"Little brother!" Boromir said with a smile.
He looked at the crib and saw Faramir looking healthier than ever. Faramir's fever was now gone. Boromir smiled as he reached into the crib and took his brother's hand. Faramir turned his head to look at him and gave him a toothless smile.
"Mama!"
Boromir walked down the hall to Denethor and Finduilas' chambers. He couldn't wait to tell his mother the good news.
"Mama", he said. "Mama, guess what?"
He stopped as he looking at his parents. Denethor was sitting in bed holding Finduilas close to him. Finduilas didn't move a muscle, not even to breathe.
"Mama?" Boromir said.
Denethor turned and looked at Boromir giving him a look that could scare anyone. His face showed absolutely no emotion as tears rolled down his face.
"Papa…?"
"Faramir…" Denethor began. "That child…is worthless to me!"
Boromir look at Finduilas noticing the peaceful look on her face as Denethor laid her back down. Her skin was pale. He crawled onto the bed and touched her face. Her skin was cold to the touch.
"Mama?" Boromir said beginning to cry.
He gently shook her trying to get her to wake up.
"Mama. Mama, open your eyes."
Boromir shook her harder.
"Mama!" he cried. "Don't die, Mama! Don't go! How could you go without saying goodbye?"
He cried hard as he laid down beside his mother's body. Denethor watched continuing to show no emotion as tears fell freely.
"It's not fair!" Boromir cried. "It's not fair! Why did she leave us?"
Everyone was dressed in black as they appeared at Finduilas' funeral. Everyone in the Citadel turned up. They knew Finduilas and how kind she was to everyone. Now that she was gone, so was the speck of kindness Denethor had.
Boromir held the hand of a maid who held Faramir in her arms. They watched the soldiers of Gondor lay Finduilas' body on the firewood for the pyre and poured oil over the wood as well as her body.
"Finduilas, my love", Denethor said. "You have lived…a worthy life. You gave me a son who will grow up to be a strong warrior. As you have done before, you did all you could do for someone dear to you. I will miss you, my love."
Denethor let no one see his pain as he laid the burning torch on the wood. Tears came to Boromir's eyes as he watched his mother's body begin to burn. He looked at Faramir who slept in the maid's arms completely oblivious to all that was happening. Boromir smiled then turned back to the pyre.
"Mama", he whispered. "I promise you, Mama. I will be the best brother to Faramir. I will take care of him, Mama."
He looked away as the fire consumed Finduilas. A soft breeze blew through the air. Smoke rose from the pyre and blew toward Boromir. Finduilas' voice echoed in his head.
"Make me proud, my son…follow your heart and you'll do what is right…take care of your little brother…"
Boromir looked at the pyre and nodded.
"I love you, Mama."