Boromir took a long look up at his city, at the mountain. Signs of life flickered from every level, seen in the form of people on the walls repairing damage. Already the city was beginning to recover. He looked on it for a long moment, solemn and proud, before he turned to watch the preparations of the massive army.

"We're not enough." Aragorn came up beside him, looking drained as he nodded towards the preparations. "Not nearly."

"Every man who walks this earth couldn't stand up to the numbers of beasts Sauron has waiting for us. But I thought we weren't going to win a fight."

"It would still be nice to think we had the option of winning." Aragorn glanced at him, and smiled wryly.

After a moment Boromir sighed. "I suppose Frodo is our option. "

"Yes." Aragorn turned to face him suddenly. "Boromir. I owe you an apology."

Boromir turned to him. "An apology? For what?"

"I doubted you."

"Ah." Boromir smiled. That was no secret. "You showed it plainly."

"And for that too I apologize. I did not hold most men high in my thoughts when this journey began. Outside of my Rangers the men I meet most often are loud and dumb and vulgar. They are also weak. Proud. Selfish." He stopped himself. "I had heard that Denethor was a man without reason and that Theoden was a doddering old fool. My faith in my own people was low. Too low."

Boromir nodded. That also was no secret.

"I was suspicious of you, and it grew worse as the journey went on."

"It was justified," Boromir said, thinking of a forest clearing and the defiant, terrified eyes of Frodo Baggins.

"No. I held you at a distance as I saw you slip towards temptation, when I could have helped you." Aragorn frowned, his dark eyes pensive. "You have been my strongest ally through this entire journey, and you have proven yourself again and again. If once you faltered, it was no fault of your own, and you've since made up for it more than anyone could hope to ask for." He met Boromir's eye. "When we return to Minis Tirith, if I am found worthy and crowned as king, I should take up the crown without fear, without apprehension, knowing that I have such a Steward at my side."

Boromir straightened, feeling pride now in himself to match his pride in his city. "I will see that day come, Aragorn. I will call you lord and give you my country without hesitation."

Aragorn clasped his arm, and for a moment they stood as close as brothers, so similar and yet complimentary in all their differences.

And then the horns began to sound, and it was time to ride.