Reminder:: When did my disclaimers become so angst-y? This stuff does not belong to me. That's all you really need to know.

Almost… There…

Chapter Forty-Eight :: Banners in the Distance

I may never know the reasons behind my words. From my outburst to that poor Easterling in the dining hall moments before to the night I told Faramir I was to wed Mordred – an obvious lie. Was I scared? Was I weak? Whatever I was, there was one thing I wasn't. I refused to be. And that was alone.

The street became more familiar and soon I could even remember the cobblestones beneath my feet. One was displaced and rose slightly up from the street, a great tripping machine, right before the door.

I almost knocked, but I remembered that was unnecessary here. Pushing the portal wide, I was greeted by silence.

The sun glittered in dusty rays onto the floor, so reminiscent of the day I first came. I went around the main room, just checking to make sure everything was in its place. It was all there. Nothing had changed. For once.

In the past few weeks, I had seen a King crowned, a Steward appointed, and even a new sapling of the White Tree planted. It would not have surprised me if this place had changed as well. But the Houses of Healing was a constant. It was the only stable hold I had in this city.

Tracing my fingers along a wooden table loaded with bottles of herbs, I looked down and remembered the place Benold was positioned in the midst of battle. Sometimes, I could still hear his laugh. The more I thought of him though, the more I saw Gimli. I feared one day I would not know what Benold looked like. The two really were so similar…

The smell of peppermint touched my nose and I twirled around. The Warden came out from his room in the back where plants hung from the ceiling to dry. "Lady Finwen?"

"Hello. I suppose I'm not supposed to be loitering here anymore…" I admitted, suddenly shy. "I missed this place."

The old man kindly smiled. "You are always welcome here, young one."

"It's very quiet…" I commented, looking up the empty staircase.

"Nary a soul is here. Out feasting or living well. In the days of the King, the City has grown strong. I sense the illness has passed. Has yours?"

I nodded. "For the most part. Still… I do not know if I will ever truly recall my childhood days."

He frowned. "Such a shame… But I hope you may still make a life here. We cannot dwell on the days that have passed us."

There was no arguing his wise words, but I felt a rock in my throat. "Do you happen to know where Ioreth is?"

"Last I saw, she was with a cousin of hers." The Warden explained. "But that was some time ago. I'm not—"

"Who's down there?" A batty old voice crooned from the top of the stair. "Someone needing kingsfoil? We're growing it as fast as we can!"

My face lit up and I ran to the bottom of the staircase. "Ioreth?"

There was a pause at the top of the stairs before hurried footsteps came down the stone. Just the same with her grey hair in a taught bun and her apron crisp and white, Ioreth appeared around the corner with a pile of linens in her arms. "Finwen!"

"Hello!" I smiled up at her. "I'm afraid I've come to collect you!"

"Oh, heavens! Come here, child!" The old woman fussed, setting her things down and lifting her skirts to travel quicker down.

I went up two steps before I was engulfed in a hug. I hugged her back, glad to see her again. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, dear." Ioreth smoothed my hair, still holding me tight.

We didn't pull apart for a long while. Finally, though, I had to ask. "Ioreth… I'm leaving and—"

"What?"

"I'm taking Alatar and I'm leaving the City. You must understand… I can't see him—"

"Of course, dear." Ioreth nodded, remembering my silly fancy for Faramir. And knowing her, she was the one who probably started the gossip that Eowyn and Faramir were an item. She was good at that. "And I'm going with you."

"You… you will?" I faltered.

"Of course! I'm not letting you cavort about the countryside without – good heavens, child, what is this frock you're wearing? This color is absolutely dreadful."

"Oh, Ioreth, thank you! I'm so glad!" I hugged her again. It was hard to believe I wasn't going to go it alone. That if I was brave enough, then maybe I could find company and warmth and love. I just had to speak up. "When would you like to leave?"

"After I get you into something that isn't so horrendous, I wouldn't mind whatever the date you choose." She answered, fingering the fabric of my sleeve and noting the shredded strands.

"Well… Could we go… today?"

"Today? Goodness! I've got so much packing to do!" Ioreth fluttered like the mother hen I knew her to be back up the staircase. She spoke to no one in particular the entire way up, and her voice could still be heard even when she closed her door.

I turned back to the Warden. "Is it a problem? That she's leaving with me?"

"I will miss her." He admitted. "The best I have in these Houses. But… you will miss her more if she stays. You two have my blessing."

I gave him a timid hug and thanked him for being so kind. We waited a moment more, but Ioreth called for me to follow her up so I went. I helped her load a couple baskets full of knick knacks and clothes and Ioreth managed to shove a white linen dress over my head in the process. "Much better!" She proclaimed, tossing the green dress I wore into the rubbish pile. One thing she couldn't convince me of was my corset she had managed to save 'for old time's sake.' Certainly no.

Ioreth didn't pause once to ruminate or say her farewells to the room she had occupied for years. She wasn't the type. Instead, she took the things that mattered most to her and gave me half to carry back down the stairs. After boding the Warden a lengthy good-bye, she was right behind me as we made for the stables and took Alatar away from his stall.

We brushed him well for the trip and strapped the baskets to his saddle with plenty of food and water. Though I felt bad for burdening him so, I promised this was the last journey he would take. I removed the blue fabric from his mane, groomed him well, and carefully tied it back in. The blue cloth was disintegrating from the wear, but I was determined to keep it as long as it remained intact.

Mounted with Ioreth close behind me, I snapped the reins and Alatar fled the stony prison. The passwords were still being set in order with the new King and so we met no trouble as we descended through the levels to the Gate.

When we were on the first level, I spread my arms wide (getting some strict admonishment from Ioreth) and flew through the Gate into the fields. Finally, Ioreth batted me and made me take a firm grip on the reins. "What are you thinking, child? You could have fallen off and killed yourself!"

"Sorry, Ioreth. I forgot what it was like… Like I'm spreading my wings! Freedom! I would not cry if I never again saw a room of white marble and stone."

"Nonsense." Ioreth shook her head. "Don't give me that freedom poppycock – you were out and about like a lunatic for over a week in the North. Don't think I don't know! Heavens, if you thought I wouldn't have heard about that, you don't know me at all."

I laughed and spurred Alatar along, galloping away from the walls. As we neared the remains of Rammas Echor, I stopped Alatar and turned back for one last look.

Minas Tirith stood in bright glory in the afternoon sunshine. I had wanted to do this for months… But now I felt I was leaving the City in safe hands. They no longer needed me. Strange as it may seem, I felt my own private stewardship was over. I needn't worry anymore. King Elessar was in charge now.

"I wish I had said good-bye… To Mithrandir and Peregrin and all the rest." I mused.

"Should we turn back?" Ioreth asked.

I shook my head. "No… I feel it's better this way. Besides – I feel as if I haven't left any loose ends. For once."

"For once." Ioreth repeated with doubt in her voice. Obviously, she was hinting that I should ride back to dramatically reclaim Faramir like some cheap romance novel, but I wasn't the sort. I knew when I had to step back. I had chased him enough.

"For once." I agreed.

I snapped the reins and Alatar sprinted forward. The banners of the Citadel waved proudly behind us in the distance. I was determined never to see them again.