The day after Faramir's oath-taking, Boromir paid a visit to his new recruits. All three were sitting together, talking of past days when Boromir entered and sat down with them. Most of the other patrons were more than a little surprised to see the Steward's son in an inn on the Lamp Wright's Street, Damrod and Mablung were a little uneasy that such a clearly high-ranking officer came to sit among them, but Faramir was simply glad to see his friend again.

After a bit of conversation to set the other two men at ease, Boromir asked which of them had had formal weapons training with a military officer. Damrod and Mablung had learned only what their fathers had taught them and so Boromir assigned them to assemble the next morning with the training officer.

Faramir guessed that his training could scarcely be more formal than learning sword work from the Balrog Slayer of Gondolin, practicing marksmanship with Isildur's heir and the sons of Elrond, and serving with the Rangers of the North. Thus, he put himself down as "formally trained." Boromir had rather sensed that and was keen to see what the younger man knew. Though it was usually delegated to another officer, Boromir asked Faramir if he would be ready to demonstrate his abilities that day. Faramir agreed, collected his weapons, and met Boromir just outside the city gate.

"Swords first?" Boromir suggested since Faramir said that his true skill was with a bow. Faramir concurred and both stripped down to shirts and leggings. Boromir was rather impressed with the quality of Faramir's vambraces, though Faramir was little impressed with the fact that Boromir did not wear any himself. Boromir claimed that he did much better without them, that they tended to impair his range and made him more vulnerable to dropping his sword.

"An errant nick to the wrist could kill you if you do not get treatment soon enough," Faramir said concernedly.

Boromir just shrugged. "Not as long as I block you well enough," he said with a grin.

Faramir nodded and took his stance as did Boromir, who took the opportunity to attempt a strike first. Faramir caught it easily though and the clang of steel on steel rang out three times in quick succession before Faramir's blade caught Boromir's and, with a quick turn of his wrist, he disarmed his opponent.

Boromir stood in silent shock. He had scarcely even settled into a rhythm and this younger man already had him disarmed. Shaking his head and retrieving his sword, he thought that surely it was a fluke; he probably hadn't really had a good grip yet, since he hadn't even gotten into his rhythm.

Taking his stance again and shaking off that bit of a surprise, Boromir took on even tighter grip on his sword and was even more determined to make a good impression on his new "brother." The result was that he was disarmed even faster than before. This was utterly unprecedented and Boromir considered asking Faramir to give him some tips. In the third round Boromir managed to keep his weapon, but it did him little good as Faramir had him backed against the gates in a matter of minutes.

Boromir grinned nervously. "I think that is enough sword work for today," he said dropping his sword since his arm was pinned by his shirtsleeve to the gate by Faramir's steel.

Faramir freed him and said with a smile, "I have to confess, I do not usually fight like that. I am usually much more defensive, but I rather wanted to impress you and… my mentor taught me some of his favorite tricks."

"May the gods forbid that I should ever upset your mentor," Boromir breathed heavily. "You say that you are better with a bow than a sword?"

Faramir nodded. "Much better, I can hold my own with steel, but I don't prefer it."

Boromir thought for a moment on that. "Well, if you are that much better with a bow, what say I get you up to the top of the tower and see if you can hit a mouse out there in Osgiliath?"

Faramir pretended to take Boromir seriously and consider the proposal. He looked from the tower out to the fort and back a few times as if judging the distance. He picked up his bow and closed his eyes as he drew back, testing the flex and tension. "I will do it, but… I will need a bigger bow," he said flawlessly deadpan.

Boromir near split his side from laughter. He had great fun watching Faramir shoot, calling out different targets until Faramir's quiver ran out. Boromir, however, was not the only one watching, though the other spectator was less than amused. Denethor watched, too, from the tower as this young upstart, who in every way reminded him of the man he hated most, bested his son each time. He was sure that Thorongil's illegitimate scion was intent on driving a wedge between him and Boromir exactly as Thorongil had between him and his father. The lad was skillful, even Denethor could not deny that, but perhaps too skillful for his own safety.

Unaware of the third party, Boromir suggested that they get out of the sun and have an ale at the Merry Widow. Sitting in the back of the tavern where it was coolest Boromir consumed a tankard before leveling an amazed stare at Faramir, who preferred water to ale. "I have never seen anything like that, never – and I trained with the Swan Knights for years before I came here. You are unparalleled. I can not tell you how glad I am you are on our side!"

Faramir blushed slightly, but was no stranger to approval. "Well, it is as I said, I very rarely attack with a sword the way I did today, but I thought I'd best put on a good show now. My shooting was good enough, but it felt too easy for me. If you wanted to see what I can really do, we should have ridden out to the wood beyond. It takes more skill to shoot between trees than it does over an open field."

"Well, you are the best I have ever seen," Boromir said. "I am going to speak to the Steward this evening about getting you an appropriate rank around here."

Faramir smiled appreciatively, but said, "you really do not have to do that. I do not want any special treatment."

"It's not a matter of special treatment. We need more men like you. I do not know who trained you, but if I ever have the honor of meeting such a warrior, it would be the highlight of my life. I dearly wish I could say you would do best in my company, but I would be dishonest if I didn't recommend you for the Rangers, especially since you have already served as such in the North."

Faramir agreed that he would be most comfortable serving with the Rangers. Outside of that, there was only one thing that Faramir felt he was lacking. "Is there a library here in the city?" he asked Boromir as they were about to part for the evening.

"Of course there is," Boromir said. "I think I was passed it once, but hurried right along when I heard there was nothing but dusty books and scrolls and such inside. Why do you ask?"

Faramir smirked. "I know I will likely have little leisure time, but I would be one to spend what time I can reading."

Boromir just shook his head. "You truly are one of a kind. I never before met the warrior who loved prose."

"Truly I do not think I would be half as skilled as I am if I did not grow up first with reading. It has been a balance in my life that I would not do without," Faramir said. "Sometimes it is not just practice which makes perfect. Though, I would never refer to myself as a warrior. A defender, a protector, maybe."

"Well, young protector, I know I shall sleep sounder tonight. Since you are sworn to the Steward, I can give you the pass-words to the gates. The library is in the Citadel. Provided the Steward agrees with me about placing you with the Rangers, you will have a good deal of leisure time until fall, that is when the guard changes in the eastern lands and when you would go out." Boromir went then to take supper with his father.

Scarcely had he said "good evening" but Denethor said, "I wish to discuss young Faramir."

Boromir smiled brightly. "Been reading minds again, father? I thought you were going to give that up when you spied that little tavern wench on my mind over supper last week. Actually, I wanted to speak with you about Faramir as well."

Denethor ignored Boromir's attempt at levity. "I saw him practicing with you," he said, forcing himself not to admonish his son for being bested so easily – that was what Faramir likely wanted, to sew discord between them and win the Steward's favor for himself. Denethor had another idea though.

"Then I need not tell you how superior he is," Boromir said. "I was really hoping that we could find him a place in –"

"Ithilien," Denethor interrupted. "I want him in Ithilien, the Rangers."

"That was exactly what I was going to say," Boromir said, filling his plate. "The only trouble is that it is so dangerous out there, though, granted, that is where men of his skill are needed. I wish we could afford to be selfish and keep him here for our own defense; it would give me greater peace of mind. I genuinely like him, father. It is ages since I had a friend who I didn't suspect only liked me because I am your heir."

Denethor wished his son would not be so easily deceived as his grandfather was when Thorongil was around. Denethor knew that this Faramir was dangerous to the Stewardship. There was almost a motivation to have Boromir become acquainted with the palantír, that his mind might learn to better perceive the wills of others, but Denethor pushed that thought away… the seeing stone was his and his alone; no other could be trusted with it! Yes, Faramir would go to Ithilien with the Rangers, not because he felt that "men of his skill" were needed, but because it was distant and dangerous. He wanted the son of Thorongil as far away from Minas Tirith as possible. Only now did he see the mistake he made twenty years ago when he went after Thorongil in his sleep after learning that the child was not his. He should have done what he originally planned: steal the child and leave it alone in the woods.

ooo

Ok, so i lied, i am still updating twice a day. No idea how long this is going to continue. I thought i could quit at any time...

AM: Glad to hear from you again. You don't trust Denethor? Whyever not?

Elenhin: Well, it is my hope that any reader of mine is a happy reader, but i would not be one to presume. Even growing up without a younger brother, Boromir is still the best when it comes to taking care of others. He's made me proud, for a while there i was a little worried that he might act stand-offish, but all has turned out well... so far.

steelelf: My! Everyone seems to think Denethor is going to behave poorly. I can't imagine such a thing!