Chapter 3: Family Love
Faramir trusted his brother, but he was not sure if Boromir's words were true. He so wanted to believe that their father would remember he loved them both, but he never believed that day would come.
"Do you really think Father will forgive me?" Faramir asked dubiously.
"Forgive you? For what?" Boromir asked.
"Whatever offences I have made against him," Faramir replied simply.
"Little brother, there is nothing to forgive," Boromir said.
"But there must be something I've done to make Father ill towards me," Faramir said, guilt in his voice.
"No, there is nothing you have done, little brother," Boromir reassured him. "You are a wise, valiant son of Gondor. You have nothing to apologize for."
"That has escaped Father's notice," Faramir said glumly.
"No, it has not," Boromir said.
"Yes, it has, or he would love me as much as he loves you," Faramir said.
"Father loves us both. He simply must remember that, but I assure you he will," Boromir comforted.
"I don't see why he has to remember that he loves us," Faramir said bitterly.
Boromir sighed. "I don't know either, little brother. I think Father does not mean to forget that he loves you and once he remembers that, he won't forget again."
"I pray he does," Faramir said.
Boromir patted his brother on the shoulder. "Come on, victorious hunter. Let's get moving before we're overwhelmed by hunger."
"I thought it was clear that you were the mighty hunter," Faramir said gloomily.
"I said that Father exaggerates," Boromir replied with a smile. "He was not there, and he did not see that you were the victorious one."
In the following years, Boromir and Faramir had grown into wise, strong examples of men in Gondor. Boromir proved to be quite the imposing general in Gondor. With the impending peril from the black land of Mordor, Boromir fought back the danger courageously. It was said that under his command, the army of Gondor made the evil in Mordor pause. Faramir was also a formidable captain, but he was a gentler spirit than his brother. He had the wisdom that aided the army of Gondor in times of great peril. Both brothers made an imposing force in Gondor with their skills and strength.
Unfortunately, Faramir's hope that Denethor would remember his love did not come to be in those years. In the next short years, Faramir continued to escape his father's notice. Boromir was the only true hero to Denethor, and Faramir was no more than a gentle student of Gandalf the Grey.
It was true that Boromir was always the warrior. He was a tall, formidable figure of a man. He and Denethor were also very much alike. Both were stubborn men who had desperately sought to protect their country. Faramir was an excellent captain, but only at great need. He was a gentler than Boromir as well as wiser at times. Faramir also had more love of music and lore than Boromir. Thus, Denethor thought his youngest son less worthy, and at times, a weak man.
One day, the eastern skies became as black as the abyss. Neither the stars nor the moon could not be seen. The only light in the sky seemed to come from the fiery explosions of Mount Doom. There was also another light. This light came from an ever watchful eye, covered in flame. The Eye of Sauron turned its gaze to the West. Sauron had returned, and he sought to first exterminate the world of Men.
Boromir and Faramir had seen that Sauron targeted Gondor. They knew that war would soon follow. Both of them were quick to share this news with Denethor.
"Father, a great darkness lies to the East," Boromir said urgently. "The skies are blackening and there is an eye fixed upon us."
Denethor could say nothing.
"Father, Sauron the Deceiver has returned," Faramir said. "His Eye is fixed upon Gondor. He seeks to eliminate us."
"Do not insult me further for thinking me a blind man," Denethor snarled. "I have seen Sauron's return. I know he seeks to destroy us."
"We must prepare the defenses against the armies of Mordor," Faramir said.
Denethor laughed bitterly. "Is this how the wizard's pupil seeks to show his quality? What would a wizard's pupil know of war?"
"Father, Faramir has Gondor's need at heart as much as you and I," Boromir said firmly.
"If your brother had Gondor's need at heart, he would be a warrior as you are, not a student to a wizard," Denethor argued.
"Father, I would gladly fight and give my life for Gondor," Faramir said in earnest.
"And you would believe that dying for Gondor would make you a hero?" Denethor asked dubiously.
"I do not seek to be a hero, just to do my duty," Faramir said softly.
"You seek for a chance to show your quality to me," Denethor told him. "If you were to give your life for Gondor, the manner of your death would decide your quality."
Faramir and Boromir were shaken. Both of them could not believe their father's carelessness for Faramir.
"Father, please," Boromir pleaded. "Faramir is only doing what a man of Gondor is charged to do."
"I trust the defense of this city only to you, not to your brother," Denethor said coldly.
"And why is that?" Boromir demanded.
"Because I know that you will not fail me," Denethor said, his voice like stone.
There was a silence again. Boromir was not pleased by his father's behavior. He knew Faramir was a great warrior, and he could not believe Denethor's cruelty.
Finally, Boromir spoke. "We will do what we can for Gondor."
Both brothers bowed to their father and quitted the throne room. Faramir did not speak a word. He was truly shaken by the sternness of his father's words. Faramir believed that nothing he ever did would please his father.
Boromir put a comforting arm on his brother's shoulder. "Do not dwell on Father's words. You are the most formidable man in Gondor."
"All I want is for Father to love me," Faramir said glumly. "Why doesn't he love me?"
"Father loves us both," Boromir said gently. "It may be years before he admits it, but he loves us."
"I certainly hope that Father remembers he loves me if I die," Faramir said gloomily.
"Do not be so gloomy, little brother," Boromir said brightly. "You will live through this peril. Father will certainly remember he loves you before the end."
"I only hope you are right, brother," Faramir said.
