It was admittedly not the response Aragorn anticipated. This man was still near a stranger to him, but he spoke with an honesty and openness that Aragorn could appreciate. Too long he had been suspicious of any newcomer, forced into cautiousness by the spread of the Shadow. It was refreshing in a way, to be in this city and know that people could perhaps simply be trusted at face value.

He didn't respond straight away, mulling the words over. There was a truth to them, he knew. For all that he believed his friends would live on without him if need be, he knew his place in the world, how his piece was necessary.

Nine had been chosen, each with a part to play. He had known that since the first day they set out. Theirs was not a quest that would succeed or fail on the courage of one hobbit, though Aragorn knew Frodo would still have the largest part to play. He nodded in agreement, wishing not for the first time that he knew more of what was to unfold back home. "It is hard," he agreed. "You came from something important," he guessed. It was not a question, and though he did not mean to be presumptuous, he thought he could safely assume as much.