Author's Note: Hello and welcome to chapter twelve of "Wounded". I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to read and review the last chapter, Nari-chan SND, MerryKK, Awen1923, andchildofGod-4ever. And as to alien (), if you'd like to translate your review, I'd love to hear your criticism, whether it be positive or negative. 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 not ownership of Tolkien's masterpiece.
Chapter Twelve Discovery
Boromir watched as Faramir cut into a peach with a small knife. His brother's movements were slow, deliberate, not born from a Ranger's swiftness. He glared down at his bowl and stirred the porridge with a spoon. Morning light glanced upon the windows. The curtains rippled in the southerly wind.
Gondor called.
And yet Faramir was oblivious, too intent upon his peach and breakfast to even glance up.
Curse that wretched Aniror. Curse her for stealing his brother, his comrade…his friend.
Boromir stood and shoved back his chair with exaggerated force. It wobbled, then hit the ground with a loud thud. Faramir looked up at last.
"Brother?"
"I weep for you, Faramir!" Boromir was shouting and he did not bother to check his voice. He leaned over the table, grasping Faramir by the shoulders.
"Boromir, what ails you?" Faramir laid his hand upon his brother's and pushed himself to a stand. There was a chill upon his flesh that made Boromir's skin prickle.
"I should have known it from the first," Boromir growled. "I was blinded. The pallor of your skin, the indifference in your glance. I should have known it!"
"I am well," Faramir said. "Why should you think otherwise?"
"Do you not sigh for the call of Gondor? Do you not yearn from the walls of the White City?"
Faramir stared at him. Boromir felt his rage overflow. He shook his brother fiercely and pinned him to the wall. Faramir did not struggle against his grasp.
"Do you not see it?" Boromir felt tears upon his face. "Do you not see what she has done to you?"
At last, Faramir fought back. His eyes flashed and he pushed Boromir back.
"Speak no ill of Aniror!" he cried. "Speak no ill of the one I love!"
Boromir fell against the table. The cups and plates rattled. A pitcher of wine tumbled to the floor.
"You know not what you say," Boromir breathed. Was this his brother who stood before him or a cruel specter of dismay? "Faramir, please."
Faramir turned away from him. "Your jealousy betrays you."
"Jealousy?"
"I see it in your eyes," Faramir continued. His voice sounded high, panicked. "That certain look of love, of lust! You would think to have Aniror for yourself."
"What lie is this? Faramir, Faramir, listen to your words!" Boromir stepped forward and placed his hand upon his brother's shoulder. Faramir flinched.
"I care not for Aniror."
"So you say," Faramir muttered.
"Listen, I beg of you, listen." Boromir turned Faramir about but his brother would not meet his gaze. "I fear for you, Faramir. I fear for the darkness in your eyes and the hope that seems to dwindle each day."
He paused and took a shaky breath. "Here you stand, a Captain of Gondor, great amongst your men and those of the White City. Will you let her use you so? Can you not see it? You are her pawn!"
"I am nothing of the sort!" Faramir said, but fear struck his face and glinted in his gaze. "I am nothing…nothing of the sort."
"Has the glory of the White City diminished so much?" Boromir asked. "You were led astray, brother, away from your place. We cannot linger here. Gondor calls for us."
"Then what will you do?"
"I leave on the morrow. With or without your company."
Boromir hated the anger that filled his brother. Faramir began to tremble.
"I do not think you would. What would father say? He gave leave for us both to go and he wishes us both to return."
"I do not bar you from returning with me, brother," Boromir said. "I beg it of you. Come, let us leave this place. Forget Aniror and what she has dared to do to you. Let it all be forgotten."
Faramir sighed, a deep and mournful sigh that threatened to tear Boromir's heart in half. He stumbled over to the table and sank into his chair.
"I need one more day."
"Why?"
"Please." Faramir glanced at him. "Just one more day and then I go with you."
Boromir nodded. "Very well, little brother. One more day I give you."
Faramir quit the Lady's talan and walked throughout Caras Galadhon. A new sun danced by the eastern horizon, the light warming his every limb.
Boromir was right. Oh, he was right.
Faramir forced away his tears. Aniror had betrayed him, bewitched and bewildered him until his shadow alone remained. How had he not seen it? How had he not sensed it?
He felt shame…and anger. How dare she? How dare she take him from Gondor and force him to wander through endless peril in search of a lie. No, perhaps she should be ashamed. Not him. He had done no wrong.
Faramir paused by a fountain. The water murmured lost words and he shut his eyes. He had awakened from a heady dream.
Faramir sighed. He almost wished it had been a dream. His brother was wise. Aniror was best left forgotten.
But did she ever love him? That question seemed fated to plague him. Could she love him?
No. Love between mortals and Elves was a rare thing and certainly not gifted to him.
He glanced down at the front of his tunic, where the White Tree grew in silver. A proud captain. He had once been a proud captain. Would he ever be so again?
"Lord Faramir?" The voice struck him from behind. Faramir whirled about and caught sight of Haldir. The Elf smiled.
"I was hoping to see you this day," he said. He bowed his head in greeting. "Tell me, did my wife Faeleth prove herself to be a good hostess?"
"Ah yes." Faramir found a smile of his own. "I thank you both for such kindly hospitality. It was most welcomed and needed." He paused, raising a brow. "Were you not gone to the borders?"
Haldir nodded in understanding. "I returned last eve. A company of Imladris Elves has passed into the Wood and I guided them hither. Have you yet seen them?"
"No. I have just now left my quarters this morn."
"Well, it seems you shall have the chance," Haldir said. "The Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn have sent me to find you. It is rare for our Wood to play host to so many. A feast shall be held tonight to honor such an occasion. Would you and your brother think to attend? I know it would please the Lady so."
"Then there is no question in my mind," Faramir replied. "If it should please your Lady we shall be present. So much is owed to her."
"It is well then," Haldir said and turned upon his heel. "Forgive my sudden departure, but I must see to my wife. She worries so when I am gone. Farewell."
Faramir watched him step away, but something tugged at his thoughts. A riddle remained unanswered. He must know.
"Captain, a moment more!" he called. Haldir stopped and turned. "There is one thing I would ask you," Faramir continued. "One thing I would know."
"Aniror?" Haldir seemed to read his mind. Perhaps he could.
"Yes, Aniror."
Haldir lifted his chin. "What would you know?"
Faramir looked to the side, his mind barreling ahead. Haldir seemed to be a wise Elf, but was he trustworthy? He sighed. "I would know why she has led me here."
"Many reasons."
"I must know before I take my leave."
"Then I will tell you what I can," Haldir said. "It is foul that you should have met one such as her. My kin are kindhearted not wicked, not cruel. But I will tell you the full of it, as I know."
Faramir forced his gaze back to Haldir. "Speak then."
"Aniror loved an Elf, Erthor, the Captain of Imladris," he said. Faramir's eyes widened. "Yes, the very Elf that has of late arrived in Lorien. But you must understand, he did not share her affection. Lordly was he, too lordly I think for her. Aniror made the foolish error of seeking him out, a journey which left her with the scar you spoke of. He rebuffed her, gently. But Aniror is a cold creature. She wished for revenge."
Haldir paused and pity took him. He looked at Faramir sadly. "I am sorry to say that you shaped her revenge or so it is believed."
Faramir bit the inside of his lip. His anger abounded, fresh and sharp. He had been used.
"And I think she would have had little do with you now, had she not lost her place on the guard."
"She spoke not of that!" Faramir said and his head snapped up. "She told me she had taken leave for my sake."
"A lie, my lord. Aniror wishes to regain her position. As you are the son of the Steward, she hoped you would help her."
Faramir snorted. "I have little power here. How should I accomplish such a task?"
A small smile touched Haldir's lips. "Never was Aniror considered the wisest of my kind."
"I understand it now," Faramir said. He clenched his hands into fists. Sweat made his fingers slick. "And I am pained for the knowledge of it." His heart beat slow and it pulsed along with the great wave of grief that threatened him.
Faramir's head spun. He sank onto the ground beside the fountain. The cool spray of it whispered down his neck. Humility darkened his countenance with a blush. She had toyed with him for sport. He had been used for sport.
What should his men think of him? His father? No, they must never find out. Never…
"I am sorry," Haldir said at length. The morning sun was at his back and light wove about him.
"My brother thought to warn me," Faramir replied. "But I did not wish to see."
"Persuasion masks much along with guile. Aniror has the fortune to possess both."
"But I was willing." Faramir glanced up at him.
"The fault does not lay with you, only with one of a lesser mind," Haldir said. "Perhaps you might think to pity her someday, my lord. Think of her utter desperation. I do not excuse what she has done, but I do feel pity. Without friend or kin, she is. Those she loved have cast her off. Harsh she is, but humbled. Think of that."
"I cannot see it," Faramir said. He rested his head upon the basin of the fountain and felt the water rumble beneath the stone.
"In time," Haldir said. He turned about and began to move away. "In time."
Faramir sat beneath the fountain until the sky was tinted with noon. Bitterness overcame him and he wept. And then his anger rose and he cursed. But never did he feel pity.
The trees sang to him, comforting songs that reminded him of his mother's voice. What would she think of him, her young son, tricked and used and so utterly foolish? He always fancied she watched over him but now he wished her eyes blind.
And Boromir, kind Boromir. His brother had pulled him free from the jaws of ruin, his own dear brother whom he had forced along with him.
Faramir traced the White Tree upon his tunic with his fingers. The familiar pattern soothed him. It seemed careless to leave Lorien and cast away all memory of it. Would he ever fully be healed from Aniror's enchantment then?
No. The answer came to him at once. Something still kept him here, silent and undefined. It would haunt him until the end of his days. Aniror would always hold sway over him.
He stood. There was one more thing which he must do, a wrong he must right. Aniror would be faced with her evil and with him, no longer a human weakling, but Faramir Captain of Gondor.
Leaving the fountain, Faramir took up the stone path that led to Aniror's talan.
The city was noisy this day, Faramir noted as he stood before Aniror's door. Birds sang and the trees murmured and fair Elven voices could be heard. The coming of the Imladris Elves had done much to awaken the folk of Caras Galadhon.
Only Aniror's talan remained silent, separated from the others. Was she home? Faramir raised his hand and knocked. Silence answered him.
He waited, then knocked again. More silence.
Finally, he sighed and resolved to call to her. "Aniror! It is Captain Faramir. I must speak with you."
He heard no footsteps, no reply. But in a moment the door swung open and she stood before him.
Faramir took a step back. Her eyes were stained with red. Had she been crying? No, he had never heard of Elves weeping so.
"Have I disturbed you?" he asked politely. Rage swarmed within him and he felt the weight of it upon his chest. He had to stay calm.
"No." She shook her head. "Why have you come?"
"A simple matter," he said. Aniror leaned upon the door, staring. Oh what her gaze still did to him. Faramir looked away. "Your Lady holds a feast tonight, in honor of my arrival in Lorien. Will you attend with me? I should not like to go alone."
Her eyes narrowed suddenly. "Does your brother not go along?"
"Yes, but I wish for your company."
"I…well…" She glanced over his head. He saw cold calculation in her eyes and fear. Fear?
"Please, you must come." Faramir lowered his voice and allowed desperation to seep into his tone. Let her think she still had him in her grasp. "There are several matters I am to discuss with your Lady and Lord. I think it would be best if you were present at such a time."
Aniror's eyes widened and greed took her. Undoubtedly, she thought he had won her a lofty position.
"I shall come," she said with a firm nod of her head. "Yes, I shall come."
Faramir laughed with relief and false joy. "I am pleased. Tonight then?"
Aniror smiled or tried to. "Tonight." She shut her door and Faramir took a step back.
Yes, until tonight.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading! Please take the time to leave a review and share your thoughts with me. All feedback is greatly appreciated.