Untitled - BoG-Archive

“Perhaps. But it is a risk you don’t need to take. Hallas has things well in
hand,” he said, and offered Boromir his.
Ciryandil had watched all of this with a curious mixture of shock, relief,
and fear. He had recognized Lord Faramir from the few occasions that the two
Captains’ companies had met. The shock had come from his sudden appearance
from the darkness. The relief stemmed from knowing that Faramir would be able
to stop his brother where Ciryandil could not. The fear… well, it occurred to him
now that, orders or no, Faramir would not be pleased with him.
Many people considered Faramir to be the less formidable of the two
brothers, but Ciryandil had always been somewhat daunted by him. He
seemed… less approachable, loftier somehow, and he reminded him of stories his
father had told about Lord Denethor, about the power in the man’s gaze. He had
to force himself, now, to speak.
“My lords… shall I…?” he gestured hesitantly toward the battle.
Faramir shook his head. “No, come with us. I suspect I may need help in
getting him back to your encampment.” Boromir was already leaning on his
brother as he stood, but he nodded assent at this.
With some difficulty, the three wove their way back to the other side of the
ridge, leaving the noise of the ongoing battle behind them. The camp was still far,
and Boromir grew more and more weary, until he was supported by Faramir on
one side and Ciryandil on the other. Occasionally he would mutter something
unintelligible, but other than that, they walked in silence. By the time they
reached the camp, Ciryandil was nearly quivering with fear of repercussion.
As they neared the camp, Gailon and the others rushed out to meet them.
There was a brief flurry of motion and chatter as they all tried to assist at once,
but then they saw that their Captain was merely half-asleep and not wounded,
and gave way for Faramir to bring his brother back to the bed he had left so
abruptly, hours ago.
And there by his side Faramir stayed until sunrise. Ciryandil stood nearby.
When Boromir had fallen fully asleep, he said in a halting voice, “Lord Faramir, I
am glad you found us when you did… I could not…”
“I know, lad, don’t look so frightened. When my brother gets an idea in his
head, it is hard to deter him, even when he is not fever-addled. You are not to
blame, and after all, no harm was done,” Faramir said softly.
Gailon chose that moment to approach. “Does that also mean I am not to
blame, my lord?” he said with a self-deprecating grin.
“You, Gailon, should have known better,” Faramir replied, one eyebrow
arched, but with a half-smile and a sparkle in his eyes.
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