Before Faramir knew what was happening, he was not only being hugged by his beloved father, but also being just about squashed by the twins. It was plain that many such reunions were taking place all over Cormallen. Many, many people had been at Cair Andros to cross the Anduin's east bank when Faramir arrived there in the early hours. Faramir could hear Pippin shouting excitedly to his cousin.

In a short time there was a small crowd drawn toward Faramir, wanting to greet him. Faramir wondered if this was why he had bothered sneaking so secretively out of the City. A number of Men who he had fought with were at Cormallen and glad to see him again, though a much greater number had not even lived long enough to see the victory on the Pelennor.

Damrod was still resting in the Houses of Healing, though Mablung had come along with the March and asked of his friend. A lot of men asked after loved ones who had not come to the field and for a while Faramir felt a bit overwhelmed, for many of the people asked about he did not even know. He felt rather relieved when the crowd about him receded and it was just Imrahil enquiring about Boromir. That question, at least, Faramir felt qualified, and thankful, to be able to answer.

For some while they talked of many things, and Imrahil was very pleased to finally get to know his long-lost nephew after so many years of wondering who it was that his sister referred to on her death bed as her "little Faramir." Gandalf noticed Aragorn looking a slight bit jealous that everyone else seemed to be taking up his son's time and tactfully steered the King-to-be toward the tent where the two Hobbits were sleeping. Merry was going to need someone to explain all that had happened anyway, or at least someone more understandable than Pippin.

As Faramir and his newfound uncle were talking, a man came up to Faramir, saying, "Pardon me, Lord Faramir? I heard that you are come from Minas Tirith and… I just wondered if perhaps you had word of my sister, Éowyn of Rohan?"

Faramir wondered if others could see the sparkle that he felt come to his eyes or notice how his breath hitched just slightly when he heard that name spoken. He felt a bit flustered by his involuntary reaction and told himself not to act like a drunken lad. Faramir simply nodded and said that the last he had seen Éowyn she was doing well and walking the garden.

"Yet she did not come?" Éomer said, looking around worriedly.

"I am told that she did not," Faramir replied. "I am sure that she merely needed rest," he said, hoping to ease the man's concern. "I know that I was exceedingly tired and have been resting much more than usual, I am sure that a lady would need even more re-"

"You do not know my sister," Éomer said quickly. She had been upset that she could not get up immediately and join her brother on the suicide quest to the Morannon, and likely she would have if Ioreth hadn't dosed her tea to make her sleepy.

Faramir, on the other hand, smiled, thinking Éomer couldn't have been more wrong. He was well aware that Éowyn did not think that she needed any more rest at all, but it was very likely that she did, in fact, need a lot more rest. If Boromir needed his rest, then surely so too did Éowyn, for they were clearly each as stubborn as the other.

When Eomer turned and left, still looking no more consoled by Faramir's attempt to reassure him, Imrahil turned to Faramir with a slightly knowing smile, as though he read something in his nephew's eyes very clearly. He knew that look, for he had seen the same glint in his sister's eyes whenever he would mention Eldor, the best horse-handler in Dol Amroth. As Imrahil looked at Faramir he wondered that it was possible that so many years had gone by. He shook his head to think that he was 64 years old already, that his oldest boy was only four years younger than his nephew, and that his baby girl was already 20 years old.

Imrahil missed Finduilas so much in the moment, thinking that had she been there he would have told her what fine men both her sons had grown to become. He lamented that Fin' had not known her child and that he himself had only just met him, but he knew well enough to know that everything happens as it does for a reason, and now he intended to look to the future and hoped that he and both of his nephews could be very close from then on.

Imrahil rose from where they had been sitting near a fire and smiled vaguely. "I think that I have kept you away from your father for long enough, Faramir. It is he you came to see and celebrate with, after all, and I apologize. However, in my defense I must say that I had not expected to be coming away from this mission, though I doubt many did expect it, and when I saw you here I was eager to greet my nephew. When you return to the City, please take my love to Boromir as well and tell him that I am proud to hear that he is recovering."

Faramir gave his word, assuring his uncle that Boromir would be very happy to have word from him. It had gotten chilly as the afternoon wore on, even by the fire, and Faramir reached to wrap his brother's cloak around him as he stood and went to look for his father. Faramir sighed realizing that evening would be falling soon. He had been very happy to have been able to spend some time with his uncle, but now he dearly wanted to see his father as well and he knew that he would still need to sleep the night and leave in the morning before his absence attracted too much attention in Minas Tirith.

"Try the further end of the field," quietly said the familiar old voice of the now-White Wizard as Faramir walked by, not even noticing him. "Always does he seek to be alone in a crowd…."

Faramir nodded with a smile and whispered, "Hannon le, Mithrandir." Faramir went on ahead and indeed he saw a cloaked and hooded figure near the tree line, looking like he was indeed attempting to be alone. Faramir had seen that mood much, much less then others who knew Aragorn, but he still knew it for what it was, and knew that while to everyone else it was a signal to let him be, to Faramir it was more of an invitation for a walk. Before Faramir's birth and after he departed Imladris at the age of 20, Aragorn walked Arda mostly alone. For 20 years, however, whenever Aragorn had wanted to be "alone" he usually spent that time with his son. Faramir decided it was time to resuscitate that custom.

"Feel like taking a stroll?" Faramir said walking up to his ada.

Aragorn gave his son a strange look, then began to chuckle to himself. "Forgive me, I thought you said a troll. My mind seems to be elsewhere this day, ion-nin. I would love to have a walk, yes," he said with what seemed to be a slightly sad smile as he remembered how he and his son had walked together since Faramir's first day of life.

"I know just what you mean…" Faramir said as they stepped under the limbs of the beeches.

ooo

Hannon le - thank you

I want to thank everyone for being patient with me. I have been so busy the last month and probably will be for the next couple months still. This is my busy season right now. But, fear not, i have no intentions of giving up. Even if it takes me a couple weeks to update, i will do so. Also my apologies for a shorter chapter. I just thought i had come to a good stopping place for the moment.

estelle: Everything should start coming together now for the close. I am glad you are enjoying so much and hope that you continue to do so. I think you will enjoy the next chapter, whenever i finally have time to get it done.

linda: Thank you kindly. Boromir was indeed very unselfish, and quite understanding. He understands how close Faramir and Aragorn have always been and knows how important it is that Faramir spend some time with him after sucha difficult time. Sorry for not clarifying about hithlain. Hithlain is an Elven fiber, it's what Sam's rope was made of and most likely the same material the cloaks were made of.

Elenhin: Yeah, Fara' and Eowyn aren't very direct about things at the moment. We will see next chapter how Bor' has held up without his brother around to keep up his spirits. I guess Boromir and Sharpe do indeed have a lot in common. I think Boromir picked his code not only because he would get a laugh out of it everytime but also to keep others from using it unless utterly necessary. I think Fara is too used to Bor's tricks to bebothered about it though. Anyway, this story will start winding down soon (i think), but more to come, hopefully sooner than later.

grumpy: Yes, everything seems to be going rather well. One always has towonder if that will last or not.