Exams are starting this Friday, and therefore I will (hopefully) be studying like crazy and will have no time for my fanfics and therefore I'm trying to write more for now.

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CHAPTER 24 : Boromir's Leave-Taking

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Boromir woke up with a start, and sat up in his bed. At first he was unable to remember what was so special about the day, and then it came to him. He was to begin his long journey to Rivendell this morning. He got out of bed and began to dress.

He never really knew why he had been so adamant that he went on this journey instead of his brother. Perhaps there would be some good if he left Gondor; things would then fall to Faramir, and maybe their father would finally recognise his brother's virtues. Or perhaps it was that dark, dreary feeling he got whenever he thought of the journey, and of the dangers it held. No matter how much time passed, or how much he respected Faramir, he would always think of Faramir as his little brother, not that much more than a lad.

Well, if there was need of anyone to come to harm, better him than his little brother.

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Aislin had woken up even earlier than usual, and had stayed in bed, holding on to Liana, who was curled against her. She wondered if the child had any idea what was about to happen, or if she would once again just have questions. She wondered why she was still so afraid of Boromir leaving Gondor and never returning. Surely the journey was not that full of peril? And Rivendell was definitely a safe place, the Elves would never let it be anything else. Then why was she so worried, so frightened?

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Boromir said goodbye to Denethor, then came to stand before Faramir. "Take care of yourself, little brother. Take care of Gondor, take care of Aislin, take care of Liana. Remember, never look down on yourself, Faramir, you are a honourable man," he told Faramir seriously.

"Yes, of course, Boromir."

The two brothers embraced, and Faramir tried hard to banish the tears clouding his eyes as he stepped back to allow Boromir to say his goodbyes to Aislin and Liana.

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Aislin stood a little distance away from Denethor and Faramir, holding on to Liana's hand tightly. Boromir came over, and first folded Liana into a tight hug. "Little Liana," he said softly. "You take care of yourself, and listen to Aislin, you hear?"

"Yes," Liana replied. "Father."

Boromir's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, looking at the eight-year-old. Then he smiled, tears in his eyes, and patted her head. "I love you, Liana." He looked into Aislin's eyes, and she shivered a little to see the emotion in them. Liana, as if knowing that her two "parents" wanted privacy, ran towards Faramir.

Boromir took one step closer to Aislin, clutching her hands. "Don't cry, Aislin," he said, even before Aislin noticed that tears were running down her cheeks. "Don't worry too much about me, I'll be fine, all right? I promise. Don't cry, love." He wrapped his arms around her, just letting her cry her tears away. "Don't be afraid. I promise I'll be all right. I promise, I'll be back as soon as I can, and then we'll be married, no matter what my father says. Don't cry… everything will be fine."

Aislin gave him a bitter smile, and pushed him towards his horse. "The sooner you leave, the sooner you return," she said through her tears.

Boromir nodded, and with one last wave to his father and brother, he mounted his horse, and rode out Minas Tirith. As Aislin stood watching him ride further and further away, one certainty came to her mind, one certainty that made her want to scream and cry.

Boromir would never fulfil his promises.

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Another short chapter but once again I didn't want to put this with anything else.