The road gets rather rocky from here, you guys.

Chapter 4: Dawn

The next morning dawned clear and bright over Minas Tirith, but the usual quietness of the morning was nowhere to be found. The Prince of Ithilien stood at the window in his study, seriously contemplating what he was to do. There were workers scurrying around the Residence of the Steward, still making improvements and additions. But that was not foremost on Faramir's mind at the present moment.

He turned to look at the person whose pounding on his door had awoken him nearly an hour before the dawn broke.

"Are you sure her bed was not slept in?" he questioned her. "Is it possible the princess simply returned last night, saw that you had dropped off, and decided to leave you in peace?"

Danae, maid to Princess Lothiriel, shook her head fervently. "No, my lord Faramir, it is not. I always help my lady prepare for bed."

Faramir crossed his arms in front of his chest and sighed, feeling a headache of epic proportions come upon him. Wincing at the unmistakable sound of something crashing to the ground and shattering in the hallway, he shook his head.

"My lord Faramir." Elfhelm, Second Marshall of the Riddermark and Eomer's right hand, knocked on the door lightly.

"Come in." Faramir replied eagerly; Elfhelm had been with those he had asked to go out looking for Lothiriel.

Elfhelm came in and nodded to Danae, who nodded back before her nerves and worries got the best of her.

"Begging your pardon, Marshall Elfhelm," she said, "But, Lord Faramir, what am I to do? If the court receives word that my lady has been with King Eomer all this time without any chaperone, they will-"

Faramir stopped her thoughts before she could fret herself, and him, into a full-blown panic attack. "There's no need for panic just yet, Danae. I'm sure it's all perfectly innocent. Go to my lady and tell her of the situation. King Elessar should be here shortly, I've sent Bergil to wake him up. I'll have a man posted at the gate to inform us when my errant cousin and the King of Rohan decide to grace us with their presence. I only hope my uncle has been delayed."

Danae curtsied quickly and fairly scampered out of Faramir's study. The Steward watched her through narrowed eyes, trying to calm his already edgy nerves. This was his fault and he knew it. Imrahil had entrusted his daughter to Faramir's care and now she stood poised at the edge of a disaster. If there was any hint of scandal...

Faramir took a deep breath. He would simply have to explain to Eomer the state of affairs in Dol Amroth. The Rohirric King would no doubt scoff and laugh, but once he realized how fragile Lothiriel's reputation was, and the price she would pay if she lost it, Faramir knew Eomer would slow down.

"My lord." Beregond came into the study, still clad in his hood and riding gear. "I have news."

"Thank Elbereth." Faramir muttered. "Did you find her?"

"No, sir." Beregond replied. "But we have seen the Swan Banner in the distance. It doesn't look to be the sort of party that Prince Imrahil usually travels with. It's a small one, about ten men in all, and we believe that Elphir is with them."

Faramir turned white. For a moment, the world tilted. Swaying, he reached out to steady himself. He couldn't tell whether the pounding was in his head or one of the many displeasing noises made by the men in the Hall.

"Faramir!" Beregond was by his side in an instant, taking him to a chair. "Are you ill? Should I send for a healer?"

Massaging his forehead, Faramir shook his head and raised his hand to stave off Beregond's questions. "I need to see the king. Now."

"Faramir?"

Faramir's head shot up to meet the worried gaze of his wife. The Princess of Ithilien, clad in a light-colored dressed, walked into the room and started at the sight of Faramir in his armchair holding his head in his hands and Beregond crouching beside him, worry apparent on his face.

"Eowyn." Faramir sighed. "Is everything all right?"

"Perhaps I should be asking that question." Eowyn joined the two men at the armchair. "I could hardly get a word from Danae, the poor girl is nearly beside herself. What's happened?"

"From what I can discern, my cousin and your brother did not return at all last evening." Faramir replied. "My cousin Elphir is approaching the city and he will expect to see his sister safely ensconced within the walls of this house."

"Oh, Faramir, I'm sure once you explain it to him, he'll understand." Eowyn reassured him. "Beregond, could you ask someone to bring the Prince a cup of tea and to have something ready for Elphir when he arrives?"

"Of course." Beregond rose and quickly left the room, sparing only one backward glance at his friend.

"You don't understand." Faramir shook his head. "Things in Dol Amroth are different than things here."

"I know." Eowyn said patiently, though she wondered what he was getting at. "You've told me about the court."

"And it's precisely the court that I am concerned about. They are very rigid. There are laws concerning this sort of behavior." Faramir said, sighing and rubbing his eyes. "And they treat those who break those laws very harshly."

Eowyn sighed. "Even in Edoras, an errant young man has to marry a woman he gets into trouble or support her and the child until the child comes of age or the woman marries someone else. While it's hardly an ideal situation for Lothiriel to find herself in, Eomer would not hesitate to marry her if need be."

"He may not get the opportunity." Faramir said darkly.

"What do you mean?" Eowyn asked.

Faramir never got a chance to explain to her exactly what he meant, for at that moment King Elessar strode through the doors, shaking his head and yawning.

"I have two questions for you, my lord Steward." the king said formally. "Good morning, Eowyn. The first, how can anyone sleep with such racket going on around them? The second, what was so important that you simply had to drag me out of my bed at this unseemly hour?"

"My cousin Elphir is here." Faramir informed the king.

"Good!" Aragorn exclaimed. "I know you have been looking forward to the visit of your uncle! As for Elphir, his timing leaves something to be desired, but I should be glad to see him."

"My cousin Lothiriel does not appear to have returned to the city last night." the Steward added.

Aragorn's jaw dropped. If the situation were not so serious, Faramir would find the entire thing rather comical.

"And as far as I can tell, neither did Eomer King." he finished his report.

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