First Impressions and Second Chances
By nautika
K
Summary: A conversation between Legolas and Boromir, some time after Elrond's Council.
Disclaimer: These are Tolkien's characters, not mine. Wouldn't know what to do with them if they were!
Author's
Notes: This fic is for Peppy's birthday. Some time ago she asked me
for a story that told how Boromir felt after his first meeting with
his future king. Movie verse, AU.
In Imladris
"Lord Boromir?"
"Prince Legolas?"
Legolas cleared his throat in a most unelven fashion. "I came to apologize. I spoke out of turn at Council. It was not my place to announce Aragorn as your king."
"Nay, it was not, but as he allowed the opportunity to pass him by when we first met, I suppose someone had to do it. Whether for good or ill, you have seen the deed done."
"I fear it is for ill. Aragorn is most distressed with me."
"Why is he?"
"Well…it would be difficult to explain."
"Nay, it is simple really. A mere eight words: You made Gondor's Captain General look a fool." Boromir caught and held Legolas' gaze, his voice softening. "The truth is that my king," Boromir said the word as though it left a bad taste in his mouth, "made it possible for you to make a fool of me and by so doing forsook the right to be distressed with you."
"I truly am sorry. I had no idea-"
"That my king, raised by the most honorable of elves, would utter a falsehood?"
"Did he?"
"Pardon?"
"Did Aragorn utter a falsehood?"
Boromir sighed. "Nay, only the lie of omission. He said he was a friend to Gandalf the Grey, and so he is."
"But still a deception?"
"What say you?"
"I say Aragorn and I have both treated you poorly. I truly do regret my part."
"Permit me to give you a truth, Prince Legolas?"
"Of course."
"Gondor has waited for over nine centuries for her king and when or if he comes to her – she deserves more than a dissembler."
"Aragorn is a good man; and if you wish to find a fool, you have only to look before you. It was I who lost Gollum."
Boromir's smile lit his eyes. "Aye. I must admit that confession did seem to distract them somewhat from my own poor behavior. Perhaps I should thank you."
"I think not."
"What do you think?"
Legolas did not hesitate. "I believe we should start over; and that you should grant Aragorn a second chance, for the sake of the quest, if no other reason. He will not disappoint you in such a fashion a second time."
There was a long silence. Finally, Boromir spoke. "Very well. I shall trust to your judgment, for you are right in one thing, if none other. If we cannot work together as a fellowship, the quest will fail, and my people will be the first to fall. If Gondor is to meet it's doom, it will not be by any failing of mine!"
Hidden in the shadows, a grey-clad figure heard Boromir's vow and hoped it would hold true.
End
