The Last Ring-bearer - Kirill Yeskov [66]
"Yes, in a way he has."
"You know, I just thought… what if someone as mighty as Alrufin writes a book about the two of us – this can happen, right? Then which Éowyn will be the real one – I or the other?"
Faramir smiled. "I remember when you asked to explain, on a 'stupid woman level', what philosophy is. Well, your thoughts are just that – philosophy, albeit a tad naïve. You see, lots of people have thought about these things, and not all of the answers they've come up with are worthless stupidity. For example… Yes, come in!" he called out to a knock on the door, and glanced at Éowyn in puzzlement: it's night already, who might want something?
The man who entered wore the black parade uniform of the Gondorian Guards of the Citadel (this had always intrigued the prince: White Company wearing black uniforms), and Faramir felt trepidation: they must have made some serious mistake. He told Éowyn to go into the next room, but the guest politely requested that she stay: what they will be discussing directly involves Her Highness.
"First, allow me to introduce myself, albeit a little late. I don't have a name, but you can call me Cheetah. I'm a captain of the Secret Guard, rather than a sergeant – here's my badge – and I'm in charge of counter-intelligence here. A few minutes ago I have arrested the Commandant of Emyn Arnen on charges of conspiracy and treason. However, it's possible that Beregond had merely followed your orders without thinking about them too much, which would lessen his guilt. This is what I would like to establish."
"Could you please express yourself clearer, Captain?" Not a muscle twitched in Faramir's face when he fearlessly met Cheetah's gaze – empty and terrifying, like that of all White Company officers; whereas if one discounted the matter of the eyes, the captain's face was quite likeable – manly and a little sad.
"Prince, it appears to me that you understand my responsibilities incorrectly. On the one hand, I must protect your life at all costs – I repeat, at all costs. Not because I like you, but because such are my King's orders. Rumor will ascribe any misfortune that befalls you to His Majesty; why should he have to pay someone else's bills? On the other hand, I must avert all attempts to persuade you to break your vassal's oath. Imagine that a band of fools attacks the fort and 'frees' you in order to turn you into the banner of Restoration. Should even one of the King's men die when that happens – and some will most certainly die – His Majesty would be unable to ignore such an event for all his wishing otherwise. The Royal Army will enter Ithilien, which will most likely plunge the Reunited Kingdom into a bloody civil war. So please consider my task here to be guarding you from possible folly."
Strangely, something in Cheetah's manner of speaking (the tone? No, more likely phrasing…) made Faramir feel that he was once again talking to Aragorn.
"I greatly appreciate your concern, Captain, but I fail to see what this has to do with Beregond's arrest."
"You see, some time ago at the Red Deer he met a tall slender man with a long scar on his left temple and one shoulder noticeably higher than the other. Perhaps you know who I mean? That's a distinctive look."
"Frankly, no, I can't remember," the prince smiled, trying to keep the smile open and straight. "Perhaps it's easier to ask Beregond himself?"
"Oh, Beregond will have to answer a whole host of questions. However, Prince, your forgetfulness is truly surprising. I can understand that Faramir, Captain of the Ithilien regiment, may not remember all his soldiers, but the officers and sergeants? I repeat – this man has a distinctive look."
"What does the Ithilien regiment have to do with this?"
"What do you mean: 'what'? You see, after the war many of those who had fought in the ranks of that remarkable unit didn't come home to Gondor. Especially remarkable is the total absence of returned officers and sergeants,