Seal On My Heart

by Soledad

An AU, based on my own Boromir-series 'Fall Before Temptation', with the significant difference that this time Boromir doesn't die but gets the girl - well, sort of. Rating varies by chapters. WIP.

4. 4 Getting the Nod

SEAL ON MY HEART

by Soledad

Disclaimer: see Introduction

Extra warnings: not for devoted Legolas-, Aragorn-, Merry- or Pippin-fans!!! Also, implied m/m interaction. If you don't like it, don't read it – just don't complain after having read it. Nobody forced you to do so, right?

Rating: PG, I guess.

Author's notes:

First let me thank you – all of you – for the extremely supportive reviews. Especially to  my faithful readers who had to read basically the same stuff again, with only a few little changes.

Now the real fun begins. There still will be bits and pieces from ''Of Snow and Stone and Wolves'', but only a few, since from now on the whole situation radically changes. Some of the dialogue while changing the Fellowhip has been taken from the 7th volume of the HoMe-books, ''The Treason of Isengard''.

Many thanks to Isabeau of Greenlea for digging herself through the chaos that is my grammar and eradicating all the ''creativity'' I develop while writing in English.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

''Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away.

O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,

In the covert of the cliff,

let me see your face,

let me hear your voice,

for your voice is sweet,

and your face is comely.''

Song of Solomon, 2:13-14

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CHAPTER TWO: GETTING THE NOD

Boromir came awake slowly to the faint music of a harp and to the soft, gentle voice of his lover.  He stretched under the thick blanket and smiled at Elladan who was sitting in a big chair across the room, his long, slender fingers gliding along the harp-sings, his beautiful face pale and strangely thoughtful.

''You got up early,'' he remarked as a sort of greeting.  Elladan slowly nodded and gave him one of his slight half-smiles.

''You should rise, too, meleth-nin.  Father will call another gathering at the third hour, I heard.  The Company of the Ring has to be chosen.  In seven days, they must depart, or they will be caught by the winter.''

''This year the winter will be long and hard,'' Boromir murmured, ''I can feel it in my bones. I, too, have to depart for Minas Tirith soon.  Hopefully, our self-proclaimed King will see the urgency too.  Otherwise I might leave without him.''

Elladan sighed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.  Sometimes he honestly asked himself why they put up with all these stubborn Men of Númenórean descent.  For Aragorn was little better when he had one of his moods.

''You ought to make your peace with Estel, soon... or else the two of you shall be at each other's throats all the way till Minas Tirith.  And just whom would that serve?''

''I shall not fight him,'' Boromir said, ''as I already told you yestereve.  If he wants to come to Minas Tirith with me, so be it.  Better I get used to him while my father is not around to make things worse.''

''Would he?'' Elladan asked earnestly.

Boromir laughed mirthlessly.  What a question!

''Oh, he most certainly would.  You call me stubborn and single-minded, for nothing but my city and her safety seems to be in my heart; you should hear my father who has done naught but rule her for half a century... as did all his father's fathers before him.  The Stewards of Gondor ruled well, Elladan.  It is hard for us to step down.  And who can promise us for certain that Arathorn son of Aragorn would, in truth,  restore the land to its strength and glory of old?''

''No-one can,'' Elladan agreed, ''and I do understand that it is hard to leave old, well-walked paths for new ones that only contain a promise.  But I fear you shall not have any other choice.  And sometimes a promise can do more than a whole army of strong Men with sharp weapons.''

''In your waking dreams, mayhap,'' Boromir sighed.  ''Still, I shall be no hindrance for our King-to-be if it is his desire to defend our city.  Yet if he tarries too much, I cannot wait for him.  I have already wasted too much time here.''

''You think so?'' Elladan did not flinch, but the hurt was clearly to see in his darkening eyes.  Boromir reached out a hand to him.

''Forgive me.  That was not what I meant.''

''Oh, I believe it was, indeed,'' Elladan bit his lip, then he swallowed and fought to remain calm.  ''Never mind.  I do understand your longing to return home.  I would feel the same if Imladris were in great peril.  I wish I could go with you, at least for a part of the way, but I fear Father would not approve.  And I have tested his patience with my... indiscretions already hard enough.''

''You are needed here just as much as I am needed home,'' Boromir offered awkwardly. Elladan tilted his head on one side with a strange, bird-like jerk and lifted up one of his shoulders shortly.

''Maybe, in a way.  Now, you should get dressed and eat something ere you walk over to Father's house.  I shall see you later.''

* * * * * * * * * * *

While the young hobbits had second breakfast in the chambers of their grumpy old uncle, and Estel went to see Arwen, and my beloved remained in the guest house to brood til my arrival, I went to the study of my father, where I knew I would find him at this time of the day.

He was already working on the planning of his daily routine with the aid of Erestor and Lindir who looked up curiously when they saw me enter the room.  I rarely visited Father this early.  I bowed towards my father, greeted the others and said:

''I regret to disturb your work, Father, but I require a word with you, ere the onset of this gathering.''

''You are no disturbance; we are almost done, and Erestor is very well able to finish without me.''  Father looked at his aides and dismissed them with a nod.  ''Leave us alone, please.''

Erestor and his spouse left as they were asked, and now Father looked at me askance.

''What is it you want, my son?''

I closed my eyes, for this decision was still hard for me to bear.  I had not hoped that he would even consider letting me go with Boromir, at least for a good part of the journey, but I had to try nevertheless.  This one path only was left for me, and I knew it would hit my father hard, for I had not yet spoken to him of my choice – still, I had to follow my heart.  I could not go on differently.

''I ask you to let me go with the company of the Ring, Father,'' I said after a moment of heavy silence.  ''I wish to execute my Right of Protection.''

My father paled at these words and became silent for what seemed for ever.

''So you have chosen,'' he finally said, and the hidden pain in his voice was almost unbearable, for I love him greatly and never wanted to cause him such pain, even less now that he was fearing my sister's choice greatly.  Yet I could deny the longing of my heart for fulfillment even less; and if the only path to fulfillment was to lay down my life and die, I was ready to walk that path.

''Indeed, Father, I have.''

''Does he know?'' my father asked.  I shook my head.

"Nay; nor do I wish him to ever learn of it.''

''Why not? He surely has a right to know?''

''It would do no good to either of us.  He does not love me the way I love him; and he is guilt-ridden enough for things he did not choose and cannot change as it is--I wish not to add to his burden.  He never promised me aught; nor is it his fault that I have fallen for him as I never had before.''  I shrugged.  ''Then again, I might have chosen to remain in Middle-earth even without him; you always knew that.''

My father raised a questioning eyebrow.  ''I did?''

I nodded.  ''Why else would you have feared my final choice so much all my life?  You were never worried about Elrohir.''

''That is true,'' my father sighed.  ''Yet to fear it is by far less painful than to know the inevitable loss has come.  Are you sure about your chosen path, my son?''

''Yes, Father.  I shall remain here as long as Elrohir remains, for I could never leave him behind.  But once he sets sail for the Blessed Realm, I shall walk the path of your own brother.''

My father was silent again for some time.  Then he nodded.

''So be it.  The choice is yours, as it was mine and my brother's and as it will be Elrohir's. I accept your choice, as I always did.''

* * * * * * * * * * *

At the third hour of the day, a small gathering was summoned to the same meeting place where the Council had been held almost a month earlier.  The young hobbit, Frodo, was there, with his faithful man-servant and the two even younger ones of his small kin whom Boromir still had a hard time telling apart; then, of course, Mithrandir, crouching on a bench like an old, grey vulture, watching everyone with never-tiring, keen eyes, and the inevitable Heir of Isildur.

Elrond greeted them all, then he looked gravely at Frodo.

''The time has come,'' he said.  ''If the Ring is to sent out, it must go soon.  But those who go with it must not count on their errand being aided by war or force.  They must pass into the domain of the Enemy far from aid.  Do you still hold to your word, Frodo, that you shall be the Ring-bearer?''

The anguish was clearly shown on that small, vulnerable face, deep blue eyes wide with fear, but the young hobbit did not falter.

''I do,'' he said; then, reaching out to his servant for aid, he added: ''I will go with Sam.''

''Then I cannot help you much, not even with counsel,'' said Elrond, and Boromir felt like screaming again.  The poor little guy was already scared to death, even without having been told how utterly helpless his whole errand was.

Looking at that Elvish face again, Boromir was hard-pressed to believe that the hobbit was, indeed, about eleven years his senior and had faced the Nameless Fear and had been bodily harmed by it.  He looked so much like a child – yet he was not.  He was a grown person, who prepared to go into mortal danger, without help.  Just how much bravery dwelt in that little heart?

''I can foresee very little of your road,'' Elrond continued; ''and how your task is to be achieved, I do not know.  The Shadow has crept now to the feet of the Mountains, and draws nigh even to the borders of the Greyflood; and under the Shadow all is dark to me.''

Dark, indeed, Boromir thought, withstanding the urge to double over with pain at these words.  He had spent the night in peaceful sleep once again, thank to Elladan's songs, yet even now he could feel the darkness lingering just beyond the horizon, and he knew, once he left the valley, he would be unprotected.  And that hateful fear he had never known before Osgiliath took his heart in a tight, icy grip again.

Yet it was not death itself he feared.  To death he was used as all soldiers are, knowing that one day or another, they were to meet, inevitably.

It was darkness that filled his heart with horror.

Darkness that he would have to endure alone from now on.

For the rest of his journey.

For the rest of his life. How ever long or short it might be.

''And I shall choose you companions to go with you, as far as they will or fortune allows,'' Elrond was still speaking to the young hobbit.  ''The number must be few, since your hope is in speed or secrecy.  Had I a host of Elves in armor of the Elder Days, it would avail little, save to arouse the power of Mordor.''

And you have failed once already, Boromir thought grimly.  It was Isildur, a mortal Man, who cut the ring off the Black Hand, not one of your proud Elven Lords.  You blame him for keeping the Ring, yet it was him, no one else, who broke the strength of the Enemy, taking from him the very source of his power.

''Nine and no more should there be,'' Elrond announced; ''and the Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders that are evil.  Since Frodo is still willing, then Frodo as Ring-bearer must be the first choice.  And if Frodo goes, then Sam Gamgee must go, too, because that was promised, and my heart tells me that their fates are woven together.''

''And if two hobbits go, then I must go,'' said Gandalf with a mischievous grin, ''for my wits tell me that I shall be needed; and indeed, my fate seems much entangled with hobbits. Taking care of hobbits is not a task that every one would like, but I am used to it.''

''You will be needed many times before the journey's end, Gandalf,'' Elrond warned, foresight hitting him unexpectedly. ''But maybe when there is most need you will not be there.  This is your greatest peril, and I shall not have peace till I see you again.''

''And yet this might be the most pressing thing for me to do and mayhap the end of my long labors in Middle-earth, so that I finally can go back to the fields of my youth and rest when all is done,'' Gandalf replied with a shrug and a sigh.  ''I cannot stay behind.''

''That is three, then,'' said Elrond. ''If there are others, they should represent the other free folk of the world.''

''I shall go on behalf of Men,'' said Strider, giving Boromir a pointed look. ''I claim some right to share in the adventures of the Ring; but I wish also to go out of friendship for Frodo, and therefore I will ask his leave to be his companion.''

''I could choose no one more gladly,'' said Frodo. ''I had thought of begging what is freely offered.'' He took Strider's hand. ''Only I believed you were going to Minas Tirith with Boromir.''

''So did I,'' Boromir commented in a low voice, audible only for the keen ears of an Elf – or a Ranger of the North.

''Boromir will also come,'' Gandalf hurriedly intervened, ere the two stubborn Men could get any deeper into an unnecessary argument. ''Since he is resolved to return as soon as he can to his own land, to the siege and war that he has told of, his way goes with ours for quite some length. He is a valiant man.''

This announcement as well as the unexpected compliment surprised Boromir greatly. Never would he expected them to trust him even near the Ring; not after his passionate plea in the Council to give it to Gondor as a weapon or to wield it against the Enemy. Yet as he looked into those deep, wise eyes again, he understood that this was a peace offer, at least from the wizard if not  from his soon-to-be King, and accepted it with a simple nod.

''For the Elves I would choose Legolas of Mirkwood,'' said Elrond, ''and for the Dwarves Gimli son of Glóin. If they are willing to go with you, even as far as Moria, they will be a help to you.''

To their great surprise, however, Legolas shook his head regretfully.

''I am deeply ashamed that I have to withdraw your offer, my Lord, but it seems I cannot fulfill my promise after all. Yestereve, a messenger arrived from Mirkwood with my father's plea to return home as soon as I am able to. Evil troops of Dol Guldur have assailed our patrols and are closing upon our city even as we speak. I shall leave after this meeting without further delay.''

''Are you sure this is what you should do?'' Aragorn asked sharply. ''There is more depending on this quest than just the fate of Mirkwood. If we fail, your home will be destroyed, whether you are there or not.''

''It matters little what I would or would not like to do,'' answered Legolas, gritting his teeth in barely surpressed fury. ''This is a matter of duty and honour. I am the Crown Prince of Mirkwood, and my land – and my King – are in need of my service. Seldom are the wearers or the heirs of a crown allowed to choose their adventures at their own liking. Do you intend to become a proper King, you should learn this, too.''

Aragorn was about to give him a less than friendly answer, but Elrond raised an elegant hand and silenced him.

''I understand and respect your decision, Legolas Thranduilion, the more so for I know it has not been easily made,'' he said. ''Be comforted; I doubt not that I shall find someone in my household to take your place.''

With that, he looked directly of Boromir, who felt a strange warmth pooling around his own heart. Could it be that Elrond, in spite of Elladan's obvious doubts, would be ready to let his firstborn go with them? Having the strength, the wisdom and the healing powers of Elladan in the Company would, no doubt, be very helpful for both hobbits and Men.

Especially for one of the Men, Boromir added as an afterthought, and a smile began to play about the corner of his mouth.

Ere he could have said anything, though – and he certainly was not beyond begging in this matter –, the youngest hobbit, the one the others called 'Pippin', intervened.

''But that will leave no place for us!'' he cried in dismay. ''We do not want to be left behind. We want to go with Frodo.''

''That is because you do not understand and cannot imagine what lies ahead,'' said Elrond, trying to keep things in hand. He clearly did not like the idea of four hobbits walking off with the Ring.

''Neither does Frodo,'' said Merry, whole-heartedly supporting Pippin, and Boromir's heart sank, for he believed Elrond would give in to the begging of the little ones after all. It was hard to resist them, once they became determined to get something. ''Nor do any of you see clearly. Do you truly believe that you can challenge Sauron with your powers? Even if you choose for the quest an Elf-Lord, such as Glorfindel?''

''You speak truly and well,'' said Elrond, yet clearly in disagreement, and Boromir almost began to hope again, ''But I am in doubt. I judge that the younger of you two, Peregrin Took, should remain. My heart is against his going.''

And the glance he spared for Boromir made it clear why.

''Then, Master Elrond, you will have to lock me in prison, or send me home tied in a sack,'' said the youngest hobbit stubbornly. ''For otherwise I shall follow the Company.''

His set jaw and burning eyes left no doubt that he meant it. But Elrond let himself not be blackmailed into something he did not agree with.

''I shall do so if the need arises,'' he answered in an authoritative tone. ''And since you seem not to listen to reason, I shall send your cousin, Meriadoc back with you as well. The success of this quest, so slim the chance might be, is my responsibility, and I shall not risk the fate of Middle-earth because of one belligerent hobbit. Now, sit down and be quiet!''

Pippin opened his mouth to protest, but the grey eyes of Elrond bore into his own brown ones like daggers of ice, so he shut up miserably and squatted down.

''What do you have against Merry and Pippin?'' said Frodo, clearly miserable that his friends were not included. ''They have come far with me, and can you not see how it grieves them to be left behind now?''

''Peregrin would go with you out of love for you, if he were bidden, we all can see that,'' said Gandalf gently; ''but his heart is not truly in such perilous adventures, much though he loves you. Merry will be grieved, 'tis true, but Elrond's decision is wise. He is merry in name and merry in heart, but this quest is not for him, nor for any hobbit, unless fate and duty chooses him. But do not be distressed: I think there may be other work for them to do, so that they will not be left long idle.''

Merry nodded, clearly unhappy with the decision, but – unlike Pippin, who was still growling under his breath – mature enough to understand its necessity. Gandalf silently gave his curly head a fatherly pat, and Merry smiled at him weakly, determined not to disappoint their old friend.

''Whom of your household shall you send on this quest then?'' Galdor from the Havens asked.

''This is the question we shall discuss now,'' Elrond answered with a sigh. ''For not only do we need to find someone to replace Legolas, but also my eldest asked to be sent with the Company, and I cannot reject him in this matter; so we only need to find two more persons.''

''Why is it that you cannot reject him?'' Gildor Inglorion asked with an arched eyebrow. ''Is it not your decision to make?''

''It is,'' Elrond nodded, ''yet Elladan wants to execute his Right of Protection, and that is not something I can refuse, by our laws and customs. Therefore, he shall go with the Company and represent the Peredhil, the Children of Lúthien, who also need to play their role in these final events of our struggle against the Darkness.''

''The Right of Protection?'' Gildor repeated with a frown.  ''Is then Elladan bound to the son of Denethor?''

''Not yet,'' Elladan stepped into the circle, ere his father could answer, ''but 'tis something I intend to do ere we leave.''

The two Elves glared at each other with open hostility for a moment, then Elladan shrugged, turned away and sat down next to Boromir.

''What was that all about?'' Boromir asked in a low voice, not liking that every one else seemed to know something he did not.  Elladan patted his knee affectionately.

''I shall tell you later.  Listen now.''

''In that case,'' Gildor was saying, ''I wish to go with the Company as well.''

Not many things could truly surprise Elrond after three Ages spent in Middle-earth and having seen many defeats and many fruitless victories – this, however, was one of these things.

''Why should you want to do this?'' he asked in utter bewilderment. Gildor shrugged, his chiseled features becoming even harder, sea-colored eyes darkening with sorrow.

''This is what Celebrimbor would wish to do – yet he is dead, through the Black Hand that made the Ring. Therefore, I shall go in his stead, to witness the destruction of that cursed Ring that cost him his life and his dreams of a better Middle-earth.''

''Only if I should decide to send you with them,'' said Elrond icily. There was clearly no love lost between these two Elf-lords. Gildor's eyes, too, became ice cold, lips tightening to a thin line.

''Fail me not again, Elrond Peredhel. You failed me once, and Ost-in-Edhil was burnt to the ground and the noblest of Finwë's descendants put to death by slow torture in his own house. I was the one to find his charred and mutilated body after Sauron's troops deserted the ruins. You did not even have the decency to look out for him – dare not to keep me from seeing his death avenged!''

''This quest is not for your vengeance,'' Elrond countered, paling considerably in face of these horrible accusations. This was true, his failure to break through the armies of Sauron and free the chief city of Eregion – the images of that burning city still haunted him in his dreams, no matter how much pain and death he had seen before. For this was the only one he felt responsible for, even if he had tried everything in his power to get there in time(1).

''It is for me,'' Gildor replied in a cold, terrible voice, ''and I shall see it fulfilled, with or without your leave. Though it would do good for the company to have someone with them who actually has fought Sauron before.''

''If I needed a warlord or a great warrior, I always could send Glorfindel,'' Elrond said, not quite ready to give in just yet.

''And let the servants of the enemy become aware of the importance of the quest?'' Gildor shrugged. ''I think not. The power that is in Glorfindel would call to evil things just as much as the Ring does. There is no such power in me.''

''Gildor is right in that,'' said Glorfindel quietly. ''And what is more, I do believe that the place I am needed most right now is Mirkwood. I shall go with Legolas, if you agree, my Lord. 'Tis time to face Dol Guldur openly and confront its Nazgúl captain. The Company shall need distraction elsewhere, in order to travel safely – as safe as it can be in these times.''

''But I need you here,'' Elrond pointed out. ''If Gandalf is right – and he usually is – Saruman will come, thinking that we are hiding the Ring. I have need of a Captain to lead the defense of the valley.''

''You have Erestor,'' Glorfindel replied. ''He has fought in both major wars of this Age, and he still knows how to command his troops. And you have Elrohir as well. Nay, my Lord, you need me not here. But Thranduil does need me in Mirkwood. There is no-one within his borders who would have the strength to challenge a Nazgúl. Nor does he have powers to protect his realm as you do.''

''So you advise me to send Gildor?'' Elrond asked doubtfully.

''I only say his claim is justified,'' Glorfindel stated calmly.

''In a sense, it is,'' said Elrond; ''yet if we were out for vengeance, Erestor could ask with the same right to be sent out.''

''I do not,'' Erestor said quietly.

''Nor would his claim be as justified as Gildor's,'' Glorfindel stressed. ''Celebrimbor had no sons of his own. He made Gildor to his heir – and he wanted the One Ring to be destroyed. 'Tis Gildor's right – and his duty – to fulfill Celebrimbor's legacy.''

''Also, I used to be a Ring-bearer for a short time,'' Gildor added, his hard and beautiful face clouded with sorrow. ''For was I not the one who brought the Three to their first Keepers? So, I know all too well what powers we are facing.''

''Yet you are not free to do as you please any more,'' Elrond reminded him; ''even less so than Legolas. You are the Lord of your people and they need your leadership.''

''Unlike my grandfather, I do have the support of my people in this(2),'' Gildor replied grimly.  ''And I already have named my heir, should I not return. You cannot hold me back, Elrond. You have neither the right nor the power to do so.''

This Elrond new all too well, of course, even though it was hard for him to admit. But finally – with a very unhappy sigh – he gave in.

''So be it.  Now we only have to find one more for the Company.''

''You have found her, father,'' the clear voice of Arwen Undómiel interrupted; the Elf-lady came forth from the background where she had been listening to the heated discussion the whole time and added calmly. ''You have spoken about the partaking of the Children of Lúthien, and I do not deny Elladan his right to go. But if he goes, then so shall I. For it is I who can enchant the hearts of Elves, Men and beasts if the need arises; only I have inherited the magic that lived in Lúthien, and only I can wield it. Swords and arrows are useful, but there are enemies you cannot defeat with weapons.''

''Arwen, nay!'' Aragorn protested, though the daughter of Elrond listened to him little. ''You cannot endanger yourself! You must stay here where it is safe!''

''But if the servants of Sauron could feel the power that is in Glorfindel, can they not feel yours just as well?'' Boromir asked. Unlike Aragorn, he did see the merits of bringing an Elven sorceress with them – as long as she did not bring even more perils upon the Company.

''Nay,'' Arwen smiled, ''for the magic of Melian that lives in me comes form the flesh of Arda itself. 'Tis one with the powers of the Earth and cannot be felt as something coming from the outside. You shall be safe with me – and you shall be in need of me. Mithrandir knows that I am right.''

''I know,'' the wizard nodded sadly, "though I hoped it would not come to that.''

''So did I,'' Elrond sighed, ''but Arwen is right, I fear. She alone can weave a veil of magic around you to hide you from the eyes of the Enemy. She alone can put evil beasts to sleep with a song, so that they cannot follow your paths. As much as I would rather keep her at home, I must allow her to go with you.''

'''Tis folly,'' Aragorn growled. ''You should have chosen someone else.''

''And just who, pray you, should that be?'' Elrond inquired pointedly, having enough from his foster son's bickering. ''More Elf-lords I might not send, for though their power is great, 'tis not great enough. They cannot walk unhidden from wrath and spirit of evil like Arwen Undómiel, the Evenstar of the House of Eärendil, last daughter of Lúthien can do. And tidings of the Company would soon reach Mordor, by day or night.''

And so, no matter how much Aragorn protested – arguing that an Elven Princess should not be sent out on a quest this perilous – it was decided that Arwen Undómiel, indeed, should be the 9th member of the Ring's Company, and she accepted her choice with great dignity, knowing that this was the final struggle of her family in a long war against the Darkness that had lasted through all three Ages of Middle-earth.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The next few days were spent in eager preparations. The Sword of Elendil had been forged anew by the skilled Elven smiths of the valley, and on its blade was adorned with a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun, thus representing both High Kingship and the southern Towers of the Moon and the Sun, the cities of Isildur and Anárion, just as it had been during the days of Elendil himself.

And Aragorn gave it a new name, the name Brandir(3), to make his claim clear to any one, and Boromir's heart darkened with bitter wrath, for he, too, was of the line of Isildur, though not descending from father-to-father, and could have made that claim himself, if not for Pelendur's law(4).

Mithrandir often sought out the company of Gildor Inglorion in these days, who had spent this whole Age traveling across Middle-earth and knew every way and path between the North and the South, the West and the East. They sometimes invited Elladan to their meetings to help them ponder over the maps and books of ancient lore that were kept in Elrond's library; and sometimes Aragorn and Boromir, too, for the latter knew the western borders of Mordor better than they did.

During these private councils Boromir could not help but notice the tension between Gildor and Aragorn (though it seemed there were not many people Gildor actually did get along).  Whatever the Elf-lord proposed, the Ranger always had a pointed remark to make in response. After a few days of this, Boromir felt the insane urge to throttle his future King, but Gildor's only reactions were an elegantly arched eyebrow and an overly patient smile, of the sort that people usually give ill-mannered children – which, of course, infuriated Aragorn even more.

Whenever Boromir tried to understand the roots for their hostility, Elladan only shrugged, telling him that it was a very long story and should not be discussed behind the backs of the people involved, so after a while he stopped asking, not wanting to upset his lover more than he already had been.

For Elladan was strangely thoughtful in those days, his eyes clouded with hidden grief and his songs grew more and more sorrowful with every passing night, and their love-making, too, had changed from heated and passionate couplings to slow, gentle loving. Yet when Boromir asked what was troubling him now, that they had got Elrond's unexpected leave, his Elf (as he had begun to think of him) only shook his head, smiled wearily and said that there was much on his mind and that there was naught Boromir should worry about.

So their remaining days in Imladris were spent in quiet intimacy, until the eve of the Company's departure came.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

End notes:

(1) Gil-galad had sent Elrond to Eregion with troops to Celebrimbor's aid, but he couldn't break through to Ost-in-Edhil in time.

(2) The people of Nargothrond did not support Finrod Felagund in his task to help Beren to get the Silmaril from Morgoth. Michael Martinez has a theory about the unique bonding between an Elf-lord and his people and assumes that Finrod was doomed to lose because of the lack of his people's support. See: ''Who is like the wise Elf?''

Of course, there is no canon proof that Gildor would be Finrod's grandson. It's  something I've made up. More about it can be found in my other story, ''Innocence''.

(3) This is the name given the Sword in ''The Treason of Isengard'', my basic guideline to this AU. Branding is obviously an ''English'' name (Old English: brand = sword), and consorts with the names Ingold and Elfstone, which Tolkien originally considered instead of Aragorn. So states Christopher Tolkien in his comments.

(4) Sorry, I can't give the exact location of that piece of canon, since I don't have that particular volume of the HoME series. But it is also mentioned in Michael Martinez' article ''The Men who would be Stewards.''