The Greatest Love

There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother.
-Terri Guillemets-

When Boromir of Gondor arrived in Haven, all of the wizards felt it. There was no subtlety or slyness, only urgency. His every thought was screaming for Faramir and it was in clear concern. There was also the darker undertone of anger, a result of his subconscious promise to hurt anyone hurting his brother. It would have been amusing if it wasn't so sincere.

Luna, who had been doing an inventory in the Hospital supplies because her assistants were having a rare day-off, nearly dropped her parchment in surprise. The quill and bottle of ink following obediently beside her wobbled as her concentration did and it set itself on the nearest shelf to prevent from being broken.

Hermione cringed and wobbled dangerously on top of a ladder she had been climbing and had to cast a Hover charm in order to get down, not trusting her motor skills in the face of the sudden headache that resulted from the wards' whispers. Draco, who had been lecturing Faramir while they played chess, stopped mid-motion, the bishop arrested between his fingers.

"My lord?" Faramir asked uncertainly.

Draco hummed in contemplation and knew that his job would be to keep Faramir occupied. Guiomer would greet him, he knew and the others would probably watch and wait for their signal to help. The initial contact was always the hardest, and the most uncertain. That's why they placed the most charming people to do that bit. Guiomer was perfect in that aspect, seeing as he had inherited very little of his mother's explosive temper and almost all of her charisma. His temper, if you had the misfortune to see it, was slow to rise and harder to appease.

"What did Enid teach you today?" he asked to divert his sudden inattention. It would work because he usually used Hermione's lessons to compliment his own. They even compared notes over dinner sometimes and it was an effective way to get things done quickly.

Faramir straightened up. "She taught me the inaccuracies of history. That most histories are written by the victors and that most truths are lost and hidden by people who wish to keep it hidden."

Draco smiled because that was something he could use.

His musings were true and Boromir was greeted by Guiomer, who had been in the Training courts, letting out stress.

"Hello, can I help you?" Guiomer asked politely. He was wearing what his mother called the 'very nice but if you displease me, I'll decapitate you' face.

Lord Boromir felt like a male version of Hermione, albeit a more extreme one. That meant he was bossy, domineering and intelligent. Guiomer was proven right when he opened his mouth and said, "I am Boromir of Gondor, son of Denethor of the House of Stewards." There was no hesitation, or caution in his voice. "My brother Faramir was sent here as punishment. I wish to see him."

Guiomer had to blink at the determination in Boromirs before he recovered his smile and said, "He is still having his lessons. You can keep me company while we wait." At Boromirs expression, Guiomer added, "I'm Guiomer, by the way."

"Pleased to meet you," Boromir answered as an automatic reaction rather than politeness.

"Likewise," Guiomer said, struggling to keep amusement out of his voice. Lord Boromir moved like a man that was still trying to cope with the surprises thrown his way. Guiomer remembered Hermione acting the same way when she found herself mistaken once and he struggled to keep a straight face.

Really, odd thoughts plagued him at the worst moments and made things difficult for him. Guiomer blamed his mother. At least she had her position and her experience to excuse her. People who would hesitate to hex or punch – truly, the idea was there – his mother wouldn't think twice about hitting him for suddenly laughing at them.

And then he realized why Boromir was surprised and he sobered up. Lord Denethor really was an ass if he told Boromir why he sent Faramir to Haven. Boromir must have expected them to stop him from seeing his own brother.

It hurt a little, even if it made sense.

"So," Boromirs tentative voice broke into his musings. "My brother is not here as punishment?" he asked.

And Boromir just proved his theory by asking that question. As his mother would say, bleeding depressing.

Guiomer flashed him a quick smile. "Oh, no. He was sent here to be punished but my mother didn't like the idea. So he's being taught what he likes best."

Boromir was too well bred to openly gape but his mouth did drop open for a second before he regained control of himself. And then the most heartbreaking smile of relief crossed his face and Guiomer just knew that Lord Boromir loved his brother very much.

"Thank you," he whispered. It was heartfelt gratitude in his voice. "Then he is happy. That is all I came to see."

Guiomer felt the warmth of contentment settle in his chest. He knew that it was what his mother called Fuzzy Feelings. It was also what made the hardships of ruling Haven worth it.

He led Boromir to Cailyn's bakeshop, where his wife was serving and bustling around tables and laughing happily. At the sight of both of them, she stopped and gave a small curtsy. That prompted several patrons to raise their cups to toast him and some of the younger children stood from their chairs and bowed.

"Welcome to the Pastry shop," Cailyn said when all the bowing was done. "A late luncheon or a light snack?"

A quick eye over Boromir's travel-stained figure prompted Guiomer into saying, "A late luncheon will do, my sparrow. And some of your special cakes."

Guiomer led them to a secluded corner, just in time for Boromir to say, "So I take it your mother is Lady Gryffon?" This was said in the driest tone possible. Thankfully, he didn't look annoyed, just amused at the information.

Guiomer laughed. "Yeah. I guess the bowing gave it away? Mater tried to break them out of it but you can see the futility of it. By the Valar, even my own wife curtsies to me in public," he said.

"Wife?" Boromir asked.

A hot plate was set in front of him, prompting him to look upward and see the beautiful red-head that carried a tray with ease.

"That would be me," she said, making Boromir's eyes widen. "And I have to lead the bowing or else everyone wouldn't notice they were there at all. The five of them are so good with being unnoticed."

Guiomer laughed again. "Whatever you say, sparrow. It's not like you adore it when it happens to you."

Cailyn flushed and moved away, leaving both men to their meal. Boromir, after a moment's hesitation, tentatively tasted the food and then dug in ravenously when he his stomach reacted to the taste. Guiomer nursed a cup of pumpkin juice and allowed his thoughts to wander.

Foremost in his mind was his mother, who had sent him a reassuring letter the day before. But no matter what, he would always worry about her. It never helped either that she never told him everything that happened when she left the safety of the city. It was almost like she tried to shield him from everything else. Well, he wished she wouldn't, even if that was a lost cause. Draco had once told him that his mother hid the most ridiculous things from people, because she didn't want to be a burden.

"Stupid," Draco had drawled out. "And I blame her relatives for making her that way."

Still, Guiomer really would rather know the truth. His imagination was sometimes worse than the truth.

A hand on his shoulder stopped his wandering thoughts, and he glanced up to see who it was and grinned.

"Aunt Enid! This is a surprise. You don't usually indulge in sweets," Guiomer greeted.

Hermine smiled at him. "No, my dear. But I was looking for you. The children told me you were here. Who's you're guest?"

Both of them knew that she knew who he was with and they were just playing for the sake it. It wouldn't do to have to explain the wards to an almost-stranger. Merlin, acting normal was boring.

"Boromir of Gondor. He's Faramir's brother," Guiomer answered. He avoided looking into his aunts eyes in case he broke down giggling. He always was tickled every time they did some acting.

Hermione ignored him, used to his quirks and allowed Boromir to kiss her fingertips in greeting. "Ah," she said. "My name is Enid. It is such a pleasure to finally meet you, Lord Boromir. Your brother speaks about you often enough that I was very curious to meet you."

Lord Boromir blushed. "Ah, I hope you don't believe everything he says?"

Hermione laughed. "If he has exaggerated, you will have to tell me. That one does have a good imagination. It's a good thing he is such a brilliant student," she said.

Boromir beamed. "Truly? That is a good thing to hear. I did worry, because when I last saw my brother, he was with my father and they couldn't stand to be in the same room with each other."

Guiomer and Hermione nodded at the same time, pleased to finally understand why Boromir had practically reeked of worry for Faramir when he first came. It did sadden Guiomer that another one of his theories were true. Bugger. Lord Denethor really was a bastard.

"What has he been learning?" Boromir continued to ask.

Boromir has the good fortune of picking a topic that would make Hermione really talk. Faramir was, after all, her favorite topic. If Guiomer wasn't properly grounded in those sorts of things, he would have gotten jealous. As it was, he had to hold back his snort at seeing his aunt find the perfect listener. Most people would have their eyes glazed over in boredom at the topic but not Boromir. He found it interesting.

Then the hourly bell rang, startling Boromir and making Hermione bite back an expletive.

"Puppies and magic," she muttered. "Guiomer, I left something at my office that's time sensitive. Lord Boromir, it was a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well," he answered. "Gods blessing on your teachings."

Boromirs eyes tacked Hermione as she left at a brisk trot. Guiomers mischief was tamped down when he remembered the regal-looking elf that danced with his aunt at his wedding. Normally, he wouldn't have noticed since it was his wedding but it was rare enough to see his aunt dancing that it really caught his attention.

And really, Guiomer didn't like to think what would happen if Elladan challenged Boromir to a duel. Elladan, being an elf, would probably win by default because of his experience. Several decades of training was only a drop compared to a thousand years of fighting and hunting orcs.

"She's with someone already," Guiomer said, wanting to sigh with resignation. "That's elvish territory, mate."

Lord Boromir really did sigh. "I guessed as much. She is too beautiful. And she is such a jewel to have no one treasure her."

That was his aunt so No! Guiomer had to work to keep the revulsion off his face. Gods, he hated his mind sometimes. Again, he blamed his mother.

Lightning quick, he changed topics.

The only one to catch to the quick change was Cailyn, who was eavesdropping from serving several tables and she laughed quietly.

Draco did dismiss Faramir early and a quick word to a child outside the Research Department had the brothers in a quick reunion without making it seem like there were any outside influences involved. Lord Boromir was blissfully unaware while Faramir, a longer resident of Haven, suspiciously looked around and then rolled his eyes heaven-ward when he saw a dozen curious eyes of orphans watching.

Guiomer stayed only long enough to see them exchange exclamations of surprise and headed to find Draco. He was found in his office, muttering over his notes.

"What?" he asked.

Guiomer raised an eyebrow at the grouchy tone. "You released your student early and you're in a bad mood already? Really, what has you in a tizzy, Uncle Hodur?"

Draco scowled darkly. "None of your business," he said.

There was a rustling of paper and a small dark cake was placed in front of him. Draco felt himself thawing at the gesture since it was his favorite.

"Alright," Draco said. "Persistent little thing, aren't you?" He ran a hand through his hair, nearly dislodging the leather that tied it in a ponytail. "Maethor came earlier with a note for me. Aragorn was asking for Dreamless sleep. It's a batch that will probably last for two days if taken at the right dose."

It didn't take Arithmancy, or a lot of effort to understand why Draco was grouchy. He was usually grouchy when he was worried and especially if he was worried about Heather. Everybody knew that Aragorn was with Heather and that Dreamless sleep meant trouble.

Guiomer swallowed. "Did Aragorn say when she's coming home? It's almost been a month." He asked tentatively. He was almost afraid of the answer.

Draco didn't disappoint. He answer was practical and he was as blunt as Luna when he didn't bother with tact, which was most of the time.

"It's not actually her fault this time, surprisingly," he added under his breath. Then he continued with, "She's recovering from whatever she saw in her vision."

An idea struck Guiomer and he blurted it out without thinking. "Do you think they forced her to see their future?" he asked. His mouth snapped shut quickly with embarrassment.

Draco only shot him a look of disgust, which worked better than any lecture he could have said. "No, use your head! And anyway, does Potter look like the type to be forced to do anything? When she was thirteen, yes. Now that she's in her forties, she's more stubborn than a mountain."

The words prompted an image of his mother glaring down a mountain in a staring contest. Guiomer coughed and tucked that away to share with Cailyn later. She always enjoyed a good laugh.

A knock at Draco's door caught their attention. A quick glance at each other communicated that neither expected anybody.

"Enter," Draco drawled.

An orphans head popped in tentatively. When he saw Guiomer, he smiled toothily. "Lord Guiomer sir! Lady Cailyn is inviting them guests to eat in the Falcon. Lady Enid said something about a welcoming dinner," he said quickly.

Draco corrected the boys' grammar as he cleaned up his papers. Guiomer rolled his eyes and tossed the boy a coin. "Message received. A coin for your trouble, lad," he said.

The boy cheered and bowed at the same time, making for a ridiculous image. Guiomer cocked his head to the side curiously like a bird.

"Was I ever that exuberant?" he asked rhetorically as soon as the boy was out of earshot.

Draco shot him a look that usually heralded an embarrassingly truthful statement. "No. You were a broody and awkward boy. I can't count the number of times you said something that cracked your mothers' ribs in holding back her laughter. Socially stunted, you were," he said bluntly.

Right. That was true, even if he could have said it in a kinder way.

Guiomer groaned as the flush of embarrassment went up his cheeks. He had to remind himself that he brought it upon himself and that he loved his uncle like you would love a pet porcupine. A really barbed and stingy one but a porcupine nonetheless.

"If you ever become nicer," Guiomer commented dryly. "I'll send you to Aunt Eilys to see if you've been struck by a fever, or possessed by someone's ghost."

Draco didn't dignify that with an answer. It was true, either way.

Faramir had been happy in his stay in Haven but with the arrival of his brother, he felt like he'd just touched the highest measurement in the happy-meter. If he'd asked Lady Enid, he would have found a proper word for it but she was busy discussing something with his other teacher, a furrow in her brow.

Lady Eilys was there, her kind eyes gleaming with contentment as she listened to Aedan chattering at her from his mother's lap. Lady Cailyn had a smile on her face as she made fun of her son and her husband. Lord Guiomer was laughing and pouting alternately, his entire presence brightening the atmosphere, just like his mother.

Lady Gryffon was the only one not in the little celebration. A small frown entered his face when he realized that he had not seen her since Lord Guiomer took over the morning lessons. That was three weeks ago.

It probably wasn't any of his business but the Lady of Haven wasn't the type not to be seen in Haven. And that only meant that she wasn't in the city.

"You are very quiet," Boromir murmured beside him, breaking away from the quiet conversation he was having with Lady Eilys and Aedan.

Faramir shot him a small smile, only a small image to show for the peace and contentment in him. "I'm fine. I'm just thinking."

Boromir rolled his eyes. "Riiight. What are you thinking about? Dare I ask or is it too shady and mysterious?"

That startled Faramir out of thinking about the absentee Lady of Haven. He blinked at his brother. "What?" he asked. It wasn't a squawk.

"Ever since I've arrived, nobody's been telling me what you've been really learning," Boromir explained patiently. "All of them do a splendind job of misdirecting my questions but you are my brother. I can't get distracted that easily, especially not when it comes to you."

Faramir realized what that meant only because he had spent quite a while with Lady Enid and Lord Guiomer, the both of whom were mostly responsible for talking to Boromir before the dinner. Lord Hodur merely nodded at Boromir, not saying anything.

"They want me to be the one to tell you," he said after he applied his mind to that. "It is not a mystery, just politeness. They're particular about freedom here in Haven."

Boromir gave him a look. "Explain that and then tell me about what you've been learning," he said. "And stop trying to derail me with interesting things."

Faramir laughed. "I didn't mean to derail the conversation! Alright, so in one of my first lessons, I was told to read the Charter of Haven. They focus mainly on freedom and the absence of prejudice. I call it reasonable freedom because of how the Charter is stated."

His brother made an impatient gesture when he paused to take a breath, making him hold back a smirk. "If there's something that you need to know, but it's actually somebody else's secret, then someone will often have to hint at it and lead you to ask it from the source," Boromir looked bewildered so Faramir expounded with, "It's actually like this. If they'd told you what I was learning and I wouldn't have wanted you to learn it, then it would have infringed on my rights as a temporary resident of Haven."

Boromir snorted. "That's just a load of headaches, though it is useful. How they gossip, I wonder," he said.

Faramir laughed again. "Oh, you would believe that! There's actually a loophole in the law that says as long as it is shown in public, then you are ready for everyone to know. Since my lessons are always in private and alone, then it is kept secret."

Boromir groaned feeling tired just thinking about it.

OMAKE: (Should I really call it Deleted Scenes?)

A day off with Faramir and Aedan…

"Okay, hold it carefully," he whispered to the little boy.

Aedan nodded, cherubic face narrowed in concentration as he held up the small package. It was a combination of mud, chocolate and some berries that held its red color really well. Wrapped in an expertly tied together bundle of leaves, it was bound with the intention of loosening at a certain velocity. Lady Enid did leave behind a textbook with the subject matter of projectiles. Really, it was her fault.

"Ready?" he asked Aedan.

The little angel giggled and nodded. At the same moment, the door opened and someone stepped out. On cue, Aedan dropped the bundle and both of them leaned over carefully to watch how it would go. And it went splat! The result was spectacular, in his opinion.

"Awesome!" Faramir whispered. Aedan was red with giggling beside him, barely able to stand.

"Both of you get down here!" called out a voice that was really familiar to the both of them.

As one, Faramir and Aedan exchanged looks of horror, with Aedan snickering a bit. They had just pranked Lord Hodur! Unfortunately for Faramir, Fenny arrived and bit Aedan's shirt, racing off with the boy giggling again. Faramir sighed and trudged miserably down the building to meet his doom.

Oohkay. I am breaking the once a week thing coz I missed last time. So this is just like, something that should have been posted but I had no time to put it in. And it's a holiday today (Something to do with a Muslim thing. I forgot.) so I had time.

No questions asked though. So R&R guys.

~Hallen