Title: Insufferable Pride
Author: Linda Hoyland
Characters/Pairing: Denethor, Aragorn
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Book/Source: LOTR book-verse
Disclaimer - These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain

Denethor regarded the stranger at his father's table curiously. The fellow was obviously of northern Dúnedain lineage, but most likely a bastard as he gave no father's name when he introduced himself simply as "Thorongil". Yet he carried himself with an almost regal air.

"What do you think of Gondor?" Denethor required. "I fear our splendour must quite overawe you."

"Gondor is fair indeed," said the stranger. "But I miss the unique beauty of my native land. The rivers and forests are beyond compare, as are the people.

Denethor scowled. The insufferable pride of this nobody from the northern wastelands!