Faramir Fiction Archive

Fairborn (PG)

Written by Paul Price

26 August 2011 | 24652 words

Title: Fairborn
Author: Paul Price
Rating: PG
Pairing(s): Faramir

This is a sixteen chapter short novel detailing curious events and various adventures in the twentieth year of Faramir and Eowyn’s marriage. The adventures and events concern them, their children, their friends, the countries of Gondor, Rohan, Dunland, and Harad, and enemies they did not know they had.

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Chapter 12: Minas Tirith

Eight hours after Faramir and Imrahil left Minis Tirith, Theowyn and Halyn arrived. Theowyn’s arm wounds had reopened, so she was bleeding slightly as they approached the main gate. However, the guards’ attention was more drawn to their arms and armor than their physical distresses. None of the guards had seen mithril weapons or armor before. Additionally, Theowyn was not known by sight in Minas Tirith, despite her recent deeds of renown.

“Who goes there?” Barked the Captain of the Guard.

“I am Thane Theowyn of Ithilien and I ask for aid. My father is the Steward of Gondor.”

“Your father left for Dol Amroth earlier today. Can any others vouch for you?”

“Have you ever seen my mother, the Lady of Ithilien?”

“Yes.”

“Do you doubt that I am her daughter?”

“No. Not now that I consider it. But where did you get such arms, may I ask?”

“In Osgiliath, but we can talk of this later. I am bleeding, and my companion can barely sit her horse. Help us.” Her last two words were more command than request and the Captain responded to the command. His men helped the two battered riders from their horses, and took them to the House of Healing. A young apprentice healer attended the two women.

“Most of our healers are in Dol Amroth.” She explained, “But, I should be able to aid you, as I am nearly finished with my apprenticeship. My name is Alawyn.”

“I think my arm is broken and maybe my shoulder.” Said Theowyn.

“How did this happen?” Asked Alawyn.

“We were attacked by trolls.”

“Where?”

“Osgiliath?”

“We should notify the guards that there are trolls in Osgiliath.”

“The trolls are dead. We killed them both.”

“You two killed two trolls by yourselves?” Said the astonished apprentice, “You must be great heroes. Who are you?”

“I am Theowyn, daughter of Éowyn and Faramir, and she is my friend Halyn.”

The apprentice checked Theowyn’s shoulder and arm. “You’re right. The arm is broken. It should take several months to fully mend. I can splint the arm, to aid its healing, but the shoulder is not as easily treated, nor is the extent of the damage as easily determined.” She then examined Halyn. “What happened to her?” Alawyn asked Theowyn.

“A troll hit her with a club and knocked her against a wall.”

“Was she conscious the whole time?”

“No.”

“Can your understand me?” Alawyn asked Halyn.

“Yes, but my head hurts heroically and everyone is talking too loud.”

“I have herbs that should lessen the pain for both of you.” After she splinted Theowyn’s arm and bandaged her shoulder, Alawyn said “You need sleep.”

“Good!” Said Halyn “I’m exhausted.”

“Not you. I need to determine if you can safely sleep. Sometimes people who receive blows like that never awaken when they go to sleep. I do not like to lose my patients.”

Eventually, Alawyn determined that Halyn should be able to safely sleep, and both Theowyn and Halyn slept.

In the morning, the Captain of the Guard came to talk to them.

“I understand that you two claim to have killed two trolls in Osgiliath. There have been no trolls in Gondor since the war.”

“If you send people there, then they should find the troll bodies.” Said Theowyn.

“I am more concerned about your arms.” Said the Captain.

“I think they’re mithril, we found them in Osgiliath. One of the trolls called them the Weapons of the King’s Elite. Have you heard of them?”

“More children’s tales. First trolls, then mithril Weapons of the King’s Elite. You waste my time.” Said the Captain angrily.

“What is your name?” Asked Theowyn.

“Captain Belegon.” He said, “When you’re ready to talk sense, call for me.” Then, he left. Theowyn noticed that he left behind a guard.

“What a double O!” Said Halyn, referring to their code for Officious Oaf.

“We need to go back to Osgiliath.” Said Theowyn. “Our treasure is in danger. I don’t trust that man.”

“Sure. We’re in great condition to fight more trolls. You have one usable arm, and my head is buzzing like a beehive.”

“Neither of us is currently bleeding.”

“True, but that could be a temporary condition. I feel like I’m bleeding from the ears. I’m not, am I?”

“No, you’re not. Where is your sense of adventure, Hal?”

“It’s standing safely behind my sense of self-preservation. We couldn’t handle another troll. With these wounds, we probably can’t handle a field mouse.” Halyn knew Theowyn was very serious about her idea. Theowyn only called her “Hal” when she was very serious.

“There shouldn’t be another troll. There never were many of them. We may have killed the only two trolls in Gondor.”

“No one found that treasure for many years, except us. No one will find it now. That treasure would be useless to us if we get ourselves killed.”

This made sense to Theowyn, but she was still impatient to go back to Osgiliath.

At that point in the conversation, Alawyn entered the room. “Are you two feeling better?” She asked.

“Yes, much better. We’re ready to leave.” Said Theowyn.

“No!” Said Alawyn firmly. “Neither of you is in shape to travel.”

“You know she’s right.” Said Halyn to Theowyn.

Late in the day, Captain Belegon returned. “I sent a rider to Osgiliath, and he found two dead trolls, but no armor or weapons such as yours. Where did you say you found them?” He said.

“We didn’t say. How long did he look for them?” Said Theowyn.

“Not long. A troll chased him away.”

Halyn and Theowyn exchanged glances, and Halyn stifled a laugh.

After the Captain left, Halyn said, “Get use to this place. We are going to have to be fully healed to take on another troll.”

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