When Azrahil stepped forth, Faramir noticed that the merry chatter of the crowd was slightly hushed, as attention shifted to the two. The sudden turning of heads, the stares and the half-hidden whispers seemed to make the young man even more apprehensive. In fact, Faramir could not remember having ever seen him so nervous before. Even when about to confront his uncle (and an uncertain fate), he had shown boldness and determination, although some of it might have been show, Faramir assumed. But now, taken out of his familiar surroundings, watched by a crowd of strangers some of whom still regarded the young Umbarian with suspicion and certain prejudice, and moreover laden with a guilty conscience – or so Faramir read his expression –, all courage seemed to have fallen from Azrahil. He looked as obviously he felt: vulnerable, delivered to others’ mercy. And it was plain to see he loathed every moment of it.
Faramir pitied him. Azrahil had reached him now and was glancing up to him nervously, bereft of words. To shorten his ordeal, Faramir simply reached for his hand and shook it. “There are many people I have to thank for the fact I am here now,†he said gravely, “but you I owe the most.â€
Azrahil stared at him in surprise and disbelief. “You owe me nothing,†he said. “It is the other way round – you were the one who saved my life. And I failed you when it was my turn to repay you. I did not keep my promise to come to your aid.†He hung his head, looking grim and dejected.
“Because there were greater forces at work,†Faramir said gently with a nod to Teherin and a smile. Seeing that Azrahil still looked uncomfortable, even guilty, he clapped his shoulder. “Azrahil, I know you would have come had they let you. You are not a man to break your word, as you have proven in the past. With what you have done you have earned not only my sincere thanks but also my highest opinion – if that means anything to you.â€
Azrahil raised his eyes to meet his. “It means a great deal,†he said earnestly. “And yet you are wrong in setting me up so high. It was you who showed trust in me, and indeed who considered me worth anything but a mere servant to do other people’s dirty work, despite the wrongs I had done to you.â€
“You acted on your uncle’s orders.â€
“Which is no excuse,†Azrahil returned with astonishing fierceness. “I should have turned against him years ago. But I lacked the courage. I admit to being frightened of his revenge for a long time. Moreover I considered you the enemy, and even approved of you being held captive. But the longer I watched you resist him, enduring whatever he flung at you, the torture, the constant attempts at humiliating you ...â€
“You began to doubt his attitude,†Faramir finished the sentence for him. “And this doubt is exactly what speaks for you. You were the one who made the first step, by reconsidering your allegiance to your uncle. And a very difficult, very dangerous step that was. Yes, perhaps it was I who offered you a possibility to change your life, but without you recognising and indeed embracing it, my offer would have been pretty useless, would it not? You took an immense risk, without any thought for personal gain and indeed personal safety, and this deed of bravery and selflessness shall not be forgotten. You are on the best way of making yourself a great name, Master Azrahil. And since despite your complaints I still consider me in your debt, I will do what I can to aid you furtheron – if you do me one favour, that is. Today is supposed to be a day of cheer and celebration. So stop looking that gloomy and dejected! Such an expression should have no place here today. Also, I should add, ‘tis a sure way to disappoint your avid admirers.â€
Smiling, he indicated a group of girls who had been following Azrahil’s every movement with obvious interest, and who now giggled when he briefly glanced in their direction. Faramir’s smile turned to a slight grin when the young man blushed rather violently, so much that even his strong tan could not hide it. But then Azrahil relaxed visibly, and took a deep breath, as if a great load had been taken off his shoulders. He seemed to straighten, as if reminded of how a proper Umbarian was supposed to bear himself. Finally he smiled as well, almost shyly at first, then more broadly and with increasing confidence, encouraged by Faramir’s smile and the now mostly friendly attention from the bystanders he was receiving.
“This is much better,†Faramir told him softly, clapping his shoulder again. “How is Pharzi doing, by the way?â€
The way Azrahil launched an enthusiastic account on the lioness’ doings showed how much more at ease he was feeling now. More people gathered round to listen to him, and he seemed pleased by the attention, even delighted when one of the stable boys plucked up courage and inquired if the lion was really dangerous, and so involved the Umbarian in a conversation.
Faramir listened to them for a while, until a loud whimper from Meriadoc made him turn to Éowyn. Taking his leave of Azrahil and the others, he went over to her. “I think I have greeted almost everyone now,†he said. “Thank you for staying. But now ‘tis time for the little ones to get their food. We have kept them waiting for so long already. I could do with a bite as well, to be honest.â€