These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain
Seems, madam! nay, it is; I know not "seems."
'T is not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black.
Hamlet. Act i. Sc. 2 William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Faramir sat up in bed; hugging himself tightly, trying to regain his composure and make sense of what was happening.
Arwen's cries suggested that, she had finally comprehended the dreadful truth that she was a widow. Most likely, Eowyn would now have to stay with her for the remainder of the night, to comfort her as best she could. Much as Faramir yearned for the comfort of his wife's presence, he could not begrudge the Queen her company, as he would have greatly welcomed the presence of a loved one when he had first been told the dreadful tidings and seen Aragorn's body.
These dreams were so vivid, it actually seemed that Aragorn was indeed trying to communicate with him from the afterlife. Arwen was right, he would have expected to feel that his soul had been torn asunder, at the loss of one to whom he was so closely attuned and loved so dearly. Perhaps he was having these dreams instead, as maybe; he was just not yet able to fully face up the dreadful finality of his loss?
Eowyn re - entered the room and much to his embarrassment, for he was clad only in his bedraggled nightshirt, Arwen was with her.
He dared not rise from the bed, given his state of undress, yet felt uncomfortable that she was standing while he was not. "My lady are you well?" he enquired, trying to act as politely as he could under the circumstances.
He noticed then that the Queen looked animated and almost excited, while his wife was pale and looked to be in a state of shock. "Arwen has just had an identical dream to yours!" Eowyn exclaimed, "Every detail was the same, except that Aragorn called her name!"
"Do you believe me now?" Arwen asked, ignoring Faramir's blushes, "We must save him! He is calling to us both as you and I both share the Thought Bond with him! He is not dead! He needs us to rescue him from his captors!"
" I must save him if he still lives." Faramir replied, "You, my lady are needed to protect Eldarion." He pulled the blankets up to his chin as he spoke.
"Could you not feel him speaking to you inside your head?" Arwen demanded.
Faramir nodded. Much as he feared to let himself hope, it beggared belief that it was mere coincidence, that both he and Arwen should have such vivid and identical dreams. "If you would permit me to dress, my lady, we will discuss this." he said quietly.
"Come,Arwen!" said Eowyn, "It will be warmer in the kitchens, as the stove is kept burning all night. Let us go and wait for Faramir there."
Still feeling shaken from the aftermath of the dream, or vision, which now seemed more likely, Faramir swiftly pulled on his clothes and went to join the two women. He found them sipping tea and gladly accepted a cup, liberally sweetened with honey. Arwen bade him to sit down.
"I believe that Estel has been kidnapped, probably by those who wish to restore the House of Stewards." Arwen announced, "I sense they want something from him, maybe a signed deed of abdication, and are only keeping him alive until they get it. This would be an ideal time for miscreants to stage a coup while the City is ravaged by fever."
"I would die before I betrayed my King!" Faramir protested, spilling hot tea on his lap in his agitation. "I would not take the crown nor proclaim myself ruler of Gondor, if the whole council begged me to, nor serve as Steward to any, save Aragorn and his rightful heirs."
"You are no longer the only heir of Denethor." Eowyn pointed out as she mopped up the spilled tea off her grimacing husband." There is Elbeth and also our own daughter, both too young to wield power but vulnerable to be used as puppets!"
"You must find out who has taken Aragorn and rescue him!" Arwen said determinedly.
"But how?" asked Faramir, " I have no proof. I cannot just arrest Lord Lamedon, demand custody of my niece and rescue Aragorn, assuming that sad excuse for a noble, actually holds him! It could be any of them as many of the lords were openly hostile to him! I can only be certain of my Uncle Imrahil's loyalty, and even he is closely related to all Denethor's heirs too!" He buried his face in his hands, desperate to save Aragorn if he yet lived, yet overwhelmed at the enormity of the task ahead.
"Aragorn told me that you were often at loggerheads in Council Meetings." Arwen remarked, a plan beginning to form in her mind.
"Yes, though most of the time, it was feigned, as a ruse to get our own way against the stubborn nobles, though, alas, we did truly quarrel at the last Session, as he called my family unstable. If I had known what was going to happen, he could have called us the worse villains that ever lived, and I would not have minded!" Faramir groaned.
"That is wonderful!" Arwen smiled for the first time since Faramir had arrived, "You can pretend that you are delighted Estel is dead, and that you would like to see the Stewards return to power!"
"What?" Faramir protested, "I have always sworn never to tell a falsehood even to trap an Orc! How can one achieve good by doing evil?"
"Usually one cannot." Arwen said sadly, "Yet, was not the one Ring destroyed, when Gollum took it from the Ring bearer by force? The ways of the Valar are beyond even the knowledge of the Eldar."
"I would do anything to save my King if he yet lives. Even if it were to cost me both life and soul!" Faramir conceded, "Yet how can I show my loyally by seeming betrayal? I do not think I could !"
Arwen advanced towards him, as she had done the previous night, and again placed her hands on his face. Once more, he felt the disconcerting sensation of having his innermost thoughts probed.
Her inscrutable expression suddenly softened to a smile, "You would rather die than betray Estel," she stated, looking him in the eye, "Whatever may happen I know that in your heart you will always love and revere him and that will give you the strength to do as I ask.. You wonder why you find my probing so unpleasant do you not?"
Faramir nodded slightly, his head aching too much to move it much. "It is because we lack the bond to see into each others thoughts like you and Estel share." she explained, " I inherited my ability from my Grandmother, who used it to see into the hearts of men. I have tested you, as she tested your brother, but unlike him, you have passed. Now take this!"
She slid the ring of Barahir off her thumb where she had placed it earlier and handed it to Faramir. "Wear his ring!" she commanded.
"My Lady! " he protested, "How can I take this? It is one of the heirlooms of the line of Elendil!"
"If you openly wear it, it will signal to those who oppose Elendil's line, that you think the House of Hurin should have taken the crown. That should encourage them to approach you, and maybe then, you can then learn of Estel's whereabouts .I know that with your sense of honour, you would rather take troops and search the homes of everyone who has opposed the King at the Council. However, such a move would probably be fruitless, only stir up resentment, and further endanger Estel's life. A more subtle method should bring about better results."
Faramir hesitated for a moment, his thoughts in turmoil. To pretend to be a traitor was alien to everything in his nature and yet if he resolutely stayed true to his own principles, he could be betraying his King, the one he given his sworn oath to serve until death. He owed everything to Aragorn and in return loved him dearly. How could he not hazard all to save him, or at the very least secure the throne for his son?
These last few hours had taught Faramir far more about the Queen than the previous three years had done. Before, she had appeared to him, solely as Aragorn's wife, beautiful, gentle and placid. He had known only that she had a kind heart and that Eowyn loved her dearly. He supposed too, that an only an exceptional woman, would have suckled his daughter and cared for Eowyn day and night after her birth. Then it was most unlikely too, that Aragorn would have spent so much time restoring him to health, without at least the approval of his wife. He realised he had gravely underestimated his Queen.
The powers she processed combined with her wisdom and cunning amazed him. He understood now, why so many feared the Eldar and wondered whatever it must be like to be married to one.
Reluctantly, he slipped the ring on his finger, remembering with a pang as he did so, the occasion on which he had attempted to kiss that same ring, and how he had inadvertently bumped his nose against the King's. He had been mortified at the time but it had later become a source of amusement between himself and Aragorn.
" I wear this only until I can return it to its rightful owner." he said resolutely.
" If anyone can save Aragorn, you can!" Eowyn said encouragingly. "What have you done to him? He is in pain!" she asked Arwen indignantly.
"It was necessary, as I did not know his heart, like you and Estel do, though it grieves me to cause him pain." Arwen replied."You have my word I shall not do it again."
Her cool fingers felt his forehead in what felt almost like a caress. Immediately the pain in his head lessened. The Queen gave a low musical laugh, " I have not sifted Estel's thoughts like this since before our betrothal, as you are wondering how he endures it!" she smiled, "Do not look so surprised, I can see that question in your eyes, it took no special skills! I pity you mortals with your limited abilities. My powers waned while I was expecting Aragorn's child, so I have some idea what it must be like. You, Faramir must learn to dissemble better, for Estel's life is now in your hands! I trust you to restore him to me!"
" You must trust me then too, my Lady," Faramir replied, "If the dark forces we suspect are at work, it is not safe for you and Eowyn and the children to remain here. I was thinking of entrusting you to Beregond's keeping, but everyone knows him to be my man. Damrod is loyal to me too, though it is not so widely known. When I return, I will send him to take you to safety. I will then put it about, that I have you and Prince Eldarion in my custody, either that or you have disappeared without trace!"
"Excellent!" smiled Arwen, "You are learning quickly!"
Just then, Eldarion started to cry and Arwen went to soothe him, leaving Faramir and Eowyn alone.
"I fear for you, my love " Eowyn fretted, "If only Elestelle was not still dependant on my milk, I would come with you .I can wield a sword as well as any man."
"I know you can, beloved, and would have you at my side, but the Queen needs you as well as our child." Faramir told her. "Does she ever do this to you?" he enquired, rubbing his still aching head.
Eowyn shook her head." No, she does not, I have never seen her in a mood like this before."
"She is distraught as she loves Aragorn so much. I can understand that." Faramir replied, "I want above all else to save Aragorn, should he still live but I do not know if I can play the traitor!"
"You have greater strength than you know of," Eowyn reassured him. She placed her arms around him and their lips met in a tender kiss.
He relaxed into her embrace but then gave a sudden yelp of pain and clutched his shoulder.
TBC
A grateful thank you for all your kind reviews. Each and every one is greatly appreciated.
We still do not know for certain what has happened to Aragorn !
I am pleased you enjoy the quotes and feel theyhelp create the mood of the chapter.