These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain
Away, and mock the time with fairest show;
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), Macbeth, act 1, sc. 7, l. 81-2.
"Whatever is the matter?" Eowyn's eyes were wide with concern.
"I felt a sudden pain here, " Faramir grimaced and rubbed his shoulder." It is easing now, so there is no cause for concern . I have had similar pains in my back a few days ago, it must be grief and worry causing it."
"Let me see!"
"It is nothing, I am well now, there is no need."
Ignoring his objections, Eowyn pulled aside his shirt and bared his shoulder. To her consternation, an angry red mark disfigured the flesh. Most curiously, it grew fainter even as she looked at it.
"Take your tunic and shirt off!" she demanded. "I want to see if you have any more these marks on you."
"But the Queen might come in!" Faramir protested.
"I am sure she has seen a shirtless man before, whatever your Gondorian rules of etiquette state!" Eowyn said firmly, whisking the garments over his head, before he could voice any further objections.
"What did you feel?" she asked. "Hold your arms out so I can see them!"
"It was if I had been flogged," he explained, casting an anxious glance towards the doorway, " I woke up feeling very stiff and sore all down my back."
Eowyn carefully examined him, but there was nothing to see. His skin was unblemished; thanks to the Elvish treatments Aragorn had given him.
"Maybe your back was sore from riding and it was an insect bite on your shoulder?" Eowyn frowned, hating to admit she was baffled.
"But it does not itch and what insect bite fades so quickly?" He shook his head in bewilderment. "And the pain, it was truly excruciating!"
Eowyn looked worried, "You should stay here a while then, and not go rushing back to Minas Tirith!" she said.
Certain he could hear footsteps, approaching, he grabbed his shirt and pulled it back on just as Arwen entered the room.
"What is wrong?" she asked, noticing their expressions.
"Faramir is experiencing strange pains in his back and shoulder. I am worried about him, though I cannot find any injury on him." Eowyn explained.
"Maybe he is feeling Estel's pain?" Arwen suggested.
Faramir looked horrified and then shook his head. "How could that be, my lady, since most likely you would feel it too?" he asked." I have only ever heard of twins feeling each other's pain, though, not even a husband and wife. Surely, such a thing is quite impossible?"
"You and Estel have an exceptionally strong Thought Bond, due to the circumstances in which it was formed," Arwen replied." Such a bond cannot ever be formed without love, but in your case, Estel gave a good deal of himself in saving your life at the same time, and that together with the gratitude you felt, would have deepened the bond you formed that day. Estel told it was a truly remarkable spiritual experience for you both."
"It was," Faramir said wistfully." I very much hope you are wrong, though, about my feeling the King's pain. I am sure it must be because I am distressed. Maybe, I never grieved properly for Boromir, as we were in the middle of a war and this has brought all that back to me as well."
He desperately wanted this explanation to be true for he could not bear to think of Aragorn being beaten and tortured, nor that his wife should have to dwell on such unspeakable thoughts. He tried to push the images from his dreams of the King's bloodied and bruised face, to the back of his mind.
"You should stay another day at least!" Eowyn pleaded, "You are not well .Your sorrow hangs heavy on your soul."
Faramir shook his head, " I cannot, my love, we both know how important our duty is. I assure you the pain has gone now. I must be on my way as soon as I have breakfasted. I intend to send Damrod to you, to take you and the Queen somewhere safer until I have discovered what has happened to Aragorn. Should I not return, you should try to make your way to Rohan and seek aid from your brother. I would tell you to go now, but the journey is too perilous at this time of year for women with young babies."
"Do not speak of such things!" Eowyn pleaded as Arwen tactfully withdrew, sensing their need for a few moments privacy.
Faramir gripped his wife's hands tightly. "I fear that I must, beloved. I know you have the courage and strength to face whatever lies ahead I know will not be easy. Damrod will take you into hiding, and I expect you and Arwen will have to pass as peasants. You will need to dye your hair to pass as a Gondorian, I fear. Take care of the Queen; try to keep her attention on Eldarion's need for her. She must not fade!"
Eowyn nodded gravely, "I will do as you say, but how I wish I could come with you though I know my duty lies here!"
Faramir drew her close and they shared a lingering kiss.
Breakfast seemed to pass all too quickly and an hour later Faramir was ready to return to Minas Tirith.
He respectfully knelt before his Queen to take his leave.
Arwen placed both hands on his head and he felt a sense of great power and strength surge through his body.
"May the blessing of the Valar go with you and their protection be upon you!" she said gravely," I await your safe return with my husband!"
"If he yet lives, I will give my all to restore him too you, whatever the cost!" Faramir vowed, clasping the hilt of his sword.
" I only hope that cost is not more than either you or Estel can bear!" Arwen replied, "Your heart is pure and true, though, and the love you bear for my husband will guide you."
He rose to his feet and kissed her hand before bidding a sad and loving farewell to his wife and daughter.
Faramir returned to the City via little known paths and constantly on the look out for any sign of pursuit.
Despite the ever-present threat of danger, his heart was far lighter than it had been the day before, at even the mere thread of a possibility, however slim, that Aragorn was still alive.
He was no stranger to intrigue, as there had always been factions within the Council that opposed his father's rule. In Denethor's day, voicing such thoughts aloud would have been construed as treason and punished by banishment or even death.
Maybe Aragorn was too good-natured by allowing such free debate and treating his enemies leniently? Yet, that was part of what was made the man so lovable, that like his Steward, he hated to use violence and cruelty.
Despite murmurs to the contrary, none had been more relieved than Faramir when Mahrod had been granted a swift and merciful execution, rather than the slow and agonising one the law allowed.
Faramir glanced at Aragorn's ring now on his finger and wondered however; he could pretend convincingly that he had hated him.
Yet, he knew if there a chance, however slim to save his lord, he would take it or die in the attempt.
He twisted it round it thoughtfully; glad that it made him feel closer to its rightful owner .He hoped that wearing it would somehow endow him with Aragorn's strength and courage.
He no longer dared to wear the brooch that Aragorn had given him openly on his cloak, but instead had it pinned inside his shirt, as from this day on, all signs of his friendship with the King must be hidden.
The Steward managed to enter the City almost unnoticed .He knew the guard on the gate and Aragorn had recently abolished the custom of sounding the trumpets when the lords of Gondor returned, except on state occasions. Together with Faramir, they had agreed it was unnecessary pomp, and often robbed the good citizens of much needed sleep.
Before anyone could notice he had returned and inform the lords on the Council, he made his way to the Barracks and enquired if Anborn and his men had returned. They had not, which only added to his worry. He then sought out Damrod.
Under the pretext of reprimanding the young Captain for a minor infringement of uniform rules, claiming his boots were not polished sufficiently. He then drew him aside and explained that a message would be delivered to him later that day summoning him to the bedside of his sick mother. He was to depart immediately, but instead make his way to Emyn Arnen and take the Queen, Eowyn and the babies to a safe hiding place and stay with them there.
"I will take them to my sister's home, she lives near Osgiliath." Damrod replied, obeying Faramir without asking questions, for he trusted his former Captain implicitly. "I fear it is not an abode fitting for the Queen or Lady Eowyn, but my sister will make them most welcome. Many of the Rangers settled there after the war and built homes after King Elessar made it safe to dwell there again. He was a good man and will be sorely missed. I will gladly do all I can for his Queen, poor lady! "
"Thank you, Damrod." Faramir said quietly, " You must tell no one and guard them with your life until I return .Get those boots polished!" he yelled for the benefit of anyone who might be listening. He then went to stables to see that Iavas was being properly tended after the long ride.
Faramir went quickly to his own apartments and bathed and changed, taking care to choose apparel that was not at all funereal in appearance .The deception had to begin as soon as possible, if there were to be any chance of saving Aragorn.
His secretary approached, carrying a sheaf of papers.
"These require your urgent attention, my lord."
"Thank you, Delos. I wish to summon the Lords of the Realm to an important meeting."
"It shall be done, my lord."
Faramir smiled cheerfully and whistled as he walked through the stone corridors of the Royal Apartments.
"My lords," he announced to the Council, the next morning. "I have informed the Queen of the late King's death, but she refused to return to me and instead has set out to perform a mourning ritual, which is the custom of her people. She has assured me that she, together with the new King, will return for the funeral, which will be held as soon as the fever epidemic abates. Until then, I propose that the Council rule Gondor with Prince Imrahil and myself in charge. We will met again in five days time."
He raised his hand to dismiss them. A collective gasp echoed round the chamber when the assembled lords saw that he was wearing the Ring of Barahir.
"You wear King Elessar's Ring!" Imrahil gasped in shock.
Faramir was unable to meet his eye as he replied, " Why should I not wear it?" he demanded belligerently "Prince Eldarion is far too young to appreciate such a valuable heirloom and the Stewards have borne the weight of Gondor's rule far longer than the heirs of Isildur. You are all dismissed."
He could only wait now until the next meeting, hoping that flaunting the Ring of Barahir so openly would cause tongues to wag carelessly enough for him to learn what had befallen his King.
He strode from the Chamber, the first to leave in order to avoid any questions especially from his Uncle .The Prince came to his apartments requesting an audience but he sent a message saying that he was indisposed. Much as he wished, that he could take his Uncle into his confidence, he knew that to do so would jeopardise his whole plan. If Imrahil's shock and disapproval were genuine, it would make it far easier to convince the other lords of his seeming treachery
He was now openly occupying the King's chambers claiming them as his own, both to underline his apparent seizure of power , and also he felt that leaving and having the doors sealed was somehow akin to abandoning Aragorn. He had searched through Aragorn's clothing as soon as he returned and found Arwen was correct. Every single pair of the King's drawers was indeed embroidered with the white tree, as were his nightshirts and undershirts.
Faramir spent the next few days mainly within his chambers as he tried to plan what to next. So far, he had learned nothing. He was sorely tempted to take a sizable troop of guards and search Lord Lamedon's mansion, but what if they saw his approach and killed Aragorn, if indeed he was being held there. Then there was the added complication that Lord Lamedon as did all his fellows, owned several residences as well as isolated hunting lodges, scattered throughout the country. It was like seeking a needle in a haystack. All Faramir could do was hope he could draw them out.
TBC
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