After what seemed like hours of walking through a woodland, finally Boromir and Faramir emerged in a deep valley. Over across the way, up on a level, could be seen a large house with candlelight in the windows. Faramir stood there still in the middle of the bridge taking it in. How, he asked himself, did he ever bring himself to leave, or to stay away so long?

"Faramir?" Boromir said, coming trudging along behind. "Please tell me this is where we get the foods and beds and hot water."

For a while Faramir said nothing and it seemed that he did not hear Boromir's words at all, for when he spoke he said, "Fifteen years ago i left here. Fifteen years. It is more beautiful now than ever."

Boromir groaned. "I thought you said this was Imladris, not your home. Please, just tell me we can rest here for another week before we carry on to "Imladris" or wherever we are supposed to be."

Faramir's laugh was light, though, and his smile full. "This is Imladris, Boromir, and also my home. I lived here for 20 years."

Boromir looked very tired and now also very confused. "You... what? How did you... but, why -?"

Faramir took a steadying hold on his brother's arm before he toppled from the bridge and into the river. "Come on, Bor', let's just rest tonight. I will explain everything come... -" Faramir's words trailed off though when he turned and saw that someone was up on the front porch, someone whose very silhouette was tall and regal and dignified and exuded wisdom. Faramir ran full pelt up the stairs and across the courtyard, all but launching himself into his grandfather's arms. Neither said a word, it was not necessary. Faramir wept and knew that, no matter what, he was home.

After a moment, Boromir finally caught up, saying, "what in the name of -" Boromir stopped, suddenly noticing another person and knowing that this other was no mere butler or servant of this house. No, this was someone very important, that much Boromir knew, and he nearly felt compelled to kneel, or at least bow, to whoever it was.

Elrond, hand still on Faramir's shoulder, extended an arm to Boromir, saying, "Welcome to Imladris, Boromir of Gondor. I am Elrond."

Boromir just stood there, protocol failing him for what may have been the first time in his life.

Elrond put forth his best effort to smile warmly to the newcomer but after so many years of nearly perpetually wearing the opposite expression, it did not come very naturally. And yet, Faramir seemed able to change that just with his presence. "Please, come in," Elrond said. "You will find everything in the rooms prepared for you. A council is to convene tomorrow, after breakfast. I would have you two rest tonight and attend with us." Elrond now looked at Faramir, reading something within him as was Elrond's way at times. He nodded at whatever information he found and again hugged his grandson, whispering, "you do not know how you have been missed here."

Boromir found this slightly strange, but considering the newly learned fact that Faramir had lived here most of his life, he guessed he'd just endeared himself to this lord in that time.

"Come, I will lead you to your chambers, Boromir, as they are not far from my own. I trust you have not forgotten your way, daerion-nín?" Elrond said to Faramir, and Faramir could not tell if that was a twinkle in his grandfather's eye or a tear.

Boromir followed Elrond with wide, if not tired, eyes. This place was like no other he'd ever known and it was not quite what he expected. Anything he'd ever heard about Elves involved living in trees, out in the open and suchlike, but this place was fashioned more as a home of men, and yet not. It was almost as though it had risen up out of the earth to serve the needs of it's inhabitants, rather than it's residents modifying their needs to live there. It perplexed Boromir, though he could not deny that it was inviting. Elrond showed him the bath that had been drawn, pointed out that there was food on the table and wine, and invited him to join them at breakfast the next day before the council began.

Boromir thanked him and executed that bow he'd been wondering if it was appropriate to offer.

Elrond smiled and said, "you are welcome." His eyes caught Boromir's for a passing moment and he read much there. This man was not like his father who had stormed in 35 years ago, yet Elrond feared that, if in the wrong situation, this man, too, could become bitter and greedy and... dangerous.

Faramir had rather hoped to have some time to just rest before heading into whatever council he was called to, but just being home seemed to renew him to his very heart. He parted from his grandfather and Boromir at the top of the steps and headed to his own chambers, eager for a hot bath, some real food, and to curl up in his own bed and sleep. He rather hoped he would be awake by the time of the council, he did not think it impossible that he might sleep for days on end. When Faramir walked quietly into his chambers and saw the candles lit and fresh fruits and bread and a flask of wine on the table he could have wept. When Erestor emerged from the bathing chamber he did weep.

Erestor just finished preparing a hot bath for whoever was to use Faramir's chambers, though he did not feel right doing it. These rooms had not been touched since the boy left 15 years ago, mostly because Estel could not bear it. He heard someone walking into the room, sighed deeply, and straightened himself to greet the newcomer. Erestor's nerves were well worn and he hoped dearly that whoever this arrival was came at least close to his height, he could not deal with one more Dwarf or Halfling if his life depended on it. "Welcome to Imlad-," he started to say, walking out into the main chambers, but stopped short when the young man turned and there stood Estel's son.

It was rare that anything ever surprised Erestor, but when it did it was almost humorous. Faramir would have been shedding tears of laughter if they weren't already tears of joy. Hugging his former "apprentice" Erestor said, "if Elrond had but told me it was you coming…! I did not want to prepare this room for a guest because no one has been in here since you left. Valar, child, you are so grown... a beard already?"

Faramir laughed and said to Erestor, "they are the fashion in Gondor. There the men like to look aged. I can not tell you how good it is to be home. I have shed tears for this place, for everyone here, since not a month after I left."

"Then you should weep no more. Enjoy a bath and a meal and sleep. We are to have a council here after breakfast and just now I must rush if everything is to be arranged and rearranged again before sunrise. Welcome home, Faramir!" Erestor said before hurrying away to be about some task or other.

Faramir smiled of the reassurance that, here in Imladris at least, some thing never change. That night he slept wholly and soundly and in total comfort. When the sun rose in the morning, it's golden light filtering through the sheers, Faramir stretched like a cat, basking in the warmth. He felt as though he could just lay there all day. After a moment, though, he rose and went to the window. Autumn had always been his favorite season in Imladris and the valley was truly stunning this morning.

Faramir was about to turn and head down to breakfast when he noticed someone out on the balcony which ran the length of that side of the house and overlooked the river. For a moment, Faramir was too choked to do anything but stand and watch. Seated on the balcony was his father, idly looking at the pages of an open book as though reading, but clearly not concentrating on it.

At length, Aragorn closed the book and set it aside. He stood and looked out over the valley, following the Bruinen with his eyes as if to see what was out beyond the valley. Aragorn looked to be weary and burdened and, more than anything, sad. He turned to go back inside and Faramir hesitated for a moment. He was not really sure how he would be received, after all, he had abandoned this man who had loved him and taken only the best care of him and for years Faramir had been feeling the guilt of his selfish actions. He loved his father though and missed him more than anything upon Arda.

Aragorn paused for a moment before going inside, gripping his right shoulder. Faramir took the moment of distraction to quietly step out onto the balcony and place a hand on his father's shoulder, rubbing gently. "Your sword arm always did bother you in the chill," Faramir said, wondering that he could manage words at all.

Aragorn's breath caught, his pulse speed up as he slowly turned, shock written in his deep grey eyes. The tears welled up as he searched Faramir's face almost questioningly and touched his face to see if it was really his son standing there and not just another deceiving dream. Aragorn could speak no words as he about seized his son in his arms in a hug so tight it could have crushed the both of them.

The ache of so many years rose up in them both as tears spilled relentlessly. But the healing power of tears soon took its effect and had both of them smiling; they both now knew for certain that they were truly home and that, while in this place, together, everything would be all right again. There were so many words that they both wanted to say, so much they wanted to talk of, but, as like as father and son are to one another, the only thing either could say, simultaneously, was, "I am sorry I hurt you." Laughing, they embraced again.

"You did not hurt me, father," Faramir said. "I was rash and fearful of the future. I never should have run though, I know that now."

"I should have done things differently as well, but it was not you who hurt me, either. I did that to myself," Aragorn said. "You can not know how I have missed you and worried about you. Almost every day I thought that I would never see my little boy again." Aragorn ran a hand over Faramir's beard. "I guess that little boy has grown into a man."

"There were a few close calls," Faramir said, leaning into the affectionate touch. "I might not have made it to a bearded age but for my father's skilled teachings." Faramir reached up and tugged on a lock of his father's hair that had fallen forward. Both of them fell into each other's arms, laughing and weeping all at once.

ooo

steelelf: Council is coming up next, should be interesting.

blanko: Leaving you hanging is my clever trick to get you excited about the next chapter (as well as the fact that that was all i wrote that night before i got too tired and decided that it was a good place to end.) I think i can promise twins next chapter. Glad you are enjoying.

The Last Hope: Boromir is definitely out of the loop at the moment, but things will be cleared up next chapter, for better or worse, i shall not say.

linda: I am not entirely sure how Fara' has been quiet on his heritage thus far. I do not think he exactly wants to be, but he knows well enough to know that he has to guard that secret with his life. I seem to be giving Faramir a lot of chances that he never had before too though.

Elenhin: I am still in a bit of debate not so much over the council itself, but rather in the selection of the Nine Walkers. I can tell you that i am going to be following closer to the book than the movie as far as Council and selection process being two different things, but i have a good reason for doing that :)

AM: Good old Erestor never gets a moment to himself. Let's just hope overworking doesn't make him snap and take the Ring for himself or something!

estelle: Wow! I wish i had your energy! After being out till past midnight for the 4th, i am still trying to recover and get back into my sleeping patterns. Anyway, more explanations about the brothers are forthcoming.

Lirenel: I rather like this one better than all my previous ones as well, i guess that moves i am progressing. I know i hate it when i am reading something and go to hit the next button and there isn't one, so i hope this was a speedy enough update :)