Warrior-Son, Scholar-Son
Aragorn, the newly crowned King of Gondor, stepped into his Steward's workroom. Faramir, upon seeing his King enter, jumped to his feet and bowed deeply, a habit the Aragorn had been unsuccessfully attempting to break him of. Waving him back into his seat, Aragorn said "Faramir, I need you to draft a notice to be sent out to the far areas of Gondor, informing the citizens of the deaths of Boromir and of Lord Denethor – though not the specifics – and your becoming the new Steward, as well as announcing that the King has returned"
"Aye, sire. I shall of course, submit it for your approval before sending it out, sire"
"Aragorn, Faramir, and that will not be necessary. I trust in your judgment and discretion."
Faramir, unused to such trust, was unable to hide the uncertainty in his voice as he replied, "As you say, My Lord Aragorn"
"Faramir" The sharp tone of Aragorn's voice brought Faramir's train of thought to an abrupt halt. "Sire?"
"Faramir, is there something about my idea you doubt?" Though Aragorn's tone was kind and gentle, the words were enough to bring forth the response ingrained in Faramir by his father "Yes, my Lord, I sincerely apologize for my insolence."
"Apologize, Faramir? There is no need to apologize for a difference of opinion, nor were you insolent. Why were you doubtful?" For a moment, Faramir appeared lost for words, clearly shocked that his King wanted his opinion "Sire, I – I merely wondered at your Lordship's trust in me. I was not born to be Steward – that was always Boromir's destiny. He was the true son of Gondor, I – as my lord father oft reminded me – was no true son of Gondor, preferring books to swords, which was why he sent me off to join the Rangers." Aragorn stared at his Steward for a moment, before regaining his composure. When he spoke, his tone was gentle, yet firm.
"Whatever your father may have thought, you and I both know that being a Ranger is no easy task. Your father, Faramir, had tendency to over-value a man's prowess as warrior, but under-value those who serve Gondor in a less martial role. As for my trust in you, I trust you for the same reason I chose for you to remain Steward, to be my second-in-command: Boromir was the White City's fist, her Warrior-Son, aye. But you Faramir are something else. You are the Scholar-Son of the White City, the son of her heart. Faramir, when you withstood the Ring's call – yes, Faramir, I know about that – you showed more strength of character than you realize. You did what Boromir could not, what Isildur could not do – I don't know that I could have done it in your place Faramir. In that moment, Faramir, you showed as much strength of will and integrity as anyone I have ever met. That, Faramir, is why I know that I can trust in your judgment.
Have doubts, have ideas, disagree with me Faramir. If I wanted to someone to just agree with me all the time, I would have chosen one of the many idiot nobles who are so desperately trying to win my favor." Grey eyes met as King and Steward shared a look of exasperation, as both were of the same mind when it came to many of those nobles "Talk to me Faramir that is what the Steward is for, so that I can have someone to catch any holes in my plans and to tell me when I make mistakes. I don't know the people of Gondor yet, Faramir, but you do. I need you Faramir. I need you to tell me what my people want, what they need, how they live." There was silence as Faramir digested the King's words, then he spoke: "My Lord Aragorn, you speak as if you knew my Lord father. Have you been in Gondor before?" Aragorn looked startled for a moment, and then he replied. "Boromir asked me almost that exact question. My answer then was only that I had, indeed, visited the White City, long ago. My answer now is that not only have I been to Gondor before, I served in my youth under your grandfather, Lord Ecthelion, under the name of 'Thorongil'. In fact, it was by that name that Prince Imrahil first greeted me."
"Thorongil" Faramir breathed the name with reverence "I always wondered what happened to the legendary Captain Thorongil, why he just disappeared after leading Gondor to victory against the Corsairs. I even tracked down your old subordinates, wondering if they knew why 'Thorongil' left. Some of them, such your former second-in-command, Telemnar, still live in Minas Tirith, my Lord."
Aragorn grinned, "I wonder what they would think of a visit from their old Captain… Let's go pay my old friends a visit, Faramir."
A/N: Telemnar, while a Gondorian name, is entirely my own invention. All other characters belong to the great Professor himself, J. R. R. Tolkien