Chapter 29 - Homecoming
Faramir was tired. More tired than he had been in a long time. As he sat eating the midday meal with the Queen and his wife, he was tempted to go to his quarters, drop onto the bed and not rise for the remainder of the week. He knew, though, that he wouldn’t be able to sleep. He hadn’t been able to get a decent night’s rest since Aragorn had left on his quest.
At times he wondered if he had gone mad when he had agreed to allow Aragorn to travel to Harad. What had he been thinking when he had thought it a good idea for King Elessar, Eomer King and Lord Gimli to ride into a hostile land? He was sure that the fact that they were going after an Elf Prince and Lord of Ithilien, who just so happened to be his good friend, had clouded his judgement. Perhaps he was just upset that he hadn’t gone with them and felt helpless sitting, awaiting their return.
Sitting was precisely what Faramir had been doing since bidding a safe and successful journey to his friends. He had been listening to grievances and attending court in Aragorn’s absence. He had signed his name to so many pieces of parchment that he was beginning to lose all feeling in his hand. His eyes were tired from reading all of the items that he had signed and he wondered how Aragorn did it all.
Now, as he sat, once again, sharing a brief rest period with Arwen and Eowyn, his thoughts once again strayed to Legolas and whether his rescuers had been successful. No word had reached his ears of the bounty hunter sent to Harad to retrieve the Prince and it was a constant worry for him and the two women in his company.
Comforting and reassuring them had become the most difficult task placed upon the steward. Especially because he had difficultly, himself, believing what he was telling them. He didn’t know for sure that Legolas would return at all. He couldn’t promise that Aragorn and Eomer would come home safely and without injury. Yet, he was always telling the Ladies that they were worrying for naught and all would be well.
"Faramir, my love, you have not eaten, is aught wrong?" Eowyn’s words brought the steward back to the present.
"Nay, my thoughts just runaway with me. Forgive me." His own voice sounded soft and distant to him. A testament to his wandering thoughts.
"Perhaps you should cancel this afternoon’s counsel and take some rest. I know that it is much needed." Arwen’s sweet voice advised and Faramir found it difficult to disagree with her.
Faramir smiled at the Queen and nodded slightly. He then took a large bite of the deer meat on his plate to appease his wife and Queen. The food lacked flavor to him, it was unusual, for the cooks in the Citadel were among the best in the realm and always prepared the finest of meals, he just wasn’t hungry. He forced himself to smile and then pushed the remaining food to the edges of his plate, hopefully the Ladies would think that he had eaten something.
He looked up into the disapproving eyes of his wife and blushed slightly, feeling like a small child who had just been caught. He was saved from her chastisement by a loud knock at the door. Beckoning the visitor enter, Faramir rose from his seat in greeting.
A young guard entered the dining hall and bowed to the trio. "Riders approach from the South, my Lord. They will reach the main gate within the hour."
"Are they expected to be King Elessar and his party?" Arwen asked as she stepped forward next to Faramir.
The guard seemed to ponder this for a moment as though searching his memory for some mention that the riders might be those in question. "I know not for certain my Queen. I just bear the message from the gate guard."
"Thank you. You are excused." Faramir said and the young guard bowed and backed out of the room.
The three stood, apprehension causing them each to fidget slightly. Could it be the long awaited party? It would be such a disappointment to ride down to meet them and find that riders were just coming from Osgiliath with errands. Not being able to contain his curiosity any longer, Faramir quickly exited the room followed shortly by Arwen and Eowyn.
"Do you suppose it is they?" Eowyn asked.
"I know as much as you my love, let us to the Citadel guard tower to see what there is to see." Faramir picked up his pace. He didn’t acknowledge the bows and "sirs" that greeted his path. His mind was focused on one thing.
Taking the steps two at a time up to the Citadel guard tower, Faramir’s breath came quick, his heart pounding. Silent pleading echoed through his head that it was the party of his friends and not something or someone with a more basic explanation. He was greeted at the top of the stairs by two guards whose eyes were focused out into the city.
"They have sent a messenger forward, my Lord, that makes me believe that it is King Elessar’s party and they bear wounded." One of the guard explained.
Faramir looked to the guard then turned his eyes out over the city and to the South. Sure enough, a party of riders was approaching at a slow pace. Several hundred yards ahead of the party a lone rider raced toward the gate. Faramir’s sight wasn’t good enough to make out the details of the approaching party and he squinted against the sun hoping it would help his vision.
"Can you tell if it is they?" Arwen and Eowyn had finally joined him on the watch tower.
Faramir lifted his hand to shade his eyes in a vain hope that it may assist him in seeing more clearly. "Nay Arwen, It is difficult to say from this distance."
"The messenger has entered the city My Lord" The guard interrupted once again and Faramir acknowledged him with a nod of the head then turned back toward the stairs.
The three royals drifted back down the stairs and across the courtyard to the Citadel entrance. They stood awaiting the messenger, the time seemingly slowing down to a mere crawl. Their small group had grown to a large crowd as word had spread and curiosity piqued in the King and Queen’s staff. The sound of sucking breath was increased as each of the waiting held their breath when the messenger rode through the Citadel gates. The rider dismounted and stepped before Faramir, Arwen and Eowyn.
With a deep bow he formally stated his business. "My Lord Faramir, I bring word from King Elessar."
"Speak." Faramir urged.
"The King sends word of a successful journey." Large smiles spread over the faces of those congregated and murmuring ensued. "He also requests that Prince Legolas’ room be prepared and healing supplies readied for his arrival." The crowd quieted instantly and the smiles faded.
Faramir lowered his head and stared at his shoes. How ignorant to believe that Legolas would be returned unharmed. It was all he could do to hope for the return of his friend, not much thought was given to the state of his return. He reached back and grabbed the hand of his wife. Her slender fingers slipped between his and Faramir was comforted by her presence as he was sure she was by his. He then turned to Arwen, her face was blank and her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the steward’s other hand.
The group that had assembled to hear the good news of the King’s return now stood, quietly whispering and consoling each other. The Elf Prince had become well loved in the White City and if he was lost it would be felt by all. Faramir scanned the faces of those surrounding him, each had a similar expression to Arwen and Eowyn, concern mixed with relief.
Then his eyes fell back to the messenger. The rider appeared exhausted as though he had not rested in days. He was filthy, dust covered him from head to toe and he panted softly. "Forgive me. Come, the cook will make you something to eat." He then turned to the crowd around him and began issuing orders.
People dispersed quickly to set about the tasks assigned. The cooks went to prepare food for the riders. Messengers were sent to retrieve healing herbs and supplies from the Houses of Healing. Maids set about preparing rooms for Eomer, Gimli, Angrod and Legolas. Legolas’ room was flooded with people coming and going. When the long awaited party finally rode through the Citadel gates, they were greeted by waiting servants and three very anxious friends.
Faramir stood, once again, at the head of those waiting, wringing his hands in anticipation. He watched the party approach, taking silent stock in what he saw. The party was two shy of what it had left with and all faces appeared tired. He could see several men with various wounds, some seemed more grave than others. He was relieved when he saw the faces of Eomer, Gimli and Aragorn. They all appeared no worse for the wear in appearance, but their countenance was grim and they each looked as though they carried a huge weight on their shoulders.
Faramir’s gaze then fell to the strange contraption hanging between Aragorn’s and Angrod’s horses. He had never seen anything like it before and was impressed with the ingenuity of it. It was when he saw the gold hair inside the strange litter that he stepped forward, raising his hand in greeting.
Arwen flew passed Faramir and into the arms of a barely dismounted Aragorn, about knocking him to the ground. The steward’s heart was warmed at the sight and he turned to Eowyn and pulled her forward with him. She in turn went to Eomer and embraced him. Faramir steadily made his way to the litter and looked down at the contents.
What greeted him knocked the breath from the steward. Legolas looked near death. He trembled uncontrollably and burned with fever. His face was pale and his hair damp with sweat. Faramir stood back speechless as he watched the stretcher removed from the horses. They didn’t remove the elf. He was carried directly inside and to his room whilst securely suspended in the canvas stretcher.
Faramir followed closely behind, Eowyn and Arwen just behind him. They followed Aragorn, Eomer, Angrod and Gimli as they carried Legolas through the halls and into his room. Faramir stepped forward and lifted the elf from the stretcher and placed him on the bed, then looked to Aragorn for explanation.
"I want you three," Aragorn stated pointing at Eomer, Gimli and Angrod, "To go, get something to eat and take some rest." The three did not argue, they each took one last look at Legolas and left the room.
The King then turned to the maids awaiting orders, "Please wait outside until you are summoned." He watched them leave then turned finally to the remaining three a sad smile on his face. "Do not worry overly much, he has awoken and we have spoken. I gave him a strong sleeping drought for the journey home. He is very ill and needs much care. I would like to start with bathing him and would request the Ladies’ help."
Faramir nodded and reached a hand to Legolas taking his hand briefly. The elf’s hand trembled in the steward’s grasp and his slender fingers felt icy to the touch. "I will wait here so that I may aid you if needed."
Aragorn nodded then scooped the elf up once more and headed into the bathing room. Arwen and Eowyn followed him in and the door closed behind them. The steward slumped down in a chair next to the bed and bent over resting his head in his hands. Valar, Give us strength.