Many things happened in Minas Tirith on the day that Éomer and Lothiriel arrived. After Aragorn and Faramir went to greet them they all gathered for a welcoming feast in Merethrond. Present were Aragorn and Arwen, Faramir and Éowyn, Éomer and Lothiriel, and Glorfindel and Erestor, the latter of which were speaking relatively little to each other once again, unless their speech was done in glares. Aragorn had asked Legolas and Gimli to join them, but each declined wanting to oversee more the work that was taking place in Minas Tirith.
The dinner was cordial and genial though, for the most part. However, when a side conversation of Éomer and Éowyn's happened to be overheard by Faramir, things grew a little tense. Éomer had made a remark about the priggishness of Gondorian women, telling his sister that he still could not get used to the fact that Lothiriel insisted that their chambers remain apart even though they had been married for the last two months. Éowyn told him that it was the same for her and Faramir, that he utterly refused to sleep in the same bed as his wife for an entire night. She told her brother that it was apparently some mark of distinction among the higher class of Gondor that they did not share their quarters, but that clearly the king and queen were exempt from such customs.
Faramir heard these things well enough, though his wife and brother-in-law had kept their voices quiet. The three Eldar at the table also picked up the conversation quite clearly, though they all chose to remain impassive. Aragorn was the only one left out, which was quite fortunate at the time. As it was, Faramir was only stopped from returning with a few comments of his own by Aragorn suggesting that the guests be shown to their housing, then come to his sitting room that all might catch up with one another.
Rising as the guests left with Éowyn guiding them, no doubt to stop along the way to meet their niece and nephew, Faramir declined to join everyone else at Aragorn's hearth. He was much more interested in getting back to his study than in listening to more derisive comments about his society. Erestor offered to accompany him, much to Glorfindel's annoyance, which caused the dark-haired advisor nothing more than a victory smirk.
Practically falling down into a chair by the hearth in his study, Faramir was glad of Erestor's company and assistance through the last several months. Elrond's Chief Advisor was every bit as competent and throughout as his reputation alleged. Faramir sat for a while gazing into the hearth, feeling tired from the work of the day, which he had yet to finish to his satisfaction, as well as the substantial dinner. He decided to let go the matter of Éowyn and Éomer's comments about his people. It was just not worth getting upset over.
Faramir popped open a bottle of wine and offered Erestor a glass before they got any further into the reports and such that had been left aside. The Elf and the Mortal had come to be good friends, having so much in common when it came to work ethic. That and the fact that they could relate well to one another about having blond lovers who they cared deeply about despite the fact that they drove them half mad.
For some while they sat before the fire in peaceful silence, each musing over many different thoughts that came to mind. Faramir lifted his head from where it had found itself rested against the high back of his chair, lest he drift into sleep. Erestor was still staring into the fire and Faramir wondered if the Elf hadn't drifted into sleep. A sigh from the advisor proved him to be awake though.
"What is on your mind, mellon?" Faramir asked.
"The last time i was in the Hall of Fire," Erestor answered reflectively. "I believe that i may return to Imladris before long."
"And Lord Glorfindel with you," Faramir added after a moment.
Erestor lifted a brow in Faramir's direction. "Yes, if he apologizes to me."
Faramir just chuckled, knowing by now that this argument of theirs, too, would pass. Briefly the Steward wondered what the Balrog-slayer had done this time, but he reconsidered asking. He really did not want to know.
Erestor sat the wine glass aside then and went to Faramir's desk, returning with two handfuls of parchment. Faramir took his share and began to review the reports. Most of them were the of same sort of thing he read daily: "Our company intercepted the errant band of orcs at the north border. All were beheaded. Of our own: none lost, three wounded, including one captain. None need care beyond our company's means. Two swords, six shields, and nine bows are in need of reforging or replacement. All arrows were able to be refurbished on site. No other requisitions at this time."
Faramir was not aware that he had fallen asleep where he sat until the next morning when Aragorn brought him a cup of tea after his son had slept through breakfast. "That dull, are they?" Aragorn asked with a smile.
Faramir returned the smile. "Yes, they may be dull, but they are all important to me. Several of them are in need of provisions. I shall have to see the armorer this afternoon."
Aragorn nodded. "Noon is nigh at hand," he said indicating the hazy sunlight. "But before you go, did Erestor mention anything about Rivendell last night?"
"Aye, he said that he was considering returning soon," Faramir said. Aragorn could not help but note the note of longing in Faramir's voice. It took all of the king's strength to repress a grin.
"Erestor asked me this morning at breakfast about borrowing one of our mounts. It seems Mornië is... with foal," Aragorn said.
Faramir smiled but was pensive. "I should hardly like to say no, certainly not to Master Erestor, but we are precariously short of expendable horses right now. I would greatly like to know what is in the water that has the majority of our mares 'with foal,' as you say."
"Well, i know that as well. I thought that perhaps there might be a solution, though," Aragorn said. "Mornië is likely to deliver some time after Erestor leaves. This presents to me two options. I can either give our friend one of our horses in exchange for his, or i can lend him one of ours and send someone along to Rivendell to return with the other mount. Mornië would have no trouble at all returning to Imladris on her own once she and her foal are ready."
Faramir's eyes sparkled for the briefest of moments, just as Aragorn had expected. Just the thought of going to Rivendell made Faramir's mind reel with eagerness. Taking a deep breath, though, Faramir considered all of the responsibilities that he held in Minas Tirith and did his best to put the thought out of his mind.
"I, myself, am really rather ready for some time away from home," Aragorn said, considering the mood Arwen had taken the night before when they retired. The king considered himself lucky to have gotten away with only a bruise on his left arm.
Faramir nodded. "I agree, adar, you are in need of time away. And i am sure that you are eager to see your home and Lord Elrond once more."
"Aye, i am... that i am," Aragorn said contemplatively. "Though, to be truthful, i do not look forward to making the journey back alone with naught but a couple of ponies to talk to. It is not like going from here to Edoras, such that one is just growing comfortable in the travel when they arrive. The road from Imladris grows very lonely long about Redhorn Pass."
Faramir thought on that for a moment before suggesting that his father ask Legolas to join him.
Aragorn looked as though he considered that suggestion for a moment or two, before dismissing it. "Legolas and i have traveled far and wide together, but i am not quite sure that my friend is not more interested in seeing that my city turns from white to green by the time this winter breaks. Likewise, i know i could not coax Gimli into taking the trip with me, not unless i agreed to pass a month in the Glittering Caves on the way back. Actually... i was thinking that my Steward could do with a holiday."
Faramir smiled broadly, but stopped short of jumping at the chance. "I would really love to, father... but i have so much here that i must see to. And the children -"
"You must see to nothing that can not wait. And you know the children are in good hands here. Would i ever rest if i feared for one moment about my grandchildren?" Aragorn said, determined to convince Faramir to come with him. He knew that for as many years as Faramir could remember he had longed to look upon the Last Homely House East of the Sea.
Faramir was in the middle of a tug-of-war between duty and desire. "Of course i know Elboron and Findiel are going to be fine here, but i... i can not just leave the city as i please. I ought not have left last summer as i did, but certainly not now. Father, really, i -"
"Faramir, how long have you dreamt of Imladris?" Aragorn prodded.
"Since the day naneth first told me the tales... but -"
"And you agree that your children are safe in Minas Tirith with their mother, and Arwen, and the nurses?"
"Yes, i agree, i fear not for them, but -"
"And you would not mind accompanying an old ex-Ranger?"
"Father, you know i would not, but -"
"Good, then the matter is settled," Aragorn said with finality. "When Erestor and Glorfindel return to Imladris, you and i shall go along as well."
Faramir had to laugh. Every now and then Aragorn had a way of trapping someone with his logic. "I do not deny that it has been my fondest dream for all of my life to go to Rivendell. I thank you, father."
Aragorn smiled warmly. "Do not thank me, Faramir. You know that you should have gone there in Boromir's stead. You know that it was you who was spoken to in dreams. I hope you shall love Rivendell as much as i do. And i know that you shall." Aragorn rose, and went to the window, noting the time of day. "Haven't you an appointment with the armorer?"
---
Linda: Oh yes, indeed. Father and son will be spending a lot of time together.
Raska: Never fear, Morgoth is out of the picture. The fact that Faramir had enough strength to resist (and also some very powerful friends) was a big set back for the one in the Void. Still, Morgoth did not really "possess" Fara' in the last story as such. The evil of Morgoth remains in Middle-earth and it temporarily held sway over Faramir's thoughts. Evil can never be truly eradicated from Middle-earth though.
Yes, Faramir does hold the title of Prince of Ithilien, and yes Eowyn should definitely be happy about the new home.
I am not terribly sure how much of Faramir and Eowyn we are going to see together with the children. Faramir is going to have some things to take care of and is going to be away from Minas Tirith for a while. But, we shall see. Yes, though, they are most certainly active and loving parents. Faramir would do anything at all for his little ones, he is determined to be a good dad.
Elenhin: Not to give anything way or to overforeshadow, but... if you think something went wrong in the last story... you ain't seen nothing yet. I am well aware that i am going to get flamed in the future, and may i say that it may well only encourage me because i definitely hope to evoke a response. But, for those who love angst and tragedy, i am promising a heck of a ride.
AM: Yeah! :)
Voldie: Hey, i love you too! I have to say that i don't honestly like a lot of slash pairings out there, simply because most are totally non-canon (hey, i have spent every Saturday night in the last year with my gay friends, with the exception of one that i actually spent with the keeper of my heart). But i certainly see nothing non-canon about Glor' and Ere', not like pairing Gimli and Gollum or something. (Knows she just gave someone somewhere a really weird plot bunny - if i did, would you be kind enough to email or noteme when you have the story written?)
As far as Faramir suffering goes... just you wait! It's going to be terrible! (Am i sounding way too excited about that?)
Wow... i rarely leave this many author notes, but you all gave me such great feedback for my first chapter that i had to give some back. I wish i could promise time frames for updates, but i will do what ican to goad my muse into keeping my fingers typing frequently. I don't think this story is going to be as long as its predecessor, but i will be packing a lot more pain into it. Faramir has so had it too easy!