Chapter 3
As they neared Osgiliath, Eowyn looked around her with surprise and a little dismay. Faramir had been right, she thought, half the population of Minas Tirith and the surrounding countryside had trekked into the city for the day's festivities. She did not even want to guess how many hundreds of people thronged the ancient streets.
They followed the new road into the city and Eowyn marveled at the changes. She had not been to Osgiliath in over a year, between her pregnancy and the new baby. Faramir had traveled here several times alone during that time, and while he had kept her updated on the progress, nothing could compare to actually riding along the newly laid paving stones and gazing at the new buildings. She knew it had been the King's desire to rebuild at least a part of the city, to re-open the docks, and replace the bridges destroyed during the long generations of war and neglect; make it truly a city again, not a ruin. This was just the first stage of his ambitious plan, one that she knew he and Faramir had spent many nights poring over. The first work had begun nearly two years ago, and today was just the beginning realization of all those hopes.
As they rode along, she could see already other areas that were being cleared for future building. This was a long-term dream that would take years to complete. No wonder the King was excited. She turned a beaming smile on her husband.
"Oh, Faramir! It's beautiful! I can't believe how lovely it is." She could tell he was pleased with her response. He surveyed the scene before them.
"It is everything I imagined," he admitted. "Everything that the King and I talked about." He gave a little snort of surprise. "I'm not sure myself just how it all was accomplished. I was not convinced we could do it."
"I'm not surprised," she said forcefully. "You can do anything you put your mind to."
He gave her a piercing look, but said nothing. They rode along the main street for a short way before turning a corner and suddenly entering the new square that was to be dedicated today. Eowyn's mouth fell open with amazement. It was a huge, open area; large enough to hold at least 2,000 people, and it was full. The people began to cheer as the King and his company arrived. Eowyn's horse followed the path forced through the crowd by the King's guards, while she glanced around and vaguely wondered how many old buildings had been pulled down to clear the way for this vast courtyard. Dark red stone covered nearly every inch of the square, laid down in large octagons. Flower beds were spaced throughout, ringed with stone benches, while large ceramic pots of flowers graced the doorways of most of the shops that edged the plaza on three sides. She suspected Elven assistance had been provided to properly place the greenery so that it magnified the beauty of the scene as perfectly as it did.
No less than five other streets converged here, each one leading off into a different part of the city, like spokes of a wheel, while a broad avenue to her left gave a glimpse of the docks further below. At the far end of the square stood a large building made of a pale red stone, three stories high with imposing double doors and many windows. "What is that?" she asked Faramir.
"That is the new Customs House and Money Exchange," he said. "It has room for fifty offices. We wanted to open an Exchange here to encourage more trade, and hopefully there will be embassies eventually, in addition to those in Minas Tirith." He leaned close so she could hear him over the noise of the crowd and pointed to the top floor. "There is a big council room there. The King hopes to get ambassadors from all over and have a place where they can discuss things, and occasionally solve some of their own problems." His tone of voice conveyed his skepticism of the success of that plan.
Eowyn noticed that on each end of the building, huge triangular wings had been built, which were now draped with cloth. They reached the nearly the height of the building, over 30 feet, and were just as wide as they were tall at the end closest the building, tapering and curving as they jutted out into the square. "And those?" she pointed.
"Fountains," said Faramir. "The eventual plan is to have special public events here, besides the weekly market, concerts, fairs, things like that. The King said the fountain at the Citadel was relaxing and he wanted some big ones here, so people could enjoy them." He paused and looked at her as if unsure whether he wanted to continue, but went on. She saw the wrinkle appear in his forehead that always meant he was thinking intently. "Funny, I never thought of that fountain as relaxing, but once he said it, I realized he was right. It used to be my favorite spot in the morning to sit and watch the sunrise." He suddenly looked down and rubbed his palm with his thumb. "When we were older, whenever we were home at the same time, Boromir and I would take bread and fruit for breakfast and just sit there and talk." He fell silent and Eowyn held her breath, fearful he would let the memories overwhelm him. After a few seconds passed, however, he merely sighed and then looked up at her again. "It is a good memory," he said simply.
"I'm glad," she reached over and rubbed his shoulder quickly. She hurried to change the subject. "So, why are they covered up?"
"That is to be part of the spectacular celebration," he said wryly. "Once the King declares the square officially open, they are going to be unveiled and turned on. At least, that was the idea." He shook his head slowly. "If it really works I will be surprised."
"Why?"
"They did not get a chance to do a test. The plumbing wasn't even started when I was here just over a month ago, and all the stone carving was not done-" he frowned. "Maybe they are not ready, I don't remember getting the final update." He looked around, suddenly distracted. "Maybe I should find out -" Seeing Aragorn nearby he slid from his horse and disappeared into the crowd.
Eowyn stayed mounted so she could both watch his progress through the crush of people and avoid subjecting herself to the same for as long as possible. She saw him reach Aragorn and point to the covered fountains. The King frowned also and they talked for a few minutes. At last Aragorn laughed and motioned Faramir away. He returned to her, his scowl still in place.
"He says not to worry." He stood by her horse's head, looking at the fountains with his brows furrowed. "He says they are not finished, but he wants to unveil them anyway and no one will mind."
Eowyn could see his analytical mind ticking. She knew how he hated it when things did not go according to plan. Secretly she was glad the things were not done. Not that she disliked fountains, far from it, but here was a problem that would occupy Faramir's mind for at least an hour or so and that was another hour today that he would not be thinking of his brother.
One of the King's personal attendants approached them, a small empty space around him provided by the guards. "My Lord, Lady Eowyn, there are seats for you on the dais." He pointed to a raised platform in front of the new Money Exchange. It sat high above the crowd, with an awning to shield those on it from the sun that was now almost directly overhead. The flag of the King fluttered brightly from the top, along with, she was pleased to see, that of the House of Stewards, only slightly lower. She could see Arwen already making her way up the steps. Quickly Eowyn dismounted, noting with perverse pleasure that Faramir did not help her down but continued to glare at the covered fountains, deep in thought. Another attendant led the horses away as she took her husband's arm.
"Faramir." She had to say his name three times before he heard her. "Do you want to stand here and worry about those fountains, or shall we join the King?" she asked teasingly.
He took her hand and they started through the crowd, but she could hear him still talking to himself. "We paid a lot of money for those masons to finish in time…" he muttered under his breath and she chuckled to herself. Yes, delinquent stone cutters had definitely made her job easier today.
They wormed their way through the crowd at a snail's pace; even with the guards making a path for them it was slow going. In fact, they had only moved a short distance when suddenly a tall man pressed forward from the sea of people.
"Captain, Captain Faramir!" he called. He reached out to take Faramir's hand. Quickly their guards moved to intercept him, but Eowyn saw recognition on her husband's face as he stopped the soldier and greeted the other man.
"Gatral!" His smile was genuine for the first time that day. "I haven't seen you in years." He returned the handclasp. "How are you?"
"Good, sir, good. Nice to see you, sir." They spoke for only a few moments, but as the other man released his grasp and Faramir took a few more steps, another of his former Ranger comrades stepped out of the crowd, followed by another, then another. Each greeted their former captain with a firm grip and kind words. It seemed as though half the men in the crowd had served under Faramir, while the other half had been led by Boromir, and many who greeted Faramir did so to speak kindly of his brother. He smiled and spoke to each one gladly. Eowyn could see how happy it made him to hear their fond remembrances.
As more and more men greeted Faramir, she began to despair of their ever reaching the platform and tried to peer through the crowd to see if the King was becoming impatient, but looking up at the dais she could see Aragorn smiling. She realized he was pleased at Faramir's reception, and in no hurry to begin the official program. He caught her eye and winked and she understood that he had hoped this very thing would happen; that Faramir would be welcomed by old friends and fellow soldiers. Eowyn's heart swelled with love for her King. He understood that Faramir was a link with the old days for so many. They had fought against Mordor up and down the borders of Gondor, and in the streets of Osgiliath. Their memories of battles placed him or his brother at their front, not Aragorn. Now each one wanted to honor those memories by speaking to their Captain.
Aragorn watched with satisfaction from his seat. He had known many of the former soldiers would want to be present to see a new beginning for Osgiliath, and had fervently hoped that they would want to greet their past captain. His wildest expectations had been surpassed and he smiled happily at Arwen. She returned the smile and put her hand out to caress his cheek lightly.
"You wanted it to be like this."
He nodded. "He deserves it, especially today."
It took nearly half an hour, but at last Eowyn reached the platform and thankfully sank into her seat. Faramir stood on the bottom step speaking to a man with an eye patch for another minute or so, then trotted up the steps and joined her. He bowed to the King. "My apologies, Sire, I did not mean to take so long..."
Aragorn held up a hand. "None of that, Faramir. I have all the time in the world for brave men to honor their captain." He motioned his Steward to take the seat to his right. As Faramir did so, Eowyn could see his eyes shining and knew the impromptu reception had touched him deeply. She reached over to brush his hair out of his eyes, then took his hand and twined her fingers in his. He smiled broadly at her and she felt her heart jump to see the pleasure on his face.
She had immediately approved when Arwen had first broached the subject of the dedication months ago, hoping that it could somehow keep Faramir's mind occupied on the sad anniversary of Boromir's departure. This morning in their room she had almost regretted agreeing to convince him to come, but now she was overcome with gratitude. Gratitude towards Arwen, towards the King, towards the good men who had spoken so kindly to her husband. She swallowed the lump in her throat and contented herself with a small sniffle.
The King stood to his feet and the large crowd quieted expectantly. He looked over the multitude, his heart swelling with love and pride. "Greetings, people of Gondor!" His voice rang out across the square.
"Hail Elessar!" returned those gathered before him. "Hail to the King!"