Most of the day Faramir spent in his chambers. He tried reading for a while to take his mind off things, but he could hardly concentrate on the words in front of him. He tried just having a walk in the healing garden, but there were too many memories there. All he could think of was the disaster that his life seemed to be in. The sound of laughter drifted up to his ears from the lower levels of the city and a thought came to Faramir. What he needed was a drink.
Heading down to the tavern on the fourth level, The Merry Widow, Faramir thought of how many times he and Boromir had gone there when Denethor was taking to strange and unpleasant moods. Often times Boromir had found his little brother fuming or feeling sorry for himself after an argument and had persuaded him to get out for a while and share a drink. It never failed that both left the place in much higher spirits than when they walked in. At this moment, Faramir thought that it was very likely the drink that gave him the lightened mood, and such was what he was after.
Faramir entered the tavern to many rousing shouts, much as it had been at Aragorn's wedding feast. Already he was smiling again. Then the thought struck him that the one person's shout he still lacked was his brother's. The whole situation and the empty feeling in his heart was growing so irritating to him.
Faramir sighed and called for an ale. Several good friends of his from the Ithilien Rangers made their way over to him and they spoke for a good while about the old company and the new company, their old Captain and their new Captain. They seemed very pleased with the man Faramir had chosen to replace his position, but they still missed something that only Faramir could offer the soldiers: sincere compassion. Most of them were sure that quite possibly no one could have had Faramir's command of balancing the needs of the men at his charge with the needs of the people they protected. Faramir felt rather comforted by their vote of confidence and they talked of what it was like to be Steward. The men were glad that he finally held an office he truly enjoyed.
After several more drinks with his friends the Steward was feeling ready to make his way home for the night and feeling much better again, emotionally if not physically. Through a haze Faramir thought that maybe it wasn't just Boromir's presence that made him feel much improved after all the times they came here, maybe it really was the ale. Rising shakily after biding goodnight to his companions, Faramir headed for the door, or so he thought. It took two of his friends to set him on the right track and both were too concerned to let him wander the streets alone. Approaching the Citadel the guard let them pass when he saw the Steward's condition.
"Where do we take him?" Ithilien's new second-in-command, Valen, asked, trying to support Faramir's weight.
Angmir just shrugged. "I've never even been in here. I guess we should take him to his chambers... wherever they are." There were no guards nearby to be asked and since Faramir had passed out somewhere around the fifth level he was no help.
Valen was very worried for his friend and Steward's condition. He had never seen Faramir so inebriated. "Maybe we should take him down to the healers instead," he suggested in concern.
Just then Aragorn exited his study for the night. Seeing two Rangers with someone draped over one man's shoulder, he had little difficulty guessing which of the three needed the healers they referred to.
"Who is your friend in need of a healer?" Aragorn asked approaching them.
Angmir knelt before Aragorn, only recognizing him when he stepped forward into the light of a nearby torch. Valen tried to do the same, but it was rather impossible.
Aragorn shuddered when he thought he recognized Faramir's unruly hair and Angmir, rising, confirmed that Valen's burden was indeed the Steward. Aragorn sighed, fear shooting through him. "Follow me. What happened to him?" Aragorn asked, dreading the answer as only a father can.
"The Merry Widow, my leige," Angmir said with a smile. He had children of his own and read Aragorn's concern. Though he did not know that the two had a blood connection, he did know that they looked upon each other with more than just respect. Angmir thought if Faramir had to lose his father in such a terrifying manner, at least Aragorn could step into that role for the young man.
ooo
Arwen had a very difficult time calming Éowyn enough to speak and wondered if she shouldn't have taken a little of the Athelas that Faramir offered. Though she somehow knew he would be in need of it. Arwen learned exactly what had transpired to make Faramir leave in such haste.
Arwen had meant to come and speak to Éowyn simply enough to calm her and assure he that her husband would return soon, that all he needed was a retreat from the stresses in his life. When Arwen told Éowyn that Faramir had departed Edoras and was returning to Gondor, Éowyn cried out in either rage, frustration, fear, or sadness, it was not at all clear which.
Before the Elven lady knew what was happening Éowyn was leaving Meduseld and going toward the stable. To Arwen's eyes, Éowyn looked to be three to five months along and in no condition to ride after Faramir. Nor did Faramir need someone going after him. Arwen doubted that she had the ability to contest the will of a shield-maiden, but since she could not go to Éomer because of his injury, she went after Éowyn just as she had Faramir that same morning, hoping she would have more luck this time.
It took time and a lot of words, more to the horse than to Éowyn, but Arwen managed to find the right words to delay her when she mentioned that she was already beginning to show her condition and that riding may be harmful. This alone stopped Éowyn and brought her to retreat back to the palace, though she was no less aggrieved of her husband's sudden departure.
In her thoughts, Éowyn swore to herself that if her husband did not return before the week was out she would be going after him, damn the consequences. She would walk if it was too dangerous to her children for her to ride.
ooo
Just a warning about the upcoming chapters, Faramir's behavior is about to go strange again. There may be some things not understood for those who haven't real the Silmarillion.
