Hi guys!
Thank you all so much for reviewing. I'm SO sorry it took so long to update this. The real world kinda caught up with me for a minute there. But don't worry. I'm back in my own little world with the voices in my head now. So I'm all back to normal then. Hehehehehehe…
Vor Tirla Liame: I know! It's really intriguing. What was Grima like before Saruman got a hold of hi. This chapter will show the beginnings of his descent into darkness Hopefully it will do the character justice. And I agree, poor Brad Dourif. I couldn't live without my eyebrows.Did you see on the ROTK EE when he was remembering telling his girlfriend about it? Very funny.
Rebby: The dream sequence is for you. I hope it lives up to your expectations.
Zirona: I'm glad you're enjoying it. Hope you like this one.
Lackwit: Thanks! I'm glad you like my portrayal of Grima. Thanks for the typo's as well. I'll try to change them. I know, I know, my spelling sucks some times. And I ALWAYS get confused between desert and dessert. You think I'd have learned by now...
Eowyn0734: I'm really happy you're enjoying it. Thanks for the kind words. (And, who wouldn't get attached to Faramir…. Anyone? Nope? Alrighty then. Just so we're clear.)
Rosie26: Thank you! I hoe you enjoy this chapter. Btw, thanks for the link. My computer is screwed up at the moment and for some reason I can't get on to the message board. I've signed up, but it won't let me on. Oh well. I'll try again tomorrow.
Sidhe-ranma: Thank you. I needed to hear that. I was worried people wouldn't like it. Enjoy.
Ballad of the Odd: Thank you for reading. I'm not sure how much Denethor I'm going to put in this, but when I do, I'll try to do the character justice.
Elenhin: Thank you for reviewing now. It's always nice to know my work is being appreciated. Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy this chapter.
Maria: I'm glad you're liking this. The character of Grima always intrigued me, so I decided to put him in. Hope you enjoy this.
Emily McKinnon: You want it to be finished? You want me to go away? … alright… 'sniff sniff' Only kidding! I'm back!! Hope you like this chapter.
Wenham-Wonderer: I agree, but it would just be so hard for me to write of their dozens of encounters. Besides, I need some surprises for flashbacks.
Anyone who finds the reference to another one of David Wenham's well-known acting roles gets a bright, shiny penny!
The part in italics is a dream. Any random words in italics mean that they are stressed when the person is saying them.
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Minas Tirith, 2011
"Open the gate!"
The cry rang out as Faramir and his company of Rangers rode across the Pelennor to the White City. Faramir waved at the guards and nodded goodbye to his fellow rangers as they split off in different directions. He himself headed for the seventh level. He was exhausted. He and his company had been sent to Ithilien five months before to ensure that no man or beast crossed the fields, and he hadn't been home since. He was looking forward to a hot bath and a good meal.
He dismounted quickly once he reached the stables and stretched gratefully. Gods he was tired! He could feel the tension in his muscles and he suddenly wished he had someone to work out the kinks in his shoulders, as many of his men had. Much of his company had either wives or ladies at home, and he knew that their shoulder and back aches would be seen to quickly by loving hands.
As he brushed down his horse, his mind wandered. He was twenty eight years old. It was time he found himself someone to work out the knots in his shoulders, and to soothe him when the nightmarish memories of everything he had seen and done had taken hold. Then, why did he hesitate? He knew many ladies of the court, but the thought of marrying one of those insipid, grasping, bitchy 'ladies' (and he used the term loosely) who only wanted him for his position held no appeal to him.
There had to be one amongst them who would appeal to him, and he to her for more reasons than financial. He was resolved. He would attempt to seek out such a maiden (if he existed) before he rode off again.
But still, he hesitated. Something in him just seemed to say 'Wait. Not yet.'
He was probably just being fanciful. But for now, it was good to be home, even I his father was here. Denethor was becoming more and more paranoid and irrational, but Faramir had long ago decided just to humour him. Ever since Denethor had drafted him into the army, Faramir had spent large amounts of time in Minas Tirith, much to his dismay. Denethor used every excuse to attempt to ridicule and hurt him, and he sometimes 'punished' him by sending his company out to Ithilien. Little did Denethor know, but Ithilien was Faramir's favourite place to be.
He was free to run his company without interference and he was able to relax and be himself without fear of criticism. Still, five months non-stop in the wild could make even the hardest ranger wish for a soft bed.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost missed it… The soft tread of footsteps behind him. Someone was trying to sneak up on him, attempting to mask their footsteps. Faramir finished brushing his horse and moved to pick up his saddle off the stable floor as if he hadn't heard the intruder. He spun around to defend himself just as his attacker sprang from the shadows.
Boromir launched himself at his little brother and the two of them landed in a pile of hay, narrowly missing a pile of manure. The two wrestled for a moment until finally, Faramir got the upper hand and caught his big brother in a headlock.
"I yield!" Boromir laughed after a few moments of struggling to free himself.
Faramir grinned at him and clambered to his feet, reaching down to pull his brother up also. The two embraced properly now, as it had been almost seven months since they had seen each other. Boromir had been away with the army for two months when Faramir had been sent out to patrol, and he they had missed each other greatly.
"I told you once that I would have to watch my back when you were around. That is the first time you've ever been able to get me in a headlock," Boromir joked. "My little baby brother is all grown up."
"Wrestling wargs will do that to you. I now officially retire from that particular sport." Faramir grinned.
"You little liar!" Boromir laughed. "Warg wrestling indeed! The next thing you'll be saying telling me is that you wrestle the great sea-beasts of Dol Amroth. Oh, I did miss you, little brother."
"I missed you too Boro," Faramir said. "It has been too long."
"Indeed. And you have gotten skinnier than ever!"
"It's called lean muscle Brother. Something you would know nothing about, you big hulking brute!!!"
The pair laughed and headed out of the stables.
"How are you?" Boromir asked his little brother. He could see the lines of tiredness etched into Faramir's eyes and grew concerned.
"I am fine Boromir, don't worry. I'm just tired. I'm looking forward to a few weeks of peace and quiet. Father offered to give me two moths leave, as I have not had a holiday in so long."
"Well, I don't know how much peace and quiet you are going to get," Boromir told him. "Théoden of Rohan arrives in a month."
A wide smile grew across Faramir's face. "I assume that Éowyn, Éomer and Théodred are coming also?"
"You assume right."
"That's brilliant! I have seen them in nine months!! I bet they're so grown up now."
"Indeed. Éomer and Théodred are both twenty, and Éowyn is sixteen," Boromir reminded him.
"Valar, they are growing up fast."
"I know. We're getting old brother," Boromir joked and the two laughed as they entered the hall."
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Éowyn was curled up in a ball in a hidden part of the great hall. She was crying. She tried not to, but couldn't help it. She missed her mother so much! Éomer and Théodred were off doing boy things, so they didn't see her in tears.
Footsteps approached where she was at, and Éowyn made an attempt to stifle her sobs by burying her face in her knees. However, she was discovered.
"Éowyn?" a kindly voice spoke, causing her to look up into the sympathetic eyes of Lord Faramir.
"F…Faramir?" she asked, whispering. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing curled up in a ball in the back of the hall?"
Éowyn shrugged, and Faramir sat on his haunched in front of her.
" I however, am lost," he told her. "Let me just say, iIt is embarrassing for a man of my age and skills to loose his way in one building."
Éowyn giggled at that, and Faramir was glad to see her smile again. He sat down next to her and she rested her head on her shoulder.
"What was wrong Blossom?" he asked her.
"I miss my mother," Éowyn told him, her eyes filling with tears again. Faramir put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. Éowyn climbed onto his lap and settled down into his arms.
"I know it hurts little one," Faramir told her. "I lost my mother too, remember?"
Éowyn nodded.
"What got me through it was my brother. He was all I had. My father was never there. Now you, you're lucky. You have an uncle, a brother, a cousin who will always love you. And now you have Boromir and I. We will always be there for you," Faramir told her, holding her close.
"Promise?" she whispered.
"Promise." Faramir kissed her brow, and the (awkwardly) stood and carried Éowyn down to her room.
Éowyn woke with a start, surprised. It had been years since she had dreamed of Faramir finding her during his first visit to Edoras, and she wondered why she had it now. Possibly because she would be seeing him today, so she remembered all he had ever done for her.
Oh, how she longed to see him! Éowyn had missed him. She longed to see if he really was as perfect as her memory made him.
In her minds eye, she saw a tall, leanly muscled man, with soft, copper hair and sparkling blue eyes. She remembered his humour, his kindness and his intelligence. She remembered his strength, his speed and his skill as a swordsman.
Éowyn sighed as she got out of the bed and peeked out through the flap of her tent. The camp was beginning to stir. She could hear the clang of swords as her brother and cousin practiced in the make-shift practice ring in the pale morning light. Normally, she would join them, but today was special.
Today, she would meet Faramir for the first time in almost a year, and she had to look her best. He would see that she was no longer a child, that she was a woman now.
Éowyn suppressed a shiver of excitement, and sat to brush her long, golden hair.
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"Faramir? Faramir?"
Boromir called out to his brother as he searched the huge old library. The Rohirrim had been seen across the Pelennor, and Denethor had sent Boromir in search of his 'wayward, errant son'.
So, he now searched the library, because that was where Faramir had spent most of his time there since his return to the White City. Boromir didn't get the appeal, but, if Faramir was happy…
"Yes?" Faramir's voice floated out from behind a large pile of books stacked on a table. Boromir had to grin. It was so like his brother.
"Come, the flag of Rohan has been seen across the Fields. Father has requested out presence to greet the King."
Faramir sighed and carefully closed the book he was reading. It was a book of Elven poetry, and had long since yellowed with age. He then got up quickly, before Boromir decided to flick through one of the books. They were so old that the pages would probably fall apart at one touch.
Sure enough, Boromir was reaching for one of the books as Faramir skirted the table.
"Come, let's go. We don't want to be late," Faramir said quickly, just as Boromir touched the book. His brother just shrugged and left the library, Faramir at his heels.
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Denethor stood by his throne, and glowered as his sons came to stand beside him. No, more accurately, he scowled at Faramir. He was probably in the library, AGAIN! It seemed he spent most of his time there. The trio turned as the doors swept open and Théoden of Rohan was announced.
Théoden swept in to the hall with the air of a man who knew who he was, and how important he was. He was followed by two strong looking young men dressed in armour and a young woman dressed in dazzling white. Bringing up the rear was the dark haired Grima Wormtongue. He was paler than the last time Faramir saw him, but Faramir had no time to ponder it.
Denethor scowled at his youngest son for his distraction and Faramir straightened his spine.
"Greetings, Théoden King," Denethor stated in his cold voice as he walked forward to greet the king. "Minas Tirith bids you welcome."
"Thank you, Denethor, son of Ecthelion."
The two continued on with the formalities, and Faramir took the chance to study the visitors.
Théoden had aged slightly. There was a little more grey in his beard and at his temples and there were a few more lines around his eyes. Other than that though, he looked full of health.
Théodred and Éomer stood tall and proud behind their king as he spoke. They were clad in intricately decorated armour, and their helmets were under their arms. They had both put on muscle since Faramir had last seen them, and Faramir had a feeling that the ladies of the city would have a lot of fun trying to get their attention.
Éowyn stood slightly behind them, and she took Faramir's breath away. Long gone was his little Blossom. She was tall and slender, but toned as if she spent hours training. Her golden hair shone in the light that flooded in through the large windows and the white dress she wore made her skin look as pale as the snow.
He smiled at her and her eyes lit up as she smiled back.
Interesting.
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Éomer, Théodred, Éowyn and Boromir sat on the benches under one of the trees in Boromir's mother's garden, catching up. Their laughter rang out and could be heard on the level below.
Faramir smiled as he entered the garden. This was how it should be. They deserved to be happy. He had been given the 'task' of ensuring that their luggage was put in the right rooms. Faramir couldn't remember what he had done this time to annoy Denethor so much that he was given that punishment, but it didn't matter now. Now, he wanted to spent time with his friends.
"Faramir!" Éowyn called him when she saw him. She got up and ran towards him. Boromir, Éomer and Théodred watched as she linked her arm through Faramir's and smiled up at him. She said something that caused him to laugh, and Éowyn's smile lit up the garden.
"Sister, show some restraint," Éomer muttered to himself as he watched the pair.
"It is fairly obvious, isn't it?" Théodred added.
"To everyone except Faramir," Boromir agreed.
"What? Is my sister not good enough for him?" Éomer asked, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Peace Éomer. I think that there would be no person better for my brother than Éowyn. I just meant that she could drop all the hints she wants, and Faramir wouldn't pick up on it. He's not very good with women."
Éomer seemed mollified by that, and sat back to watch the couple with amusement.
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Endara quickly advanced through the halls of the White Tower. Her thick dark hair fell down her back in waves, and her porcelain features were flawless. Endara was beautiful, and she knew it.
Any men that crossed her path bowed deeply, and silently wished for her to be his own. She looked like a woman on a mission though as she walked swiftly along the corridor. No one stopped her. As one of the ladies of the court, she had access to most of the building.
More importantly, she had access to Lord Faramir.
He was only the second son, but she supposed he would do. She would much preferred Boromir, but he would not be easy to fool. Faramir on the other hand…
For a few weeks after his return to the city, he had attended many social gatherings. It was there that she had met him. Faramir had all the qualities she looked for in a potential husband; he was rich, had a good social position, and looked shy. She could easily control him.
But first, she had to find him.
The sound of laughter reached her ears, and she stopped, listening. It was coming from one of the gardens below. She looked over the waist-high wall and narrowed her eyes at what she way.
The sons of the Steward were talking and laughing with those… those… children from Rohan. The boys were dressed in armour (commoners trying to be important if you asked her) which had pretentious pictures of horses engraved on them. (Horses… damned smelly beasts)
The girl… now the girl was a problem. She was so beautiful. And young. (Damn her) Endara beautiful face contorted into a mask of jealousy as she watched the young woman… Éowyn she was called. She watched Éowyn as she said something that made the entire group burst into laughter. Her arm was linked through Faramir's and he seemed not to mind.
Damn her. Double damn her. Endara had never made Faramir laugh (not that she had tried. Who cared if he laughed or not?), and whenever she attempted to put her arm through his, he always pulled away.
She would have to keep an eye on this Éowyn girl.
Yes, a close eye indeed.
The friends in the garden below never even noticed her as she melted back into the shadows, already planning her next move.
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Note: The views and opinions expressed by the character of Endara in no way reflect the views and opinions of the author. I am of the opinion that Éomer is goddamned hot and that horsed are lovely creatures. But, mostly that Éomer is hot!
In case you haven't guessed, Endara is not a nice person. She is one of those "insipid, grasping, bitchy 'ladies'" that Faramir was so intent on avoiding. There will be more from her in the next chapter. A lot more.
I'll also write a bit about Faramir's attempt to find the one woman in Minas Tirith who likes him for who he is, and a bit about how he met Endara.
I meant to put up more tonight, but I got distracted by a movie. I'll try to update again this week, but it may be next week by the time I have it written.
Reviews are my life's blood.
Flames are my kryptonite.
Please be kind and review, so I can survive to write another chapter…
ForeverFaramir