"Confidant...Friend...Brother"
by Nelarun
Aragorn stood facing the North. Three days ago he had stood here and watched his kinsmen ride to their homes. Though he had known that this was to be his destiny, he hated being behind closed walls. Especially closed stone walls. "It hurts, does it not?" came a soft voice at his side. Aragorn knew that Faramir had been standing there for a while, watching him. "Watching those you consider brothers leave you."
Aragorn gave a short laugh. "More these stone walls are crushing my spirit." he returned to watching the Northern sky. Faramir said nothing. He knew that Aragorn was, and always would be a Ranger. His Spirit would always be in the wild lands of Arnor. Or in the Halls of Elrond, or even traveling through his peoples lands – where ever his people may be. Faramir hated to do this, but felt that he must: "My lord. The Nobles are waiting for Court to begin. They need you to start proceedings."
Aragorn gave an inward sigh as Faramir spoke. "Why did this duty fall to me?" he breathed, hoping that Faramir wouldn't hear.
Faramir did hear and gave him a startled look, though he said nothing. He too often wondered why the Valar had chosen him to be the Steward in stead of his brother. A deep sadness entered him as he thought of his brother. He knew Boromir had died a hero's death, but it still saddened him. Suddenly Faramir felt himself embraced by strong comforting arms. "Forgive me Faramir." Aragorn whispered. "I am slipping into depression because I miss my kin, but you have more reason to be melancholy that I, and you do not let depression become who you are." Faramir hadn't realised he had been weeping, but now he buried his face on the shoulder on the man who had once been as a father to him.
Aragorn pulled back after a while and the two men straightened their tunics and walked into the room that Court would meet in today. They walked in changed men. One had found a confidant, then other a friend. Both had found brothers... and each other.