After a few moments Glorfindel went to talk to Éowyn, if Galadhriel hadn't already. He knew when he returned to Faramir's chamber he would either have to perform a painstaking surgical procedure on the young man's forearm, very close to delicate blood vessels, or there would be no need. The Balrog-slayer-turned-healer steeled himself for the former.
Instead of finding just Galadhriel, Glorfindel found Arwen as well explaining things not only to Éowyn, but her brother and Faramir's cousin as well. No one mentioned anything about what might have caused the wound, Éowyn felt she already knew and would say nothing. Both Galadhriel and Arwen did know; they spoke neither of it, for they knew the depth of it that the three Mortal children could not comprehend. Galadhriel sent them along, bidding them all three to rest and promising that nothing would change until morning. The night was going to be a long one.
With the younger people gone, Glorfindel sat with a heavy sigh. He looked into Galadhriel's eyes, a task some of strongest could not often accomplish. "What kind of strength has he regained? Is this Námo's prophecy?"
"Not yet," Galadhriel said calmly. "Though i fear that it may come sooner than we thought."
"Why did it go for Faramir, though?" Arwen asked her grandmother.
The Lady of the Wood took a deep breath. "He hoped to accomplish what Sauron could not. He at least knew that he could not strike Aragorn, not directly. You see now, his evil had all along been directing Sauron. The three who fell under the Black Breath were no coincidence. However Morgoth can not know the hearts of men, he can only judge appearances, and he misjudged the Nazgûl's targets. He knew that it was Halfling who carried Sauron's Ring, and so struck Merry. He saw Éowyn's attention to Aragorn, whereas yours was obscured by Vilya's power, and so struck her. Faramir he first struck because he was to have been Aragorn's Steward. When he saw all three recovered and Sauron defeated with finality, Morgoth flew into a rage and acted almost injudiciously. His power is still too weak and now we know what he intends. He targeted Faramir because he was angered that he was able to fend off Sauron's influence so easily. When he saw how dear Faramir is to Aragorn, he renewed his attack on the poor young man. He wants to divide and conquer, his favorite game, and so beset Faramir's heart and mind with lies. He wants to take Faramir down and Aragorn with him. Faramir should be able to fight through this and not be plagued again, for Morgoth will not risk such a foolish open attack again. Not for a while, at least until he has built a following. This Aragorn must be well aware of, though i think it will not come in his reign."
Glorfindel sighed, the memory returning of Morgoth's destruction of Beleriand and Gondolin with it. The Elf wondered if he would live to see Gondor taken down in the same way. He decided that the best thing he could do now was to help Aragorn all he could and to get Faramir back to health.
Galadhriel and Arwen stayed near at hand, but remained out of the room. Arwen had grown concerned that if the Dark Foe failed to overcome Faramir that it would go for Aragorn directly. Galadhriel, however, assured her that if Morgoth's spirit failed this time it would be a grievous set back for the evil one. She also reminded her of Beren and Luthien's victory over Morgoth.
When Glorfindel reentered the Steward's chamber Erestor had not moved and Aragorn was still seated beside his son, looking more than despondent. A hand to Erestor's shoulder was signal enough and the dark-haired advisor began to prepare what Glorfindel would need to suture Faramir's wound.
"Estel," Glorfindel spoke softly, just trying to draw his attention from his suffering son.
Slowly he raised his head. "Please be careful, Glor'. I would do this myself but i feel so powerless against this."
Glorfindel's wisp of a smile spoke of understanding. "I have been doing this for many more years than you have walked Arda. Fear not, you are not at all powerless, Estel. You are his father and he needs you."
Aragorn laid a hand on Faramir's forehead, the other grasping his son's right hand. "If my father were here i would apologize profusely for every time i put him through something like this."
"I know, Estel. Just remember, the twins put him through more than you could conjure," Glorfindel said teasingly. His smile faded into steady calm when Erestor handed him the threaded needle. "Let's get him taken care of. Did he take the water?" Glorfindel asked Aragorn.
"Yes, just enough to keep him asleep through this, though. I need him to wake up in the morning, my nerves can not take this." He was visibly shaking and Glorfindel asked him gently to take his hands off Faramir, lest the trembling cause him to hit a vein.
Erestor did what he could to keep Aragorn distracted, the advisor wondering that he was seeing for the first time just how much this human boy had grown since Elrond took him and his mother in. Glorfindel took a deep breath, steadied himself, and prepared to make the first stitch.
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There is a good bit of information in this chapter about Morgoth. This refers to a prophecy made by Mandos. Anyone who wants the details of the prophecy, let me know.
