Disclaimer: As much as I would love to own this noble people. I do not. I just love them from afar. Sob

Second disclaimer: I took the idea for my chapter divider thing from Jaffee Leeds. She's just letting me use it!

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Chapter One

The Passage of Time Heals Most Wounds

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Gondor grew stronger and stronger every year. Never had the cities been so full and growing, fairly bursting with inhabitants and new families. Never had joy been so great and so easily found in regions once dark with shadows.

"The land grows fat and so do I." Faramir laughed. He surveyed the lands of Ithilien with a pleased eye.

"If you're fat then I'm emaciated." Prince Legolas comment dryly, "Did the southward rangers leave yesterday? They were supposed to take the Lothlorien elves with them and I thought I saw some of them floating around this morning."

"They did, and they did." Faramir answered, "Some of the elves decided to stay behind and work among the women and children of the village. Haldir said that many of them haven't learned Westron yet and need to bone up on their adverbs."

Legolas shook his head smilingly, and then pointed to the map in his other hand, "What about this new boundaries? I thought we might leave this area here as it is. The area would do better if there was untouched land for animals and plants to grow where they won't be hunted or picked. What are you looking at?"

"That rider coming toward us." Faramir squinted and shaded his eyes with a hand, "It looks rather like…"

"A carrier from Gondor." Legolas announced, "With a message for the Steward no doubt. Don't you wish you had my eyes?"

"No." Faramir answered, 'I like my own very well than you. Her Ladyship is satisfied with them and so am I."

"I wonder what the message will be? A new law against overtaxing the poor or perhaps an invitation to move back into Gondor?" Legolas suggested.

"I would rather think it may have something to do with people trying to chips bits off Gimli's gates." Faramir laughed, "But in all likelihood it has something to do with marrying him off to a buxom maid in the court."

"Which," Faramir continued," I think is rather pushy, but understandable."

"He still grieves for Lady Undomiel." was the elf's quiet reply.

Faramir looked at the approaching rider and said, "We all greive for some one lost Prince."

Legolas said nothing but his eyes were understanding, even he missed Arwen. He had only known her a short time but everyone who had met the Evenstar never forgot her. Legolas sighed and rolled the map together. As he slid it into his pack the carrier reached them and Faramir greeted him warmly.

'What news Ingold? What news of the city and king?"

Ingold bowed respectfully and said, "The tree has blossomed my lord and his majesty is in fair health. He sends you this letter and I am to await a reply."

Faramir took the letter and broke the seal, curious to see the contents.

Dear Steward, Lord Faramir,

If all is well in your realm and if you are agreeable, I would be honored if you and your lady wife would come to the Summer festival. It is rumored to be the finest I years and I would love that you would be here to judge the events. I know too that the people sorely miss the presence of you and your late brother. I think it would be welcome and appropriate if you would attend.

Also I would love to converse with you upon a subject of the very deepest moment. Please extend this invitation to Prince Thranduilion and Master Gimli, I would desire to see them all with again at this time.

Elessar, King of Gondor

"Well?" Legolas asked, What is it?"

"Hmm." Faramir answered, "Would you like to go to a party?"

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Èowyn rocked slowly back and forth as she nursed her baby. The sunlight streamed from the window and played little lacy patterns over her yellow hair. Elboron nursed happily, gazing up at his mother with her same pale blue eyes. His little fist curled around her fingers and she stroked the downy skin softly.

Look away now

Know only peace

Of a sleeping world

Èowyn sang lovingly. Her voice was not beautiful, but the song was a simple child's tune and soothing for babies. To Elboron, his mother was the wonderful warm, soft comfort that she was now. He would never know the pain of the cold shield maiden, his was a mother of gold and light and he sighed contentedly against her breast.

"Mommy's sweet little boy.' Èowyn smiled, "Someday you'll be a big strong man like Daddy is, then you'll be a great ranger too."

A maid entered softly and bowing said, "My Lady Èowyn, the Lord Faramir sends his complements, and wishes to know if it is quite convenient to see you this moment?"

"Certainly, Gilneliel, please send him in." Èowyn directed. She lifted the baby in her arms and rearranged her clothing as her husband entered the room.

He took the infant from her arms and smiled, 'How is he today?"

"He probably needed to be burped." she said handing a cloth to Faramir. With dexterity unusual in a man, his flipped the cloth over his hand and gently rest his son's chin on his hand. Faramir gently began patting his son's tiny back.

"I received a message from Elessar today." he began, "He wants us to come for the summer festival in Minas Tirith."

"Really? Will we go?" Èowyn reclined in her rocker enjoying the sight of her favorite men, "The southward is till in need of guard isn't it?"

Faramir nodded and then chuckled as the baby burped loudly and whimpered, "Prince Legolas offered to see to it when we're gone. But do you think that it would be good for you and the baby to travel by then?"

Èowyn patted his shoulder and said, "Faramir it's two months away, Elboron will be five months then. I am sure that it will be well, especially with the warmer summers in Gondor. Beside I know how much it would mean to you. I know your love for the king is great."

Faramir nodded his grey eyes darkening slightly as he said, "But I'm worried, there was a tone to his letter that make me wonder. It's only been three years since the Elven princess departed you know."

"And Aragorn has never forgotten her." Èowyn nodded, "I know, when he was here this winter I saw it every time he mentioned his foster family. Surely his foster brothers visit?"

"They do, but now that they rule Rivendell the demands on their time are great."

They fell silent and the only sound was the dull roar of the household coming from the windows and their baby's gentle breathing in his father's arms. Èowyn clasped Faramir's free hand in her own and said, "Do you think he means to pick a bride?"

Faramir paused before answering, "Yes, yes. I think he does."

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Elessar, king of Gondor was well loved by his people.

There was nothing beneath his notice, and interest.

But the king had one fault, and in itself was not a fault, just an… oversight? While the people loved the king's interest and kind ruling they were concerned for the future of that reign. The king was not married and certainly not courting any of the young women of Gondor. It seemed as if the women of the country lacked something that he was seeking.

If the people had known that he searched every face for the sight of one he lost no doubt they would have understood. But almost no one knew of the lost love between their king and the famed Evenstar of Rivendell. Certainly they would have given him time, but to them it now seemed the biggest problem facing their people.

"You think that I'm not sensible of this Halbarad?" Elessar asked. He stood with his back to the windows in his council room His companion shrugged noncommittally but his look was significant.

"People talk Aragorn. You can't except to ignore it forever." the Dúnedain ranger said calmly, "You know that I mention it only for your good."

"I know. I know." The younger man answered, he turned to the window a moment before returning to his desk and saying, "What would you suggest?"

Halbarad sat in mild shock, he hadn't expected Aragorn to listen to him. At the very least not deal with the problem head on as he was now.

"Do you think that you're ready for such a step?" he asked.

Aragorn snorted in annoyance, "First you think I do not face the problem, now I ask your aid and you don't think I should. You're a fine friend Halbarad really. Yes, I want your advise. I have sent for Lord Faramir and I will seek the same from him as well."

Aragorn folded his hands and leant over the desk like a child ready for a lesson. Halbarad stood and began pacing the room, "Then I will council you to look first among the young ladies of the court. All of suitably noble birth and very fine women in their own rights."

"I am aware of that. Many of their families have made such things known to me in hopes of my favoring one of them." Aragorn smiled tersely, "However, I have never taken the preverbal hint."

"Then now is the time. Dúnedain you may be, but time is not endless for you. If the young women is not in this court look in the courts of your fellow princedoms and neighbor lands." Halbarad said.

"I have done so before." Aragorn said, 'Visited the princedoms," he added hastily.

"Well, this time do so with the intent to find a wife." Halbarad stated. This was answered only by a groan from the king, "And do try not to look so much like a pouting child Elessar."

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When the Steward and his wife had arrived at the White City they had been met by the King himself. The Lady and her maids were showed to the waiting home that had once been that of the steward's family. A veritable army of maids and pages waited to do the bidding of the fair Lord and his wife.

King Elessar had welcomed the White Lady and her son with enthusiasm. There was no longer and embarrassment between the Shield maiden and her lord. Time had healed many wounds that war had given rise too.

Once Èowyn and Elboron were safely installed in comfortable apartments Faramir had gone to the king. Elessar had launched into his reason for bringing Faramir there right away.

"You planning to do what?" Faramir asked in disbelief.

"Make a tour of all my lands." Elessar answered, "And I wish you to accompany me."

"To help you find a wife?" Faramir shook his dazedly, "I don't know what to say I thought…but I never assumed you would want me there."

Elessar laid a hand on Faramir's shoulder and smiled, "I value your opinion as I once did you Grandfather's. Please, Faramir if ever I need a steward's council it would be now."

"I will do anything to aid my lord." Faramir bowed his head to expression his gratitude but a moment later looked up and said, "But what of Èowyn, I cannot leave her and my son alone for so long a time and they can hardly travel all over the kingdom."

Elessar nodded, "I have already made arrangements for her to reside in Gondor during that time we are absent. If that is agreeable to you?"

"Yes, indeed. But what of Ithilien?" Faramir asked, "I shouldn't be gone from my duties that long. I wouldn't want to presume upon Prince Legolas."

Elessar smiled as if remembering some long past memory, "If I know the Prince at all I know that he will hardly find the task any work at all. But if you wish, I will write to him. Do not worry so Faramir, the world will not crumble if you absent yourself for a few short months."

"Very well." Faramir thought a few seconds, "I would like to speak to Èowyn about this before I can fully agree. It will be she who will be alone all that time."

"I understand." Elessar agreed, "How is she? She seems in good health and the child…well, he's beautiful."

A fond smile traced across Faramir's young face and he said, "I will ever wonder at her Elessar. Never was a maiden at once so tender and wise as this woman. I do not think that there is a woman born that could rival her light."

Elessar's breath caught but he covered it with a gruff cough, "I'm happy for you." he said quietly.

"I hope that someday you will find such happiness my king." Faramir said unthinkingly.

No answer came and no emotion shown on the king's face until he spoke and his voice was deceptively cheerful, "Come, there is much to see in the city such you last were here."

So the two Gondorian men went through the city the one showing the other all the improvements and strengths that had only once been a fond hope in Faramir's heart. Even a small shrine was built to the memory of one who had been dear to the steward, his brother.

No word of Boromir's weakness had ever crossed the lips of the Fellowship and so his memory lived on untarnished. For that Faramir vowed silently that he would do all in his power to aid the king in his search. All he could do now was pray that the gods sent the right women into their path.

Faramir, and certainly Elessar, could not have known that it was already happening.

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viggomaniacThanks for the help I really need it! I want to show that but for his brothers he was alone. I know Legolas didn't leave but Aragorn didn't grow up with him, beside Legolas lived in Ithilien. I am going to have Elrohir and Elladan too busy to visit often. Besides such visits would be very painful for everyone don't you think? Harsh? Not at all. If my character shows any bit of Sueness please let me know! I would rather die a million deaths then add to the sue world. Thanks again!

Sarahbarr17Thanks! I'm glad you interested!

alce-eruantale : You guessed it. That was only the prologue. I hope you enjoy the rest as much!

these wings of wax : I will and I think your name is rocking awesome!


Dee69Good. I hope I can keep you interested!

SeyyadaI hope this suits your desires for longer chapters more. Thanks for your interest!

IwishChanThanks for reviewing!

Blackadder : I know the Evenstar was not necklace. However I decided to use it as such in this story. In this story is will not be more then a necklace, no magic, but I thought she would leave him a memento. I will deal with that idea of why she left, but Aragorn will be marrying. If you think about it he really doesn't have a choice. For the sake of Gondor.

faerie-goddess1012I will! Thanks for reviewing it!

Nefretiri : Really? The only Aragorn/OC stories I have ever seen are always Tenth Walker stories that almost always suck. I hope you like this one!