The Last Goodbye

by rugbytackle-me

A different take on how Aragorn and Arwen met and how this affected the journey of the Fellowship...Contains an OC. No slash.

4. The Brothers of Gondor

Chapter 4
The Brothers of Gondor

Faramir strode along the corridor in search of Boromir. He reached his chambers and knocked loudly. There was a grunt of reply from inside. Faramir waited for a few moments before the door was flung open and a disgruntled Boromir stood before him, wearing only his breeches, his face creased into a frown.

"What?" he demanded of his brother.

Faramir laughed softy before answering him.

"Father wishes to speak with you and I seem to have become his errand boy."

Boromir rubbed his face before replying.

"Very well I will be along in a few minutes. And I will speak to father."

Faramir smiled at his brother and left him to get changed.

Boromir closed the door and moved back towards the bed and gently shook the woman lying in there awake. She mumbled sleepily and batted his hand away.

"Sendil wake up. Come on lazy bones."

Her eyes flew open and she glared sleepily at the man towering over her.

"I was enjoying that dream." she grumbled.

Boromir sat down beside her and stroked her hair. "Oh yes? Was I in it?"

He slid back under the covers and wrapped his arms around her waist. She snuggled back into his chest.

"Well maybe."

They lay in silence for a few minutes before Boromir stirred.

"I have to go. My father wants to speak to me."

He slid out from the warmth of the bed and hunted around for his shirt and jacket. Sendil sat up and wrapped a sheet around herself before taking her dress and changing in the adjoining bathroom. When she came back through Boromir was standing fully dressed, waiting for her.

"Will I see you again tonight?" he asked her as she moved towards him.

She planted a kiss on his nose and nodded before moving away to the door. He hurried behind her and followed her along the corridor. She left him at the corner for she had to work in the market today.

He watched her leave before practically running to the main hall to talk with his father. As much as Boromir loved his father, sometimes he could be so cruel to Faramir. Boromir loved his little brother so much more than his father and Denethor knew it. It was also no secret that Denethor favoured Boromir over Faramir and Boromir didn't like it. His brother always seemed to be in his father's bad books and it troubled Boromir greatly. For as long as he could remember he had fought for Faramir, sometimes winning but usually not. Faramir in return loved his brother even more for sticking up for him. This was one battle that Denethor would not win; he could not break the bond between the two brothers.

Boromir reached the doors to his father's halls. He hesitated outside, summoning all his courage for although Boromir had fought many battles against the servants of Sauron and had seen many evils, what he was most afraid of was his father. Boromir always thought ominously when he heard that his father wished to speak to him. With his courage now full Boromir pushed open the doors and into the gloom that awaited him. His father sat on a throne at the other end of the room and Boromir could feel his eyes on him with every step that he took. At last he reached his father's chair and he stood waiting.

"Boromir. You are late. Did Faramir not tell you I wanted to speak with you immediately? That boy can do nothing right!"

Boromir looked up into his father's eyes. "Yes Faramir did tell me to come immediately but it was I that was late. Do not try to put the blame on Faramir. And why is he delivering your messages? You have plenty servants yet you choose your own son to run errands."

His father's eyes narrowed into thin grey slits.

He held Boromir's gaze and for once Boromir did not yield first. His father looked away and finished the discussion with a wave of his hand.

"I did not call you here to argue with you. Quite the opposite. Boromir you have grown into a fine man and the time has come to think of your future. As you are heir to the Stewardship you will have to produce an heir and to produce an heir you must marry. Boromir it is time to think about choosing a wife."

Boromir stared at his father in shock. Marry? He had not thought about that. He loved Sendil but his father would not approve this relationship, as she was the daughter of one of Faramir's old nurses. Faramir had grown up with her and although they had stayed close as friends it was Boromir who now loved her. He had met her when he had come across Faramir out in the gardens playing with a pretty little girl. He had been 12 and his brother 7. She was 9. He had taken no notice of her though until he met her again 20 years later. She had grown up and Boromir began to take an interest in her. He didn't get round to admitting his feelings for her until 5 years after that. The romance had blossomed and they had been together for about 3 years now. He saw her often when he was not away fighting and they had grown to love each other deeply. Although Boromir had not told Faramir he had a feeling his brother already knew. But now his father wanted him to marry another. That he could not do.

He lifted his head and stared his father straight in the eye.

"I do not want to marry."

His father turned to him, his grey eyes glittering.

"What?" he asked softly.

Boromir trembled beneath his father's icy stare.

"I do not want to marry." He repeated.

His father rose from his chair and walked down the steps to his son, never breaking eye contact.

"You will marry whether you like it or not. And I will choose you a suitable wife. Is that clear?"

Boromir shook his head. "I do not want you to choose me a wife and I will not marry."

Denethor's eyes had narrowed so much by now that Boromir wondered if they had shrunk into his head and disappeared completely.

"And why this sudden hate for marriage? You were never this against to it when you were younger."

Suddenly his father's eye lit up with understanding.

Oh no Boromir thought he's just realised why I do not want to get married. He knows I love someone else. But I won't give into him, I wont!

"Suddenly it all makes sense Boromir. The reason you do not wish to marry is that you love another. Well who is this woman that claims my son's heart? And why have you not told me this before? Is she unworthy of you? Is that it?"

Boromir stayed silent.

"Does your brother know of this? Well let's see shall we? Faramir!" he called out.

His brother's head came round the door; a look of surprise adorned his face.

"Yes father?"

"Well come here. I'm not going to shout."

Boromir's blood began to boil at the way he treated Faramir. He made to speak but Faramir had reached his side and put a hand on his arm to tell him to leave it.

Denethor turned to his younger son.

"Boromir and I have been having a small chat. I want Boromir to marry but he does not wish to. Now this seems a little strange to me as he is my heir and he himself needs to produce and heir. But then it came to me. He must love another but since he is not telling me I thought he might tell you, as the two of you are so close. Do you know anything Faramir?"

Boromir turned to look at his brother, his eyes pleading him not to tell if he did have an idea. But Faramir did not need his brother's stare to persuade him to tell Denethor nothing. He had an idea who Boromir loved but he would be dammed if he said anything. So many times his brother had saved his neck or let him off; he wasn't going to muck up the only chance he had ever had to help his brother. He looked his father straight in the eye as he answered.

"I know nothing about Boromir loving another."

Denethor regarded the pair for a moment.

"Boromir, you either show me who has stolen your heart or I will just find you a wife and make you marry her, it is quite simple."

Suddenly something inside Boromir snapped. He had had enough of his father and the way he ordered them about.

"Fine then. If that is what you want then I will show you." He strode away towards the door and flung it open, turning round to look at his brother and father questioningly.

"Well are you coming or not?"

Faramir and Denethor snapped out of their shocked daze and hurried to follow Boromir down the corridor.

Sendil stood behind her stall, laughing with some of the other women. Her business had been going well and she had taken some profit all ready though it was only just coming up to noon. The market was busy and crowded as always and laughing and chatter filled the air. Her gaze drifted up to the platform where Denethor would stand to make announcements to the city. Normally his two sons Boromir and Faramir would join him. As she was standing there thinking about Boromir, the great wooden door that stood in the middle of the platform, joining the Royal House to the platform, was flung open. Boromir stood framed in the doorway. Sendil gasped. What was he doing here? Boromir never came to market. The women she was talking to looked round at her gasp of surprise.

A shout went up and in seconds the whole market place was silent, looking up at the heir to the Stewardship of Gondor. He seemed unfazed by the looks he was receiving and merely turned back to look inside. He moved aside and to everyone's amazement Denethor and Faramir joined him on the platform. Although Denethor looked as calm and collected as usual Faramir had a look of surprise on his face. What was Boromir up to? Denethor went the grand seat that had been made for him and sat down, watching his older son carefully.

Boromir paced the platform, his emerald green eyes searching the crowd and his cloak swinging round him when he moved. Faramir stood just beside his shoulder and murmured in his ear but Boromir just shook his head and went back to searching the crowd. Faramir also looked out and caught Sendil's eye. He raised a questioning eyebrow at her but Sendil just shook her head. She had no idea what Boromir was up to. Suddenly Boromir stopped dead. It seemed he had found what he was looking for. He leapt down from the platform and began making his way through the crowd. At this even Denethor started in his chair and sat up straighter. Faramir chuckled at his older brother. He could be so rash sometimes. Boromir was still forcing his way through the crowd though this task was an easy one as he was a strong man and the crowd was parting before him, all wanting to know what he was doing. Had the future Steward of Gondor completely lost his head?

Sendil suddenly realised that Boromir was heading her way. Half of her was filled with dread but the other half was, as always, filled with happiness at the sight of him. The crowd was thinning rapidly about her and she made to move to the side when Boromir caught her eye. She stood pinned to the spot like a deer caught in headlights. The crowd parted before her and there he stood barely 5 feet from her. She felt naked under his intense gaze, his eyes raking all over her body. He moved towards her and the whole world seemed to slow as if she was watching him on slow motion. She watched his every move, the way his hair fell over his eyes when he moved his head, the way his eyes never left hers. And suddenly he was in front of her. Sendil closed her eyes. What is he doing? Her mind raced. He can't do this. He deserves someone better than me. His father will not approve. Oh no. Oh no. Boromir's hands closed round her face and his lips brushed hers. No don't do it Boromir. His lips were on hers again, his tongue urging her mouth to open. No...don't...stop...She fought for control of her mind but it was hopeless when Boromir held her close. She gave way to him, her mouth opened under his and her hands slid up his face into his soft golden hair.

The force of his kiss was making her dizzy and she felt herself falling, falling into Boromir, sinking into his mouth and welcoming arms and strong muscular chest. He moved fractionally away from her, breathless and stared into her eyes. Sendil couldn't read what was going on behind those emerald eyes but suddenly his face changed and the love for her shone through, lighting up his face, a small smile tugging the edge of his lips. She sighed with relief and smiled back at him before remembering where she was and whom she had just been kissing.

Her face began to warm with embarrassment. And by the look on Boromir's face he felt exactly the same as her but he recovered quickly and, taking her hand, led her through the astonished crowd, back up towards the platform and his father and brother who looked on in amazement.

Boromir leapt up onto the platform and pulled Sendil up gently. He then turned towards his father who had a face like thunder.

"Well father. Sendil is the reason I do not wish to marry someone else. I love her."

Boromir glanced over to Faramir who to his relief smiled and walked over to him. But before he could say a word Denethor spoke.

"Boromir. A word. In private. NOW!"

With that he rose and exited from the platform. Boromir took Sendil by the hand and led her away from the crowd who had now begun to chat with excitement. Faramir followed his brother and friend into the gloom of the hall. Denethor had returned to his halls and expected Boromir to follow. Alone.

But Boromir, being Boromir, did not realise this and was about to set off with Sendil in tow when Faramir stepped in front of him and raised an eyebrow. Boromir looked at his brother blankly for a moment before it dawned on him. He turned back to Sendil.

"I have to go and speak with my father. Will you stay with Faramir?"

She nodded and he leant in and kissed her quickly. Sendil watched him stride off down the corridor before she turned to face a grinning Faramir. She rolled her eyes. He was gong to enjoy this.

"Shall we go for a walk?" he asked her.

Sendil smiled and took the arm he offered her. He led her out into the gardens and into the sunshine.

"I'm hurt Sendil. My brother and one of my best friends having a romance right under my nose and you didn't tell me."

He turned away from her with mock hurt on his face. Sendil laughed and punched him lightly on the arm.

"Oh come on Faramir. I've known you all my life. I know you had an inkling. You may be able to fool Boromir and even your father but not me. I always saw when you were lying."

Faramir sighed dramatically. "Yes you are right as usual. I did have some idea. Ever since you first met him when you were only 9. I looked at you when Boromir came into the garden to talk with me and I saw you were thinking 'I'm going to marry that boy when I grow up.' Although Boromir didn't notice you properly until about 20 years later. He was always slightly slow when it came to women. But that was some time ago. How long then?"

Sendil sat down on a bench and Faramir joined her.

"Oh I don't know. Let me think. It must be about 3 years now. But...what will Denethor say? Have I landed Boromir into trouble? I know Denethor won't approve of his heir loving me, a nurse's daughter."

Faramir looked distressed. "Sendil, oh Sendil do not fret. Do you not see? It was Boromir who went out and proclaimed his love for you in front of the whole of his city and father and me. You have loved Boromir for 3 years and you still don't know him! He would never do something like that unless he really loved you. And if he really wants something he won't let father take it away from him."

Faramir slipped his arm around Sendil's shoulder and drew her close to him. She sighed and relaxed on him waiting for Boromir to return.

When Boromir came to stand in front of Denethor once more he was feeling a lot more confident than he had been the last time. The anger towards his father still burned hot in his heart and coursed through his veins, giving him renewed courage. Denethor did not even look at his son as he entered. He was standing over at the window and gazing out over his land and into Mordor. The door shut ominously behind Boromir and he suddenly felt trapped. He stood silent, waiting for his father to speak. He did not have to wait long.

"Boromir. You have shamed us all. This love for a nurse's daughter will stop immediately. Is that understood?"

Boromir's fiery anger at his father suddenly turned icy cold. He did not answer and at last his father turned to him.

"Boromir! Have you now become insolent towards your father? Faramir is a bad example for you."

"How dare you." Boromir's voice was low and cold. "How dare you ridicule Faramir like that!"

Denethor steel grey eyes met with his son's.

"What did you say?"

Boromir jutted out his chin. "You heard me. I said how dare you ridicule your own son like that? He is your own flesh and blood. Do you not love him?"

"And may I say to you how dare you speak to me like that! You will go to your chambers until you have learned to speak properly to your father. Be gone with you."

But Boromir did not move. "I will not go. First you speak against the woman I love then you speak ill of your own son. What kind of man are you? What kind of example have you set to Faramir by ignoring him?"

Denethor moved so that he was standing right in front of Boromir and their noses were only centimetres apart.

"Get out of my sight. I do not wish to speak with you again. If you wish then you may squander away your life with that whore. You are no longer my heir!"

Denethor turned from his son with a swish of his cloak.

Boromir laughed mirthlessly. "And who are you going to name your heir? You will not choose Faramir for you loathe him. You will need an heir to make sure the line of Stewards is unbroken."

In one swift move Denethor turned to Boromir and slapped him hard across the face. Boromir staggered from the force of the slap. He brought a hand up to his mouth and cheek and found it stained with blood. He turned to face his father but before he could he was hit again, on the same cheek. Boromir showed no sign of pain nor did he retaliate. He simply took the hits as they came. Once more he was slapped across the cheek. Blood ran down his face and dripped onto his neck. His father hit him round the mouth with his fist and Boromir's lip burst. He staggered backwards and slipped, falling to his knees. He saw his father's feet move to stand in front of him. He raised his head slightly and Denethor's knee slammed into his son's face.

The crack of bone resounded round the room. Boromir shut his eyes and waited for the pain to pass before he got unsteadily to his feet. His mouth held the coppery taste of blood and his face stung.

He looked his father square in the eye.

"You will never get away with insulting Faramir or Sendil. That I vow to you."

He turned on his heel and marched out of the hall, blood still running freely down his face.

He went to the gardens and as he had hoped he found Sendil there with Faramir. His brother saw him approach and started in shock. Sendil looked and screamed in terror. Faramir stood up.

"Boromir! What...how...what happened?" he asked.

"Faramir, Sendil come we are leaving."

"Leaving?" Faramir sounded bewildered. "Leaving? Where are we going?"

Boromir strode off back into the castle. "We are leaving Gondor. Come Faramir."

Faramir and Sendil ran after Boromir who was making for his rooms.

"Boromir! Stop! Boromir!" Faramir grabbed Boromir's arm and pulled him round.

"Boromir. What happened? Why are you bleeding? And your nose..." Faramir gasped.

Boromir's nose was squint and leaned into his left cheek.

"Your nose...is it broken?"

Boromir raised a hand and carefully checked his nose. He winced.

"It looks like it yes. Come in and I will explain."

He opened the door to his rooms and ushered Faramir and Sendil inside. He closed and locked the door behind him before crossing and sitting heavily on the bed. Faramir sat down at Boromir's desk while Sendil joined Boromir on the bed. She gently covered his hand with hers while Boromir began to talk.

"I stood up to father. I told him what I thought of him and the way he treated you Faramir. He wanted me to stop loving you Sendil but I cannot do that. I told him what I thought of him and he hit me. He slapped me three times. Then he punched me in the face. I fell to my knees from the force behind his hand. He stood in front of me and as I raised my head to look at him he slammed his knee into my face, breaking my nose. I stood up to him and told him he would never get away with insulting either of you. Then I left him. And now I am leaving Gondor. I am no longer his heir he told me so. I do not want you to be left alone with him. He is dangerous. Please come Faramir. I fear for you. If this is the way he treats his favourite I dread to think of what he might do to you."

Faramir was still reeling from what Boromir had just told him.

"He...he hit you?"

Boromir nodded.

"You. He hit you?"

Boromir growled with impatience. "No Faramir. I decided to hit myself. Yes he hit me!"

Faramir just looked at him.

"Come Boromir we must clean your face. Your lip has swollen to twice its size, your nose is squint and your cheek is bleeding badly as is your nose."

He rose and moved towards Boromir.

"No! Leave it be. I want him to see what he has done to his son. For I need to speak with him one last time."

"But your nose..." Faramir protested.

Boromir grabbed his nose and crunched it back into place. He grimaced in pain and Sendil turned white. Before Faramir could speak there was a timid knock on the door.

"What?" Boromir yelled out. Another knock answered him and Faramir went to unlock the door. A small head appeared round the door soon followed by a thin body. A boy of no more than 7 stood there. He was trembling all over.

Bergerat had been over the moon when one of Denethor's door wardens had grabbed him and told him to take a message to the Lord Faramir.

"Tell him Denethor wants to see him now! And be quick."

He had shoved Bergerat in the direction of Faramir's rooms and Bergerat had hurried off. But no one was in the Lord Faramir's room save a lady tidying and changing the bed sheets. Knowing that the two brothers were inseparable he had decided to try Boromir's chambers, knowing that Faramir spent a lot of his time there. He had always wanted to speak to either of the Lords but now that Lord Boromir stood in front of him, blood running down his face, he was terrified beyond words. He opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was a frightened squeak. A hand was placed on Boromir's shoulder and Bergerat looked up to see Faramir standing there.

"Boromir," he scolded, "do not be so harsh. He is only a child and has done nothing to offend you. Calm down and take a seat."

Boromir resided and Faramir turned to Bergerat.

"Well do you have a message for Boromir?"

"No sir I have one for you. Denethor wants to see you immediately."

He stood waiting to be dismissed by Faramir but Boromir spoke first.

"Faramir, do not go. I beg you. Leave with me. Do not go to him. You do not know what he will do."

Bergerat wondered why Boromir did not want Faramir to see his father and as he was thinking this he also wondered why Boromir was dripping with blood and why there was a lady sitting in with the two brothers. He did not have the chance to ponder for long as Boromir turned to him.

"Boy. You have delivered your message. You may go."

Bergerat bowed and rushed from the room. He did not have to reply to the guards, he had not been told to so he rushed off home to his mother.

He burst through the door to his house and ran through to the kitchen.

"Mother, mother! Where are you?"

His mother's head poked round the door to the kitchen.

"Bergerat. Why do you rush into the house and yell for me? I thought you were up at the castle today?"

"I was mother. And I was told to take a message to the Lord Faramir. So I went in search of him and he was with Boromir in Boromir's chambers."

"Bergerat!" his mother interrupted. "Speak properly. It is the Lord Boromir to you."

"Sorry mama. So I was in the Lord Boromir's chambers and he was sitting on the bed with blood dripping down his face! My message was that Lord Faramir was to go to see Lord Denethor at once but Lord Boromir did not want him to go. He said he was leaving. And soon by the sounds of it. There was also a lady in with him, the pretty one that works on the stall where you buy threads and stuff. Do you know why she was there?"

His mother nodded. "In market today Lord Boromir proclaimed his love for her. It made everyone gossip I can tell you. Some of the girls now think there is hope for them with Lord Faramir! But what is this about Boromir leaving? Forever perhaps? I must tell the others for I want to see him off. But if he does not return then who shall take the Stewardship for Faramir will leave with him."

She bustled off muttering to herself. Bergerat, pleased that he had told his mother, rushed back to the castle to finish his jobs.

Faramir had decided. He would leave with Boromir and Sendil. They would leave at once, take horses and go. Where, he did not know. He had been having strange dreams of a place called Imladris. Boromir had had them also. Perhaps they would travel there and see what was going on. He was in his own chambers, packing light for the journey. Boromir was back at his also packing and after he was escorting Sendil back to hers to collect a few belongs and to say goodbye to her family for though Boromir had tried to persuade her to stay behind she would not. Putting the light pack on his shoulders he reached for his sword and hurried back to Boromir's chambers. Boromir had also finished packing and was about to set off. On his back with his pack sat the great shield he carried and hanging down by his waist was his sword and also the Horn of Gondor. He would go nowhere without it.

Boromir nodded grimly at his brother. Faramir was to go and get his own horse with Boromir's and to collect a horse for Sendil and meet them at the gates in ½ an hour. Boromir set out with Sendil to her house. Luckily it wasn't far off from the castle and they managed to reach it without anyone seeing them. Once Sendil had packed and had said goodbye to her father and sister (her mother had died the year before) they were ready to leave. Boromir took her round a back way to reach the gate and meet Faramir but when they entered into the square by the gate Boromir's heart sunk. It was crowded with people.

Somehow word had got out. He saw Faramir standing trying to keep control of three flighty horses. The crowd suddenly went silent when Boromir appeared. A gasp of shock went up when they caught a glimpse of his face. The blood was beginning to dry, making his normally handsome face seem ugly and gruesome. He made his way to him and took control of his own horse Leo and handed Sendil Starlight, a light brown mare, leaving Faramir to handle his own horse Ardil. Leo was fiery just like the lion he was named after. He was jet-black all over save a small flame of white on his head; this gave Boromir the idea of naming him Leo. He only answered to Boromir or occasionally Faramir if he was in a good mood but today he was not and even Boromir had a hard time quietening him. People were crowding round the trio and the horses were beginning to act up again.

Boromir made sure Sendil was in between him and Faramir just in case the crowd turned nasty. The crowd was loud and noisy and Boromir had just about had enough of trying to keep Leo from kicking everyone in the distance of his lethal hind legs and everyone staring at his face like there was no tomorrow when trumpets sounded. The crowd turned as one and even Boromir and Faramir looked up. They knew that call-it was their father. Denethor entered and stepped onto a raised piece of ground so he could see the whole crowd. He held up his hand and the crowd quietened quickly.

"Why do you crowd the gate? Who is leaving?"

A guard ran up and whispered something in Denethor's ear. Denethor turned slowly to look for his sons. The crowd dispersed around them and Boromir grabbed the opportunity and mounted Leo, Sendil and Faramir following suit. He rode forward to face his father.

"Why Boromir what has happened to your face? Who inflicted such pain on you?"

Boromir stared at his father in disbelief.

"Father surely you know who did this to me?"

Denethor merely looked at Boromir.

"For it was you father! Or do you not remember throwing me to the floor and smashing my nose? Surely my blood still stains your floor. Or have you had it washed already? No one must know what you did to your own son!"

For once the crowd did not gasp or make a sound. They stood in stunned shock. As if some greater power from above was controlling them, their heads all swivelled to Denethor. His face had not changed; he still looked as calm as ever. Nothing changed in those grey eyes. At last he spoke.

"Boromir when have I ever hit you? Never would I do that to one of my own sons."

Boromir's voice was a cold as ice.

"Never father? But I do not believe you there. At all times you treat Faramir with disgust. You're ashamed that he is your son. Nothing he can do will ever make him good enough for you. Do you not see? All the time Faramir tries to please you and ever time you only reject him further. He shows nothing of the pain you cause him. How would you feel father? If your father, the one you look to for guidance and love, turns you away like a beggar child?"

Faramir rode up to Boromir and touched his arm. "Boromir leave it."

Normally the rational voice of his brother would make him stop and think but this time he just shrugged off Faramir's touch.

"No Faramir. To long have I let him get away with it but now he must learn."

"No please Boromir just leave it."

"Faramir he has to understand."

"NO!" Faramir yelled at his brother. "No. You don't get it do you? Just leave it. You're only making things worse."

Tears spilled down Faramir's cheeks.

"Just...just leave it."

Boromir turned to his brother in amazement. "Faramir I am trying to make him see..."

"Well don't! Boromir I know you mean well and all you want is for my well being but just leave it."

"Faramir I don't understand. Why do you let him treat you like this? Why do you never fight back?"

"Why?" Faramir was still yelling. "Do you wish to know the reason why I let him do this to me?"

Boromir could only nod.

"I let him because I know that whatever he has done to me, my brother will benefit from it. I knew he would favour you from the age of 7. I knew he would never accept me. And I let him do this because I want only the best for you Boromir. When I was a child I thought you were a god, you were always there for me, to protect me from father and keep my spirits up. You were always the one that loved me, when mother died. I let him treat me like shit for you. You do so much for me and it's the only thing I can do to somehow repay you."

Faramir fell silent and Boromir could not speak. The crowd had been watching the brothers' talk like they were watching a game of tennis. Denethor merely watched them, his exterior calm still there.

"Do you understand now?" Faramir asked his brother, tears streaming down his face.

Boromir stared into his brother's green eyes; his own filled with sadness and anger at himself. Sendil had stayed silent the whole time, watching, waiting for her time to speak. Boromir stretched out his hand to Faramir, to try and console him. But Faramir flinched away from his brother's touch. With a swift turn of Ardil's head Faramir dug his heels into the animal's sides and the horse took off at a gallop. The crowd parted before him and in a trice Faramir was out of sight and passing the city gates.

"FARAMIR!" Boromir yelled at his brother's retreating back.

"No! Come back! Sendil, come we must follow him."

Leo was ready, anticipating a good chase and Boromir only had to release his reins a little and the horse was away like a speeding bullet. Boromir heard the clattering of hooves as Starlight followed close behind, he heard the yell of his father for him to stop, he heard the gasps of the crowd as they realised that he and Faramir had left.

As he passed the great gates to Minas Tirith Boromir realised that he had, finally, left the city, never to return. Ahead of him, in the noon sun, he saw a flash of white. Ardil.

Faramir felt the tears sting his face. Reaching up he brushed them away and urged Ardil on. He had heard Boromir call out his name but he could not stay. His heart was torn when he heard the sorrow in his brother's voice. He knew the pain he was causing Boromir but he must get away. He lay flat across Ardil's back and he felt the horse's pace lengthen. The fields he had grown up in sped past him. He finally felt free. Not even when he had gone marching away from the city into battle had he felt free. He knew he always had to return and often, when Denethor had been at his cruellest he had thought that death was the way to go. But at the last moment he had been saved either by one of his men or of the thought of Boromir broken, having to face father alone. But now, with the wind whipping his hair from his face, he felt free. He risked a glance over his shoulder and was startled when he saw the black form of Leo heading straight after him, not far behind he saw the brown of the mare Sendil had mounted.

No! They must not follow him. They were fools. They should have stayed in Minas Tirith. Boromir should have become Steward. He knew his brother had talked of leaving but in his heart he had thought that he never would. He loved his city too much.

"Faramir!" Boromir yelled out over the top of Leo's ears.

But Ardil did not slow and Faramir gave no sign of hearing Boromir. Boromir glanced over his shoulder to make sure Sendil was still there. She was, not far behind. Her face was grim and determined as she whispered to Starlight who quickened her pace and gained on Leo. Boromir turned back to Faramir. He could see Leo was slowly gaining on Ardil and his heart leapt. He stood up in the stirrups and called out to Faramir once again.

"FARAMIR!"

Faramir heard Boromir bellowing his name but he did not slow. He couldn't face his brother, not yet. But Ardil was slowing. He wasn't used to being run at such a pace for so long. Leo on the other hand was and even now Faramir could hear the sounds of the horse gaining on him. He sighed dejectedly and pulled on Ardil's reins before leaning over and apologising to the horse and scratching his ears. He slipped off the saddle and let Ardil wander. He did not turn to face the two horses approaching him.

Boromir blinked. Was Faramir slowing down? He looked again. Yes he was, in fact his horse had stopped and Faramir had dismounted and was standing a little way off. He slowed Leo and waited for Sendil to catch him up she rode up and glanced over at him, her smile warming his heart, her eyes reassuring him. He dismounted and Sendil took the reins without question. She whispered to him, her voice barely audible

"Go on Boromir. You are doing right."

Boromir took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and turned to in Faramir's direction. He walked over softly until he stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Faramir was looking over the green fields towards the Sea.

"I am sorry Faramir. I never knew how much he was hurting you, how much you went through. If I did I would have put a stop to it. Please Faramir."

Nothing moved and the place was silent except for the sound of the horses in the background.

"Faramir? Please talk to me!"

Boromir moved in front of his brother, his green eyes locking with Faramir's grey eyes. Faramir moved to avert his gaze but Boromir grabbed his brother's face in his hands, holding him, making him look at him. And he did. For long minutes the brothers looked at each other, one trying to break the others barriers, the other holding back his feelings. Boromir released his brother's face but Faramir did not notice. Boromir didn't know how much time had passed, it could have been minutes or hours, before Faramir dropped his defences and Boromir could read the emotions rushing behind Faramir's eyes. It took Boromir's breath away. He was a mess. He was feeling every emotion known to man and Boromir could do nothing to protect his beloved younger brother.

He stepped forward and enveloped Faramir in a hug. Faramir stood rigid against his brother's chest before collapsing against him, finally getting rid of the pain and hurt he had kept bottled up for so long. Boromir held him, soothing him, letting him wash himself free of his father.

Sendil watched the two brothers, a smile on her face for because Boromir and Faramir were so very close he had never seen Boromir show his emotions towards Faramir this much before.

Leo tossed his head and stamped his foot, eager to do something. Sendil quietened him and glanced over her shoulder to Gondor. She would miss the White City. It was all the she had ever known and now she was facing the wild world. And she was scared. She had never been outside the city and she didn't know what to expect. But Boromir and Faramir would be there. If she had any chance of surviving it was because Boromir and Faramir were with her. They were always away fighting and knew the land around Gondor almost better than they knew their own city. All Sendil knew was that they were heading for a place called Imladris, some kind of elven retreat. Sendil wanted to see the elves-they were rumoured to be such beautiful creatures. The sound of Boromir brought her out of her daydream.

"Feeling any better Faramir?" Boromir gently asked his brother.

Faramir nodded against Boromir's chest before pulling away from him.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you more Boromir but I am fine now. I feel much better. Now shall we carry on out journey?"

Boromir smiled broadly and went to relieve Sendil of a very bored Leo. He too looked back at Gondor but something caught his eye. He squinted against the sun, trying to see what it was. Realisation dawned on him. Crying to Faramir and Sendil he leapt onto Leo.

"Quick. Father's guards are coming. We must leave."

In a trice all 3 horses were on the move, Ardil was leading, Starlight in the middle and Leo was bringing up the rear much to his disgust. Faramir knew the land better so Boromir had let him led. Also he wanted to keep an eye on the men from Gondor. Faramir suddenly swerved into the forests that had began on the left-hand side. He led them a winding path round and round to try and confuse the men if they came this way. At last after a few hours of hard riding they came to a clearing near the edge of the forest. Faramir halted and looked at his brother and Boromir nodded his approval of the camping ground. After the horses had been tied so that they could not run but so that they were on hand to make a quick getaway Faramir moved to start a fire while Boromir set out a bedding roll for Sendil.

She watched him check the ground and lay out her blankets. He finished quickly and stood up in front of her, brushing away a stray lock of hair. To Boromir she looked tired and worn out. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her softly on the lips. He rocked her gently, her head resting on his chest, kissing her hair. Faramir called over that the fire was ready and that the food was cooked. Boromir led Sendil over to the fire, sat her down and handed her a plate of food. He then went to speak with Faramir.

"I'm worried Faramir. What if these men find us? What will they do with us? And Sendil? We may be strong but we cannot fight a whole army!"

"I don't know Boromir. But let us just see what the night brings okay?"

Boromir nodded. "That is true Faramir. I'm glad you are here. I would lose my head and say something I would later regret if you were not here to keep an eye on me."

"Ah Boromir you are not that bad. You care for Sendil I know that."

"And you Faramir. I care for you also."

He broke off and looked out into the surrounding forest, sensing something was wrong but not knowing what. A twig snapped and Boromir's eyes flew to his right, searching the gloom, looking for unseen shapes. Faramir listened beside him, wondering what his brother had heard. Sendil glanced at both men and instinctively moved closer to the fire. Boromir looked at Faramir and immediately he fell back towards Sendil. Boromir drew his sword, wincing at the sound it made, hearing Faramir do the same. His heavy shield lay over by the bedding and Boromir cursed silently. He moved forward towards the gloom trusting Faramir to cover his back. He had no idea of what was out there and he wasn't much use to anyone dead so he stopped a few feet away from the nearest tree. There was a rustle in the trees above him and before he knew it an arrow flew silently and landed by his feet. Boromir jumped back, eyes glancing in all directions. He had no skill with a bow so he decided to confront the silent assassin.

"Stop hiding. Come and face me like a man."

This was met by a low chuckle and Boromir struggled to keep his growing anger under control.

"Well are you coming down or not? What are you? A man or a mouse?"

Again there was another chuckle followed by a lilting voice.

"But good sir I am neither."

A frown creased Boromir's forehead.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you see..." here a being leapt down from the tree and straightened up in front of him. "I am an elf."

The elf's blond hair hung straight down from his head, untouched part from a braid down his left ear, his brown eyes filled with mirth. He wore a light green tunic and brown leggings. Attached to his back was a quiver full of arrows and in his hands he held his bow. Sendil gasped.

The elf did not seem concerned by the swords in Boromir and Faramir's hands; he merely looked around the clearing, his eyes searching for another hidden being.

"Well Estel you can come out now. You have won."

Boromir looked round startled. "There are more of you? How many? Elves?"

Again the elf laughed. "Only one more, a man, a Ranger. But he can tell you his own story. I wish not to, it bores me."

"Ah Legolas you flatter me!"

A scruffy man dressed all in black stepped out of the shadows of a nearby bush. Boromir had had enough of elves and men and his temper snapped. He spun and raced towards the man, sword raised. The man moved quickly aside, Boromir's sword just missing him, surprise widening his blue eyes. He drew his own sword and Boromir attacked again. It was fierce and furious, both men equally trained and skilled with the sword. At last by chance 'Estel' tripped over a tree root and fell, his sword flying out of his hand. Boromir towered over him, a menacing figure in the dancing firelight, ready to kill. A gale of laughter stopped him.

Carefully turning so he could still kill the man, Boromir faced the laughing elf. Boromir's mood darkened. Storming over to the elf he grabbed him by the collar and shoved him up against the nearest tree trunk.

"And what may I ask" Boromir growled "Is so funny about me being ready to kill your scruffy friend?"

The elf was turning red with the attempts to stop laughing and also Boromir's hold on his throat was beginning to choke him.

"I assure you it has nothing to do with you. I was merely laughing at my friend's most ungraceful fall over that tree root."

The elf managed to choke out. Boromir released him and he fell into a laughing heap on the floor. Boromir moved over to Faramir and Sendil.

"Come let us go. We cannot linger here. Faramir can you collect the bedding and extinguish the fire while I get the horses?"

Faramir nodded and moved silently towards the bedding, observing the man still on the floor carefully. Boromir moved to the horses, which had perked up considerably. He reached for the reins and soon all 3 horses stood ready to go. 'Estel' it seemed had recovered his sword and was helping the elf up. Faramir handed Boromir his pack and shield and took Ardil and Starlight from him, before helping Sendil mount. Boromir swung himself onto Leo and turned to wait for Faramir to mount and led them on. But the man's voice stopped him.

"Please wait. We meant no harm. I am sorry. What is your name?"

Boromir turned Leo's head, the horse snorting in impatience.

"And why should I tell you? You are the strangers to this land."

The man moved towards him and began to stroke Leo's head.

"Of course. Silly me. I have many names though Strider is my most common one to men. I am a Ranger of the North. I travel with my friend of old, Legolas Greenleaf, son to King Thanduril of Mirkwood. And why do you assume we are strangers? We could be friends with the Steward and his sons."

Boromir laughed.

"Impossible. Unless..." he turned to his brother and raised an eyebrow at him. Faramir shook his head and Boromir turned back to Strider. "Impossible." he repeated firmly.

"How?"

"How? Well allow me to introduce myself. I am Boromir son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor. This is my brother Faramir. Now tell me why it is not impossible."

The look on Strider's face was priceless. "You...you are Denethor's sons?"

Boromir nodded.

"Why are you out here? At night with no soldiers?"

"Our business is our own." Boromir turned to Faramir. "Come let us go."

He kicked his heels into Leo's sides and the horse sprang forward. Boromir heard the man call out but he ignored him and they rode away into the night.

Strider was left standing in the now deserted clearing, looking out after the 2 brothers and mystery lady. Legolas spoke first.

"Well of all the people you thought they might be you didn't think they would be them did you?"

The man turned to face the elf, blue eyes locking onto brown ones.

"So those were Denethor's sons."

He dwelt on that statement for a moment, thinking what to say next.

"He greatly resembles his father."

"Which one?"

"Come Legolas you know. Boromir, the older one. Headstrong, proud and a quick temper!"

"Ah you may have been looking at Boromir but I was observing his younger brother. He has inherited many of his father's talents also. He lets his brother do all the talking and the decision making while he observes in the background. He was reading you Estel, reading you like an open book. He did not turn to me though he was interested. I have heard many stories of the brothers. Boromir is the warrior-Captain of the Tower Guard no less. Held in high esteem by both his people and his father. Faramir on the other hand preferred studying. Although an impressive solider and adored by his people and his men (though not by his father) he has an extensive knowledge of lore and can speak elvish."

"Elvish?" Estel sounded surprised.

"Oh Estel you are not the only human fluent in my language."

Legolas fell silent, studying Strider.

"You wish to follow them."

It was spoken as a statement rather than a question. Strider nodded his head. Legolas simply headed for the trees while Strider followed on foot, both moving silently. Only a Ranger of Strider's skill could move as silently as an elf. There was no need for the silence though. The horses had long since passed here.

"Legolas let us move faster. Call your horse and I will call Brego. We will never be able to follow them on foot."

In reply Legolas sent out a whistle, almost like a bird's call. Strider followed suit. Brego would come, he was near, and Strider sensed him. Legolas' steed had born him to Gondor and would still be around. Brego was son of Shadowfax of Rohan, fastest horse in this world. Until the horses came they would continue on foot.

They had followed the trail of the three horses easily enough and by the second night Brego had found Strider. Legolas' horse had turned up the morning before. The pair mounted quickly and were off following the steady trail of horse's hooves. Boromir had moved them quickly it seemed. The trail they were following was a few days old already but Strider was persistent and pushed Legolas on. He wanted to know more about Boromir and his brother. They had lit a fire of interest in him, a fire that was loath to go out. On the third day of travelling something caught Strider's eye. He slowed Brego and peered down again. There were other trails mixed up with the hoof prints of the horses. Footprints made by many heavy creatures. He slipped of Brego's back and bent down to examine them closer. They couldn't be. No.

"What is it Estel?" Legolas called to him.

"Legolas what can you hear? Anything unusual?"

Legolas listened for a moment. "Nothing out of the ord..." he trailed off, his eyes widening in shock.

"Orcs!" he cried out.

"Quickly, they are heading after Boromir and Faramir." Legolas was already away by the time Strider was back on Brego but the horse caught him up quickly. They galloped past open fields, the trail getting stronger with every passing league. There was a small forest ahead and the tracks led there. Legolas abandoned his horse and leapt for the trees, his hands already notching up an arrow. Strider pulled his sword and swung down off his horse. He moved like a shadow through the forest with only the rustle of leaves to show Legolas was still there.

There was a small clearing up ahead and Strider made for it. But there was no sound of battle, no swords ringing or cries of pain. He peered through the trees and saw Boromir holding Sendil in his arms, weeping, with Faramir standing beside him, comforting him.

Boromir had gone to scout ahead, leaving Faramir and Sendil in their small camping ground. Something was nagging him at the back of his mind but he pushed the thought away. The road looked clear. With speed they would get to Rohan by tomorrow evening and ask for Théoden to house them for a few nights before they set off once again. He was on his way back when he heard the stamping and thudding of many feet. Running now he hurried towards the campsite but before he got there he heard a shrill scream of pain and a cry.

Sendil! Faramir! The sounds of battle could be heard clearly now, sword against sword. And suddenly it stopped. He charged through the last trees and found Faramir standing in the middle of a mound of dead orcs. Sendil was lying on the ground, an arrow in her chest, blood pouring out her mouth.

Boromir ran to her side, dropping to his knees. He cradled her head in his arms.

"Sendil?" he whispered. "Sendil? Can you hear me?" he whispered a little louder, his voice cracking. Her eyes fluttered open, their blue depths filled with pain and sorrow.

"I...I...love...you Boromir. I have to go. Go on and find...Imladris."

Boromir wept. "Sendil, please don't leave me. I'm...I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I failed you. Forgive me. Please stay with me. Don't go."

"You didn't fail me Boromir. I know that. I love you."

Her eyes fluttered closed and her breath left her body for the last time. She lay limp in Boromir's arms. He cried harder, sobs shaking his body. Faramir knelt down by his side and put his arms round his older brother.

"You couldn't have saved her Boromir. They jumped on us. First shot went straight to her heart. There was nothing you could do."

"I left her. I wasn't there to protect her. I shouldn't have gone on ahead."

"No! Boromir don't blame yourself. You went on ahead because you wanted her to be safe! Please Boromir, don't blame yourself. Please."

Faramir hugged his brother, cradling his head against his neck. Faramir held Boromir until he had finished crying and then laid him down to sleep, Sendil still in his arms. He had exhausted himself. Faramir would keep watch for tonight and rouse him when morning came. Then they could bury Sendil and either return to Gondor or go on to Imladris. After Faramir was sure Boromir was soundly asleep he stood up and walked a few paces towards the woods.

"Well. I know you are out there. You have been watching us for some time. Probably following us to. Boromir would not be happy that you were here but since he is asleep come and talk to me."

Strider stepped out of the bushes. "She is dead then? By the orcs?"

Faramir nodded. Strider hung his head.

"I am sorry. I have been following you for 3 days but my horse only arrived yesterday. If I could have helped I would have."

Faramir looked at him.

"Why? You have never seen us before. Why the sudden interest in us?"

"You awoke an interest in me. I want to learn more of you. Do you begrudge me that?"

"But surely you know a lot of us. What more do you want to know?"

"I wish to...I don't know. Your brother..." Strider sighed and tried to start again. "I'm sorry. If you want me to leave just say. But I would like to know where you are heading."

"Boromir and I have been plagued by dreams. They speak of a place called Imladris. We are seeking that place."

"Imladris? You mean Rivendell?"

"You know of Imladris?"

Strider nodded. "I grew up there. After my father died Lord Elrond took me and my mother in."

"Your father, what was his name?"

Strider looked uncomfortable. "I will have to tell you sometime. It may as well be now. I was not entirely truthful about my name. Yes I am called Strider. I am also called Estel, which means..."

"Hope." Faramir finished for him.

Strider nodded. "But I am known by another name. Aragorn. Aragorn son of Arathorn." He paused then continued in a mere whisper. "Heir to the throne of Gondor." He kept his eyes on Faramir, calculating his reaction.

"You are Aragorn? So that is why you wish to know more about me and especially about Boromir. You wanted to know the man you would have to convince that your claim is true. And when were you planning to claim your title? Mordor grows strong. We cannot hold them off forever."

"I know, but there are other matters that you do not know of, you will learn them in Imladris. Do you hold this against me?"

Faramir studied him for a few moments.

"No." he replied simply. "You have a good heart. I knew you were holding a secret. I admit that if I had to tell my father that I was coming to overrule him I would be quaking in my boots. Especially after what happened with Boro..." Faramir broke of abruptly.

"What happened with Boromir?"

"Nothing." Faramir answered quickly.

"Did it...did it have something to do with the way Boromir...looked when we met in the clearing?"

Faramir dropped his eyes and nodded. Boromir had cleaned up his face the next day but Faramir could tell his nose was hurting him.

"Did Denethor do that to him?"

Faramir did not answer.

Aragorn carried on.

"His nose, it looked swollen. Was it broken? Is it still hurting him?"

At last Faramir raised his eyes to look at Aragorn. "He says it does not bother him but I can tell it still pains him. To fix the break he just pushed it back into place."

"I know a little of plants and medicines. Can I take a look at it? While he is sleeping?"

Faramir stepped aside and Aragorn knelt down in front of Boromir, peering closely at his nose, his hand held just above it.

"I could give him something for it but I doubt he would take it. Not after he finds out who I am."

Faramir agreed. Aragorn moved to stand but a hand grabbed his wrist tight.

"What are you doing here?" Boromir growled quietly.

He opened his eyes slowly and fixed Aragorn with an emerald stare.

"Boromir! You're awake." Faramir went over to his brother and released Aragorn's wrist from Boromir's grip.

"Strider here came when he heard the sounds of battle."

"That is not his name. I have heard your conversation. Only part of it though I know he is Aragorn son of Arathorn. Heir to the throne of Gondor."

Aragorn opened his mouth and closed it again like a goldfish.

"Get out of my sight you scruffy elven upstart." Boromir snarled at Aragorn.

"Boromir!" Faramir rebuked him. "Calm down. Hear his story."

Boromir turned on his brother. "No! He only wants to reclaim the throne that our family has held for many years and I will not let that happen."

Faramir placed a soothing hand on Boromir's arm. "Boromir. You are not yourself. You are upset and angry over Sendil and you want to blame someone. Do not blame Aragorn. Please brother. Sendil would not want you to fight. Take a night's sleep. You will feel better in the morning. Trust me."

"Very well." Boromir begrudgingly agreed. "But I do this only for you Faramir. And Sendil."

He settled Sendil in his arms once more, ever so softly touching her cold lips with his.

"Goodbye my love. I love you." He turned his head quickly but Aragorn and Faramir both saw the shine of unshed tears in his eyes though neither mentioned it.

"You can take some rest too Aragorn. I want to think for a while." Faramir told the Ranger.

"You mean you want to question my elven friend." Aragorn told him.

Faramir laughed.

"True!"

Aragorn settled down though he kept his distance from Boromir and his sword. When Faramir heard Aragorn's breathing settle in sleep he turned back to the forest.

"Do you not wish to talk to me?"

"That is not the question. It is do you want to talk to me? And I know the answer is yes."

A voice breathed in his ear. Faramir turned startled and saw the elf standing right behind him though Faramir had not heard him approach.

"True I do wish to talk to you but first I wish to know why only Aragorn stepped forward when I asked both of you to come out?"

"Aragorn came forward because he needed to. He needed to explain his heritage to you. I felt you might feel outnumbered by me standing beside him. I was obviously wrong."

"Fair enough."

"I have heard many things about you."

"Good or bad?"

The elf laughed. "Oh all good do not worry."

"Well I wish to know about you. What is your name? I didn't catch it when Aragorn introduced you."

"Legolas." The elf answered him.

*

When Aragorn woke in the morning Faramir and Legolas were still talking by the dying fire. Boromir had not woken. He lay with Sendil still cradled in his arms. Aragorn went over to him and knelt down by his head. He wanted to get to know the other man so much but he felt Boromir would push him away. He did not want to accept that Aragorn was the Heir. The man stirred in sleep and Aragorn hurriedly stood up, not wanting to get caught by the quick-tempered Boromir again. He turned instead to Legolas and Faramir.

"I see you two have got to know one another. Have you been talking all night?"

Faramir's yawn gave him away.

Aragorn laughed. "I presume you still want to head to Imladris?"

Faramir nodded. "Oh yes. But...I think Boromir will wish to say goodbye to Sendil once and for all. He may wish to return her to Gondor or bury her right here. I do not know."

"Well I do."

Boromir had woken. He rubbed his green eyes sleepily and stretched. His face was etched with the sadness he was feeling as he looked at Sendil's lifeless body.

"I wish to bury her here. She had always wanted to see the world and she did, but not very much of it. I do not wish to return to Gondor. We will carry on as planned." He spoke firmly and no one dared to disagree with him.

Boromir stood in front of the hole they had made in the ground. It had taken him and Faramir a whole day as Boromir had refused the help of Legolas and Aragorn. Sendil's body lay down there covered in her green cloak. Boromir lowered his head as tears crept down his face. He didn't bother to stop them. Faramir stood a little behind him, Aragorn and Legolas stood in the fringes of the forest, watching silently. Boromir turned away, unable to cover the body of his lover. Faramir did it for him. Soon the hole was filled and the realisation that Sendil had gone forever hit Boromir. He regained his breathing and composed himself before squaring his shoulders and turning to face the seemingly endless plains of Rohan. One chapter in his life had finished; a new one was beginning. And Boromir wasn't sure he wanted it to start. He would never admit it to anyone except his brother but he too was scared, just like Sendil had been, not knowing what the future held. He moved to Sendil's horse Starlight. He was sending her back to Gondor, with a note for Sendil's family.

'I am sorry to tell you in this way but Sendil died yesterday. She was killed by a troop of orcs. I buried her this morning. A list of directions follows if you wish to visit her. I am sorry I took your daughter from you. My regards to your family. Boromir.'

Even to him the note seemed cold and heartless, emotionless. And it was. He had nothing left in his heart except pain, loss and sorrow. This hurt him even more. They would never know the pain he had gone through in writing, that the page was stained with his tears. Quickly, as though he might change his mind, he sent the horse off with a slap on its rump and turned to Faramir.

"Just you and I left Faramir."

Faramir shifted uncomfortably and Boromir narrowed his eyes at him.

"Why do I get the feeling that you have agreed to let the elf and man travel with us?"

"You would think that because I did. If you don't wish them to just say no but they're also heading to Imladrais. Aragorn used to live there. They know the way. I'm sorry for not asking you first but I like them. They've become my friends. You might like them Boromir."

"You make friends too quickly Faramir." Boromir shook his head. "But I do not oppose to it. Yes let us ride with them."

Faramir's eyes lit up with happiness and he smiled broadly at Boromir who grinned back at him. Aragorn appeared through the trees with his horse in tow. Legolas followed.

"I had not seen your horse before. He is a fine creature. Fast by the looks of him yes?"

Aragorn smiled at Boromir. "Oh he is quite fast. His name is Brego. He comes from Rohan."

"You have a lot of contacts Ranger." He turned to Leo. "Leo would only see him as a challenge but I doubt that he would win this time. Well shall we go?"

The four mounted and with a series of cries they were away. They galloped off into Rohan's endless plains, the sun shining brightly in a pale blue sky. Faramir and Legolas led the way and Aragorn and Boromir as usual stayed behind to watch over his younger brother. For 3 days they travelled through Rohan. None saw them and the journey was uneventful. Time passed quickly. Faramir grew close to Legolas and they were always talking about something late at night. Boromir had recognised Aragorn's skills as a Ranger and respect had begun to take over the suspicion and hate filling his heart. They talked little though; mainly concerned about where their next camp would be and the path they would be taking. They had decided to travel over Caradhras as it was late spring and the weather would be at its best. The horses also should manage. Faramir had noticed the change in Boromir's heart and his own heart lightened. He knew that it would take Boromir some time to trust the other man fully but he was getting there, slowly but surely, and that could only be good. They reached the bottom of Caradhras early one afternoon and decided to rest there for that day and night as it was a hard climb facing them.

Boromir was cleaning his sword when Faramir approached him.

"Boromir why don't you take some rest? I know you haven't had a full night's sleep and when you do try sleep eludes you."

Boromir started to protest but Faramir cut him of with a wave of his hand.

"I insist."

Boromir sighed and relented. "Very well Faramir. I will rest now but wake me when night arrives okay?"

Faramir nodded and walked off while Boromir lay down on his bedding roll. Sleep claimed him immediately and he slept deeply well into the night. Faramir had gone to wake him, he really had, but when he saw how peaceful Boromir had been he hadn't the heart.

Boromir woke to pitch black. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. Still darkness was there. Where was the fire? Why had Faramir not woken him? Was this what death was like? A faint glow and a pair of eyes told Boromir he was not dead. That and the stick digging into his back. Why had Faramir not woken him? He would get him for this. But he did feel much better. Boromir rose clumsily and staggered over to sit beside Aragorn on a log.

"You have woken then." Aragorn chuckled. "You slept soundly. And before you start on your brother he did go to wake you but he hadn't the heart. He let you sleep on."

Boromir ran a hand through his hair and laughed. "Then I will let him off. Just this once." He laughed again.

"Are you not wanting some rest? I will take watch."

"Thank you but I have rested already today and I need no more. I presume you are ready for the next leg of our trip?"

Boromir nodded.

They spent the rest of the night sitting side by side in silence. The night was warm, the sky was clear and the faint twinkle of stars could be seen. Aragorn sat, smoking his pipe, staring out into the darkness, his thoughts miles away. Boromir's strayed back to Sendil. He missed her so much; he wanted her here so he could hold her, smell her hair and kiss her soft lips. But it would never happen. She was gone. He had to get over it he chided himself. Focus on the task in hand.

Denethor started at the piece of paper he held in his hand. From his eldest son to Sendil's family. To her family. Not him. What had he done that afternoon to make both his sons hate him so much? He reread the short note. No word or mention of him. He crumpled the note into a small ball of paper and threw it across the room. He turned and made his way up to the White Tower. He would go and look for them and then send out his men to find them. They would return. They wouldn't abandon their own city. Would they?

The sun was peeking over Caradhras when Faramir woke. He looked over to see Aragorn and Boromir still sitting in silence, eyes miles away. Nudging Legolas in the side, he rose and pushed his hair out of his face. Boromir stirred when he heard Faramir move. His brother looked tired physically but mentally he looked ready to take on anything. Legolas muttered in his sleep and turned over. Faramir laughed at him. Elves could be so funny sometimes. He poked Legolas again and pulled his blanket from him. The elf sat up from the shock of the cold air and turned to glare at Faramir who merely grinned back at him. Aragorn had set about lighting the fire and preparing a small meal for them. Boromir sat in silence while the rest of the group chatted and discussed their next moves after Caradhras. Aragorn glanced over at him a few times, obviously worried but stopped when Boromir glowered at him. He was in no mood to have people worry about him. He finished his share of the food quickly and walked off in search of somewhere to wash and clear his mind.

Aragorn stared worriedly after him. Was he always like this? One minute fine then suddenly the next he was like an injured wildcat, ready to pounce and kill someone who even dared to look at them. Something was bothering him and Aragorn wanted to find out what it was less it endangered the group. But he banished the thought from his head and looked over at the towering strength of Caradhras. He had climbed the mountain before a few times and he was not especially worried about it. He knew about the Ring and he was thankful that it had not been hard job to get Boromir and Faramir to come with him and Legolas to Rivendell. They would learn a lot there and maybe it was better that they had each other. The news would come as a shock. He was shaken out of his reverie by a large hand. Boromir.

"Come Aragorn. We are ready to leave. We had better start now or we will not get far before the sun leaves us."

Aragorn nodded and went to fetch Brego and Leo. Boromir had seen how Leo trusted the Ranger, unheard of for Leo. Leo was brought to him and they were off to scale Caradhras.

The sun was not overly strong and by the time they had climbed only a little way the wind was blowing about them. Boromir pulled his cloak tighter around him and pulled on Leo's reins. They had dismounted after a little while when it was clear that the horses couldn't take the strain of climbing the mountain with them and their luggage. It was well past noon and they were about halfway up the huge landmark when Aragorn called for a stop, to regain lost strength and give the horses a rest. The rest of the climb passed slowly. The weather grew increasingly worse but not so bad so that they had to find another route. Just bad enough to remind them that they never wanted to climb Caradhras again. Ever. When they had at last reached the grassy lands beyond Caradhras everyone felt relieved. Especially the horses who had not enjoyed that little adventure. They rested again for a whole day before enjoying the freedom of cantering towards Rivendell on their steeds. This was what Boromir loved about riding Leo. He was away from his father, away from the duties of being heir to the Steward, away from everyone. He felt the wind on his face and he felt the ground thud beneath Leo's hooves. Heaven. Brego, it was plain to see, wanted to go much faster and stretch himself to the limits but Aragorn wasn't allowing him. Boromir called over to him,

"Why don't you let him run? Wait for us outside Rivendell. We won't get lost, we have Legolas!"

Aragorn smiled at him gratefully and loosened Brego's reins. Boromir had known the horse would be fast but he was amazed at Brego's speed. He literally disappeared in seconds.

Boromir turned to Faramir.

"They certainly breed them in Rohan."

Faramir was also amazed but Legolas just laughed at them. He knew of Brego's speed.

Having seen the other horse go Leo had speeded up and soon he too was flying over the grass, eager to catch up with his horse friend, eager to show off as well. Legolas and Faramir remained at a slower speed and Aragorn was surprised when he saw only Boromir approach.

Boromir pulled at Leo and the horse slowed panting from his breathless run.

"Where are Faramir and Legolas?"

"They are coming but Leo also wanted to show off so he followed Brego."

Aragorn nodded appreciably. "He certainly is a fast horse. Either that or Brego is getting old!"

They sat in the warm sun waiting for Legolas and Faramir who presently rode up, their horses not as out of breath as Leo had been. They entered Rivendell slowly, Boromir and Faramir looking round themselves in amazement. Rivendell was beautiful as ever. Elrond was very proud of his home and kept it immaculate. They entered the Great Courtyard where a petite dark-haired elf sat, reading a book. She looked up at the clatter of 4 horses. Her face cracked into a smile.

"Aragorn!"

He dismounted and she flew at him. Flinging her arms around his neck she hugged him tightly while he picked her up in his arms.

"You're back. You haven't been gone long at all."

"Well I decided to come back as quick as I could. Just to see you."

The elf smiled and kissed him lightly. Legolas dismounted and greeted the elf.

"Hello Arwen."

"Legolas!"

She moved from Aragorn onto the other elf. Legolas laughed at her exuberant behaviour.

"So who have you brought back from your travels this time?" she asked Aragorn.

Boromir and Faramir dismounted.

"Arwen this is Boromir, son of Denethor, and his brother Faramir. They have come from Gondor."

"Nice to meet you my lady."

Boromir and Faramir bowed to her and she curtsied in return.

"I will take you to see Lord Elrond and Gandalf. They will want to speak you. This way please."

Legolas led them away in to the house while another 2 elves came and led the horses to the stables leaving Aragorn with Arwen in the courtyard.

Faramir followed Legolas up a staircase with Boromir following him.

"The elf. Who was she?" he asked curiously.

"She is Lord Elrond's daughter. Lady Arwen." Legolas replied before stopping outside a grand oak door.

He knocked sharply twice and a voice called for them to enter. Legolas pushed open the door so Faramir could enter first but he hung back letting Boromir enter, then he followed with Legolas behind him. Legolas marvelled at the society of Men.

Elrond sat by the window with Gandalf beside him. They stood as Boromir entered.

"Boromir. Faramir. I am Lord Elrond. This is the wizard Gandalf. Please take a seat. Thank you Legolas you may leave us now."

Legolas bowed low to his Lord and left.

"Did Legolas and Aragorn tell you why they were looking for you?"

"Looking for us?" Boromir looked puzzled. "They never said they were looking for us. We met them as Faramir and I were leaving Rohan. We carried on our journey with them as they were going to Imladris also. Why were you looking for us?"

Elrond frowned. "They never told you? That is not like Aragorn. Or Legolas for that matter. Well we shall have to over look that small fact for the time being. I will explain."

Elrond cleared his throat and Boromir and Faramir settled down for a long tale.

"We have reason to believe that Sauron has moved back into Mordor..."

Boromir interrupted him. "We know Sauron's back. We've been fighting his orc troops for months!"

Faramir nudged his brother and looked at him. Boromir apologised and fell silent.

"Sauron has reclaimed Mordor for his own and we now know that he is building an army, big and strong. He is looking for the One Ring."

Both Faramir and Boromir started in their chairs at this remark.

"We know where the Ring is. I have called you here for a council of what we should do with the Ring. All the races of Middle-earth are attending. Aragorn would represent Men but he felt that he had been influenced by elves to much and that we needed someone from Gondor or Rohan if no one from Gondor would come. We thought you Boromir would be the best choice or you Faramir. So Aragorn and Legolas went out to try and persuade you to come. We thought it would be a harder and longer task but they seemed to have accomplished it very efficiently."

"You should have picked Faramir instead of me. He knows and understands and has a lot more patience than me. I would not be a good representative for my country. I am only a warrior."

"And that is why we wanted you Boromir. You are the warrior. One of the best along with Aragorn. We might need your advice on such things as battles for that is your domain." Elrond told him quickly.

Gandalf had been sitting quietly watching and listening. Now he spoke.

"Elrond if I may speak."

Elrond nodded.

"You said you were leaving Gondor. Why? Who with? And if you were leaving with a troop of men did you just leave them?"

Boromir glanced over at his brother and they both shifted uncomfortably in their chairs.

"That is a matter we do not wish to discuss."

"Boromir we need to know."

"I had a disagreement with my father. I left the city. Faramir came with me and my betrothed Sendil but she died at the hands of some orcs who we met on our journey."

"I am sorry Boromir. For your betrothed. But what was this argument about? And why were you leaving Gondor over it? Surely it was not that bad?" Gandalf persisted.

"My father did not agree with Sendil. I left." Boromir answered shortly.

"You left because your father did not agree? I am sorry Boromir but there is more than that. I have met your father and I know about you. You would not leave the city because of a trivial thing like your father did not approve of the woman you loved. There is something more. What is it?"

"That is none of your business!"

Boromir's temper was growing. Faramir placed a hand on his arm to cool him down.

"Boromir we need to know."

Boromir took some deep breaths and counted to ten before allowing himself to speak.

"You see these marks on my face? You see the crook in my nose? You see the cut on my lip?"

Elrond and Gandalf peered closely and saw that indeed there were marks and cuts and that indeed his nose was squint. They nodded.

"How do you think I got them?"

"In a fight I presume. Battle marks. Plenty of people have them. Some show them off. You got them in this fight with the orcs that you had."

"No I didn't."

"Then how did they get there?"

"My father hit me."

"No! Denethor would never hit his own son."

"You do not believe me? You think I am lying? You think I would make something like this up?"

"Denethor would not do it!"

Boromir lost his temper. He stood up and slammed his hands on Elrond's desk.

"You think I would lie about the pain he caused me? How do you think I felt when he struck me to the floor? I didn't believe that my father could do this to me. You think I lie about it?"

Boromir couldn't take it anymore. He stormed out the room. All the pain he had kept bottled up about what his father had done to him came spilling out when Elrond doubted him. He flung open the door. It crashed soundly against the wall. He ran down the stairs and out into the courtyard where he collapsed on to the nearest bench, his head in his hands, tears spilling down his face.

Aragorn and Arwen had still been in the courtyard when they had heard the door crash. They had watched as Boromir came flying out of the door and sat weeping on a bench. Aragorn approached him slowly and cautiously.

"Boromir?"

Faramir came running through the door, searching for his brother. He stopped and inhaled sharply. When Boromir had stormed out he had looked with disgust at Elrond and Gandalf and had gone to find him. Elves all over Rivendell were sticking their heads out of windows to se what all the commotion was about.

Aragorn kneeled in front of the upset man. "Boromir? What is wrong?"

Boromir brushed him away with a sweep of his hand. "Leave me. It does not matter."

"Yes Boromir it does. Something has made you angry and upset. Tell me what it is."

Aragorn reached forward to touch Boromir's hand but Boromir lashed out at him.

"I said leave me alone."

He stood up and walked off towards where the horses had been led off. He quickly found the stables and Leo. Bringing him out he mounted him, as the saddle hadn't been removed yet. He dug his heels in hard to Leo's sides and he moved forwards, his hooves clattering off the ground. When he re-entered the courtyard Aragorn still stood there, flanked by Faramir and Arwen. Legolas stood in the doorway talking to Gandalf and Elrond. They looked up and all noise in the courtyard stopped. Even the birds stopped their cheery birdsong. Boromir turned towards the exit and trotted quickly to the gate. It was like a spell had been cast over Rivendell and its occupants. Somewhere a twig snapped and just like that the spell was broken.

Faramir yelled after his brother.

"Boromir! Wait for me!"

He ran to get his horse but Aragorn was quicker. With a single whistle Brego was in the courtyard and Aragorn was on him, speeding out after Boromir. The dust churned underneath Brego's hooves. Arwen turned to her father.

"What did you say to him? Now you've made Aragorn go away when he only just came back!"

Elrond did not register what his daughter had just yelled at him. He turned to Gandalf.

"That could have gone better. But we had better discuss this while Aragorn is away fetching Boromir. What did happen between Denethor and his eldest son?"

Gandalf shook his head in mystery.

Brego sped out of Rivendell at full speed. His neck was stretched out to the full and Aragorn peered over his ears. He saw no signs of a horse anywhere in the distance. He pulled on Brego's reins and sat in the saddle puzzled. Boromir couldn't have gone that far already. He turned Brego and trotted back the short distance to Rivendell. But before he could enter once again a voice stopped him.

"You came looking for me?"

In a dense clump of trees Boromir sat on a log with Leo standing beside him. Aragorn dismounted and joined him.

"Yes of course I came looking for you."

"Why? Why do you care about me? I have done nothing kind to you or show you any sign of thanking you for leading us to Rivendell."

"Because Boromir, I want to be your friend. I know it must be hard for you to accept me. Your family has held the Stewardship for many years and suddenly I come along and threaten to take it all away from you. I would be annoyed at me to. I came because I didn't want you to do anything stupid, something you might later regret as I know you are prone to."

This earned Aragorn a weak smile.

"You know me too well Ranger."

Aragorn made to speak again but the sound of horse hooves cut him off. Faramir flew by on Ardil. Aragorn got up and called out to him, making him stop and come and find his sad brother.

"Boromir!" Faramir threw himself on Boromir. Boromir caught his brother before they both fell tumbling over the log and landed ungracefully.

"Why do you just leave like that? You give me no warning. You must do next time."

Boromir laughed at his brother. Whenever he was down he could always count on Faramir to raise his spirits.

"Sorry Faramir but I just snapped in there with Gandalf and Elrond. That was all I needed, for them not to believe me. I won't do it again."

"Don't be stupid Boromir. Of course you will do it again. It is your personality. You anger easily."

Aragorn laughed at the two brothers and they turned to him.

"Yes Aragorn? What do you find so funny?"

"Oh nothing. Just you two."

"Thanks." Boromir told him dryly.

Boromir stood up and pulled Faramir with him. He moved to collect Leo's reins that had been lying on the ground when a sudden wind picked up. It quickly grew stronger and stronger, picking up the leaves and sticks off the ground and throwing them unmercifully at Boromir, Faramir and Aragorn.

Shielding his eyes from the loose leaves Boromir tried to make himself heard over the howl of the wind.

"What's going on?"

He looked towards Aragorn but Aragorn stood there, also shielding his eyes, his face showing that he also had no idea.

"Quick behind the log."

Boromir took charge of the situation, pushing Faramir down behind the relative safety of the log and grabbing Aragorn down with him as he dived for cover. The wind only continued to grow stronger until the log was ripped from the ground and flung away. Boromir felt himself being pulled by the force and he grabbed onto Faramir and indicated to Aragorn to do the same. Aragorn flung his spare arm round a sturdy old oak that stood behind him and Boromir joined him making sure Faramir was safely behind the tree. The wind had now gathered in a central point and there seemed to be a centre to it. A dark shape was forming there. It spun wildly in time to the wind, growing with every passing second until it was life-size. Then gradually the wind began to slow. The leaves calmed around them and there was no longer any need to hold on to the tree. In seconds the wind was a just a gentle breeze. The blurry dark splodge had formed a human shape and it swayed gently, as if the person was slightly drunk and couldn't walk properly. The form of the person showed the 3 astounded men that this was a human girl, roughly the same shape and size of Sendil. She was still swaying, though the swaying was getting fiercer and Boromir saw that the girl was going to fall.

"No!"

Running forward he caught her before she hit the ground.

To be continued...