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Aragorn and Faramir
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Date Posted: 12:01:48 05/12/02 Sun
Aragorn hovered outside uncertainly. The sounds of voices had filled the hall as he approached but had stopped, just as he had reached the door. He knocked again, but still there was no invitation into the room. Obviously Eowyn did not wish to receive visitors, or rather did not wish to receive him, as there was definitely someone else in there with her.
Turning, about to go he heard the almost imperceptible sound of the door being opened. Slowly he spun to face the figure in the doorway. It was Faramir.
This wasn't the scene Faramir was expecting outside his wife's door. It was clear from the look on Elessar's face that he had not expected to see him. So why had he come to her chambers? He knew not for her injury, and there seemed not logical reason. Mind, Elessar didn't seem to be using logic recently.
He wouldn't mind, if it were not for the fact that she hardly looked presentable. Maybe in different circumstances, but with Aragorn with another woman? He was certainly apprehensive about this.
"May I come in?"
"If you wish."
Tactfully Aragorn ignored Faramir’s obvious discomfort and focused instead of Eowyn who was lying like an insubstantial shade in the bed, her face chalk white, her lips pale, her breathing shaky and erratic. “Dear gods, what happened to you Eowyn? Are you all right? I hope it is not the result of the lord Faramir’s return,” he grinned slightly to hide his distress at her condition.
Obviously Faramir was uneasy about Aragorn’s proximity to his wife, after their history and what had happened with Namün so he moved backwards towards the steward.
“May I talk with you outside?”
“Of course,” Aragorn replied. Nodding farewell to Eowyn and wishing her better health he followed the other man out of the door.
There he waited for Faramir to begin to apologise for his behaviour in court but the expected apology didn’t come. Instead Faramir just stared at him as if he couldn’t think of the right way to phrase whatever it was he had drawn the king out here for. After a few unsettling moments the steward began to speak, but the words “I’m sorry” never passed his lips.
“You intend to go through with this ridiculous trial?”
Aragorn overlooked the lack of apology and the intended snub and answered out of curiosity, “I do. But then you know that so I wonder, why am I here?”
“You must understand that you cannot triumph. Deollyn is strong and uninjured. He will best you with the broadsword that I doubt you can lift, weak as you are. I know that you will find it hard to back out of a challenge yet I offer myself in your place. If this is merely a matter of justice then you must agree for I can beat him where you will certainly fail. If it is not, well, then you are free to refuse at will but the city needs a king. Let me fight Deollyn.”
He had been pushed into a corner, either way he lost. Subdued Aragorn moved to a window that looked over the city, its streets thronging.
“Look at them,” said quietly. “They are my people. Out there they gather, ready to watch Elessar, the warrior king defeat his foe once more. They have all turned up, out of love. I cannot disappoint them. I cannot crush their faith in me.”
Just as softly Faramir replied, “what do you think will crush that belief more than watching you fail.”
“Your words ring true but I cannot accept them.” He turned to face his steward. “I’m sorry Faramir but I cannot accept your proposal either. The fight will continue as planned. I thank you for your gallant offer but I think you already knew I would not take it. Now if you’ll excuse me I must go and greet my subjects. I would mean a lot to me to know you didn’t despise me.”
Was that really how he felt? Faramir wondered. He would never understand the path the king had chosen, Namün over Arwen, but it was something his words would not influence. He knew only too well that Elessar's stubbornness would only become more so, if he tried to presuade him otherwise. "Elessar. I do not despise you. Indeed, those words have never crossed my lips. I may not have meant all which I said earlier, but I do not approve of what you are doing. That is all. I can only suggest that we agree to disagree on this matter, as it is inconclusive, and we should not let personal matters affect our ruling capacity." There. He was offering a truce. One the King should hopefully accept.
The king nodded and moved slowly back towards his quarters to fetch Anduril and prepare for what could be the last battle of his life.
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