The SONGS of SPRING

FIRST GUARD

'You have disappointed me once, Beren son of Bergil, and yet here you are again. Begging me to convince my son to grant your leave?'

Faramir moved away from the window sill. Robed in white and gold he swept the marble floor towards Beren who had been standing still by an open arched doorway.

Faramir and Beregund were very good friends even before that terrible day he almost perished in the hands of his own father Denethor. Bergil proved to be promising but he did not take the same path as his father, instead he became merchant trading West to South. Faramir had hoped Beren would somehow draw the strings and bring the two families together, and he lost to a woman from the North. 'Is this about Eänna?'

'Lady Eânna sent the prisoners to the House of Valour, one of them was not supposed to be there. And now, she ---'

' ..just made you first guard.' Faramir shrugged. 'I am not surprised at all. Eânna is still very fond of you, I see that now.'

Beren was silent, watching the old man walk back to where he had been. The Steward's chamber was huge, its domed ceiling was painted white and the walls were panelled save the one that faces the Sun. Down outside the window Faramir could see many red rooftops and brick watchtowers looking admirable in white and red, the Sun was just over the eastern hills and the wind was inviting.

'This kingdom was forged in bravery and loyalty, do you remember your grandfather's story when the enemy sieged the citadel?' Faramir asked with a sorrowful glace.

'I remember every word.'

'I cannot blame you for leaving your life behind, it wasn't all because of a woman.'

'My Lord, must you remind me the bitterness of the past, I do not wish to remember. And if you are to ask the same question you asked ten years ago, my answer would be the same. Eänna deserves a man better than a rebel. I am no worthy man for your daughter.' Beren cast his eyes to the floor as if he was ashamed of his words.

'Once is enough, I knew your heart beats for someone else, I will not let my daughter suffer for the rest of her life. Perhaps one day she will wake up from her fantasies and her heart will accept the loss.' He sighed. 'I've watched you grow, taught you how to hold a sword. At once I thought of you as a grandson.'

'And I am grateful of your kindness my Lord.'

'You are Bergil's rightful heir, you have all the right to the Eastern Empire. Gold and title may not give you happiness Beren, but it can get you what you want. Do not be lost in your own path.'

'I am but a humble servant.'

'Just like your grandfather Beregund, but he was bold and brave. He abondoned his duty to save a friend. Love is the only thing stronger than fear.'

Faramir moved to the side where a weapon shelf stood in front of a wall-wide tapestry. Woven to it was Gondor's map, with all it's cities Lossarnach, Lebennin, Dor-en-Ernil, Belfalas and many others. The great river Anduin snaked in blue green thread between Minas Tirith and South Ithilien, from the hills of Rohan to the bay of Ethir Anduin. To its upper right printed in bold the months of Gondor in Steward's Reckoning.

At length Faramir stared silently before unlocking the shelf and drew a long polished blade with a steel scent-topper pommel wrapped in dark green leathery handle. 'I gave this to Beregund as a gift after I made him Captain of my guards and the Protector of my House. Bergil gave it back to me the day after you run away.'

Beren was stunned, he had disgraced his father so deep it ruined his family's reputation.

'A raven arrived last night bearing tidings from Dol Amroth. Another blast killed twenty one innocents. Rebels are growing bolder and bolder each day and it seemed to me they've somehow discovered a source of this black powder. If they have, it is only a matter of time before they attack other city again. Do you understand!?'

'The source must be found and destroyed.'

'And silence those who know its whereabouts.'

'That is harder than the first.' Beren pondered. He didn't know where Raen had gotten the fire balls she supposed to use in Greyford, and she did not say anything about the source. 'I know of someone who could possibly tell us about the mine - but she had gone.'

'Then find her!' Faramir offered the sword with both hands. 'Wield your grandfather's sword and protect your homeland.'

'But Eänna ---'

'They will not know. This errand is between you and me. Leave with five of my trusted men and look for answers. I will deal with my daughter as any father would.'

Beren turned his back without answers, carrying a heavy burden upon his heart.

'Beren,' Faramir called. Beren halted unwilling to show his dismay. Yet he stood there for a moment with eyes on the ceiling. 'Legolas left with haste yesterday,' he said as if he was foreboding. 'Do not let go of things that are rightfully yours.'

Beren left while he could still hold himself together, holding the sword tightly as he disappeared to the hallway. Elboron made him First Guard, a title he couldn't have refused in front of the King and Queen. I could have stopped Raen, he thought, I could have told her who I was. He could have nocked that arrow to cripple the man but he was too late. Whoever helped Raen doesn't hesitate killing anyone in his path.

Beren hurried down the stairs and out of the guest house. Faramir knew he was their best chance of finding the mine they've been looking for many months now. But Beren was torn, for he wanted to fulfill his duty and his heart tells him to take Raen back and run away.

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A/N
So it's not Beren who shot the arrow, not Legolas, who do you think did it? Will Beren finally reconcile with his father to get what he wants?