Both men are careful about where they mark one another. The Lord Steward knows that the King’s person remains the object of myriad pairs of eyes, whilst the Captain understands that his Man’s household watch him keenly. It is also a given that no-one should be required to lie, to blame a clumsy horse or a misstep in the practice ring.

Nevertheless, sometimes the need is strong and they have their favoured spots. The curve of Aragorn’s lower rib sets against Boromir’s teeth nicely, whilst at Boromir’s inner thigh the purpling bruise is blooming with a satisfying throb of blood.