Young Boromir watched the small girl helping her mother carrying the laundry down to the kitchens where it was washed. "Father, why does she work with her mother?" He looked up at his father questioningly. "No one to watch her probably." Denethor answered his son before turning away and walking to the library. Boromir sat there awhile. The girl was younger than he; it was a shame to have her work. "Boromir, come." "Yes, Father." He obeyed quickly. "Why does her mother not watch her at home?" "Because they might need the money for food and clothes and maybe her father isn't able to provide all that they need." Boromir nodded and picked up one of the children's books sitting on a shelf within his reach.

The next day Boromir was walking through one of the gardens when he noticed the girl sitting on one of the benches. "Hullo." He smiled. She jumped up quickly and started backing away from him. "My momma says I'm not allowed to speak to you." "Why?" Boromir tilted his head to the side. "Because you're the Steward's son, we're just poor servants." "I don't care, come and play with me. I have no friends." The girl looked at him with fear in her eyes. She took a couple of steps backwards but failed to notice the small flight of stone steps behind her. "Look out!" Boromir yelled. Unable to keep her balance she fell down the steps before sprawling out at the bottom. Boromir jumped down the stairs and looked at the girl. There was blood on her head and her arm was twisted funny. He immediately turned around and ran full speed, for a seven year old, back to the castle.

"Father!"

"Boromir, son, what is it?"

"That girl, she tripped down some steps in the garden, she's bleeding."

"Show me." Denethor ordered and followed his son out the door."

The Steward came to a halt at the top of the stairs when he saw the girl. "Boromir, run tell the healers that I am coming."

"Yes, Father."

Denethor lifted the tiny girl into his arms. She cried piteously because he moved her arm. "What is your name?" he asked gently. "Aleathiel." She whispered quietly. "You just hang in there, sweet heart. I'm taking you to the healers." "Don't, please. My father will be angry. You should not trouble over me." "Hush child, do not worry." He smiled.

"Will she be all right, Father?" "Her arm is broken, and she has some stitches in her forehead, but she should be fine in a few days." "Father, since she always comes with her mother, can she be my friend?" "If she wants to. Now, I want you to be a big boy and stay with her until she wakes up. I must check on your mother." Denethor smiled. "Father, when is my brother going to be born?" "In a few months, my son." The Steward stepped out the door.

Boromir sat down in the chair beside the girl's bed. Her arm was in a splint and her head was bandaged. "Mama." She whispered quietly. "I'll get her for you, if you want." He smiled. She slowly nodded her head but winced at the movement. "I'll be back in a minute, just lay still." Boromir jumped out of the chair and ran to find the laundry woman.

He found her sitting by the creek singing softly to herself. "Ma'am." "Yes." "You're daughter is in the House of Healing. She tripped down some stairs." The woman looked up in alarm. "Show me, please." Boromir nodded and led her to the room. "Oh my sweet Aleathiel." She whispered. "Mama, he helped me." She pointed at Boromir with her good arm. "Thank you, Milord." She bent her head. "Please, Ma'am, I'm seven. Don't treat me like I'm seventy." He mumbled. The girl giggled at this. "Hush, Aleathiel." The girl's smile faded and fear entered her eyes. "I must finish my work. Stay here until I come back." "Yes, Mama." The woman nodded and stepped out.

"You have a pretty name." Boromir blurted.

"Thank you." Aleathiel replied.

"Would you like to be my friend? I don't have any." Boromir looked down at her pleadingly "My parents are going to have another baby, so they won't spend much time with me."

"I'd like a friend like you." Aleathiel smiled.

"Great. If you feel ok, we could walk in the gardens."

"Sure."

Boromir smiled and helped the small girl get out of bed. He was happy, he now had a friend.