After dinner Elrond invited everyone to the Hall to recline and enjoy tales and songs. There was once a time when the Hall of Fire was used solely on holidays, but now so many of the old customs had gone by the wayside. To Elrond there seemed to be so few people in Imladris these days, and in all truth he was glad to get some use out of his Hall for a change.
Lindir had readily offered to perform a new composition of his, a little too readily for Erestor's taste, prompting the advisor to finally seek out his office. A fair number of bets were lost when Erestor managed to hold out for an entire day after returning to get to his study. Glorfindel opted for singing in the Hall and fare-welled his lover with a peck on the cheek, making him promise not to stay up too late. Had Glor' had Elrond's foresight he would have beat the Lord of Imladris to making up an excuse to busy Erestor elsewhere.
"Actually, Erestor," Elrond said, trying to keep his voice calm, "i was really hoping that you might start with my office." Elrond's smile was so endearing that Erestor had no choice but to sigh and agree to put off seeing to his own personal sanctum until morning. Now all Elrond had to do was pray fervently that his two eldest would be home by then.
Aragorn and Faramir were some of the last to make their way over to the Hall, their discussion of the differences of "formal" clothing in Gondor and Imladris too interesting too cut short. While Faramir was still a little reluctant to try the full robe style and had opted for the silver-grey cotehardie, Aragorn had chosen to wear burgundy robes much in the style that Elrond himself preferred. Faramir had to admit he was a little surprised by how regal his father looked, now more than ever, especially here in this place. Elven robes were nothing like what was the fashion in Gondor, nothing like the bulky fur trimmed ceremonial garments that only added to Denethor's appearance as a loathsome rat lurking under the throne. To many Elven eyes who had known another young Mortal who was more comfortable in a cotehardie than robes, Faramir looked to be following closely his father's footsteps.
At length, when they realized that they were the last ones left at the dinner table, they headed across the way to the Hall of Fire. Aragorn was certain that his son would love spending the evening just listening and taking in all the Elven way of life that where sung of in the Hall. The sounds of an ancient Elven song immediately enraptured Aragorn and he was scarcely aware of his own actions as he lay back in a plush chaise that he usually claimed when Arwen was not present in the Hall. Aragorn's mind was relaxed and vulnerable to the influences of the Elf-minstrel's song which was one of an idyllic place of flowering trees and tiny purple flowers blanketing a field in which one could lay at nightfall and watch as every star was kindled, one by one. It was not so long before Aragorn began to fall asleep in the song-induced reverie.
Faramir's experience of the Hall, however, was somewhat different. The first strains of Elven music were undeniably beautiful and soothing and Faramir even thought he could practically see the silver-green leaves swaying and mingling with the fragrant white blossoms on the trees that Lindir was singing of.
It was when he spotted the glowing flickering in the grand fireplace at the other end of the room that he froze mid-stride, involuntarily taking a step back, but finding he could not move any further away. He stood there staring into the flames, unaware of his surroundings and oblivious to even Lindir's music. His mouth went dry as his heart rate and breathing sped up against his will, he felt sweat beading on his brow, even though the room was as perfectly comfortable as everything else in Rivendell. There was a voice which seemed to emanate from the fire saying: "You never were strong enough... you will only fail further, Wizard's pupil!" Suddenly so much came back to Faramir's mind... Denethor, Boromir, the War, Éowyn and Findiel, his little Elboron, and every one of his doubts and insecurities.
Elrond had watched Faramir very closely as soon as he saw him enter the Hall. Naturally, Aragorn had trusted his son to make himself comfortable in the hospitality of Imladris and so had taken his own comfort without a second thought. Elrond was cautious not to intervene too quickly, unsure if Faramir's fear of fire was really more than just a hesitation. It was when the young Man started to tremble that Elrond quietly rose and put an arm around Faramir's shoulder, gently and inconspicuously, but quickly, guiding him out.
The Peredhil lord lead Faramir to be seated on a settee out of the way, not far from his private study. Elrond left his charge alone for just a moment to fetch a mixture of lavender and mint which he gently applied to Faramir's pulse points. In a few moments Faramir's breathing grew normal again and he seemed aware. "Faramir?" Elrond coaxed soothingly.
Faramir turned to see Elrond sitting beside him, the wise Elf's eyes as full of compassion as his father's often were. Faramir's heart began to ache intensely and tears tore at his throat, and though he fought hard, they reached his eyes and once they began to spill he could not quell them. Elrond enfolded the young man in his arms tenderly as Faramir choked out against his shoulder "forgive me, Lord Elrond..."
Elrond gently rubbed Faramir's temples, cradling him against him. "Daeríon-nín...," Elrond whispered, "your heart has taken too many wounds and contagion set in. Only now is the poison being drawn, now that you have seen peace. This is a painful process, i know, and one that i can not dull for you, but i can walk with you and aid you through it."
"I just want this pain to cease!" Faramir sobbed, no longer trying to show himself as decorous before the great Elrond. "Can i never escape it? Not ever here in this sanctuary, where i have longed to be for so long."
Elrond held Faramir closer, touched by his sincere love of Imladris, as sincere as Elrond's own love for his land. "This may or may not be a consolation to you, Faramir, but a heart that hurts is a heart that beats. Not all pain is evil, there are times when pain reminds us of how extremely we are capable of loving. My child, it is not often that i counsel one to let go of the past, for often does the past serve us in the end, but this time i see an exception. Do what you can to let go of Denethor and the War. Those were things you should have never had to endure. Think now instead on your father who loves you as much as i love him and you both. Think now on the hand you have in shaping the future of Middle-earth and the good that you can impart. I no longer fear to set out to sea and go to my beloved Celebrian, for i know that with you and Estel at the fore the sort of love and peace i myself fought for may come to pass."
Faramir was quiet for a while, appreciating greatly Elrond's words, before speaking again. "And what of my mother? Boromir? Éowyn and Findiel? " Faramir grieved as a new wave of crippling pain overwhelmed him and Elrond kept his steady and loving hold of him. "I only began to allow myself to mourn for my brother when my wife and daughter were taken from me. My own son... Valar! Why did i ever leave my child behind? How could i be so selfish?"
"Faramir, i do not believe that you have ever performed a selfish act in your life," Elrond grinned slightly. "Since i learned you were coming, i've been keeping an eye out on Minas Tirith myself. I should have told you sooner that i find my great-grandson is every bit as charming as his father and grandfather... and great-grandfather, if i may speak confidentially."
Faramir allowed himself a small smile, feeling the pain in his heart abate somewhat and comfort making inroads. Elrond still had not loosened his hold and that was what Faramir needed desperately - someone who had no notion of pulling away first.
"If you wish, i can teach you how to correctly use a palantír," Elrond said. Faramir seemed hesitant though. "When used correctly it poses no threat of addiction or vulnerability," Elrond assured. "As Aragorn's son, you have a true right to utilize it. May i say that i applaud you for your desire to do without it, for that shows great quality on your part... but you know, the original intent of the palantíri was communication between those who are distant. It may help to ease your heart to see for yourself how well your son is doing. Does he always pull at the tresses of his caretakers?"
Faramir laughed through the few tears that lingered. "Always," he said. "I have no notion how i shall ever coax him to break the habit as he grows older."
Elrond smiled kindly. "He will outgrow it much too soon," Elrond said softly. "There was another youngling who used to have the same habit when he came here at the age of two. He most liked to pull his adar's hair when it was in intricate braids and usually just before an important meeting. It saddened me that the day i welcomed Bilbo, Gandalf, and Thorin and his company here my braids were perfectly intact."
Again Elrond and Faramir were silent for some while, comforted in each other's company more than anything at that moment. "Faramir, you are much too tense still to truly enjoy your stay here. Come with me, i have a remedy for that." Elrond lead the way down to the rooms set aside for healing. As Elrond ducked into a side room he instructed Faramir to strip to the waist and lie down comfortably. When Elrond the healer emerged again Faramir looked as though he might be ready to fall asleep. This was always easier when the patient was in a peaceful sleep, so Elrond kept him talking a bit at first. Essential oils prepared, Elrond took a moment to feel where the tension was centered mostly, not surprisingly in the young man's shoulders.
"Are you at ease?" Elrond asked.
"Yes," Faramir replied, with too much voice to truly be at ease.
Elrond nodded once and rearranged Faramir's arms so that they bore no weight and guided his forehead to rest against a pillow. "Now are you at ease?" he asked again.
Faramir smiled and simply nodded as the great Elf-lord Elrond the wise took the time to ease the muscles in his neck and shoulders, down his arms and across his back. After nary fifteen minutes Faramir was sound asleep. Elrond worked at the Steward's highly abused muscles for two hours time before finishing with a special arnica salve to some scars, the causes of which Elrond did not wish to imagine.
When Faramir woke the next morning he felt like a new man. Cricks that he had learned to live with over the years were now gone and a young feeling pervaded. By the bedside was a plate of fruit and a glass of juice with a note reading:
Faramir,
Be certain to take your time in rising. Do not move in haste. You should be feeling much more your age now. Your father wishes to save the "best" of Imladris for last and i shall not encroach. Please stop by my study when you are able.
Love,
Daeradar
Faramir beamed contentedly. Even though the message was cryptic at best there was one thing he understood above all else, the last two lines.
-
It looks as though i'm not going to be able to wrap this story up in 60 chapters like i did the last one. Does anyone feel that this is getting too long or anything? I, personally, think it is going along at a good pace, but then i am bias.
linda: Fara' and Aragorn really have needed this peace for a long, long time. It is going to help them both dramatically, especially Faramir.
Elenhin: Ah, sauna and beer, what a combination! I know i would get dehydrated too easily with that though. I'll stick to fresh water and berries after a sweat, i can only just get through the sweat itself. I can see the idea of sweating out impurities and the cleansing effect of alcohol though. Every time i get a cold or flu i cure it with whiskey or rum.
And honest, my crystal is hardly the size of a tennis ball and perfectly clear. No danger there i would imagine.
I can only imagine waking up with a sheep nibbling one's tent, but it sounds kind of endearing. I don't do a lot of camping these days, too softened to the creature comforts i guess, but near my favorite place to vacation at the ocean is an island famous for its wild ponies called Assateague Island. It's a national park and so camping there is permitted. I have heard from people hardier than i who have camped on the island that it is not unusal to wake up with a horse's head in your tent. It is a great place to visit though, as the horses have the run of the island and will walk down the middle of the road if they so desire, causing traffic to back up endlessly. They are most beautiful, though, when they walk along the surf. If i think of it, i will send you a picture of the island.
flowerbee: False sense of security, eh? Well, we shall see. I make no promises.