"I've picked you these."

Boromir looked dubiously at the handful of flowers his brother held out. Their mother had often had flowers around to brighten up the place, and Faramir had taken that duty upon himself, and kept it up too. But this was the first time he'd picked them for someone, as far as Boromir knew.

"You can give them to Aerliniel," Faramir added, when Boromir didn't take them.

Boromir blinked. "How do you know about her?" He hadn't spoken of her to anyone for fear that Denethor would hear and keep them apart. Boromir knew she wasn't suitable to be the wife of the Steward but he didn't care.

"I've been watching you," Faramir admitted. "And her. She likes you too."

"Yes," he said. "I know." Now he was worried. If Faramir had been able to discern what was happening merely by looking, who else might also have noticed?

Faramir frowned. "She likes violets." He stretched his arm out and held them a little closer to Boromir.

Boromir wondered how his brother came to know more about Aerliniel than he did. "I'll take them to her. And then you and I are going to talk about spying on people." He'd been on his way to see her anyway and he was sure she would appreciate the flowers. Of course, he wouldn't tell her his younger brother picked them. He turned to go, but stopped when Faramir spoke again.

"When you come back will you go with me to the library?"

He frowned and turned back to face Faramir. "Why?"

"Father said I could only go if you went with me."

Now Boromir understood the flowers. His brother was more devious than he thought - he'd have to make sure to keep an eye on him. He hated to give up an afternoon spent in Aerliniel's company, but one look at Faramir's hopeful expression told him there were more important people to spend the afternoon with. "Of course," he said, smiling at his brother.

He knew why their father had come up with condition - it was because he didn't want Faramir to visit the library and knew Boromir would be busy. He could intercede on Faramir's behalf, except he had tried before and knew it didn't always work. Besides, this would give Boromir the opportunity to find out what Faramir was up to. So he added, "As long as you tell me everything you know about Aerliniel."

"I will," Faramir said earnestly and smiled.

Boromir smiled back and clapped Faramir on the shoulder. "One day you'll be the death of me," he muttered.