When I returned from my half-day and heard of Boromir's fall, I ran straight to the Houses, heart pounding with fear. I found him asleep, looking very small in that man-sized bed. With the healer's approval, I approached him and gently brushed the hair away from his pinched, grey face. He did not stir.

"Oh, my poor little duckling," I murmured, overwhelmed with guilt that I had not been there to comfort him. "However did this happen?"

Somewhat hesitantly, the healer told me.

I was going to shake the little imp til his teeth rattled out of his head. A dare.