It was that morning that Faramir came across Gandalf enjoying one of the first untainted sunrises in years, the same purpose that brought Faramir forth at the early hour. The two sat together and watched the world light up in companionable silence.

After a while Faramir asked what had awoken Gandalf that he was out and about at the rising of the sun. Gandalf's reply was that the sense of peace he had through the night was too old a feeling to sleep through. Faramir nodded appreciatively but Gandalf turned the question back to him.

For a moment Faramir didn't answer, but then he turned to Gandalf with a hopeful expression. "Mithrandir, may i tell you of something?" he asked, almost uncertain that his old mentor wouldn't find him mad.

Gandalf's warm smiled told him quite otherwise. Faramir had always felt able to talk to his old friend whenever he was in Minas Tirith in spite of, or possibly rather because of, the fact that Denethor distrusted Gandalf so. Faramir told Gandalf of the vision he had when stricken. Since being healed Faramir had decided to put the dream behind him and put it down to the fell influence of Sauron.

"This night i dreamed again. It was like to that dream, Mithrandir, but it seemed to expand on it. I was in the corridor before the hall, still holding the poor old cat. Only when my father said that mother died of guilt Boromir became enraged with father and told him that even if such a thing were true he would never treat me differently. Boromir said that to him i was his brother, and half or whole mattered not. I suppose i just dreamed that to ease my own heart though."
"That sounds like something Boromir would have said," Gandalf mused. "Boromir loved you as much as your mother did, that much i am sure of, Faramir, and he would have shielded you from any hurt."

"Mithrandir, you said that my father would remember that he loved me, but that is the one thing no nurse or healer told me of. Did he?"

Gandalf looked long at Faramir with sympathy for what the young man did not yet know. "He did indeed, Faramir."

"I also dreamed of my mother last night, or more i remembered her. I remembered the day she died. I was so young, but i remembered going to her chamber thinking i would find her by her south window at her embroidery. I wanted to go to the garden with her and listen to her favorite tales of Númenor and Eärendil. But when i entered she had not yet left her bed and she could scarcely even raise her head to see who had entered. I asked if we could go into the garden, but she only said 'not this day, my Faramir.' I was content enough to stay indoors and keep her company, though, and so she told me in her failing voice of the great King Elendil and how he longed to see the glory that was Númenor rise again in Middle-earth."

Faramir paused for a moment and sighed. "Mithrandir, her last words to me were that she loved me. In fact, i think those were her last words to anyone."

"Your mother did not die because she could not look upon you, Faramir. If anything, you sustained her life more than anyone else ever could have. You gave her a happiness she had never before known was possible."

Gandalf's solemn words did much to reassure Faramir, but again he felt the need to be sure. "Do you know what is truth, Mithrandir?" Faramir asked, hopeful that the wise wizard would be able to shed some light on his life.

But Gandalf shook his head slowly. "These things are not known to me, young Faramir." Gandalf went quickly on then to the Citadel, knowing that Aragorn would have to talk to Faramir at a time when the Steward was not keeping his emotions perfectly hidden away under dark years of scorn.

---

As soon as Gandalf had left to call Faramir to see Aragorn, the King went to his study and took out a well-hidden bottle of Dorwinion that had been sent as a gift from the Woodland Realm. Aragorn wondered if he wouldn't do better to ask Legolas to have his father send a whole barrel down the Anduin. Perhaps, he thought, if he consumed that in one sitting his nerves would be fit to stand what he was about to face.

Dorwinion was an exceptionally strong wine and practically the only thing an elf could drink that would have any intoxicating effect. Then again, no elf had ever tried Shire ale, which was probably for the best. Aragorn was one of the few mortal men who could still be coherent after a glass of it, mostly because of his upbringing in Elrond's home.

He decided to have one of the women send up a pitcher of ale as well, in case Faramir needed a drink as well. The king only hoped the vessel would not end up becoming a bludgeon to his head.

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Ok, i have officially dragged this out long enough. Just thought you would all like to experience the anxiety that the father and the son are going through.

Kudos to Nibble for knowing my favorite Shakespearean speech. I am working on committing it to memory.

Keep the reviews coming and i will keep the chapters coming quickly. :)