Promise Me

Chapter Seventeen

Boromir heard Ava long before he saw her and he swallowed an oath as he hurried toward Faramir's room. Fortunately, he made it without being seen, slipping around the corner of the doorway before she caught sight of him.

"Slinking about, are you?" Faramir asked dryly.

Boromir made a face at him. "I'm hardly slinking."

"It looks just the opposite, to be honest."

"Well, it isn't, so let's let the matter drop, shall we?" Boromir sank into his usual chair. "How do you feel?"

"I'm feeling much better. Perhaps you might help me talk Ioreth into letting me return to my own chambers."

"I could."

"I would appreciate it."

"Father's funeral is planned for the day after tomorrow. But, I would understand if you were not up to attending."

"I will be there." Faramir offered up a knowing look. "Gabby was here earlier."

"Was she?" Boromir tried to ignore the way his heart fluttered at the mere mention of her name. She'd been on his mind all morning, and he'd planned to go on down to the tavern well before it opened and actually sit down and talk with her.

"She was, indeed."

"And how is she?"

"Perhaps you should talk to her yourself and find out."

"I would... I am, actually. In a bit."

"I see." Faramir's eyes narrowed sharply. "You look tired, brother. Did you have a late night?"

"I've not been sleeping of late." Boromir reached up to rub his eyes, which were every bit as tired as they probably looked. "Why do you ask?"

"Merely out of concern, is all. You should go and talk to Gabby now. Before it's too late."

"Did she tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Tell you what we fought about?"

"No. I asked, but she had no desire to discuss it with me, which I understood and let the matter drop. But, if you wished to tell me..."

"I don't. It's none of your concern."

"No," Faramir said around a yawn, "I don't suppose it is. Although, you are being an absolute ass."

"Take care, little brother," Boromir replied evenly, "for you know nothing of the subject."

"Don't I? Tell me with a straight face you have not been in love with her since we were all but children."

"I've made no secret of that. Least of all to her."

"Is that so?"

"Faramir, is that anger I hear in your voice?"

"It is, indeed anger. And you are an idiot for this, Boromir. Do you know who was also in here this morning?"

A sense of apprehension crept through him. "How would I know that?"

"Ava."

"And?"

"What do you mean, and? Isn't that enough?" Faramir's normally calm, tranquil eyes glinted with anger. "How great a fool are you, that you would throw over Gabby for that... that harlot?"

"What are you talking about? I wasn't with Ava."

"Is that so?" Faramir countered. "For she seems to think otherwise."