Brother - Chapter 4
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Faramir cursed, reaching to the side to pick up his discarded bow. His eyes stayed fixed on the tree-line. "They are coming."
As one, Theodred and Boromir rose, swords in hand. Theodred gave a shrill whistle, much like a bird's call, and called a few swift words as the Riders wheeled round to face the oncoming danger.
"I have them," Faramir whispered. Dark shapes moved within the forest.
Theodred glanced at him, startled that he had the strength to draw his great longbow, but saw that his arm was steady and his grey eyes were clear.
He nodded. "Now!"
Faramir loosed his shot even as the Riders let out a cry and rushed towards the Uruks as they crashed out from the trees. The ring of steel sang out across the hillside.
Quickly, the young Ranger drew. Again, again, again. Pain spiked through his torso, stealing his breath.
He paused, gasping as he flicked his hair from his eyes, and loosed another arrow as an Uruk raised its sword upon Rohan's prince. The beast staggered under the weight of Faramir's shot, snarled, and then Boromir was there, blade outstretched to ward off the Uruk's advance as Theodred scrambled to his feet.
The two swordsmen fought side by side, and though Boromir's buttock and leg ached with every move he did not seem to tire and Theodred marvelled at it, grateful to have the strength of his arm against such a foe. But then the clever beast feinted left, and Boromir moved to the right. Off-balance, he foundered and went to ground with a cry, and it was then that another of Faramir's arrows whistled and found its mark, granting him a reprieve.
The Uruk tossed its head and roared, spittle flying. It's black eyes narrowed in on the Ranger and it took a step towards him, the swordsmen forgotten.
"Mir!"
Theodred hauled Boromir to his feet and turned urgently to the younger man as the Uruk rushed towards him. Faramir still stood by the camp fire, a tall, lean figure silhouetted against the golden afternoon sun. Even from a distance he looked ghostly pale, his handsome face stern and unyielding as stone, eyes blazing with wrath and determination as his quarry bore down upon him. A few yards from him, the creature raised its cruel sword and cried out, but Faramir did not falter or flinch.
He forced his trembling arm back, and Theodred held his breath. Twang.
Thunk.
The beast fell.
Faramir dropped his bow from suddenly lax fingers and stumbled to his knees, blood pulsing down his side. As one, Boromir and Theodred rushed towards him, the fighting around them already dwindling.
Faramir groaned. Black dots shimmered at the edges of his vision. He reached out as Boromir appeared by his side, grasped at his sleeve. Theodred thought he looked suddenly very young.
"Mir!" Boromir took in the fresh blood on his brother's torso and without ceremony pressed hard against it, heedless of his own pains. Within moments his hand was slick.
Faramir shuddered, eyes wide as a strange buzzing filled his ears. Boromir's voice rumbled through the haze — "I must stop the bleeding" — and Faramir grunted as his ribs shifted, bent his head to rest on his brother's shoulder. His breath came in small, shallow gasps.
"Just breathe, little brother, breathe," Boromir carded his hand through Faramir's sweaty locks. "I've got you. Just breathe…"
Faramir's dark lashes fluttered against his cheeks as he listed into his brother's arms.
Boromir blinked wetly and gripped him tighter. "I would have spared you this, if I could."
Faramir nodded weakly, gasped. "'M sorry."
"Hush, fool," Boromir said tenderly.
A smile flickered at the edge of Faramir's lips.
"I believe it is hereditary."
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THE END