Author's Note: Hello and welcome to chapter nine of "Wounded". I actually finished writing the story this week and it will be fifteen chapters long. So you can expect the next six chapters to be posted every three to four days. And I think there will probably be a sequel as I am truly enjoying writing this story and it has been a long time since I enjoyed writing anything at all. I would like to say thanks to everyone who reviewed, MerryKK, Nari-chan SND, Awen1923, and enkemeniel. Thank you all so much! As always I do not have a beta and while I have proofread this chapter many times, I am sure I have not caught all my mistakes. Any errors that appear in canon, grammar or spelling are my fault and my fault alone. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Tolkien's masterpiece.
Chapter Nine An Evening Meal
Faeleth shook out the blankets and laid them across the bed. The carefully stitched pattern, a mallorn tree in gold and silver thread, looked wrinkled. She frowned, smoothing it with her hand and tucking the corners beneath the pallet. The warmth of early summer sun fell through the windows. In the main room, she heard Pelilas singing.
Oh the thorns of roses
Each tear my heart so sore
And if ever I'm freed from the old briar tree
I shall never get in it anymore
It was an old song, one Haldir often sang when he was cheered or wished to make her laugh. Faeleth glanced out the door and smiled. Her son sat on the floor, surrounded by wood chippings. Pelilas had decided to become a craftsman after his recent success with the horse. To go along with the little creature he had begun to carve a rider. Rumil had been kind enough to provide a book of pictures that included a sketch of a Rider of Rohan.
For nearly two weeks he had been at it, sculpting two arms and legs and finally a helm. Faeleth found she did not mind the mess he made, but wished him to stay occupied, lest he hear the rumors.
Haldir brought them home every night and when Pelilas slept, they whispered together upon the balcony. It seemed that her sister had taken up with the Gondorian. They had been spotted about Caras Galadhon, laughing and exchanging smiles. Orophin had reported seeing them once together in the gardens but he did not dare approach.
And neither did Faeleth. For two weeks she and her husband had kept their distance, though now her guilt grew.
What did Aniror want with this Faramir? She was ashamed not to trust her own sister, but years of lies and falsehoods had taught her otherwise.
Lady Galadriel had been kind enough to keep Aniror's sordid behavior to herself but scandal seemed destined to abound. Aniror was no longer a guard. Questions were raised, along with speculation.
Faeleth bit her lower lip as she watched Pelilas play. Her sister had not come to her in two weeks time and she was glad for it. She did not wish her family to come to shame.
Suddenly, Pelilas dropped his small knife and looked up.
"Footsteps, Naneth," he said. Faeleth moved into the main room and listened. After a moment she heard them, light and swift, upon the steps outside.
It was not Haldir's stride, nor Rumil's or Orophin's. She sucked in her breath.
"Aunt Aniror!" Pelilas leapt to his feet and hurried to the door. But Faeleth cast out her arm, catching him.
"To your room."
"But Naneth-
She frowned down at him. "Now. To your room and shut the door."
Pelilas obeyed. He picked up his small knife and shoved it in his pocket, taking the half-finished carving in hand. Faeleth waited until she heard his door close before moving.
A knock sounded.
"Faeleth? Faeleth, it is me. I only wish to speak with you for a moment." Aniror's voice was muffled and Faeleth hesitated as she grasped the doorknob.
What if she did not let her in? Would Aniror scream and quarrel as she had when they were elflings?
Faeleth sighed and opened the door just enough to see her sister's face.
"You have a moment," she said.
"Ah Faeleth!" Aniror smiled and her cheeks were rosy. Faeleth distrusted such warmth, such friendliness.
"What is it?"
"I wish to ask a favor of you."
Faeleth shook her head. "I am sorry-
"Do not be so hasty to apologize," Aniror scolded though there was little threat in her voice. "You do not know what I might ask. Perhaps you shall find it agreeable."
"My doubt it strong."
"Then listen, if you will, you may rebuke me later." Aniror took a step back and brought herself to her full height. Faeleth shut the door slightly, lessening the crack that showed her sister's frame. Aniror was tall and swift.
"I wish to invite Captain Faramir over for an evening meal. Will you allow it?"
Faeleth sagged against the door. "What…what mean you?"
"We have spent a generous amount of time in each other's company and I should like him to meet you. He has only met Haldir, after all and he did inquire as to you. Will you not allow it?"
Faeleth stared at Aniror, found her eyes and searched for the lie that must lie within.
"Why are you doing this, sister?" she asked at length. Aniror's brow furrowed.
"I thought it polite."
"No." Faeleth shut her eyes for a moment. "Why do you bother with this Faramir? It is for a false purpose, I fear."
She expected to feel the quick return of anger, harsh words and muttered curses that made her blood freeze. But Aniror only frowned.
"Have I displeased you by doing such? Is it not morally considerate to attend to him after he has journeyed so far to come to me?"
"You told me you did not love him, nor care for him in any manner. You were cruel to him, in fact."
"I was misguided," Aniror replied and she cast her eyes upon the threshold and away from Faeleth. "And I was frightened. He has forgiven me now, I think."
"You have bewitched him then."
"I have done nothing of the sort!" Aniror looked indignant and Faeleth hid behind the door. "Invite him to your home and you will see the truth of it. It is wrong for one to be so judgmental of things one has never seen."
"I must speak with Haldir," Faeleth replied and she hoped to stall her sister's request. Aniror, however, shook her head and smiled.
"He left for the borders this morn and shan't return for a while. I know this, Faeleth. Do not take me for a fool."
Faeleth sighed once more. There seemed no way around it. "I will allow it, only to please the Steward's son."
Aniror reached through the crack and clasped Faeleth's hand. "Thank you. Tomorrow evening?"
"Yes, yes." Faeleth tried to close the door, but Aniror would not remove her hand.
"He has a brother, an older brother named Boromir," she said. "I am sure he will be expected as well." Disgust covered Aniror's voice and Faeleth tilted her head.
"Very well, I shall keep a place for him."
"Thank you." Aniror at last withdrew her hand and moved back down the staircase. Faeleth shut the door, leaning upon it. What had she gotten herself into?
She looked up and saw Pelilas' head hanging out his bedroom door, curiosity infusing his countenance.
"Inside at once!" Faeleth snapped. Pelilas did not hesitate to obey.
"What is this business?" Boromir asked. He stretched out his legs before him and glanced through the book Faramir had brought. His younger brother stood by the window, as usual and starlight framed his figure.
"An evening meal," Faramir said. He lifted his shoulders with a shrug. "The sister of Aniror. Her husband is the Captain Haldir, you recall him?"
"Yes." Boromir raised his eyes from the book. "What do they want of us?" Faramir shifted he weight impatiently, he noticed. Something had changed in him of late, something desperate.
"An evening meal," Faramir repeated. He was pacing now, back and forth, back and forth. Boromir followed his movements with a stern gaze. Jerky and tense, Faramir seemed, not graceful as he had been. His brother stumbled over his own feet.
"I should like you to accompany me," he continued. "It is rather overwhelming to be alone with Elves."
"And yet you spend your days with Aniror quite happily."
Faramir stopped and Boromir saw him tense.
"I do not mind passing my hours with her."
"Why is that?"
Faramir shrugged once more. "I do not know why."
Boromir shut the book and laid it upon his lap. Did Faramir truly not have an answer to his question or did he refuse to give it?
It worried him to think Faramir would hide such things from him. Secrets were perilous, especially in a strange land where the moon was foreign and time did not exist. Outside, the continuous chanting of Elves haunted him.
"Will you come?" Faramir asked and the eagerness in his voice made Boromir's flesh prickle. It sounded unnatural. "It will only be for a short while, I think. And I know you should like to spend some time aboard. You haven't so much as left the shadow of this tree!"
"I am content," Boromir answered. Faramir's face fell.
"But surely…but you must…"
"Fear not." Boromir rose and threw the book down upon his chair in anger. "I will go with you. I have journeyed with you so far, away from Gondor, away from reason."
He had hoped his words would have a greater impact on his brother, but Faramir smiled and took no notice.
"I am glad for it. So glad for it," he said. "Thank you, brother." He walked back to the window, smiling and leaning upon the casement. "I need you with me, I think."
"Yes," Boromir replied and stared at his brother. "I am most needed."
Faeleth's fingers fumbled over the top buttons of Pelilas' tunic. Her son squirmed and stamped his feet. Ever since he had heard that two Men would be joining them for dinner, he had not put the thought from his mind.
"What do Men look like?" he asked. Faeleth straightened his collar and looked him over critically.
"Like Elves and not yet so," she replied at length. Pelilas frowned in frustration.
"Not like Orcs?"
Orophin, who stood by table, chuckled into his hand. Both Haldir and Rumil had gone to the borders the day before and Faeleth was glad for his company.
"No," she said and ran a brush through his hair. "You will see."
"Do not fear," Orophin said. He brought a decanter of dark wine to the table. "They are kindly and mighty amongst their kin. The Lady puts her trust in them."
"But why must we eat with them?" Pelilas was whining and Faeleth prayed he would behave in a seemly fashion. "Why? I do not want to eat with Men."
"They are friends of Aunt Aniror," Faeleth said. Orophin stifled a chuckle once more.
Faeleth stood and shot him a warning glance.
"Forgive me." He tilted his head to the door. "I hear your guests. So loud they walk, I could shoot them in the dark."
"Enough." Faeleth pushed Pelilas into the main room and sat him down where he continued to pout. Up the stairs she heard the steady plod of feet. Slowly they walked and her pulse jumped.
What wickedness had Aniror construed now?
Before a knock sounded, Faeleth opened the door and presented herself with a smile. Her sister stood between two Men, both tall and gracious.
"My lords," she said and felt her breath quicken. "Welcome."
"You look much like your sister," Faramir said sometime during the meal. Both Aniror and Faeleth glanced up. He sat across from them, with Boromir at his side. Orophin remained by the head of the table with young Pelilas by his left elbow.
Aniror chuckled lowly and shook her head. "Not so much," she said, leaning over her plate and goblet. "Faeleth possesses the grace and patience of our Ada and I, well I-
"My sister belongs to my Naneth," Faeleth finished for her. "They were so much alike. Brave and…and impulsive."
"But we quarreled often enough," Aniror said. She lifted her fork and flicked it towards her sister. "Perhaps that was why."
Faeleth gaped at Aniror. Never before had she seen her so cowed, so humbled. Could Faramir have done this to her?
The evening had progressed with ease and Faeleth found herself enjoying the company of the Men. Both were polite and lordly, much unlike what she had expected. The older of the two, Boromir had a quietness about him though and she noticed his suspicious eyes often darted across to Aniror.
Perhaps he was right to judge her sister so, she thought, her knife sliding through a piece of venison. Aniror had certainly given them cause for suspicion.
The Men were quite grateful for her invitation and throughout the evening they shared much news for Gondor. Orophin was keen on hearing what military campaigns had transpired. Boromir answered each of his questions and asked several of his own. Soon, both Elf and Man were deep in conversation.
Pelilas, on the other hand, had become quite enraptured with Faramir. He asked the Captain many a question and many a time Faeleth cringed at his impropriety.
Faramir only laughed, his eyes light and voice merry. He was kindly man, gentle Faeleth thought. She noticed oft how his eyes lingered on Aniror and hope shaped a smile upon his lips. Faeleth began to worry.
His look was of love and Aniror's of annoyance. What had her sister done?
"And what of your parents, Faramir?" Aniror asked of a sudden. Faramir's face tightened and Boromir looked to his brother.
"Our mother is dead," Boromir said at length. "Long ago did she pass and sad was the day. Our father, Denethor, rules as Steward of Gondor."
Faramir said nothing. Aniror raised a brow. After a slight pause the conversation started anew, a balmy breeze whisking away the tension and unease.
Boromir, however, continued to stare at Aniror. Faeleth sensed his anger.
After the meal, Faeleth stood and took Pelilas to bed. He protested much, only leaving when Faramir promised to visit with him again.
"A sweet child," Faramir said when Faeleth had returned. She offered him a smile.
"Sweet, but merciless in many ways. He is too clever for his own good, I fear."
"Much like his Aunt," Boromir interjected. Aniror tilted her head to the side.
"I am not clever, my lord, certainly not," she said. "Keen, perhaps. But not clever. Wickedness is born from such manipulation."
"Yes." Boromir shifted in his seat, his fingers perched on the rim of his goblet. "So I said."
"Now brother," Faramir said. "You are unfair, I think. Aniror is gracious, not wicked."
Boromir said nothing, but darkness shielded his face and thoughts. Aniror turned her attention to Faramir.
"You see now my family or what is left of it. Are we very different form those in Gondor?"
"Not at all," Faramir replied. "I see more similarities than differences. If only more of Mankind might meet with Elves, then perhaps old fears would cease and the world should be joined once more."
"Ah, but our time is over," Orophin said. He poured more wine into his goblet. "The Elves leave these shores. Many have gone before us and many shall go yet."
"And you?" Faramir asked, but his gaze was upon Aniror. "Shall you go?"
The corner of her mouth turned up. "That is not for me to answer, not now. Much lies before me, I fear, before I might leave."
Faramir nodded. His lips parted and he began to speak, but a hearty knock sounded upon the door. The entire company jumped. Faeleth's heart slammed against her ribs. Such a knock begat only ill tidings. She hurried to her feet, reached the door and pulled it open.
Rumil stood upon the threshold. His chest heaved and his hair was crowned with bramble and leaves.
"What is it?" Faeleth's voice sounded high. She could not hide her fear. Rumil shook his head and stepped into the talan. His eyes found the Men at once. He frowned.
Aniror stood. "Boromir and Faramir," she said quickly. "The sons of the Steward of Gondor."
"My greetings," he said, then turned to Orophin. "I have been sent from the borders with all haste. A company has arrived. Elves from Imladris." He stared at Aniror. "Led by Captain Erthor."
Author's Note: The song that Pelilas sings is actually my adaptation of a Child Ballad that is thought to originate from Northern Europe but also has many English variations. It is sometimes known as "The Prickly Bush" or "The Maid Freed from the Gallows". In the song, a young maiden begs the hangman to stay her execution until someone comes for her. Her mother, father, brother and sister all come but refuse to help her. Only her lover arrives with the fee needed to save her life.
The original chorus runs thusly, "Oh the prickly bush. It pricks me heart full sore. And if ever I'm out of the prickly bush. I'll never get in it anymore." The prickly bush is thought to represent a doomed love affair and I suppose you can see why I thought it suited this story. For a really great version of this song, I would suggest listening to Steeleye Span's cover, it's brilliant.
Thanks again for reading! Please leave a review and share your thoughts me. All reviews are greatly appreciated and always make my day.