Hey, anyone who happens to be reading this. Just wanted to say that A'mael Taren has a community at if you're interested. Also wanted to thank my, er, two reviewers. :P Well, y'know.

Disclaimer: Everyone belongs to Tolkien, the lucky bastard.

The Opposite Direction

Elboron cried, slamming the book shut and racing to the door. I'm off to practice!

Faramir sighed and watched his son go. The boy seemed to have no interest whatsoever in history, and however hard the steward tried to convince him that it was peacetime, and he really didn't need to practice his sword as often as he did, Elboron refused to listen.

When he shared his thoughts with Eowyn that evening, she pursed her lips and thought for a moment. He sounds like you as a boy, she said.

How so? Faramir didn't understand. I always wanted to read.

Eowyn replied. You always wanted to read, never to fight. His passions lead him in the opposite direction, but he is just like you that way.

Faramir considered this, and slowly, he began to smile. he said at last. I suppose he is.

Boromir's Important and Rather Amusing Change

Boromir, son of Denethor, was going through that time in his life that all boys go through during which they become men, and also during which everyone around them gets to laugh. Yes, his voice was cracking.

Faramir, pass me-E-e the apples, Boromir requested, his voice going from normal to high to low over the course of the word . His face remained stony.

Faramir tried not to laugh and ended up snorting rudely.

Boromir looked around for something to throw at his brother that wouldn't cause any serious damage. Coming up lacking, he settled to glare. Do I amuse you, brother?

Faramir shook with suppressed giggles.

You know, this means I am becoming a man, Boromir informed him proudly, but his slowly reddening face belied him.

This remark did nothing to somber Faramir.

This will happen to you, too, eventually, you know, Boromir muttered.

Faramir decided he'd think about that when it happened, and though he managed to stop laughing, his eyes still danced mirthfully.

Boromir threw a crumpled napkin at him.

Man, indeed, Faramir remarked, and with that the two took off out of the dining hall, Boromir chasing Faramir, both laughing and shouting wildly. No, Boromir was not yet a man.