"Come at me again", Denethor said wielding his sword.
Boromir was now 10 years old. As the day slowly passed, he had learned to accept the fact that his mother wasn't coming back to keep him safe from his father. Boromir was growing tall. His hair had grown enough to cover his ears.
Boromir tightened the grip on his sword as he attacked Denethor. The two of them continued to spar against each other until their training was interrupted by little Faramir.
"Papa! Papa!"
Five-year-old Faramir came running into the room. He had grown over the years as well. He nearly looked the same Boromir did at that age. Only differences were Faramir had long wavy hair and his eyes were identical to Finduilas'.
"What have I told you about interrupting us, boy?" Denethor growled.
"Papa, I lost another tooth!" Faramir said showing the gap in his teeth.
"What do you want me to do about it?" Denethor asked. "I told you never to come in here when Boromir and I are training. Leave us."
Faramir looked at Boromir who didn't say a word. Both brothers had learned not to interact with each other when their father was present. Boromir nodded toward his room. Faramir smiled showing his missing front teeth and walked to Boromir's room.
"Father, can we stop for now?" Boromir asked.
"You may rest for a bit", Denethor said. "But I expect you to return after supper."
He nodded before turning to leave. He sighed as he thought about how Denethor was raising him to be a soldier. He was doing a good job of it. Every day was filled with nothing but training from morning to evening. Whenever Denethor had important matters to attend, he would bring both sons to the throne room so they can observe his work.
"Big brother!"
Faramir wrapped his arms around Boromir as he entered the room. Boromir smiled as he hugged his brother.
"Where's your tooth?" he asked. "Let me see it."
Faramir opened up his hand to show him the little tooth he lost. Boromir nodded as he looked at it with a smile.
"You are growing, little brother", he said. "Soon when you're old enough, I will train you myself."
"Will Papa allow it?" Faramir asked.
"Let him punish me if he wants. Father can't control me forever."
Faramir hugged Boromir. He was the closest thing to a father. Denethor was so horrible at being his father.
"I wish you were my father", he mumbled.
Boromir looked at him understandingly. Neither of them loved Denethor's behavior toward them but he was still their father. They would have to tolerate it for as long as they lived.