Stables - Saturday morning

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir had not attended the dance, but he had little regret as he had spent a pleasant evening in Maladicta's presence. Perhaps he was a little disappointed at the lack of dress or suit, but he was confident that he would get other opportunities to enjoy that particular view.

At least, if his father did not call him back to Gondor sooner. He was grooming Baru after his morning ride and considering how he would be spending the day. There were a pile of books waiting to be read, or he could find Maladicta, but then he did not wish her to grow tired of him.

"What say you?" he asked Baru who merely continued eating his apple.

[For one and one, because everyone's doing it, but the stables are open, of course.]

Comments

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"But there are none such as you in Gondor," Faramir objected, studying the boy for a while longer. He had the boy's cold hands down to the cold outside, but even now a chill remained even if it was not quite the same as Maladicta's touch.

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

Beren frowned at her and then back at him. "I've found my parents now," he said quietly.

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

"...I loathe this island."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir stared at the boy, attempting to process the words.

"I'm no steward," he objected. He was no prince either. Or a father, perhaps that was the part he should be objecting to.

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

Beren responded by clinging to his leg. As one does when confronted by this.

CLING LIKE THE WIND, BEREN.

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

"And I'm no mother," Maladicta snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. There might have even been a hiss in there as she forgot herself.

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Yet the boy seemed to think differently and Faramir could not deny a child clinging to his leg. He reached out, stroking the boy's hair and leaned down to pick him up.

"It will be alright," he promised, even if he did not know how. He was tempted to ask the boy if he was certain, but that seemed a needless question.

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

Maladicta took a breath that she didn't need for anything more than show. "This would explain the surge in heartbeats in the dorms," she muttered. "Do you know how to care for a child?"

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

There was a panicked look at suggested he was not going to let her abandon him. "Not one like him," he said quietly, even if there was little chance for the boy not to hear.

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

...well, there was that.

"Boy." Maladicta, be kind. "What do you eat?"

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

Beren's eyes were wide as saucers as he stared at his mother. "Coffee?" he said, his arms tightening around Faramir's neck.

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Somehow Faramir's panic subsided, making way for amusement at the answer. "Perhaps we should have been able to guess that."

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

Maladicta narrowed her eyes one last time before giving the boy an awkward pat on the head. "Do you need some? I have a fresh pot in my room."

Children lacked self control, damn it. Best to keep him happy.

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

Beren nodded, his death grip on his father relaxing a little. "Yes, please," he said eagerly. "I went to the tavern with the coffee, but you were not there and then I did not know where to go, but there were stables and maybe a place with books and I found father here, but he did not know me and now I am hungry."

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

Maladicta nodded along with that as though she was truly paying attention to it. "We will get you coffee and then your--father will..."

Do something with the child. Help her out here, Faramir!

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Tell you a story," Faramir finished. He had liked stories well enough when he was Beren's age so it seemed as good as any.

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

"About Pippin? And the King and uncle Boromir?" Beren asked instantly, wriggling excitedly and holding out a hand towards his mother. "Will you tell one too?"

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

"...of course." Maladicta replied slowly, staring at his hand. "I'll tell you about the Ins and Outs."

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

"And Ozzer?" he asked eagerly, wriggling his fingers at her. "Is she here too? Can I play with her?"

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

"I believe she is back at her tavern," Maladicta replied. "So, no. But you will be allowed to play with the other children here. But no biting."

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

"I don't! I was good! There was a nice lady and she gave me coffee for you..." he paused. "I drank it." He looked a wee bit guilty at that, but he still wanted more.

Since his mother was being stubborn, he leaned over to grab her sleeve instead, forcing Faramir to move in the same direction or end up with his future kid on the ground.

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

Maladicta frowned at the grabbing, but kindly went along with it, patting his head again. Maternal, she was not. "Was it good?"

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

He nodded eagerly, grinning up at her as he relaxed against Faramir now that he had his parents in one place. "You're not mad?" he asked.

[inneedofcoffee.livejournal.com]

"You can bring me another cup later," Maladicta replied kindly. "I'll survive this one."

[coffee-ranger.livejournal.com]

"Okay!" he agreed instantly. "How long are we staying here? It smells funny."