Hello!

One shot number 2! ^^ This one has been requested by luckypixi, who is also my sister!

Enjoy...

The sky was a stormy grey, the flashes of lightning mingling with the dense rain, all the while coupling with the immense crashes of thunder that seemed to move objects inside the warm confines of the main tower.

Boromir was reclining on a long couch, the cushions thick and warm beneath him as he flicked through a volume on the History of Gondor. He hummed to himself as the storm lashed on, only looking up when he heard the insistent dripping noise of raindrops falling through the ceiling.

'Marvellous, we have a leak.' He muttered to himself, swinging his long legs off the couch and walking to the leak; it wasn't so bad, just a small hole where the roof needed repairing a little.

He shook his head as he looked around; there was never anyone around when you needed them. He shrugged and sat back on the couch. Someone would be along soon, it was nearly time to shut the Tower's windows; the inhabitants could only take so much wind whistling through the rooms.

He returned to his book, and became fully engrossed in one particular chapter, and sat still as he read with avid eyes, not caring about the storm around him.

Many minutes later, with the sky getting dark; an inky black covering seemed to sweep the sky, and the twinkling stars that appeared from under the storm like beacons in a fog, Boromir was awakened from his doze by an almighty crash from the door, followed by the heavy footfalls of what sounded like a very angry person indeed.

'Lazy, Ignorant boy-Your lucky the rain has stopped, otherwise you would have been looking for them in the storm, and the coldness would have claimed you, it's more than you deserve.'

'Father I can do no more than look for them-I will go out at first light-'

'Of course you will, and nay you return until they are found!' Denethor walked into the room where Boromir was sat, his eyes wide as he saw his father and brother standing there; Faramir was wet through, his sopping clothes dripping onto the stone floor, his hair stuck to his forehead. Their father was dry though, but held a murderous look in his eyes.

'What has happened?' he asked, standing up and eyeing his brother warily.

'Your brother has once again proved how useless and untrustworthy he really is, I ask for one thing, and one thing only-'

'-Father the gate was broken. It was all I could do to keep the other horses inside.'

'My prized, most loyal stallions-you know they fear the thunder, you know they kick up when challenged by idiot boys with no sense of following orders correctly!' Denethor yelled, his eyes scathing as he looked his son up and down, as if surveying a horse right there and then.

Faramir fell silent and looked down at his wet shoes. 'I can only apologise, and offer to find them at first light. I'm sorry father.' He said, not making eye contact.

Denethor sneered. 'You think sorry will make it better? You think sorry is going to bring back the horses?' he growled.

'Father, they are only horses after all. Why not buy more when the storm is over?' Boromir ventured, stepping between his brother and his father.

'I don't care that they are only horses, your brother-'he pointed under Boromir's arm to Faramir, who still hadn't looked up from the floor.

'-Made a mockery of me amongst the soldiers. A Steward of Gondor, whose own son can't follow instructions, and will mess up the smallest of jobs...he is an embarrassment, and you know it!' he spat, looking at his oldest son for confirmation.

Boromir's eyes widened. 'He is not an embarrassment father, give him a chance-he has a lot to learn, I agree. But you can't punish him for any slightest thing that goes wrong, I won't let you.' He said, hardly able to believe what was coming out of his mouth.

Denethor gave both boys an ugly, tight smile. 'So. You two have finally come against me, have you?' he whispered, his lips sheened with sweat.

Boromir looked at his father in shock, before turning to Faramir, who wore the same look; shock mingled with fear.

'Father that is not what I'm doing-I am merely defending Faramir...as you would do for Me.' he said, ashamed that he hadn't included Faramir in the last statement.

He and Faramir both knew of what his father thought of each of them, although they ignored it most of the time.

Denethor's eyes flicked to Faramir a split second before he smiled and looked back at Boromir. 'True, but he will still go at first light, and not return until my horses are returned.'

'Father, they must be many leagues by now-scared horses travel fast' Boromir quickly said.

'That is my final word.' Denethor stepped aside and gave his youngest son a sour look. 'You are lucky your brother was here to save you this time-otherwise the punishment would have been quite severe.' He sneered, before turning on his heel and marching out of the room, the door banging behind him.

Boromir felt Faramir deflate behind him, audible by a huge sigh. Boromir blew air out his cheeks as he motioned for his brother to sit next to him on the couch.

'Oh little brother...' he muttered, rubbing Faramir's arm comfortingly as his brother stared into the opposite wall.

'Why does he hate me so?' he whispered.

Boromir frowned and turned his brother's face to make him face his own. 'Father doesn't hate you, Faramir. He loves you very much, he just has trouble showing It.' he said.

Faramir pulled away. 'He seems to have no trouble showing it to you.' He muttered darkly. 'He wished to punish me for losing horses-he does not even do that to the men.' He said, shaking his head in anger.

Boromir sighed and stood up, pulling his brother's tunic to follow him. 'Why don't we go get an ale, forget about this whole business? I will accompany you to find the horses tomorrow, they shouldn't be too hard to find.' He smiled, wiping wet hair away from his brother's eyes.

'But you said...'

'I know what I said, but you'll have me-that's why it won't take so long!' he grinned, prodding Faramir's shoulder affectionately.

'Agreed?'

Faramir smiled. He didn't know why he always questioned his father and his ways-he had his brother, what else did he need?

'Agreed!' he smiled, and the two brother's walked in the direction of the great hall, away from the turbulent feelings and unease with their father, and into the light conversation that they had together, two brothers happy in each other's company.

Poor Faramir, but at least he has his brother ^^

Next one shot up soon-if you have any requests, please let me know and I'll get them done for you!

The next one shot has been requested by sassyfreind-I hope you'll all like it!

Xx