The Last Journey; Chapter 1: Home Return
Story Info
Title: The Last Journey
Author: Del Rion (delrion.mail (at) gmail.com)
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Era: Fourth Age of the Sun
Genre: AU, Action/Adventure
Rating: M / FRM
Main characters: Aragorn, Celeborn, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Éomer, Erestor, Faramir, Gandalf, Gimli, Glorfindel, Haldir, Legolas, Meriadoc, Nazgûl, Pippin, Thranduil (, OCs).
Pairings: Legolas/OMC (brief Aragorn/Arwen, Éowyn/Faramir)
Summary: After many peaceful years that have followed the war against Sauron, everything changes. Evil returns, striking without warning, and it is stronger than ever before. It is time for the final fight, but who shall achieve victory?
Work in Process.
Warnings: Characters’ death (major, OC), violence, torture, slash, mild sexual content (het and slash), plenty of evil, etc.
~ ~ ~
Chapter 1: Home Return
Year 16 of the Fourth Age
(18 years after the War of the Rings),
Pelennor Fields, Gondor
He had definitely been away from Minas Tirith far too long, at least for his own liking, Faramir thought wryly as he rode towards the White City with a small company around him. The Steward of Gondor and the Prince of Ithilien watched in quiet admiration as the city before them glimmered in the rays of the sun. A sight that made him speechless every time.
They had just passed through Osgiliath, and soon the trumpets would welcome them to Minas Tirith, to the city of Kings. That at least was one of those few things that hadn’t changed during the years of darkness in the shadow of Mordor, and after the King’s return to his throne. Even during the long, dark years when the darkness of Mordor was an everyday matter, the city had welcomed its sons back home with fanfares and joy.
Faramir glanced at his side where his beautiful wife Éowyn, the White Lady of Rohan, rode on her white mare. A gift from Prince Legolas, given few years ago. A horse that’s beauty compared even to that of Éowyn’s, but for Faramir, of those two pale beautiful creatures, Éowyn would always be the most beautiful.
Éowyn noticed that she was being watched, and raised her gaze from the road, smiling warmly to her husband. Faramir returned the smile and shifted slightly on his saddle. At the moments like this he truly was envious for Éowyn, who seemed to be at home on horseback. But she had grown up in Rohan, after all, and that was the land of the Horse Lords. It could have been said that she had lived on the horseback, though that was not the exact truth, of course.
Éowyn also shifted slightly, and Faramir turned his worried gaze to his beloved quickly. “Are you weary? We could stop for a little while, if you wish.”
“Don’t be silly. The city is right before us, and soon I can rest as long as I wish,” Éowyn said with a smile. “I know how anxious you are to arrive to Minas Tirith,” she added, still smiling. Unconsciously, her hand wandered to her belly, and rested there gently. Faramir’s smile broadened, and he guided his horse closer to Éowyn’s, adding his own hand atop hers. She smiled as their eyes met. “The young one is fine. I think that your child shall be a great rider one day.”
“And I can only guess where that ability comes from,” Faramir said softly, while Éowyn smiled innocently to him. Finally Faramir guided his horse a little further away from that of his wife, but stayed closer than before. His thoughts wandered on their own paths, thinking of the coming months and that day, when he would for the first time hold his firstborn child in his arms. Over the last months, he had turned quite impatient, but Éowyn had firmly told him to stop bouncing around, because the child would not be born any sooner even if its father was anxious for process. So, Faramir had solemnly surrendered to his fate, because he really had no choice.
They drew closer to the city, and Faramir could nearly see the people running to the battlements. After all, he was the Steward of Gondor, and his ‘homecoming’ would be cause of great celebration and happiness. And when the news of Éowyn’s pregnancy would spread, it would definitely know even more celebration and even greater number of congratulations. Though he really had no problems with congratulations concerning his firstborn child… But as a Steward, he would have plenty of other things to attend his attention as well. He sighed silently and shook his head. Though King Elessar would surely tell him to be with his wife and leave the work for others, he could not do such a thing. He would see his work first, and then take care of his personal needs. That was precisely the example that the King himself gave for the people under him, and Faramir was one of them.
They arrived to the gates, and were immediately surrounded by people, who shouted their greetings. Faramir smiled and waved his hand happily. Éowyn watched silently and took a bouquet of flowers from a young girl who handed them to her smiling brightly. They rode slowly through the city, circling all the six levels, and when they arrived to the seventh and rode to the High court, the King and Queen were already waiting.
The White Tree blossomed in the sunshine and the water of the Fountain filled the air with its sweet, silent music. Slowly the group dismounted, and Faramir took Éowyn’s hand into his when they started to walk towards the King and Queen on Gondor. They stopped before the King and bowed, their company mimicking their actions behind them.
“My King and Queen,” Faramir saluted quietly.
Aragorn, who nowadays was called most of times as Elessar Telcontar, smiled wryly and leaned a little closer to Faramir, interrupting quietly: “Could we at least leave these formalities for another time? I am quite tired, for I have spoken with advisors and ambassadors all morning, and more than a half of their words are formalities!”
“Of course, my lord,” Faramir said with a small smile, knowing that even though he and Elessar were close to each other, it would be hard for Steward to remember that he was supposed to address the King by his own name, not by title. Faramir truly was helplessly stuck into formalities, and he knew it himself.
Aragorn turned his gaze to Éowyn and Arwen, who were already in the middle of some sort of discussion. With a smile Aragorn cleared his throat gently, and both women turned their gazes to him. “Lady Éowyn, it is an honour to see you again.”
Speaking of formalities, Faramir thought.
“And is good to see you as well, my lord Aragorn,” Éowyn addressed him with a smile. She knew how troubled Aragorn got when even his friend addressed him as a King.
Aragorn, on the other hand, was inspecting Éowyn with strange look in his face. Éowyn’s face turned bashful and she inched closer to Faramir. Only then did his husband understand that Aragorn must have noticed her slightly swollen belly. After all, the King was a healer.
Aragorn swiftly glanced at Arwen, who nodded slightly. Aragorn looked back to the Steward and Éowyn, smiling secretly. “So now we truly have a reason to celebrate! My congratulations for you both!” One, Faramir counted. But it seemed that the King wasn’t finished. “I thought to tell you a little later, but this seems to be as good time as any. So,” he said, wrapping his arm around Arwen gently and holding her close, “we shall have a double-celebration, I assume.”
It took a moment before Faramir realised of what the King was talking about. But Éowyn, as a woman, understood very swiftly what was the case, and laughed happily, hugging Arwen with pure joy. “This is wonderful! Why haven’t I heard of this before now?” Éowyn questioned.
“I think the reason is the very same as why did we not know of your pregnancy, my lady,” Aragorn said smoothly.
Only then Faramir realised what the others were talking about. “So I assume that you as well share my joy of becoming a father, my liege?”
“Indeed I do, Faramir, and now we shall escort you two to your quarters, for I can see that you both would like to rest a little before the dinner.”
Turning his gaze from his Lord to the women, Faramir noticed that they were already half away through the courtyard, and the two men hurried after their wives, whose bright voices filled the air with laughter and delight.
to be continued…
Story Info
Title: The Last Journey
Author: Del Rion (delrion.mail (at) gmail.com)
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Era: Fourth Age of the Sun
Genre: AU, Action/Adventure
Rating: M / FRM
Main characters: Aragorn, Celeborn, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Éomer, Erestor, Faramir, Gandalf, Gimli, Glorfindel, Haldir, Legolas, Meriadoc, Nazgûl, Pippin, Thranduil (, OCs).
Pairings: Legolas/OMC (brief Aragorn/Arwen, Éowyn/Faramir)
Summary: After many peaceful years that have followed the war against Sauron, everything changes. Evil returns, striking without warning, and it is stronger than ever before. It is time for the final fight, but who shall achieve victory?
Work in Process.
Warnings: Characters’ death (major, OC), violence, torture, slash, mild sexual content (het and slash), plenty of evil, etc.
~ ~ ~
Chapter 1: Home Return
Year 16 of the Fourth Age
(18 years after the War of the Rings),
Pelennor Fields, Gondor
He had definitely been away from Minas Tirith far too long, at least for his own liking, Faramir thought wryly as he rode towards the White City with a small company around him. The Steward of Gondor and the Prince of Ithilien watched in quiet admiration as the city before them glimmered in the rays of the sun. A sight that made him speechless every time.
They had just passed through Osgiliath, and soon the trumpets would welcome them to Minas Tirith, to the city of Kings. That at least was one of those few things that hadn’t changed during the years of darkness in the shadow of Mordor, and after the King’s return to his throne. Even during the long, dark years when the darkness of Mordor was an everyday matter, the city had welcomed its sons back home with fanfares and joy.
Faramir glanced at his side where his beautiful wife Éowyn, the White Lady of Rohan, rode on her white mare. A gift from Prince Legolas, given few years ago. A horse that’s beauty compared even to that of Éowyn’s, but for Faramir, of those two pale beautiful creatures, Éowyn would always be the most beautiful.
Éowyn noticed that she was being watched, and raised her gaze from the road, smiling warmly to her husband. Faramir returned the smile and shifted slightly on his saddle. At the moments like this he truly was envious for Éowyn, who seemed to be at home on horseback. But she had grown up in Rohan, after all, and that was the land of the Horse Lords. It could have been said that she had lived on the horseback, though that was not the exact truth, of course.
Éowyn also shifted slightly, and Faramir turned his worried gaze to his beloved quickly. “Are you weary? We could stop for a little while, if you wish.”
“Don’t be silly. The city is right before us, and soon I can rest as long as I wish,” Éowyn said with a smile. “I know how anxious you are to arrive to Minas Tirith,” she added, still smiling. Unconsciously, her hand wandered to her belly, and rested there gently. Faramir’s smile broadened, and he guided his horse closer to Éowyn’s, adding his own hand atop hers. She smiled as their eyes met. “The young one is fine. I think that your child shall be a great rider one day.”
“And I can only guess where that ability comes from,” Faramir said softly, while Éowyn smiled innocently to him. Finally Faramir guided his horse a little further away from that of his wife, but stayed closer than before. His thoughts wandered on their own paths, thinking of the coming months and that day, when he would for the first time hold his firstborn child in his arms. Over the last months, he had turned quite impatient, but Éowyn had firmly told him to stop bouncing around, because the child would not be born any sooner even if its father was anxious for process. So, Faramir had solemnly surrendered to his fate, because he really had no choice.
They drew closer to the city, and Faramir could nearly see the people running to the battlements. After all, he was the Steward of Gondor, and his ‘homecoming’ would be cause of great celebration and happiness. And when the news of Éowyn’s pregnancy would spread, it would definitely know even more celebration and even greater number of congratulations. Though he really had no problems with congratulations concerning his firstborn child… But as a Steward, he would have plenty of other things to attend his attention as well. He sighed silently and shook his head. Though King Elessar would surely tell him to be with his wife and leave the work for others, he could not do such a thing. He would see his work first, and then take care of his personal needs. That was precisely the example that the King himself gave for the people under him, and Faramir was one of them.
They arrived to the gates, and were immediately surrounded by people, who shouted their greetings. Faramir smiled and waved his hand happily. Éowyn watched silently and took a bouquet of flowers from a young girl who handed them to her smiling brightly. They rode slowly through the city, circling all the six levels, and when they arrived to the seventh and rode to the High court, the King and Queen were already waiting.
The White Tree blossomed in the sunshine and the water of the Fountain filled the air with its sweet, silent music. Slowly the group dismounted, and Faramir took Éowyn’s hand into his when they started to walk towards the King and Queen on Gondor. They stopped before the King and bowed, their company mimicking their actions behind them.
“My King and Queen,” Faramir saluted quietly.
Aragorn, who nowadays was called most of times as Elessar Telcontar, smiled wryly and leaned a little closer to Faramir, interrupting quietly: “Could we at least leave these formalities for another time? I am quite tired, for I have spoken with advisors and ambassadors all morning, and more than a half of their words are formalities!”
“Of course, my lord,” Faramir said with a small smile, knowing that even though he and Elessar were close to each other, it would be hard for Steward to remember that he was supposed to address the King by his own name, not by title. Faramir truly was helplessly stuck into formalities, and he knew it himself.
Aragorn turned his gaze to Éowyn and Arwen, who were already in the middle of some sort of discussion. With a smile Aragorn cleared his throat gently, and both women turned their gazes to him. “Lady Éowyn, it is an honour to see you again.”
Speaking of formalities, Faramir thought.
“And is good to see you as well, my lord Aragorn,” Éowyn addressed him with a smile. She knew how troubled Aragorn got when even his friend addressed him as a King.
Aragorn, on the other hand, was inspecting Éowyn with strange look in his face. Éowyn’s face turned bashful and she inched closer to Faramir. Only then did his husband understand that Aragorn must have noticed her slightly swollen belly. After all, the King was a healer.
Aragorn swiftly glanced at Arwen, who nodded slightly. Aragorn looked back to the Steward and Éowyn, smiling secretly. “So now we truly have a reason to celebrate! My congratulations for you both!” One, Faramir counted. But it seemed that the King wasn’t finished. “I thought to tell you a little later, but this seems to be as good time as any. So,” he said, wrapping his arm around Arwen gently and holding her close, “we shall have a double-celebration, I assume.”
It took a moment before Faramir realised of what the King was talking about. But Éowyn, as a woman, understood very swiftly what was the case, and laughed happily, hugging Arwen with pure joy. “This is wonderful! Why haven’t I heard of this before now?” Éowyn questioned.
“I think the reason is the very same as why did we not know of your pregnancy, my lady,” Aragorn said smoothly.
Only then Faramir realised what the others were talking about. “So I assume that you as well share my joy of becoming a father, my liege?”
“Indeed I do, Faramir, and now we shall escort you two to your quarters, for I can see that you both would like to rest a little before the dinner.”
Turning his gaze from his Lord to the women, Faramir noticed that they were already half away through the courtyard, and the two men hurried after their wives, whose bright voices filled the air with laughter and delight.
to be continued…
Story Info