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!
***Faramir entered the King's chambers with a purposeful stride. "My lord, I have word," he announced sternly. "They have rejected the proposal." He tossed the parchment on the table with a disgusted sniff. "Not that I expected any less."
Aragorn took the message and scanned it carefully. "The only thing we are in disagreement on is who will carry the ransom," he said thoughtfully. "And I will not hide here in the Citadel if it may cost Boromir his life." His words were clipped, though forceful.
"You cannot be risked!" Faramir objected strenuously. But before he could draw breath again, Aragorn cut him off with a savage gesture.
"I am the only one they will accept, Faramir, which makes it necessary that I do this." The King's forceful personality was asserting itself quite well, as though Faramir needed reminding. "Unless you would see Boromir forsaken, which I know you will not." His expression softened slightly at the look of shocked disbelief on his son's face. "I intend to do everything within my power and ability to retrieve Boromir safely. But this pirate will not go free."
"You must agree to all terms, my lord, or the agreement is void," Faramir reminded him. "You cannot risk any further attempt at capture."
Aragorn smiled grimly. "I cannot, it is true. But it says nothing of the Steward or his brother. Think you that Boromir would allow such a grave insult as has been done to him to go unpunished? I cannot order such an attempt. But neither am I required to forbid anyone else from pursing the Sea Hawk."
A thoughtful frown crossed his face. "For all his daring and courage, this Sea Hawk seems quite unfamiliar with the art of negotiating. The demands were well stated, but lacked clarity. Almost as if the pirate himself was --- young. How long has this creature been plaguing our ships?"
Faramir thought for only a moment. "No more than two years, sire," he returned slowly. "You think then that he is trying to prove himself with this abduction."
"Faramir, ion-nin, that is exactly what I think. Come, we have much to plan."
TBC
A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short. The muse left me at this point, so it went no farther. But part 8 will be posted, hopefully by the weekend, and it'll be a bit longer. J