Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Tolkien's. I'm just playing around with them a bit and will put them carefully away when I'm done. The Sea Hawk, however, is all mine and please ask before using in other fics.
Dedications: I wouldn't have had the nerve to even start this without Evendim and my darling AJ reassuring me that it was decent. This entire story is dedicated to them.
A/N: This piece is set in Evendim's wonderful AU. Any questions can be answered simply by reading her wonderful fics. Which should be done anyway because they are simply excellent!
A/N 2:This being an AU piece, there are several discrepancies from the Professor's works. Not the least of which that Boromir lives!
A/N 3: My thanks to all my reviewers! I try to answer reviews as they come in, but if you don't leave an email I can't answer them!
Please, if you like the story, leave a review! It would make my day, as well as telling me that it's worth continuing!
***Boromir followed Arthond through the warren of caves on the small island. "Your camp is in these caves?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. He no longer felt as helpless, since he once more carried Astaldar, but the feeling of desperation lingered. He dared not compromise Faramir's safety.
Arthond gave him a level gaze. "Cap'n's quarters is in here," he explained tersely. "Only one knows the way besides her is me, an now you. She wants you should break your fast with her."
Boromir nodded. He knew he had carried his weight on the voyage in, once she'd released him from that cage. He'd insisted on helping with the ship's tasks, helped ready her for landfall, since he knew a dawn landing, with the light uncertain, could be tricky.
They had come into port with no difficulty, however. And the Sea Hawk had immediately disappeared into this warren of caves, leaving Boromir out among her crew, where he had learned a few very interesting things.
To a man, they were loyal to her, respected her, and protected her. They would die for her. Yet she had not achieved her rank as a matter of course for a pirate. She had proven herself, yes, but she had not killed more than a few times, and those few were dictated by necessity.
She'd not hesitated an instant at committing violence on Boromir himself, but the violence was tempered by something. And that might just be something he could use.
Arthond stopped beside a smaller cave and motioned Boromir inside. "Best not to keep the Cap'n waiting," he said evenly and started back along the passageway.
Boromir ducked through the curtained archway, uncertain of what to expect.
"Welcome to my lair, Boromir of Gondor," the Sea Hawk purred as she gestured him to a seat at her table. "I trust you are finding your stay with us comfortable?"
He bowed to her, carefully concealing his shock at her appearance. No longer was she a simple pirate.
Her dark hair was intricately braided round her head in a crown of sorts, and she wore a gown of a soft rust color, which mirrored the highlights in her hair. So, she was all set to charm him, was she? So much the better!
"My lady should sit first," he said softly as he waited by his chair. Carefully, this would have to be done very carefully. He couldn't give her any indication that what he really wanted to do was strangle her!
"Very well, although we don't stand much on ceremony when we're on land," she replied back, her tone brisk. "Now, would you please answer my question? Are you comfortable?"
Boromir seated himself and forced down his dislike, burying it deeply within himself. She couldn't be allowed to know what he was truly thinking! "I am comfortable, I suppose," he replied with a shrug. "I would be much more comfortable were I back in Minas Tirith. But for the moment, this is becoming a nice holiday."
"Oh, you're not on holiday," she shot back smoothly as she poured tea for them. "I'll expect you to carry your own weight while you're with us. Which you did admirably on the way in, I'm told." She offered him a platter. "Toast, with clover honey?" Her smile was wicked and Boromir stifled a growl.
"Thank you, no," he replied tightly, then forced himself to smile again. "You do realize you have me at a disadvantage, my lady. You know so much about me, and yet have told so little of yourself." His gaze was direct, guileless. "Such as your name. I can't see myself calling you 'Sea Hawk,' yet 'little bird' is no better. So, tell me, Fileg, what is your name?"
"Nice try, Boromir." Her voice was sharp. "My name is of no importance. You, as the rest of my crew, will address me as Captain." She pinned him under her clear gaze. "I know full well that you'd like to wring my neck. But since you're being so charming, perhaps you would answer more questions. Such as, will your King yield to our demands?"
"If he believes you trustworthy, and if he has the gold, possibly," Boromir ground out. He rose to pace. So much for his plan to charm her. "But he will not risk himself. He would not be allowed to do so even did he wish it." He carefully moved closer to her side of the table.
She eyed him suspiciously. "If not the King, then the bargain is void," she spat. "I will settle for no one less. Not even the Steward your brother." She rose to take a sheaf of parchment and a quill from her desk, and Boromir was on her like a hound to a fox. Twisting one arm up behind her back, he held her bent over the desk and leaned down to hiss at her.
"As you said once, Fileg, I am a dangerous man. And you are going to take me to my freedom without argument, or I will snap your neck like a twig."
She twisted out of his grasp, coming up with a long curved dagger, almost daring him to touch her again. "Does your word mean nothing?" she snarled. "No mayhem, no escape attempts?"
"My word is sacred to me, I would never break it. But, you annoying little pizzle, I did not swear to do no mayhem to you, only your crew." Boromir's blade was in his hand, gleaming in the torchlight. "Now, we appear to be at an impasse. I have the greater reach and the better weapon. Do you yield, or must I kill you?"
"I will not yield. Your word that you would not attempt escape, does that mean nothing?" She glared at him as she put the table once more between them, though he was nearest the entrance.
"Aye, it does. But my duty to my King will always take precedence." He feinted toward her, pleased when her blade met his with a heavy metallic clang. "Yield, lead me to a safe harbor from which I might return home, and I will spare your life." Where had that come from? He wanted nothing in life so much as to subtract her from it!
"Never!" She dashed around the table, but he was still quicker and blocked her exit.
"You still are outmatched, Captain," he snarled as he blocked another rush toward the door. "You can scream all you wish, the only one to hear you is me. Your men do not know the way to your rooms. And Arthond should be occupied by now with some --- modifications --- I made on the sly to Aergil. Now, will you yield?"
Her rage stepped up another notch and she hurled her dagger with deadly accuracy. Boromir was unable to completely parry the missile and it sliced open his left shoulder, near the neck, and thudded into the wall.
"You insufferable little witch!" he growled as he stepped closer, ignoring the pain to raise his blade over her. But before he could deliver the blow, Arthond came rushing in, oblivious to the tableau.
"Cap'n! We've got to leave, now! Lookout says there are ships closing on us, and they look to be slavers!"
She was up in a heartbeat, almost past Boromir before he could lower his sword. "I'm not losing any more of my people to them, Arthond. Get everyone aboard. We'll run. Aergil can outrun anything on the sea, with her oars and sails both in use."
"The wind is against you," Boromir snapped. "Sails will be of no use until it shifts." He caught her stunned expression and gave a rueful snort. "I still wish your head on a plate, Felig, but I will leave no one to slavers. I will help you to escape, on condition that you then allow me my freedom."
She didn't take much time for thought; that would come later. "Done. But you'll need that dressed before you do much."
"It's a scratch, I can do what's necessary to keep your people safe. Let's go."