Memento Mori
Mere hours before his brother rode North on the quest, he came to find Faramir, working quietly in his room. He was carrying a small black case which he shoved unceremoniously into Faramir's hand.
"Here," Boromir said. "You should have got one years ago. You should have at least half a dozen by now."
Faramir turned the case around. It was rather bashed. "Beyond duty," he said. "But it has never been beyond my duty." He offered the case back, shaking his head. "I can't take this."
"You can and you will," his brother said roughly. "Valar's sake! Who else has done more? Or if you must be difficult, tell yourself you're minding it for me."
So he kept it, and he even wore it once, pinning it inside his tunic before he rode by his father's command to the river. Something of his brother to carry him, into darkness.
He woke to life, to the work of healing, to orphanhood and the stewardship. By some strange fate the brooch too had survived. He saw it on the table by his bedside: it was just within his powers to reach for it. He held it in his hand against his heart. Something of his brother to carry with him, into this brave new world.
Altariel, 6th August 2018