Aragorn scarcely heard the tapping on the study door, both men being so entirely worn out by the sudden outpouring of such deep-rooted feelings. Gandalf entered to see them together and even the ancient Maia had a difficult time disguising his smile. Both agreed to the wizard's request that they join him at breakfast.

The banquet table was occupied by Fellowship members as it had been the previous morning, and the four Hobbits were growing just as impatient. When Faramir entered he bowed his greetings to Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, though now they were getting quite used to such things and no longer turned an odd shade of pink.

When Aragorn took up his place instead of being seated he raised his glass. Everyone else followed suit. "To the present and the future," toasted the King. "That the past may remain behind us. That we may look back only to see the joyful times, lest our former hardships inhibit our progress; for we here have all before now fought our battles and laid them to rest with finality, so should they never have claim to us again. To what is now and to may be, look ahead hopefully, the best is yet to be. Here's to the Shire!"

The toast, and each successive one, was met with a enthusiastic "here!"

"To Eryn Lasgalen!"

"Here!"

"To Erebor!"

"Here!"

"And to Gondor!"

"Here!"

Faramir had truly appreciated the fullest meaning of Aragorn's toast. It seemed to him that it was a great quality in a man to be able to speak to many of something that everyone would understand and realize, and yet speak directly to one within the broader statement. Faramir wondered, though, if the past could really be put behind one so easily. He was fairly sure that there would be a little more involved than that.

After breakfast, Faramir having been engaged in several conversations at once with Frodo and Pippin, and Aragorn having been kept talking to Legolas and Gimli (and agreeing to Minas Tirith having both more trees and more stonework), there was little chance for talk between the father and son. It wasn't until afternoon, when Gandalf decided to organize his walking tour of Minas Tirith, that they were able to speak much to each other again. Though both men appreciated the company, there was much more that needed to be discussed, and both would just as soon have it handled.

Once they were back into the study Faramir turned to Aragorn. "I must ask your forgiveness for some of the things i said this morning. You were right, i was angry and bitter. But i had no right to say -"

Aragorn held up a hand to stop him though. "You owe me no apology at all, Faramir. It is i who should still be apologizing to you."

"But it is i who was not fair in judging you. I understand your intentions now. It is just that... it seems odd to have a real father after 36 years."

Aragorn sighed, and resting a hand on Faramir's shoulder he looked long into his son's eyes. "Faramir, do you forgive me for the mistakes i have made?"

Faramir nodded. "Yes i do."

"Than you are a better man than most and i am proud to call you my son. Your forgiveness is all i need; the last few months i have doubted that i would ever have it, or your acceptance."

"Father, i believe that you did what you honestly thought would turn out best for me. You were very unselfish to leave me with my mother and to let me be raised with Boromir. On reflection, though there were a million times i wished to be somewhere else, to be someone else, i would never have changed knowing mother and Boromir."

"Unselfish would have been taking you to Imladris, damn the consequences for myself. But i knew too that Finduilas and Boromir would not have changed having you around. Boromir spoke much about you on our journey together."

Faramir smiled at this. "I know, Merry had told me much when we remained here together."

"Did he tell you how many times he and Pippin joined forces to outmatch your brother?" Aragorn laughed.

"Indeed. I wish i could have seen it, Boromir bested by Halflings."

"There were certainly enough times that Boromir kept me from being overly grim. He was a good travel companion. Many times have i traveled with Elves, and just as many have i traveled with Gandalf. That was my first journey with Hobbits and a Dwarf, though."

"And if you had it to do over?" Faramir urged him on.

Aragorn thought for a moment before smiling and shaking his head. "No, i would not have changed anything, except for the purpose of our travel together and the enemies encountered. They have become my dearest friends."

"I can see why. Do you wish them to know the truth about us?"

"That is up to you, Faramir. Whoever you deem worthy of this knowledge, you have my agreement. As i told you, i do trust you. But i must tell you, Gandalf does know. There is no way of keeping anything from a Maia."

Faramir nodded. "He's known all along then?"

"Yes. But he is the only one who knows."

"I think Denethor knew, and Boromir. I told you of my dream, but i think i was shown a truth rather than just an illusion. I dreamed too that Boromir told Denethor that even if it were true he would never treat me differently."

Aragorn shook his head. "He said something to me in Lorien that made me wonder if he did in fact know, but I don't know how he could have. He might have had a suspicion, but i know Finduilas would never have said anything. She loved you too much to make vulnerable your future."

"You said that she wanted none to know. Perhaps we should simply honor her wishes?"

"Should you choose that course i shall stand by it."

"I know this much, the people of Gondor can not know. For one it would shatter so many of their images. For another, they would insist on me using my 'birthright,' but i want no such thing. I have enjoyed very much my role as Steward, not for the power, but because i have been able to help you and others, because i feel useful. But i should detest anyone ever calling me a prince."

Aragorn's smile grew board. "We are very much alike, ion-nín, very much. Though i must tell you, there are some people who, if they knew, would see to it that you indeed end up my one and only heir."

"Are you sure Lord Elrond does not already know?" Faramir asked, guessing at Aragorn's meaning. "It is said the Elven lord has the power of foresight."

At that Aragorn rolled his eyes and his hand sought out his temples to massage them. "If anyone knows about the Elven lord's foresight it is i. The truth is, he may well know, but i think if he did i would not have lived this long."

Faramir took Aragorn's hand then. "Father, i do forgive you for not taking me to Imladris. I would not have you do anything for me that could cause trouble for you."

"Forgive me again and it will be the third time," Aragorn pointed out.

Faramir smiled and embraced him. "You have my forgiveness for the third time, Father. As i have heard the Hobbits say, 'Third time pays for all.' I truly hope our paths to the future have finally come together."

"They have if i have anything to say about it," confirmed the king. "So this much is agreed upon then: as far as Gondor knows, we have an excellent working King-Steward relationship. I think that may be best for all involved. The people keep their treasured images of perfection, I still have the best Steward any King could ask for, and you enjoy the work of the office. What about other more personal matters, though? Do you wish Imrahil should know?"

"I think perhaps he should know. It was my uncle who bore me back from battle. Perhaps i should bring it up to him unaccompanied though. He truly may not receive it well that his king is his nephew's father."

"That is well enough. However, if he does not receive it well, tell me quickly that i might double the guard. Odds are good that he may want my head, King and fellow survivor of this war or not."

Aragorn spoke partly in jest, but Faramir took the matter more seriously. "Then it may be best if he does not know. Father, i told you, i want no risk to your well being on account of me."

Focusing on Faramir's resolute eyes, there was no way for Aragorn to mistake the sincerity of his words. "Faramir, i would give my life for you. Do not let me decide for you who you wish to speak to. Imrahil is a reasonable man, he might not talk with me for years, but that is no matter to me. Unless you think he would bear you some ill-will because of me, there is no reason you should not tell him."

"Then i think i shall. He has always been good to me, and i would not keep secrets from him. What of your family though? That decision i will not make, for i know them not but what i have read and heard."

"Elladan and Elrohir i have no reservations about. The worst i would expect from them is a shaking of heads, rolling of eyes, and some comment about mortals. I know well enough that i really should tell Elrond. As you said of Imrahil, he was so good to me and i still consider him my father. As for Arwen...." Aragorn's gaze lowered, for of all he most feared to bring this truth to his immortal beloved.

"Father, she you should tell this to above all. Next to myself, this news will affect her most. If you are to be wed to her, you must not have any secrets of this magnitude; though i should hate it more than anything if i am the cause of any of your loved ones forsaking you."

"No, Faramir, you are right. She must know this, i must confess this to her. It would not be you who would cause her to leave me, but my own actions. I only hope that my honesty will be met by her grace, as it has been yours. You have the grace of the Valar in you, Faramir."

Faramir smiled slightly. "If i do, it is your fault," he said with a discernable wink. "Come, let us leave talk of these things for a time. A round of ale, maybe? After all i have been through, i fear i may take up the smoking pipe myself."

"I don't recommend it," Aragorn said, picking up his own pipe and lighting it. "Keep better with the ale. Let us enjoy this rare afternoon that none shall see again, i am not as comfortable as i used to be in stone cities yet. What say you to a ride?"

"I say we shall have to slip away quickly and unnoticed."

Aragorn grinned. "I can avoid being seen if i wish. Meet me back here in half an hour's time, be ready to ride."