III. In the Hallows
As the pale light of dawn began to sift through the shutters, Faramir sat up with a start, wondering why it was that he was supposed to wake early. Then he remembered that he was to visit the Hallows that morning, with Boromir. He tumbled out of his bed and splashed water on his face from the basin on the table, then quickly rummaged in his chest for suitable clothes. While he was pulling on his best blue leggings, a knock sounded on the door.
"Little brother? Are you ready?" Boromir stuck his head into the room. "We can get some bread and cheese from the kitchens to break fast before we walk down, if you will."
Nodding in agreement, Faramir followed him down the stairs.
They paused in the kitchens and coaxed fresh bread and soft white cheese from the yawning cook's helper. Boromir drank watered wine with his meal, but insisted that Faramir have simple grape juice instead. "You're not old enough yet to want wine," he said, only half-jokingly. "When you've campaigned a few seasons, then you can have it."
Faramir took a handful of dried figs as well, tucking them into his pocket. He always seemed to get hungry by midmorning these days. Boromir noticed this too, and clapped him on the shoulder, saying, "Eat up, Faramir, and you'll be as tall as I am soon."
"Maybe as tall, but I don't think I'll ever have your build," said Faramir a bit enviously.
"Nonsense, you just don't remember what I looked like at twelve, you were too young to really pay attention. I was nearly as gangly as you are."
"Yes, but I'm fourteen already," protested Faramir.
"It's all the same. You take after Mother's side of the family, they are all slower to reach their full height. Don't worry, you'll get there," laughed Boromir. "Especially if you eat as much every day as you did at supper last night!"
Faramir looked down at his shoes in embarrassment. "Let us go, then, if you're ready."
Back up the stairs, they stepped out blinking into the bright early morning sun. Boromir led the way through the tunnel to the sixth level of the city. Once past the stables they began to walk along the road towards Fen Hollen, the door through which one reached Rath Dínen, the Silent Street which would lead them to the tomb of Finduilas. The porter at the gate bowed to Boromir, and unlocked it to let them pass into the walled way.
"Tell me something about Mother," requested Faramir, as he usually did when the two of them made this journey. Her early death meant that his memories of her were few, if precious.
"She was beautiful, you know that from the portrait in Father's room. But she seemed somehow sad much of the time. I did not understand why, then, but now I think that she missed her home in Dol Amroth greatly, and especially walking on the shore of the sea. I have heard that the Elves can experience what they call the 'sea-longing,' and perhaps Mother felt the same way. You know that long ago Imrazôr of Belfalas wedded the Elf-lady Mithrellas, and their son Galador was the first lord of Dol Amroth. So we carry a hint of the Elven-blood ourselves."
"What do you remember best about her?" asked Faramir. "I remember her singing to me, and embracing me as she put me to bed, and telling me not to worry that I couldn't keep up with you, that someday I would. She had such a scent to her perfume, somehow like the wind and the sea and the stars all together. At times I think I can smell it again, when I stand on the parapets in the cool of a late spring evening."
"I, too," said Boromir softly. "And in Ithilien, should you ever go there, you will notice a similar scent, but a greener one, more of the land than the sea." He paused, then continued, "I remember her teaching me my letters when I was perhaps five, just before you were born. I was not as quick at my books as you are, you know, I always wanted to be outside running or wrestling or exploring the gardens and the city itself, but Mother was always very gentle and patient with me."
Their conversation had brought them along Rath Dínen to the House of the Stewards, next to the House of the Kings and nearly as impressive. Faramir shivered slightly as they entered the cool dimness of the great chamber in which the carven marble figures of his forefathers lay, guarding the mortal remains beneath. The most ancient monuments were set nearest the front, and the brothers threaded their way through to where Finduilas rested.
"I think, Faramir, that Mother would have preferred to be laid to rest in the ground in the south of the land, where her parents were buried near the shore," said Boromir quietly. "But Father preferred to hold to tradition and place her here."
Faramir nodded slowly, but said, "Had he not done so, we would not now be able to pay our respects to her memory here. And surely it can matter little, since she is now beyond the bounds of Arda entirely."
The two brothers remained for some time, sitting mostly in silent thought and the memory of beauty and kindness. At last Boromir rose.
"Come, Faramir, we had best depart now. I must go to meet with the council, and were you not to help lord Mithrandir?"
As they left the hall Faramir glanced back and sighed inwardly. For all his reluctance to visit alone, he still found this House a place of peace and comfort. But duty called, and a task he felt sure to enjoy, at that.
He looked over at Boromir, who seemed equally lost in thought, and to cheer him said, "Shall we race back? I've been doing rather well against the other boys, lately."
Boromir came back to himself and chuckled. "And test Mother's prediction for you, eh? Very well, but not until we are back in the city proper."
After they returned through Fen Hollen, he said, "On your mark – set – go!"
They ran along the curving road and through the tunnel, surprisingly evenly matched. First one drew ahead, then the other. Putting on his last burst of speed, Faramir nearly caught Boromir at the door to the Steward's House, but not quite.
"Whew, you have been improving," Boromir panted. "Next time I imagine you'll beat me, especially if you're practicing with the others very often."
Faramir grinned in delight. He had not really expected to do as well as this, and the praise warmed him.
"After that I had better tidy up before I see Father and the council. And so had you!" Boromir took the steps two at a time, Faramir following. He paused before the door of his room.
"We will meet this afternoon in the practice yard?" he asked.
"Surely," Faramir assured him. "You promised to spar with me, remember?"
"Yes. I have a new move to teach you, if you'd like. Until this afternoon, then," and Boromir went in through the doorway.
Faramir entered his own room to comb his hair and straighten his garments. He nibbled hastily on a fig as he hastened down the stairs towards the muniments room, where Mithrandir waited for him.
