Faramir Fiction Archive

Scars (R)

08 October 2005 | 9762 words

Part Eight: Living

Imrahil was joined by his liege lord on the balcony, as both men watched the Prince of Ithilien ride in with his bodyguards. The silence between the two was companiable, though there was a certain tension between them as if they were both daring the other to break the quiet.

“He is definitely happier,” Imrahil murmured, watching Beregond reach out and clap Faramir on the shoulder. The Prince stiffened for a moment, before smiling and returning the gesture. “He has a way to go still though.”

Aragorn only nodded.

“There was a letter from Éowyn,” Aragorn said. Imrahil turned away from watching his nephew, and looked hard at the king.

“And?” Imrahil asked.

“He tore it up; He didn’t read it, when I saw it in the fireplace the seal was still melting.”

Imrahil and Aragorn both smiled.

“Faramir will be in his rooms by now, the ostler stables his horse for him.” Imrahil noted.

“Indeed.” Aragorn said, nodding innocently. “I suppose it would only be polite if we went and said hello to him.”

“Very polite,” Imrahil agreed.

They left together, and after a moment of hesitation Imrahil put his hand on the king’s lower back.

The scars would be with Faramir for a long time, but they would fade. Imrahil and Aragorn had already decided they themselves would be the permanent ones in their lover’s life.

End.