Faramir scratches his chin as he walks toward the citadel. His mind keeps returning to Lord Pedwegon's actions. A wry smile grows on his face. Lord Pedwegon has shown courage by doing this. He must have known what response he would receive. It makes it even more strange to do it. It would serve no purpose. It also makes it clear how desperate lord Pedwegon is. He wonders how often lord Pedwegon has done this. He is sure he was not the first. The way lord Pedwegon spoke makes it more than obvious; it could only have come from experience. He also wonders what responses would be given then. It could have gone in two ways depending on the already present ideas of the approached lord.
He narrows his eyes as he walks into the tunnel towards the citadel. His thoughts turn toward his father and he bites his lips. He worries about how his father will react. He can already imagine how his father will respond once he hears about it. It will not be pretty. He will be mad or at best annoyed. Though there will be one good thing about it; the anger will not be directed toward him. No, it will be directed toward Lord Pedwegon and his allies for he must have them. As is the case with the words, the same can be said for the effort. No one would put this kind of effort into it if they do not have support. However, he needs to inform his father; despite his reservations.
He clenches his eyes as the sun streams into his eyes. He looks ahead and sees servants bustling around the courtyard. A few nod toward him as he passes them which he returns. Soon, he nears his father's office when he sees Barhador approaching.
"My lord Faramir, good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, master Barhador. What can I do for you?"
"Are you visiting our lord?"
"I intend to. There are some things I need to discuss with you."
"Of course, you may have to wait if his other meeting has started already. Unless your matter is urgent?"
"Mhh, it is not so urgent that I cannot wait."
"Of course, my lord."
He nods and moves past master Barhador when his voice stops him. He turns around and sees master Barhador looking at him with uncertainty.
"My lord?"
"Yes?"
"Has our lord mentioned his request of me to you?"
"No, I am afraid not. Is it something I should know about?"
"Maybe, my lord, maybe."
Master Barhador falls silent as Faramir waits for him to speak up. It allows him to think back to all the matters his father has discussed with him. About the house for the king to stay in. About the household which needs to be set up. About all the preparations for the coronation. About the council meetings. And many more things. He can already determine which ones master Barhador could be informed of. And which ones he wouldn't be informed of. However, he still doesn't know what master Barhador is pointing at. Once he finished his contemplation, he still has not received a response. Master Barhador is biting his lips.
"Master Barhador?"
"Yes? Oh, my lord, forgive me. You want to know what our lord requested of me? He wanted names of people who could serve in our king's household. Preferably for the more important positions. And yes, I gave them to him."
"Alright, that tells me who he could be meeting with at this time. But if you will excuse me, I will see if father has time to meet with me."
"Yes, my lord. Have a good day."
"You too, master Barhador."
He walks away and does not look where master Barhador goes. He walks a few steps to his father's office and listens. He doesn't hear any conversation inside so he knocks on the door. Hopefully, his father has time right now.
"Yes?"
"Father, could I speak with you for a moment."
"Come in."
Faramir takes a deep breath and opens the door. Now, it is time to inform his father about the house he has found. And more importantly, about lord Pedwegon's actions. He does not look forward to the latter.
Citadel, Minas Tirith
He steps into the room. The door clicks closed behind him. He keeps his head high so as to not give any signs of distress to his father. However, he feels his heart beating hard in his chest. He reaches the desk and sits on one of the present chairs. His father looks at him intensely.
"Faramir, is your presence here attributed to having experienced problems with finding a house for the king?"
"I am not sure what gave you that idea for it is untrue. I have found a house which I believe meets the requirements you gave me. I do need to know if you approve of my choice."
"Mhh, that is good to know. Which house is it?"
"You know the house near the mountain on the sixth level opposite the Houses of Healing. It is a house of a decent size suitable for the king to use without it being seen as a problem. It also has not been used in years ever since the last occupant left."
"Good. From my understanding, it is the house near prince Imrahil."
"The old embassy next to his house, yes."
"Good. It is a suitable house I have not thought of. However, now that you are here there is something else we need to discuss."
"Will it not interfere with your other meeting? Master Barhador informed me about it."
"No, they can wait if they have me waiting for their arrival. They were already late when you arrived."
"As you say, father. What did you wish to discuss with me?"
"I would like to know what you have seen of the preparation for the coronation. How much progress has been made."
"I am afraid I did not pay much attention to it as I was occupied with finding the king a suitable house. However, I saw that the sixth level was clean and the fifth level was nearly clean. What the state of the lower levels is I do not know but can find out if you would like to know this, father."
"When you have time, look into it. And as you cannot tell me more, we will leave this matter for what it is. However, we need to talk about what needs to be done later once these preparations are finished."
"The staff needs to be selected, I am aware. It's most likely the most important thing that still needs to be done."
"The most important?"
"Yes, for they will need to prepare the house I have found."
"That is true. And do not worry about it. I will meet with some who master Barhador has selected to serve the high positions in our king's household."
"Or so master Barhador told me. And for now, at least, I assume until the king and queen decide who they wish to retain."
"Queen? I do not believe our king is married. Or at least not yet."
He grimaces at his father's words, already able to predict what this will mean. He does not look forward to it.
"Faramir?"
"You are aware, father, that once this becomes known all the maidens and their mothers will swarm him. Each of them with the intent to marry him."
"I am aware of that but also know he is more than capable of handling them. But let us not linger on this, what else needs to be done? Keeping an eye on the cleanup of the King's house, the preparations in the city, and finding housing for our guests?"
"Selecting the guards who will attend on him."
"Ah yes, that is a good idea though I gave my doubts they can keep a close eye on him. He will most likely slip away from them. Sooner or later."
"That is not good."
"He is more like you in that regard, Faramir. He enjoys the freedom he has had till now. Gil will have to learn to accept the presence of guards around him at all times once he is crowned."
"Indeed. So how will we do those tasks? We split it between us, one of us does it all, or ..."
"I suggest that I will handle the staff while you handle the guards. You have spent more time amongst them than me so are able to determine who will be suitable."
"Not much and father, I do not know our king. I will not know what he expects from his guards. I urge you to handle the guards."
"Why do you doubt yourself?"
"I don't. I just believe you are better suited for this. I will - if you agree - handle the other things."
"Mhh, are you sure you will not be taking on too much work then?"
"No, for you will have more than enough to handle some troublemakers in the Council."
"Alright, but what do you mean with troublemakers?"
Faramir smiles; now he has the opportunity to inform his father about his encounter with Lord Pedwegon.
"At least, Lord Pedwegon. He just ambushed me in an effort to gain support for his view on the claim. He made a futile - but bold - argument to deny the claim. And I do not believe he was working on his own."
Denethor POV
Denethor feels his eyes narrowing as his anger slowly rises the more Faramir tells him about his encounter with Lord Pedwegon. They have no respect for him. None at all. And his gut; he does not understand where it comes from. More thoughts cross his mind. He cannot catch them all but they all come down to one thing; he refuses to be undermined by these scheming and annoying lords.
"Father?"
Faramir's voice is hesitant. He hears it but doesn't quite notice it. His anger at those lords is too great. One thing changes, he begins to speak up.
"Those lords. What has gotten into their mind? No, do not answer that. I know what; they are just interested in their concerns. They do not think about Gondor. Do they not realize a king will give Gondor a chance to prosper again? Especially now that Sauron is gone. Those foolish selfish lords!"
"I am sure they think they do the right thing even though they are in a minority."
"Yes, minority. It means they are wrong if the majority agrees on something. They should have accepted it but no…oh no, they have gotten it into their mind they can change enough minds to reach a majority. They are just…"
"It is a foolish idea for if they had succeeded then they would not have sought me out. That was a sign of despair. It means their attempt was doomed to fail long before it was made."
"Exactly. I should have them brought before me and set them straight. The foolishness. How old are they anyway? They do not act befitting their title."
"I do think that would only cause more opposition which you are trying to avoid, father."
"More? I doubt that. But tell me what I should do than in your opinion?"
"There are a few things you can do, father, each with its own consequences. But I think the best thing to do is to keep an eye on them for the time being."
"And what good will that do for me."
"You know what they are planning and can act accordingly. Even so, father, why are you so bothered by them? As I said before, others do not support them. Or at least not enough. I am sure the claim will be accepted…as you said they will have to accept their idea is false. The other lords will see to that."
"I know they will have to accept it for I have the papers here that prove Gil's heritage."
He grins sure it is not something they can contest. Faramir looks at him with evident confusion. It does not take long before he knows where it comes from.
"What? Papers? Since when do you have them?"
"Since a long time ago when Gil was here in Gondor and was hurt. It allowed me to make a journey to gather this information."
"Mhh, then why did you not show them before? It could have prevented the problems we're now facing."
"Because I had hoped I would not need them. I had hoped the other lords would see reason and accept the claim. But now? Now, I may have to show these papers."
"And with them, an acceptance is more likely."
"More like guaranteed. There's no one of closer blood around anymore. Gil's the only one who has a claim."
"Then all the more reason to keep an eye on those lords. It will ensure you can stop all their attempts in the future."
"You are right, my son, you are right. I will follow your advice. I just hope that they do not create more problems for themselves than they can handle."
"One can hope…"