Chapter Text
Faramir stumbled through the doors to the kitchen and glanced back behind him for whatever board had caught his foot, but there was no apparent disturbance to the floor that should have tripped him up so badly.
"Are you alright?" the clear voice of Eowyn called to him from not far off and he glanced over at her, a smile immediately spreading over his face.
"I'm alright. I'm not usually so clumsy," he assured her.
"I know," she agreed, adjusting the strap of her sling. "Haven't you been overdoing it a bit lately?" she asked and Faramir immediately shook his head.
He'd hardly even let her finish before he was denying it. "No, I'm alright," he assured her.
"So what are you doing now? Are you free to have a turn in the gardens with my brother and myself?"
Eomer glanced over at Eowyn, a question on his face, but Faramir could not read the Rohiric king.
He smiled a little wider at the invitation but the words brought an odd pang of cold sorrow to his heart that made his older injuries ache again. He winced. "I cannot, my lady," he said apologetically. "I'm here only to get a quick mouthful and then I ride out again."
"Ride out?" she cried. "But you're still injured!"
"Why no," he said quickly. "Though I thank you for your concern. I've healed appropriately and there is work to be done for my Lord Aragorn's wedding."
Eowyn looked sad suddenly and Faramir wondered what he'd said wrong. She shook it off before he could ask. "But what's this about riding out 'again?'" she asked. "Do you mean to tell me you've been going out often already and that's why I've seen so little of you?"
"Indeed, my lady, I heal quickly," he assured her.
"So you've been going out while it's still not safe?" she demanded. "So soon after recovering?"
"I cannot leave the tasks to my rangers alone. I have my duties, madam," he reminded her, but her eyebrows went up and he knew he'd said something wrong again. But what?
"Oh, not only going out then but on missions?"
"Peace!" Eomer pleaded suddenly, setting a heavy hand on his sister's shoulder. "The man has enough to worry about without your nagging," he said and as Eowyn's attention slipped from him, Faramir slipped out the door again.
Food could wait.
Eowyn looked back, abruptly disappointed.
"And who is he to you, little sister?" Eomer asked, raising an eyebrow at her expression.
"A friend," she said quietly. "Just a friend."
Faramir quickly saddled Astaren and spurred the horse out the door before anyone could catch him, though he wasn't sure why he felt the need to flee so suddenly, after all, Eowyn had just been concerned...right? He shook his head and his stomach grumbled at him.
He'd get food at the ranger camp in the forest beyond the Pelennor and then finish his ride to Ithilien to check on the efforts to clear the area of orcs.
The ride was long enough to the camp, though, and it was pressing into late evening by the time he'd arrived and he was shaky and nauseous from hunger. He slid off the bay's back as his men greeted him warmly, nodding distantly to their welcome.
"Captain," Merethir greeted him. "You'll be glad to know the main road through Anorien has been cleared and made safe to Minas Tirith."
"Good." Faramir said earnestly, feeling just a little lighter. "What else?"
"We've made good progress on the surrounding wilderness but have yet to be certain. For now, travelers should stay to the main road."
Faramir nodded. "I need to hurry through and check on the camps in Ithilien, yet. Is there food to spare before I go?"
Merethir squinted at him. "Yes, Captain, we have food for you, but… do you intend to reach Ithilien tonight yet?" he asked slowly.
"I do," Faramir confirmed, following Merethir to their food stores.
Merethir assembled his captain a plate of dried fruits and meats and Faramir set into it at a pace that the other ranger found a little alarming. "Pardon my asking, sir, but have you eaten today at all?"
"No," Faramir admitted easily. "Haven't had the time. Is there anything I should know about Ithilien for the moment?"
"Osgiliath is holding well enough that rebuilding efforts have begun," Merethir said, his eyebrows lowering as he considered Faramir. "Captain, I don't mean to be impertinent, but weren't you just… very ill?"
"I'm fine," Faramir assured him, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice.
"I'm not the first to ask, then?" Merethir asked pointedly and Faramir sighed.
"I have recovered quite well." Largely thanks to Lord Aragorn's attention, he added to himself and cringed a little. He'd been avoiding the king more recently as his conscience had stung him for taking up precious time from the ruler of Gondor, and now his conscience was stinging him for the avoidance.
He'd probably end up flogged either way.
"-and there are unicorns ranging the ash fields of Mordor," Merethir continued dryly.
Faramir blinked at him uncomprehendingly.
"You didn't hear any of what I said, did you, Captain?" Merethir asked, rubbing a hand over his face and beard.
"Would you please repeat that?" Faramir asked, trying his best not to look as mortified as he felt.
"I had said you ought at least sleep before riding out, sir, it's clear you're exhausted," Merethir said gently.
Faramir managed a tired smile. "I can lose no more time tonight, I'm afraid. I shall sleep at the first camp in Ithilien."
Merethir tilted his head to and fro as he considered and then nodded. "Nothing I say will dissuade you?"
Faramir grinned; his rangers knew him well. "Keep efforts focused on the roads first and then widen the perimeter of the search," he said, turning back toward his horse as he finished his food. "I should return in a few days' time to aid the clearing of Anorien."
"Yes, sir," Merethir agreed as Faramir mounted Astaren again. "Have a safe journey."
Faramir kicked Astaren into a trot. "Valar keep you," he called back.
"...and you," Merethir added to himself as the bay horse drew further away.