“If ever beyond hope you return to the lands of the living and we retell our tales, sitting by a wall in the sun, laughing at old grief, you shall tell me then.” Faramir to Frodo,‘ The Two Towers '

“Strider, we have returned with food. Do you think Faramir will wake up to eat?” asked Merry. He glanced at the sleeping Steward then looked at the grave faces of Imrahil and Aragorn who seemed deep in thought as they sat in vigil overlooking the seemingly peaceful sleeping Steward.

“I am not sure- so far, he looks like he is finally peacefully sleeping and I hope that he will rest without interruption.” Faramir had slept for two hours and there was no sign of dark dreams, but Aragorn kept the watch. The smell of athelas permeated the room calming everyone’s nerves.

“Do you need any food, my King,” asked Imrahil. 

“Yes, I'll eat what the hobbits have brought, thank you.”

“We will retire to our rooms, Strider,” said Sam. “Mr. Frodo needs rest as well.” Frodo looked tired as well.  “We will return tomorrow…let us know of anything that we can do.”

The younger hobbits wanted to stay so they stayed with Aragorn and Imrahil for a little longer but at two hours to midnight, they also said good night. 

“Well, did you know when this started? The dark dreams and all?” asked Imrahil to Aragorn as they sat and remained at Faramir’s bedside together. They had been sitting in silence for a while and just took in the food that the hobbits brough for them but did allocate some to Faramir if he awoke. He was in deep sleep, sometimes talking inaudibly in his sleep, but nothing as alarming as how they found him in the afternoon.

“I knew he had trouble sleeping before the funeral, and I told him to take a day or two– but he only took a day,” replied Aragorn. “And he returned to plan for the funeral. In fact, he gave me early plans for the funeral.”

“He is conventional in wanting to complete things quickly,” replied Imrahil. “He is efficient in what he does when he wants to complete something. He works too hard. He did have a bout of the Black Breath before, how is it different this time?”

Aragorn was amazed at how astute Imrahil was and he did not hold back in giving his opinion, “Faramir is grieving. Everyone does so differently but for him, he has been under the shadow for so long. I am not certain how soon he can recover and this is his choice in the matter. We can only be there for him when he wants to open up, and I encourage that he will before…before it’s too late.”

“He is strong and young- he will get through this,” replied Imrahil fervently. “I know my nephew.”

Then, they were interrupted by a stirring Steward who opened his eyes and seemed disoriented. 

“How do you fare?” asked Imrahil, he touched Faramir’s hand which was less cold than before.

“A little better, I believe. – why do you look so …worried?” replied Faramir as he sat up slowly with some aid from Imrahil and Aragorn. He still felt weary but a little less ill than before.

“You had a rough bout of Black Breath only recently. Let me see how you are,” replied Aragorn as he inspected the Steward’s vitals and shoulder. All seemed normal but the Steward still looked pale, and was starting to feel warm.

“Yes, I am fine…just a bit sore, I believe?” said Faramir. His shoulder ached a bit but not as cold as before but a heaviness did remain. He sighed. “What is the time?”

It is an hour till midnight.”

“You can depart if you want to- i will just take a bite of food—”

“Which is good, you have an appetite,” said Aragorn. “The hobbits left you with some food. But no, we are not leaving.”

Faramir ate in silence. He was slightly confused why Aragorn and Imrahil were by his bedside. Was he really that ill he needed this? 

“Sorry, my King and uncle- it is late- is it better to be getting back to your quarters. I am fine,” Faramir insisted. “Unless you have other matters to discuss?”

“We need to discuss your nightmares and no, you are not fine,” said Aragorn sternly. “I did not stay several hours just for you to think that everything is fine. The Black Breath has a strong hold on you and we need to be clear about the dangers, and I need to be clear to know that you understand. Do you understand what are the steps to take when the dark nightmares come?”

Aragorn hadn’t been that clear about the severity of the situation and it led to some tension in the room.

Faramir replied earnestly, “I do understand, and I will work harder to recognize these dreams. Thank you for your attention and your advice- I will heed your advice and let you know first thing about any strange occurrences.”

“That’s the thing, my nephew, it is hard to discern at times and the past day, the King has taken you out not once, not twice, but three times from a dream so strong, it could’ve taken you!” declared Imrahil. “Do not underestimate the severity of the situation!”

“Three times?“

“You do not remember?”

“Yes, it was three times, my Steward. You swooned once yesterday, then it was a dark dream last night and only this afternoon. Your uncle is right– you cannot underestimate the power of the Black Breath. You only slept a couple hours now and I do not know if you awoke because of a dream.”

“No, I do not remember any dark dreams this time,” Faramir breathed deeply. Maybe he did not recognize the severity of the dreams of Black Breath.  “What can I do?”

“Please discuss with us honestly about anything that may trigger these dreams,” said Aragorn gently. “We can find the trigger and thus deal with the underlying cause.”

“You have gone through a lot, nephew. Don’t hold back in telling us your thoughts.”

“I will share with you but right now, I have nothing to share. Since it's the middle of the night, you both need rest. I will rest again after this meal,” insisted Faramir. He was not used to this attention especially since he felt fine at the moment. “I will give you messages first thing if something is amiss.”

“You need the most quality rest, and I have to make sure that you are receiving that. I am returning before dawn” said Aragorn. He actually did not want to leave the Steward’s side at all. He did not think Faramir was entirely forthcoming and was unnecessarily proper in still holding back information. He knew he was not accustomed to the attention, but Faramir still did not understand he needed friends by his side. He needed Faramir to trust him.

“Thank you, my King,” Faramir bowed, stood up slowly and guided both his uncle and Aragorn to the door. “And I’ll see you tomorrow, Uncle, for the ride we said we were planning.”

“Why yes, I wanted to do that yesterday but something arose.”

“We will ride out tomorrow then.”

“If you’re well enough- i will determine that tomorrow, Steward,” Aragorn said. “Most likely, resting well is most important. Remember if you have another headache, you have tea to combat that. Warm compress is for your shoulder. Teas for anxiety as well. Rest, and remember we are here for you. Don’t overthink.”

“Yes, my King, I remember. Thank you. Good night.”

Faramir closed the door and some tears came into his eyes. He did wake from a dream before but he did not want to mention it. He was dreaming of his mother but it was too personal to talk about. It was just a simple moment when his mom was holding him when he was a child. He only had memories of a woman who played with and snuggled him. He was a young child after all and who could remember more than that. That was an untainted dream so therefore unrelated to those Black Breath dreams that he was having.

 Speaking to Aragorn and Imrahil made him a bit anxious. When will the Black Breath dreams come again? He did not want to fall victim again. Faramir paced his room. He was weary but did not want to sleep.

He left his room and went out to the courtyard. It was a clear night and it was not too warm or cold for a May night. He saw stars blink above in the sky and he was reminded of the night that Boromir left. 

“Be safe, Boromir. I’ll miss you,” he said softly  “Come back to us as soon as possible,” he said and held onto Boromir’s hand.

“You know I won’t linger if I must not,” replied Boromir, taking Faramir’s hand and squeezing it tightly.

It was still painful to remember his brother telling him that he would return but he did not. He felt a lump in his throat. It was the Fourth Age and there was so much to look forward to, but how can he memorialize the past properly? There was a void that could not be replaced.

Faramir sighed. He tried to push the memory away for what was the use to dwell. Boromir would not come back alive despite him wishing for that fervently. What was the purpose of wishing ?

Suddenly he felt the presence of someone small looking up to him.

“Are you sleepless?” It was Frodo.

“Why it was because I had a long nap,” replied Faramir with a smile looking down at the Ring-bearer. “Why are you not asleep?”

“I like to see the stars in Gondor– they look a bit different than in the Shire.”

“Are they really? How so?”

“I do not think they sparkle as bright or there are not as many for some reason.”

“Maybe it’s just another perspective.”

“Yes, perhaps.”

The hobbit and man fell into silence observing the sky. It was a perfect night to be outside. There was no wind, and it was peacefully quiet.

“I lost my parents when I was young,” started Frodo softly. “It was a sudden boating accident.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” replied Faramir sympathetically. He was touched that Frodo would share his story with him. “We seem to be no strangers to loss.” Faramir sighed.

“It was a hard time but there were relatives that cared for me in which I am grateful. One of them was Bilbo. Did you hear about my uncle?”

“Why I have not. Gandalf only mentioned the fact he aided the Quest of Erebor. He had a very meaningful part in it like how you are the hero of this Quest.”

“Yes, he took me in like his own son to live in the Bag End, another part of the Shire; he also made me his heir. I needed the change in scenery since there were not good ones in Brandy Hall when my parents passed,” said Frodo.

“It does take time to process everything, and I'm glad Bilbo could help you with that.” Faramir said.

“You have a lot of support too, my Steward. Your uncle is a nice man, similar to Bilbo. You’re lucky to have him. And you're strong and perceptive,” insisted Frodo.

“Now am I?” Faramir chuckled at Frodo’s assessment of him.

“Ever since Sam and I have met you, you’ve shown nothing but kindness, respect and trust to us.” Frodo looked at Faramir. “Lord Elrond had said we would meet good friends along the road, and you are one of them. And now after the war, you are selflessly giving back to your country. I know it’s your perceived duty, but not everyone can look past the personal griefs to do so.”

Faramir did not know what to say. He didn’t know if he should feel flattered or grateful or both. “Indeed you’re also a prince among halfings, with wisdom beyond even the highest counselor in Gondor. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I would say that it is our duty to rebuild Gondor to its former glory.”

“Yes but you also have to think about yourself, Faramir.”

“Yes, I believe that is just as important,” replied Faramir. “I have been trying to.” He paused. “It’s been difficult,” he admitted.

“You know my kin and I are at your service,” said Frodo.  “You have to open up about how you feel.”

“And how about you? The one who has gone to the edge of the world and back?” Faramir wanted to open up but he was fearful of what reality may entail.

“I hope that there will be peace back when I find Bilbo and in the Shire,” said Frodo but he looked away when he said that. “You are not the only one with dreams and nightmares.”

“Yes, I know you had the hardest time of all of us, little one,” said Faramir with pity. He put his arm on the hobbit’s shoulder. “We will be forever indebted to you for helping us defeat the Enemy beyond all hope.”

“I do not believe I succeeded,” said Frodo. “I could not give up the RIng at the end, and I feel guilty about it. The creature Gollum had to take it from me by force for it to fall into Mount Doom. You warned me of him but if he were not there, I would not have succeeded.I am not a hero,” Frodo finished with a sigh and tears in his eyes.

Faramir replied, “Do not blame yourself– you were the strongest person to carry such an evil device of the Enemy. Others would have succumbed already. Do not ever feel guilty about your success. No one could’ve been as strong as you.”

“WIth time, perhaps, I can recover from …from the last leg of the journey,” said Frodo sadly. “I hope you will enjoy Gondor restored.”

“Thank you. I do hope I enjoy Gondor restored too. Frodo, cease to think so much, little one. You will enjoy the Shire as well when you return. You hobbits amaze me at every turn. We are indebted and grateful to you.”

There was some silence as both fell into their own thoughts. 

“I hope that you will fall asleep soon, Frodo. If not, the King has this tea that works and you can have some of mine.”

“Thank you- he already gave some of that to me,” replied Frodo with a smile. “If it had worked, I wouldn't be here looking at the stars. Though I do like them a lot.”

“They do have a calming effect,” Faramir smiled back. Frodo was good company and made him feel less anxious. 

“I hope you sleep well, Frodo, son of Drogo.”

“Yes, you too– I hope you feel better,” replied Frodo. Then the hobbit and Steward said farewell and retired back to their rooms. 

Faramir did not feel tired but he knew he had to get back into a pattern of normal sleep. It was now already several hours after midnight. He took some of the tea that Aragorn prescribed for sleeplessness, crushed some athelas himself and went to bed, closing his eyes, hoping that no dreams would invade him.

TBC