Entering the Citadel Faramir felt rather sure that Aragorn had called on him for a personal visit rather than business, having sent Gandalf instead of one of the incredibly eager lads that waited for a message to dash off with. Faramir was incredibly glad that Aragorn had not taken up the study that Denethor kept while in office, the memories would not have made for a pleasant conversation with his King.
As Faramir passed through the Hall on his way back to Aragorn's study a young kitten suddenly darted out from a hiding place and pounced playfully at Faramir's cloak, drawing a laughing smile from the young man. Faramir picked up the little grimalkin and looked closely at him as the kitten reached out a paw and touched Faramir's nose mischievously. He set it down again and off again went Minas Tirith's smallest hunter. The Steward knocked gently upon the rarely closed door.
Aragorn had been standing outside on the balcony, his eyes trained on Earendil and hoping that the Valar would provide him with enough strength to pass this test. Nothing had ever been this trying for him before. Orc battles, years of hunting slippery little long-corrupted river-folk, making it out of Moria alive with a Balrog chasing you, standing before the Black Gate... surely these things were no trial as compared to facing his own mortal weakness and the helplessness he felt at being so terrified of the truth.
When he heard Faramir's knock, the intricately etched wine glass nearly slipped from his grasp. In the next instant, he wondered how strong the glass was that it did not crumble and slice his sword hand to shreds under the steadying grip he forced. Taking a deep breath, Aragorn told himself he was as prepared as he would get. "Come in," he called with more voice than he thought he had.
Faramir entered and give a quick bow, having learned from the beginning that Aragorn detested everyone kneeling to him, especially those he worked closely with. Still, it would take Faramir a while before he was comfortable enough to let formalities slide when they met privately.
"Join me on the balcony, please, Faramir," Aragorn said, ushering him toward the open air and handing him a tankard of ale. He himself did not yet feel that he had quite enough to breathe before carrying on.
For several minutes the two men stood side by side, gazing upward at the glittering multitude above. Faramir kept his gaze mostly on one star in the western sky. "Earendil shines on us this eve," Faramir mused.
"Indeed. Come, be seated with me." As quickly as Aragorn had dragged Faramir outside did he pull him back in where the seating was comfortable. "Faramir, one of the ill effects of a Nazgul's sting can be nightmares for the afflicted. Éowyn dreamed that Éomer was lost in battle and this caused much of her despondency. I do not know what Merry might have seen, but it probably had something to do with a ruined crop of mushrooms." Both men grinned, knowing that was doubtless quite close to the mark. "Will you tell me what caused your despair, Faramir?"
Faramir nodded slowly. "I had a dream in which i overheard a conversation my father and brother had one evening. Denethor told Boromir that i was not born of the House of Stewards and that i was the son of a ranger who served under Ecthelion."
Faramir made only a half-hearted effort to school his features into a well-practiced blank expression. His sadness was still very evident and he knew it, but he did not feel the need to suppress this around Aragorn.
At that moment the only thing Aragorn had any heart to say was simply that he loved his son with all his heart. This was already incredibly painful for the king and he had said nothing yet. Aragorn knew well enough to expect something like that to be what Faramir's nightmare consisted of, but he had no idea how real it would be. Nor did he have any idea that the question he asked Faramir, just to get the talking started, was going to bring up the main topic so immediately. 'Out with it,' Aragorn thought to himself. 'Just tell him, you owe him that.'
Aragorn took a few well paced breaths before starting. "Faramir, i have something that i must tell you," his voice filled with honesty and seriousness. "Your nightmare was... not a deceit." Aragorn paused for a while there to allow Faramir to grasp these things bit-by-bit.
