A good month had passed by after Aragorn and Faramir's "capture" before either of them had any rest to speak of. There was a great deal of explaining to do about their disappearance and reappearance, in which Legolas did take his share. Moreover, there was a great amount of work to be done concerning the city itself. A lot of reconstruction was underway, but with emissaries still coming in from all over Middle-earth the work was slowly accomplished.
As a rule, Aragorn and Faramir had agreed to end the day's work with a meal together and counsel on the matters of the day and what would be done on the morrow. Both were greatly enjoying their new lives as father and son and the people of Minas Tirith were very happy with their new King and Steward. Together they were bringing some very long overdue changes to the kingdom.
Faramir wondered how he could have been bitter with Aragorn that day after the revelation. Now that he finally had a real father his life was nothing as it had once been. There was no more nervous fear every time someone walked passed his quarters. Many were the times they would both dine with the soldiers of Gondor. Faramir felt he could tell Aragorn anything that was on his mind, or even share poetry with him, without cruel criticisms. He no longer had to strive hard to win the love of the man he called father.
Faramir felt that all the years he endured Denethor were well worth having a father like Aragorn. Every night before they went their separate ways Faramir thanked him, never saying exactly what for; but Aragorn always returned the thanks too, for he knew what Faramir was thankful for and he was more than grateful for the same.
One evening at supper Aragorn asked Faramir if he had yet spoken to his uncle. Faramir replied that he had not, mostly because his duties of office were many, as Aragorn well knew.
"Perhaps you should not work tomorrow, Faramir," Aragorn suggested. "Take the day and speak with Imrahil, if you still think that the best course."
"I would rather not take the day, honestly. I am really much happier at my work, though i do intend to speak with Imrahil before long," Faramir said truthfully.
Aragorn nodded. "Im iston, Faramir," he said with a smile, knowing Faramir really did love the work of the office of the Steward. "Still, the kingdom will survive, and you need the time with your uncle. Please, as a favor to me?"
Faramir smiled, knowing he was defeated, and consented to let the work of his office alone for a day. By the next evening Faramir dearly wished he had refused his father's request and continued with his work. As it turned out, Imrahil rejected Faramir's news entirely and was outraged with him for saying such a thing about his kinswoman.
That night Faramir came to supper with his father feeling utterly downcast. His son's mood did not go unnoticed by the king. "He didn't take it well?" Aragorn asked gently.
Faramir fought back the urge to break. "Not well," was all he said.
"I am sorry, Faramir. I should speak to him on your behalf," Aragorn said truly feeling regretful that he insisted Faramir take the day for that purpose.
Before Faramir could insist otherwise he felt a tugging at his tunic. He looked to find leaping into his lap the same grey kitten who jumped out at him the night he went to Aragorn's study. It immediately curled up in his lap, looking so content Faramir had not the heart to coax it to move. Besides, it helped to dispel his sadness at Imrahil's denial.
Aragorn grinned at the picture before him. "So you have met Mithrandir?"
Faramir looked questioningly at the kitten. "Mithrandir?"
"It seemed to fit him," shrugged the king. "He's one of Minas Tirith's finest hunters, with the exception of her Steward, of course. That little fellow has brought me more tributes than most of the envoys have."
Faramir laughed at the thought of the feline on his lap laying a mouse before the throne. "Well, your hunter may recognize you as King, but he tried to attack me one night about a month ago."
Aragorn arched a brow, an idea suddenly coming to mind. "Faramir, may i ask your assistance in a matter?"
After a brief confab both men wore rather devious grins. Aragorn rose to leave and before going out from the hall he turned back. "By the way, I will talk to Imrahil in the morning. If he has anger, i would have it directed at me, not at you the blameless."
---
It was later the next afternoon that Aragorn called a group to the court, including the various captains who were stationed in the city, Faramir, a number of guards, and Legolas, Gandalf, and Gimli.
After a few of the fairly pompous words of rhetoric that Aragorn had found impressed most of Minas Tirith, the king called forth one Captain of Gondor. The man in question happened to be the same who lead the "capture" of the King and Steward a month back, Captain Aranur.
Aragorn had asked Faramir to read off a decree regarding the penalty of the captain's actions. Aragorn himself simply could not handle it. Seeing as the captain knelt before him, pale and trembling slightly, he was hard-put to sober the laughter that threatened to slip out. He could not even come near making eye-contact with Legolas, especially as Gimli walked away in disgust. And when Gandalf thundered his disapproval of what Faramir had finished reading, Aragorn thought it all too perfect.
The king found himself wondering in particular how the young captain managed to be so convincing, but then he thought that this scenario might have been a little too realistic for him. Aragorn refused to listen to Gandalf's censure and he commanded one of the guards to have the captain removed and "finished" after the White Wizard gave up and left as well.
Once Legolas had finally recovered from the shock of his friend's wholly uncharacteristic behavior, the Elf walked up to the dais and looked straight into Aragorn's eyes. "Have you actually gone mad?" he asked, still uncertain of what he'd heard.
Aragorn stared back, hoping his acting ability was as good as those around him. "I am surely not mad. That man, as you heard, is, or by now was, guilty of high treason."
"High treason?! I told you everything that happened, that poor man had nothing to do with it. I suppose you will charge me next?"
Finally a momentary break allowing Aragorn a small bit of the laughter was dying to release, even if it was only a dismissive chuckle. "Legolas, please, we have been friends for many years. Besides, i do not wish any trouble with Thranduil. The fact is that Captain Aranur did commit treason. He should have been more careful."
"I do not believe you," Legolas stated flatly.
"Ai, mellon-nín, you know well enough that no one ever says unless they do very much believe it." Aragorn himself could hardly believe he was actually selling this.
Legolas looked at all the dead somber faces in the hall, especially Faramir's. They were actually all very serious about this. Legolas stared at Aragorn in bewilderment. "I never expected this from you, Estel," he said shaking his head before he walked out in shock. He could simply not come to terms with the thought of his dear friend acting like he did. Since when was Aragorn ever so merciless with anything that hadn't come from Mordor? Never had he seen the flaw of mortality so plainly.
Legolas walked out of the hall and he nearly tripped over Gandalf, Gimli, the tower guard, and Captain Aranur seated together sharing frothing ale and smoking pipeweed. The four conspirators broke into laughter at the sight of the confused Elf, who then turned to stare fiercely at Aragorn walking toward them.
Aragorn put one arm around his Elven-brother's shoulder and accepted a tankard of ale from Gimli. "Are we fair enough now?" Aragorn asked simply.
"I have always been fair enough," Legolas replied, "but as for you...."
"Right... and what was that pitiful excuse you came up with about Haradrim wearing poisoned rings?"
"At least i have never been imprisoned by my own people!"
Gandalf and Gimli knew well enough that their "discussion" would likely continue well into the night. They decided to remove their festivity elsewhere and see if they couldn't pick up a few Hobbits on the way. Faramir agreed to join them, having learned that there was little more fun to be had than a party in which Hobbits were involved.
