Faramir cried as he laid in his crib alone. It was late at night. Two weeks had passed since Finduilas' passing and Denethor still wanted nothing to do with Faramir. Instead of raising him like a responsible parent, he let the maids look after him.
Boromir opened his eyes as Faramir's wailing could be heard down the hall. He got up and sleepily staggered down the hallway to Faramir's room.
"Little brother?"
Faramir continued wailing. Boromir walked toward the crib and reached inside taking Faramir's hand in his. Almost instantly, Faramir stopped crying and looked at his older brother with tears still in his eyes. Boromir smiled and reached to wipe his tears away.
"Don't cry, Faramir", he said. "I'm here."
He smiled as Faramir wrapped his little fingers around Boromir's fingers. A maid came in with a candle to take care of Faramir.
"My lord, Boromir", she said. "What are you doing here?"
"Faramir was crying", Boromir said. "It woke me up."
"I am here to take care of him now", the maid said. "You go back to sleep."
"I want to stay with Faramir", he said.
"No, lord Boromir. Your father will not allow it."
"Of course I will not allow it", they heard.
The maid gasped and bowed as they turned to see Denethor standing at the door. Boromir backed into the crib frightened.
"Papa…"
"Boromir, you shouldn't be awake at this hour", Denethor said.
"I heard Faramir", he said. "I wanted to be with him."
"You have no reason to be with him", Denethor said. "That child is going to be a big distraction for you. I do not want you associating with him during your training."
"Papa, Faramir is my brother", Boromir said. "I don't want to train anymore. I promised Mama I would take care of Faramir."
Before anyone could blink, Denethor reached out and slapped him across the face. Boromir fell to the floor with his hand on his cheek. Faramir cried in fear as he saw his older brother on the floor.
"Silence that child!"
The maid nodded and held Faramir in her arms rocking him back and forth. Boromir looked at his father in fear.
"I never want to hear you mention your mother ever again", Denethor said. "Now get up and go back to bed."
Boromir nodded fighting his tears back. Denethor turned and went back to his chambers to go back to sleep. Boromir looked down letting his tears fall. It was clear his life was going to be different. Finduilas was no longer here to protect him from his father's orders. He had no choice but to do as he was told.
"I want my mama", he cried.