Faramir Fiction Archive

Brothers (G)

Written by Monica

09 May 2005 | 4731 words

Chapter 5: Training

Boromir watched the practice with a critical eye. He was the instructor here, and he took his duty quite seriously. A sloppy thrust made him frown a little and he went to his pupil.

"No, Faramir," he said patiently. "You hold the sword like this, remember?" He demonstrated with his own sword, and then stepped back to watch another attempt.

The four-year-old stuck out his tongue in concentration, his tiny hands barely big enough to grip around the wooden play sword. Faramir was only a few inches taller than his "weapon", and it was close to outweighing him as well, but he was very determined. Boromir had promised he could have his old play sword when he was big enough to hold it, and Faramir wanted the prize today. He managed a rather wobbly swing, nearly making himself spin around and fall, but held his ground and Boromir was satisfied it looked like a fine attack.

"Yeah!" Boromir cheered. He picked up his brother and Faramir clung to him. "I knew you could do it," Boromir praised him. Faramir giggled in delight, beaming with his accomplishment.

"Can I have it now, Boro?" he asked, still managing to cling to the sword. "You have a new one Father gave you," he reminded his brother.

"Yes, you deserve it now," Boromir agreed. "But remember the rules, you touch it only when I am with you; the rest of the time it stays put away. It's not a toy, Fara." Having just been given a *real* metal sword, Boromir now regarded the wooden implement as a complete toy, but he wanted Faramir to be safe. He was never too young to learn how to properly handle arms.

"I promise," Faramir said solemnly as Boromir put him back down.

"Now, let's go inside, and I'll show how to clean your weapon. Remember, Fara, you have to take care of a sword and it will take care of you." It was a line from a lecture that Boromir now had daily during his practice sessions with the sword master, and it seemed good advice to give his little brother. Nodding earnestly, Faramir trailed after his brother, dragging the wooden sword behind him.

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time change

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"Ouch!"

"Sorry."

"That's the third time you've slapped my wrist. I'm beginning to be worried that you'll slap my hand at dinner tonight," Faramir snapped at the Elf.

Legolas smirked. "I just may; thank you for the idea." He ignored the look that the Steward gave him, and took hold of Faramir's hand again, remembering this time to gentle his grip. Faramir was still recovering and Aragorn would surely have his head if he returned the Steward any worse for wear.

Faramir was still officially "banned" from weapon's practice until Aragorn decided that his arm and shoulder had sufficiently recovered from their wounds in battle. Knowing the new Steward was going crazy from lack of physical activity, Legolas offered to show him how to throw the Elven knives, an offer Faramir accepted gratefully. This was their first day at practice, and Faramir was finding the Elf quite the taskmaster.

"When you were learning, did your instructor slap your hand?" Faramir asked, regarding the Elf warily.

Legolas had the grace to blush. "Once or twice. You have to get the grip correct from the beginning or you will never learn how to throw them properly."

"Well, alright," Faramir muttered. He did want to learn this correctly. He offered his arm to Legolas and the Elf tried to bend his fingers in directions they were not mean to flex. Once he had an acceptable grip on the knife, Legolas removed the weapon and handed it back to Faramir.

"Now you try to hold it properly this time." Faramir muttered something about silly Elves, and made his fingers comply.

Legolas nodded in satisfaction at the latest effort. Faramir was a quick study and the Elf knew the Steward could become accomplished with this new weapon in time. Aragorn had worriedly told his friend that Faramir's arm might always remain a bit weak, and Legolas had vowed to see this young man able to defend himself properly with another type of skill. Legolas looked upon Faramir as a little brother, and he was going to protect his new sibling.

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