Faramir's first night in the Citadel alone but for the guards and two Elves from Imladris was a sleepless one. He desperately wanted a peaceful, restful sleep but every time he tried to close his eyes and let troubles be he remembered the anxiety he saw in Éowyn's eyes. He delivered himself a storm of condemnation, asking himself why he did nothing to allay her fears. Every time the only answer he could come up with was 'i also was afraid.'

The words of Denethor he had heard in his dream so many weeks ago resounded loudly. "Afraid! That is just it. Faramir is a weakling...." For the first time in his life, Faramir truly believed Denethor's belittling because he no longer had a brother to tell him differently. His father was not around, nor even his loyal soldiers.

He knew, of course, their reasons for absence at this time. Death, whether it gathered his loved ones personally or called them away to bury the dead, separated him from comfort. But now that Denethor's harsh words rang true, Faramir wept and felt as though his friends and family had deserted him because of his failings.

For all his study and for all he might have been able to recognize it in others, this time Faramir was unable to recognize the fell and dark dividing influence that ever haunted the race of mortal Men. Though Morgoth was eternally cast away into the Void, the seedlings of his evil were sown too deep to be rid of until the End of Days. And though it had only taken the power of Sauron to manipulate Denethor and Boromir and to, in the end, bring their downfall, it took much more to find weakness in Faramir.

When day dawned in Minas Tirith it brought great relief for Faramir. Finally he was able to stop pretending to try to rest. Now he could just go bury himself in his study and work on setting the kingdom in order. There was just one thing the Steward needed first: a short swim in the Anduin, not only to wake him but because when he had a brother a morning swim in the summer was a ritual with them.

Heading out of the city before too many people were awake to bother him, Faramir dove into the river, letting the cold water of morning shock him to wakefulness. After a few good laps he felt good again and came ashore, throwing himself down in the sunlight, pulling his cloak over him when a breeze came by. For a while he just lay and took in the warmth of the rising sun in contrast to the cool breeze and the cold river. He closed his eyes, listened to the bird life and before long he was no longer concentrating on any one thing. This morning so hearkened back to Boromir and Faramir's childhood.

Before Faramir realized, he was asleep on the river bank. He dreamed of one morning years ago when the brothers had gone for a swim after an early morning round of fencing. Faramir had thoroughly trounced his brother, but Boromir insisted it was because he was still tired. Faramir didn't care any for excuses, it was the first time he had ever bested his brother. Afterward they went down to the river and Boromir pulled Faramir in still half dressed. After a highly immature water fight they climbed back up to the banks and lay in the bright, warm sun.

"Fara'," Boromir said, "you gave me an excellent fight this morning, even if i was tired."

Faramir had no difficulty seeing through Boromir's pride-saving excuse and genuinely accepted the compliment for what it really was.

"I want to tell father of your improvement." Boromir already anticipated his brother's reaction though.

Faramir shook his head. "Don't Bor', just don't mention me at all to him, alright?"

Boromir reached out for his brother's hand. "If you really don't want to me, i won't. I just wish he would see you as i do. I can't understand why he treats you as he does. Just remember that you'll always be my little brother, Faramir."

"Thanks, Bor'. I guess i just have to try harder not to fail him."

Boromir laughed unexpectedly. "Little brother, if you try any harder you are liable to do some serious damage, to yourself or to someone else, like me," he said indicating the scratch to his right wrist he had just received.

"I wouldn't have done that much if you had worn your bracers," Faramir chided him.

Boromir chuckled. "I know, but i needed more wrist mobility to even up the fight a little. You really are excellent, Faramir. I'm glad you are on our side. And you should never listen to father's criticisms. This is a secret that i heard from Beregond's uncle, so forget it as soon as i tell you, but he said there used to be a ranger in Minas Tirith who was always better than father at everything. Even grandfather was close to him and trusted him with things that he didn't trust with father. Father was very jealous and you probably just remind him of that ranger. After all, you are the best man in Minas Tirith... every time i am away."

Faramir smirked. Boromir always had to conceal his admiration of his little brother with something self-flattering. "Thank you, Boromir. I appreciate that someone cares how i feel and approves of me."

Boromir looked at his little brother concernedly. "You know, i won't always be around to keep your spirits up, Fara'. Promise me you won't let self-doubt get to you. I admire you, Faramir, a lot. I know you will always make the right choices, the choices i would have hid from or given in to the easiest way for me."

"I promise, Boromir," Faramir assured him, not very certain himself though. "I'm glad you admire me, i think you know that i have always had a very high opinion of you too." Faramir turned his glance from his brother upward to the sky and watched the clouds wander along the breeze for a while. "I wonder whither our paths shall lead us," he murmured.

Boromir groaned. "That's always the kind of question you ask, things that have no answers. I swear you actually love thinking about things like that."

Faramir grinned. "I do, Bor'. It's the next best thing to reading."

"Well, i do not know where our paths will lead us, but i do know that we will always be brothers," Boromir said gripping Faramir's hand.

Faramir smiled brightly. "Always brothers," he confirmed, as they rested there on the bank of the Anduin, watching the clouds go by.

Faramir woke suddenly from his dream at Rathling's call. When the guard had found his Steward laying alone by the riverbank he feared to even come near Faramir, lest he come to a horrible realization. Faramir looked fine and healthy though, his breathing even and tranquil, and Rathling calmed down kneeling beside him and calling him to wake.

Faramir looked around him, wondering briefly where they were. "Rathling... i fell asleep?"

The guard nodded. "My lord, i am not surprised. You did not get the sleep you needed yesterday."

"I did not get the sleep i needed last night. I did not sleep," Faramir said, wishing he could just fall asleep again. Then he remembered the desk and tables in his study, covered with all manner of papers. He shook his head at Rathling's request that Faramir head back to his chamber and rest. He did accept, however, the use of the steed the guard had rode to the river on.