⠀⠀⠀⠀"Laurethiel, where are you?" Faramir called me as I watched him search the street for me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀I lay on the roof of one house, smiling as I waited for him to look up. ⠀⠀⠀⠀I was always glad I met Faramir, not Boromir. He was too busy with his duties, but Faramir could leave the citadel whenever he pleased. Five years was long enough to become great friends, and we were almost more than that. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Lauretheil!" Faramir scolded in my ear. I screamed and nearly rolled off the roof if he didn't stop me. "You chose a terrible hiding spot." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I doubt you would do any better," I replied. We stared at each other a moment before our suppressed laughs escaped us. ⠀⠀⠀⠀We looked down into the city, watching the passerby. Faramir was silent, and I watched him carefully as his eyes moved about. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Laurethiel," he began softly, "I have to tell you something." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yes, Faramir?" I asked, shifting on the hard, wooden roof. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"How would you like to be Lady Laurethiel?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀I understood his meaning immediately but decided to tease him. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I doubt Bor has looked at me much." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"He doesn't know what he's missing," he sighed. Over time, the brothers' relationship had become strained, due to Lord Denethor's favoritism. They no longer spoke to one another if they could help it, but deep down, I knew Faramir still loved his brother. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Faramir, it's too early to think of such things," I said quietly, tracing patterns in the wood. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"It seems too early until it's too late," he countered solemnly. "With the Dark Lord's return, the future is uncertain." ⠀⠀⠀⠀I nodded, "Is yours?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"If Gondor goes to war, then yes, but I believe my future is right beside me." ⠀⠀⠀⠀I looked down again, my face glowing. There was something so deep in those simple words, and I understood it perfectly. ⠀⠀⠀⠀I felt Faramir's hand on my chin, turning my face to him. His grey eyes were soft as they looked into my own brown ones. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"If your father caught us..." I whispered, smirking. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"He would be displeased," he admitted. "And then he would forget it in the next moment." ⠀⠀⠀⠀We both laughed, Faramir's hand moving to my own that lay on the roof. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"You're as good a man as Bor, Faramir," I said gently. "Please don't forget it." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"How about you remind me each day?" He requested, his face inches from mine. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"That sounds like a good arrangement, Lord Faramir. I accept." ⠀⠀⠀⠀He smiled at me, but then frowned. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Laurethiel, what's wrong?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"The world is changing," I sighed. "Look," pointing to the dark clouds hovering over Mordor, "and not for the better." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I know," he echoed my sigh. "And yet my father will sit in his halls and do nothing." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"If only you could take charge." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"That is Bor's responsibility," he said bitterly. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"But he also does nothing," I exclaimed angrily. "Something is brewing in the shadow lands, and yet both of them turn a blind eye." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Bor says that a council has been called, in Rivendell, to solve the problem." ⠀⠀⠀⠀There was reproof in his tone, and I hung my head. In spite of his jealousy, Faramir would never hear anything bad about his brother. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "When does he leave?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"In a few days time." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"A few days time," I whispered in echo. "In a few days time, a plan to save the world could be made."
Story - J.R.R Tolkien & Me Music - The Shire - Howard Shore
