The Perfect Wedding Gift
B2MeM
Challenge: Faramir, Aragorn, Éowyn, wedding gift
Faramir
wants to get his bride-to-be a special gift but is uncertain what he
should give her. He wants it to be special, something she will
treasure, but he is having difficulty deciding what to give her. He
can consult Aragorn or Aragorn can see that Faramir is struggling
with a problem and offer to help him. Aragorn's suggestions can be
good or bad. The gift can be anything and Eowyn's reaction to it can
be anything you want it to be.
Format: Short
story
Genre: friendship, romance
Rating: PG
Warnings: Mention
of horse breeding
Characters: Aragorn, Faramir,
Éowyn
Pairings: Aragorn/Arwen,
Faramir/Éowyn
Summary: Faramir’s wedding gift to his
bride has far reaching consequences.
Aragorn
tried to visit Roheryn as often as he could. The horse had been his
faithful companion for many years and he was determined that now he
was King he would not neglect his old friend. He was able to provide
well for his steed. Minas Tirith had spacious stables in the sixth
circle as well as a pasture on the outskirts of the City, where the
horses could graze when they were not needed.
One morning,he
requested some carrots from a somewhat bemused kitchen maid and took
advantage of a gap between official duties to walk down to the
stables. Truth to tell, he was weary of being indoors and welcomed
some fresh air.
Rather to his surprise, he found his Steward
in the stable yard. Faramir was rather glumly contemplating a
magnificent chestnut horse. Aragorn greeted Faramir then went over to
Roheryn’s stall and fed the stallion the carrots.
When he
emerged, Faramir was still there. The Steward was caressing the
chestnut’s mane and speaking to it softly, but he still looked
troubled.
“What a fine horse!” Aragorn exclaimed. “I
have not seen it before.”
“She is a wedding gift from King
Éomer, my lord,” Faramir replied. “Her name is Iavas. Never have
I owned such a fine horse before.” He stroked her head
affectionately.
“She is indeed fair,” said Aragorn. “Why
then do you look so downcast?”
“It will seem a foolish
problem to you, sire,” said Faramir.
“Why not tell me
about it then so I can decide?” Aragorn sat down on a bench at the
far side of the yard and patted the place beside him, indicating that
Faramir should sit down. Faramir sat and for a few moments, they
remained together in silence, broken only by the neighing of the
horses. At last, Aragorn said, “I should like to be a friend to you
as well as your liege lord, Faramir.”
Faramir sighed and
looked down at his hands, adorned with his ring of office and his
betrothal ring. “You will think me very foolish, sire, but I cannot
think of a suitable wedding gift for Éowyn. I always believed that
ladies appreciated jewels, but Éowyn seems to have little interest
in them. She will, of course, have my mother’s jewels and some
pieces I have commissioned for her featuring our emblems entwined,
but I doubt they will give her much pleasure. I want to give her
something that will light up her face with joy when she receives
it.”
“Ah,” said Aragorn. “A tricky dilemma indeed. I
found it very hard to find a suitable gift for Arwen. I think though,
I have an idea for a gift that will please your lady.”
“You
do, sire?” Faramir’s eyes lit up.
“You should give her a
horse, Faramir.”
The Steward’s air of dejection returned.
“She does indeed love horses, sire, but she deems those of Gondor
inferior to those of her homeland.”
Aragorn laughed
ruefully. “Sadly, Lady Éowyn is correct in her observations.
Gondor is somewhat lacking in fine horses. I intend to do something
about that now I am King. I was thinking not of a Gondorian horse,
though, but an Elven horse.”
Faramir looked thoughtful.
“Éowyn and I have discussed our future plans for when we dwell in
Ithilien and she tells me she desires to breed horses, an endeavour I
fully support. She has spoken longingly of the beauty of the horses
that the Queen and her kindred ride. I am certain she would
appreciate an Elvish horse, but where might I get one for her? I am
certain Lady Arwen would not desire to sell hers!”
“Indeed
she would not,” said Aragorn. “Sometimes I think she loves that
grey mare above all other creatures! There are many more like her in
Rivendell, though. I could write to Master Elrond and his sons and
ask them to send a fair colt or filly for you to purchase as a
wedding gift.”
“Thank you so much, sire.” Faramir
rewarded the King with a beaming smile. “I am certain Éowyn will
be delighted.”
“I am happy to help you, Faramir.”
Aragorn patted the younger man’s shoulder. “Now we had better
return to the Citadel. The Council meeting cannot begin without us,
much though I wish they could.”
Many years later
Éowyn
emerged from the stables oblivious to her stained gown and disordered
hair. She smiled happily at her husband who was waiting outside the
stall for her. “A beautiful foal is safely delivered. She is grey
with a darker blaze on her forehead.”
Faramir bent to kiss
her brow. “Glad tidings indeed, my love, but you look weary. You
should have let me keep watch for a while.”
“Synne is
young and skittish like many a first time mother,” said Éowyn. “I
was determined to stay with her until the foal was born. She is
suckling her now. I was thinking this is Telmund’s tenth foal and
each one has been perfect. There is another foal on the way, too as
he covered the mare Adiva gave me. We will need a larger stable
soon.”
“Maybe I should have given you a mithril necklace
instead of a horse as a wedding gift then? We would have far fewer
mouths to feed!”
Éowyn punched his arm playfully. “Indeed
not! What use is a necklace, save to adorn silly girls who are trying
to catch a young man’s eye?”
Faramir looked out towards
the paddocks where the horses grazed and sighed contently. “Aragorn
once said that Gondor lacked fine horses. He could not say that
now.”