Elboron had been "hiding" in the library of Meduseld for a while before there was a soft knock at the door. His father entered, smiling slightly.

"I thought I might find you here," Faramir said. "I've always come here when I wanted a quiet moment in Edoras. I think this room has seen more use than it ever did since 'Thiri came."

"I should have taken a nap," Elboron said, moving over on the settee to make room for his father to sit beside him. "Instead I just sat here thinking."

Faramir's sympathetic smile broadened. "I understand that all too well. Much of my life has been spent thinking when I ought to have been sleeping. You'll have a chance to rest up for a few days though. I can tell you need it; I've been worried about you, Elboron," Faramir said. "Sometimes you remind me too much of myself. I know I am a poor example, but listen to daerada when he advises rest. I truly do believe that he is the wisest man in all of Arda."

"You've never been a poor example, ada," Elboron said seriously. "You have always been at hand whenever I needed you, and I shall never forget that." Elboron hugged his father, simultaneously tightening his grip on the little silver horse ornament that had belonged to Harma.

Elboron felt torn in two. For he loved his father most dearly and feared that he could not truly honor his father and continue to love Harma as well. He wished so much that he could talk to his father about it, but he feared that to admit it would be to lose his father's love. And yet, Elboron told himself that he had no real reason for believing that, other than the example of how Harma's father acted toward him. And he wondered if that counted as a reason either, for his own father often dealt with things in ways that other men would not.

"I have only hoped to be a good father to my beloved son," Faramir said. Elboron knew that his grandfather had not raised Faramir, but there was very little he knew about Denethor and Faramir never spoke of the man unless necessary. "And I have tried to make certain that you know that I love you and am proud of you." Faramir just looked at his son for a moment. "You look so much like your uncle, the one I wish you could have met."

Elboron smiled vaguely. "You say that of cousin Belthil as well, ada."

"Aye, and he truly is the image of my brother. And you see how you resemble him. Only you have your naneth's chin, fortunately for you," Faramir said, the smile still on his lips, but fading from his eyes with so many memories of those now gone. "Well, I was just going to take a walk before supper is served. I did not find time for a nap either, your uncle the King wanted to discuss much. I believe that there is a nice, hot bath by the hearth in your chamber, though. Go and relax, and I will see you at dinner."

Elboron nodded, saying, "Aye, ada," and clasping his father's shoulder. Faramir needn't have said so, Elboron knew that he was on his way to the graves outside the city where his mumma and twin sister had been laid to rest when he was just a baby. Elboron remembered one time when he and his grandfather had gone up to the High Hallow when he was younger. It was shortly after a trip to Rohan and Elboron remembered seeing his father by his mother and sister's grave, knelt down and weeping. He had been old enough to understand that his father missed them very much, but he did not know why. And so he had asked his grandfather how they had died.

The question had taken Aragorn by surprise, and he wondered if it was his place to explain it. But he considered that there were some things that Faramir never talked about, even with him, and he decided that Elboron should know the truth before he heard some far-fetched tale about it all. He was thankful that Elboron was insightful enough to understand that the men who had deliberately harmed his mother and sister were renegades of the Haradrim, who had made peace with Gondor and with whom trade had flourished in the years since the War, and that one must not judge an entire people by the actions of a few. Aragorn told himself not to be surprised; Faramir's son was not likely to be bigoted about much.

And so Elboron went to wash away the road dust that had gathered on him. When he dressed again, he put Harma's horse on a cord and tied it around his own neck. He was still immensely confused with his situation, but his thought was that until he sorted out his own mind (and heart), he would keep the gift given him as it had been worn by Harma. It was the least he could do, Elboron told himself.

Elfwine came up to Elboron's guest room to let him know that everyone was gathering for supper. Apparently, Éomer had decided to have a little welcome party for the neighboring king and his family. Elboron had rather hoped for a quiet welcome, but few things Éomer ever did were quiet. Still, he knew what a celebration in Edoras meant: ale – a lot of ale.

There was a traditional Rohanian brew before dinner for Éomer's speech, a practice he had decided he liked over the years, and another during dinner. To break things up a bit, there was a wine sent from Prince Imrahil to his daughter and son-in-law for dessert, and then an after-dinner ale, which was a gift from the recently established Dwarvish settlement at Aglarond. If all of that wasn't enough to send one happily (if not dizzily) to their bed, there was plenty more ale for anyone who really wanted it.

Faramir and Aragorn chose sleep over more ale, both thinking that their years might just be starting to catch up to them, while their sons stayed up talking and drinking with Elfwine. "The torch has been passed," Aragorn said wryly to Faramir as they headed to their chambers to sleep.

After some while, Eldarion decided that he'd had plenty to drink and eat and he was ready for a nice sleep, leaving the two cousins to their own devices. Elboron and Elfwine decided to get some fresh air as the Golden Hall had clouded up with the fume of many pipes being lit after supper. Elfwine had been judicious enough to pick up several tankards on their way out.

Sitting outside Meduseld, staring up at the stars above, Elboron thought he was feeling a lot better than he had in a long while – ever since he realized that he would have to say goodbye to Harma, in fact.

Several obviously inebriated men, Rohirrim, came wandering out of the hall. They raised their still-full tankards, saying "Here's to you, Prince Elfwine!"

"And to you!" Elfwine responded heartily, lifting his drink as well.

"I like it here," Elboron said wistfully. "You can be yourself without everyone bowing and fawning."

"The gates of Edoras are always open to you, cousin, you know it well. Anytime you want time away, just pack up and ride out." Elfwine punctuated his words with an unexpected slap to Elboron's back.

"If things don't change by the time I get home I might have to," Elboron said quietly. "If we hadn't been coming out here, might have gone to 'thilien for a while."

"Thilien, eh? Thought you said you'd been too busy." Elfwine said. "Did you see the girl over at that table three up and to the left?" he asked.

"Huh?" Elboron said, his responses slowing down.

"The girl… nevermind, I was just going to say I fancy her. I've been watching her for almost a month now, her father's a Marshall's second-in-command, and apparently she's learned a lot from him. I want to talk to her, but… well, if she doesn't want to talk to me, I'd probably end up never talking to anyone ever again. Probably why I like her."

Elboron chuckled drunkenly. "Always the one you can't have, believe me."

"Where is Thilien, then?" Elfwine asked.

"Across the river."

"Well, why can't you have her then?"

Elboron didn't respond, he really didn't hear Elfwine's confused question. His thoughts were on Harma as he fingered the silver horse charm that he'd just remembered was around his neck. That first time….

He'd taken to Harma since they first met during training. They were practically still children then and eager to prove themselves. For Elboron, it was rather effortless. Harma, on the other hand, struggled greatly. Elboron was quick to help Harma whenever he could and they developed a friendship. They got along well and there was an easy rapport between them.

When they'd completed the training course several years later, when Elboron went back to helping his father instead of continuing in Gondor's military and Harma was given a post in the stables, they'd seen each other much less.

One evening Elboron was coming in late from taking time to see to the needs of those who populated the Pelennor. He didn't expect there to be anyone at hand in the stables at that time of night and so walked his horse in himself, trying to be quiet so that he didn't wake the other horses. He went to fetch a bit of grain for Mornaloth, his horse, and nearly stumbled over Harma, who was sitting, hiding it almost seemed, at the back of the stables were feed was stored.

Elboron was surprised to find himself happier to see Harma then he realized he'd be, but Harma did not seem happy at all. He was curled against himself and trembling, and recoiled suddenly when Elboron silently touched his shoulder.

"Harma?" Elboron said softly, "What is wrong?"

"Nothing, Lord Elboron," Harma replied, trying to sound convincing and failing at it. He tried to stand up, but Elboron sat beside him and held on to his shoulders.

"I'm not a Lord, I'm your friend, and you can talk to me," Elboron said comfortingly.

Harma looked like a frightened child and it hurt Elboron to see him like that. He gripped his knees close to his chest, still trembling, and shuddered in a sob that would not be repressed. He glanced over at Elboron for a moment with eyes rimmed in red, as if gauging whether he wanted to tell him his troubles. Harma dropped his gaze back to his knees and was silent for a few moments before saying quietly, "My father hates me."

Elboron truly could not imagine such a thing as a father hating his son. It was something that he could not comprehend at all, and he figured that Harma was overreacting or exaggerating. "Why do you feel that?" he asked, trying to understand the situation.

"I do not feel it… I know it. He has always made it painfully clear. I am grateful to be able to work here with the horses, but my father… he wanted me to go on to become a Guard of the Citadel, and is extremely disappointed that I did not."

Elboron still held on to Harma's shoulders. "What about your mumma?" he asked, "Do you not think she would be proud of you?" His own father told him frequently that his mother would have been very proud of the man he was growing to be.

Harma shook his head. "I do not know. How can I know? I am the reason she isn't here anymore."

"That is not true, Harma. Many times it happens that a mother dies in birth, but it is never the child's fault. My daer-… rather, I mean, the King is the greatest healer yet in Arda, he learned from the Elves, and he has told me that. And a father should never expect his son to be something he does not wish to be."

"I feel I've failed him intolerably, again." Harma spoke so softly Elboron could barely hear. "I am a failure."

"Harma," Elboron said gently, but seriously, "no parent should ever make their child feel like a failure." Harma's head was still low and Elboron could see little droplets coursing down over his high cheek bones. "Harma, look at me," he said, still speaking soothingly. Harma only looked away though. Elboron could stand it no more. Slipping his fingers under Harma's chin and gently lifting his face to his, Elboron moved purely on instinct to Harma's lips.

For a moment, Harma did not react at all. Then he seemed to melt into Elboron's lips and the kiss grew deeper and deeper until they were both hooked.

It occurred more frequently after that. Whenever they chanced to meet somewhere, a knowing look toward one another and they would quickly find a secreted place. Kisses no longer started softly or with talk. Harma was growing more confident and happy again, though sometimes Elboron still comforted him through sadness and his kisses were reassurance to Harma that he was in fact worthy.

One time he saw Harma in the stables with a black eye and split lip and immediately wanted to know who it was that had hurt him. Harma started to deflect the question, but Elboron's hands held his shoulders as they did that night some while ago. Harma looked afraid, but whispered, his head down, "my father."

Elboron was enraged and would have gone to let the man know exactly what he thought of his actions, except that Harma held on to Elboron, saying, "please, don't, don't leave me." Elboron's rage abated and turned to compassion as he held Harma close to him and whispered, "I won't leave you, I promise." He stroked Harma's back relaxingly as he wept on Elboron's shoulder until an impatient horse started to get serious about wanting something to eat and started to nibble on Elboron's other shoulder, causing Harma to laugh for that horse had a reputation for eating anything to stood still long enough.

Before very long, Elboron started seeking out Harma, as much to make sure he was all right as to steal a kiss now and then. It still angered Elboron that Harma's father was so cruel to him, but Harma had asked him repeatedly to let it go, that he dealt with it in his own way and really did not want any one helping him. Elboron respected that, to a point, but he swore that he would not be held responsible for the consequences if the man ever hurt his Harma again.

Looking back it seemed such a short time ago. As Elboron sat in front of the Golden Hall with his cousin, staring up at stars that refused to stand still, he wondered if Harma was all right. When last he laid eyes on him, he'd looked almost as hurt as he did the first time he found him hiding at the back of the stables. Elboron cursed himself for causing that, thinking that he was no better than Harma's damnable father.