One Last Kiss
Part 18
Angel of the Night Watchers: Thanks for the review. Really, I do try to update often. But don't worry; I'm wrapping it up soon.
Lyria1: Thanks for the review!
Emily: Well, you're certainly keeping me on my toes. Thanks!
Elfy: Pah. Fine. I won't be lazy and update every 3 weeks. B
Disclaimer: I don't own it...it owns me.
Faramir could here voices above his head, conversing in whispers. "...Fever, with a touch of..." "Will he recover at a faster rate on dry..." "Probably. The rocking of the ship..." The man in question groaned softly as he slowly became aware of the burn on his cheeks, the pounding of his head, and the feeling of his stomach turning over and twisting itself in knots.
Immediately, the two men standing over him were in attendance. He wearily opened one eye and found that one of the two was Aragorn, the other Elboron. The bleary outline of the two wavered as he struggled to sit up to better talk to his son and King. Swiftly, a hand shot out and gently but firmly shoved him back onto the bed. "It would not do to have you so wearied, my Steward." The melodious voice of his sovereign invaded his ears. "We shall be home soon. Until then, rest, and regain your strength."
Faramir opened his mouth to protest, but as he did so a vile concoction was gently forced down his throat and he soon found himself drifting off into sleep.
Seeing the look on Elboron's face, Aragorn smiled reassuringly and said, "Do not worry. He is a strong man and does not easily submit to illness."
Swallowing his denial of Aragorn's statement, Elboron answered, "I of all people know that. He taught me to do the same, but I worry for him. How can I not? He is my father."
Arwen let loose the closest word to an oath she would ever allow herself to come to and sighed softly. The prospect of a child might be joyful, but the sickness that came with it certainly was not. It left a foul taste on the tongue, and made one weak and pale for a while afterwards. Because of this, her ladies often insisted she keep to the King's House, and stray no farther than the gardens. It was, all together, an exhausting and frustrating experience.
Today Éowyn had sympathized with her and accompanied her to the garden to help with the knitting that Arwen seemed to enjoy at these times of confinement. Several minutes into the ladies' talk, a messenger was swiftly ushered in and dropped to his knees at the Queen's feet, reaching for her hand.
Arwen allowed him to kiss it briefly and inquired about the message the man was charged to give her. Wordlessly, he handed it to her and waited. A swift gasp came from Arwen as she saw it up close. "The King's seal! He has escaped the Umbarrim?"
"Yes, my lady. My lord King's ship landed in Belfalas four days ago. I was immediately sent with tidings to you."
Momentarily shaking off her subsequent shock and joy, Arwen smiled. "Then mayhap things are taking a turn for the better. Go now and refresh yourself. I shall send for you when I am ready."
The envoy immediately got to his feet, bowed low, murmured "m'lady" and retreated to the kitchens.
Borrowing a dagger from a nearby guard, she cut the seal and unfolded the letter. She was relieved to find that in general, the tidings from Aragorn were good. Both he and Faramir had escaped with the help of Eldarion and the others, landed in Belfalas without incident, and were currently setting an easy pace back to the White City. The King had attained no serious wounds in his captivity, but Faramir, he said, had been quite feverish and only just managed to avoid infection. He was tortured on the pirate ship and Aragorn, she noticed, dodged mention of his time spent as prisoner. However, he was currently recovering at a fast pace and the party was to be expected in Minas Tirith in a month, give or take a few days.
After reading it over twice, as if to assure herself it was real, Arwen handed the letter to Éowyn who smiled slightly, but professed her worry for her husband. Arwen comforted the former shield maiden with soft words and called for a guard to fetch some parchment, a writing board, and a quill for her. All would be well, as she had half known and half hoped the whole time.
Please Review!
Part 18
Angel of the Night Watchers: Thanks for the review. Really, I do try to update often. But don't worry; I'm wrapping it up soon.
Lyria1: Thanks for the review!
Emily: Well, you're certainly keeping me on my toes. Thanks!
Elfy: Pah. Fine. I won't be lazy and update every 3 weeks. B
Disclaimer: I don't own it...it owns me.
Faramir could here voices above his head, conversing in whispers. "...Fever, with a touch of..." "Will he recover at a faster rate on dry..." "Probably. The rocking of the ship..." The man in question groaned softly as he slowly became aware of the burn on his cheeks, the pounding of his head, and the feeling of his stomach turning over and twisting itself in knots.
Immediately, the two men standing over him were in attendance. He wearily opened one eye and found that one of the two was Aragorn, the other Elboron. The bleary outline of the two wavered as he struggled to sit up to better talk to his son and King. Swiftly, a hand shot out and gently but firmly shoved him back onto the bed. "It would not do to have you so wearied, my Steward." The melodious voice of his sovereign invaded his ears. "We shall be home soon. Until then, rest, and regain your strength."
Faramir opened his mouth to protest, but as he did so a vile concoction was gently forced down his throat and he soon found himself drifting off into sleep.
Seeing the look on Elboron's face, Aragorn smiled reassuringly and said, "Do not worry. He is a strong man and does not easily submit to illness."
Swallowing his denial of Aragorn's statement, Elboron answered, "I of all people know that. He taught me to do the same, but I worry for him. How can I not? He is my father."
Arwen let loose the closest word to an oath she would ever allow herself to come to and sighed softly. The prospect of a child might be joyful, but the sickness that came with it certainly was not. It left a foul taste on the tongue, and made one weak and pale for a while afterwards. Because of this, her ladies often insisted she keep to the King's House, and stray no farther than the gardens. It was, all together, an exhausting and frustrating experience.
Today Éowyn had sympathized with her and accompanied her to the garden to help with the knitting that Arwen seemed to enjoy at these times of confinement. Several minutes into the ladies' talk, a messenger was swiftly ushered in and dropped to his knees at the Queen's feet, reaching for her hand.
Arwen allowed him to kiss it briefly and inquired about the message the man was charged to give her. Wordlessly, he handed it to her and waited. A swift gasp came from Arwen as she saw it up close. "The King's seal! He has escaped the Umbarrim?"
"Yes, my lady. My lord King's ship landed in Belfalas four days ago. I was immediately sent with tidings to you."
Momentarily shaking off her subsequent shock and joy, Arwen smiled. "Then mayhap things are taking a turn for the better. Go now and refresh yourself. I shall send for you when I am ready."
The envoy immediately got to his feet, bowed low, murmured "m'lady" and retreated to the kitchens.
Borrowing a dagger from a nearby guard, she cut the seal and unfolded the letter. She was relieved to find that in general, the tidings from Aragorn were good. Both he and Faramir had escaped with the help of Eldarion and the others, landed in Belfalas without incident, and were currently setting an easy pace back to the White City. The King had attained no serious wounds in his captivity, but Faramir, he said, had been quite feverish and only just managed to avoid infection. He was tortured on the pirate ship and Aragorn, she noticed, dodged mention of his time spent as prisoner. However, he was currently recovering at a fast pace and the party was to be expected in Minas Tirith in a month, give or take a few days.
After reading it over twice, as if to assure herself it was real, Arwen handed the letter to Éowyn who smiled slightly, but professed her worry for her husband. Arwen comforted the former shield maiden with soft words and called for a guard to fetch some parchment, a writing board, and a quill for her. All would be well, as she had half known and half hoped the whole time.
Please Review!