{Video/Action}

[rangerandking]

{Boons are a thing of wonder. Aragorn is enjoying his first taste of magic, his grey eyes unfocused as he concentrates on the deep thrum of a spell activating. His body morphs seamlessly, which, understandably, causes him to inhale sharply.

But then it's done. He now looks through the eyes of a Sciathán Lion. Shaking his pale mane and stretching his feathered wings, he stands and lifts his chin to catch the scent of leaves, soil, living things on the air. Pale eyes aglow, he almost seems to smile.

This is a gift he will put to good use. His head dips and he slips the locket over his ears until it settles against his furry chest. There it stays as his feet pound against the ground, knocking up dirt and debris. Once he has sufficient speed, he opens his wings and lets the air catch against his feathers.

He has watched the Eagles fly - birds beyond counting too - yet nothing prepares him for the sensation of pure free flight. His feet still move, almost as if he is racing over the open air, and he roars his approval.

Back on the ground, there is a whinny of disapproval. A certain Unicorn is giving his master a skeptical look, head tilted to one side.

When will Men learn not to play with magic like it's a toy?

Aragorn makes one round in the sky, letting his wings become accustomed to flight before he lands quite near the Unicorn. Ehtyarion shakes his mane and paws at the dirt with his hoof. With an amused glimmer in his eyes, Aragorn nudges his friend gently and encourages him to follow him.

No one will be eaten today. Or any other day for that matter. He is not that sort of beast.}

Comments

[theywhowait]

[ Stewards do not roll their eyes at their kings, but friends do and Faramir is rolling his eyes HARD at you Aragorn ]

It did. But kindly do not do so again!

[rangerandking]

Should an Orc claim my life, I do not deserve my sword. {That's the closest he will come to showing his pride.}

[theywhowait]

Should an Orc claim your life, that Orc's life is forfeit. [ Faramir retorts ] But even the greatest of warriors may be slain by an arrow, so said Master Peregrin, and he was right. I... cannot lose you, Aragorn.

[rangerandking]

My father perished at their hands. I know their malice and their cruelty. {But he speaks of experience - not hard-headedness.} Many have I faced and only the Uruk-hai gave me significant pause.

{Even so...} You will not lose me.

[theywhowait]

Do not make promises you know you cannot be garunteed to keep [ Faramir shoves half-heartedly in tease ]

I hope not.

[rangerandking]

{He catches Faramir's hand and clasps it between his own.}

We are brothers. Boromir's last words were: "I would have followed you, my brother. My captain. My king." I will not lie to you.

[theywhowait]

[ A pleased shy duck of his head and Faramir's hand closes on Aragorn's firmly ]

As a brother to me you shall be. [ He affirms ]

Although you are old enough to be my father. [ He adds cheekily ]

[rangerandking]

I am old enough to be your grandfather. {Let's be honest, here. He chuckles and releases Faramir's hand.} But I have many years yet.

[theywhowait]

Well yes, but I did not wish to draw overly attention to your age, milord [ He grins back ]

For that, Gondor is grateful!

[rangerandking]

Should fate be on my side, I have only experienced less than half of my life. {Since he will live to be 210.}

[theywhowait]

You will outlive us all, I think. [ Faramir shrugs ] I hope any children of mine will serve you faithfully when I am gone.

[rangerandking]

A burden more than a gift. {His eyes dim with sadness.} They will never want for anything as long as they live within Gondor or Rohan.

[theywhowait]

I am sure they will not, and I know it is because the King will make Gondor flourish once again. We will see each other again, Aragorn, beyond the walls of the world.

[rangerandking]

I look forward to it. In that world, I shall need your guidance. {Since Faramir will have been there for longer.}

[theywhowait]

How strange, to be the one who leads you, rather than the other way around! I will make sure to prepare you a warm welcome, my lord. [ ^_^ ]

[rangerandking]

Strange, but fitting, don't you agree? Few will have such a steadfast companion to greet them.

[theywhowait]

[ A pleased duck of his head ] I will count the days until you join us, and be most wroth with you if you hasten them!

[rangerandking]

Arwen would be most wroth with me too. {He has no desire to make her suffer. Yet the Kings of Old knew when to pass on their crown. He too will follow their example.} I must prepare my son, but, more than that, he deserves time with his father.

{The time he never had with Arathorn.}

[theywhowait]

Yes, I rather imagine she would be! I am sure your son will be well-prepared, and carry many fond memories of his father into his time on the throne.

[rangerandking]

He will have everything Lord Elrond offered me and more. {Because that's how it should be with children.}

[theywhowait]

I am sure you will be the best father any child could wish for, and I hope as well that you have many children to tumble around your feet! It can be lonely, being an only child, or so my brother told me.

[rangerandking]

He is right! I learned much from Lord Elrond's sons, but they were adults when I was a child. I would have benefitted from a sibling.

{Not that he will ever blame his mother. She had pain enough to deal with.}

[theywhowait]

They call you brother. [ Faramir recalls, the tall elven lords with grim faces who smiled as if they had never a care in the world when Aragorn was in the room ]

What was it like, growing up with the elves?

[rangerandking]

Orcs slew my father when I was two. My mother fled with me to Rivendell, where she knew we would be safe. The Elves had long readied the Chieftains of the Dúndedain to lead. {Elrond in particular took on that duty.} While my mother was sent for healing - her heart was sick with sorrow - I was raised under Lord Elrond's watchful eye. I grew close to every Elf I encountered and learned their tales as if they were my own. In those days, I was called Estel.

I saw no reason not to think of Lord Elrond as my father and he did nothing to dissuade that notion until I came of age. After many mischievous years of following his sons, I was eager to hear of my past. He promised me a home in Rivendell and a family that would love and support me no matter my choices, yet he did not cushion the truth.

{Which was for the best.}

I hid myself in the wilds, hoping to stave off the curse Isildur had brought upon our line. But I was drawn to the sufferings of Men.

[theywhowait]

Estel. [ Faramir nods ] He named you Hope, and so you have proven!

It sounds a good childhood, Aragorn, for all the pain of its beginnings.

I am not surprised at your words, for I think that a heart so kind as yours would seek ever to ease the sufferings of those around him.