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Title: "But He Will Not Return"

Author: Darkover

Rating: K+, only because of character death

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from "The Lord of the Rings." As far as I know, they are the property of the Tolkien estate. No copyright infringement is intended or should be inferred. I believe the good professor would understand that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and would not want anyone to sue me.

Characters: Aragorn, Boromir

Summary: Aragorn grieves for both the Boromir who died, and the Boromir who was. One shot.

~oo0oo~

"Be at peace, son of Gondor," Aragorn whispered, and kissed Boromir's brow in parting.

The Ranger rose, not quite steadily, and saw the stricken looks on the faces of Legolas and Gimli. He did not realize that their shock did not result only from the death of their companion and friend, but from the sight of the intense sorrow of his visage.

At that moment, Aragorn was barely aware of the presence of the Elf and the Dwarf. He was remembering a time when he had been a resident of the White City, the Minas Tirith so beloved of Boromir. A time when, under the name Thorongil, he had been her bravest and most gallant captain, his deeds eclipsing even those of the Steward's own heir. But it was not his deeds as Thorongil that Aragorn recalled now. He remembered a small child, bright-eyed, good-natured, fearless even then. Firstborn of the Steward, son of Denethor, beloved of the people of the White City. Boromir. Boromir, who had grown to manhood to become the heart of Gondor, the defender of her people. Her most chivalrous captain, who had served the people of Gondor in the place of the King who had not yet returned. Boromir…

Aragorn closed his eyes, mourning the memory of that long-ago child, whom he too had loved, as much as he now mourned the death of the brave man that child had become, the courageous warrior who died as he had lived, protecting others. A single tear rolled down the Ranger's weary face.

"They will look for his coming from the White Tower, but he will not return."