A/N: In response to lady scribe of avandell's musings of a few chapters ago, here's the answer… Also, if you want some pleasant Faramir-centric stories, wander over and take a look at Arahiril's writings. After all, you DO want to know who Leofwine is, don't you?

The Adventures of Theodred, Son of Eomer

Chapter 16 (begins July, 45 IV)

Theodred flung himself onto the couch and slouched sullenly down, saying, "I hope your daughter was sorely punished for her misbehavior at supper last night!"

"Oh, you do, do you!" Morwen snorted.

Theodred eyed her with a scowl. "Of course. She was quite rude to Esgalmir with her comments. Surely you agree she should be punished, Morwen."

Morwen cast a disapproving eye at him over her knitting, and replied reprovingly, "So now you do not find it amusing. When she embarrasses me, and Caranhir roars with laughter, you think it is the most delightful thing in the world and so very charming. You encourage her and praise her and, between the two of you, you do everything to teach her ill manners. Now that it has caused you some discomfort and ill ease, you wish her reprimanded. How convenient."

For several long moments, Theodred stared at his sister in disbelief. Then, glaring at his brother-in-law, he exclaimed, "What have you done to my sweet, genteel sister? She was never like this before you married her! And she would never have turned a blind eye to such ill-mannered behavior before, even if I did deserve it!"

Caranhir chuckled and shrugged, then observed, "Children are very honest, Theodred. Mirlas was not trying to be rude. My behavior was more unacceptable than hers because I knew better. We have chastized her, and tried to help her understand why she should not ask such things, but other than not allowing her to eat with us, there is no way to entirely avoid such questions until she is old enough to better comprehend what should not be said. Surely Esgalmir can appreciate that and not take offense. If she cannot, you should be grateful Mirlas frightened her away for you!"

Morwen set aside her knitting and fixed her gaze on her brother. "More to the point, Theodred, Mirlas did not just pull that question out of the air. Do you imagine she thinks you might marry any woman who dines in our home when you happen to also be there? Give her more credit than that! She sensed something between you, just as the rest of us do. Esgalmir is special to you, whether you have acknowledged it to yourself or not. I knew it before I ever came here. It is in every line of your letters when you mention her. Do you truly believe my first day in Minas Tirith I was so desperately in need of writing paper that I hurried off to a stationery store? Or was I perhaps desperately curious to meet this woman whom my brother could not write a letter without mentioning with great fondness?"

Theodred shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unnerved by his sister's observations, and the fact that Caranhir clearly shared her views. Defensively, he explained, "She has been a good friend to me. What is wrong with that? It does not mean that I intend to marry the woman."

Morwen raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, and it was evident that his argument fell short of the mark in convincing her. Irritatedly, he rose and glowered at the both of them. "I am not looking for a wife just now, thank you! Perhaps when I do, I will consider Esgalmir, but I will not be pushed into it. After the mess I made of things with Kata, I am not anxious to–" He cut himself off; then, fighting for control, turned on his heel and hurried out of the house.

Tears filled Morwen's eyes. "He has my stubbornness. Let us hope he does not hurt himself as much as I did before he allows himself to be happy."

Silently Caranhir moved over behind his wife, leaning down to press a kiss to her head. "He will come around. Give him time. The pain is still fresh in his mind, and he does not want to repeat his mistakes, that is all. But, eventually, his heart will not let him deny the truth."

xx

Theodred moved agitatedly through the streets, not paying much attention to where he was going. It occurred to him that under usual circumstances, knowing that Arawine was in the city, he would have headed straight there to talk this over with him, and seek his counsel on the matter. But in this, Arawine was the last person with which he wished to confer, for it only reopened tender wounds that were just beginning to heal over.

Almost without thinking, he found himself in the stables, and discovered Freahelm brushing down Pyttewan after a breeding session. He leaned on the stall gate watching in silence, then asked, "Do you feel like going for a ride?"

Freahelm glanced curiously at him, seeming to sense his mood, and nodded, but said, "I would want to borrow a horse. Pyttewan has had his workout." He gave a grin, and Theodred laughed in response.

"I am sure Uncle Faramir will not object." Turning to a stable hand, he asked, "Is there a horse my friend may ride?"

The hand, knowing they were guests of the Steward, nodded and indicated which one to take, then went to get the horse's tack for them. Theodred moved to saddle his own stallion as Freahelm finished, and the two were soon on their way out of the city.

For a long while, they rode over the Pelennor in silence, then swung toward the Anduin and paralleled it for a time. Eventually, Freahelm broached a conversation. "So, what did you tell my father? I am sure he wanted to know where I was."

"No, not particularly. He seemed singularly disinterested. I thought it rather curious, actually," Theodred deadpanned.

Freahelm snorted. "In a pig's eye!"

Theodred laughed. "Very well! He showed up the day after I arrived, ready to beat an answer out of me if I did not offer one quick enough. Is that what you want to hear?"

"Want to hear? Not necessarily. Think more probable? Absolutely! I know my father!" Freahelm paused. "And?"

"I told him the truth. That I thought you were serious about a young lady, but that you might have torn yourself away from her for a visit home had you not been tied up with obligations for breeding sessions with Pyttewan. He accepted that. But he is expecting to hear more details from you about this girl!"

"I am certain of that!"

They rode a little farther before Freahelm explained, "I want to feel I am in a reasonable position when I ask for her hand. We cannot live with her family so we need a house, and if I take her to Rohan, what will her father do in the bakery since he needs her help? There seem to be so many questions. It is more difficult than I had expected it would be. In the Mark, we just seem to fall in love and get married. Why does Gondor always have to complicate things?" They both chuckled at his observation.

"Maybe..." Theodred began, then paused.

"Maybe?" Freahelm prompted, when he did not continue.

"I do not know. I am not the best one to be giving advice on such matters, certainly! I was just going to say, perhaps you should speak with her father and let him know your intentions. See what his thoughts are. Perhaps he would be able to offer some useful ideas that would help you in resolving these issues. He is more familiar with things in Gondor than you are, so maybe he could be of assistance. After what happened with Thandwen, I do not think there is any way he would refuse your suit for Belwen, unless the lady herself was disinclined, and I have seen the way she looks at you, my friend. I do believe you will soon find yourself with a loving wife!"

Freahelm flushed red at his friend's observations, but nodded at the counsel. "You may be right. I will speak with Gimilzor."

After they had ridden a bit farther, Freahelm gave Theodred a knowing look. "I do not think you suggested we go for a ride so you could tell me about your conversation with my father and counsel me on love, Theodred. Something troubles you. Can I return the favor of some friendly advice? For what it is worth."

Theodred smiled at his astuteness, and the self-deprecation. Despite his modesty, Freahelm had always given him wise counsel in all the time he had known him. He had a good heart and a good head on his shoulders. Perhaps that was why he had sought him out.

With a sigh, he relayed all that had transpired at dinner the previous night, and in his conversation with Morwen and Caranhir earlier today.

"Do you care for her?" Freahelm asked quietly, getting straight to the material point.

"I do not...yes, I do. But I do not know if it goes beyond friendship, any more than it did with Kata," he admitted honestly. "I see many similarities between the two associations, and it worries me that I am just doing the same thing again. Kata was fortunate to escape relatively unscathed from my mistake. I do not think Esgalmir would be so fortunate. She does not have a family that cares about her like Kata does, nor is there likely to be an Arawine to take my place. I could not bear to misuse her, Freahelm."

Freahelm nodded his understanding, but commented, "Just because you did not truly love Kata does not mean you cannot truly love anyone, Theodred. You were younger then, and not yet ready to settle down. You did not know where you were going or what you wanted to do with your life. You thought you were being kind to Kata by not rejecting her outright. But I think it would be wrong for you to allow your experience with her make you fear to care about another. Trust your heart. You never felt fully committed to Kata. You just went along with her. This time listen to what your heart is telling you, and respond accordingly. Do not feign affection because it is expected by anyone else, do not pretend you care in order to be kind, only do not hesitate to act on your feelings if they are truly there, and then do not let anyone else stand in your way."

Theodred considered his friend's words and then sighed. "Thank you. I will think on this more. I suppose I do not have to decide immediately."

A grin split Freahelm's face. "No, but you cannot give her that mare until you do!"

Theodred slanted him a glare. "How did you know about that? Have you been talking to Eowyn?"

"Please! I am Eorling! You think I cannot figure such things out for myself! You suddenly turn up with a pretty little mare on a lead rope, for no discernible reason? Why else than to gift to some needy young lady? And who would be more in need than a young lady who has difficulty walking?" He paused, then added sincerely, "And it is a fine idea. You just have to figure out how to manage it. I told you – Gondor complicates things!"

"That they do!" Theodred laughed, nudging Scildan to a gallop back toward the city.

xx

Even though he had just arrived, Theodred decided to take the opportunity and travel to Dale with the party heading out, to do some interviewing there. Since Scildan was still unscheduled for breeding, there was yet no conflict in that, and with the large party, there was no need for Freahelm to accompany him.

To some extent, Theodred felt like he was running away from his problems in Minas Tirith, but he told himself that perhaps some distance might help him think more clearly about things. It was evident when he went to stock up on supplies, prior to his departure, that Esgalmir was sorry to see him leaving again so quickly, but she accepted his explanation for it and wished him safe journey. In view of the circumstances, Eowyn had agreed to make sure the mare was exercised regularly, and took her to Emyn Arnen when they left.

Freahelm had decided to take Theodred's advice and speak with Gimilzor. Two days after the party set out for Dale, he invited the older man to supper, and made his intent known regarding Belwen, during which he laid out the situation, and the difficulties as he saw them. The conversation took an entirely different course than he had expected, but by the end of the evening, a betrothal had been agreed upon.

All things considered, he now thought it imperative that he speak with his father, and he set about clearing Pyttewan's breeding schedule so he could make the journey home. Elboron had agreed to travel with him, and a fortnight later they were able to start out.

Elboron made for a much quieter traveling companion than Theodred, though not unpleasant. And he did not object to the stopover Freahelm wanted to make in visiting Hyrde's family, actually finding it rather interesting hearing the story of how they had met.

By the time they moved on, two days later, Freahelm was getting nervous. He hadn't really told Elboron his reason for this visit other than that he was advising his family of his upcoming marriage, but it went well beyond that, and he was not certain how his news would be received.

They rode into Edoras at dusk on a hot day in late July. Freahelm peeled off farther down the hill, toward his family's cottage, leaving Elboron to continue on alone to Meduseld.

It took a while for his mother to stop crying and hugging him, and his father to stop teasing her about it. As they had just been about to sit down to supper, another place was set for him, and they laughed and talked through the entire meal. Even so, Eothain noticed that nothing was said about a blond baker's daughter in Gondor, and more than once his son caught his eye and then quickly looked away. Yes, there was clearly more that needed to be discussed, but not here and not now.

His brother's family was summoned, and they spent a pleasant evening of reunion. The nieces and nephews were thrilled to have their adored uncle Freahelm home, and he was virtually mauled by their attentions to him until finally their parents insisted they be off to bed for the night, and Brandir's family said their goodnights. As it was late, and had likely been a long day of traveling, Eothain did not press his son for talk tonight. Tomorrow would be soon enough. Giving Freahelm's shoulder a squeeze with his beefy hand, Eothain simply told him, "It is good to have you home, son."

Freahelm nodded silently, before kissing his mother and heading off to his old room. Watching him go, Eothain heaved a sigh, as Zimraphel moved alongside him and slipped her arm around his waist. "What is it?"

"I do not know, but the boy is troubled. Were he simply here to say he is getting married, that would be cause for joy, but I think there is more to it." He forced a smile, and kissed her head. "Do not fret until he tells us what is on his mind. It may be nothing too serious. I worry too much."

She hugged him tightly in an effort at reassurance, and said quietly, "Come to bed. Whatever it is, we will weather it."

xx

Eothain found his youngest settled on the bench in front of the house, watching the sun slowly peeking into view. "Since when are you such an early riser?" he questioned with a laugh, taking a seat beside his son.

Freahelm shrugged, answering, "It is not hard to be up early if you do not sleep well."

"True," Eothain responded mildly, letting the conversation unfold as it would.

For several long moments, nothing was said, and the only sounds were the ever-present wind and a few twittering birds in the tree to their left.

Finally, Freahelm took a deep breath and explained, "Theodred told you of Belwen. I spoke to her father, Gimilzor, asking for her hand, and he has given his consent."

Another long silence ensued.

"Father...Gimilzor would have me...work with him in the bakery." Freahelm paused, looking down at his hands and not seeing his father's raised eyebrow, then continued as he finally looked up. "He would have me be his heir."

"His heir?" Eothain asked quietly, then waited for his son to explain.

"He has no sons, no one to take over the business, or to care for his family should anything happen to him. Already his wife is gone, and Thandwen, his other daughter, is yet unmarried. Were he to die before she were settled, who would provide for her? Who would protect their rights? In view of my intended betrothal to Belwen, he would have me be the one. I would stay in Minas Tirith and learn the trade, then work alongside them in the bakery, however well I am able."

"Is this what you want, son?"

Freahelm stared off over the Riddermark a long while before answering, then finally said, "Aye, it is. Here I am only a second son, and have no purpose. I am a decent soldier, but I am no true leader, and would likely never attain any appreciable rank or distinction." He shrugged. "I have never sought the honors or privileges associated with being the heir, but I cannot deny they would be enjoyable. Were Brandir not here to represent our family, you know I would not leave you bereft, but since he is, what is the harm if I..."

His gaze moved back over the plains and he sighed. This was not so easy a decision as he was making it seem, and his father well knew it. Likely he had lost a great deal of sleep considering the matter.

At length Freahelm added firmly, "Someday I want to return home, but not just yet. I am needed there." There was no hesitation in his voice, and he looked at his father with a steady eye.

Eothain grinned and cupped Freahelm's head, shaking his own in amusement. "Aye. You cannot pass up someone who has need of you, any more than I ever could. It is something in our blood, I think. You have my blessing...and my respect."

They sat side by side for a time, and then Eothain chuckled. "Well, then, I suppose this means your mother and I need to make a little trip to Minas Tirith in the near future!"

TBC

6-24-06