Chapter by: Kat . TarEstil
Minas Tirith, the 7 of Lothron, in the year 2989 of the Third Age
Boromir ran through the Citadel, he could hear Liron behind him. Under normal circumstances, Boromir would have slowed down, to let the younger boy catch up... But they were not under normal circumstances, his little brother was missing; he had not run away! Boromir refused to think that; no, Faramir was missing, and it was up to him and Liron to find Faramir!
Boromir slowed only when he reached the busier part of the Citadel. Here there were too many servants to avoid. If the servants saw him running through the halls in a panic, they would know that something was wrong. Boromir knew that he could not allow it to get around that his brother was missing. If it became well known, that the younger son of Steward Denethor was missing, then things would go badly Boromir knew: his father would call out the guards and put the city under lockdown until Faramir was found.
It was only when Boromir stopped at the end of a small back hallway, one that led into a much larger corridor, that Liron was able to catch up to him. Boromir checked that the way was clear, before turning to the left; (a direction that would take him to the main gates of the Citadel), seeing that the cost was clear, Boromir continued to run.
By the time Boromir and Liron reached the main courtyard, it was well past midday, and the sun was already beginning to set. The courtyard was empty, save for the two guards that stoned at the gate. The white tree looked sad, and dark as it always did. Water dripping from its branches, which were barren of leaves or flowers, it looked as it always did, a relic of a lost time. *Only when the King comes again will it flower,* Boromir thought as he made his way past the long dead tree.
The guards allowed the two boys to pass, only reminding them to return before the sunset. Boromir was glad that the two men did not ask why he and Liron where leaving the Citadel at such a late hour.
"Where do you think Faramir was planning to go?" Liron asked he sounded as scared as Boromir felt.
"I don't know," Boromir answered; trying to keep his voice even. He knew the if he showed any fear, it would only strength Liron's own. "He might try to go to Dol Amroth, to stay with our uncle..."
"Dol Amroth is too obvious," Liron said. "What about Lebennin, don't you have family there?"
"Yes, we do," Boromir answered. "Our aunt Imbes, that is our father's younger sister is the Lady of Lebennin. We don't know them much at all, as they never come to the City. I think they have 5 children, a boy some years my elder, a girl, another boy of about my own age, and then two girls, but not much more."
"So would it not make sense for Faramir to go to them? I mean they are family... But at the same time not all that obvious." Liron asked.
"What is the fastest way to get to Lebennin?" Boromir asked.
"Down the Anduin by boat." Was Liron's calm answer.
Boromir nodded, "Then I bet that Faramir is hiding by the river, probably in a grove of trees by the docks."
"We then," said Liron. "What are we waiting for?"
Both boys set off at a swift pace towards the city gates, and the Pelennor and beyond.
Faramir ran through the tall group of trees, that lay along the northern bank of the Anduin. The small forest was mostly made up of great oak trees that seemed to reach the sky. Other trees included poplars and pines, the pines were dark and foreboding, unlike the poplars which seemed to be light and joyful. The forest was one of light and dark, shadow and sunlight; it was the perfect place for legends to become reality.
Faramir was sweating heavily when he clasped at the base of a tree. The tree in question was an oak, one of the oldest in the forest, it's dark branches spread across the sky like the many arms of some monster out of legend. Yet this tree was defined from the others; for this tree was the home of a Taurosso.
This Taurosso had been watching Faramir for some time, this Taurosso was now greatly interested in the young human. It was rare for a human of any sort to venture this deep into the forest, and of the humans who did come this deep, even fewer were good company. So this sad, and scared young one held great interest for the bored Taurosso.
Well, the bored Taurosso was trying to figure out what to do about the human at the base of his tree; the human in question had calmed down.
Faramir sat up and looked around him for the first time. He knew that he was in the forest by the Anduin, but he had no idea which part of the forest he was in. At that moment, Faramir felt like he was the only thing in the world. But that was only for a moment before the taunts of the other boys came to mind: weakling, disappointment, worthless. Faramir shook his head, desperately trying to make their voices stop.
"Is something wrong, young one?" A kind voice asked. Faramir looked around in fear, not sure who was speaking. He became even more afraid when he was unable to locate the speaker. "Up here, young one." The voice said. "I am sitting on the branch above your head." Faramir looked up, and his gray eyes immediately eyes immediately fell on the strange creature, that was perched on a large tree limb several feet above him.
The creature was only about 5 feet tall, it, or rather he; had silver-blond hair, that was so tangled and dirty that its original color was hardly visible; Faramir noted that a small piece of bramble was caught in it. The creature's clothing was made up of a leather vest over an emerald-colored shirt; The creature's pants were black.
Faramir had no idea what to say or do, never before in all of his short life had he heard of something like this creature. "In fact, you have heard of my kind before," The creature said. "I believe my people are called Maia by both your race and the Elder Children."
"You read minds!" Faramir whispered. Then remembering his manners, Faramir asked: "What is your name, or what might I call you?"
"I do indeed, although I do many other things as well. My name varies much depends on your language: in your Sindarin, I am Celebel, which is 'silver star'; in Quenya, I am the same, only it is said as Telpëelen; also in Sindarin I am Elfara, that is 'star hunter'. I have been called many other things, but those are the names I am best known by, save Elmelmë only, but by that name, I am no longer known. As for what you might call me, you may call me Kel" Answered the Maia.
Faramir was only able to stare, rather improperly at the Maia for a number of minutes, he was just about to ask Kel what he was doing in the forest outside of Minas Tirith, when Kel spoke: "Running away from home is not an answer to your problems Faramir son of Denethor nor will it ever be. When you return to your City I suggest you find a way to work around your problems and find joy."
Faramir was about to protest that he was neither returning to Minas Tirith nor would the other boys testing get better. But before he could speak, Kel leaped from the tree to the ground, and kissed him on the forehead.
Faramir fell forward into Kel's arms, as the sleeping spell took effect. The Maia picked Faramir up, and swiftly set off to return the boy to the City. I will put this one to bed, he thought. Then I will make sure his brother and his friend get back to the Citadel as well. Then maybe I will do something about those bullies, they must learn their lesson.
