Hope and Healing by Mysterious Jedi
Mar. 17th, 2016 09:42 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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b2memB2MeM Challenge:2016 Memories
Format:ficlet
Genre:het
Rating:G
Warnings:None
Characters: Faramir, Éowyn,Merry
Pairings: Faramir/Éowyn
Creators' Notes (optional):n/a
Summary:In the garden of the Houses of Healing, three heroes talk about their hopes for the future.
Prompt: In the "Tale of the Years" Tolkien tells us about what happens to certain characters each day of March 3019. We challenge you to write about the character(s) he does NOT mention: “Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot fall. Many Dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor and are besieged. Shagrat brings Frodo's cloak, mail-shirt, and sword to Barad-dûr."
***
March 17, T.A. 3019
It was eerie not being able to watch the sun rise in the East. Instead, a miasma permeated the city, reaching even into the gardens of the Houses of Healing. Faramir was not immune to this gloom, but he had a ray of light within it. The White Lady of Rohan sat with him in the candlelit garden. They kept each other company as they waited for the battle to end, one way or another.
"Fell deeds are at work," Faramir said. "If the Ringbearer cannot fulfill his mission soon, few may remain to reap the benefits of his victory."
"So you think he will succeed?" Éowyn asked.
"I have hope. He has a stout heart, as does his companion. One of his companions, at least. His guide was an unseemly creature. I know not what to make of that one."
"What are your plans if Sauron does fall?"
"I know not. I shall do as the King commands."
"You will cede the throne to Aragorn, then?"
"It was never mine to cede or to keep. Only to watch over from afar. My heart is glad that the king is come at last. Ever I have longed to see the White City restored."
"It is a beautiful city. I do not know if I could live here, though. There are too many buildings and people and not enough grass and open spaces."
"It is my wish to reside in Ithillien, at least part of the time, if my King will allow. The land is plentiful and fertile, but has been neglected in these dark days."
"It sounds like a lovely place. But would you dwell there alone?"
"Such is not my desire," Faramir said, taking her hand, "but I know not if any would go with me."
"I do not think you have anything to fear on that point. You are a man who is easy to love and admire. Still, we must see whether the Ringbearer is successful, and whether the leaders of the West return to us alive."
"Indeed."
They were silent for a long moment. Then Merry stumbled upon them.
"Hullo Éowyn, Faramir. It's hard to tell the time without the sun, but my stomach is telling me that it's breakfast time. Shall I fetch something for us all to eat?"
Faramir laughed. "Trust a hobbit's stomach as a timepiece. Aye, we would be glad to break our fast with you."
The cook at the Houses of Healing found Merry and his cousin Pippin charming, and so she always gave them as much food as she could spare when they asked. Merry took full advantage of this now, and came back laden with porridge, fresh rolls, and even a plate of fruit.
"I feel badly for poor Frodo and Sam.” Merry set the tray down. “What kind of a supper could they have, away from civilization?"
"They had coney stew before my Rangers caught them in Ithillien.""
"Really? Trust old Sam to make a home-cooked meal on a perilous quest. I doubt there are any conies in Mordor, though.""
"No. It is a fell land, and naught can grow or thrive there, save creatures of darkness."
"If Frodo and Sam get rid of that nasty Ring, I'm going to have a whole new appreciation for the Shire. There’s as much life there as a person could want. Hobbits care more for nature than even Men do, I think."
"Men are often caught in their own desires, and, of late, in the defense of their lands. I wish I could see your Shire. It sounds like a wondrous realm."
"Not wondrous, really. It's nothing grand. That's the beauty of it---the ordinary, every-day simplicity. We hobbits aren't warriors or scholars. We're just a simple folk with simple lives."
"The few hobbits of my acquaintance are anything but simple.""
"'Ah, but you only know Brandybucks and Tooks. We're an odd lot. Quite mad, some say. And Frodo's no better. For all he's a Baggins, he's got both Took and Brandybuck blood. Not to mention he's related to Mad Baggins himself, who went traipsing about with a company of Dwarves."
"And what of Master Gamgee?"
"Well now, Sam's a different matter. He's a respectable hobbit, you see, but he's a loyal friend. He sticks to Frodo because it's the right thing to do, and because he loves him."
"Great must his love be, to venture to the very fires of Mount Doom."
"Sam doesn't do things by halves. If he loves someone, it's not a little creek of love. More like the Anduin in a flood."
"Frodo is fortunate to have such a friend."
"Fortunate. Not usually a word I use to describe Frodo. Maybe Sam is Eru's way of giving back a little to someone who has lost so much."
"Or perhaps Sam is Eru's way of ensuring the quest succeeds. If two walk together, then one can pick the other up if he falls."
"All I know," said Éowyn, "is that there are hobbits numbered among the bravest people of Middle Earth. I could never have avenged my uncle without your help, Merry."
"It was my duty and privilege to aid you." Merry said. "And what are your hopes, if all ends well?"
"I would lay aside the sword and seek to heal instead of kill. It would be my hope to stand with a man of quality, and to aid in the rebuilding of a realm. I want to raise my children in a land of peace and safety, where life and growth abound.”
"That," said Faramir, "is something worth fighting for."
***
May 2, T.A. 3019
"It was ever my fondest dream to see Gondor safe, and the king returned." Faramir said. "I rejoice that the Ringbearers have triumphed, and that Elessar leads us into this new age!"
"We've won.” Merry grinned. “We can put our lives back together again. My heart longs for the green hills of the Shire. I shan't travel for a few years, I think. Just spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the comforts of home. And what about you? I heard King Elessar made you prince of Ithillien. Do you plan to move there soon?”
"Once the kingdom is settled, I hope to make a home in Emyn Arnen. But I do not intend to dwell there alone. Ithillien could bloom with yet more radiance should a flower of Rohan be transplanted there." He smiled at Éowyn.
"But what is a flower beside the enduring beauty of a jewel?” Éowyn laid a hand on Faramir’s arm.
"So you're to be married, then?"
"As soon as my brother will allow it. Assuming, of course, that the King will allow his Steward to wed a wild maiden of the North."
"The King would see his Steward happy," Aragorn said, walking to where the three stood, "and his patients fully healed."
Faramir bowed. "There is nothing like fulfilled hope to heal the body and spirit."
Format:ficlet
Genre:het
Rating:G
Warnings:None
Characters: Faramir, Éowyn,Merry
Pairings: Faramir/Éowyn
Creators' Notes (optional):n/a
Summary:In the garden of the Houses of Healing, three heroes talk about their hopes for the future.
Prompt: In the "Tale of the Years" Tolkien tells us about what happens to certain characters each day of March 3019. We challenge you to write about the character(s) he does NOT mention: “Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot fall. Many Dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor and are besieged. Shagrat brings Frodo's cloak, mail-shirt, and sword to Barad-dûr."
***
March 17, T.A. 3019
It was eerie not being able to watch the sun rise in the East. Instead, a miasma permeated the city, reaching even into the gardens of the Houses of Healing. Faramir was not immune to this gloom, but he had a ray of light within it. The White Lady of Rohan sat with him in the candlelit garden. They kept each other company as they waited for the battle to end, one way or another.
"Fell deeds are at work," Faramir said. "If the Ringbearer cannot fulfill his mission soon, few may remain to reap the benefits of his victory."
"So you think he will succeed?" Éowyn asked.
"I have hope. He has a stout heart, as does his companion. One of his companions, at least. His guide was an unseemly creature. I know not what to make of that one."
"What are your plans if Sauron does fall?"
"I know not. I shall do as the King commands."
"You will cede the throne to Aragorn, then?"
"It was never mine to cede or to keep. Only to watch over from afar. My heart is glad that the king is come at last. Ever I have longed to see the White City restored."
"It is a beautiful city. I do not know if I could live here, though. There are too many buildings and people and not enough grass and open spaces."
"It is my wish to reside in Ithillien, at least part of the time, if my King will allow. The land is plentiful and fertile, but has been neglected in these dark days."
"It sounds like a lovely place. But would you dwell there alone?"
"Such is not my desire," Faramir said, taking her hand, "but I know not if any would go with me."
"I do not think you have anything to fear on that point. You are a man who is easy to love and admire. Still, we must see whether the Ringbearer is successful, and whether the leaders of the West return to us alive."
"Indeed."
They were silent for a long moment. Then Merry stumbled upon them.
"Hullo Éowyn, Faramir. It's hard to tell the time without the sun, but my stomach is telling me that it's breakfast time. Shall I fetch something for us all to eat?"
Faramir laughed. "Trust a hobbit's stomach as a timepiece. Aye, we would be glad to break our fast with you."
The cook at the Houses of Healing found Merry and his cousin Pippin charming, and so she always gave them as much food as she could spare when they asked. Merry took full advantage of this now, and came back laden with porridge, fresh rolls, and even a plate of fruit.
"I feel badly for poor Frodo and Sam.” Merry set the tray down. “What kind of a supper could they have, away from civilization?"
"They had coney stew before my Rangers caught them in Ithillien.""
"Really? Trust old Sam to make a home-cooked meal on a perilous quest. I doubt there are any conies in Mordor, though.""
"No. It is a fell land, and naught can grow or thrive there, save creatures of darkness."
"If Frodo and Sam get rid of that nasty Ring, I'm going to have a whole new appreciation for the Shire. There’s as much life there as a person could want. Hobbits care more for nature than even Men do, I think."
"Men are often caught in their own desires, and, of late, in the defense of their lands. I wish I could see your Shire. It sounds like a wondrous realm."
"Not wondrous, really. It's nothing grand. That's the beauty of it---the ordinary, every-day simplicity. We hobbits aren't warriors or scholars. We're just a simple folk with simple lives."
"The few hobbits of my acquaintance are anything but simple.""
"'Ah, but you only know Brandybucks and Tooks. We're an odd lot. Quite mad, some say. And Frodo's no better. For all he's a Baggins, he's got both Took and Brandybuck blood. Not to mention he's related to Mad Baggins himself, who went traipsing about with a company of Dwarves."
"And what of Master Gamgee?"
"Well now, Sam's a different matter. He's a respectable hobbit, you see, but he's a loyal friend. He sticks to Frodo because it's the right thing to do, and because he loves him."
"Great must his love be, to venture to the very fires of Mount Doom."
"Sam doesn't do things by halves. If he loves someone, it's not a little creek of love. More like the Anduin in a flood."
"Frodo is fortunate to have such a friend."
"Fortunate. Not usually a word I use to describe Frodo. Maybe Sam is Eru's way of giving back a little to someone who has lost so much."
"Or perhaps Sam is Eru's way of ensuring the quest succeeds. If two walk together, then one can pick the other up if he falls."
"All I know," said Éowyn, "is that there are hobbits numbered among the bravest people of Middle Earth. I could never have avenged my uncle without your help, Merry."
"It was my duty and privilege to aid you." Merry said. "And what are your hopes, if all ends well?"
"I would lay aside the sword and seek to heal instead of kill. It would be my hope to stand with a man of quality, and to aid in the rebuilding of a realm. I want to raise my children in a land of peace and safety, where life and growth abound.”
"That," said Faramir, "is something worth fighting for."
***
May 2, T.A. 3019
"It was ever my fondest dream to see Gondor safe, and the king returned." Faramir said. "I rejoice that the Ringbearers have triumphed, and that Elessar leads us into this new age!"
"We've won.” Merry grinned. “We can put our lives back together again. My heart longs for the green hills of the Shire. I shan't travel for a few years, I think. Just spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the comforts of home. And what about you? I heard King Elessar made you prince of Ithillien. Do you plan to move there soon?”
"Once the kingdom is settled, I hope to make a home in Emyn Arnen. But I do not intend to dwell there alone. Ithillien could bloom with yet more radiance should a flower of Rohan be transplanted there." He smiled at Éowyn.
"But what is a flower beside the enduring beauty of a jewel?” Éowyn laid a hand on Faramir’s arm.
"So you're to be married, then?"
"As soon as my brother will allow it. Assuming, of course, that the King will allow his Steward to wed a wild maiden of the North."
"The King would see his Steward happy," Aragorn said, walking to where the three stood, "and his patients fully healed."
Faramir bowed. "There is nothing like fulfilled hope to heal the body and spirit."
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no subject
Date: 2016-03-17 07:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-18 04:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-17 10:06 pm (UTC)"I know not. I shall do as the King commands."
What a humble, noble man.
I just love this conversation with Merry. :)
no subject
Date: 2016-03-18 04:17 am (UTC)Thank you for commenting.
no subject
Date: 2016-03-18 12:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-18 04:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-18 12:58 am (UTC)And it's my personal considered opinion that Merry had a good deal to do with the romance that blossomed between Faramir and Eowyn!
This was so much fun!
no subject
Date: 2016-03-18 04:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-18 09:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-19 05:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-19 10:00 am (UTC)With Merry to help keep their spirits up and see to it that they didn't forget to eat, of course!
no subject
Date: 2016-03-19 04:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-25 06:53 pm (UTC)This was a delightful look "behind the scenes" :3
"Sam doesn't do things by halves. If he loves someone, it's not a little creek of love. More like the Anduin in a flood."
Great description of loyal Sam!
no subject
Date: 2016-03-26 12:43 pm (UTC)