"Here was one with an air of high nobility such as Aragorn at times revealed, less high perhaps, yet also less incalculable and remote: one of the Kings of Men born into a later time, but touched with the wisdom and sadness of the Eldar Race. He knew now why Beregond spoke his name with love. He was a captain that men would follow, that he would follow, even under the shadow of the black wings." -The Return of the King

“Pippin! I came as soon as I could!” Merry rushed into Pippin’s home as soon as he heard that Diamond had delivered. “What kind of babe is it?”

Pippin was exhausted; Diamond’s first delivery wasn’t exactly smooth but he was glad the new babe was finally here. “It’s a son! I always wanted a little hobbit lad!” Pippin’s weary green eyes glinted with excitement.

“Do you have a name?” asked Merry.

“Why no, I do not. What should I name him, Merry?”

Merry racked his brains. There were no interesting hobbit names. There were boring names like Bruno and Rollo and long names like Hildigrim, Paladin; his own father’s name is Saradoc, frequently abbreviated to “Sara”—a girl’s name!  Why his grandfather chose Saradoc , Merry had no idea.  Then he thought of Pippin’s side and there were similar long names.

Merry sighed. “Why are hobbit male names so hard to come by? Does Diamond have a clue?”

“No she does not; she is too tired at the moment. She had a rough time so she is napping along with our unnamed child.“  Pippin thought then about the Quest, about Gondor.  There were so many men they met on the Quest.  He thought of Beregond and Bergil and then of course to poor Boromir and then Pippin’s thoughts wandered to Faramir.  Then, Pippin smiled and excitedly exclaimed, “Why don’t we name him Faramir?”

“Faramir? Our dear Steward, Faramir?  Well, that’s brilliant!”

“Yes, Faramir is a special man as I’m sure my son will be.  Faramir is so wise, and as Sam said, has some Numenorean air to him.  Faramir will do honorable tasks and is a smart name for my hobbit lad.  I think Diamond will like it too.  Surely she would want our son to be someone of great importance, since he’ll be also future Thain.”

“I hope your Faramir will be like Steward Faramir!” joked Merry.  “We should write Faramir to tell him too. I think he would be glad to have someone named after him.”

“Yes, I am in frequent touch with him and Aragorn; it’s my duty to Gondor, a princeling abroad to serve at all times,” said Pippin proudly.

“Yes, yes ‘Prince of the Halflings’, we get it,” Merry rolled his eyes but smiled at Pippin’s enthuasiasm.

“Now let’s wait till my Diamond and Faramir wake so I can tell them the news,” Pippin smiled. He was glad to name his son after the great Steward of the Fourth Age.  Faramir Took would do great deeds like his namesake.  

~~~

“How are you feeling, my love?” Pippin went over to the Diamond’s side at the rocking chair and saw that his wife was awake and holding onto the new babe in her arms nursing him.  Diamond’s eyes were weary but they were bright, full of joy.

“I am fine! I am just tired, but I cannot sleep because I do not know what my babe’s name shall be! Did you think of something, Pippin?”

“Yes, Merry and I actually did think of something.  We will name our son, Faramir,” said Pippin proudly looking down on the curly dark haired babe that was peacefully nursing.

“Faramir! Now that is an interesting hobbit name.  Remind me who in your adventures that was?”

Pippin patiently explained that Faramir is the Prince of Ithilien, the brother of Boromir who saved them from the orcs, a great, honorable man who appreciated lore and beauty.  “I actually saved his life when his father went mad from the Enemy’s influence.  I think he is like the Numenorean kings of old; he is a leader among men like how our son will be like, Diamond,” Pippin said that and kissed his wife’s cheek and tenderly   kissed his son’s head.

“Wow, sounds like quite a man to be respected!” replied Diamond. “If you like it, I like it too; Faramir Took it is.”

Faramir Took was falling asleep again after nursing, like a newborn often does. Pippin thought he could discern a slight smile as the babe fell back into peaceful dreams as babies probably have.  Pippin would be excited to teach Faramir to be a great hobbit, the future Thain of Tookland and most important, his dear firstborn son.

~Fin~