Disclaimer: I still don't own anything.

Faramir stared at the letter in his trembling hands. All sense of logic and reason had fled him. He turned the letter over and over in his hands, debating whether he should tell Eowyn about it. He didn't know if he could explain his feelings. All he knew was something about it frightened him.

Very carefully, as to not break the seal, he slid his fingers deftly through the flap. Opening the letter fully, he began to read.

Minutes later, he was done. His senses were back to him. He quickly tucked the papers inside his tunic, and opened his study door.

"Eowyn!" he called for his wife. "Eowyn, are you here?"

His wife came hurrying down the stairs. "Faramir, what is it?" she cried. "Why do you speak with such urgency?"

Faramir took hold of her upper arms and pulled her close to him. His eyes searched her worried face, and he fought back the natural urge to console her. There was simply no time.

"Eowyn," he began, "I need you to pack up our things. Enough clothes for at least a month. Riding clothes, formal clothes, everything. Elboron's belongings, too. Please do this as quickly as possible. Do whatever is needed to prepare Elboron for the journey. Do not speak of this with anyone."

"Faramir," she said slowly, "what is happening? What is going on? Where are we going?"

Faramir lowered his voice to nearly a whisper. "I cannot speak of it here. Do not worry. Please, my love, do this for me." He planted a soft kiss on her head, and allowed himself a brief embrace. All he really wanted to do was curl up in bed with her, with Elboron cradled between them. But there was no time. He pulled back. "Can you manage on your own," he asked.

Eowyn nodded carefully. She trusted her husband even if he was behaving strangely.

Faramir stepped away from her and began to pull on his riding cloak. "I will send a guard to escort you and Elboron to the stables. I will meet you there."

Eowyn followed him to the entrance hall. "But where are you going? Where are we going?"

Faramir swung the door open and stepped outside. The air had suddenly turned cold. "I am going to see the King," he replied quietly. "We are going to Edoras."

And then he stepped out into the street, leaving Eowyn alone with many, many questions.