Chance Encounter, part 20
Feb. 24th, 2005 09:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamflowerNow we check in on Faramir and Aragorn...
PART 20
Aragorn looked up at the sound of a knock on his study door.
“Enter.”
The door opened, and Faramir came in. “My Lord King--” he stopped at the Look he was getting from the King.
“Faramir, do you see anyone else in here?”
“No, Sire.” He blushed; he knew what Aragorn meant.
“I do understand the need for formality when we are in the presence of most others. But surely between the two of us, you may simply call me ‘Aragorn’.”
Faramir gave a wry smile. “I will try. It is just that it is not proper.” He was startled by the loud burst of laughter this answer received.
“Now you sound just like Samwise, when Frodo tries to get him to stop saying ‘mister’.”
Faramir did give a rueful chuckle at that. “I am afraid it is for the same reason--Aragorn--we were both reared with a very strict sense of propriety. A lifetime’s habits are not easily cast away.”
“Do come in and sit down, Faramir. I think that you came to tell me something specific?”
“Indeed.” The Steward went on the recount the meeting with Menelcar in the City. “I have no doubts that he is exactly who Pippin and Merry say he is, and I sense no deception in him. Yet Éowyn also seems to somehow know him, though she has yet to remember exactly how. I did think that you should be aware of it. Pippin wished to give him access to the Citadel, and I did not gainsay him.”
Aragorn nodded. “I do believe that once or twice I have heard my small Knight mention this minstrel. I appreciate both your caution and your judgment.”
“Thank you. I worry about charlatans and those who would take advantage of the hobbits’ good natures. I would not call them simple, but their experiences have not prepared them for certain types of people.” Faramir pursed his lips, and shook his head.
“This is true. Hobbits do not tend to think too highly of themselves. Their humor tends to be self-deprecating, except for the boasts of the young, and even those tend to be of the jesting sort. The idea that people have adulation for them is startling to them, and I am afraid that for Frodo, it is almost offensive. Still, they are shrewd for all that, and they are not easily taken in by flattery. I do not fear for them in that regard. And any who *should* attempt to take advantage of them would soon regret it.” He looked grim and a bit determined when he said this, and Faramir was once more reminded of the fierce protectiveness felt for the hobbits, not only by the King, but by the other members of their Fellowship. A brief thought of his brother Boromir, and his last defense of Merry and Pippin flashed through his mind with a pang.
Faramir dismissed the sad thought, and said “The word has begun to go around that it is useless to attempt to reach the pheriannath here at the Citadel, as the guardsmen seem unable to understand the queries.”
Aragorn leaned back and chuckled. “And have we had any more of the young ladies who have been also trying to make their acquaintance?”
Faramir shook his head, grinning. “Not since Gimli made the last group remove their shoes. He inspected their feet, and told them that unless they could grow hair on their feet, their cause was hopeless, that thick hairy foot fur was essential to seducing a hobbit. And then he asked if any of them could grow beards.”
Aragorn laughed. “I had heard about that. He then set them on Legolas as a distraction. I am sure that it worked, for the poor Elf was looking quite harried for a day or two.” He sat forward. “I am hoping that having them move into the guesthouse will help the situation. We will not let it be generally known that they are no longer staying here at the Citadel. That was a brilliant idea, Faramir. I am glad that you thought of it.“
“It seemed logical to me. And I knew that the hobbits have not been happy up here.”
“No, they do not care for sleeping in upper floors, not even one story up, much less as high up as they are here. Pippin tolerates it best, but even he is somewhat uncomfortable in their present quarters.”
Faramir shifted. He had said what he came to say, and had other duties claiming his attention. He would not leave, however, without being dismissed.
Aragorn noticed, and smiled. “I know you have much to do. Feel free to go on about your business. I do thank you for bringing the presence of Menelcar to my attention, however. I will look forward to meeting this bard who nearly lured young Peregrin away from the Shire.”
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PART 20
Aragorn looked up at the sound of a knock on his study door.
“Enter.”
The door opened, and Faramir came in. “My Lord King--” he stopped at the Look he was getting from the King.
“Faramir, do you see anyone else in here?”
“No, Sire.” He blushed; he knew what Aragorn meant.
“I do understand the need for formality when we are in the presence of most others. But surely between the two of us, you may simply call me ‘Aragorn’.”
Faramir gave a wry smile. “I will try. It is just that it is not proper.” He was startled by the loud burst of laughter this answer received.
“Now you sound just like Samwise, when Frodo tries to get him to stop saying ‘mister’.”
Faramir did give a rueful chuckle at that. “I am afraid it is for the same reason--Aragorn--we were both reared with a very strict sense of propriety. A lifetime’s habits are not easily cast away.”
“Do come in and sit down, Faramir. I think that you came to tell me something specific?”
“Indeed.” The Steward went on the recount the meeting with Menelcar in the City. “I have no doubts that he is exactly who Pippin and Merry say he is, and I sense no deception in him. Yet Éowyn also seems to somehow know him, though she has yet to remember exactly how. I did think that you should be aware of it. Pippin wished to give him access to the Citadel, and I did not gainsay him.”
Aragorn nodded. “I do believe that once or twice I have heard my small Knight mention this minstrel. I appreciate both your caution and your judgment.”
“Thank you. I worry about charlatans and those who would take advantage of the hobbits’ good natures. I would not call them simple, but their experiences have not prepared them for certain types of people.” Faramir pursed his lips, and shook his head.
“This is true. Hobbits do not tend to think too highly of themselves. Their humor tends to be self-deprecating, except for the boasts of the young, and even those tend to be of the jesting sort. The idea that people have adulation for them is startling to them, and I am afraid that for Frodo, it is almost offensive. Still, they are shrewd for all that, and they are not easily taken in by flattery. I do not fear for them in that regard. And any who *should* attempt to take advantage of them would soon regret it.” He looked grim and a bit determined when he said this, and Faramir was once more reminded of the fierce protectiveness felt for the hobbits, not only by the King, but by the other members of their Fellowship. A brief thought of his brother Boromir, and his last defense of Merry and Pippin flashed through his mind with a pang.
Faramir dismissed the sad thought, and said “The word has begun to go around that it is useless to attempt to reach the pheriannath here at the Citadel, as the guardsmen seem unable to understand the queries.”
Aragorn leaned back and chuckled. “And have we had any more of the young ladies who have been also trying to make their acquaintance?”
Faramir shook his head, grinning. “Not since Gimli made the last group remove their shoes. He inspected their feet, and told them that unless they could grow hair on their feet, their cause was hopeless, that thick hairy foot fur was essential to seducing a hobbit. And then he asked if any of them could grow beards.”
Aragorn laughed. “I had heard about that. He then set them on Legolas as a distraction. I am sure that it worked, for the poor Elf was looking quite harried for a day or two.” He sat forward. “I am hoping that having them move into the guesthouse will help the situation. We will not let it be generally known that they are no longer staying here at the Citadel. That was a brilliant idea, Faramir. I am glad that you thought of it.“
“It seemed logical to me. And I knew that the hobbits have not been happy up here.”
“No, they do not care for sleeping in upper floors, not even one story up, much less as high up as they are here. Pippin tolerates it best, but even he is somewhat uncomfortable in their present quarters.”
Faramir shifted. He had said what he came to say, and had other duties claiming his attention. He would not leave, however, without being dismissed.
Aragorn noticed, and smiled. “I know you have much to do. Feel free to go on about your business. I do thank you for bringing the presence of Menelcar to my attention, however. I will look forward to meeting this bard who nearly lured young Peregrin away from the Shire.”
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