SPOILERS: There may be some from the LOTR trilogy.
AUTHOR'S NOTE AND DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Tolkien characters. The Dozan characters in this story are original, as well as the cities of Doza and Tersaf. I have very limited knowledge regarding Middle Earth geography, and I would greatly appreciate feedback regarding this matter. This fiction is my first attempt in writing Tolkien fanfiction.
FEEDBACK: Greatly appreciated! You can leave it at the review section or sent it directly to me via email: sidlestokes@yahoo.com
THE LAST ISTARI
By Moose
Chapter 2
"I saw the way you looked at him."
Katana looked up from her dinner plate and met the disapproving eyes of Akiral. She said nothing, continuing to eat dinner in silence. She knew that the moment the three of them were alone, she would be confronted regarding her reaction to Faramir.
"Be careful, Katana," Rolo warned, his manner gentle. "Mahtan informed us about this, did he not? You should not allow yourself to be rattled so easily, or show your emotions so transparently."
"I am sorry," Katana apologized sincerely, pausing and looking at the older man. "I did not expect to meet him so soon, nor to see the accuracy of Mahtan's words."
"Well, now you know," Akiral remarked tartly. "Do learn to control your emotions, lest you betray Mahtan's trust prematurely."
"I will," Katana promised, her tone tinged with slight iciness. She detested this condescending trait of Akiral's. They were of the same age and same level, yet oftentimes he behaved as though he were superior to her.
"Let us not talk about Mahtan anymore, for these walls may have ears," Rolo ordered. He stood up. "Finish your meals and better get some rest. We may have to start our journey back tomorrow." With that, he left his companions and headed towards his chambers.
Aragorn smiled at the slumbering infant, easing his worries about the day's news. Now he felt lighter, almost refreshed.
A pair of slender arms encircled his waist as a soft voice asked, "How was your day, Estel?"
Aragorn turned in his wife's embrace to face her. "Frightful tidings have come from opposite ends of Gondor," he remarked, feeling the dread consume him once again. "Faramir is here and he brings reports of a mysterious illness that plagues the City of Tersaf, and three from Doza informed me of the same thing."
"Their medicine cannot cure this illness?"
Aragorn shook his head. "It has baffled them and made them desperate. Ormulla had sent them to see me; he knows I have been taught well by Elrond with Elven healing ways." He went on and their discussion went well into the night. Arwen was just as mystified as he was.
"I'm afraid I'll have to go and try to heal them through the mind," Aragorn said sadly, when they have run out of possible courses of action. "There is not enough time to train Dozan healers of the ways to heal through their minds, and I want to stop the spread of this plague while it is still knocking on Gondor's doors."
"Do what you must then," Arwen said, reaching out to caress his face. "But promise me you will take care. Your son and I will be waiting for your return."
"I will," Aragorn promised. "Tomorrow I will leave for Tersaf, the closer city. Besides, I believe the Dozan healers are better trained to handle this sort of thing than the Tersaf citizens, who have no training at all in the art of healing."
With that, the King and Queen of Gondor retired for the evening.
The sky was just beginning to lighten when Faramir woke up. He allowed himself to linger in that state between full wakefulness and sleep for a while, before finally letting go of all the traces of sleep. Leisurely he donned his everyday garb and went out of his chambers. He headed to the courtyard, and as he did so often in his youth, and still does whenever he comes back, he faced east and watched the sun rise. In silence he stood, enjoying the crisp morning air and simply admiring the beauty he can never get tired of.
As always, he wondered if she was doing well, if she was happy. It has been years since he last saw her fair face, and though the pain of separation has receded to a dull ache, the memory of the heartbreak he still can remember with vividness. She was crying when she left, crying when she told him she could not marry him when her heart still longs for the one man she can never have. Faramir had known this all along, but like a fool in love, he chose to ignore the signs and hope that maybe her consent with their betrothal meant that she was learning to love him as he loved her. But it was not to be.
Her brother Eomer had been sympathetic, and he and Faramir had become fast friends after Eowyn left. Although Eomer receives news from Eowyn every once in a while, he had truthfully told Faramir that even he did not know where the Lady of the Rohirrim had gone. Faramir, meanwhile, had gone back to being the Captain of Ithilien's Rangers, though in addition, he also acts as King Elessar's most trusted and valued executive officer.
"If I had known I'd find you here, I would have stayed in Ithilien," a familiar voice broke his reverie.
Faramir was already smiling as he turned towards the source of the voice. "Well, Master Elf, it's good to see you, too," he greeted the blond archer that had surreptitiously appeared by his side.
Legolas returned his smile. He is also a resident of Ithilien, along with several other elves that had chosen to ignore the call of the sea. Often he and the Prince of Ithilien had crossed paths, and this has led to a friendship that has nearly equaled that between the Prince of Mirkwood and King of Gondor.
"Does Aragorn know you are here?" Faramir asked.
Legolas shook his head. "I wanted to surprise him."
"And surprise me, you did," came Aragorn's voice from behind them. His face broke into a grin. "Legolas! You came just in time; had you arrived a day later, you would have surprised only my wife and son."
"You are leaving?" Legolas asked.
Aragorn nodded, looking at Faramir. "Aye, for the gravest and most urgent matter." He motioned for his two friends to follow him. "Come, let us discuss this over breakfast. I already sent for the Dozan healers, and they will be joining us for breakfast."
With that, the three headed back in, the brief joy of reuniting with old friends now eclipsed by the burning matter that threatens Gondor.