Disclaimer: All characters, places, things, hobbits and everything in between belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien

Chapter 7: Night

Faramir woke slowly, his mind passing from reality to mind's eye and back again until he opened his eyes to the heavy grey clouds that promised rain. A slight drizzle was drifting through the air and his face had a thin layer of water upon it. He wiped it away with his right hand but only to place the hand back down quickly. He had forgotten about the wound in his shoulder. A grunt passed through his lips and he tired to sit up.

The forest floor was no comfortable place to sleep. His back was covered in dirt, and the muscles were sore from laying in the same position all night. The water made his clothes feel heavier than usually and they chafed his skin whenever he moved. Altogether, he was cold, miserable and tetchy.

Once sitting, he looked around at his surrounding, not being able to see anything the night before in the moonless night. The ominous shadows of the trees he had seen were great brown oaks, with gnarled roots and broken branched, with great thigh thick vines flowing up the trunk like veins on the hand. The only grass in the area was around the trees, thick and soft, and to touch was like the woolen sword scabbard Faramir still had from his father.

'Glad to see you're awake.'

Faramir did not turn around. He still felt some bitterness towards his brother even though he had said he would be fine and deal with what ever punishment the Steward gave to him.

'I know you and father can never agree on something, whether that be strategy, fairness or even what to have to eat, but, brother, why can you not at least try and be open minded.'

'I cannot believe I am hearing this, from you of all people Boromir. I thought you believed in me.'

'I do believe in you. I am trying to tell you your faults because you are too clouded by them to see the truth.'

'And what truth would that be, dear brother?'

'That our father loves you.'

Faramir had laughed sardonically at the comment but knew better not too. He was acting like a child, and he knew it. Of course his father loved him, but the way he conveyed it to Faramir made it seem he was trying to say the opposite.

Author's Note: Short chapter here, but hopefully revising the last chapter makes up for it. :) Chapter 8 will be up soon!

Earnestly,

K. Elessar