Shadows of Long-Forgotten Summers by octopus_fool  

Faramir knew the area well enough from countless scouting missions, so he wasn't worried about getting lost and sinking into the marshes. His mare Orfel was sure-footed, and Faramir knew she would not stray from the path as he led her behind him.

The marshes still weren't the most pleasant place. The ground beneath his feet squelched with each step, and Faramir tried not to think about how it might contain more than just water and peat. Now, at the height of summer, there were more insects than ever out to get his blood. He wondered idly if they merely drew pleasure from tormenting people, or if they would be equally eager to drink the blood that was soon to be spilled in battle.

Dead grasses and rotting reeds loomed up in the mists, reminding Faramir of ragged shadows of long-forgotten summers he had spent in the north with the Éothéod and Marhgals, training for war with them and forging ties. Faramir did not believe his father knew just how close the ties were that he had forged, especially with Marhgals, nor did he believe his father had meant for him to do so in quite this way.

Faramir slowed down as he approached the edge of the marshes. He could hear horses snorting and neighing, men speaking and the general din of an army camp both yearning for and fearing battle, but he needed to be sure which army he was approaching. He tied Orfel to an unreliable looking willow shoot for lack of better options and crept closer to the edge of the marshes.

Quietly, Faramir peered out through the rushes. Rows upon rows of tents spread out before him, grey and brown, like those of every army he had seen. But there was no sign of wains, nor the emblem of a white tree upon black. Instead, a variety of horse-based heraldry adorned the tents. He had come to the right camp.

He went to fetch his horse, then emerged from the marshes, approaching one of the guards patrolling the perimeter of the camp and looking slightly alarmed at Faramir's sudden appearance.

"I am Beleg, and I have come here to speak with Marhgals. He knows who I am." Faramir knew that his mastery of the Northmen's language was far from perfect, but comprehensible. He thought back to Marhgals asking to hear the story of the elf whose name Faramir had chosen as his alias as they had lain in the long grass of the north and made plans to be prepared for all possibilities.

The guard, hearing his Gondorian accent and seeing he was not one of the Wainriders, led him partway into the camp.

"Wait here," he said next to a group of other soldiers who were watching curiously. "I will see if and when Marhgals will have time. It might be a while, as he is quite busy."

Faramir nodded and joined the group of soldiers, who were clearly supposed to keep an eye on him. They handed him a mug of ale, and he joined them for a game of dice after he had tied Orfel to a post.

They were barely halfway through the game when Marhgals strode over, accompanied by the guard, who was looking surprised. Sweat clung to his brow in the hot afternoon, and he occasionally swatted at the insects.

"You came!" Marhgals exclaimed, switching to Westron. "You crazy tree-man actually came! Welcome to our ranks, Beleg."

Faramir could hear the slight pause before the name, but he was more focussed on Marhgals' wide grin and the hug he pulled him into, longer than would be considered appropriate in Gondor.

"I told you I would fight with you, and I will."

"I cannot believe your father actually let you come," Marhgals said. "If he actually did, that is…"

"Of course," Faramir said with a grin. "Would I be here otherwise?"

"You are unbelievable. I am glad I am neither your father nor your commander. But come, you have had a long journey and will surely like to eat something before we discuss the upcoming battle."

The way his hand brushed against Faramir's a little too intentionally promised something else afterwards. They might not survive the coming days, but at least tonight, they would have each other's company. It would be almost like in those long summers they had spent together. 

Chapter End Notes

The name Orfel is from Chestnut_pod's Elvish Name List.

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