKS AGAIN!! *hug* *hug again*
LeeAnn: Yay!! You reviewed again too!! *capers* Lalala!! Anyway - I'm glad you like caramels. I love them too. Oftentimes, I've thought about exactly what role Beregond would play in Faramir's post-War of the Ring life. Sure, he's Captain of his Guard, but still - what exactly does that entail? And he does have a family - Bergil, a possible wife (or she could be deceased), and Bergil mentions that his "grandsire" lives in Lossarnach. But I figured I'd just throw him in there for good measure. As for sequels, I had plans for a one-chapter story about Eowyn (in Rohan) opening Faramir's Midwinter gifts to her. But actually, your idea for a sequel about his trip to Rohan is a great idea!! I think I'll take you up on that, if you don't mind. Of course, I'd need a plot, but I could come up with something. Naturally, suggestions would be very much appreciated. As for more, here ye go. THANKS FOR REVIEWING AGAIN!! *hug* *hug again*
YAY FOR EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED!! I just want to take this opportunity to beg everyone to review again. Am I pathetic about this? Yes. But the truth of it all is that your reviews make me do three things: (1) Continue the story. I doubt I would have without you. *hug* (2) Plan for new stories, as evidenced by LeeAnn's suggestion. (3) Try to improve myself.
I couldn't think of a very good name for this chapter, so for that, I apologize.
_____________________
Chapter 7: Apologies
Aragorn went looking for Faramir early that morning. His conscience had been eating at him all last night. [How could I have been so stupid? I wasn't even letting him defend himself. I have to find a way to make it up to him.] Legolas had told Aragorn last night the reason for Faramir's absence, and it had only added to his guilt.
Aragorn reached the door to the Steward's rooms, feeling a fresh pang of guilt. [And I even made him move in here, knowing he didn't want to. I have been horrible to him lately.] He knocked on the door, but he received no answer. [Strange, I thought at least Beregond would be here.] He opened the door, and peeked in. Seeing no one, he entered the room, and closed the door behind him. [I'll just wait for him here. I suppose he's still at the Houses of Healing.] Aragorn looked around for a seat, but he didn't see anything. Furniture was piled in the middle of the room. He recognized most of it as Faramir's, and then remembered how he had never ordered the servants to organize the rooms. [I suppose almost everything here was Denethor's. Faramir probably hasn't had a chance to clean it out yet.]
He looked around for something to occupy himself while waiting for Faramir. His eyes fell on a book, its binding completely ripped off, and the pages in a pile. [Faramir never leaves anything in a mess. What is this?] He walked over and picked up the book. Opening what was left of the cover, Aragorn read the dedication, handwritten, written on the title page. 'To my beloved son Faramir, on the occasion of Midwinter, in the year 2989.' Aragorn stared down at the page. [What had he said, when his room was cleared out? 'One of my most cherished possessions has been destroyed.' And this must be it.] Aragorn looked at the book in his hands. [This must have happened when they were moving all his things.] He felt the guilt swarm around him. [This is all my fault. None but mine. I can't believe I let this happen. No wonder why Faramir was so angry. He has every right to be.]
[I have to think of some way to make it up to him.] Aragorn cleared off a chair, and sat down, the book still in his hands. The binding had already been weak for some time it appeared, probably from overuse. The pages were yellowing, and slightly bent, but otherwise, it had been in perfect condition. [I wish I could make things right.] Suddenly, the idea hit him. Standing up, he left the room as quickly as he could, book in hand and smile on face.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
A few minutes later, Faramir walked into his rooms with Beregond at his side. Stepping over a pile of books, he made his way over to the windows, where he had left one of his files that he needed for the day. Even though most of the citizens of Minas Tirith were beginning the celebrations, Faramir was still hard at work. But he was used to doing paperwork, since Boromir used to sometimes ask him for help. [Boromir was always doing this sort of thing when he was stuck in the city,] Faramir remembered with a laugh. [I remember the first time he asked me to do it for him -he sounded as though he wanted me to write an essay on history, instead of help out with ordering the restocking of the kitchens!]
"Beregond, I'm off to my study. I'll see you later."
"Are you sure you're well enough, Captain?"
Faramir laughed. "I'm quite well, thank you. Only my pride has been hurt, and that's repairable."
Faramir passed by a bookshelf on his way back to the door. Turning around slightly, he was suddenly alarmed. "Beregond - the book that was here - where is it?"
"I haven't seen it, Captain. Not since you put it there. Are you sure that you haven't moved it?"
"No, I'm positive. I left it right here." Faramir pointed at the spot, concern on his face. "I wonder where it could have gotten to. Do me a favour, Beregond - help me look."
The two made a quick search of the room, but found nothing. "It's not here, Captain. Neither of us have been through these rooms very much, and I'm sure that it would be on top." Faramir nodded numbly. "Don't worry, it'll show up eventually."
Faramir gave a heavy sigh. "I'm going to my study, then, Beregond. If you see it around, anywhere, come find me at once." Beregond agreed, and Faramir, with one last look behind him, left the room.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Faramir found Aragorn waiting for him in the study. [I hope he's still not angry from yesterday.] "Faramir?" Aragorn asked tentatively. "Can we talk?"
Faramir couldn't make himself angry with Aragorn. "Yes, of course. What on?"
"I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I acted terribly, and I want you to know that I didn't mean any of it." Aragorn looked at the bandage on the Steward's head.
"There's really no need to apologize. I'm sorry I missed the meeting, and I promise it won't happen again." He sounded, even to himself, like an apologetic schoolboy, but he found himself not caring. [It needs to be said, anyway.]
"There's no need for you to apologize at all, Faramir. I feel just horribly. I should have listened to you - you were trying to tell me what happened, and I just kept cutting you off."
"Really, Aragorn -"
"Please, don't feel badly. What I really want is to forget the whole incident, and just pretend it never happened. Agreed?" Aragorn held out his hand.
Faramir grasped the outstretched hand, and shook it firmly. "Agreed."
"And you are to not do any work today, or until Midwinter is over. I'm not, and I would be embarrassed if my Steward was hard at work while I was feasting."
Faramir smiled at the blackmail. "So this way you prevent me from doing my duties?"
"Well - yes. But it worked, you must say that." They laughed.
"There's another thing I'd like you to do." Faramir looked at him. "On Midwinter, I understand that the Steward had a private party for his family and closest friends, which lasted through the night and into morning. Are you holding this party?" Faramir shook his head. [I could never throw such a party - besides, it was more of a matter of state. The Steward had no friends.] "Well, then the tradition must be passed to the King. I would like you to come."
Faramir stood in a state of shock. [Why does he want me there? For show? I won't be there only to please some of the nobles.] "I couldn't - it's for friends, not nobles. Granted, it had been turned into a political gathering, but still - the King's friends should be there."
Aragorn looked worried, and a bit upset. "That is why I asked you - I consider you my friend. Are you mine?"
Faramir answered honestly. "Yes, but I never thought that you wished to be mine. May I speak plainly?"
"I wish you would speak plainly more often."
"We never see each other, except whenever we're working. And -" Faramir paused, reconsidering his words. At Aragorn's prompting, he continued. "And when you're with Legolas and Gimli, I feel as though I'm just in the way."
"You shouldn't," Aragorn said, unease in his voice.
"Well, I do. And you shouldn't feel badly about that, either," Faramir wisely responded. "I have no problems at all. I'm just saying that I don't know if you'd want me at your Midwinter party."
"Faramir, I want you there, as my friend. Will you come?"
Faramir gave a small smile. "Yes, I will. Thank you."
Yay!! Aragorn and Faramir make up. Midwinter is starting to get happier.
Frodo16424: Yay!! You reviewed again!! You warm my heart. Thanks a bundle!! Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you - most people would become very bitter. But not Faramir!! Even in RotK, he's still loyal and forgiving, even though his father is cruel. Also - I based Denethor's "traditions" spiel on "The Pyre of Denethor". He seems to have been steeped in tradition - the tradition of the Stewards. He says that he would have things as they were: leaving the Steward's seat to his son, keeping the "throne" in their power, etc. It just seems to me that he would be one of those who stresses tradition very strongly. Personally, I agree with you, not Denethor, but there's precious little I agree with him about anyway. Thanks for reviewing, and when I get the chance - this weekend - I will pop by and read ALL your fanfics!! YAY!! THANKS AGAIN!! *hug* *hug again*
LeeAnn: Yay!! You reviewed again too!! *capers* Lalala!! Anyway - I'm glad you like caramels. I love them too. Oftentimes, I've thought about exactly what role Beregond would play in Faramir's post-War of the Ring life. Sure, he's Captain of his Guard, but still - what exactly does that entail? And he does have a family - Bergil, a possible wife (or she could be deceased), and Bergil mentions that his "grandsire" lives in Lossarnach. But I figured I'd just throw him in there for good measure. As for sequels, I had plans for a one-chapter story about Eowyn (in Rohan) opening Faramir's Midwinter gifts to her. But actually, your idea for a sequel about his trip to Rohan is a great idea!! I think I'll take you up on that, if you don't mind. Of course, I'd need a plot, but I could come up with something. Naturally, suggestions would be very much appreciated. As for more, here ye go. THANKS FOR REVIEWING AGAIN!! *hug* *hug again*
YAY FOR EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED!! I just want to take this opportunity to beg everyone to review again. Am I pathetic about this? Yes. But the truth of it all is that your reviews make me do three things: (1) Continue the story. I doubt I would have without you. *hug* (2) Plan for new stories, as evidenced by LeeAnn's suggestion. (3) Try to improve myself.
I couldn't think of a very good name for this chapter, so for that, I apologize.
_____________________
Chapter 7: Apologies
Aragorn went looking for Faramir early that morning. His conscience had been eating at him all last night. [How could I have been so stupid? I wasn't even letting him defend himself. I have to find a way to make it up to him.] Legolas had told Aragorn last night the reason for Faramir's absence, and it had only added to his guilt.
Aragorn reached the door to the Steward's rooms, feeling a fresh pang of guilt. [And I even made him move in here, knowing he didn't want to. I have been horrible to him lately.] He knocked on the door, but he received no answer. [Strange, I thought at least Beregond would be here.] He opened the door, and peeked in. Seeing no one, he entered the room, and closed the door behind him. [I'll just wait for him here. I suppose he's still at the Houses of Healing.] Aragorn looked around for a seat, but he didn't see anything. Furniture was piled in the middle of the room. He recognized most of it as Faramir's, and then remembered how he had never ordered the servants to organize the rooms. [I suppose almost everything here was Denethor's. Faramir probably hasn't had a chance to clean it out yet.]
He looked around for something to occupy himself while waiting for Faramir. His eyes fell on a book, its binding completely ripped off, and the pages in a pile. [Faramir never leaves anything in a mess. What is this?] He walked over and picked up the book. Opening what was left of the cover, Aragorn read the dedication, handwritten, written on the title page. 'To my beloved son Faramir, on the occasion of Midwinter, in the year 2989.' Aragorn stared down at the page. [What had he said, when his room was cleared out? 'One of my most cherished possessions has been destroyed.' And this must be it.] Aragorn looked at the book in his hands. [This must have happened when they were moving all his things.] He felt the guilt swarm around him. [This is all my fault. None but mine. I can't believe I let this happen. No wonder why Faramir was so angry. He has every right to be.]
[I have to think of some way to make it up to him.] Aragorn cleared off a chair, and sat down, the book still in his hands. The binding had already been weak for some time it appeared, probably from overuse. The pages were yellowing, and slightly bent, but otherwise, it had been in perfect condition. [I wish I could make things right.] Suddenly, the idea hit him. Standing up, he left the room as quickly as he could, book in hand and smile on face.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
A few minutes later, Faramir walked into his rooms with Beregond at his side. Stepping over a pile of books, he made his way over to the windows, where he had left one of his files that he needed for the day. Even though most of the citizens of Minas Tirith were beginning the celebrations, Faramir was still hard at work. But he was used to doing paperwork, since Boromir used to sometimes ask him for help. [Boromir was always doing this sort of thing when he was stuck in the city,] Faramir remembered with a laugh. [I remember the first time he asked me to do it for him -he sounded as though he wanted me to write an essay on history, instead of help out with ordering the restocking of the kitchens!]
"Beregond, I'm off to my study. I'll see you later."
"Are you sure you're well enough, Captain?"
Faramir laughed. "I'm quite well, thank you. Only my pride has been hurt, and that's repairable."
Faramir passed by a bookshelf on his way back to the door. Turning around slightly, he was suddenly alarmed. "Beregond - the book that was here - where is it?"
"I haven't seen it, Captain. Not since you put it there. Are you sure that you haven't moved it?"
"No, I'm positive. I left it right here." Faramir pointed at the spot, concern on his face. "I wonder where it could have gotten to. Do me a favour, Beregond - help me look."
The two made a quick search of the room, but found nothing. "It's not here, Captain. Neither of us have been through these rooms very much, and I'm sure that it would be on top." Faramir nodded numbly. "Don't worry, it'll show up eventually."
Faramir gave a heavy sigh. "I'm going to my study, then, Beregond. If you see it around, anywhere, come find me at once." Beregond agreed, and Faramir, with one last look behind him, left the room.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Faramir found Aragorn waiting for him in the study. [I hope he's still not angry from yesterday.] "Faramir?" Aragorn asked tentatively. "Can we talk?"
Faramir couldn't make himself angry with Aragorn. "Yes, of course. What on?"
"I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I acted terribly, and I want you to know that I didn't mean any of it." Aragorn looked at the bandage on the Steward's head.
"There's really no need to apologize. I'm sorry I missed the meeting, and I promise it won't happen again." He sounded, even to himself, like an apologetic schoolboy, but he found himself not caring. [It needs to be said, anyway.]
"There's no need for you to apologize at all, Faramir. I feel just horribly. I should have listened to you - you were trying to tell me what happened, and I just kept cutting you off."
"Really, Aragorn -"
"Please, don't feel badly. What I really want is to forget the whole incident, and just pretend it never happened. Agreed?" Aragorn held out his hand.
Faramir grasped the outstretched hand, and shook it firmly. "Agreed."
"And you are to not do any work today, or until Midwinter is over. I'm not, and I would be embarrassed if my Steward was hard at work while I was feasting."
Faramir smiled at the blackmail. "So this way you prevent me from doing my duties?"
"Well - yes. But it worked, you must say that." They laughed.
"There's another thing I'd like you to do." Faramir looked at him. "On Midwinter, I understand that the Steward had a private party for his family and closest friends, which lasted through the night and into morning. Are you holding this party?" Faramir shook his head. [I could never throw such a party - besides, it was more of a matter of state. The Steward had no friends.] "Well, then the tradition must be passed to the King. I would like you to come."
Faramir stood in a state of shock. [Why does he want me there? For show? I won't be there only to please some of the nobles.] "I couldn't - it's for friends, not nobles. Granted, it had been turned into a political gathering, but still - the King's friends should be there."
Aragorn looked worried, and a bit upset. "That is why I asked you - I consider you my friend. Are you mine?"
Faramir answered honestly. "Yes, but I never thought that you wished to be mine. May I speak plainly?"
"I wish you would speak plainly more often."
"We never see each other, except whenever we're working. And -" Faramir paused, reconsidering his words. At Aragorn's prompting, he continued. "And when you're with Legolas and Gimli, I feel as though I'm just in the way."
"You shouldn't," Aragorn said, unease in his voice.
"Well, I do. And you shouldn't feel badly about that, either," Faramir wisely responded. "I have no problems at all. I'm just saying that I don't know if you'd want me at your Midwinter party."
"Faramir, I want you there, as my friend. Will you come?"
Faramir gave a small smile. "Yes, I will. Thank you."