The Steward was the first to swear fealty to the King. Tradition dictated it, his heart rejoiced that it was so. The King was now seated on the throne—was it not a wonder, after seeing the throne empty all his life?
His thoughts went to his father and brother, gone from his side but ever in his heart. Perhaps it was a mercy, he thought, that this privilege, this duty, should fall to him instead of either of them. For his father would not, could not, have seen this as anything but a defeat, and even if he could have accepted this as his duty, that duty would have been unbearable to him. And his dear brother, who had long desired the throne for himself—though always for the good of Gondor—what would this have cost him?
The King sat upon the throne. The young Steward strode to the dais. He climbed the steps and knelt before the throne. He looked up and found the familiar gaze and the faint smile that belied the generous acceptance in the heart.
He offered his sword to the King. Holding the sword hilt, he intoned the solemn words.
“Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, and to the Lord and King of the realm, to speak and to be silent, to do and to let be, to come and to go, in need or plenty, in peace or war, in living or dying, from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death take me, or the world end. So say I, Faramir son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor.”
The King replied, as solemnly, as sincerely.
“And this do I hear, Aragorn son of Arathorn, Lord of Gondor, High King of Gondor and Arnor, and I will not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given: oath-breaking with vengeance, valour with honour, fealty with love.”
The Steward rose and they embraced. Then, less expected than the embrace, the King placed his hands on the Steward’s shoulder and kissed his forehead, as a father would his son, or an elder brother his younger.
His heart touched, he looked at the King and uttered the word which he had longed to say since their first meeting. “Aranya,” he said firmly.
The King did not hide his surprise and delight. Looking at him intently, the King said in the same High-Elven tongue, “Faramir. Now we begin, my faithful one.”
The King returned to the throne. The words still ringing in his mind, the Steward descended and took his seat upon the Steward’s chair at the lowest step of the dais.
Then one by one the lords and captains of Gondor made their way to the dais and pledged their fealty to the King Elessar. As they passed the Steward on their way back to their places, they bowed to him.
Thus began the days of King Elessar, with the faithful Steward Faramir by his side.
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