Faramir Fiction Archive

Letters From Faramir (G)

28 April 2010 | 16713 words

Letter Two –

“There! Can you not hear it, Father? It is the Horn of Gondor.” Faramir ran to the window, pulled back the heavy drapes, and tried to peer into the distance. The sun was high overhead yet the air was chilled. He shivered, but not from the cold.

A glint of wet shone in Denethor’s eyes, yet his face was set in a hard line, jaw tight, lips taut, hands clenched. “You are needed in Ithilien. Go, now.”

Faramir stared, dumbfounded. Then because he knew that look, knew nothing he could say would alter the command given him, he strode, impotent, from the room. A few short hours later, he was in Osgiliath. After sharing the daymeal with the men of Osgiliath, he wearily dropped onto an empty cot in the barracks and waited for dark to come and hide him. He would ride for Henneth Annûn at daybreak.

It was nigh unto midnight and still he had not slept. He swore, pushed the covers from him, and stood. I will go mad if I lie here longer. Giving up on the attempt at sleep, he rose and ran from the barracks. He walked to the battlements and stood next to one of the Knights. Silence, cloaked with dust from ages of decay, spilled over his body, yet his ears rang continuously with the sound of the Horn. He turned and walked to the dining hall. No one was about and only a lone lamp shone on the table farthest from the door. He walked to it, sat, pulled out the precious letter and wept. As dawn slid into the room, he rose and went to the cook’s desk. He found paper and began to write as quickly as possible.

My Brother,

I heard the Horn of Gondor. Father would not let me follow the sound… so dim. He has sent me off to Ithilien and has sent, in my stead, others to try to find you. I fear it is my destiny to have others go in my place. But a worse fear grows in my heart. Where are you? Why did you blow the horn? It was not the clear notes of the heralding of the beginning of an adventure that I heard… Rather, to my ears, it was the sharp cry of a fox caught in a trap. Three times I heard the call. Three times the air was taken from my lungs. Three times I felt the warm breath of our mother on my cheek, telling me all would be well. The same way you oft told me, as I cried myself to sleep after her death – that all would be well.

Boromir – where are you, my Brother? Please come back to me. I harbor no anger for your going on this journey in my place. You know I believe you went for my sake, not your own. Always my protector. Even with Father – Do you remember the times you would hold me and comfort me after Father would upbraid me for something that I had or had not done, whether to his purpose and satisfaction or no.

Perhaps that is why the Valar gave you the dream too. They knew you would not let me go to what you saw as my doom. And yet someone had to go. So, mayhap they gave the dream to you also, and you, as you always could, were able to talk Father into letting you go. Would that I had never had the accursed dream – never mentioned it to you!

My Brother, I fear I have lost you. No word comes and I am filled with trepidation. You spoke of despair in your post from Rivendell. And yet I cannot see you in despair. You were always the one leading the battle, in play as children, and for Gondor, when grown. You were always the one championing my cause to Father. I know you had fears, even though you hid them from your little brother, but not despair – not the kind I see in our father’s eyes. The men would follow you anywhere; I would follow you anywhere. What madness is this that would try to claim you?

Oh Boromir, I beg you – know that your little brother loves you and believes in you and waits for your return. Come quickly, dearest Brother, come quickly. Gondor needs you. I need you.

Faramir

His jaw hurt from being clenched. He shook his head, trying to relieve it of the horror he felt crushing it. He folded what he had written and put it in his tunic’s pocket. Then, he rifled through the cupboards till he found meal, stuffed it into his pouch, and left the room, bound for the stables.

NB: Please do not distribute (by any means, including email) or repost this story (including translations) without the author's prior permission. [ more ]

Enjoyed this story? Then be sure to let the author know by posting a comment at https://www.faramirfiction.com/fiction/letters-from-faramir. Positive feedback is what keeps authors writing more stories!