A/N: Yay this chapter is finally up! It has been busy for my beta and myself lately. I hope you all enjoy this chapter! (1,233 words!)
Too Far Gone? - Found
Indad and Ceru watched from behind the trees.
"He has yet to move," comment Ceru looking to Indad
"That is not my problem," snapped Indad, walking away
"Let's go back home," Indad called over his shoulder. Ceru did not move, he just continued to watch the motionless Faramir, feeling slightly guilty
Imrahil look at the Erui River. It had been a long journey from Dol Amroth. He was on his way to Minas Tirith.
"Prince Imrahil, do you see that?" the Ranger said while pointing small body in the water. Imrahil nodded. The Ranger pulled the reigns of his horse and moved to the right. Imrahil held in hand to motion to the younger man to stop, and pointed to Ceru and Indad walking several yards in front of them. Imrahil squinted his eyes, and looked to path. Boromir? No Faramir with him, does that mean the body in the water is Faramir!
"Stop those two boys," he whispered to his companion as he leapt off his horse, and slowly walked to small boy in the water. Please let my eyes deceive me, at that not be Faramir.
Boromir dropped his backpack and ran to the river's edge, tears filling his grey eyes.
"Faramir!" Boromir yelled falling to his knees. He cradled is younger brother in his arms. Pushing Faramir's dark bangs off his forehead Boromir leaned forward and kissed it. Maena crouched down next to Faramir and placed his hand on his head, Boromir pulled his brother closer. Maena looked at his hand in horror, it was stained with blood.
"Boromir," Maena said gently "Faramir is bleeding." Boromir placed his hand on the back of his brother's head, and carefully lifted him from the water. Amenw took out a blanket for Faramir to lay on, and then one more to support his head.
Imrahil drew closer, he closed his eyes as a tear fell. It is Faramir. He thought as Boromir ran to the river's edge to cradle his little brother.
"Boromir! Faramir!" Imrahil called. Boromir turned around to surprised see his uncle.
"Uncle! Faramir is hurt," he said, his voice faltering. Imrahil knelt down next to his nephew, examining the extent of his injury.
"Prince Imrahil, Boromir," Maena called. "This is blood on this rock, it must be Faramir's" Imrahil walked over to examine what could have happened to cause Faramir to injure himself.
"There are footsteps here," he said pointing in front of the rock just ahead of the rock with the blood on it. "And, two different sets here and here" motioning to one set just in front of where Faramir's where and another set off to the left. "I saw two boys in the woods just after I noticed Faramir in the water, though at the time I did not know it was him." He lowered his eyes.
"Where are the boys now?" Boromir asked anxiously
"One of the Rangers, Hathoth went to apprehend them."
"Is that their uncle from Dol Amroth?" Ceru hissed. While neither boy had seen the man he bore a resemblance to the Steward's sons.
"Let's go!" snapped Indad pulling Ceru by the wrist, as he turned, but to his dismay he turned right into Hathoth. Ceru knew they were cornered and stopped, he fell to his knees begging for forgiveness, while Indad ran avoiding the Ranger's out stretched hand.
Hathoth ran after Indad knowing Ceru's plea was genuine, and there for he was not going to run off on him. Hathoth quickly caught up with the twelve-year-old boy. Hathoth place a hand on Indad's shoulder, and then called over his own shoulder for Ceru to join them.
"The Prince of Dol Amroth will deal with you; if you are lucky, it not you will be dealt with the Steward of Gondor," he said firmly as he led them to where Faramir lay.
When they arrived Imrahil was tearing fabric from a tunic to bandage Faramir's head. Ceru turned his head, and looked to Hathoth with shame in his eyes. Imrahil inspected the rest Faramir's body, when he reached his hand Imrahil noticed it was swollen. Imrahil used a broken tree branch, with strips of cloth to brace his hand. Imrahil stood up and began to walk towards his horse, when he stopped and noticed a book the river's edge, knowing his nephew he knew it must be one of his books.
This book looks familiar. When he opened the books he saw threw the running ink the elegant writing of his sister. Then he noticed several ripped and crumpled pages floating around, he picked them up.
"Uncle?" Boromir called. "This was Findulias' book" Imrahil said softly
"Mother's, the one Faramir treasures?" Boromir asked looking at the book in his uncle's hands.
"Aye," he said sadly. "It is one of the very few items your brother has from Findulias, he hardly has any memories of her." Imrahil stated, Boromir nodded in agreement.
"Mother always read to us from this book," Boromir said a tear running down is cheek. Imrahil stood up.
"Keep it safe on the ride back," the Prince said as he handed the book to Boromir. Boromir held the book close to his chest, and swiftly headed to where Hathoth stood with Indad and Ceru.
"Who did this?" he demand holding up the ruined book.
"I did," Ceru said, knowing that it be better to confess outright. With the book tucked under his left arm Boromir raised right hand and struck Ceru across the face.
"This book once belonged to our late mother, and means very much to Faramir and myself." He raised his hand to strike again but Imrahil caught him by the wrist. Ceru just stood there, not moving.
"This is not the time, we must make haste to Minas Tirith," Imrahil said as he called his horse over and then mounted her.
"Hathoth," he said calling over his companion. Hathoth nodded knowing what the Prince wanted him to do, he carefully lifted Faramir up on to the horse. Imrahil used his left arm to brace him and his right to hold the reins to his horse.
"Let's ride out. Hathoth, keep an eye out for the boys I will go ahead with Faramir." Boromir opened his mouth to protest. "Boromir, I know you wish you could come with me and your brother, but Hathoth needs help with the two delinquents," jabbing this thumb at Indad and Ceru.
"Begging your pardon Prince Imrahil, even with your skills, you still may need assistants with Faramir even if you ride straight through to Minas Tirith," Amenw said trying to help in Boromir's wordless protest. Then he looked from Imrahil to Hathoth and then to Boromir.
"Boromir can ride Hathoth's horse, Maena and myself can help Hathoth watch Indad and Ceru." Imrahil nodded, knowing that Faramir did not have much time and that Boromir would want to be by his brother's side.
"Boromir let's go, before it is too late, Hathoth I will meet you at the Citadel" He clicked his tongue to make the horse move, Boromir then followed suit.
"Will he be okay?" Ceru asked, feeling guilty for what they had put young boy threw. Indad scoffed. Hathoth looked at Ceru and said
"I do not know," Hathoth said as the Prince of Dol Amroth and the two young lords of Gondor rode away.
A/N: Hope you liked it! Chapter 5 will come as soon as I can.