Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, places and all that. Tolkien does.
Summary: Happy couple Legolas and Boromir have finally admitted their feelings to each other and couldn't be happier. But how will Lord Denethor react when his eldest son brings home and Elf Prince and claims he is in love with him?
A/N: This is a sequel to 'A Hidden Burden'. And this is SLASH, so if you don't like it, don't read it! For the rest of you, enjoy!
Lord Denethor sat in his throne smiling to himself. He had received most pleasing news earlier that morning. A messenger had woken him with a message that Boromir was on his way home and would arrive later that day. Rejoicing at the early return of his favourite son, he had had the finest ales to be brought in, and a grand feast to be arranged. He couldn't wait to hear of the tales Boromir would have. But he sat patiently, staring at the hall doors waiting for them to be flung open by his beloved son.
Boromir took a deep breath before entering the hall. It had been a long journey back to Gondor, but with Legolas at his side, the days had raced by in bliss. Both men were so happy and light that nothing else seemed to exist in the world whilst they were alone, wandering across the land. Thanks to Legolas' healing skills, Boromir's arrow wounds from the Uruk- Hai attack had healed well and cleanly. He looked at Legolas, who was standing loyally at his side, not a hint of nervousness on his calm face. Legolas smiled and tilted his head in a nod. Lets do this. Boromir nodded back. As they entered the hall, Lord Denethor clapped his hands in joy and came forward to embrace his son.
"Boromir! Welcome back! I'm glad to find you looking well and healthy." He beamed at his eldest. It was then he noticed the elf standing by his sons side. "I don't believe we have met?"
"Father, this is Prince Legolas of Mirkwood. He was one of the nine that left Rivendell. He is a good, uh, friend of mine."
Legolas stepped forward and bowed slightly. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you Lord Denethor."
Denethor inclinded his head in a nod. "You too Prince Legolas, any friend of Boromir is welcome here." He looked the Prince over, wondering briefly why he felt the need to come to Gondor. He had heard of the Prince before, mainly his unbeatable ability with a bow and arrow.
"Well, please go rest in your rooms, tonight we will be having a great feast in the dining hall. We can talk then."
The two men shook hands with Denethor and took their leave, Boromir leading the way through the winding corridors to the guest rooms. He eventually stopped outside of a room with a heavy oak door.
"This is your room, mine is up the hall." He lingered for a moment.
"Do you want to come in and… freshen up?" Legolas asked with a small, cheeky smile on his perfect lips. Boromir laughed and shook his head. "As much as I would love to, I think that while we are here, we should keep our relationship quiet. Just until I have worked out how to tell my father." Boromir frowned.
Legolas nodded in understanding. "Yes, you are right. I will miss not having you by my side." He stroked the Gondorians cheek. "I will see you at the banquet then?"
"Yes," Boromir answered, then took a hasty step away from his lover as a guard turned down the hallway and passed them. "Until then Legolas." He turned and walked away, not daring to look back.
Boromir enjoyed a nap and a quiet bath, putting aside his worries for the time. With the rings hold over him broken, his mind felt clearer and stronger, and he was able to concentrate on the real problems in front of him. He thought of Legolas while he bathed and wondered what he was doing, how he was feeling about the situation. They had hardly had a minute to talk since arriving. Perhaps later tonight he would be able to sneak down to his room and…No! Boromir extinguished the thought. He could not let his guard down even for a second. Secret visits in the night would have to wait, as much as he wanted to touch Legolas, as much as he burned for it, he had to steady himself.
He dried and dressed himself, choosing simple, but elegant loose fitting clothes for the dinner. He left his room and made his way towards the main hall, looking forward to seeing his fair Princes' face again. As he entered the hall, he was struck by the number of people sitting and standing around the room. Many shook his hand and welcomed him back with warm smiles. It took him awhile to make his way to the main table where his father sat, but when he did he felt his heart stop at the sight. Legolas sat next to Denethor, dressed in a pale, soft blue that lit up his eyes. His hair was loose from its braids and hung in shiny waves around his face. Boromir soon became aware that he was gaping at him, and shook himself out of it, hoping no one else had seen. Denethor was chatting amiably with Legolas, but stood when he noticed his son's arrival.
"Boromir! Please take a seat. I was just talking to Legolas about your journeying from Rivendell." Boromir sat on his Fathers other side. He took a large goblet of ale from a nearby serving girl and drank half of it in one go.
"Tell me, what happened to the fellowship? Why has it broken?" Denethor took a swig of his ale and eyed Boromir.
"We faced some difficulties, and were forced to split." Boromir sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "We were attacked by Uruk- Hai and two of our party were captured, we had to come up with a new plan, but we were divided. Too many paths faced us, so we had to split. Two were forced to follow their path, and another two chose to follow the Uruk that captured the Halflings and Legolas and I decided to come here."
Denethor nodded but didn't press for more information. He would grill his son later.
"Where is Faramir? It has been so long since I have last seen him. I would like for him to meet Legolas." Boromir asked, scanning the crowd for the familiar face of his younger brother.
"He is on patrol at the moment, but will be arriving home in a couple of days. He will be glad to see you. He has been most idle since you left." Denethor always wore a slight frown on his face when he talked about his youngest son. Boromir decided now was not the time to argue with his father about his brother, it was a conversation they had had many times over, he simply nodded instead.
The evening progressed in a simple and pleasant manner, with the conversation light and easy, and the food excellent. When he deemed the time appropriate, Boromir took his leave, bidding his father and Legolas good night. He slipped out of the hall as inconspicuously as possible and quickly made his way across the grounds to his quarters. He longed to lie down on his bed and sleep comfortably for the first time in a long while. As he neared his building a soft padding noise behind him caused him to spin around sharply and his hand flew to the hilt of his sword. He quickly relaxed as he noticed the glint of silvery hair shining in the moonlight, followed by the smooth, porcelain face of Legolas.
"You startled me." Boromir said gruffly, eyeing the elf. Legolas rolled his eyes. "You should have expected it. I have been following you since you left the hall." He took a step forward. "However your hearing is better than I expected." He smirked.
"Well I am used to listening for sneaky elves following me." Boromir smiled, and then lowered his voice, "You look wonderful by the way, very… pretty."
Legolas grimaced. "Pretty?"
"Oh I didn't mean… like that, just in an elvish way." Boromir flustered.
Legolas laughed lightly. "I understand, just don't call me 'pretty' again. I am not a female." He tilted his head to the side, and Boromir watched as his silvery hair slid across his neck and over his shoulder. "I will be sure not to make that mistake again." Boromir said as he turned and continued to make his way back to his room, Legolas trailing along side him.
"I have forgotten the way to my room." Legolas stated.
"You have not." Boromir replied with a sideways look. He stopped walking and turned to Legolas. "I'm serious when I say we cannot be together right now. I don't know how your father would react to our relationship, but mine would be angrier than you can imagine. We have to be smart about this until the time is right." He shook his head in frustration.
Legolas suddenly reached out and grabbed Boromir's hand and held it tightly in his own. "The time will never be right. Never. If you want to be with me, than be a man about it." Legolas looked almost close to anger.
Boromir snatched his hand back. "If I was to be a man, I would be with a woman." As soon as the words left his lips he regretted them. A glimmer of annoyance flowed over Legolas' face. Boromir sighed and shuffled uncomfortable. "I shouldn't have said that. Look, can we keep things quiet, just while we are in Gondor?"
Legolas sighed and nodded. "Goodnight then Lord Boromir." He held out his hand and lightly shook his lover's hand, enjoying the roughly calloused feel of it. He turned and slipped off into the night, only then noticing a pair of eyes watching him. He frowned but decided to ignore them.