Faramir Fiction Archive

Brothers (G)

Written by Monica

09 May 2005 | 4731 words

Chapter 4: Babysitting

Boromir watched the meeting a little apprehensively. It was a vital strategy session, and he could only hope that the two participants found one another agreeable. He crossed his fingers and watched anxiously. Mabel, their nurse, had assured him that babies found each other fascinating, and Boromir could only hope that held true.

Faramir regarded the other baby warily, tiny eyebrows drawn together in thought. It was the first time he had ever seen another baby, although he had occasionally seen older boys brought to the Citidel to play with Boromir. Findulas had decided it was time for Faramir to have a playmate his own age, and one of her ladies in waiting had brought her 14-month-old daughter for the afternoon. The toddlers faced off in Boromir and Faramir's play room with one older brother and two nurses in attendance.

Some sort of agreement seemed to have been suddenly reached. Faramir smiled and offered his guest a soggy stuffed bear he had been chewing on, showing his hospitality. Rose giggled at the courtly gesture and accepted the token with a smile, batting her lashes at her host. In return, she patted Faramir's hair and Boromir swore he saw a blush on his brother's face at the young lady's flirtation.

Boromir remained for a while until he was certain that the babies were playing together peacefully. Sometimes being a big brother was hard work, and he was relieved there had not been any crying. He hated it when babies cried as it made him feel profoundly worried.

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time change

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Faramir cried and cried, his screams surely echoing through the halls. The adults exchanged looks of desperation, both at their wit's end. "Faramir, please stop crying," his father pleaded. "I'll do anything you want, I swear. A pony ride? A new toy? Just stop crying."

"I think he's a little young for bribery, even for a Took," the Steward of Gondor commented. He picked up his namesake and tried yet again walking around the room. "Diamond and Éowyn make it look so easy," Faramir grumbled. "They will never stop gloating if we don't make him be quiet."

"I know," Pippin sighed. He rummaged through the satchel that Diamond had left with them when she and Éowyn went out shopping. Given the choice of either accompanying their wives shopping or sitting with the baby, it had seemed an easy decision. Now both men regretted their choice and would rather be serving as luggage bearers for their wives as they hunted through Minas Tirith's shops. Pippin dug a old favorite toy out of the satchel and offered it to his son. Baby Fara stopped crying long enough to inspect the offering, making his father and honorary uncle hold their breaths in anticipation. Unfortunately, the toy was deemed unacceptable and the hobbit lad resumed his wailing.

Faramir bounced the baby, thinking desperately. "I know it's only been an hour since his last bottle, but do you think he could be hungry again?"

Pippin considered the idea. "Well, with a Hobbit that is always a possibility," he agreed. "It's worth a try."

They hurried to the kitchens to fetch a fresh bottle, enduring smirks from the women who were amused at the helplessness of men and babies. A kindly older cook, feeling sorry for the frazzled adults, brought the bottle swiftly. Baby Fara graced the cook with a sweet toothless smile before he settled back to enjoy his snack. Pippin secured another bottle and the men tiptoed back to the study.

"How many bottles did Diamond leave?" Faramir whispered, afraid to disturb the child.

"I don't know," Pippin hissed back. "What do we do if we run out?"

"Don't even think about that!" Faramir sighed. "I'll order an entire dairy herd of cows brought to the citadel courtyard if I have to."

The baby paused in his snack to offer a burp of satisfaction at his meal. Then he quickly settled back down to eating, leaving his father and uncle counting the minutes until the ladies returned.

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