Boromir

Aragorn returned to camp as though nothing at all had happened. "I apologize," he muttered as he walked passed Gandalf. The Wizard merely made some grunting noise in the back of his throat that sounded like he'd taken in too much from his pipe.

He glanced around and found three of the Hobbits to be sound asleep. The fourth, Aragorn doubted would ever have a truly sound sleep. Gimli dozed loudly and Boromir sat apart, doing a great deal to pretend he didn't note Aragorn's return to camp. Instead he obsessively manicured the pommel of his sword's hilt.

Aragorn sighed to himself. "We need to eat," he observed dryly.

"Speak for yourself," Gandalf mumbled. "Here." Gandalf handed Aragorn a flask.

Aragorn shook his head though. "We may have need of that precious little cordial yet. It is impossible for one to keep up one's strength without sustenance though."

Boromir started to lay his sword aside, but thought better of it and picked it up to return it to his belt rig. He went to his pack and brought out a little drawstring bag. "Try these," he said to Aragorn, attempting to be a little more affable toward the Dúnedan.

"What is this?" Aragorn asked curiously, removing a morsel from the proffered purse.

"Khahco. It is from the south, beyond Dol Amroth into Harad. It is somewhat bitter, but it is powerful, it will help keep your energy up." Boromir grinned slightly. "My brother insists on this stuff being standard issue for every man in his unit, despite the fact that it doesn't come cheap. He apparently slipped his own supply into my kit when I wasn't looking."

"Your brother watches out for you," Aragorn said.

Boromir shook his head, somewhat overgrown fringes dangling in front of his highly expressive eyes. "No, we watch out for one another. Always have. After mumma died I assumed I'd be the one to watch after him, but over the years I've come to appreciate how much he looked out for me too."

Aragorn frowned unexpected. "Your mother has passed?"

Boromir caught himself narrowing his eyes at the question and shook it off. "She did," he stated, "nigh 30 years ago."

"I am truly sorry to hear that," Aragorn said, and he did mean it. "The Lady of the Citadel was a most generous and thoughtful hostess. She brought much life to the White City."

"Your travels have taken you all the way to Gondor?" Boromir asked, attempting to mask the wariness in his voice as polite curiosity.

Aragorn laughed shortly. "Gondor was one of my nearer journeys."

"Been all the way to Valinor and all?" Boromir joked dryly.

"Not as yet, I was hoping to put that one off for some while. You have but one brother?" Aragorn asked, hoping to engage the Gondorian. They had barely traded two words since the Council.

"Aye, Faramir. He is a lot like you, a Ranger. And loves Elves." Boromir sighed deeply. "It was Faramir meant to come, not me. I ought to apologize to you, I tend to take my anger out the wrong way, what really vexes me is that I should be in Gondor with my soldiers. When this war breaks… I'd trust my adjutant with my life, but he isn't me, he can't…." Boromir broke off suddenly and shook his head.

"Go on," Aragorn encouraged. "We are here to support one another. And trust me, you aren't keeping me from anything at the moment." Aragorn dug out his pipe and held it toward Boromir who waved a "no thanks."

Boromir subconsciously squared his shoulders as he dug back into his explanation of his mood. "He can't deal with my father the way I can," Boromir said candidly. "I doubt anyone can, really. Least of all Fara'." Never in his born days would Boromir forget the sight of his only brother leaving the Hall with a mighty bruise darkening on his cheek, one which hadn't been there just after the battle to hold Osgiliath.

Aragorn certainly remembered Denethor and he would not disagree with Boromir. Aragorn was in thought for a time before raising his head again. "Do you think that there will be a full attack even while Sauron knows his ring is moving?"

Boromir looked surprised. This mere Ranger was turning out to be a very interesting character indeed, for even he hadn't considered that element.

Aragorn dearly wished to sound out Boromir on how he thought Denethor might receive him. He himself couldn't help but envision a civil war erupting if he tried to take the crown. He thought better of it though, sensing that Boromir had already considered the subject and didn't truly know where he stood, let alone his father. "Tell me of Faramir," Aragorn asked, seeing how the man looked less burdened when speaking of his brother.

Proving Aragorn dead on, Boromir smiled proudly. "Gondor's finest man, what more can I say? He is truly gifted with a bow and his Rangers have gone from a lot of frightening men to a lot of frighteningly deadly men. He knows how to lead. I hate thinking of him out there on the margins, but I'd hate to sleep at night without those men there. He's smart, you know, brilliant little bugger."

Aragorn laughed. "I have a feeling that everything you just said he would say of you."

Boromir shrugged. "Maybe not the smart bit though." Boromir felt like adding that Faramir would undoubtedly support Aragorn over their father, but thought it best left out. Again Boromir fell to paying attention to his pommel more than the company about him. "He'd be at home here, so curious, he could hold a conversation with an orc. He wants to know about others, what makes them who they are. Me, I don't much give a damn. I either like you or I don't and I don't care how you got there. Makes me a bit of a loner at times."

Aragorn just smirked. Boromir was not one to disguise his opinion, sure enough.

"Funny, you know, everyone here sort of knows one another. The Hobbits of course, and they all know Gandalf, and there's even a connection with Frodo and Gimli. I don't doubt that all of you know Gandalf, and you and Legolas seem to be old friends, and despite the fact that clearly they regard one another as adversaries, there is even some common ground between Gimli and Legolas. Odd man out, me."

Aragorn cocked his head. "You did not know Gandalf? I know he's been to the White City."

"There again, that would be my brother. Faramir spent a good deal of time studying with the… wizard. I heeded my father, though, and steered well clear."

That grim Ranger's smirk appeared on Aragorn's face. "You were correct in observing that Legolas and I are good friends. And I happen to think that the two of you have a lot in common. He's not exactly as unapproachable as he makes himself out to be, so don't be afraid to talk to him. He too had a brother who was dear to him, but Imin was killed in battle, so you might want to be cautious of that subject."

Boromir looked rather skeptical, but nodded anyway.

"And, Boromir?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't underestimate how glad I am to not be the only Man on this little outing," Aragorn said with his trademark grin before claiming a bit of earth to call his bed for the night.