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Fairborn (PG) Print

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.


[ all pages ]

Chapter 15: The Brown Wizards

Faramir and Prince Imrahil arrived in Dol Amroth, and they greeted Éowyn, Ganwyn, Bergrond, and Anbor. Just after the introductions to Anbor and Bergrond, Imrahil pulled Faramir aside.

“I suspect that man, Anbor, is a spy. I am sure he is a half-orc.” He said to Faramir.

“He is a half-orc, but not a spy.” Faramir laughed, “He has proven himself trustworthy often over the years.”

“Do not expect me to trust him until he proves himself to me!”

“Fair enough, I’m sure he will.”

They returned to the group.

“You look as beautiful as ever.” Imrahil said to Éowyn.

“Thank you. I’m sure I look better than the first time you saw me. I’m told you first saw me as they were carrying me from the battlefield at Pelennor Field.”

“That is so. I am still in awe of such a beautiful face topping a chain mail shirt, as I saw there. When I saw the Fell Beast you slew, I was convinced you were some Valar come to the battlefield. Then, they told me how you slew the Witch-King and I was convinced you were above even a Valar. If I had not been married, I would have pursued you in rivalry to Faramir.”

“You would have failed in that rivalry, despite your chivalry. Faramir won my heart as no other could have.”

“Then I shall have to pursue your daughter.”

“Ganwyn will be thrilled.”

“Faramir already used that joke on me.” Laughed Imrahil.

“Our senses of humor are very similar, it is one of the reasons we grew so close.”

“By the way, we encountered brigands in the woods. When Faramir offered them his horse, they attacked us. They said you had tricked them in the same way. What was that about?”

“Oh no!” Exclaimed Éowyn. “They demanded my horse, a Mearas, as the price of passage. I gave it too them, and it returned later in the day. I knew that a Mearas chooses its rider, and would not be forced. I expected it to escape and return to me, and it did.”

“So you did trick them, and they thought Faramir was doing the same. What an incredible coincidence!”

“Not really, after twenty years of marriage, we have similar ways of approaching many problems.”

“It sounds like you are one person, instead of two.”

“No. We still have our differences, and sometimes they are very great. But, we have learned much from each other.”

Faramir joined them at that point.

“How is everything going here in Dol Amroth?” He asked Éowyn.

“It’s been exceptionally hard work. Many scores were injured in the earthquake, but we have healed many of the injured. Despite our efforts, scores have died. Also, Anbor tells me that the workers have repaired many of the damaged buildings.”

“Have you been safe? Have there been other attempts to kill you?”

“Not since Minas Tirith.”

“Was there an attempt in Minas Tirith? You should have returned to me immediately.”

“I did. We had that wonderful night together.”

“I mean returned and stayed.” He was getting angry as he realized she had deceived him.

Imrahil diplomatically backed away, and left.

“Fairborn, I really needed to be here to help. It was very important to me.”

“Important enough to die for?”

“Yes. I wanted to help these people that much.”

Faramir was still angry, and was hurt by her deception. “Don’t do it again!” He demanded.

Her inclination was to answer sharply, as she felt guilt at deceiving him and did not like being ordered to do anything, but she curbed that inclination. “I am alive, and I helped many people. You should appreciate that.”

“I do. I do appreciate that, but I do not want you killed.” His anger was subsiding quickly, as it often did.

She kissed him. “You know I love you, but I do have my own needs sometimes.”

“So do I. Where’s the wenches?” Both of his sentences were the punch line to an old, ribald Rohirrim joke she had told him long ago. He was over his anger, and she couldn’t help laughing at the unexpected appearance of the old punch line.

After he left Faramir and Éowyn, Imrahil approached Anbor. Imrahil usually approached problems directly. “Faramir tells me you are a half-orc, but he trusts you anyway.” He stated.

“I think I’ve served ‘im well.” Said Anbor.

“If you earned his trust, then you must have served him well. He is a very good judge of men.”

“I ‘eard one of the rangers say that I was the most ‘onest ‘alf-orc ‘e ever knew. I laughed, as I never ‘eard nobody talk of an ‘onest ‘alf-orc. I took it as a compliment.”

“So, have you been helping with the injured?”

“No, I’ve not much talent for that. I’ve been keepin’ Éowyn informed of the repairs, and lookin’ for more assassins. Somethin’ don’t seem right here. Seein’ the twins has me uneasy.”

“What twins?”

“Some twins I knew at Isengard twenty years ago. A mean pair. Éowyn knew their father, but did not know of the twins. She wants ta meet them, but the idea makes me real uneasy. I’m not sure I wanta find ‘em for her. I sense that they ain’t upta anythin’ good.”

Imrahil found that he trusted this strange man. It wasn’t what Anbor said, but it was the Elf-like honesty with which he spoke which won Imrahil over. “With Faramir and me here, you can be more at ease about Éowyn. You can find these twins, and arrange the meeting and we will protect Lady Éowyn. If it will ease your concerns, then you can determine the twins’ intentions before setting up any meeting.”

“I think that’s wise.” Said Anbor. “I’ll do it.”

Bergrond asked Ganwyn about something which had caught his attention. “Your parent’s call each other “Fairborn”. What is that about?”

“They’ve called each other “Fairborn” as long as any of us children can remember. He calls her “Fairborn” because she was born with fair skin and yellow hair. She calls him “Fairborn” as a play on the pronunciation of his name, “Faramir”. So, they were both born “fair”. It seems to mean much to them, but I don’t understand it.”

Several days later, Anbor spotted the twins in the village of Yark. He greeted them, but did not bring up the subject of meeting with Éowyn. After their brief meeting, he began to carefully follow Grifa, the male twin. He thought he recognized Grifa’s boot print from South Ithilien, but he had some doubt. He wished he could have studied the boot print in South Ithilien more thoroughly, but he couldn’t at the time. Late in the day, he followed Grifa into the mountains. Grifa met with a group of orcs. Anbor was surprised, as no orcs were ever known to live in these mountains. He attempted to get close enough to hear their conversation, but the meeting dispersed before he could hear anything. He then followed Grifa back to Yark. As Grifa returned to the cottage in which he lived, his sister, Grifwyn, was also returning. Anbor wondered where she had been. He decided to have someone follow her, also.

That night, Anbor talked to Prince Imrahil.

“There are orcs in the mountains.” Anbor told Prince Imrahil.

“Orcs? There have never been orcs here.”

“I saw Grifa talkin’ with ‘em, but couldn’t hear what they said.”

“Grifa is the male twin? I never have understood Rohan names.”

“Yea.”

“I better put some troops together. We may need them.”

“That’s a good idea. If you and Faramir can guard Éowyn, then I have use of Bergrond and Ganwyn. Bergrond can tail Grifa, and Ganwyn can tail Grifwyn. Meanwhile, I’ll look for the Orc camp.

The next night, Anbor, Bergrond, Ganwyn, Faramir and Imrahil met.

“I found the orc camp. It’s high up in the mountains. There’s about three hundred of ‘em. I recognize some of the clan symbols. They’re from the Misty Mountains near Isengard.” Said Anbor.

“The Misty Mountains? How did they get here?” Asked Faramir.

“Quietly, I’ll wager.” Said Anbor. “There’s no easy or safe route for ‘em from there ta here.”

“Three hundred. Now that I know they are here, I should be able to handle that number.” Said Imrahil. “If they had attacked us by surprise, then they would have done much damage.”

“What did Grifa and Grifwyn do today?” Asked Faramir.

“Grifa watched Éowyn all day.” Said Bergrond. “It felt strange watching someone watch the person I had been guarding.”

“Grifwyn was gathering herbs and plants in the woods. Most of the herbs were related to a poison that Mother had told me of. Most of the plants had magical uses.” Said Ganwyn.

“Magical uses? How would you know that?” Said Imrahil, glancing at Ganwyn.

“I study magic, when I have time.” Said Ganwyn softly.

“Indeed. There is much more to you than meets the eye, young woman.” Said Imrahil. “You can track, can practice healing, and know something of magic.”

“Also, she shoots a bow well. In Ithilien, we believe in a well-rounded education.” Laughed Faramir. “Are you sure you are not going to propose to her?”

Ganwyn blushed, as Imrahil laughed along with Faramir, and Bergrond and Anbor exchanged puzzled glances.

The next day, Éowyn received a note inviting her and her family to dinner that evening with “the children of Gríma” in Yark. Early that evening, Éowyn, Faramir, and Ganwyn went to dinner in Yark and found a large table of food just outside the village.

“Welcome to the Lord and Ladies of Ithilien from the Brown Wizards.” Shouted Grifa. “We are Grifa, son of Gríma, and Grifwyn, daughter of Gríma.”

“Why do you call yourselves the Brown Wizards?” Asked Faramir.

“Because we are wizards, and we choose to wear brown.”

“Are there really any wizards in Middle Earth anymore?” Asked Faramir.
“Saruman, Gandalf, the High Elves, and Sauron are all gone, and no one hears of Radagast the Brown or the Blue Wizards anymore.”

“You seem well versed on this topic,” Said Grifa sharply “But, actually you know little.”
“My sister and I are the last of the apprentices of the great wizards.”

“You were taught by Saruman.” Said Éowyn.

“A wild guess from an unlikely source, but it hits the target.” Said Grifa. “We were trained by Saruman.”

“Why do you tell us this?” Asked Faramir.

“To inform you of how important we, your hosts, are.” Said Grifwyn. It was the first time she had spoken, and her voice was soft, friendly, and oddly comforting.

“Enough talk, on to the feast.” Said Grifa.

“I am not sure a feast is appropriate at the scene of a natural disaster.” Said Faramir.

“ Nonsense. We will share our food with the populace of Dol Amroth.” Assured Grifwyn. “This is a special occasion to us.”

“Fairborn, I am not sure we should be here.” Faramir whispered to Éowyn. “I fear for you and Ganwyn.”

“Do not fear, we are prepared.” She whispered back.

Soon servants began serving food to the five people sitting at the table.

“What are you celebrating?” Asked Éowyn.

“The death of our father’s banes.” Said Grifwyn.

“And who would that be?” Said Éowyn.

“The ents. The last ent died three month ago. Radagast the Brown tried to save them, and he also perished.” Trumpeted Grifa. “We celebrate his death by wearing brown.”

“They were killed?” Asked Éowyn. Her stomach was knotting.

“Yes, we ordered their deaths.” Said Grifwyn.

“And who carried out your orders.” Asked Éowyn steadily.

“Our orcs. I am sovereign of the Orcs of the Misty Mountains. And my brother has just become sovereign of the Orcs of Mordor.” Said Grifwyn proudly.

“It is you two who have been trying to kill Éowyn.” Said Faramir angrily. He tried to stand, but quickly fell back to his chair. Éowyn and Ganwyn had slumped in their chairs and appeared to be asleep.

“You are all three poisoned to some extent, but you, Faramir, will not die of it. We want you to watch Éowyn die, and us take your daughter. When you follow us, you will find Ganwyn’s body pinned to a tree somewhere between here and the Misty Mountains. Gandalf, our father’s greatest bane, is beyond our reach, but his near namesake isn’t. Your daughter will die in his stead.”

Four orcs appeared from the woods, and one threw Ganwyn’s body across his shoulder. Faramir again tried unsuccessfully to stand. Grifa approached and tied him to the chair.

“Shortly, a unit of orcs will come from their camp in the mountains and hack Éowyn to pieces before your eyes; however, they will leave you untouched, if our orders are followed. That way you can follow us and recover your daughter’s corpse.” Gloated Grifa.

“However, orcs being orcs, they may hack you to pieces, too.” Laughed Grifwyn. Her voice still sounded oddly comforting.

Grifwyn, Grifa, and their four orcs left with Ganwyn’s body. Minutes after they left, Éowyn arose from her seat, pulled a dagger from the bodice of her dress, and cut Faramir’s ropes.

“What? You’re not poisoned.” He said.

“Fairborn, I’ve had weeks to work on the antidote to their poison. They underestimated me just as their father often did. Both Ganwyn and I are alive.”

“I apparently underestimated you, too.”

“I have a herb that should clear your head, but you will still have trouble walking steadily and we need to move before the orcs come.”

“The orcs are likely fighting Prince Imrahil and his troops by now. Anbor led Imrahil’s men to the orc camp about an hour before we came here.” Faramir said.

“ I ordered Bergrond to follow anyone who left this dinner before we did. He should be following our hosts. We can catch up to him when you are more able to walk.” Said Éowyn.

“I guess our mysteries are solved. Now we need to solve our problems,” Said Faramir. “and these two children of Gríma Wormtongue are at the root of our direst problems. I hope Ganwyn will escape the children of Gríma before they really kill her.”

“Our daughter is an extraordinary young woman. I am sure she will escape.”

“She is still a young girl in my eyes.” Said Faramir.

“She grew two inches in the last year and her body began changing months ago. She had her first period last week.”

“I didn’t need to know that.”

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