Hey everyone! Sorry, but there is no reunion quite yet. That's the next chapter.

Reviewer Responses

LadyIsabell=- I'm glad you picked my story to read too. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Acacia= You know, I almost didn't have that line in there. I decided at the last moment to put it in. And yes, a sequel is in the works, but I have other stories to finish before I can put it up.

Anita= It didn't ring a bell. I think Aragorn's tone deaf. =D

Lotrmatrixstarwarsfan= Thanks, I could never really be sure which one it was. I have two copies of LOTR and they both say that line differently.

Anodien= Wow! Thanks for all your reviews! I'm sorry, I should have put a note in that chapter. Ada means 'Daddy' short for Adar-Father. All poems and songs besides the 'Seek for the Sword that was Broken' one belong to me. And yes, Aragorn is extremely dense, I guess cuz he doesn't really expect that his foster brother could be his Steward. I think Éowyn and Faramir are the best couple too, even better than Aragorn and Arwen! But that's just my Faramir-loving heart talking. And I am hoping to find time to read your Éowyn story soon.

Narn= I don't really know what to make of that chapter either, but I needed it in order to do something with Lokir's character and it is integral to one of the sequels I have planned. I'm glad you like my story.

~*~ denotes flashback

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            Faramir watched the road as the sun set. He felt lost among the other nobles, a great crowd that waited for the King's elven guests to arrive from the North. Faramir, as Steward, was privy to Aragorn's council and had been told that it was the Lady Arwen who was coming as well as her brothers, Lord Elrond and the nobles of Rivendell, as well as the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. The Steward smiled as he recalled earlier that morning as he had tried to calm a jittery King. Aragorn had been running around trying to make everything perfect for his family's arrival, annoying the servants until they were ready to revolt.

~*~

            Faramir watched as the head chef threw up his hands and stormed out of the kitchen. "I cannot take it anymore! My lord Steward, please I beg of you, get his Highness the King out of my kitchens so that I can prepare a proper meal! If he does not stop distracting me I will not be able to finish in time even *if* the guests are not arriving until late evening!"

            "I will do my best, Deasaril."

            As the Steward entered the kitchen he found Aragorn hovering over the assistant cook's shoulder as he was trying to make a stew. "Do not put too many spices in it, they don't like that. Oh, not that, it might not agree with them."

            "My lord Elessar?"

            "Just a minute Faramir."      

            "Aragorn!" The king looked up, startled. "Will you please leave that poor man alone, or else he will get so flustered that he will ruin the stew entirely!"

            "But... "

            "No buts. It is not the king's place to be in the kitchen. Now, I will make sure that they do not spice the food too much, or water the wine down, or in any other way ruin the dinner, but you need to leave."

            Aragorn reluctantly agreed and the assistant gave Faramir a relieved look. The Steward then steered the king away from everyone and handed him off to Legolas and Gimli who were happy to oblige Faramir's request that they keep Aragorn busy. They were last seen heading to the wine cellar. Faramir had then decided it would be a good idea to ask Mithrandir to go with them to make sure the soon-to-be groom would be fully conscious in time for the wedding.

            The Steward then managed to give the cooks a list of his foster family's favorite foods and the recipes, kept Pippin and Merry away from the food by sending them after Aragorn, and dealt with the stream of council-members who were fretting about making a good impression on the elves. By tea-time he was exhausted. He was all for taking a long nap, but then Aragorn wanted his help picking out a different outfit for the wedding. Faramir observed a dozen different ensembles before Aragorn decided to wear the first thing he had tried on.

            Then the King wished to see how the food was coming. Luckily the cooks were mostly done. To Aragorn's amazement, every dish was exactly what he had wanted. "Faramir, did you arrange all this?"

            "Well, I gave them a list of food and they did the work."

            "This is all their favorite foods! How on earth did you know?"

            Faramir shrugged. "I found an elvish recipe book in the library and picked out the ones I thought you would like." Aragorn raised an eyebrow since that hadn't really answered his question, but another servant interrupted them to ask about flower arrangements. As Aragorn began talking about table decorations, Faramir closed his eyes and sighed. //When Éowyn returns we are having a serious discussion about our wedding. Eloping is sounding better and better.//

~*~

            The Steward was pulled out of his thoughts when the first riders passed through the north gates of Minas Tirith. The twins led the way, Elladan carrying Rivendell's silver banner. Faramir saw Glorfindel riding with Erestor and the other elves from Imladris. After them came Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien. Both shone like bright stars, moreso than the usual iridescence of the elves. Finally, Lord Elrond rode through the gates bearing the sceptre of Annúminas. Arwen Undomiel rode beside him, and for the first time Faramir saw his foster sister.

            Faramir watched as Elrond handed Aragorn the sceptre, the last heirloom of the old kings. He saw the sadness that crossed the elf lord's face as he laid Arwen's hand in Aragorn's, knowing that she would now be bound to a mortal life. Faramir wanted to comfort his Ada, but that would not be proper to do in the middle of a wedding. Though he desperately wanted to be with his family, he knew he would have to wait.

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Sorry about stopping there but it seemed to be the best place. More soon.