Faramir and I went riding nearly every night for a few years. Then one night when we were in the stables "he" was helping me onto my horse, I was about to throw my right leg over when he stopped me. He looked at me, staring deep into my eyes and me in his. The expression on his face was as if he was frightened.
He put his hand on my cheek and said, "Larien, I think I am falling in love with you."
I kept staring at him not fully understanding. I just kept thinking "the people will never accept us, I am a maid and he a steward's son," but I managed to smile.
"Faramir-"he held his hand to my mouth. He told me he had something I might enjoy seeing and he continued to help me onto my horse. I followed him into the forest and we saw about thirty hobbits celebrating something. They were dancing and singing and some were even playing instruments, it sounded lovely. A small, golden haired hobbit saw me and ran over to rush me into the crowd. I was stumbling as she pulled me through the grass and mud. Another woman showed me the steps and I started dancing along with them. The celebration lasted nearly until dawn.
Neither Faramir nor I cared enough to bother about the time, until Lady Rose came to me in horror. She had been the only person I had told about the meetings Faramir and I had. She told us the Steward was sending guards and soldiers to look for his son. We quickly hopped on our horses, I riding with Faramir since Lady Rose hadn't brought a horse of her own.
We made our horses run faster than they have ever run. Lady Rose was complaining the whole ride how this was our fault and we should not have been so foolish.
When we finally got to the stabled Boromir was there. He was smiling a wicked smile. I tried to ignore his stare. I thought it very strange the second Faramir got off his horse his brother rushed him into the supply room in the stable. I couldn't help wondering what they were saying so I pressed my ear to the door and listened.
What I heard was Boromir saying, "Brother, father is worried sick about you! He sent guards all over the kingdom to find you, and you were out with Larien! You know what the prophecy says about her," He lowered his voice to a whisper but I managed to hear it anyhow, "She's the red rider, and if you become her lover you now know well what will happen to you if this continues."
The only thing that was odd is I didn't know any of this. What would happen to Faramir if he is my lover? I need to learn more about this prophecy. Tomorrow would be my seventeenth birthday, after then I will speak with Arwen or perhaps Elrond and if I can't get information from them then well…. no I don't even want to think of who I will have to see next.
The only thing keeping me from leaving is Faramir, maybe I will tell him my plans, but then he will know I eavesdropped on him. I decided, for now, I would only tell Lady Rose of my plans, although I know she will disapprove.
I decided I would leave at dawn, having one last meeting with Faramir. I would tell him I am leaving, but not why or when. He was saddened and shocked by my news. He said he wanted to come with me, I said no and that I must do this on my own, but he wouldn't take no for an answer he claimed it wasn't safe. He said either I have him ride with me there or he would track my horses hoof prints. We decided we would tell Boromir, so that eventually he could tell his father. We would take the horses we normally ride on our moonlight walks, Ghost and Benny. We both went to get our things; I had to remind myself constantly to pack lightly.
Lady Rose surprised me outside my door asking me quite a few times if this was something I really must do when I said yes to her repeatedly, she held out a beautiful light blue cloak , much thicker and warmer than my old one I wore. I took this as a sign of true friendship and told I would be back someday soon.
I met Faramir outside, he already got the horses saddled and ready to be ridden. This was the start of a long journey of me finding out who I really was.
