Minas Tirith was into its fifth day of celebration. The King
had returned, the War of Darkness had ended and the King had been crowned.
Everywhere the celebrations continued.
The members of the Fellowship, Arwen, Elrond and his twin
sons Elladan and Elrohir had enjoyed a sumptuous feast in one of the
smaller gathering halls that was close to the King and Queen's chambers.
Aragorn sat at the head of the table with Arwen to his right and Gandalf
to his left. The rest of the group were seated in no particular order.
There was much laughter with the hobbits, Legolas and even Gimli bursting
into song every now and then. Even Elrond, who was still coming to terms
with losing Arwen to a mortal life, had enjoyed the antics and stories
of the fellowship.
The intimate party of friends would have been larger but
the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn had returned to Lórien, Éomer the King of Rohan and his sister Éowyn had left the day after Aragorn's
coronation to attend to the solemn task of burying their beloved uncle;
King Théoden and Faramir had begged off citing duties that could not
wait.
Aragorn was not fooled. He could see that Faramir was mourning
the loss of his father and more grievously, the loss of his beloved
brother Boromir. The thoughts of the members of the Fellowship often
turned to the one who did not return from the quest. Boromir would always
hold a place in their hearts and was sorely missed by all. And poor
Faramir did not even have the company of Éowyn to divert his sombre
musings thought Aragorn. With a start Aragorn realised that Faramir
had no one with which to share his grief. Denethor's treatment of his
youngest son ensured that Faramir would never show his grief to others.
The years of public humiliation, being told that he was weak and emotional,
that he would never live up to his brother's standard, had caused Faramir
to become stoic as he accepted the verbal and physical abuse of his
father. To voice his objection to his father's words or actions, however
mildly, was to invite even greater abuse. So Faramir had learned to
remain quiet and keep his _expression blank. But for those that knew
him, his eyes could not hide his anguish for they were a window to his
gentle and compassionate soul.
Aragorn fully intended to approach Faramir in the morning
to find some way of getting the young Steward to confide in him, thus
speaking his grief. Aragorn's musings were interrupted by Samwise Gangee
who was saying his goodnights as he was heading for his bed. Frodo also
said his goodnights and followed Samwise. It was not long after that
the dinner was concluded and all the guests with the exception of Legolas
and Gandalf made their way to their respective quarters. Arwen said
goodnight to her husband with a promise that he would not stay up all
night. Aragorn, Legolas and Gandalf remained seated at the table. Gandalf
and Legolas had remained behind as both could see that something troubled
Aragorn.
"What troubles you Mellon-nin," Legolas said with
his usual forthrightness.
Aragorn frowned. "Faramir," he replied with a sigh.
"Each day he seems to become more and more distant. He grieves
for the loss of Boromir and for his father, despite the abuse he suffered
at the hands of Denethor," Aragorn said shaking his head in bewilderment
at the complexities of love.
Gandalf cast out his awareness to see if he could locate
Faramir. As with Aragorn, Gandalf could always sense where Faramir was
much to the chagrin of both at times. When he finally came back to himself
he saw that Aragorn and Legolas were waiting patiently as they had seen
the Wizard do this many times.
Gandalf rose quickly and made his way to the door. Aragorn
and Legolas rose to follow.
"What is it Gandalf? What is wrong?" Aragorn called
out as he followed the Wizard.
"Faramir is on top of the tower," was all that
Gandalf said as he made his way to the tower.
Gandalf, Legolas and Aragorn made their way up the long winding
tower stairs silently and quickly. The stairs ended at a trapdoor that
led onto the roof of the tower. The trapdoor was open and they climbed
the final few steps out onto the roof. The roof of the tower actually
looked like a large round courtyard complete with stone benches dotted
around and shrubs and vines growing in large pots.
An intake of breath from Legolas drew Gandalf and Aragorn's
attention. Following the direction of Legolas' gaze they saw what the
keen elf's eyes had seen in the dim moonlight, Faramir; sitting on the
high outer wall that just with his back braced against a section of
the wall that was raised in a step as the wall followed the contour
of the mountain into which the tower was built. The outer wall was just
wide enough to accommodate a man. Faramir was sitting with one leg bent
so that his knee was near his chest and the other extended out in front
of him.
Aragorn's heart went into his mouth as he realised the precariousness
of the young steward's position. To make matters even worse he could
see that Faramir was drinking from what appeared to be a bottle of wine.
Aragorn's attention was drawn away from his Steward to Gandalf when
what sounded like a growl erupted from the Wizard as he strode towards
Faramir. He saw the look of astonishment in Legolas' countenance as
both followed behind the Wizard.
"Faramir!", Gandalf all but bellowed as he stood
below where the young Steward was sitting on the wall. "What in
Eru's name do you think you are doing!?" he continued as he glared
up at Faramir.
Given his Steward's rather precarious position on the top
of the wall, Aragorn thought Gandalf's thunderous approach was perhaps
unwise. This was born out in the same instant as startled; Faramir dropped
the bottle of wine into the abyss that was on the other side of the
wall.
"Well" Faramir said in his usual quiet measured
tone as he leaned over to look at the path of descent that his bottle
of wine had taken, "I was attempting to get drunk but alas.."
Faramir left the rest of the statement unstated as he continued to look
into the abyss.
Gandalf's _expression became even more thunderous as he bellowed
at Faramir yet again.
"Get down off that wall before you fall to your death
you young fool of a human!"
"Oh Mithrandir", Faramir replied in a whisper that
Aragorn was sure Faramir meant none of them to hear but in the stillness
of the night was heard clearly by all, "would that be such a loss,"
he said with such sadness and despair that Aragorn felt his heart constrict.
To Aragorn's astonishment another growl erupted from the
Wizard and another bellow. "Faramir, son of Findulas, get down
from there now!"
Startled by both the invocation of this mother and the unaccustomed
tone from his life-long friend and mentor, Faramir swung both legs around
in a move to jump down from the wall onto the parapet that ran around
the length of the outer wall. Unfortunately due to the amount of wine
the young steward had consumed, he overbalanced and would have fallen
backwards off the wall if it had not been for the speed and agility
of Legolas who jumped lightly onto the wall - grabbed Faramir by the
front of his tunic and all but threw him from the wall and then jumped
down lightly onto the parapet. Faramir found himself in an undignified
heap at the feet of Gandalf having missed the parapet completely.
"Faramir!!" Gandalf bellowed as he looked down
on his young friend and pupil, frightened and angered by what had just
almost happened. Faramir having managed to raise himself to a seated
position, winced at the Wizard's bellow.
"Please Mithrandir" Faramir all but whined as he
held his hands to his ears. "I do confess my mind may be a little
fogged at the moment but I do assure you most sincerely that my ears
are suffering no such ill condition"
Aragorn standing to one side of Gandalf could not help the
smile that wanted to break out on his face and noticed that Legolas
was having a similar problem. Legolas looked down at the young Steward
shook his head in exasperated amusement and looked back at Aragorn with
an _expression that said "humans!".
Shaking his head at the condition of his Steward, Aragorn
moved to Faramir and held his hand out to the dishevelled young man.
Faramir looked at the hand, gulped nervously as he realised to whom
the hand belonged, looked up to the owner of the hand, winced and paled
even more as he looked into the face of his King. Faramir then saw that
Legolas was there as well as Aragorn. He then looked up at Gandalf and
winced again as he saw the thunderous _expression on his mentor's face.
"Oh just throw me to the wargs and be done with it"
Faramir muttered as he grabbed the King's proffered hand and was hauled
to his feet. Aragorn put a supporting hand on Faramir's shoulder as
the young man regained is balance and tuned to look at Gandalf.
Aragorn had never seen Gandalf quite so angry and was about
to say something to reduce the tension but thought better of it when
Gandalf pierced him with a glare and an unspoken warning not to interfere.
Still angered by the fright of seeing Faramir almost fall
to his death, Gandalf looked back to Faramir who had suddenly found
the ground very interesting. An _expression of sadness passed across
Gandalf's face as he realised that he had not helped Faramir deal with
all the loses and hardship that young Steward had faced over the past
few months. The Wizard's face hardened again as he comprehended that
if they did not deal with it soon; Faramir would find a way to get himself
killed.
With a strength that surprised Faramir, Gandalf grabbed the
young Steward's left wrist and dragged him away from the outer wall
over to a stone bench that was near the trapdoor leading down into the
tower. Aragorn and Legolas followed but kept a discrete distance. Gandalf
murmured something that Faramir could not quite hear and the staff that
was in Gandalf's other hand began to glow. Gandalf motioned for Legolas
to come and handed him the staff to hold.
Gandalf still had hold of Faramir's wrist. Drawing himself
up, Gandalf braced himself for what he was about to do. The Wizard looked
at Faramir who was still fascinated by the ground. He cupped the young
Steward's chin and raised it so that Faramir was looked at him.
"What happened the last time I found you sitting on
that very wall" Gandalf said in a stern tone. Legolas and Aragorn
shared a glance both dismayed to find out that Faramir had done this
before. Faramir paled even further, if that was possible, as he looked
at Gandalf with something akin to panic.
"B..but Mithrandir" the young Steward stammered
in fear and embarrassment. "You…you cannot. I was but a child…I-I
am a grown man…"
Gandalf stopped further utterances from Faramir by drawing
him down to sit on the bench. "I am sorry Faramir but in some ways
you are that child still," he said with gentleness and understanding.
"As that child you were under the stern rule of you father; hiding
your pain deep where none could see it, or so you thought, you are that
child still. As that child you were you still bury your pain deep in
the hopes that none will see. But as Boromir saw and I see, your eyes
tell all Faramir - for those who know you well. I see it in your eyes
now. You are drowning in grief my young friend."
Faramir attempted to swallow the lump that had lodged itself
in his throat as he read the concern and love in his mentor's _expression.
"As we both know Faramir you become reckless when you
are grieved. But hear this young one. It. Stops. Now. From this moment,
every time you put yourself needlessly in a position where you can get
hurt, I, Aragorn or Legolas will be there to remind you why you should
not".
As Gandalf made the last statement he looked at both Aragorn
and Legolas in turn. They nodded their silent agreement and the pact
was made. Both realised that Gandalf was entrusting something the Wizard
found precious to their care.
"And from what Boromir told me young one it was not
that long ago that he had reason to discipline you for the same offence,"
Gandalf said as he looked into the shocked _expression of Faramir. "More
than once," he added sternly.
Aragorn almost laughed aloud at the look of astonishment,
annoyance, indignation and chagrin that vied for dominance in his Steward's
features.
"Now young Steward," Gandalf said as he finally
realised his grip on Faramir's wrist. "I think it is time to see
this punishment done" he continued as he dared Faramir to attempt
to make his escape.
***
"You know what to do young one. We have done this before"
Gandalf said as he patted his knees.
Faramir, head still bowed and with his red-gold hair fallen
over his face, looked up towards Aragorn and Legolas but did not meet
their eyes.
"Do not worry young one," Gandalf said sensing
the source of Faramir's reluctance to move. "Both Aragorn and Legolas
have been in the same position. And in the case of young Thranduilion
there – quite recently," Gandalf added looking directly at
Legolas who blushed to the tip of his elven ears, easily seen in the
light of the staff that he still held for Gandalf.
Surprised, Aragorn caught Legolas' gaze and raised an eyebrow
in question. Legolas blushed further, shook his head and his gaze fell
to the ground. Aragorn smiled at his friend's discomposure. Knowing
the elf he could guess that the fiery temper his friend had inherited
from his father, Thranduil, had once again got him into trouble with
the Wizard.
Faramir still feeling the effects of the wine he had consumed
felt as if he was dreaming; a very unpleasant dream.
"Now Faramir!" Gandalf barked knowing that he had
to get the young Steward moving.
Both men and elf started at the Wizard's bark. Faramir was
beginning to empathise with rabbits as he rose to his feet quickly.
Too quickly as it turned out as he swayed when a wave of vertigo hit
him. Aragorn made a movement to assist but thought better of it as he
did not want to add to the already considerable embarrassment of his
Steward.
Faramir managed to stay on his feet as the vertigo passed.
He really wanted to bolt but knew he would not get far. He then fumbled
with the ties of his leggings and having loosened them sufficiently,
pushed his leggings to his knees. Taking a deep breath, Faramir then
lowered himself over Gandalf's knees. Gandalf settled the young Steward
on his lap and pulled Faramir's tunic up to his waist to better see
the intended target.
"What is this punishment for?" Gandalf asked as
he began the ritual that he always followed with Faramir.
Faramir had a love of words and lore. Gandalf understood
that Faramir was forced to hide his natural instincts when dealing with
Denethor. Faramir, never able to defend himself with either words or
actions, remained mute and impotent during his father's `punishments'.
Gandalf knew for Faramir to distinguish disciplining from beating, as
both were painful, the young man had to be able to speak.
Faramir always hated this part of any punishment he received
from Mithrandir. It made him feel vulnerable and exposed. When his father
chastised him or thrashed him he would take the punishment in silence;
neither vocalising his pain nor crying. Over the years he had weathered
harsh punishments from Denethor in absolute silence. Gandalf on the
other hand could have him yelling and blubbering with naught but a spanking.
Faramir felt his temper rise.
"For being a useless, weak, emotional fool not fit to
be Steward," Faramir spat out.
Aragorn and Legolas stood shocked at what Faramir had just
said. He was none of those things. Aragorn had not realised that Faramir
had taken his father's words so deeply into his heart. Gandalf, on the
other hand, did not look surprised.
"Those are Denethor's words and most definitely the
wrong answer," Gandalf growled as he landed the first blow on Faramir's
buttocks. "You are neither useless nor weak," Gandalf added
as the blows to Faramir's bottom continued. "And your compassion
is something of which to be proud young one."
Aragorn could see that Faramir was not accepting Gandalf's
words. Faramir shook his head as Gandalf continued to land blistering
blows to Faramir's bottom. He was beginning to understand just how stubborn
his Steward could be.
"We will continue this all night if we have to young
one until you give me the right answer," Gandalf said as he increased
the intensity of each blow.
Legolas winced in sympathy, as he knew from personal experience
how much stamina the Wizard had and how hard his hand was.
Faramir was squirming in the Wizard's lap but continued to
remain silent after his initial outburst. Gandalf again increased the
intensity of the blows that landed on Faramir's buttocks.
"I am still waiting for an answer Faramir," Gandalf
growled.
Aragorn was starting to feel uneasy about the intensity of
Gandalf's blows to Faramir's buttocks. He could see them turning very
red.
"For putting myself at risk," Faramir finally yelped
out.
Aragorn sighed in relief.
"Better young one but much to broad a subject"
Gandalf said as he reduced the intensity of the blows slightly and concentrated
on Faramir's thighs.
Gandalf could see that the young Steward was at a loss so
he gave him a hint.
"King…Dinner,' Gandalf supplied.
Legolas choked back a shocked laugh at the virulent Sindarin
curse his keen elven hearing had detected coming from the flustered
young human. He would have to find out how fluent Faramir was in Sindarin
later, Legolas thought.
"For lying to the King about dinner," Faramir ground
out as he squirmed on Gandalf's lap.
"And?"
"For sitting on the outer wall," Faramir managed
to say between gasps for breath.
"Sitting and drinking," Gandalf added sternly as
he increased the intensity of the blows to Faramir's posterior.
Aragorn winced. The Wizard was still very angry.
"Sitting and drinking on the outer wall. Owww!"
Faramir yelped.
"We both know that you do not have a head for wine"
"Mithrandir!" Faramir yelped indignantly. He would
like to keep some secrets.
Mithrandir continued to land blows on Faramir's buttocks
and thighs. When he felt that Faramir was near his limit he said the
one thing he knew would break down the defences that Faramir had placed,
by necessity given his place in Denethor's `family', around his heart.
"What would Boromir think, young one?" he said with gentleness
as he stopped the blows and rubbed his hand gently over Faramir's back.
Faramir's defences finally broke and he started to sob. But
no sound came from Faramir with the exception of gasped breathing. Realising
that the spanking had ended, Faramir slid from Gandalf's lap and onto
his knees. He pulled up his leggings as he placed his head on Gandalf's
thigh.
Gandalf continued to rub Faramir's back as the young Steward
sobbed silently.
"I miss him so much," Faramir whispered as tears
streamed down his face and the eerie silent sobs continued.
Aragorn was moved to tears himself as he suddenly had a vision
of a child-Faramir sobbing silently after a session with the father
that he loved but did not seem to love him, with no one the wiser to
his pain with the exception of Boromir - when he was around. It was
no wonder that the two brothers had been so close.
With a strength that belied his age, Gandalf gathered Faramir
in his arms and placed him on the stone bench. Faramir did not flinch
when his buttocks came in contact with the hard stone bench - such was
the pain in his heart. Gandalf's arms surrounded the young Steward and
he began to rock Faramir, much as he had done when Faramir was a child.
"You lost father, mother and brother when you lost Boromir,
young one. Boromir loved you deeply. No one will think the lesser of
you for voicing that grief. Let it go Faramir…let it go"
Gandalf crooned in a soft, gentle voice.
Gandalf's words brought home to Aragorn and Legolas the extent
of Faramir's loss.
Faramir's heart-wrenching sobs became louder as he finally
gave voice to his pain and despair. The young Steward cried for a long
time in the arms of his friend and mentor. The sobs lessened to hitching
breaths as Faramir cried himself out. Gandalf continued to rock his
young pupil until Faramir gained composure enough to speak.
"Mithrandir?" Faramir said in an almost child-like
voice.
"Yes young one?" Gandalf answered in a quiet tone.
"I do not feel too well."
Looking down at his young charge, Gandalf saw the decidedly
green tinge to Faramir's face. He put one hand over the young Steward's
eyes and commanded him to "sleep".
"I can assure you, my young friend, you are going to
feel much worse in the morning," Gandalf chuckled as Faramir slumped
in his arms, fast asleep.
"I think we need to get this one to his bed" Gandalf
said as he made a move to stand.
"I will carry him," offered Legolas as he passed
Gandalf's staff to Aragorn.
Legolas lifted the young human from the bench. He frowned.
"What is wrong Legolas?" Aragorn asked as he moved
over to look at his Steward.
"Aragorn, he weighs little more than a hobbit!"
Legolas replied.
"Alas," said Gandalf sadly shaking his head. "Loss
of appetite is another symptom Faramir displays when he is grieved."
Legolas carried Faramir to the young man's apartments and
laid him on the bed. They had thankfully not passed anyone on the way
to Faramir's apartments as it would have been difficult to explain why
Faramir was unconscious. The young Steward was stripped and dressed
in night attire by Legolas and Aragorn. Both were appalled at how thin
the young man was. With Faramir safely ensconced in his bed Aragorn
turned to the Wizard who was seated in a chair by the fireplace.
"I fear his healing has only just begun…"
Aragorn contemplated as he looked back to his young Steward.
"And the journey's not yet over," Gandalf finished.
"He will need a strong hand to see him back to full health."
"I did not realise that my Steward was quite so…stubborn,"
Aragorn said ruefully, amazed at what he had witnessed this night
"Stubborn!" Gandalf laughed. "In that gentle,
quite, intelligent package called Faramir lies the stubbornness of Findulas
and Denethor combined. And you know how stubborn Findulas was. I am
afraid, my friend, you have your work cut out for you keeping that one
in line and out of trouble."
Aragorn sat down on the end of his Steward's bed.
"I have been remiss, Gandalf… I did not see the
depth of his despair or the damage that Denethor had caused his esteem"
Aragorn said condemningly as he looked at his sleeping Steward.
"Do not blame yourself, Aragorn," said Gandalf
soothingly as he too looked at his sleeping friend. "Faramir under
Denethor's `tutelage' has become very adept at hiding his emotions,"
Gandalf continued with unaccustomed bitterness entering his voice.
"Well" said Aragorn decidedly. "The journey
has begun and we will finish it together. Things are about the change
for our young charge. No longer will he be able to hide." Aragorn
said almost relishing the battles of wills he could forsee in their
future
Faramir oblivious to this change in his life slept peacefully
for the first time since Boromir's death. In the morning when he awoke
both Aragorn and Legolas were still there. The journey had indeed begun.
On to Elf, Wasps and an Angry
Wizard
