By the end of their first week in Rivendell, Faramir no longer broke out in a cold sweat every time a flame danced before his eyes. He began to realize that in this place, nothing would harm him, that here there was only nurturing and encouragement. He tried the palantír a couple more times, under Elrond's guidance, and soon images began to come to him quicker and clearer. Though he still could not see far, only the borders of Gondor, it would not be long before his will would be sufficient to focus on the White City. Using the seeing stone was becoming less and less tiring to him as well, though his only motivation for continuing to learn to control it was that he might at least be able to look in on his little son now and then while they were here.
Aragorn and Faramir had never been closer as father and son than they were here in Imladris. Finally, both had a chance to unwind at the same time, which was all but against the law in Minas Tirith. Imladris had become home to both of them, for Aragorn it was the second time. Father and son had spent time together talking and laughing, sharing knowledge and life experiences, catching up on the time they had missed being together; all without once hearing of supplies, requisitions, petitions, land grants, judgments, or any such administrative things. Here they could simply be.
Here in this place, however, time was deceitful. When one morning Aragorn woke with the sun in his eyes, he knew it was the first sign of summer's end and autumn's beginning. The days were still warm as ever though and Aragorn managed to convince himself that perhaps he had just slept in that day. That night, however, Elrond found his son sitting on the porch stairs smoking his pipe.
When he saw his father come to rest beside him, Aragorn starting to put out his pipe, but Elrond stopped him. "Leave it, Estel. Between Gandalf and Bilbo, i have grown hardened to it. I personally think Athelas a much better choice, but after all, i do have my own little indulgences. I wonder if one can procure Dorwinion wine in Eressëa...?" he mused.
Aragorn had started to crack a smile at that, but all traces of gladness flagged in the face of that nearly full moon. The moon had just passed its peak the night they'd arrived, and he was sure that there had been another full moon in the course of their stay, thus meaning that in a few days the two month time limit he'd set would be expired.
Elrond seemed to know instinctively what was plaguing Aragorn's mind. "This is not an ending, ion-nín... it is a beginning, for both of us."
"You have to go?" Aragorn muttered, his head bent, trying to deny how the imminent parting pained him so.
Elrond touched his cheek gently, not failing to note the tiny trails of wetness there. "Were i not so weary as i am, i still do not think that it would be advisable for me to remain here. This is your time, my son, my Estel."
"But how can i do this without your guidance?" he begged.
"You have had more of my guidance than you should ever make use of. I trust you to make your own decisions. Estel-nín, if i was not sure that you could do this i would not leave here."
"Then how can i convince you that i can not do it? I already had to lose one father in my life, why two? Why my real father?" Aragorn said in a choked whisper.
"Estel, come, you know that i am not -"
"Of course i know, adar... but who was it who raised me and protected me and encouraged me and made me feel worthy of love when i did not?"
Elrond sighed and glanced away, looking slightly ashamed of himself. "Aye, and who was it who treated you unfairly when you reached maturity? Can you forgive me for that?"
"Adar...," Aragorn and his father embraced tightly, the Mortal burying his face against the Immortal's shoulder.
"My child," Elrond whispered. "Only yesterday i held you in your fear of a storm and hoped that the day you would be defending Gondor would be long off. Here we are and that time has come and gone quicker than even i had feared."
"What will i do without you?" Aragorn pressed pleadingly.
Elrond smiled bitterly. "Alas that you have to suffer this parting as much as i do! You now face what all Mortal Men must face... the only Men who do not lose their fathers are those who go before them. You must rest now, though, Estel. Do not think on your parting for a few days yet, i still need a little more time with my son and grandson as well, you know."
"I do not intend to lose you, adar... not in my heart," Aragorn said, beginning to sound a little drowsy as he leaned against Elrond.
"That is well. Then nor shall i ever lose you, my child," Elrond said, cradling his son and letting him find rest and reassurance.
It had not been long before Elrond heard footsteps behind them. He needed not turn to know that Faramir had come to look for his father. Elrond gestured for Faramir to come sit by his free side and took the other Man under his arm as well, thus balancing Aragorn's weight.
Several more days passed before anyone else mentioned the approaching departure of Aragorn and Faramir. Everyone had grown so accustomed to having Mortal "children" around again that it would be saddening when they were gone again. It all seemed so final, as though now everyone was only waiting for the final journey to the Havens. There was only one single year left upon Arda for most of the Elves who still lingered in Rivendell. For the rest, it meant only one single year left with their friends and family; the twins and Glorfindel weren't the only ones who intended to stay around a while longer.
When the sun rose on the appointed day, the travelers seemed resigned at best. They broke fast at Elrond's table together, trying to compose themselves enough for goodbyes while someone went to fetch their horses and packed bags. When Elrond asked Aragorn to join him aside for a few moments, Glorfindel took the opportunity to produce the three vials he intended to gift Faramir. "These oils will help you stay relaxed and rejuvenated. I've written an instruction on their use..." Was Faramir mistaken or was the legendary Balrog slayer getting choked up over this?
Erestor leaned in, passing a book to Faramir. "The book is for your son, what's inside is for you both," the ordinarily sharp advisor said softly. Faramir opened the book to find a quill with a gleaming nib. "It's mithril. The ink will not stain it and it will never wear down. I've been using it since the day i came to Imladris."
Faramir was doing all he could to repress the tears, but reminded himself of where he was and allowed them to take their effect. "Thank you... both of you. I can not tell you what you have both meant to me. Erestor, all that you have done for the Office of the Steward - i just have no proper way of thanking you. And Glor', you kept your thoughts on my well being when i had no mind to. I might not still be here if not for you. I give you my word, you shall both be remembered, in the kindliest light history may shed."
At that Erestor grinned. "Some people have no need of more historical remembrance," he said with a keen eye upon his lover. "Others are just as happy to be forgotten in a shadow."
"I can not say that i shall ever forget you, certainly neither of you," Faramir said, eliciting a hug from both Elves.
"Just do not tell history that i ever weakened and admitted my love for this... garish reprobate," Erestor said, trying to sound stern.
"I shall do my all to see to it that your reputation remains sound, Master Erestor," Faramir said with the same degree of solemnity.
"Faramir...," Erestor said, changing the topic. "Mornië and her foal are yours. Take care of them for me. And if you can, send me word about the little one. I am very interested to know what his lineage is."
Faramir nodded. "They will have the best of care, and i will send word as soon as the little one arrives. I too am interested. I was not aware that there were any available studs in the stables at the time."
Glorfindel suddenly looked as though he had taken a keen interest in the ceiling of the Hall. "If the pony is both dark and fair... would you call him Asfamor, perhaps Mornaloth?"
"I knew Asfaloth was behind it! Like rider, like horse, so it always goes!" Erestor accused.
Elrond had asked Aragorn to go down to the healing chambers with him, whereupon entering the man found the majority of Elrond's herbals packed very carefully into saddlebags.
"Adar... i can not take these all..." Aragorn protested.
"You can," Elrond said, ushering him to the window overlooking the courtyard. "Two riding horses and one pack horse, that should be sufficient. There is also food adequate for travel that will be packed after these. You will have much more use of these now than i will again, and frankly, after seeing what you call the Houses of Healing, i think you are going to be in need of these.
"You taught me everything, father," Aragorn whispered, only now allowing himself to face once again the fact that he was departing from his father and not likely to see him ever again.
"Then heed me now, my son," Elrond said holding his Estel, "I have said once already, this is not an ending, but a beginning." Elrond pressed two fingers to his lips then pressed them over Aragorn's heart, a gesture they had used to indicate the bond between them since just after Aragorn first came to Imladris. "Come, your own son needs you now, too."
"Ready?" Aragorn asked simply of his son when he got back to the Hall. Faramir shook his head but rose anyway, Glor' and Ere' following them out. The twins were already there and had everything ready for them. Aragorn turned to embrace his father yet again; it was hard to tell who had the strongest hold on whom. "Adar... i love you," Aragorn said and even Erestor got teary-eyed.
"Le melin, ion-nín. Sidh, Estel. I am so very proud of all that you have become, and all that you yet may be," Elrond said softly. "Be well, my son," Elrond blessed as he allowed Aragorn to slowly pull back.
"Estel! You are not going anywhere without your cloak!" Erestor said firmly, holding two garments. "The same for you, Faramir." As he settled the mantle over Aragorn's shoulders he pulled him into a tight hug.
"I will miss your subtlety greatest, Erestor," Aragorn said sincerely. "Minas Tirith will not be the same without you around and i have no way of thanking you for the help you offered us."
"You needn't thank me for anything child, just you go on and live well and never stop learning and growing. And you, Faramir, come here," Erestor said, also embracing the younger man.
"Thank you again, Erestor. I shall surely miss you," Faramir said.
"As i have already said, thank me not. If you would do me well, see that your young namesake continues to learn. I started to teach him to read and write, you are more than qualified to continue that."
Faramir nodded. "What language?" he asked.
Erestor grinned. "How about all of them? That should keep both of you out of trouble for a while."
"Challenge accepted, Master Erestor," Faramir said with his own slightly sad grin.
"Go on, you two, get out of here and back home!" Erestor said, trying to hide his tears and thankful for Glorfindel's strong arms around him.
Moving back to their horses, Elrohir advised them on where everything was packed so that they wouldn't have to rummage about and disturb the order of things. "Do i not get a farewell from my dearest brothers?" Aragorn asked, taking the lead reign of the pack horse from Elrohir.
"No, you do not," Elrohir said.
"You think we are going to waste all of these emotions on you when we will be around to drop into your city anytime?" Elladan added.
"As far as this particular journey of yours goes... ride carefully is all we really have to say to you," said Elrohir nonchalantly.
"I guess the same goes for you, Glor'?" Aragorn said.
The Vanya shrugged and nodded. "If i get bored here you may expect an extended visit from me," he said with an idiotic grin, though there was a sadness in his eyes.
A quiet fell over the group assembled and both Aragorn and Faramir knew that if they stayed another moment they would stay at least another month. Father and son exchanged glances, nodded, and were off, albeit with heavy hearts.
ooo
Le melin, ion-nín. Sidh, Estel. - I love you, my son. Peace, Estel.
I thought this chapter was never going to get written! It took me nearly a week. Oh well, here it is now, and more to come, soon i hope. When i start to really get down to the end of a story the chapters get longer and harder to write. Still, i hope everyone is happy with it so far.
Thanks to all of you who reviewed Separate Chaos. More to come on that, too.
linda: We shall see what trouble there might be awaiting in the Citadel... or elsewhere in the wild.
Elenhin: Liked the letter? I was going to write the contents, but... the ratings for stories only go up to R. I'm glad you thought the song fit well into the story. I definitely did, but i've always shied away from using songs too much in stories, at least ones that weren't in the original stories anyway. And yes, the twins are definitely protective, we shall see more of them later. Sounds like you know a lot more about canoeing than i do. I can maneuver one fairly well, though as i say i prefer rivers to lakes. In a lake, the only thing i know for sure is don't move too much, if you move at all.