Imladris

When Aragorn and Faramir arrived at the Last Homely House it was July and Faramir was two months old. Two more months passed by, and a much more steady time it was for both father and son than the previous months. Faramir started growing like a weed now that he had regular feedings and other such luxuries. Slowly, very slowly, he was also beginning to accept care from other than his father. It was as though he understood that now they were in a permanent place and that no one was going to abandon him or allow any harm to come to him.

Faramir's grandmother was a great help to her son; after all, there are some things that only a mother knows. She adored her grandson wholly and when she held him, though it made her feel slightly guilty, she could not help but be a little eased knowing that the line of the rightful King would not be ended. Aragorn tended to take too many risks for Gilraen's comfort, and when combined with his hesitancy to make any claims on his heritage, it meant that Faramir was, essentially, peace of mind that even if her beloved son fell, all would not be lost.

Still, Aragorn absolutely refused to put the title of heir on his son. He intended to wait and let Faramir make that decision for himself when he was old enough. Aragorn still had no idea how he would ever live up to his father's expectations, especially now that he had a child. It was not as though he could just walk into the Hall of Kings and tell Denethor that he had decided to take the crown, and would he kindly fetch it from Rath Dinen? He was fairly sure he had not even proven himself worthy of such a significant position. He might have done well as Captain Thorongil, but he still liked his solitude, not exactly a great team player, and though many men were loyal to him, some were just as put off by his often grim manners.

It had taken Elrond nearly a week to work up the strength to tell Gilraen who had been in Imladris but one day before her arrival. Even then he did not think it wise to tell her of the entire situation, that Denethor had attacked Aragorn in his chambers. He had approached the situation as carefully and kindly as possible.

Gilraen knew just about nothing of her first born, but that he was the son of the present Steward of Gondor. It was something that Arathorn never knew, indeed Elrond was the only person she had ever confided in. Had Arathorn known, he would have gone to Gondor and murdered the then Steward's heir, damned be the consequences. Gilraen had considered one day telling Aragorn of his half-brother, but not until after the present Steward's death, which did not seem so far off.

It was interesting to her to have heard her son speak of Ecthelion in such high terms and she wondered if age and responsibility had reformed her one-time assailant. In the end Elrond had little need to fear Gilraen's reaction. She was a very strong stable woman and had willed herself to get passed not only the indignity of being taken by a stranger on her wedding night, but then having her first-born child stolen from her mere days after his birth. Gilraen was one to take things in stride and was not terribly surprised to learn that Denethor was much like his father had been

As September began to grow long and the river valley was filling with the rich shades of autumn, Arwen began to think that the time had come for her to return to Lothlorien. Aragorn's initial reaction was to beg her to stay, for Faramir if not for him. But, as always, the Elves have a deeper understanding of these things.

"I hate to leave Faramir nearly as much as I hate to leave you, mela-nîn," she said with a gentle hand stroking his cheek. "But can you see what would become of it, if I stayed here with you both?"

"All I see is the happiness that we would have. Have we not been apart long enough?" Aragorn said pleadingly.

"I, too, see the happiness that could be, but I also see that of that happiness would be borne comfort, and of comfort borne complacency. Far too easily could we come to believe that we already have everything we wanted; and I would not have Faramir grow up thinking I am his mother, it would not be fair to him when he learns the truth."

"As it was not fair to me when I learned the truth." Though he still loved Elrond as his father, never would he forget the way he felt when told that he was not his birth father.

"Aye, Estel," Arwen said gently. "It will be bitter for us both, but there are yet many tests ahead, and this is the way it must be. I understand that and embrace it, for I trust that one day all will be as we wish it could."

"I am not very good with tests," Aragorn said rather sullenly.

"You have not yet been truly tested," Arwen said. "Estel-nîn, you must believe in the strength you have. It is doubt that weakens us beyond all else. That which is weak passes away and all that remains is strength, for strength trains weakness, weakness does not train strength. I know that you are strong, how else could you have managed to get Faramir safely here, so much on your own?"

Aragorn said nothing but watched the colorful leaves being carried along in the river's current. For a long while they sat together in quiet, Arwen with her arms around her love. In the crisp autumn silence and the depth of his thoughts, Aragorn came to understand Arwen's words. Their time apart not only made their time together more precious, but made them both work harder toward that goal. It was a vital part of their love and though it was bitter, it was needed.

Eventually, Aragorn said, "I love you, Arwen. I fear so much that I shall never be worthy of you, or that if I can ever have such merit that it will be at the cost of my life."

"If you were not worthy of me I would not be here with you now," she said softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

Aragorn kissed her forehead and held her close. He felt like he was already a king when in her arms. "I suppose I should be grateful that at least I do not have to find a way to take the silmaril from Eärendil's brow. Though at times I think that should be easier than what I must do. I wish that I could start upon my quest for the Crown of Eärnur with the morning's light, that I could all the sooner accomplish my task and win my true love's hand."

Arwen laughed lightly. "Impatience slows time, my love," she said, and he held her all the closer for her wisdom.

ooo

(It comes to my attention that Gilraen's secret is not explained with great clarity in this chapter. I may slightly rewrite that section if i get time, but for a better explanation, see Chapter 8 of Shadows of Chaos - What Once Was.)

linda: I think it must have been the sea air, too. That coupled with the fact that he hadn't been exposed to his palantir in a while, too.

Elenhin: I don't mind if your reviews are late, as long as they come! I think it might be a good idea to threaten your updates with little Bori' though, he can be pretty fearsome. And yet, when he's playing on the beach with his uncle, is anything cuter than that? Even i was surprised by Denethor's uncharacteristically human behavior last chapter. Goes to show, these things write themselves, all i do is put the words down and show them to you, the readers.