fandomweekly | [#005] HIDDEN TRUTHS (LORD OF THE RINGS)

Theme Prompt: #005 - Long shot
Title: Hidden truths
Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 1,000 words
Summary: Gandalf has come to Minas Tirith in search of answers.

Faramir could hear the commotion before he could see it. Shortly returned from a sortie to despatch a rogue clan of Southrons, he’d taken the morning off duty to wander the city walls and to take in the air. No matter from which level he gazed, the view of the Pelennor Fields was no less breathtaking.

From his place upon the second level of the seven-tiered city, he leapt up to a better vantage point from one of the city’s many watchtowers, and cast his eyes down toward the main gate. People clustered around some new entrant to the city. Knowing his duty, he quickly descended the stairs and rushed forward to the gate.

Dressed only in a plain black leather jerkin, the white tree of his forebears emblazoned on the back, and without his horse, many of the city’s people did not recognise him immediately as the son of their lord and Steward. Only through hushed whispers of recognition did the crowd finally and slowly part to admit him through.

More whispers told him who the guest was, though at this distance now the outline was unmistakable. 'Mithrandir, Mithrandir,' the crowd echoed.

Gandalf was a tall man, but made taller still by the horse he rode in upon. It was a bright silver steed, which made the white city walls pale in comparison to its radiance. There was no mistaking it for anything other than the finest beast ever to have been bred by the horselords of Rohan.

'Gandalf!' he called out, overjoyed to see the wizard.

Gandalf dismounted and smiled, though it seemed tinged with weariness. 'Faramir. How very good it is to see you.' Old and wizened he may have looked, but his handshake was as strong as that of any solider under Faramir’s command.

'How long has it been?'

'Too long I fear you shall tell me.'

'Indeed,' Faramir agreed. Gandalf had been a font of stories and wisdom since before he’d been a boy. He made sure to take advantage of that every time he came to the city. 'I shall send word to my father. He will be pleased to welcome you into the great hall to dine with him, and to share what news you have from the realms.'

'It is not for your Steward’s hospitality that I made this journey,' the wizard replied. 'I fear we both know that the Lord Denethor does not trust my council as freely as you would.'

Faramir could not deny his father’s mistrust of wizards and elves, however unfounded. As he fell into step with the wizard, the crowd finally disbursed, leaving them alone to speak. 'For what purpose then have you come?'

'I have a need to consult the great library on the matter of Isildur’s reign and his untimely death.'

'Every child in Gondor could tell you that tale.'

Gandalf gave an amused little chuckle. 'Allow an old man to indulge his whims. Hmm?'

Faramir studied the wizard. Those ancient blue eyes were a mystery and yet unable to hold a lie. 'Tell me true, Gandalf. You did not come all this way for a mere curiosity.'

Gandalf rested a hand on his shoulder. 'You have much wisdom and perception for one so young.'

'Saruman spent years studying the scrolls and tomes. My father was quite content to see the back of him. I daresay what he hasn’t gleaned from them isn’t worth knowing.'

'And yet on this one question, he cannot provide me an answer.'

Faramir paused mid-step. 'What question is that?'

'What became of Isildur?'

It felt like a trick question. 'His party were ambushed by orcs, outnumbered ten to one. None survived.'

'None?' Gandalf queried. 'Then how is it their number is known? How is it that the shards of Narsil made their way to Rivendell? Survivors there were at least two. Isildur’s body was never found. And what was the purpose of their journey? Isildur’s actions have been much on my mind of late. Whether there exists an account of his thoughts and reasoning is yet to be determined. I sincerely hope to find one.'

'Then you are welcome to search, my old friend,' Faramir offered. 'The library is yours for as long as you require. I only ask that you sup with us in return. It has truly been too long.'

'I think it would be best not to tempt the Steward’s generosity. A flagon of wine and some cheese will do nicely. In fact, best not to mention I was here at all.'

Faramir tried to hide the look of disappointment on his face. He had hoped they would sit and talk long into the night. He should have known his father’s suspicion of the wizard’s intentions would mar any hopes of peaceful relations. He would not listen to reasoned argument, not from him. Only his brother Boromir held sway in their father’s eyes. He was strong and determined, a fighter. He would be Steward after his father was gone. Faramir’s interests in music and lore were considered worthless pursuits despite being a proven warrior himself.

In his dreams his father would come to him, stand beside him beneath the white tree that had been so carefully preserved since the fall of Numenor. 'I love you and I am proud of you, my son. I should have told you a long time ago.' That was how he imagined it might be, rather than the cold, disinterest his father usually showed.

Gandalf placed a reassuring hand on his arm. 'Do not judge your father too harshly for his opinion of me. Or of you. You are the Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien. That is not an honour bestowed lightly.'

'An honour worthy of a second son,' he replied.

'Your father will come to see you for who you really are, Faramir son of Denethor. All truths must eventually reveal themselves, even those buried deep and hidden by time. At least, that is what I hope and believe in.'

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I love this so much! It's been forever since I read LOTR fic, but Faramir's always been one of my favorite characters, and you capture his POV really well here.

He is an unsung hero of the story, downtrodden and yet loyal to a fault. His quiet nature and sharp intelligence make him one of my favourites, too. Thank you!