Chapter Five

Thoughts

Faramir had carried Aranel back to the encampment after she had finally given up and let him move her leg slightly.

When they had finally gotten back, Faramir called for the healers immediately. There were two healers within the group of rangers, one had been a healer for many years, and the other was his apprentice. "A broken leg like this cannot be treated out in the wild. We must get her to the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith." The older healer said. Faramir nodded grimly, he had thought that it might come to this, that she might have to leave him. A solemn mood started to creep over him, but before it consumed him entirely, he was brought out of it by a gentle hand placed over his.

Faramir looked up, only to have his eyes meet the eyes of hers. Aranel's eyes seemed to calm him and tell him not to worry, and that she would be alright. After a moment, Faramir nodded in agreement and let them take her back to the healer's part of the encampment so that they could see how bad the break really was.

It wasn't until later that night that Faramir saw Aranel again; of course he didn't really see her at all. It was late, and everyone was either asleep or on watch, Faramir on the other hand couldn't sleep at all. Sighing once again, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep once more; only to be awoken by a very familiar voice. "Faramir, why can't you sleep?"

Faramir almost jumped out of his skin, "Who just called me?!" He thought. "I did." Said the same voice, "Who are you?" He asked suspiciously. "You need not speak Son of Gondor; all you need to do is think." The voice said. It was at that moment that Faramir realized that he was the only one that could hear this mysterious person; he then thought to himself that who ever it is must be speaking with their mind.

"Very good, you do have some wit about you Faramir."

"Who are you?" Faramir thought.

"You above all should know who I am Faramir, was it not just this morning that you did this?" At that moment, a mental image came to Faramir's mind. The picture was of the clearing in the forest while Faramir was kissing Aranel. As he saw the image play in his mind, his face burned from the blush that crossed his face.

"Aranel," he breathed.

"Not so loud dear one. My name should not be spoken during the night." Aranel gently reminded him, "There are many spies about in the night, for that is the time when the Dark Lord's servants can easily move about."

"I'm sorry Aranel, I didn't mean to."

"You didn't remember, it's alright, besides my name isn't as powerful as my grandfather's." Faramir sighed, Aranel was right it wasn't as dangerous to speak her name as it was Gil-galad's; but he didn't want to put her into anymore danger than she already was.

"Do not blame yourself for what happened! It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was," Faramir replied, "If I hadn't of asked you to come hunting with me this never would have happened."

"If you wouldn't have asked me to come with you, we wouldn't be as close as we are now." Aranel put emphasis on the "we" and calmed Faramir down by humming a lullaby in her head. "Do not worry for me meleth nîn. I am fine, and I will be fine once I go to the Houses of Healing. You will see, I will greet you when you come home, running to you with open arms." Faramir rolled onto his side and curled up protectively closing his eyes; he wished that it were that simple, that he would see her, standing on the peak of the citadel waiting for him.

"And you will," Aranel reassured him. "Rest now Faramir, everything will work out alright." Although Aranel's words were reassuring, Faramir still couldn't help but worry. At this, Aranel sighed. "When is he going to stop worrying so much?" She thought to herself.

"Faramir," she called.

"I'm alright Aranel; I just can't help but worry about you." He answered her, trying to sound reassuring. "Ever since I first met you I knew you were special, and now…you're everything to me." Aranel sighed; she knew exactly how he felt, for she knew that he was something special as well, and after the first day that she met him, her heart had betrayed her and began to feel for him.

"As are you to me my love," she thought. "Try to rest now Faramir, you have another long day ahead of you here, and I must leave on the morrow for the Houses of Healing." Faramir nodded sadly as his thoughts stayed on his love. The more he thought the sadder he was and eventually he curled himself tighter and squeezed his eyes shut as one of the tears that had been threatening to fall fell. But just at that moment, he felt a sense of relief in his mind and realized that it was Aranel trying to calm him.

"Hush my love, it's alright; Im si meleth nîn." As she calmed Faramir, she began to softly sing in her mind. "Tinuviel elvanui
Elleth alfirin edhelhael O hon ring finnil fuinui A renc gelebrin thiliol...." As she softly sang, Faramir drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

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The next morning, Aranel set out for the Houses of healing, accompanied by the Healer's apprentice and two rangers. They kept as fast a pace as Aranel could handle, (and as fast as the healer would allow) so they were able to reach Minas Tirith in about three days. When they first reached the city, the apprentice healer had taken Aranel straight to the sixth level.

When arriving at the Houses of Healing, the apprentice healer called over the master healer to examine her leg. The master healer had said that it was a clean break and wouldn't take long to heal but that the best thing that they did was to bring her here. After getting her settled, the rangers left and the apprentice healer went off to help others. And with a sigh, Aranel nestled herself into her bed, only to fall asleep within a minute.

As soon as she was asleep though, the citadel guard announced the presence of a messenger to the Steward in the great hall. The double doors opened, entering them was a tall slender but muscular figure hooded and cloaked. As he approached the Steward he bowed respectfully and when asked who he was, where he was from, and what his message was. He replied, "I am Haldir ó Lorien, Marchwarden to Galadriel Lady of light and protector of the Golden Wood. I bring word from my lady upon hearing that the ambassador she sent before me has been injured and taken to the Houses of Healing."

Silence filled the room as Haldir waited for the Steward to respond. All he got for an answer was an angry façade to cover up the fear within. In return, Haldir kept a straight face, but inside he was grinning ear to ear.

AN: Sorry for the long time without an update, I'll try to get the next chapter written soon....dam writer's block. =(