Faramir worked into the wee hours of the morning, before finally retiring to his chambers. After a few hours sleep, he joined Aragorn, Arwen and the rest of the Fellowship for break of fast. To his relief, there were no comments regarding his health or appearance. And as luck would have it, no other meetings or hearings were scheduled for the remainder of the day. So Faramir was able to devote the entire day to research and writing.
The Steward did not look up from his papers when he heard the door to his study squeak open. Pointing with a quill, he directed the servant to the credenza.
"Just put whatever it is over there."
"I was given explicit instructions to deliver this directly into your hands, my lord," responded the King.
Flustered, Faramir quickly rose from his seat and gave a small bow of greeting.
"Aragorn! Sire...forgive my rudeness, my mind was focused elsewhere," he apologized while rubbing his neck ruefully.
The King waved off the apology as he glanced around the room. A lunch tray and pitcher of drink appeared to be untouched. The older man narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips as he turned back to his Steward only to find Faramir gazing out the window. Cleary this was the first time the young man had been aware of the time of day. For it was late afternoon and dark enough for the torches to be lit.
"Faramiiiir..."
"Aragooorn..."
"Nay, I will not be deterred. You have been ensconced here the entire day and now you will listen to reason."
"Were you able to reason with Pippin, last night?"
"You knew I was there as well?" Aragorn shook his head with a sigh, "Only King for a few months and already I have lost my Ranger stealth. And the change in subject will not work, my friend."
Faramir turned and grinned at Estel, "As you may recall, I was a fairly experienced Ranger myself. And with the skills needed for food raids and pranks Pip would probably make a fine officer with the Ithilien Rangers".
"The Dunedain would probably clap him into irons."
Both men laughed at the hobbity images they had conjured up. But quickly Aragorn huffed and tried for a stern visage.
"Again, you try to divert me with your cunning ways, Captain."
Faramir shrugged, "I had to try, Sire. May I forego the lecture on taking better care of myself, if I promise to take better care of myself?"
Aragorn frowned, "Hmmphf...that might have been acceptable if you actually kept your promises, Sir."
Now upset, blue eyes bore down on steely gray, "When have I broken a promise?!"
Aragorn held up his hands in supplication, "Peace, brother, I merely tease.
Faramir relaxed only slightly, stung by the accusation.
"Only...during a certain conversation regarding disappointments, you were mentioned with particular regret."
"How have I been a disappointment this time?"
Aragorn cringed at the remark and answered cautiously, "Let me be clear, Faramir...you are not a disappointment...rather, we are disappointed in not being able to spend more time with you. Pippin especially misses your company. He loves you dearly, as do we all."
The gentle admonishment was enough to undo the young man. Faramir dragged back to his chair and dropped heavily into it, tired and slightly depressed. Aragorn moved closer and knelt to give his Steward a comforting shoulder squeeze.
"It was not my intention to upset you, Faramir. And truly I was sent here to deliver this message to you personally. But, my friend, know it now, we will be having a long and frank discussion quite soon. You are priceless, and I mean for you to understand and believe it."
Faramir scrutinized Aragorn's expression. The younger man cautiously smiled as he saw the truth of the remark. The King then pulled his Steward, this complicated soul, who slowly was becoming friend and brother, into a soothing hug...pleased to feel the tension slipping away.
Faramir was the first to pull back, but still he held Aragorn's shoulders.
"Have I told you and the others how blessed by the Valar I am to have you as my family?"
Aragorn supplied a ridiculous grin at the thought of being considered family, "Well, yes you have, but it does bear repeating and often. I feel similarly blessed, you know. See that you remember that."
Now it was Faramir who displayed a silly grin, "I will, Sire. So, what it this about a dire message that must be delivered into my hands?"
"Oh! My pardon, here it is."
Aragorn handed the neatly tied scroll to Faramir.
"I shall leave you to it. However, I further decree that you are to finish here within the hour", Aragorn stayed Faramir's protest, "did I say decree? I meant 'order' I order you to finish. If the fact has escaped you, Steward, I am King here. No more arguing? I thought not."
"As you order, Sire," Faramir snickered.
"Hmmmmmphf...carry on then," Aragorn threw over his shoulder as he regally swept out of the study.
Still laughing at his friend's outlandish exit, Faramir untied and unfurled the scroll. Eyebrows rose to hairline as he read the message over and over again. There, written in a familiar hobbit scrawl:
"All work and no play,
Doth make Steward Faramir,
A Dullard
She killed her husband! And her son belongs to the cleric! If you believe me wrong, which I most certainly am not, come to the library and attempt to prove otherwise.
Ever your humble servant,
Sir P"
But it appeared that "Sir P" had ubruptly changed his mind. For "Dullard" had been carefully lined out and replaced quite forcefully with
"DOLT!"
As he turned down another hallway, Aragorn could not help but giggle when he heard Faramir's raucous bark of laughter.
TBC
