Like in Old Days [Faramir]

[Boromir]

Boromir had passed the last days locked up in a tower, looking at maps and other documents. Spies had sent messages on the whereabouts of the orcs. For now, they didn't need to fortify any stronghold. But the strategists were discussing what they should do next. Boromir knew this was vital, he wasn't the kind of man who'd jumped into a pit without knowing first what was awaiting him down there. But this forced inaction was not good for his moral either. He needed action, not simply words. Since a very young age, he preferred sword training to studies. He never could stand it too long. So yes he was bearing the meetings with the strategists but he was feeling more and more the need to do something. Yet for now he didn't have to go anywhere. They assumed the next attack wouldn't be for now, the few orcs that'd wander could be taken care of by the men already there.

Satisfied that a certain peace was established for now at least, Boromir decided to find himself something to do. Without a wife or children to take care of and so keep him busy, he had to occupy his time some other way. Talking to his father was helping sometimes but the man always seemed so fatalistic ever since his wife's death, he was depressing his son when he was around for too long. So to clear his mind he decided to do something he hadn't done in a long time: hunting. Usually when he was on a horse with a sword or a bow it was to kill some orc, but hunting his meal could be a rather interesting thing to do who'd for sure keep him busy.

Getting his horse from the stables, Boromir left with a young man to the Firien woods. They said men were living there, but it was in a far deeper part of the woods than he intended to go. And Firien was still part of his father's kingdom, so he could hunt in there. Bow in hand, Boromir passed most of the day within the soft darkness of the woods. In his younger days he was a good hunter but it had been so long. Besides this almost solitude - considering the squire at his side - was peaceful and he intended to taste it as long as possible. He had killed a deer already but he was still out there in the woods. Perhaps he could get some quails. But come to think of it, he didn't bring any traps for those little birds. Oh well, another time.

He stopped by a small river to quench his thirst and relax a little before thinking of going back home. The ride after all, was a little long...

[Faramir]

For Faramir, the strategy and research before any fight could be as exciting as the battle itself. Ever since childhood, he had been easily lured in by words. He could spend days amongst books and maps at his own leisure as well as for the importance of the army. While the young man did find some excitement in a fight, it was the sense of duty and fulfilment that made it worth it. He never enjoyed fighting for the reasons of just fighting. There was always a purpose in the back of his mind. There would always be a need for war, and there were always necessary situations, but he did not prefer them. Still, he embraced his leadership head-on.

When there was no threat, Faramir could often be found studying. If not surrounded with books, he made use of strolls of the city and trips to the gardens. Occasionally, he spent his extra time training, but again, it was necessary. As a youth, he had loved sparring with his brother. Alone, had never been as fun, or with anyone else. He still did from time to time.

A large portion of his afternoon had been spent in the tower, quietly skimming words with his sharp grey eyes. But, as the day wore on, he caught himself curious of his brother's whereabouts. After a short search and questioning of different palace workers, he discovered that he had gone hunting and the direction he had gone in. It wasn't going to be simple to find Boromir if he had ridden deep into the woods. Knowing his brother though, Faramir had a keen sense that he would be able to find him eventually. He rode out to Firien woods. The trip held a sense of comforting; the ride cleared his head.

Once he arrived, he followed a path with the horse before he stopped and climbed down to attempt to trail his brother by foot. It took some time, but he had managed to find himself at the river, and it was then that he spotted a figure in the distance. Quietly, he approached, but made certain not to be too quiet. He had no intention of sneaking up on him in the forest. Any man of war would know better. Reflexes were quick when startled. "Did you manage to catch anything?" Faramir asked out loud to announce his presence. It had been some time since he had been hunting himself, and he knew it the same for Boromir. But, even so, he never doubted his ability to hunt. He assumed he had caught what he set out to.

[Boromir]

Boromir was still drinking some of the river's pure water when he heard the sound of cracked dried herbs. He didn't bother though, his squire was there. The boy would be warning his lord had it be anything or anyone suspicious and/or dangerous. Besides, the could be coming from his horse or the squire. No reason to jump too soon to conclusions. Besides, Boromir knew very well this was not an empty forest. had he not killed a deer just a few minutes ago? So it could just be a wild animal wandering around.

He froze though as the newcomer talked to him. For it was not an animal. It was his brother. Boromir turned his head towards Faramir and smiled at him. He nodded his head in direction of the deer he caught. "I think we have our diner." he said still bearing his smile. He stood up and walked to his brother, turning his head at the last minute in direction of his catch. "It had been a long time since we ever hunted both of us." he said on a rather thoughtful tone. He was trying to find since when exactly. Ever since they were both captains, they had too much on their hands to do so it seemed.

Chasing away these thoughts, he looked back at his brother. "What brings you here? I thought you wanted to study some old books in the tower." he said with a polite frown. He didn't want his brother to think he was unwelcome, it was in fact far from that, but it was indeed a little intriguing to Boromir the reason why his brother felt the desire to come to here. A quick look behind his brother made him understand he had no squire. Usually when hunting they were bringing someone, just in case something was happening.

Disturbed by his squire saying they should be going soon if his lords ever wanted to eat the deer today, Boromir told him to start packing and getting ready before turning his attention yet again towards his brother. "I guess you will have to tell me on the way back home." he said with a light shrug, grabbing the reins his squire handed him.

[Faramir]

As his brother acknowledged him, Faramir smiled in greeting. It was true that he'd wanted to study, but he had found himself more interested in the whereabouts of his brother as the day drew on. He hadn't time to answer him, however, due to the squire informing them that they should be leaving soon. Faramir had been fully aware that he was likely to catch him either preparing for the trip home or on his way. It was easier to find him that way, however, and so his search for Boromir hadn't been without that strategy.

Since he had hopped down from his horse earlier, he mounted the animal once more, but turned his grey eyes onto his older sibling. "I spent most of the morning in the tower." He explained, although Faramir never had a problem whiling away the hours in there. He could spend an entire day reading and no one would hear a word from him until he was finished. That was the way that he had always been. But, today, he hadn't decided he wanted to spend his entire time reading.

"I thought I'd come and find you. It's been too long since both of us weren't busy." And it was true. The two had lives filled with obligations and duties. They were both Captains, and it was to be expected that they didn't have a lot of time without anything pressing overhead. Even today, it was obvious that their time was often spent doing something different. When Faramir had free time, he usually didn't spend it doing identical activities to Boromir. But, he did enjoy the time they spent with each other. He had since they were children.

[Ooc:// Sorry that it took so long for me to reply. I was without a computer for a bit. >_<]

[Boromir]

Boromir simply nodded as his brother explained he was indeed in the tower for a while. Boromir knew his brother well, Faramir was quite able to stay there an entire day. It never brother him, Faramir and him had very different personalities and Boromir was accepting and loving his brother that way. They had some things in common but the reason why the two were going out so well together despise their father's obvious likeness for Boromir was precisely the fact they were different. They could rely on each other at any moment and have one compensate for the other's weakness. Faramir was a scholar and very good at strategy while Boromir was more a man of action fighting in the frontlines. Combine together they were making a great combo.

He mounted his horse as Faramir talked once more. It made him smile. Indeed, it was rare for the two to have a day free in the same time. Boromir made his horse move closer to his brother so he could look at him better. "Maybe I should have asked you to join me in the hunt. After all you're a better archer than I am." he said, the seriousness of his words lightened by the smile he had once again. Soon they were joined by the squire who attached the deer at the back of his horse. Boromir turned his head to look at the squire and the catch for a second before turning his gaze back on his brother. "Come." he said on a happy tone.

Boromir made his horse trot along the road leading to the edge of the woods, ready to go home. Eventually, he'll go faster, but the ground was irregular, a faster pace could only make him fall and hurt the horse. Besides, they were in no real hurry and along the way, Boromir was hoping he could talk with his sibling.

[ooc: it's fine, as long as you post ]

[Faramir]

Even had the ground been flat and clear, Faramir wouldn't have wanted to speed his horse into a gallop. The calm nature of the walk suited him well. He wanted to catch up with Boromir. And it was difficult to carry on a conversation while their horses ran over the terrain. They would speed up eventually, but for now he took advantage of the slow trot his horse was in. As a smile brushed his features, he nodded and followed along side-by-side with Boromir.

"There is always a next time," He reminded his sibling simply. While there was never a certainty of when it'd be. He was positive that there would be time in the future for the two of them to hunt again. After all, it had been so long since they did it together. Faramir was certain that his last hunt for sport had been with his older brother. Today, it had been too late. And when he left to find him, he was fully aware that he was probably finishing up the hunt by now.

"But, you seem to have done well for yourself." When didn't he? Faramir looked up to Boromir. Even now, no matter how equal they may be. His opinion was always so high of him and it should be. Since childhood, it was like that. Perhaps it was the nature of brothers. Anyone could tell you that Boromir was a skilled man. And Faramir knew full well that he would have had no trouble on his own. Neither of them would.

[Boromir]

Boromir nodded in response to his brother. Yes, there would be other hunts for the two of them. Or so Boromir liked to think. Unlike many of his soldiers, he had no wife or children. So to keep hope alive within himself, he was thinking about peace in the kingdom, the possibility of having his father back the way he was and of course, to have moments like this with his brother. Time where neither of them would have to worry about what next calamity would fall upon them, about when the next fight would occur... Those kind of thoughts could easily depress oneself.

Boromir had a soft laugh as Faramir talked of his catch. He looked for a second behind himself where the deer was. A somewhat proud smile appeared on his lips. "You certainly would have caught it before me, you're the best archer between us." he mentioned. It wasn't something that bothered Boromir of course. He wasn't as skilled in archery as his brother. But for other things, he was the best. You couldn't master everything, human life was too short for that. And elven one's too for sure.

It was then it struck Boromir they seemed to have barely nothing to say to one another. Not like Faramir couldn't speak, that wasn't the problem. He was more the cause. Even though Faramir knew him better than anybody, it didn't mean Boromir was sharing everything to him. His brother just seemed to know. That ability to read people's hearts again. Something Boromir lacked. Usually silence was not something to bother him but somehow this time it was. He glanced at his brother besides him. "I hope you enjoyed your day free as much as I did." he said to him, breaking the silence.