-----------

Chapter 4

-----------

Faramir comfortably sat in his seat as he blankly stared outside the window beside him. A load of reports and evidence was piled high on his desk, his blood-shot eyes straining for rest. He rubbed his temples, wishing the answer would jump out. The sun's light shined on the yellow paper, the word's making his eyes cry to rest. He moan as he turned and again went through the list of clues, finding no conclusion of where or what the killer is. "Paw prints," he said, looking over at the new item. "...And I am most surprised how someone got this." He finished; his gaze now on a lock of brown hair.

The sound of children playing in the halls made his blood boil of anger. There was already enough to think about and he didn't need noise to distract him. The brown-haired Stewart rose from his seat and felt awkward walking for the first time in hours. He passed the statues and paintings of his past history when he approached the door, peeking out at the corner. Aragorn's children were screaming of joy, playing games that had to require yelling. He watched them jump up and down, almost knocking over rare figurines on the tables.

He sighed and calmed down, he voice soft but stern through the squealing, "Eldarion, would you please lower your voice?"

Struck of shock, he turned from his sister and grinned, "Faramir!" Then they both ran up to the man, clasping there arms around his legs and shins.

He laughed as he pulled his legs with Eldarion and his sister clinging on into the office. He moved to the bench with soft, feathered pillows hugging the seat and pulled them both off his body. The oldest climbed on the seat, jumping up and down on the bench as the youngest mocked his movements, the air filling of giggles. Faramir decided he would like the enjoyment of having them keep him company and moved back to his desk, grabbing a feather pen, dipping the tip in the small bottle of ink to write down notes.

Eldarion grew quickly bored and stop jumping. He moved down and sat in a gentleman-like manner as he pulled off his loosely fit top garment. His cheeks were bright red from the energy he burned and his fair skin outstood from his tanned arms. His sister sat close to him and calmed down, her small mouth yawning as she watched Faramir.

He stretched in the bench as he, too, gazed at his friend's work. "Guess what?"

The Gondorian stopped writing and looked up from his note, smiling, "Yes?"

"We have a new maid today."

"I am glad to hear."

Eldarion smiled back at him as Faramir turned back to his work. The child hummed to himself as he looked at his sister, watching her find more room on the bench so she could rest her head. The sound of scribbling and the ticking a clock could be heard in the room. Old books of different color and size were stacked neatly on the shelf nearby the busy man, drawing the boy's attention. He jumped off the bench and walked towards him, examining the literature. "Yes, Tala said she is a Beorning. She said she can tell from her eyes, not really trusting the story she told. I wanted her to tell it me but she didn't...what is a Beorning?"

Faramir sighed, making a second thought that he shouldn't have invited the children in. Once again he stopped his writing and looked at the small child that was filled of curiosity who stood next him, "A Beorning is a mortal like you and I but can change into a bear."

The boy's eyes widened of amazement, "A bear! She can?"

He smiled, "I suppose so...a bit strange of having one here, usually they are around Mirkwood."

Aragorn's son shrugged, pretending he knew what he was saying, "Well...she's pretty, you should see her."

He laughed as he dropped his pen and scuffed Eldarion's brown, curly hair into a mess. "We will see. Now you better go find your mother. You didn't run away from Tala, did you?"

The quiet room became not so calm after he finished speaking. A low yell from a distance in the hall could be heard, calling the children names. It was the nanny running through the halls and bursting through doors searching for them in a panic. Eldarion quickly smiled at Faramir and ran towards his sister, pulling her out of the chair. She squirmed in her seat, her eyes drowsy of sleep as she pulled away, moaning and crying to lie back down. The boy growled, wanting to continue the game as he carefully lifted her up, his arms trying to grasp around the girl's lower back.

The Gondorian watched the boy drag the girl's feet out the door, wondering if he should've stopped them. He shrugged and went back to his work, staring at the notes of ideas of why a paw print would be found on his uncle's yard.

---------

Look, he is right here and I can not do a thing! Miyon smiled softly through her screaming mind as they both walked calmly down the hall to the dinning room. It wouldn't be for another ten minutes until Nidla was going to serve the family so Aragorn decided to slow his pace; he wasn't really hungry, the stress took his appetite.

He gently smiled at the new maiden, watching her officially wrap her arm around his and guide him to the destination. "Lovely children you have, my Lord." She said, her voice calm and soft as her white slippers lightly tapped the cream-colored marble floor.

The king nodded, "The youngest has Arwen's eyes. She grows every day becoming more of her."

She listened to his wise and smooth voice. The sound and tone reminded of her father's voice. Miyon has vague images of her family, all burned inside there home at the time of the Ring. The war greatly affected the soldier's families but also the civilians who weren't involved. Orcs set homes on fire all around Rohan and a few other places. She was forced to leave only to protect herself, growing up alone and living the style of a ranger most of her life. She took no sympathy and forced herself to committee to her work, pushing hurtful feelings of love and support away. The beautiful girl grew up to a stunning woman and was trained to a man hunter while she grew to hatred.

He turned to face her and saw her green eyes slowly drift off in thought. He watched her and decides to continue the conversation thinking that something bothered her, "Do you have any children, milady?"

Miyon's eyes focused on the reality in front of her and shook her head, "No...I just never had the time to have a family, I suppose."

"Suppose?" Aragorn laughed, "What does the lady do to avoid a new beginning in life?"

She smiled not answering the question as she drew closer to him, somehow feeling comfortable near the king. She looked down the hall, the dining room coming near. People of importance passed her, maids caring baskets of clothes or Chancellors talking softly to each other. A few soldiers stood in there positions against the wall as some walked around to patrol the halls. She stop walking, pulling Aragorn to stop as well as her eyes fixed a gaze on a familiar face, the same soldier from the tavern she met the night before.

Miyon cursed under her breathe as she turned her face, hoping the man didn't see her.

"Milady?" He asked. The soldier's figure was more balanced to the ground and his voice was now sober. His right hand was bruised purple, too swollen to fit his glove on. People questioned of the injury but a simple tale of a heroic fall by catching a maiden who fallen from the balcony proved the wound popularity.

Her face turned to face him and smiled, giving a black expression, "Who are you, sire?"

His mouth dropped but quickly closed it, not believing the words. He swore it was the woman; he couldn't forget the face. He turned slightly not realizing it was king whom she held and immediately bowed to his presence, his voice deep and serious, "Forgive me, my Lord."

Aragorn nodded as he turned to face the woman again, "Do you know this gentleman?"

"I have never seen this man," she replied, looking at the soldier.

The soldier's fair skin began to blush, thinking he made a fool of himself under the king's eyes. He scratched his rough jaw line, questioning himself and looked in her familiar eyes, "You reminded me of someone I knew...at the tavern."

Aragorn perked an eyebrow after hearing what he said, everyone knowing that drinking was prohibited on duty, "Tavern?"

His hazel eyes widened as he pushed himself to a deeper hole. He quickly bowed, "Forgive me once more, I have a previous engagement, my Lord...and I'm a bit late."

The king nodded, giving him permission to leave and both watched the soldier pass them both down the hall. He shook his head as Miyon laughed and continued walking to the end of the hall and entered the dining room, her mind forgetting what she originally came to do.