Three days Aragorn had been traveling on foot with his tiny, and oh-so-fragile, son. He only allowed himself rest when Faramir was resting, he couldn't very well rest when the little one was awake - all he did was sleep and cry. Aragorn was convinced that infants could do nothing else.

As for eating, his son had been feeding much better than he himself was. On his way out of the birthing chambers he had been judicious enough to make off with several bottles of some wet nurse's milk. He had no clue of how long such a supply would last, either in terms of consumption rate or before turning, but it was the best he could do under the circumstances.

By the fourth day Faramir no longer had a drop to drink and his father was beginning to stumble into sleep as he was walking along. Aragorn was growing more and more despondent with every cry from his little one. Eventually when the mid-day sun grew too hot for him he sank down to the ground under a tall oak tree and wept along with his son.

"Oh Faramir... what have i done? Why did i ever let your lady mother convince me to take you? You belong with your her, not some fool Ranger in the wild. Give us help, i beg you," he implored looking Westward. "I care not for myself, but please, spare my child. Do not make him suffer for my foolishness."

"Well, if it isn't the Envinyatar himself!" said a steady and familiar voice.

"Gandalf, Valar be praised! This was beyond my hope!" Aragorn exclaimed upon seeing his friend.

"Ah, well, you should know that what is beyond your hope may truly be near at hand. What is this distress, my friend? What trouble have you found yourself in now?" Gandalf said, only slight reproof in his tone.

"I must be lost... i started out four days ago and was sure i'd be to the Entwash by now. I hoped i could get to the small settlement there before our supplies ran out, but we've already been going without -"

"Whom, may i ask, is your traveling companion, Aragorn?" Gandalf interrupted, concerned for his friend's sanity when he saw no sign of anyone else with the Ranger.

"Faramir, of course!"

"And Faramir is?" the Wizard asked skeptically.

"My son!"

Gandalf looked at Aragorn as if to say that he needed to be re-hydrated immediately.

"Gandalf... my son," Aragorn said moving closer and lifting his cloak aside. The boy was cradled in a makeshift sling that allowed them to travel a little easier. "He is hungry, but i have nothing for him."

"Oh, young Aragorn... Come, we are not so far from the town you speak of. You may find help there. How ever did this come to pass and, more over, what is a fool like you doing out here alone with this child? Where do you intend to go?" Gandalf said gently.

"It's too long a story to recount. I thought to get to Lorien, first and foremost," Aragorn said wearily.

"Lorien? Whatever for?" Gandalf said surprised.

"For help! I hoped i could find better, more lasting help there first. But ultimately... i need to get him to Rivendell."

Gandalf simple shook his head. "A Mortal child will get good enough help in Edoras from Theoden-King, and you will have a much better time getting to Rivendell from there. What did you plan to do when you left Lorien, carry this little one over Caradhras?"

"Well, no... i had no idea what i would do. I just thought... i mean i hoped... Did you say Theoden-King?" Aragorn blathered on.

"Aye. Where have you been for the last three years lad?"

"I do not know... i do not know anything anymore, Gandalf. I just want my son to be all right. I can not let him suffer for my mistakes," Aragorn lamented.

As they walked together Aragorn recounted to his trusted friend everything that had gone on leading up to this. It was incredible how the years seemed to fall away from Aragorn and leave him a frightened man who was only just learning some of life's toughest lessons. Faramir began to cry again, as loud as ever, and it rent Aragorn's own heart to hear such misery in his child, one so small and innocent. He did everything in his power to comfort him, but nothing was working.

"May i?" Gandalf said. Aragorn looked a little hesitant but passed Faramir into Gandalf's arms. The old Maia's wrinkled countenance lit up like a candle when Faramir's tiny hands fought against the long, scraggly beard, though much more delightful sounds were being produced now.

"That is the happiest i have ever heard him," Aragorn said sadly, receiving Faramir back now that he was calm and peaceful again. "Adar thinks i am meant to be King of this gods-forsaken realm and yet i've had to steal a horse to get out of the city and milk to feed my son, and here i am now, four days later, at the mercy of the people in this equally forsaken little village," he said pointing up ahead.

Gandalf sighed. "You would do well to look upon the brighter side of things, Aragorn, while they last. Think instead that you are fortunate that there was an animal available to bear you, which you obviously did not 'steal' or you would be riding now. Think instead that your son was fed for four days, long enough to get you here. Be thankful that this forsaken little village is not yet so forsaken as to be a stronghold for the spawn of Mordor. And you might remember that when you asked for help, an old friend just happened to turn up."

Aragorn almost gave a half-smile. "I am thankful, Gandalf, but i shall not rest easy until i know Faramir is safe. Nay, i rescind that. I will not rest, easy or elsewise."

"Well, i trust you know how to seek for help here, and you surely know your way from here to Edoras. Unfortunately, i can not remain with you," Gandalf said.

Aragorn spun around, shock written on his face. "What? Gandalf, no, i need your help in this!"

"My help to you at this point would likely not be much aid to you at all. You are more than capable, Aragorn, and i have other commitments that i can not break. You must trust me. It would be most injudicious were i to divert my mission now." Though Gandalf sounded truly sorry that he could not help Aragorn, it seemed as though there really was something of greater importance afoot, and so they parted ways, Aragorn heading toward the village just as the sun was setting. "Oh, Aragorn! Something you might want to know... your Lady Arwen is not in Lorien. She is on a visit to home," Gandalf called.

Aragorn could not see the smirk on Gandalf's face, but he knew it was there. It had been his intention to see Arwen first of all in hopes that he could explain this someway. Looking at Faramir, though, one thing was crystal clear: no matter what Arwen's, or anyone else's, reaction, this was his son and he would stand by him to the last.

ooo

AM: Hopefully, your questions will be answered before too long.

liz: How could i ever let little Fara' go hungry?

Elenhin: Oh, i promise that we will see Boromir soon enough. He's just a tyke himself at this point, but we will check in on him.

Redone: Natural equipment plus modern conveniences i wager.

Iblis: Yep, dedicated to you. You gave me the plot-bunny after all. What a coincidence that you asked for Gandalf and... there he is. I was actually in the process of writing this when i checked notes, but i already knew Gandalf would need to turn up before long, even if he hasnt offered any "overt" help. We'll see him again though, of course.

I was so relieved that so many of you wanted to know how poor little Faramir was going to feed. I would have been a bit worried had you all just taken it on faith that he'd be fine. But i can promise that no matter what his daddy has to do, he will keep him well.