18-year-old Boromir breathed deeply at the start of a new day. Boromir stretched as he walked along the path in the top level of the citadel. The birds chirped as they flew over his head. Spring was in the air and it was beginning to show. The grass grew green around the white tree. The birds have returned after the long winter. There was just one element of spring that bothered him.

Boromir looked down into the lower levels of Minas Tirith. He could see couples beginning to get together. The men in the citadel wooed the young girls in the city. Love was in the air.

Denethor forbade him all his life to talk to anyone in the city. Boromir didn't know any girls he could talk to or try to woo. He didn't have the special girl whom he could fall in love with.

"Brother?"

Boromir looked to see 13-year-old Faramir looking at him concerned.

"Boromir, something's troubling you", he said.

"It's just another one of those times, brother", Boromir sighed resting his head in his hands as he leaned on the wall.

"You feel lonely?" Faramir asked.

He watched his brother nod. Faramir sighed as he leaned against the wall with Boromir. He understood his pain. Denethor didn't want either of his sons to associate with lesser people that meant very little. In all the years Faramir had known Denethor, he had spoken nothing about love or affection, nor had he wanted to. It was as if none of it mattered to him.

"Boromir", Denethor called.

Both boys turned to see Denethor standing at the door watching them. He stepped outside and walked toward them with his usual stern face.

"Am I to continue training today, father?" Boromir asked.

"No training", Denethor said. "Your training is nearly complete, my son. Today you and Faramir will join me in the throne room today. There is something I keep in my care I wish to show you."

"Father", he started. "If I may, I would rather not join you today."

"Tell me why."

Boromir looked down into the lower levels seeing plenty of young women doing chores. No young men were in sight to try to win them over. Denethor watched his son noticing the longing in his eyes.

"Is it a girl, you want?" he asked.

"I would like to talk to one at least", Boromir said.

"You have no business talking to those people", Denethor said. "The Palantir in my keep is more important than a lowly girl."

"A Palantir?" Faramir asked. "You have one of those?"

"Of course", Denethor said. "That is how I am able to watch over all of Gondor."

"The scrolls in the archive said those were bad."

"They could be dangerous if you do not know how to control one", he said starting to scowl at Faramir. "You obviously have not learned to control the power of a Palantir, nor will you ever will. I entrust all these possessions to your bother and no other."

Faramir sighed and looked down as Denethor brought Boromir inside. It was obvious his father would never give him a chance to show he was just as good as Boromir.