#32 Painting
The huge portrait loomed over the single human occupant of the grand stateroom, staring out over the young man's tilted head in haughty remoteness. Tracing the form and features with wishful eyes Faramir sighed.
"I wish you could have known him father." He whispered, half to himself as if afraid the portrait would hear. "There is none other I would have as my King."
Silence met his words and for a moment he could almost swear the portrait raised its eyebrows in mute question, daring him to continue and the flood gates opened.
"You told me once that Gondor had no need of a king, that we were her kings in all but name and none could tell the difference. Yet there is a difference father, although I never really saw it before. A steward looks after the realm, keeps it running, maintains the balance. A king. A king is the realm, feels it deep within, knows it, loves it, lives it."
He paused then took a step back and lowered his eyes, so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he failed to see the tall, agile, slight figure standing in the shadow of a tall marble pillar.
"He is all that and more. Oh, I know he may look rough and worn. A ragged ranger, used to a life spent sleeping out under the stars, eating only what can be foraged or caught and dogged by constant danger around every turn, but when you look beneath… If you look beneath."
Faramir raised his eyes to stare through the picture and into the distance.
"Then you can see, really see. He is noble and kind, with a selfless will that bends to aid even the lowest, most mean of people. I swear, his enemies he would heal and turn from darkness if he could."
The silent watcher smiled softly at these words and released his inner tension knowing at last that Aragorn had been right to trust in this man.
"Gondor will thrive now with him at its helm." Faramir continued wistfully. "Although I could wish you here to see it. "
Falling silent he turned to stare up at the painting once more, oblivious to the soft sibilant whisper that left the watchers lips in reply.
"Gondor will thrive indeed."
A/N
Thanks for reading and to all my wonderful reviewers. :)
Lord Ilyren - Thanks. I'm glad you liked the description in the last one, even if it was short. They are supposed to be drabbles after all!
