Brania of Lorien
Dúnedain of the South
Wanderer Healer
Myrddin Dark Elf Elven Assassin
Posts: 84
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Post by Brania of Lorien on Mar 3, 2007 16:20:57 GMT
Brania reigned in her horse at the top of the last hill. Now, in front of her, lay the city of Minas Ithilen. It was easy to tell this place was a sister city to her birth home of Minas Tirith. The same white stone had been used in the construction of the walls and buildings. The style of construction screamed 'Men'. It called to her, the city. She had been wandering in the wilds for about a month now, and a hot meal she didn't have to cook and a bed that was more than the cold ground and her cloak was very apealling. Not to mention beging truely clean again, with a hot bath...mmm, that sounded great. Her horse side-stepped under her, feeling her mistress' eagerness. Brania laughed and nudged her mount forward. They would both be well fed tonight.
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She made it through the gates with little difficutly. This was a time of peace, when travellers only carried weapons to deal with wild beasts and the occasional thief, not as it was 6(?) years ago when the Orcs and goblins and other dark creatures roamed the lands. She did get a few curious looks at the Elvish make of her clothes and weapons, but no one detained her. It wasn't long before she had found a nice inn, stabled her mare and made her way inside to get a room and a bath. Once clean, Brania, known as 'Rana' to most, descended to the main room for that heveanly smelling stew and fresh bread. She wore a dark green tunic, black leggings and boots, and her sword. Brania wasn't expecting trouble, but outside of Lorien, she always went armed.
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Lord Faramir
Administrator
D?nedain of the South Lord of Emyn Arnen Steward of Gondor
In Desperate Hours Gentleness May be Repaid with Death....... So Be It
Posts: 241
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Post by Lord Faramir on Mar 3, 2007 16:57:04 GMT
Faramir often traversed the city amongst his people. He spoke with a number of people who had problems that required his attention, reminding them that his official audience was on the fourth day of each week and they should come then to speak with him on the record. It was nearing the hour when he usually ate a light evening meal. He neared the inn and entered giving the bartender a greeting as he scanned the room looking for a seat. It appeared that all the tables were taken save for a single one in the corner.
Faramir took a seat and ordered a flagon of Dwarven Ale and asked for whatever soup they had on the menu that evening. He was spending but a single day in the fair city before he had to ride south to meet with Damrod and order him to the southern border of Gondor with sending Beregond to the kings side for the Grand Coucil that was soon to take place. The waitress dropped a mug and a bowl on his table.
'My thanks,' he said before taking a draught of the ale.
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Brania of Lorien
Dúnedain of the South
Wanderer Healer
Myrddin Dark Elf Elven Assassin
Posts: 84
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Post by Brania of Lorien on Mar 3, 2007 17:29:16 GMT
Rana looked around the busy main room of the inn with a soft sigh. It was very crowded down here now and after spending the last month with no one but her horse, it was making her a bit edgy to be this close to so many people. They were long and noisy and a few were openly staring at her. Whether it was the clothes she wore, the weapon on her belt, or the fact that she wasn't an ugly woman tha drew their gazes, she didn't know and frankly didn't care to find out. She started across the room, scanning for an empty chair that she could snag for a quick meal. With the unease shivering down her spine, Rana would eat fast and go back to her room. It was at least fairly quiet up there.
Finally she spotted one lone chair at a corner table. There was already a man sitting there, but maybe he wouldn't mind the company. Besides, if he didn't want to talk, that was fine with her. She didn't like most Men anyway. Walking over, she paused in front of the table. "Pardon, friend, would you mind if I joined you?" she asked in a soft tone. "It seems quite busy here tonight."
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Lord Faramir
Administrator
D?nedain of the South Lord of Emyn Arnen Steward of Gondor
In Desperate Hours Gentleness May be Repaid with Death....... So Be It
Posts: 241
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Post by Lord Faramir on Mar 3, 2007 17:46:08 GMT
Faramir was mid-way through eating his soup when he was interupted by an approaching female. The Steward laid his spoon down on the table and stood, walking to the other side of the table, where he pulled out the chair for her to sit down on. 'Not at all,' He said. 'I think others in this fine establishment have yet to ask if they may take the seat for themselves because they are a little intimidated by me.' Faramir said. Once she was seated he returned to his own seat.
'It's always busy now, I'm afraid. Many people have been evacuated here from the towns, such as the one that I dwell in Emyn Arnen, have been evacuated into the city limits for safety reasons.' Faramir explained. 'if you were to travel further into the city you would find that the other inns are far busier.'
He took a moment to study the person who was seated with him. Her appearance was uncannily like the images he had seen of his mother. He shook the thoughts from his head, 'The Dwarven Ale here is quite spectacular.'
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Brania of Lorien
Dúnedain of the South
Wanderer Healer
Myrddin Dark Elf Elven Assassin
Posts: 84
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Post by Brania of Lorien on Mar 3, 2007 18:39:58 GMT
She was startled by his manners. She was a random stranger, not a Lady in the Hall or a relation or friend. He didn't know her, yet offered her that kindness and respect. Whoever he was, he certainly had earned himself some points. Only in Lorien would she expect any thing of the kind. Brania sat down and listened to his explination. People coming in from the towns? She had heard rumors of trouble in the South, but hadn't paid it too much mind. Surely the King would never allow something major to happen to his people. He was the King after all. The waitress came over and she ordered some stew and an ale.
Once the other woman was gone, she turned back to look at her compainion. He was older than she was, obviously an able warrior from the way he held himself. He looked familiar, but she didn't know from where. Travelling as she did, she had seen a lot of people. It probably meant nothing of import that he looked familiar. "I'm afraid I have been far to the North until late. What trouble is brewing strongly enough to evacute the nearby towns?"
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Lord Faramir
Administrator
D?nedain of the South Lord of Emyn Arnen Steward of Gondor
In Desperate Hours Gentleness May be Repaid with Death....... So Be It
Posts: 241
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Post by Lord Faramir on Mar 3, 2007 18:48:52 GMT
Her explanation of where she had been was unneeded upon his first inspection of the woman he had studied her clothing and weaponry and and had deduced that she, although being a the origin of men, lived amongst the elves. Faramir tore some of his bread and dipped it into his soup before eating it and washing it down with a little sip of his Dwarven Ale. 'Yes. War has been declared by the Southern Alliance upon the Kingdom of Gondor.'
He paused for a moment, 'I was on the front lines myself not four says passed. I have returned to marshal my men before returning to Minas Tirith where I will host the Great Council of Gondor as is tradition,' Faramir had little idea why it was upon the shoulders of the Steward to host the Council, especially when more than one King would be in attendance. 'I shall ride ere the sun rises in the morning to my captains.'
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Brania of Lorien
Dúnedain of the South
Wanderer Healer
Myrddin Dark Elf Elven Assassin
Posts: 84
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Post by Brania of Lorien on Mar 3, 2007 19:11:02 GMT
While he talked, the waitress arrived with her food and she began to eat. Mmmm, fresh bread and hot stew....such a delicious thing. She was still listening to him, truely interested in the happenings of Gondor. Despite her personal issues, she still cared deeply for her people as a whole. If they were beseiged, she knew that she couldn't leave them alone. War was declared? That could only lead to worse things. However her mind had been working on a different concept. The man in front of her...he said he lived in Emyn Arnen and wore he Crest of the White Tree on his uniform. So he was a soldier, that much she had determined from the way he sat in that chair. But...with this lastest exchange, she began to get uneasy. He was gathering his captains to ride to Minas Tirith....and he said he was hosting the Great Council 'as is tradition'. It was tradition that the Steward of the King host that Council......Faramir was the current Steward...and he lived in Emyn Arnen.
Rana forced herself to remain as calm as she could. She realized that she was kinda staring at him, her hand frozen mid-motion of raising her ale to her lips. She finished the motion and tried to think of what to do. He didn't know who she was. She was still safe...if she needed to be safe from her brother. She was just a wanderer. A traveller. Rana swallowed and set the mug down. "I pray Ilúvatar grants you a safe journey. I'm afraid I've been rude. I am Rana," she said.
(Rana- Elvish for wanderer)
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Lord Faramir
Administrator
D?nedain of the South Lord of Emyn Arnen Steward of Gondor
In Desperate Hours Gentleness May be Repaid with Death....... So Be It
Posts: 241
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Post by Lord Faramir on Mar 3, 2007 21:59:08 GMT
There wasn't much reaction for Faramir to gauge. She stared at him for a moment, before covering herself by completing the task of taking a swig of ale from the mug that she had held in her hand. He looked her over once more. There must be something about her if the Elves had given her a name in their own tongue. He could also feel something about her. It was the same feeling that he got when he was around Aragorn. But what was it? Did she have the blood of the Dúnedain?
'I'm sure he will.' Faramir said rather skeptically. He wasn't exactly a believer. He prefered to think that the actions of men and of elves and of dwarves ruled the planet and how things played out. 'You have a rare gift, for the elves to give you a name in their own tongue. They save that for a few, such as Elessar and Mithrandir.'
Faramir finished eating and a waitress took his bowl away. He ordered another ale, as he was about to take the final sips of his mug. 'Where do you travel, Wanderer?'
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Brania of Lorien
Dúnedain of the South
Wanderer Healer
Myrddin Dark Elf Elven Assassin
Posts: 84
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Post by Brania of Lorien on Mar 3, 2007 22:19:37 GMT
So he spoke a bit of Elvish. She didn't know if Faramir knew Elvish, couldn't remember if Gandalf had taught him. When she was a child, Men of Gondor greatly distrusted the Elves of Lorien. Though with King Elessar on the throne, with an Elvish wife, it would have made sense for the Steward to learn some. Then she realized that he hadn't returned the favor. She had given him her name...well, her Elvish name, but he hadn't said his. She had been hoping for him to admit it so she would have her suspisions confirmed. "If I have any gift, sir, it is only of being in the right place at the right time. The Elves found me in a time when I needed help and they granted it. I be no one special, milord."
Where did she travel? "I go where the winds take me. I have no set destination. I'm afraid I am like my friend Strider, coming at all times as I will. It has been several years since I came this far south, and felt it was time to return and see what has changed."
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Lord Faramir
Administrator
D?nedain of the South Lord of Emyn Arnen Steward of Gondor
In Desperate Hours Gentleness May be Repaid with Death....... So Be It
Posts: 241
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Post by Lord Faramir on Mar 4, 2007 18:23:09 GMT
Faramir smiled at her benignly. 'I was taught elvish many years ago by the Grey Wandered, Gandalf Mithrandir. He made many visits here and made it part of his purpose to tutor me in the things of old. Tales of the lost line of kings and the ancient elves of Lorien and of Elrond the half-elf. My trust, it came to be, was not misplaced in him, though he has now one from ourlands.' Faramir welcomed the second mug of ale from the waitress. 'Forgive me for being rude. I have not yet given you my name. I am Faramir of the House of Stewards.'
He mulled over his thoughts for a moment. 'The elves found you in dire need and you know of Strider? Was there something that you were fleeing from?' Faramir asked out of interest. 'It is a long ride from any settlement of men to one of the elven lands.' Faramir had traversed to Lothlorien twice by his father's bidding. He had been welcomed with little more than a cold shoulder, of course. The elves were far warier of men than men of elves.
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Brania of Lorien
Dúnedain of the South
Wanderer Healer
Myrddin Dark Elf Elven Assassin
Posts: 84
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Post by Brania of Lorien on Mar 4, 2007 19:18:39 GMT
Faramir...Faramir...Faramir....the name echoed in her head and for a moment that was all she could think about. Years had passed and yet somehow their paths had crossed again and she was sitting across from him. How could she have not known instantly who he was as soon as she saw him? He looked so much like Boromir and had their mother's eyes. Maybe that was why she hadn't recognized him....she didn't like to think about Boromir because it hurt so much. To finally have him back, then to lose him....Her heart ached, remembering Boromir and at seeing that Faramir was alive and well. He had done well in his life, trusted advisor to the King. Brania covered her turbulent thoughts by finishing off her stew and sipping the ale.
"I am surprised you know the name of Strider, as he is a simple wanderer, like I am. My dealings with the Elves came much earlier than my dealings with Strider. I met him several years after I met the Elves." She took another sip of her ale and debated whether to answer his question. "It is indeed several days ride from the settlements of Men to the lands of the Elves...and even longer on foot. I was very ill when I finally reached the Woods and the Elves took pity on me and nursed me back to life."
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Lord Faramir
Administrator
D?nedain of the South Lord of Emyn Arnen Steward of Gondor
In Desperate Hours Gentleness May be Repaid with Death....... So Be It
Posts: 241
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Post by Lord Faramir on Mar 4, 2007 21:26:43 GMT
Faramir looked across the table at the woman. He did notice that she looked a lot like his brother and even more so like his mother. He ignored the thoughts, and continued along the line of attempting to find out who this person was and what she was about, 'Strider is the house of the King as Steward is my house. Aragorn Elessar of the House Of Strider and King of Gondor. He was once a wanderer but in these days the only place he wanders is within the Towers of Minas Tirith and, on occasion, amongst his people.'
The Steward of Gondor finished drinking his ale and laid the mug down on the table for one of the waitresses to remove. He noticed that she had not bothered to answer his question and that in itself asked one hundred questions within Faramir's mind. 'I must take my leave of this place. In two hours from now I ride for Minas Tirith to meet with the king. Perhaps you may like to meet with him and you can catch up on things passed with him.'
Faramir stood, fishing three golden coins from his coin bag and leaving them on the table.
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Brania of Lorien
Dúnedain of the South
Wanderer Healer
Myrddin Dark Elf Elven Assassin
Posts: 84
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Post by Brania of Lorien on Mar 4, 2007 22:36:01 GMT
Now she had a good reason to look shocked. Strider...was the King? Strider...was Elessar? She knew he was a friend of the Elves and she had known that he had been a part of the Fellowship with Boromir, since they had come through Lothlorien, but even then the Hobbits had called him Strider. She set down her now empty mug on the table in front of her and watched, still stunned as Faramir stood and put some coins on the table. Today was not a good day. She had expected to find a place to rest for a while and instead she had her world turned upside-down. She had found her brother after so many years and had been told that one of her cloest friends was the King of Gondor. Brania felt rather as if she was being attacked on all sides.
She gave him a half smile. "As you say, war is brewing and I doubt His Majesty would have time to spare for idle discussion. I will be heading out in a few hours myself, to head north toward Lorien. It is high time I see my brothers and feel the peace that only the Elves can bring." Yes, she would go home...and forget about the World of Men. In Lorien she could forget about the past, forget the pain. Even if Faramir was exactly what Boromir had said he was, if he was as forgiving and noble and kind as Boromir claimed...she had hurt them so much. She had seen the pain in Boromir's eyes and didn't know if she could bare to see it in Faramir's. No, it would be better to let him find happiness in his new life. She had been dead for too long.
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