Displaced Prince

We spent the evening talking, touching, getting used to being around each other without all those invisible barriers that had been keeping us apart. It was good, felt comfortable, felt right. And we talked about shifting, how it's different for everyone, Dave told me about his life with Faramir in it, and what had really happened that left him with heightened senses. And he explained what little they know about Morgoth and his plans, and how they think Hugo's disappearance may be tied up with that, about John's run in with Lurtz and Viggo's animated experience. Then we left Middle Earth behind for a while, and stuffed ourselves with Chinese food before flopping down on the couch.

A fire crackled in the hearth, and as Dave dozed with his head in my lap, my hand played through his hair as I read as much as I could about the place I was going to.

A little later, I asked if I could speak to Faramir while he rested. It’s gonna take some getting used to, seeing a grey-eyed Dave, and knowing I’m talking to Faramir.

We talked about Theodred. Faramir was concerned at how disorientated and weak he was, and that although he could remember his name, who Faramir was, and the Golden Hall, he had no other memory of his life. I said I would stay in Rohan until Theodred’s memories returned, then we could shift back. Maybe by that time, I would hopefully have met up with someone who could help him, get him back to Edoras or some other place of safety, let him finish healing.

I dug out all the Rings books Dave had on his shelves, and we went through them together looking for maps, and coming up with a rough approximation of where Theodred was, given what little I could remember, and the fact he couldn’t be too far from the Ford. And we both agreed that I needed to stay put for a couple of days, try and find food and let his body regain a little strength and begin to heal. Faramir promised to show me the athelas that grew around the bowl, so I could recognise it when I got there, and hope there was some growing in the gully. Then, I would head east, towards the Isen; follow it back to the Ford and on towards Helm’s Deep. And we both knew it wasn’t gonna be that simple. Injured, progress would be slow, and I would have to take every precaution not to be discovered by Saruman’s forces as I had nothing to protect myself with.

Before Faramir shifted out, I asked him for a favour. He nodded, his grey eyes solemn, and I watched as they brightened to blue. Dave smiled at me, pulling me to him for a lazy kiss and I let myself melt against him …

So now, hours later, he’s asleep in my arms as we lie in his bed, and I’m finding it hard to sleep because when I wake up I’ll be leaving.

And I don’t want to go.

I let out a sigh as my Tai Chi routine ends. There had been no nightmare last night, no violence or bloodshed, just the depression and despair of a son watching his father deteriorate, draw away from him. I ... he is certain that the powers of darkness are involved, yet his reasoning falls on deaf ears. Yesterday's good mood evaporated with first light this morning, and I'd pulled myself out of bed with a heavy heart. It felt like it was my father, who I know is fine. I hate it when the lines blur like this.

I pick up one of the two bokkans I bought yesterday. Need to try them both, see which one has the right balance for me. I start the eight point kata again, wishing there was someone I could practice with. The katas are good for focus and fitness, but nothing beats the unpredictability of a sparring partner.

North ... east ... south ...

I slowly get the feeling that someone is watching me. It's probably someone out for an early morning walk, so I continue to move, staying alert.

Faramir:: I return from a patrol of these woods, content for the moment that all is well. I had ventured as far as the limits of Craig and Hugo's back yards this time, needing to at least glimpse the portal to see if all was quiet there. I hear the sounds of leaves beneath feet up ahead, and I approach as quietly as possible, stepping behind a tree to watch the man going through a morning exercise. It is the one that is helping Dave with the house, I recognize his face as the one I slip past sometimes as he sleeps. I also know that face from elsewhere, from my younger days during trips to Rohan, insufferable gatherings of dignitaries punctuated by the freedom of slipping loose on the horses, riding till the dust of politics blew from our hair. This one must be protected, I feel that strongly.

( I try to lose myself in the rhythm of the kata ... )