These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain.
Love all, trust a few,
Do wrong to none.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), All's Well That Ends Well, act 1, sc. 1.
"And what is that to you?" Faramir sounded harsh and defensive. Yet, he yearned to share the truth with someone who could be trusted. Tarostar was close kin to his family and might be expected to support any move to return them to power .Yet, it had been obvious that he had struggled to maintain a professional calm on seeing the mulitatedcorpse, which suggested to Faramir that he had cared deeply for Aragorn too.
"The good of Gondor is my concern. And how can Gondor thrive if her King is dead and her Steward has lost his wits, when Prince Eldarion is but a babe in arms?"
"I am as sane as you, Master Tarostar," Faramir replied firmly. "Surely you can see that? Alas, that the Prince is not yet of age!" They had reached a holly bush and the thorny leaves snagged Faramir's cloak, imprisoning him in its web of branches.
Tarostar helped him free himself and then caught his wrist. "Does a sane man denounce one who treated him with great honour and kindness?"
"He stole my birthright!" Faramir protested, not looking the healer in the eye.
"Repeat after me then,'King Elessar was a tyrant who brought misfortune to Gondor', 'The return of the King was a blessing from the Valar '!"
His patience starting to wear thin, Faramir repeated the words.
"You did not hate him," Tarostar pronounced, releasing his hand. "You will never convince me otherwise!"
"You dare to accuse me of speaking falsehoods?" Faramir's fury was against his own inability to convince, rather than over what wasan acute observation.
"I told you the heart cannot lie," Tarostar said gravely," I noticed how your pulse raced when you spoke against him yet remained steady, when I told you to say that which you truly believed. Much as it grieves me to say so, Lord Faramir, King Elessar treated me far better than your house ever did! My father died in prison for no greater crime than that of having fallen in love and I was pronounced illegitimate. King Elessar had become a friend to me, through his helping to care for the sick here He never treated me as being of lesser birth than had my parent's marriage been recognised by your grandfather."
They had reached the end of the path and Faramir found himself pacing the lawn as he debated whether or not to confide in Tarostar. He was sorely tempted to after the strain of weeks of silence. Nevertheless, could he dare to take such a risk? Yet, the Healer was bound by an oath of confidentiality in his dealings with his patients and had never once been known to break it. In addition, he was not involved in the complicated politics of the Council, as it would affect him very little who ruled Gondor. Healers would always be needed whether kings or stewards ruled and he had shown only respect rather than resentment, for Aragorn's superior healing abilities."
"Tell me," asked Faramir, "Are the Lords of Lamedon, Lossarnach and Ringlo Vale amongst your patients?"
Tarostar shook his head, "No, I know of them only by sight. Men such as they, despise me for my birth. Though, were they my patients, I could not discuss them with you as my oath would forbid it."
"If I were to tell you what I believe, do I have your sworn oath that you will tell no other including my uncle?"
"I swear it and may I be forever without honour should I break my word!"
Faramir reached a decision. "Then tell me, would you think it proof that I had lost my wits, if I were to say that I believe our King might yet live?"
Tarostar started slightly, then collected himself and thoughtfully stroked his grey beard. "You saw the body and the tokens it bore, one of which, I see you now wearing," he replied, looking meaningfully at the ring on Faramir's finger. "Yet, had it not been for those same tokens, it could have been any poor wretch that had been dragged from the river, so no, I would not think you mad. Grief though, can make us believe what we want to, rather than what is actually true, much as we would both like to believe that he yet lives!"
Faramir took a deep breath and decided to trust his companion. "King Elessar shared a Thought Bond with both his Queen and me," he began, "I did not know what would happen if that were broken, but the Queen told me I would feel as if my soul were torn asunder. As that has happened to neither of us, she believes and I dare hope that the King still lives. Also we both dream nightly that he is calling for help."
Tarostar listened intently, his head cocked to one side, "That is indeed the effect of thought bonds, as I have experienced them personally." he told Faramir, somewhat to the Steward's surprise. "However it does not always affect the survivor too badly, it depends on the closeness they had before death."
"We shared thoughts the night before he disappeared and I held him, as he was distressed over the death of a baby boy." Faramir admitted, reluctant to let any other than Arwen know how distraught Aragorn had been.
Tarostar's eyes widened, "Then your bond would be exceptionally strong, you could be right! " he admitted, " I remember that night all too well, as I had hesitated to summon the King sooner as I could see how much the healing drained him. Afterwards I wished I had done for maybe then the baby would have survived. So what do you propose to do about your suspicions?"
" I plan to go and seek my King!" Faramir replied, his voice now afire with conviction" I fear I have upset my uncle greatly these past weeks as I have been pretending to be in sympathy those I believe may be holding him. One of them has invited me to visit him. I go in the hope of finding my King's whereabouts and bringing him safe home. I am planning to ride out tonight to store supplies in a nearby cave in case he is wounded and we need to take shelter for a time, if only I can slip out undetected!"
Tarostar regarded him with a mixture of alarm and awe, "You are taking great risks, Lord Faramir," he said," I suppose I should counsel you against such a reckless action. Yet, for such an exceptional man as the King, I understand why you must. As for slipping out undetected, I believe I can help you. It is my professional advice that you be admitted to the Houses of Healing at once to treat your earache!"
"What?" Faramir exclaimed, alarmed that he had misjudged his ability to see into the hearts of men, "I am not ill, I told you there is nothing wrong with my ears!"
"But your walls may have many ears that ache to catch you unawares! You can leave the Houses of Healing undetected much more easily than your apartments, especially if I am watching over you!" Tarostar smiled, "Now go and pack what clothing you need. I can provide bedding and healing supplies."
Faramir found himself blinking back a tear of gratitude. It was good no longer to be alone in his undertaking.
An hour later, Faramir left his apartments. He was accompanied by Tarostar and rubbing his ear and groaning softly as he leaned against the healer's arm for support. A servant from the Houses of Healing had been summoned to carry his bulging bags, which contained a mixture of his own, and Aragorn's clothing.
"Does your lordship require me to cancel the invitation from Lord Lamedon?" Delos enquired a trifle too anxiously, as they reached the door.
"You should have more faith in me, my good man!" Tarostar said breezily, "After a day of rest and treatments, I am certain Lord Faramir will be quite recovered .I have only suggested he brings plenty of clothing just in case he requires surgery and a lengthy stay, but do not cancel the invitation just yet!"
Faramir, now clad in a nightshirt, found himself tucked up in bed in the Houses of Healing soon afterwards. He was housed in the same comfortable private room that he had been taken to on the day the body was discovered.
A bandage was wound round his head to emphasise his supposed ear problem and a variety of Healers buzzed in and out, asking endless questions. Apart from one taking his pulse, none had attempted to examine him as he was under the Warden's personal care.
Being in this position, make Faramir all the more painfully aware of how fortunate he had been to have had the gentle and considerate Aragorn to take care of him. The endless questions made him certain his earache, or a headache at the least would soon no longer be a charade.
After a while, Tarostar came to him and told him he needed to get some sleep.
"But I am not ill!" Faramir protested.
"No, but you soon will be, if you intend to undertake a gruelling journey without rest!" Tarostar said firmly, "I shall pack all the bedding and healing supplies you need, bandages, herbs, salves, splints a needle to stitch wounds and a small sharp knife. I have labelled all the herbs and salves with their dosage and what they should be used for."
Faramir paled at the mention of some of these items, hoping he would not need to use them.
Tarostar, accustomed to this reaction in novices, merely said gently, "He could be badly injured. I fear to confine a man such as King Elessar would take considerable force. How much knowledge of tending the sick and wounded do you have?"
"Only a little, I fear, though I have observed both my wife and Damrod treating a variety of hurts and assisted them."
" I fear that will have to suffice, for I dare not send a Healer with you. They would quickly be missed and it would also place them in grave danger." Tarostar said regretfully.
"Will you give me your word, you will tell none of my plans unless I have not returned in three months time? I would not endanger my uncle nor risk my plan being uncovered should I be lost. "
"Three months is too long!" Tarostar protested, "What if you are captured and in need of help?"
"It could take a while to win Lord Lamedon's trust. Then I need time to escape with the King and take him to a place of safety. Those I suspect, have far reaching tentacles. They must not know they are suspected until I have found a means to uproot them. Should I not return, or the Queen and Prince Eldarion be brought to Minas Tirith I beg you to send word to King Eomer of Rohan."
"Very well," said Tarostar reluctantly.
"There is one more thing, I must ask you, Master Tarostar, how much poppy juice would it take to kill a man?"
TBC
A big thank you to all my readers for your reviews and helpful comments. You are greatly appreciated. A special thank you to Demeter d for her suggestion regarding the palantir.
Faramir dare not let Imrahil know for fear of the rebels suspecting that he suspects them !
I do not know yet what happened to Anborn and his men.
I think Faramir is far too agitated to master the palantir at present.