Once Aragorn managed to dry his eyes even just slightly, he put an arm about his son's shoulder and said, "i think we had best both get some breakfast, lest there not be a crumb in the house by the time we get there. We have so much to talk of, you and i, my son."

"I wasn't gone a month before i realized what i'd done and wanted to turn back, adar," Faramir said, still trying to apologize or at least explain.

"Everything happens for a reason, Faramir," Aragorn said in compassion. "Your leaving was in no way different from mine, and though i missed you more than anything, i did understand. But come, there is much to reckon with this day. I have a feeling that the fate of many will be decided soon. It looks as though the Rangers have returned and will need a bit of polishing, though i doubt many here are surprised by my appearance any longer."

"What is going on here? I had a dream that spoke of the shards of Narsil and Isildur's Bane, which seems to suggest," Faramir lowered his voice to a guarded whisper, "the Ring."

Aragorn again began to look grim and hesitant and Faramir wished he had not brought up the subject just then. "I think all questions will be answered at this afternoon's council. Provided we can get through it, that is. I do not hold much hope and i wish that adar had not called on so many. But, you know his way, to be fair to all involved. Unfortunately, i fear that most involved will not have a clear understanding of this thing. Still, that is yet to come. Let's see if we can surprise adar and Erestor and look presentable today, what say you?" Aragorn said with that wry tone in his voice that always made Faramir smile. It was incredibly good to be home again.

Father and son met up again in the hallway outside their chambers once they were both more appropriately robed. Faramir was amazed that his formal cotehardie from 15 years ago were still as well fitted as before he left, though he was glad since he had nothing else to wear but the clothes that were on his back when he and Boromir arrived. Just as Faramir remembered that his brother was here as well and might not know where to find breakfast, Boromir came wandering around the corner hoping to find his little brother.

"Fara', thank the gods I found you," relief truly evident in his voice. "I have been wandering around up here for at least a half an hour. I can not even find the staircase. Everything here is hidden."

"Boromir, come with us, we are just going to breakfast. This is my father," Faramir said. "Adar, Boromir has been like a brother to me since I arrived in Minas Tirith 15 years ago." The hint in Faramir's voice told Aragorn that he knew that Boromir was more than just like a brother, but it also told him that Boromir was not aware of that yet, which removed Aragorn's concern that his son had perhaps said a bit too much about his family's line. He needn't have worried.

Boromir nodded and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Faramir has spoken so much of you and always in the most glowing of terms. If it was you who taught your son sword work or bowmanship I stand in awe."

Aragorn laughed. "Well, I did have a hand in helping him with the bow, but one much more qualified than I trained him how to wield a blade. I take it that means that training has served well?"

"More than you know, he has saved me on numerous occasions," Boromir said, a hand on Faramir's shoulder.

"As usual, Boromir exaggerates, ada. He has saved me, too, more than once," Faramir said, always one to make sure that credit was given where due.

"Faramir, if not for you, I would most assuredly not be here right now. My body would have floated out to sea on that river when the bridge gave in," Boromir said in all seriousness.

"What bridge?" Aragorn asked, suddenly all ears.

"The "ford" at Tharbad," Boromir said. "Faramir had already crossed before me but as I was going over the remains of the bridge crumbled all at once under my horse. Fara' came back over to help me but the horse was lost. Then his horse walked back toward us and his weight sent what was left into the river, horse and all. We only just made it back to the shore in a leap. We lost everything we were carrying though, except for a single pack that your son apparently had the foresight to carry on him. It was altogether strange, as though someone wanted to deter us."

"Then you originally planned to go north from there and take the East road in?" Aragorn asked. "Then I have to say that that set back was your greatest fortune. I would not doubt that someone intervened on your behalf and changed your route."

"How can that be?" Boromir said, wondering if this man was entirely out of his mind. They had just spent months climbing about in the worst kind of terrain he'd ever encountered and this man thought they were fortunate? Of course, Faramir didn't seem too upset at the time either and Boromir figured Rangers had a strange idea of what good fortune was anyway.

"When did you two start out from Gondor?" Aragorn asked.

"In early July," Faramir answered. "We reached Tharbad about three weeks afterward."

"Had you gone north after crossing at Tharbad that would have likely put you on the East road in September. That entire area was crawling with Nazgû l at that time," Aragorn said gravely.

"Nazgû l?" Boromir swallowed nervously. "This far north and west? It is not possible!"

"I assure you it is, Lord Boromir. However, I would prefer to leave talk of such things behind, at least until later."

"I would prefer to leave as much as thoughts of such things, permanently," Boromir said.

"So would we all," Faramir said. "The only thought I am really interested in at the moment, however, is breakfast. If you gentlemen wish to accompany me, I would advise making haste."

When Faramir entered the dining hall, he stopped in his tracks. For one thing, he'd never seen the hall so full before. For another, there were all manner of folk here, Dwarves and Halflings included. Faramir was amazed that there were really Dwarves in Imladris, though he'd often heard of the party who came through Rivendell when his father was a lad.

Over at the main table two matching Elves were in conversation, when one glanced up at the sound of Mortal footsteps. The twin glanced back at his brother and whispered something, then both rose and walked away from the table, stalking toward Faramir, rather menacingly, it appeared to Faramir. He had only ever seen that severe expression on them while they were hunting orc and they looked like they were really livid, moreover, they were glaring directly at him. Faramir took a deep breath; he'd wondered how long it would be before someone was really angry that he'd dared to come back after his sudden departure years ago.

"You think you can just leave in the middle of night," Elladan said through clenched teeth, "leave us, your poor father, to be worried sick about you for 15 solid years, and all without so much as a 'mae baro'?"

"Is such the thanks you give to those who not just raised you, but loved you and taught you and protected you?" Elrohir said. "And you expect us to welcome you home with open arms and tears of joy, do you not?"

Faramir stood stoic, though, he knew they had a just right to feel that way and he deserved to be told so. "I do not expect -"

The twins expressions took on a maniacal look and Elrohir said, "good… he does not expect," with a malicious snicker.

"Get him!" Elladan cried and before Faramir run two identical Elves had him tackled to the ground and were tickling him mercilessly.

Boromir looked terribly concerned for his little brother but Aragorn was in nearly hysterical laughter. Elrond's forehead was resting in his hand, leave it to his eldest two to make such a spectacle on this day of all days. He only hoped that they would get this out of their system now before he had to deal with the council. His headache had done nothing to abate, if anything it was getting worse, and he was in a truly terrible mood today. Erestor was staring at them in reproach but Glorfindel found it as hilarious as Estel. Clearly, only a slayer of Balrogs could come to poor Faramir's rescue. Taking the hand that was reaching up desperately for help, Glorfindel pulled Faramir to his feet and directly into a hug. Boromir definitely thought this was the weirdest place he'd ever been in, the poor man was growing more and more confused at every turn.

ooo

Ok, i know i promised a council in this chapter, but i wanted to get all the reunions taken care of first. I do promise the council will be next.

Elenhin: Poor Bor' is still no less confused. I think he will feel a bit more enlightened next chapter though.

AM:) I guess on dragging this out, i know. I like to build suspense.

blanko: Ask and you shall receive, twins - just for you :)

estelle: I'm glad i've done well enough to get your reviews. They mean a lot to a little scribe like me.

linda: I suppose Faramir has gotten away with a good deal, but hey, like father, like son. Both seem to be good at getting out of trouble, though the twins still know how to give them a little scare.

The Last Hope: I hope that letting Boromir in on things will be good, too, but it is precarious territory. I don't think he will know the full extent of the family line anyway, at least not concerning his father and Fara's father. But then, i make no promises, only predictions.