The Best Laid Plans Chapter V The Final Installment NC17: L/A/E/? Author: elfprincess911@yahoo.com Disclaimer: Don’t own em, never will Summary: Read the other chapters, and you’ll understand this one! The King of Gondor turned in his saddle to look behind him one last time in both longing, and slight irritation. He really did not want to leave Ithilien, but business in Osgiliath was pressing, and he had no more time to spare. His companions rode in silence beside him, either too absorbed in their own thoughts to notice his restlessness, or simply ignoring it. The elven prince on his white mare, rode to the left of the king, and did not look to either side as he passed through his kingdom. The young king of Rohan, riding on the right, looked passively to his side. It was as if nothing had happened over the last few days. But something had indeed happened. Aragorn could not keep his thoughts from straying back to the last few days. All the intimate moments that he had shared with his two closest friends came to him as clearly as if he was still re-living them all. The summons to Osgiliath was not unexpected. Aragorn had known that it was coming. Faramir had finished all the repairs to the city, and was eager to show it off to his friends. Aragorn, as King of Gondor, would of course have to be present. Legolas, and Eomer would be expected to attend as well. They could not let Faramir down. He had worked very hard to restore Osgiliath, and was preparing to celebrate the first of what would become an annual festival, commemorating the completion of the city repairs. Aragorn knew that the upcoming week would be full of excitement, and activity, and yet, he could not find any pleasure in the thought of it at all. He desired only to stay in Ithilien, and relax with his friends. If relaxing was really the appropriate word for what they had been doing! “Aragorn, when did the summons say that we would be expected?” Eomer asked. “This afternoon is the opening ceremony.” Aragorn replied. “I think Faramir expects us to be present for that.” “Do you think we will make it in time?” Eomer wondered aloud as he looked ahead of them at the miles yet to travel. “I know I will be there on time, waiting for the two of you, relaxing with my thoughts, and a fine mug of ale!” Legolas shouted as he spurred his horse forward, and disappeared into the forest ahead of his companions. Without even a word, or nod to each other, Aragorn and Eomer urged their horses to follow, and in a storm of leaves, and dust, left the forest of Ithilien behind, for the river, and the city ahead of them. ***** “Faramir my love, do you think they will be here in time? I hope you sent the summons early enough for it to get to them.” Eowen stood looking out the window of her husbands study toward the river and the forest road, straining her eyes to see some sign of the travelers. “If I know them as I think I do,” Faramir said without looking up from his papers, “They will be here without as hitch. At any rate, the festivities will start at the evening bell, with or without the other kings.” Faramir stood and walked over to the window to look over Eowen’s shoulder. He shared her enthusiasm, and hoped that their friends would soon arrive. He had been looking forward to seeing them for quite some time now. There was never time enough to catch up on all the news of the other kingdoms, and he wanted to discuss some important changes he had made to the city’s outer defense wall with Aragorn. “Look! They are coming at last!” Eowen cried, as she pointed down toward the forest road. “Oh see how quickly they are riding! Do you think they are being pursued?” Faramir looked down over his wife’s shoulder in the direction she was pointing, and laughed. “No my dear, they are not being pursued. They are having a race to see who can gain the city gates first.” “Surely they are not playing such a game as that! Why that is quite childish for three such men.” “Two men and an elf my love.” Faramir laughed. “Come, let us go down to the gates and welcome our friends. Faramir and Eowen descended down through the streets of Osgiliath to the gates, with a throng of people in there wake. Faramir found that the closer he got the to gate, the more uneasy and nervous he became. He often felt that way in Aragorn’s presence. He was never quite certain why he was moved to anxiety, unless it was because Aragorn was such as noble man. Faramir sometimes felt that he was not as important or as brave as his friends. Little did he know, that they would never have thought less of him. Legolas was of course the first to win the gate, and as he dismounted in a cloud of dust, and shook the tangles from his long blonde hair, he turned and took Faramir’s extended hand with his customary strong grip. “Well met my friend!” Legolas said smiling at Faramir, and then nodding toward Eowen. “I am afraid that the others are lagging somewhat behind me. It seems that they cannot keep up with an elf on a mission.” “Well met indeed!” Faramir said, noticing that his own voice sounded soft and shaky compared to the elf’s. Legolas turned his fair head to survey the crowd. And Faramir was struck once more by the almost other worldly beauty of the elf prince. He had not seen many fair folk before Legolas came to Ithilien to dwell with some of his people. Faramir could never really get used to elves. He was always taken aback by their grace, their musical voices, their perfection. Somehow, he felt unworthy to be in their presence. Faramir’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a raucous at the gates. Aragorn and Eomer had arrived in a cloud of dust, and Eowen had torn herself from Faramir’s side to welcome her brother. “Oh Eomer, how glad I am to see you! It has been too long!” Eomer wrapped his strong arm’s around Eowen’s tiny waist and swung her about. “Yes little sister, it is very good to see you as well. You look as beautiful as always. I take it that Faramir is treating you well?” Eomer looked up at Faramir with an inquiring glance, and Faramir felt as if he was under interrogation. “Of course he is treating me well. He treats me like a queen.” Eowen replied as she playfully punched Eomer’s arm. “Much better than you ever treated me!” Eomer smiled and released himself from her arm’s to rummage in his saddle bag for the gift’s he had brought for her. While she was busy watching her brother with anticipation, her husband made his way to the King of Gondor, who stood nearby stroking the nose of his horse, and seeming rather more like a ranger than a king. “Hello my friend. Was your trip pleasant?” Faramir asked. “Oh yes, as pleasant as it could be in the company I keep.” Aragorn laughed. “How are things in Osgiliath?” “Very well.” Faramir replied. “Would you care to walk about the city with me, and then you could see for yourself what has been done? Most of the repairs were completed with Gimli’s help.” “Gimli? Is he here now?” Legolas asked excitedly. “Oh yes.” Faramir replied. “You will find him about somewhere. Probably with his beard deep in a mug of ale. Legolas looked back toward Aragorn, his golden hair sweeping across his shoulder as he turned, and raised his eyebrows inquiringly. “Yes, go and see if you can find him.” Aragorn said smiling at his friend. “And see that he doesn’t talk you into another drinking contest. If I remember correctly, you lost the last one.” “Your memory fails you....” Legolas called back as he disappeared around a corner. Aragorn and Faramir spent the afternoon walking around the citadel and inspecting the repairs and new buildings in the city. Aragorn was quite pleased, as he knew he would be. Gimli always did good work. Faramir on the other hand, was obviously nervous. “Faramir, is there someplace where you and I can go to be alone? I think the crowds, and heat are beginning to wear on me.” Aragorn suggested. “Oh yes, we can go to my rooms. We will be alone there. Eowen and her brother are still about in the city, and I think that she will most likely take him to the stables to show him her new colts before they come back to our rooms. We should be able to talk quietly for awhile.” ****** Aragorn found that he was a little more tired than he had thought, as he relaxed back against the cushioned window seat in Faramir and Eowen’s chamber. He was surprised that Faramir had not taken him to a study, or a sitting room. But was pleased none the less, that he could rest in peace for a moment. Faramir poured them both a goblet of wine, and handed one to Aragorn. The King of Gondor noticed that his friends hand trembled as he took the mug. “Faramir my friend, you seem rather ill at ease in my presence. Why is that ? Have I caused you anxiety?” Aragorn asked. Faramir shifted uncomfortably, and turned toward the king. The Steward of Gondor could not help but feel distressed in the presence of a man of such high honor. But Aragorn captured the eyes of his nervous companion, and would not look away. Faramir had no choice but to respond to the question. “Aragorn my friend, you have never given me any reason to think you disliked me, I just can’t help but feel that I am in the presence of my better when you are near.” “Your better?”, Aragorn laughed. “I have never thought of myself as anyone’s better! At least not better than any of my friends, that is.” Aragorn set the goblet of wine down on the broad oak window sill, and walked slowly across the room toward his anxious friend. Keeping his eyes locked on Faramir’s, he smiled at the younger man, and reaching up gripped Faramir’s chin in his hand. Faramir looked like a doe caught in the line of an archers fire. The King of Gondor tilted his head to one side to regard the steward. “You should never fear me, or any of my companions. We have traveled far, and seen much. We have fought many battles, and overcome many odds. Yes, it is true that we have done things that other men may call valiant, but that makes you no less valiant. The defense of one’s home and people is just as honorable. You lived for years in the shadow of Mordor, your older brother, and your father. Now it is time for you to stand on your own two feet, out in front, and not in anyone’s shadow, especially not in mine. I need a steward who will walk beside me, not behind me.” Faramir felt his heart rate quicken as Aragorn’s hand tightened the grip it had on his chin. Finding himself no longer able to hold his goblet of wine, the steward let the cup fall to the floor, dark red wine spilling onto the carpet. Aragorn lowered his mouth to the trembling lips of his steward, and without warning, Faramir found himself tangled in the arms of the King of Gondor, as they fell together onto the lush thick fur spread on the floor. Faramir’s head struck the goblet that he had let fall from his hand only a moment earlier. The steward was certain that this was not as it should be. What would he do if Eowen were to suddenly throw open the door, and enter with her brother. What could he say.... All rational thought fled his mind as he felt himself pressed against the oak floor beneath the weight of the former ranger. Their bodies entwined together, one against the other in a fevered hurry to both feel and be felt. Aragorn was agressive in his desire, and his warm wet mouth, still tasting of red wine, found it’s target, and the steward could not draw breath for the intensity of the kiss, and the insistent tongue that filled his mouth. Faramir was finally granted breath, as Aragorn shifted his weight slightly to the side of the steward, and propped himself up on one arm to lean predator like over Faramir. The younger man looked up at the King of Gondor, and felt both shock and surprise fading, as they were replaced rapidly by both desire and overwhelming emotion. Faramir found himself reaching up toward the older man above him, reaching out to pull him closer, wanting to touch, taste, feel. Aragorn was most obliging, and allowed Faramir to pull them closer together. As the two lost themselves in yet another heated and passionate kiss, their individual hands were involved in a task all their own, as each tried to remove the garmets of the other. Finding that this task was nearly impossible in their present state, Aragorn rose and knelt on the carpet, pulling Faramir up beside him. Then turning to face his companion, the former ranger begin to loosen the ties holding Faramir’s tunic in place, and lifted it over the stewards head. Faramir took the not so subtle hint, and returned the favor, his hands trembling so that he could barely undo the laces. Once freed of their tunics, both rushed to press their bodies together once again, to feel skin against skin, rough here, smooth there, the same, and yet quite different. Aragorn reached down between them to softly stroke the growing buldge beginning to build in Faramir’s leggings. The young steward leaned against the king and moaned his pleasure against Aragorn’s ear, the sound causing an involuntary shiver from the king, as he felt his own desire awakened most ardently by that beautiful sound, and the warmth of Faramir’s breath against his ear. “Let us be rid of the rest of our clothes my friend. Though these fine garmets might serve us well outside of this room, within these walls, they are a burden and an obstacle to our present purpose”, Aragorn whispered. Faramir found his own hands moving to remove the remainder of clothing he wore. He did so as quickly as possible, so as not to miss a chance to watch as Aragorn removed his own garmets. With the kings finely muscled body displayed right before him, Faramir found himself feeling even more strongly the sense of inferiority that had plagued him earlier. Aragorn was taller, and broader than him, as well as being obviously stronger. The fine lines on the face of the king, and the numerous scars on his body bearing witness to the years of strife and struggle. ‘Why would he ever want to touch me? I think he does it only because he feels pity for me. The same pity he once showed my wife when it was she who loved him. And why would she not love him?’ Faramir found his thoughts most disturbing, and tried in vain to block them out. If this was an act of pity, then at least it was one that he could fondly remember for the rest of his life. No negative thoughts would mar it for him. Faramir stood motionless, unable to hide his growing need, as Aragorn approached him, and taking his hand, pulled him back down onto the furs. They lay together, skin against skin, mouth against mouth, heated desire against heated desire, and took from each other what was needed. Faramir found his inhibitions were lost, as he moved his hands over the broad chest of his companion, tracing circles around each taunt nipple, and then raising his head to capture one in his mouth. He was rewarded for his efforts, as the king’s capable hands slid smoothly down the back of the young steward, and gripped his buttocks to pull them even closer together as they lay side by side, facing each other. Faramir had never before touched another male in this fashion. He found that it was not unpleasant or disgusting. He had always enjoyed every moment with Eowen, but of course this was different. Passion by other names is still passion, but love....that was something altogether different. Just as Faramir was about to loose himself completely to the moment, and the ardent heat that flooded his body, the moment ecstacy was shattered by the sound of a door opening urgently, and footsteps that came quickly, then stopped short, and the sound of a breath taken in quite sharply. ‘Oh Gods! It’s Eowen’, Faramir thought as wild desperation gripped him. He turned over to look with the greatest apprehension he had ever known, but was in turn shocked himself. “Somehow I thought I might find the two of you here.” Legolas exclaimed with a very sly smile. He regarded the lovers with a coy expression as Faramir shifted wildly on the furs in an attempt to hide his nakedness. “Legolas you infernal elf! Your timing is horrendous! How is it that you manage to always turn up when you are least expected?” Aragorn asked in exasperation. “Least expected, maybe, but I do not think you are sad to see me. It seems that you were having some fun, and without me I might add. I am somewhat jealous that you didn’t ask me to join you.” Legolas smirked in a most un- elvish fashion. “I don’t think you are jealous.” Aragorn replied as he shifted his weight, and motioned for the elf to join him and his companion. Legolas was quick to take the hint, and was on the furs next to Faramir in only a moment. The young steward felt as if he wanted nothing more than to run and hide at the moment. He was sandwiched between two brave warriors, both of whom greatly intimidated him. He could not breathe or move, and as he was caught in the hypnotic stare of the elven prince’s dark blue eye’s, he could only wait for whatever would come next. Legolas moved closer, and closer. Faramir watched the elf’s soft lips inching to within a breath of his own, wondering if this was really happening. Was this really true? Faramir jumped in surprise when Aragorn touched him from behind, wrapping his strong arms around the stewards chest, and drawing their bodies together to whisper in Faramir’s ear. “The elf is very primal. He know’s what he wants, and he is not ashamed to take it. Do not be surprised if he is agressive with you. I have seen that side of him many times.” “I do not know what you want me to do!” Faramir whispered breathlessly. “I have never done anything like this before.” “Leave it to us, just try to follow, and hang on.” Legolas said as his warm lips brushed Faramir’s trembling one’s. ‘Hang onto what?’ It was the last rational thought that crossed Faramir’s mind. He found himself at the mercy of the King of Gondor, and the elven Prince of Ithilien. Aggressive was not really the right word for the elf’s behavior, and Aragorn was quite gentle as they moved their hands over the steward’s taunt body. Faramir’s mouth was covered by Aragorn’s, and the elf, who was by now without his garmets as well, was busying his hands with the stewards growing erection. “Do you think we should wait for him?” Legolas asked tentatively as he looked over Faramir’s shoulder to Aragorn. “Wait for who?”, Faramir asked in exasperation. “It is of no consequence.” Aragorn replied. “He will be here soon enough, and hopefully alone.” “Oh don’t worry about that.” Legolas confidently answered. “I think your wife will take care of any concerns we have of being discovered by someone who might be hurt by this.” “Indeed”, was the king’s only reply. By this point, the steward of Gondor was certainly lost. The elf lowered his fair head downward and in moments captured the stewards pulsing erection in his skilled mouth, while Aragorn used his adept mouth to trail lingering kisses up and down the length of Faramir’s neck. “Please...I don’t...I can’t...” Faramir trailed off as Aragorn’s strong hands slid down his arms, and effectively trapped the young stewards hands against his sides, leaving him immobile. “Just be quiet Faramir. We know what you need, and soon enough, another will arrive who knows your needs as well.” The king whispered. Then as if on cue, the door opened, and Eomer strode quickly into the room closing the door and locking it behind him. “It seems that some people are just too impatient to wait nicely for others, but have to skip right to the dessert before the main course is served!” Eomer’s voice pretended irritation, but his brown eye’s sparkled. “Perhaps we simply lack your wonderful self control King of Rohan.” Legolas laughed. “Enough talk! We have wasted too much time with it already. The steward’s wife might be able to untangle herself from Arwen at any time, and come looking for us. We don’t want her to arrive before Faramir has had a chance to get to know all of us better.” Aragorn said as he moved to push Faramir down on the flat of his back. Legolas shifted to the side, and beckoned to Eomer to join them on the furs. The young king of Rohan quickly took the hint, and began to work on the ties of his clothing. Within moments, he too was a member of the tangle of limbs on the floor. Faramir found himself at the mercy of two men and an elf, and for a brief moment, he wanted nothing more than to run screaming out of his chamber. ‘These people are insane!’ Faramir thought wildly. But that thought fled. He was as primal as any of them, and yes, he knew what he needed. As Legolas vied for position, the others moved back to watch, and in time participate for themselves. The elf returned his mouth to the stewards still pulsing member, and brought it to full mast. At the same moment, Aragorn moved to lift Faramir’s legs up over the elf’s shoulders and slid his calloused hands down the stewards strong muscular legs gently parting them. Eomer, who had been busy moving about the room gathering supplies, returned with what would be needed. Faramir was almost thankful for the blindfold that Eomer placed over his eyes. He could now concentrate on the sensations that were taking place around him. He jumped startled, as a cold slick substance was rubbed against his tight, and never before penetrated entrance. He held his breath in both anticipation and fear as a finger, Eomer’s he thought, began to slowly coax the tight ring to loosen. The steward relaxed his body to allow that finger to slowly penetrate him, and gasped in pleasent surprise when that same finger found a spot deep within him that seemed to be directly connected with his now leaking errection. The complex sensations Faramir was feeling, were doubled when he felt something hot, firm, and insistent probing against his lips. He did the only thing he could do, and opened his mouth. He realized that it was Aragorn who was positioned above him, and thrusting gently into his mouth. He knew that it was the elf’s sweet mouth that did the same to him, and he deduced that it could only be Eomer who’s finger, that had now been joined by two others, who penetrated him from below. Faramir no longer cared what the scene might look like to anyone else. He knew that this was what he wanted, and had longed for. Faramir become conscious suddently of the soft moans from above him, and realized that his efforts with the King of Gondor were not in vain. The young steward had feared that he might gag, on not be able to please Aragorn, but his fears were unnecessary. The former ranger quickened his pace, and his ragged breath indicated that he was close. His rough hands gripped the stewards head and held it firm at he thrust into the hot willing mouth beneath him. Faramir could not understand the elvish words that Aragorn cried out as he reached his peak, but he could understand their meaning. The elf , however, lifted his head, and his mouth from the stewards rock hard member for only a moment, to answer Aragorn in the language they shared, then returned to his ministrations. Aragorn collapsed onto the furs, next to Faramir, and softly stroked the young stewards hair as he came down from his orgasm. “Thank you my friend. I have been saving that for you, and I hoped you would not mind the manner in which I delivered it to you.” Aragorn said breathlessly. Faramir could not find the words, and only nodded in acceptance of the kings words. He felt a warm mouth close over his own, and assumed it must be Aragorn’s, as Eomer was too far away, and Legolas’s mouth was busy with other matters. Aragorn’s kiss was slow, and sensuous. A sweet reward for Faramir’s efforts. The steward was quite close himself, but the elf was torturing him with little licks and nips of his teeth to prolong his pleasure as long as possible. Eomer, however, was loosing patience. He reached for Faramir’s hand, and shifting his position, placed that hand on his own throbbing member. “Faramir, I would be honored if you could manage, although difficult I know it will be in your present state, to assist me for a moment....” Eomer began. Aragorn broke the kiss, and sat up on the furs to watch the activities that continued beside him. Faramir began to slid his hand tentatively along the pulsing length in his palm, unsure exactly what Eomer wanted. He did not have to wait long for his answer, as Eomer moaned loudly, and began to thrust into the stewards hand. “Yes, that’s it!” He cried. “Just a moment more.” Legolas suddenly removed his mouth, and moved next to Aragorn, who responded by placing his hands on the elf’s shoulders, pushing him to the floor, and rolling him onto his stomach. Aragorn watched the other men on the fur next to him, out of the corner of his eye, as he began to trail soft kisses down the elf’s back. He pushed the archer prince’s long lean legs apart, and slipped between them. Down over the silky pale skin of the elf’s lower back, he continued to slide his moist lips, dragging his whiskers over the soft skin to make the elf tremble with pleasure. Then, without warning, Aragorn gripped the elf’s firm buttocks, pulling them gently apart, and slid his tongue along the groove between them. Legolas cried out, and began to writhe as Aragorn circled his tight opening, then pushed his tongue deep inside. Meanwhile, Eomer had gotten about as much stimulation as he could endure for the moment, and pulled out of Faramir’s hand. He took hold of the steward’s legs, and placed them over his broad shoulders. Then coating his leaking member with more oil, he reached down, and slid two fingers into the steward once more, but only for a moment, as he moved closer, and positioned himself. “Is this alright my friend?” Eomer asked. “I will try not to hurt you, but if you want to stop, just ask, I will not force you.” “I do want this!” Faramir moaned, his entire body felt like a pulsing heart, and he could not take much more stimulation. Eomer pushed gently against the unrelenting ring of muscle, for only a moment, then aided by the warm oil, slipped to just inside the entrance. Faramir cried out in pain, surprised by the new sensation. But Eomer, who had only recently become used to that sensation himself, paused a moment to let the stewards body accommodate him. “Relax my friend. You can do this. If I can, you can. There is much pleasure to be had, trust me.” Eomer coaxed. After a moment, Eomer felt Faramir relax around him, and moved slowly, easing himself inside, until he was completely sheathed. Then grasping the narrow hips beneath him, Eomer began to thrust with a steady even pace, trying hard not to rush, or become too rough. He knew how difficult the first time could be, and he wanted to please Faramir as much as he could. But Eomer found it difficult not to become too caught up in his own pleasure, as the wild moaning of the elf on the floor next to him was almost enough to undo him. Aragorn had somehow gotten his fingers beneath the elf, and was stroking him to full errection as he continued to torment with his skilled tongue. “Aragorn, please!” Legolas cried. “I can’t take this!” “I think you say that to me every time we are together, and yet you still live!” Aragorn laughed. “Don’t jest!” Legolas answered frustrated. “You think you tease, I truly cannot take much more of this if you want me to last for him.” ‘Last for who?’ Faramir wondered. ‘Could he mean me?’ Faramir did not have long to wonder, as Eomer had reached the point of no return, and pulling out of the stewards body, stroked himself to fulfillment as his seed shot out over Faramir’s chest and stomach. The King of Rohan collapsed breathlessly onto the body beneath him, as sweat mixed with semen between them. “Off of him!” Aragorn said jestingly as he shoved Eomer to the furs. “Let the elf have his way before he dies of ecstacy!” Eomer rolled away from Faramir, and lay quiet on the fur’s, recovering his breath as he watched with anticipation. Legolas untangled himself from Aragorn, and moved to kneel astride Faramir’s hips. “Are the men of Gondor as easy to ride as the horses of Rohan?” Legolas inquired, as he positioned himself over Faramir’s fully erect member. “They are quite easy to ride!” Eomer gasped, still breathless from his earlier exertions. Legolas eased himself down slowly onto Faramir, adjusting his weight as needed to accommodate the stewards length. Faramir did not need further encouragement, and gripped the elf’s narrow hips as he thrust upward, and completely impaled the archer prince. “Gently!” Legolas cried. “I am not a woman!” “Perhaps, but you are surely as pretty as a woman aren’t you?” Aragorn teased. Legolas did not seem to notice, as he was easing himself back into elven reverie once more, and no longer cared for his companions appraisal of the situation. Faramir was in quite the same frame of mind, and allowed the inner beast to take over. In one swift movement, he rolled over onto the elf, reversing their positions. He quickly tore off the blindfold, wishing to see his prey better, and then pinned the elf’s hands down against the floor as he renewed his thrusts into the firm body of his companion. “At last!” Aragorn said as he smiled and applauded. “Yes, I thought he was just going to remain passive the whole time, and let us have our way with him.” Eomer remarked. “The time for that is past. It is Faramir’s turn to take what he needs, and not feel that he must always kneel to others demands.” Faramir could barely hear the conversation around him. He was close, so very close.. Being able to see the beautiful elf beneath him, being able to watch those haunting eyes go an even darker shade of blue as he too approached his climax, was too much for the steward. Faramir threw back his head and cried out his pleasure to the whole room, and cared not about the witnesses present. Legolas was lost in his own climax beneath the steward, and did not seem aware of his surrounding either. Only Aragorn, and Eomer, who were both quite sated themselves, had their full capacities about them at that moment, which as it turned out, would be a very good thing. The sound of voices at the door startled them, and Aragorn sprang up grabbing his clothes as he did. Eomer did the same, and each began to quickly dress and attempt to make themselves presentable. “Faramir my love, are you there? It is I, Eowen. May I come in?” “A moment please!” Eomer called. “We are discussing an important strategy, and need privacy.” “But Arwen said you were just drinking ale and enjoying each others company. Why can I not come in?” Eomer burst into laughter at his sister’s innocent remark, and turned to Aragorn who was smiling broadly. “Yes, we are certainly enjoying each other’s company sister, but if you come in now, you may find that a woman would not be quite as welcome as you would like.” In the mean time, Aragorn pulled Faramir to his feet, and handed him his clothes. Then turning back to the elf, gave him his hand, and assisted the fair prince to his feet. “Get dressed!” Aragorn hissed to them as he tried to assist in whatever way he could. When they were all as presentable as they could be given the circumstances, Eomer walked over and unbarred the door. “Pretend that you are intoxicated, and she will suspect nothing.” Legolas whispered to Faramir. As Eowen entered, and saw all three men, and one elf looking quite like they were in fact intoxicated, (though she would have not guessed what intoxicated them) she dropped her hands to her sides in exasperation. “All of you drunk! And moments before the celebration is to begin! How could you be so irresponsible?” She cried. “But my love, we are already celebrating. Is that not what you do at a celebration?” Faramir asked slurring his speech to add to the subterfuge. “Really! You are impossible!” Eowen exclaimed as she turned and stomped out of the room. “I will see you at the grand stand if you are able to stumble there that is!” “We will be there my love!” Faramir called after her, as Eomer shut the door, and breathed a sigh of relief. “That was close. I don’t like to lie to my sister, she is not easy to deceive. But come, let us truly get ourselves into some sense of order. She has worked very hard on this celebration, and we should not let her down.” “Yes, let us go down to the people. We are after all the guests of honor.” Aragorn said as he clapped his hand against the backs of each of his companions. “We have enjoyed ourselves, and will do so again I’ll wager, but for now, let us also go and enjoy the other’s in our lives as well.” Faramir walked out first, looking somewhat like a man who had just been given everything in life he had ever wanted. Legolas followed after casting a sly grin over his shoulder toward Aragorn, who walked after him. Eomer was last to leave, and turned to survey the room one last time, then followed swiftly after his companions, closing the door behind them. FINIS