Well I am back, and here is chapter 2

Boromir studied Naruto as Naruto stared at the white city in the distance. Smiling to himself, Boromir chuckled softly thinking that Naruto must have came from an outpost, since this was definitely his first sight of the white city. Boromir tapped Naruto's shoulder to draw his attention before speaking. "Son, soon we will be greeted by the people of Gondor, who are coming to celebrate the victory over the forces of Mordor. As such, we will be cheered upon entry to the city. So you do not get lost in the bedlam, you will be riding with me." Boromir had another reason to do this. He was going to show Gondor his new son who had come to him after the victory. Naruto's smile was so large that it threatened to split his face in two.

Faramir was riding his own horse a short ways behind them. He had the reins in one hand and was using the other to lead Boromir's mount over. "Boromir, I think that we should get our men cleaned up before we go any further." Faramir spoke neutrally, although his tone held a double meaning by which Boromir knew that he wanted to talk.

Boromir turned to his officers and yelled out "Everyone! Before we enter Minas Tirith, we will bath and clean our armor and weapons!" Jostling each other in a good humor to be so close to home, the men started to gather up their gear and head towards the nearby river to bathe.

Faramir turned to one of his rangers before speaking. "Dagorior, come here a moment. I know you have a son, so please take young Naruto here to get cleaned up while I have a talk with my brother." The ranger now identified as Dagorior walked over to Naruto with a smile and held out his hand. Boromir nodded his permission to Naruto and the two walked off.

Faramir turned to Boromir, steadied himself and took a deep breath. "What are you thinking!" Faramir all but yelled once Naruto was out of ear shot. "There is no way that he will be used to what you're planning…it may very well overwhelm him." Boromir looked at Faramir strangely and without comprehension.

"What are you talking about? We will just be going though the gates!" Boromir asked with his confusion evident in his voice. "This is the perfect way to show Gondor's strength and honor!" Boromir voice was laced with pride seeing no reason that anyone would be overwhelmed by a raucous victory greeting.

Faramir looked at his brother in disbelief, thinking "How could he not think….oh wait, he was raised with this as a common thing. Perhaps he wouldn't see it." Faramir lightly smacked his head. "Then at least watch him closely. He's grown up in an orphanage so far. I doubt that any experiences there would have prepared him to handle a Gondor victory celebration! The crowd alone could overwhelm the boy." Faramir spoke in a tone that suggested that this was obvious to everyone.

Boromir just looked at Faramir questioningly. He was starting to have had enough of this conversation. "Come brother, let' get cleaned up and show all the world Gondor's finest when we ride though the gates." Boromir then turned and headed off towards the river.

Faramir watched him leave, shaking his head at Boromir's lack of understanding. He just knew that this would end badly for Naruto. The child obviously had come from a small village and would be entirely unprepared for Minis Tirith. Sighing in defeat, Faramir then followed his brother to the river. Now the only reason why he was going though the main gates with his brother was to back him up when their father came to greet them….no Boromir. Faramir let out another sigh at the thought. Then he cleared his mind of the ugliness of that thought and instead started to remember how Boromir treated him instead of his father.

After cleaning up and shining their armor, the men mounted their horses, all but Naruto who Boromir picked up and placed on the horse in front of him. Settling in behind Naruto, Boromir guided his horse to the front, ready to lead his men though the gates.

Faramir noticed that Boromir was going to be in the front with Naruto. He wiped his face tiredly. He was right, this would be trouble. The boy was just not ready to face a raucous Gondor crowd hyped up on a victory. Faramir knew that it was his brother's upbringing. He might be a simple man, but he was used to being greeted after a major victory by a celebration from his people. Faramir could only hope that Naruto would have less trouble then he thought.

Naruto was excited. He was going into Minis Tirith with his father. Sure, the saddle was uncomfortable, but then again this was his first time in a saddle. Naruto did not know what to expect and looked around a little anxiously. His father had said something about people cheering the troops. Naruto moved a little further back against his father as they rode up to where the massive ornate gates were swinging open….that was when he saw the crowd of people cheering and straining to see the men with worried looks as they searched for their loved one. Naruto began to feel uncomfortable when he heard people talking 'Who is that kid with Lord Boromir?' and 'What is that kid doing there?' and 'Did the orcs attack children and Lord Boromir saved one? That and more along the same vein was what Naruto heard coming from the crowd.

Faramir saw Naruto's nervousness and decided to help him out as he quickly moved towards his brother though the crowd. "Boromir, I think that our father would want a report as quickly as possible, so perhaps you could order the men to spend time with their families as we travel to the tower?" Faramir asked it like it was a question, for if he had worded it in a statement he was sure the response would have been 'Come on Faramir, lighten up! Look around, find a lass to woo, and have fun! Drink some ale- after all this is a victory.'

Faramir then spoke again. "Also, the sooner you tell father about Naruto, the sooner you can get to know your…son." This part was whispered to Boromir, knowing that Boromir would see this as a chance to make up for his 'mistake'.

Boromir realized Faramir was right. He should talk to his father, but how to get the crowd quiet enough to hear him? "That's it!" thought Boromir, excitedly as he pulled the horn of Gondor from his belt and blew a short blast. All of the sudden the crowed stopped talking as Boromir yelled out. "Men and women of Gondor, we have come from a great victory today, so I am ordering all my men to spend the day with their friends and loved ones while Faramir and myself see my father!" The cheers came louder as a way was parted though to allow both brothers and Naruto to get to the tower. Boromir and Faramir were rushing their horses to get to the tower for two different reasons. Boromir because he wanted to introduce Naruto to his father and Faramir to make sure Boromir did nothing rash.

Denethor was eagerly awaiting his son's return. He had heard that the victory was one of the best lately with near non-existent losses and that he could proudly say was due to his son Boromir's leadership. So when he heard both his sons were coming, he decided on a big welcome. Denethor saw his sons enter, but it was strange- his son Boromir was leading a blonde child? The brothers stopped before their father and bowed. Naruto seeing this, followed suit. Denethor looked over the three before turning to face Boromir "Boromir. Who is this boy you have brought before me? An apprentice perhaps?" Denethor decided that it must be Boromir's apprentice- if it was, he would make sure the boy became one of Gondor finest.

Boromir looked directly at his father for a moment before speaking. "Naruto is not my apprentice…after the battle I decided to scout out the surrounding area. I saw a man trying to kill the boy and overheard the man tell how he had killed Naruto's birth parents and older sister and how he had raped both the boy's mother and sister…it is my duty to protect Gondor, yet I let this happen through my relentless focus on outward enemies, so I took Naruto as my son." Boromir's voice rang out throughout the throne room, startling the nobles and his father, Denethor.

Faramir just sighed. He knew that Boromir spoke rashly- that was one of his qualities, but he spoke straight to the truth. "But he could have told father alone." Faramir thought, sighing, as he shook his head.

Boromir continued his talk- running over the sudden buzzing conversation in the hall. "Naruto has also been blessed by the gods for his misfortune. They have deemed that he should heal very quickly." The nobles were looking at each other- the ones with young daughters already thinking that they should introduce them to position their daughters to wed royalty. The nobles with sons were also thinking about introducing them so as to set up a lifetime friendship and the attendant political power that friendship would accrue their family.

Denethor stared at Boromir in consternation. He then looked over Naruto. The boy was uncomfortable- Denethor reminded himself that he could not blame the boy, but he hated the fact that some unknown kid would become his grandson. "If you're sure son, then do what you feel is best." Denethor said to Boromir, but he vowed he would keep an eye on the boy- after all one could not be too careful. "Now go make sure Naruto is dressed appropriately to be the second in line for the stewardship of Gondor." Denethor really just wanted Naruto out of his sight for the moment so he could consider this new development.

Faramir released his held breath. "Well," he told himself, "that could have gone much worse!"

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