Disclaimer – I do not own this. Neither does my friend Professor Know It All. We simply do this for fun and intend no infringement.
A/N
Snowthorn – I and Professor are writing this because we were bored and also because we were very much inspired by Eambar. Her stories "The Horn of Gondor" and "Manchild of Mundburg" are not to be missed. Please, looker he up and read her stories.
Dedicated to – Eambar, for we adore her!! Never have I come across another fan fiction writer who takes more care in the intricacies of her a.u. universe than she who researches practically everything!
With love, Professor Know It All and Snowthorn, respectfully.
Lost within the Circles
Part 1 – His Lord Faramir of the House of Hurin
Seven Year Old, Lord Faramir sat on the ramparts over looking the Palenor fields. The sun had just started to set, sending red and yellow glows across the field. This was Faramir's favorite part of the day, it was at this time that the problems of everyday Citadel life could just fade into the background of one's mind. The part of the day when he found that he could be more a child than the second son of Lord Denethor II, Ruling Steward of Gondor till the Return of their King.
Boromir, twelve now, watched his brother from the comfort of Faramir's apartments behind the boy. He didn't like to intrude on this time, the time when Faramir stilled himself in readiness of the next day. It was something that they all did, they all found their own places to pass some time of their own.
However, Faramir wasn't selfish in this time; he turned and waved his brother over to the ramparts to enjoy the setting of the sun with him. Below, Knights of the Citadel and other's on this, the third patrol of the city, had just gotten their relief and were either on their way home, to a pub or the barracks as they pleased. The bell located at the barracks rang six times, which echoed about the white stone. The first of the night shift were taking up their posts now.
"What do you suppose military life shall be?" Faramir asked.
"It is always war with us, I wonder if we shall ever think of taking a picnic without fear of roving orcs," Boromir replied.
"I want to be a bowman," Faramir turned to look up at his older brother. Boromir was taller than Faramir, which led to some believing that not only was Faramir the lesser son, but also the weakest. This was not true; Faramir could strike a target on the nose if he wanted.
"Do you? I must admit that Master Amuir is quite taken with your skills," Boromir replied.
"Bah!" Faramir threw up his hands and rolled his eyes to the heavens before them, "Amuir is an idiot, always in the drinks he is," Faramir informed.
"Really…?" Boromir blinked. He also took lessons from Amuir, the man never seemed to be drunk to him. Boromir said so and Faramir just pinched his nose in return.
"Of course he wouldn't dare be drunk around you. Why do you think he said nothing to our Lord Father when I shot him in the arse?"
"Bite your tongue!" Boromir said, more for the "swear" than anything else.
"Well, its true. He was roving about and got in my way, I decided that since he was too drunk to see where he was going, why should I let this chance go by the wayside? Besides, all the other Esquires thought it hilarious," Faramir giggled. Boromir chuckled and shook his head.
"All right, Fox, if you were a bowman, where would you be stationed?" Boromir asked.
"Ithilian, they are always wanting people," Faramir replied. The shine in his blue eyes almost broke Boromir's heart. He couldn't tell Faramir how terrible it was at Ithilian, it was the post that no one really wanted, but all the best bowmen and trackers went there. At least Five hundred bunkered down at the Refuge. They stood in line for socks, not at all washed, and stood in rainy weather all the time.
Boromir took his thoughts from the dire situation of the Refuge, of which he would have to accost his father to fix if those men were to survive the winter, and returned once again to Faramir who was rubbing his arms. Boromir steered his younger brother into the heat of the apartment.
"Do not leave the rooms open to the elements tonight, dear brother, for it is cold and you will get sick," Boromir cautioned as he locked the glass doors behind them.
"Ninny! I am not so thick as to do that, I know when it is a good time for a small breeze and a terrible time for a snow drift within my room!" Faramir giggled.
"Ah, I see that I have taught you all that you need to know then," Boromir laughed.
"Not quite," Faramir replied.
"What have I not taught you, minx?"
"I want to hear about the fall of Numenor," Faramir replied.
"Oh, that…haven't you heard it though?" Boromir grinned.
"No, father won't let me and Master Broomcost, think I cannot understand,"
"Broomcost is a twit, that is why he cannot find any other job within the city other than Master Scholar," Boromir replied.
"Well, that isn't very nice," Faramir giggled.
"But it is true! I have had to set you straight on the line of Stewards how many times now?" Boromir laughed.
"About nine-hundred," Faramir replied.
"Did you honestly count how many times we went over it?" Boromir scratched his ear.
"Yes, the last just yesterday,"
"Well, I think I shall have to find us a new scholar, now then, Little One, go get ready for bed. I shall have something brought up from the kitchens and I shall tell you the story of the Fall of Numenor," Boromir replied. He never could deny his younger brother of anything, not when Faramir was so sweet.
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Boromir was tired of paper work, here he was, at twelve years old, figuring out what to do about supply lines to the out lying patrols than what sweet he was to have with his luncheon that day. Not that Boromir minded, Being Captain General of the Gondor was wonderful and even though he was still but a child, he did it better than the former Captain General and that was saying something.
Of course, when it was found out that Kaltin of Minis Terith was the one that slowly poisoned the Queen Finduilas while she had born Faramir, he had been swiftly arrested. However, and this was the detail that galled Boromir, the man had escaped the dungeons. No one could say how, but the man had done it.
Boromir still saw red when he thought of the man who murdered his mother and who had almost ruined the family over Faramir. They had not been sure in the beginning if Faramir would survive his formative years because of the poison their mother died from. The poison couldn't eve be identified. Which terrified Boromir even more.
He swore, not for the last time and not for the first, that if he ever laid eyes upon Kaltin, he would kill the man. He would take revenge for his family. He would then let the memory of his mother lay in peace. For when she haunted his dreams, he knew that could never go back on this oath.
Boromir signed off on an order and set it aside for an esquire to deliver when he was brought luncheon. Setting to work on another, Boromir swiftly forgot about Kaltin and the evil the man wove, still, around the family.
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A/N – Right, rather short. But we do plan to continue this. So please look for an update!
Ta,
Snowthorn and Professor Know It All