Faramir Fiction Archive

Seeking (G)

Written by Shireling

27 June 2005 | 45981 words

Chapter 2

Problems, when they occur, often seem to come out of the blue and this one was no exception. And yet, as I stand in the shadows and watch this confrontation unfold before me, I wonder if I had missed the warning signs, if I could have intervened at an earlier stage and prevented this turn of events.

Perhaps I should have seen this coming. I think perhaps we underestimated Faramir; underestimated his fierce determination to prove himself and to reassert his independence. I’m not sure, even now, that he considers his actions to have been ill-considered or maybe it just never occurred to him that others would take enough interest in his actions to call him to account.

If that is the case then his well known talent for reading the hearts of others has sadly let him down. For now he stands before his Liege Lord and must answer for his actions.

It was at the morning meal that the first hint of trouble occurred. Estel had instituted these working breakfasts, informal gatherings of his closest friends and advisors during which plans for the day could be discussed and outstanding business attended to. Attendance wasn’t compulsory but it was clearly understood that absences were not encouraged. Faramir was, of course, included in those expected and it was his habit to take a report from the duty Guard Commander at first light so that he could then make an up to date report to the King.

This morning, the morning of a full council meeting, Faramir failed to appear and the Guard Commander came in person to give the duty report. The King heard the man out in silence, concern clouding his features.

“Thank you, Captain. Is Lord Faramir indisposed?”

“I know not, Sire. My instructions were to report to you directly.”

“Did Lord Faramir issue you those instructions himself?”

“No Sire, I believe he left them with the garrison Commander before he rode out to Osgiliath.”

“And when was that?”

“I believe it was yesterday, Sire, though I was not on duty then.”

“Thank you, Captain. Notify the guards on the gate that Lord Faramir is to report to me directly upon his return.”

The Captain saluted and made a hasty retreat. Estel sent a page to summon the Steward’s secretary. It is not often that Estel displays his anger and yet now he was clearly beyond exasperation, pacing up and down restlessly and growling to himself under his breath.

“Sire, you wished to see me?” Faramir’s secretary, a career administrator inherited from the Old Steward’s retinue, was a man well used to dealing with temperamental rulers and he stood alert and watchful, his expression neutral. The King’s pacing brought him to a standstill in front of the man.

“I take it Lord Faramir was aware of today’s council meeting?”

“Yes, Sire. All the necessary documentation was prepared and collated before My Lord was called away.

“And where and what was so important that Lord Faramir had to rush off without my knowledge or leave!” he all but shouted. The man was not in the least bit intimidated.

“I know not the particulars, Sire. Lord Faramir received a message from Captain Beregond in Osgiliath and decided it required his personal attention. He did say that he should be back by nightfall but if he was delayed he would be back in time for the meeting… I’m sure he did not mean to cause any inconvenience, Sire.”

The man was dismissed and I was dispatched to the garrison to find out more details of Faramir’s actions and to arrange for a signal to be sent to Osgiliath ordering his immediate return.

“Estel, calm yourself.” I reassured him upon my return. “There was no general alarm, Osgiliath is not under threat. Faramir left yesterday before noon with an escort and arrived safely. He left Osgiliath at first light and should be here presently.”

“I cannot delay the start of the council, we will start without him and I will deal with this other business later.” Seeing his continued state of agitation I turned him towards me with my hands upon his shoulders, waiting until he met my gaze.

“Peace, my friend, all will be well… hear him out… I’m sure there will be a perfectly reasonable explanation,” I said, rocking him slightly until he returned my smile. I hoped there was an explanation, Estel is very protective of those under his charge, a fact that Faramir has, I fear, yet to learn.

The morning session was drawing to a close by the time we heard the trumpets heralding the Steward’s return. The morning had been reasonably productive with several edicts regarding civic administration being agreed with very little argument; a pleasant change from the normal course of events. I had a sneaking suspicion that the ease with which business was being dealt with had much to do with the fact that in Faramir’s absence much of the procrastination and tedious argument of the councillors was absent… the target of their obfuscations not being present to endure it.

Estel adjourned the meeting, inviting the councillors to take refreshment in the ante-room. Faramir was announced. He saluted smartly and went down on one knee before the King in obeisance, remaining in place with his head bowed until the King raised him up. Under Estel’s intense scrutiny he stood tall, his gaze fixed on the collar of the King’s tunic, his expression impassive. He was clearly exhausted from his exertions and the silence was making him squirm, though his discomfort was internal, his rigid stance not betraying his discomfiture.

“Sire, Please forg… ..!” Estel silenced him with a raise of his hand, clasping the younger man on the shoulder in a gesture of reassurance; a kindly gesture, sadly misinterpreted by its recipient who recoiled from the contact and the threat that the raised hand implied. Estel backed a step allowing the increase in distance to reassure his Steward.

“Lord Faramir, we will discuss your apologies and your actions after the council proceedings are completed. Is there anything urgent I need to be aware of in Osgiliath?” Faramir shook his head “Good, then you will go now and refresh yourself and join the rest of the councillors for lunch.”

Estel joined me at the window, a look of sorrow clouding his face. He gazed out at the sun-drenched city. “He thought I was going to strike him!” he said sadly. “He fears me!”

“No Estel,” I said moving behind him and using my thumbs to massage the tension from his shoulders. “It is not you he fears; your position, maybe, your authority. Remember what you know of his history, of the scars he bears. This is the first time he has found himself called to account by his King… he is reacting on instinct… expecting to be treated as he was by Denethor… old habits are hard to break!” I said with a wry smile, hoping to bring reassurance.

“Thank you my friend, you are ever a source of good council. Would you go to him and make sure that he takes some refreshment before we resume.”

My hopes that the meeting would be drawn to a speedy conclusion were granted, though not under the circumstances I had anticipated. There were only a few items left on the agenda: Faramir’s report on the progress of reordering of the military, Gimli’s report on the rebuilding of the gates and the lower circles and a report from the councillor responsible for the Houses of Healing with regards to funding and staffing of health provision in the city. Before we moved on to these last items the King asked the scribe to briefly run through the main discussions and conclusions of the morning session for Faramir’s benefit.

The scribe had almost completed his recitation and was on the last item when Faramir shot to his feet.

“WHAT!” his bellow echoed around the chamber, waking the older councillors from their post-prandial dozing. “Sire, that must be a mistake… you cannot allow this!”

“Lord Faramir, sit down, Sir!” The King ordered.

“But, Sire, this is monstrous… what were you thinking!” I tried to settle him down, recognising, as he did not, that he had gone too far.

“Faramir, sit and calm yourself,” I whispered urgently, pulling him down into his seat and restraining him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Now, My Lord Steward, if you can conduct yourself with a modicum of decorum would you kindly explain your objection to these proposals.”

Estel was fighting to rein in his exasperation. The whole room was deathly quiet but I did not miss the looks of sly triumph that passed between some of the more vociferous of Faramir’s detractors.

Having taken a few moments to compose himself Faramir took a deep breath and began speaking.

“Sire, when I took up my duties at the end of the War, the city was in chaos; civic administration had all but broken down, the city was rudderless with no effective means of relieving the plight of the people; the Captains were fighting to restore order and security and it fell to me to look after the people.” He was on his feet again but he was clearly now in control of himself and he paced to help him maintain his composure.

“Go on Faramir,” The King urged.

“Many people were destitute, without the means even feed themselves and so I decided to take control of all the food stocks within the city and pool the resources to allow for an equitable distribution based on need. This strategy was not without its critics; the few remaining merchants objected to having their livelihoods disrupted,” Faramir growled. At least two of the councillors squirmed uncomfortably in their seats. “This new Edict if it is passed would cause untold suffering. There are many people within the city who still rely on the distribution of food for their survival. If we move back to a free-market it is the most vulnerable of your citizens who will suffer, Sire.”

“I see. Lord Harmil, you tabled this motion, what have you to say to Lord Faramir’s predictions!”

“Sire, with the greatest respect, Lord Faramir is a soldier not an economist,” the Lord smarmed, “and, while I do not doubt that his intentions are honourable, he is not an expert in this matter. I have had many years experience dealing with the economic matters and I had Steward Denethor’s complete confidence. We must allow the merchants to trade freely to ensure the prosperity of the city.” The man sat down, oozing arrogance, sure that he had effectively killed any further discussion.

I could feel the anger vibrating within Faramir’s slender frame as he took his seat and I flashed a warning glance to Estel. Before the King could intercede Faramir was again on the offensive.

“Please Lord Harmil,” he said in a voice of deceptive calm, “just remind the council what business underpins your families fortune… Ah, yes… you are a grain merchant are you not!”

“Why, you impudent young pup, just what are you insinuating,” the irate man roared.

“Nothing, My Lord, I am merely pointing out that you are not without personal interest in this affair… I may only be an ignorant soldier but I know that in times of shortage and hardship the price of essential commodities goes up and the only people to benefit are those who fill their coffers while those around them go hungry!” At this point I feared for the arms of the chair in which Faramir was seated; his white-knuckled grip on the sturdy oak threatening to splinter it to firewood.

I do not think that the noble Lord gave due thought to the consequences of his next ill-considered remark. “You, Sir” he sneered at the Steward, “should not meddle in things you do not understand… go back to playing soldiers with your Ranger friends… Your father was right, target practice for the enemy is all you are good for!” he spat.

They say that Elves can move swiftly but Faramir was swifter than an arrow and the stunned man had hardly finished speaking before his face hit the table, one hand forced high behind his back, Faramir pinning him in place with an arm across his neck. It is fortunate that protocol dictates that no weapons be brought into the chamber for I fear that if Faramir had a blade to hand he would have skewered the man.

The door guards, immediately alert, drew their swords and made to approach the scene of the altercation but the King had them stand down and keep watch.

“FARAMIR! Release Him At Once!” The King ordered.

Not many would dare to ignore a direct order from the King but Faramir was beyond reason. I struggled to release his grip on the man, but could do little without risk of injuring him, so strong was his fury.

“My ‘Ranger friends’ are all dead!… hacked and slaughtered, their blood spilled to ensure your safety, their heads used as ammunition by the enemy… They are dead, only a dozen remain out of a garrison of 150… !” he choked. “But you wouldn’t know that would you? You were too busy cowering in you cellar counting your coppers and hoarding your precious supplies.” He was punctuating his words by striking the man’s head against the table.

I had a firm grip now of his shoulders. “Enough now, Faramir! Enough! He is not worth this. Let it go now,” I whispered as I felt him go limp under my hands.

I guided him to his feet and at a brief nod from Estel I led him away to the ante-chamber. Reaction was setting in, he began to shake uncontrollably. He slumped down into a chair near the fire and buried his face in his hands. I wrapped a cloak around his shoulders and poured him a small glass of brandy. I wanted desperately to comfort him in his distress and yet he shrugged away from my touch.

Through the open door I could hear Estel adjourning the meeting.

“Gentlemen! It is clear that we did not give this matter due consideration, that we were not presented with all the relevant information before we made our, seemingly, hasty decisions. I do not take well to being manipulated or to having my Council used to enhance the personal interests of my Councillors!” He stalked down the table to the injured lord and cast a healer’s eye over the damage, dismissing his injuries as minor.

“Lord Harmil, you will prepare and present a full census report of all the citizens of the city and its immediate environs. I want full details of every household and business; income, dependants, professional and practical skills. You will present it to this council a week from today, at the same time as you hand in your resignation. It will be in your interest to ensure that the report is detailed and accurate… I will not hesitate to bring you before this council to face charges of contempt if the results prove to be less than reliable. In the light of today’s events all decisions taken by this council today will be held in abeyance and reconsidered at our next meeting, when I expect to be given the full facts, not just those convenient to your particular concerns. Good day, Gentlemen, this council is adjourned,” he said.

From the doorway I watched as the councillors shuffled out, muttering amongst themselves and throwing disgruntled glances in the direction the Steward had taken. When the room had cleared I saw Estel moved across to speak to the duty guard, they saluted and proceeded to take post beyond the council chamber doors. As Estel dropped heavily into his chair at the table I poured him a drink from the decanter and took it to him.

He nodded his thanks and knocked back the fiery liquid in one swallow.

“How is Faramir?”

“Better. He’s calmed… and he has stopped shaking!” I said with an attempt at humour.

“That was quite a performance! I should have realised that he was unlikely to have escaped the Húrin temperament… Boromir had a short temper and Denethor’s rages were legendary.”

“He was sorely provoked, Estel. The Lord’s words were unforgivable. Lord Harmil has been aggravating him for weeks but I’m not sure even the noble Lord expected quite such a reaction.

“He’ll be reminded every time he looks in the mirror!” Estel sniggered finally cracking a smile. The humour was short lived as he contemplated the events of the day.

“What am I to do with him?” it was a rhetorical question, for I could give him no answers.

“I will leave Faramir in your care, Estel,” I said. “I would not wish to increase his discomfiture by staying to witness your ‘discussions’!” He flashed me a wry grin. “Be gentle with him,” I continued. “His need for your care and understanding is great and I can leave him in no safer hands!”

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