Disclaimer: Faramir reflecting as Boromir leaves Osgiliath. Movie canon, roughly, but with my own AU. Can't ever resist an alternate element! Nor a good introspective moment - I love getting inside their heads.
Warnings: AU. Movie-verse.
Remembered
Faramir's heart clenched painfully. Always had they ridden out together, separating only when Boromir rode off to the west and Faramir to Ithilien. For two days, they would eat, sleep, and hunt together. Words were unnecessary, most times, but some days they spoke of the future of Gondor: glorious and hopeful.
Lately, 'glorious' and 'hope' were hardly used. 'Dark','bleak', and 'uncertain' were the watch-words when they last spoke, on the ride to Osgiliath. Boromir had stared absently into their campfire, looking more weary than his brother had ever seen him.
"Our Father expects me to save Gondor," he had said, rubbing a hand across his face, as if to wipe away the lines of care. "Not in the past twenty years have I seen a way to do this." Grey eyes shimmered, or so Faramir thought - a trick of the firelight, maybe.
"Perhaps he had a vision?" Faramir had in turn suggested. "He is spending more time in the Tower. There is light there later, and later, each night."
Boromir snorted. "Maybe, but unlike you, I do not hold to fairy stories of our father being able to read minds."
That night, both brothers dreamt of a large, swallowing wave and a cold voice crying. When they rose, neither spoke, and the remainder of the ride to Osgiliath was silent.
When Boromir gave the rousing speech, he was shocked. For such grim talk the night before, his older brother had been surprisingly optimistic. And for a few minutes, Faramir was able to enjoy it.
Until their father appeared.
It was, Faramir knew, more than familial duty calling his older brother. He saw Boromir's exasperated look when their Lord Father drew him aside, and the subsequent black look Denethor gave Faramir when the younger man offered to ride for Rivendell instead.
"Remember today," Boromir called, turning his horse. "Remember today, little brother."
Faramir's heart clenched painfully. It could be the last time he saw his brother, companion, and friend - and little did he know, it was.