These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien and New Line Cinema. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain.
A/N A very big thank you to all my reviewers. Your comments are greatly appreciated.
In answer to questions I have received, Faramir's forebodings apply to events in my story "The Hidden Days of Healing" also on this site. no one was willing to wash Faramir's hair for fear he would ask questions(which he did) before he was well enough to know the truth.
Faramir and Eowyn's relationship is unlikely to feature in this story, but if there is sufficient interest, I may feature them if I write any more LOTR Stories.
"How are you my Lord?" asked Pippin with genuine concern as he had come to care deeply for Faramir in the short time he had known him.
"I am much better, Master Peregrin. I thank you for your concern. Now, I beg of you, tell me how my father died as my Lord King says you were there."
Pippin took a deep breath and stared at the floor, unable to look Faramir in the eye. Then the words came tumbling out without pause for breath.
"Your father, Lord Faramir, lost his mind and I believe he thought you dead or almost so and the enemy was at the gates. So he had his servants take you to the tombs and build a funeral pyre for you both. I ran to fetch Gandalf and we pulled you from the pyre but we could not save your father. The poor Lord had quite lost his wits."
Pippin finally stopped for breath and ventured a quick glance at Faramir.
To his surprise, the young man showed little emotion apart from a sharp intake of breath.
"It seems, I owe you my life, Master Peregrin. You have my thanks." He said gravely.
Pippin blushed and shifted his feet uneasily. Aragorn took pity on him.
"You can return to Merry now, if you wish." He said, smiling at the Hobbit.
Pippin inclined his head to Faramir and left, very thankful the ordeal was over.
Aragorn sat down by Faramir's bedside and studied the young man's impassive features.
Faramir's eyes were closed and it was impossible to know what he was thinking.
"My father had little time for me in life, strange he should wish for my company in death, is it not?" he remarked with a bitter smile.
"The Dark Lord poisoned his mind." Aragorn replied. "He believed the city would fall to him ere nightfall and all would slaughtered without mercy ."
"He was angry that I still lived while Boromir had fallen." Faramir said without any trace of rancour." Yet, even my brother, the noblest of our people, fell under the evil spell of the one ring, so the Perian told me. Who then could resist the Dark Lord, if Boromir could not?"
Relieved that Faramir had mentioned his brother first, Aragorn said quietly.
"Your brother repented of his evil. He died with honour."
Faramir gazed at him with sad ,dark eyes.
"How do you know of these things?"
"I was with your brother, when he breathed his last. Alas, I came too late to save his life!" Aragorn took Faramir's hand and noted it was trembling slightly. "Do you wish to know more?"
Faramir nodded.
"Boromir repented of his folly in coveting the ring and did not pursue Frodo when he fled from him, but instead went to the defence of the Hobbits, Meriadoc and Peregrin when a band of Urak Hai sent by Saruman attacked them." Aragorn began, watching Faramir's reaction carefully, as the other looked at him expectantly, he continued.
"He fought with great valour but fell eventually, pierced with many arrows, beyond my skills to heal. I ran to his side and he was able to tell me what had happened before he passed beyond the circles of this world. "
Faramir swallowed hard but otherwise remained impassive.
"I blessed him as he breathed his last." Aragorn said quietly." Then my companions and I laid him to rest in a fair elven boat and gave his body to the river."
Faramir smiled faintly.
"That part, I know my Lord, I saw it in a dream. It eases my heart to know that he died with honour and not alone."
Aragorn was rather taken aback by Faramir's calmness and lack of tears, belied by the racing pulse he could feel as he clasped his wrist.
Faramir took a deep breath.
"Thank you for telling me this, my liege." He said." Now if I may, I would rest as my wounds are much less painful since you tended them."
Aragorn looked at him doubtfully.
"Would you not like someone to stay with you, your uncle maybe?"
"When my uncle is less burdened with cares of state. I should like to see him." He closed his eyes as if in dismissal.
Aragorn had little choice but to leave, though he felt that Faramir's emotions were stretched taunt as a bowstring that could snap any moment plunging him into the same dark madness that claimed his father. He despatched a messenger in search of Imrahil.
Swaying slightly now with weariness and grief, Aragorn went to speak to the chief of the women who tended Lady Eowyn and asked how the Lady of Rohan was faring.
"Her body heals but her mind is deeply troubled, sir." The woman said." She keeps demanding to be allowed out of bed despite her broken arm and other hurts."
Aragorn monetarily closed his eyes and sighed. It was as he had feared and although he had never encouraged the lady to see him in a romantic light, he still felt responsible for her plight.
"She must remain here for many days, yet." He said." If need be, hide her clothing, so she will have to remain in her room."
"Yes, my Lord." The woman replied." If you will excuse me, I must return to Lady Eowyn."
"Care for her well throughout the coming days!" Aragorn said and let her leave.
He then went to Merry's room. The Hobbit had now returned to his bed and looked tired.
Pippin was sitting beside him and they were talking nostalgically of the Shire.
Aragorn felt a sudden stab of sorrow for their lost innocence as they were so changed from the carefree young Hobbits he had first met at Bree.