Disclaimer: They aren't mine, unfortunately. All recognizable characters from the book/movies belong to JRR Tolkien. I'm just borrowing them for a bit of fun. The Sea Hawk, however, is mine and I'd like to be asked before she's used in someone else's fics. Ancir is the creation of Evendim and used with permission.
A/N: This story is set in an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. That means that not everything is the same as in the books. Point in question: Boromir didn't die at Amon Hen and I thank Evendim for making that possible. This is her AU, also borrowed with permission.
Dedication: This story is dedicated to some very wonderful people. Evendim, for allowing me to use her AU and even helping me brainstorm what's coming next, for tireless beta reading and keeping my facts straight, and just in general being the best friend a writer could have. And for my darling AJ, without whom I would never have had the courage to even start this. Thank you both, more than I can ever say.
Faramir stood at the head of the dock, watching as the longboat came ever closer. There was no sign of Boromir, and he tensed slightly.
His men were well concealed, and he had a moment's pride in them. Then he returned his attention to the boat as it was brought to the pier and a tall man followed by two seconds stepped ashore.
"You are Faramir, Steward of Gondor?" the dark-haired one demanded. "You have our gold?"
"I am and I have," Faramir returned tightly. Something was very wrong, but he could not isolate it. "You are to release the Captain-General immediately, or I will consider the bargain unaccepted."
He looked past the man, toward the Aergil, and saw nothing amiss. No movement was to be seen on her decks; the crew was mostly crowded against the rail to watch.
"I will see your gold, Steward, before I allow you even a glimpse of your dear brother," Arthond sneered.
Faramir gestured for one of the men to bring forward a pouch and took it, opening the neck of the purse and displaying the coins. "I trust this is sufficient," he queried. Something was still not right; the two men at the pirate's back had been too silent. Was this, then, the trap his King had feared?
He could not wait to spring his own, nor could he be too early. They had this one chance to bring in the pirate, no more. But something in him was telling him it was time.
One of the hooded figures behind the pirate raised his head just a fraction, and Faramir was treated to the sight of two very familiar green eyes returning his gaze. There was a slight, almost unnoticeable nod.
Faramir held the pouch out to Arthond, just out of his reach. "I ask you again in good faith to release Boromir," he said quietly, an edge of pure steel in his voice. "If you do not, then the bargain is no bargain and you will be taken to Minas Tirith to answer for your crimes."
Arthond reached for his blade, knowing Faramir would carry through his threat. He found his grip blocked by a warm hand which took his and squeezed it unmercifully. "Draw blade against my brother and I will gut you where you stand," Boromir hissed. "Disarm. Then back slowly away from the Steward and kneel before him."
The hood swept back and Boromir was revealed, and Arthond knew fear. The man's face was implacable. A quick glance to his other 'second' revealed his death if she got a chance. Hawk had squirmed into the other man's place, it seemed.
"Well, brother mine, have you someone to take charge of this piece of offal?" Boromir asked off-handedly. "Oh, and Aergil will be tacking in to dock in a few moments. We sent the longboat back with orders to dock. You see, they willingly serve the Sea Hawk, but not her traitorous first mate." He turned his gaze again to Hawk, then back to his brother. Odd, the woman had been given a golden opportunity to escape, yet there she stood beside him as she had promised. Respect for her grew again.
Faramir looked her over critically, noting the easy relaxed stance of a born sailor, yet the muscled strength of a warrior as well. "You say she is the Sea Hawk?" he asked in disbelief.
Hawk raised her chin defiantly. "I am. And I am calling on the Captain-General now to honor his promise."
Boromir gave her a half-bow. "As you wish, my lady," he quipped as he stepped forward. "Lord Steward, I require you to carry a message to his majesty the King Elessar. I have on this island several scores of persons who have been displaced. They are in need of a patch of land to call their own. The Sea Hawk will act as their spokesman in these negotiations, if it pleases his majesty to open them."
There. He'd gotten it all out and without a hitch. He hated political speeches, though on occasion he agreed they were necessary.
Faramir also gave the Hawk a slight bow. "If you will remain here under custody of the Captain-General, he will see to your needs and those of your people. And who should I say is petitioning for sanctuary? The name of the Sea Hawk would get you a quick hanging, I believe."
"Peace, brother, she is not what she seems. That maggot you have in custody was responsible for the deaths of the Fortune's crew, not her." Boromir would defend her, even if he didn't like her, because what she had spoken to him was the truth. He could feel it in his bones.
"And she does have a voice of her own, sir," Hawk said, her voice dry. "You may tell him what you wish, my lord, but the name I was given at birth vexes me sorely and I wish to keep it a forgotten secret." Her eyes twinkled with suppressed mischief.
Faramir nodded. "As you wish, then. I will return to the Citadel with your requests. Boromir, I leave the island in your capable hands until I return or send word to you." So saying, he bowed again and signaled his men to follow. And he had so been looking forward to a good fight! Eowyn would laugh herself sore over his discomfiture, he was certain.
Boromir and Hawk watched the Barque depart together. "Well, my lady, it seems you have what you wanted," he said slowly. "Does all my hard work on your behalf not grant me the pleasure of your true name?" His eyes held hers and something stirred inside him that he couldn't place.
Hawk was mesmerized by his intense stare and it took her three tries to get her voice to work. "I suppose it does, but I won't tell you anyway," she teased gently. She placed a hand on his arm and leaned forward, brushing a gentle kiss across his damaged cheek. "I am sorry for that, whether you believe it or not," she whispered.
Boromir again captured her eyes, bringing her hand to his lips and brushing a gentle kiss across the knuckles. "I will find out," he threatened playfully.
She danced backward with a grin. "If you guess, I'll tell you true," she sing-songed. Then she tried to turn and run but he caught her easily and brought her close to his chest.
The contact silenced both of them. Then Boromir held her closer with his good arm and kissed her, hesitantly at first, but with growing assurance. He drew back slowly, keeping his gaze on her face. "I would not take the wind from your sails," he whispered, "but I would cherish this feeling between us, always."
"Be still and kiss me," she breathed back as she pulled him closer to her. "It's strange, though. I haven't had the urge to knife you in the last few hours." She giggled and he laughed as they walked back toward the Garrison.
Boromir suddenly felt playful. "Come with me, I want to show you something," he urged as he pulled her aside through a small access door. "Something I doubt even you have seen in the catacombs."
Hawk didn't resist, but she didn't seem altogether pleased, either, and he stopped. "Have I offended you?" he asked quietly.
She shook her head. "No, of course not. But… it's nothing. Just my imagination running wild." She stepped forward to see what he had brought her here to see.
Ice. The whole cavern was covered with ice crystals, though the air would seem to warm for them to exist. The very walls glittered and she took a deep breath.
"How?" she asked as she reached to touch the wall, feeling the coldness for herself, and wondering at it.
"I don't know," he replied quietly. His arm had gone around her again, unnoticed by the both of them, and she settled a little closer into his grasp. "My brother and I found this place when we were young. It has always been like this, and there is no explanation. It just is, and a thing of beauty that eases the troubled mind and spirit. When I was in charge of the garrison, I came here often."
She could feel the hidden pain in his words. That he had visited here while commanding told her many things, not the least of which that he did not command as easily as it seemed. He felt too deeply, grieved too badly, was enraged at the loss of life, however necessary it had become. The sudden flash of insight gave her the courage to trust him finally, completely. He would never cause her pain, not if it could be in any way avoided.
"Eirien." Her voice was soft and she turned him to face her, touching his lips gently with her own. "My name is Eirien."