Fifth month, 5th day
Well, we had an official send-off ceremony, however, since it involved the whole city we had no privacy and I found it more heartbreaking and useless than anything else.
The Gondorians lined the walls, and only a few important ones like Faramir and Aragorn actually stood outside the gate. My brother and I with the rest of the Rohirrim were outside of the walls, mounted on horses as Aragorn gave us his blessing for a safe trip. My brother was rather indignant at having Aragorn bless us, I think he would have preferred Mithrandir or Faramir. However, Aragorn is the king now, so those options were not open.
I unashamedly stared at Faramir the entire ceremony. He had to watch either my brother or Aragorn most of the time, but he would smile at me every now and then. I watched his every move closely. His refined nature allowed him to actually sit still for most of the time (except when he was required to move), however my fidgetiness forbade me from sitting still more than five seconds. I admired his respect for authority, not minding that is was Aragorn whom he had to respect. He was the epitome of what mankind tries to be while he sat there. His reddish-gold nearly brown hair waved in the breeze like a banner. His gray eyes keenly watching every movement of importance. His handsome face expressionless, unless he looked in my direction. He wore his ranger garb, which included a leather breastplate emblazoned with a silver white tree. His green cape flew out behind him, and his long, deadly sword strapped to his side, while his hand rested cautiously on its pommel. The horse he sat upon very patiently mimicked its rider.
I was puzzled by his choice of clothes amidst all of this finery. Beside the king he looked like a humble soldier, but then I realized his meaning. His job as Steward and Captain of the Citadel was to remain in a state of perpetual readiness. He also wanted to make a statement that he didn't need jewels, silks, satins or crowns for: he had the respect of the people that mattered most-the people themselves. Perhaps he was finally realizing his own self-worth.
I really wasn't paying much attention to the ceremony at all, until all of the sudden Merry and Pippin broke through the ranks and dashed forward on their small ponies.
"Nobody ever told me that they were leaving!" shouted Merry angrily as he reached my brother and I. "I am a soldier of Rohan and must follow my liege lord and lady!"
"And I-I must follow Merry 'cause he knows where the pipeweed is." Pippin answers sidling up alongside us.
Everyone started laughing, then Aragorn spoke, "Pippin you are a soldier of Gondor and must obey our laws now. I am your liege lord, not Eomer."
Pippin looks confused. "I swore my allegiance to the Lord Denethor and his heirs not to you." He answers stupidly, turning to look at Faramir.
"Pippin!" Merry hissed, "Strider's king now, he takes precedence over Faramir, your oath is switched to him."
"What's a precedence? Does it mean we'll be separated again?" Pippin asks leaning towards Merry.
"I'm afraid so Pip." Merry says tearing up, the two hobbits hug in front of everyone and Eomer struggles to contain himself. The hobbits separate and Pippin apologizes to Aragorn and nudges his pony towards the Gondorian side, but instead of going towards Aragorn's left like he and everyone else was expecting, he goes to Faramir's left, and stays there. Faramir looks to Aragorn who shrugs it off, but I know both men better. Aragorn felt slighted, and Faramir was to polite to do anything in front of everyone; this would not bode well for my fiancé while we were gone.
My brother who usually lacks any and all tact, realized the problem and declared that, "Rohan could not deprive a great knight of his friends' company after such service as had been rendered on the part of Meriadoc Brandybuck. He may stay with his hobbit friends if he wishes."
Merry gratefully accepted the offer, and he and Pippin disappeared into the crowds. Aragorn abruptly ended the ceremony, and coldly called Faramir and the rest inside after him. They followed, but Faramir went last and winked at me before the gates closed behind him, separating us from each other.
It took all my restraint not to get off my horse and go pound on those gates to be opened. Instead I glanced at my brother with a sigh, he did the same and we turned and galloped off into the morning's new light. We never looked back.
The End
A/N: Really sorry this took so long to get updated, but my computer has been down for the last few months with virus/security problems. I couldn't have gotten it up much sooner. I would also like to thank all those who reviewed, and I'm sorry but there won't be any reactions for this chapter.
Good News! There will be a sequel to this. I can't decide wether to continue it with her POV, or do Faramir's-hence I shall ask you to vote on it!