Untitled - BoG-Archive

Denethor did not seem at all surprised when he looked up. "Yes, Boromir?"
His handsome young face slightly contorted with confusion, Boromir
looked down at Faramir before facing the Steward once more. "Is there nothing
else you wish to...I mean to say, is there nothing more to come from this, truly?"
His father tilted his head back a little. "Do you mean to ask, my son, am I
not going to punish you?"
The young man started a little to hear it put in such forthright terms, then
nodded as soon as he had collected himself. "We are prepared to accept it, sir,"
Boromir managed to say, his voice only a little less than perfectly steady. Beside
him, Faramir nodded firmly.
Denethor laid the paper back down on his desk and folded his hands once
more, his expression considerably softer than before. "It is a brave question,
Boromir, and one that gives me great hope for you both," he replied. "But as to
the punishment for your disobedience, it has already been dealt out, by
yourselves."
Both boys gazed at him in bewilderment.
In answer, Denethor looked at his youngest son. "Faramir, your
punishment is to bear your brother's tonsorial experiment upon your head, and
behold it every time you face a mirror, until such time as it grows to a more
suitable length."
A chagrined look came over Faramir's face, and he gave his sire a nod of
understanding as one corner of his lip twitched.
The Steward then directed his piercing gaze to his heir. "Boromir, your
punishment is to behold your handiwork every time you are with your brother,
and recall the circumstances that led to his appearance."
Boromir's expression was very similar to that of his younger brother. He
also inclined his head in acceptance, and murmured "Yes, Father."
Denethor sighed and straightened a little in his chair. "The time it should
take for Faramir's hair to reach a proper length - I imagine this will be around
four months - should be of sufficient duration for the lesson of your punishment
to be absorbed you both. At its end, provided I am satisfied with your progress,
you shall receive the gifts I have brought for you from Rohan."
The two boys exchanged somewhat disappointed looks, but they each
appeared fully aware of why these presents were not bestowed now. They faced
their father, and Boromir bowed slightly, saying in a serious voice, "We
understand, Father."
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