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 5: The Fortress and the Manor Hall

When Faramir came in sight of the fortress, he noted that the workmen had completed more work during the day than he had expected. He was pleased that his troops would soon have a secure base from which to defend Ithilien and Emyn Arnen. The fortress was not large, like Minas Tirith, but would serve its purpose. It would house the unit of Gondorian spearmen assigned to him, and the White Company. Also, it would serve as the armory for the Rohirrim and the militia. Additionally, it contained a great hall for social and diplomatic occasions. Since most of the White Company was in Dunlend, it would be mostly empty until they returned. He would feel more secure when the White Company returned.

Faramir had wanted to build the fortress long ago, but did not have the resources to do so. Therefore, his troops had operated from a wooden stockade for most of the last twenty years. When he became Prince, Ithilien was under-populated and in ruins. It had taken almost twenty years to get to the point where he could build this fortress. Some who opposed it were calling it “Minas Faramir”; however, the recent orc raids had muted this criticism. He would have liked to restore Osgiliath and its defenses, but it was considered indefensible by some of the King’s best military advisors, so Gondor would not contribute to its restoration. Even Faramir did not like the location and size of Osgiliath, but restoring existing defenses was easier than building entirely new ones. Regardless, now his small fortress was nearly complete.

The Gondorian spearmen were relieved to arrive at the wooden stockade, near the fortress-in-construction. It hadn’t been a long march to the battlefield at Syr, but two marches and a battle (even a one-sided one) was a full day’s work. They had been in Ithilien for a year now, and the stockade was beginning to feel like a home. Not their home in Gondor, but a home.

After leaving the spearmen at the stockade, Faramir and Boromir prepared to ride the league to the manor hall which was the home of Faramir’s household and its retainers. However, before they started, the Ithilien Eored arrived. The Eored was still jubilant about their victory, and their new-found heroine. Faramir was angry that his daughter had fought in the battle without his knowledge, but was pleased that she was unharmed and surprised that she had fought so well in the battle. Despite her success in mock combat, he had not taken her military prowess seriously. If Faramir had been a less fair-minded man, he would have punished Captain Eothain for putting his daughter in danger. However, he knew that few men could have prevented his daughter from following her inclinations. He knew she wanted to test her skills in real combat, but had hoped such an opportunity would not present itself.

Faramir had not yet recovered from the surprise concerning his oldest daughter, when Éowyn and Ganwyn arrived with their wounded guard. If Faramir had been a less fair-minded man, he would have punished Bergrond for not protecting Éowyn from the assassin. However, he knew that almost any guard was a mismatch against a trained assassin. He was pleased that Éowyn and Ganwyn had returned unharmed. He was relieved that Bergrond was not injured more seriously. He knew that Beregond would have been upset if Bergrond, his youngest son, had been killed, and he valued Beregond as a friend, a counselor and a captain.

As Faramir was considering his surprises, two messengers rode up. One informed him of Beregond’s victory in North Ithilien. The other informed him that he was needed in Minas Tirith to perform his duties as Steward of Gondor. He sent one messenger back to Beregond with congratulations and a summons to hurry to the manor hall. He sent the other to Minas Tirith with a message that he would arrive in the morning by King’s Hour.

Finally, Faramir rode home with Éowyn, Theowyn, Ganwyn, Boromir, and Captain Eothain. He had invited Captain Eothain because he wanted to discuss the defense of Ithilien that night. He could not know how long he would be needed in Minas Tirith, so he would have to plan as if he would not be back soon. There was much talk among the party as they rode. Theowyn told Ganwyn and Boromir of her battle, Ganwyn told Theowyn and Boromir of the assassination attempt, Boromir told Ganwyn and Theowyn of his battle and chided Ganwyn for telling of his engagement. Captain Eothain rode with them and listened to all the talk, but said little. He was not familiar with Lord Faramir’s family, and felt out of place. As their family chattered among themselves, Faramir and Éowyn rode at the back of the group and talked.

“Fairborn, what can we do to keep our firstborn from dying in battle?” Faramir said.

“Lock her in the dungeon until she’s too old to fight.” laughed Éowyn “That’s what my father would have done.”

“We don’t have a dungeon. Maybe we can marry her off to someone who can keep her in line.”

“And who would that be?”

“How about Prince Imrahil or Lord Erkenbrand?”

“Aren’t they much too old?”

“They’re still considered mighty warriors.”

“The first thing she’d do is challenge either of them to mock combat?” Éowyn laughed.

“True. But, she might lose.” he laughed.

“Then she would challenge again and again, until she wins.”

“You know her well.”

“I used to be like her. I think we’ve done everything we can fairly do to protect Theowyn. All we can do now is give her a good shield, a good set of mail, and a good sword and hope she changes her interests. Besides, if she married Prince Imrahil, then my daughter would be my brother’s mother-in-law.”

“Yes,” he laughed “I thought of that and rather liked the idea. Every family tree should have some confusion in its branches.”

Éowyn laughed at this idea.

“Is it really possible that she would change interests?” he said.

“I did.”

“Then, on to another topic. What can I do to help Boromir?”

“Why does he need help?”

“He’s engaged to Halea, and her family thinks he is unworthy of her because of his low social status.”

“He’s engaged? Why didn’t he tell us?”

“He was keeping it secret.”

“How did you find out?”

“Ganwyn told me.”

“My quiet lastborn told you, but not me.”

“She really doesn’t say much, does she?”

“She was talkative today; I think the day’s events excited her. I would have been dead, if not for her.”

“I didn’t realize that it was that closely run, Fairborn. I don’t want to lose you, you know.” He leaned over to kiss her, and nearly fell off his horse.

She laughed, “In Rohan, men can kiss and ride at the same time.”

“Wait until we get home, I’ll show you kissing and riding.”

“Fairborn, I have an idea of how to help Boromir.” said Éowyn. She then explained her idea. Faramir added some of his own ideas, and together they came up with a plan.

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