Disclaimer: I do not own anything that belongs to Tolkien's estate. I do own the Sea Hawk/Lady Eirien, and would like to be asked if you want to use her in a story. Evendim, however, has permanent permission to use any of my characters that she would like to in any story she wishes to write. Cerris, Ancir, and a few others belong to Evendim and you should ask her before you use them. Thanks, ED!

Author's note: This story takes place a few weeks after the events in The Sea Hawk, which is set in Evendim's wonderful AU. I recommend that you read her stories and then the Sea Hawk before you tackle this one. It'll save time and answer a lot of the most commonly asked questions, like how Boromir survived Amon Hen. LOL

Dedications: To Evendim, who created this wonderful AU where Boromir didn't get the short end of the stick and who has graciously allowed me to play in her playground. You go, girl! Love your stuff, always! And to my darling AJ, without whom I would never have had the courage to post even one chapter of any of my stories. Love you, babe, don't ever change. J

Chapter Two: Compromises

Elessar, or Aragorn as he preferred, barely managed to conceal his astonishment at the revelation played out before him. "Both of you, attend me," he demanded as he rose. The Council was left seated and murmuring among themselves as Dalos and Eirien followed him into a small antechamber.

Dalos he gave leave to be seated and then Aragorn rounded on Eirien. "I forgave you your crimes, Eirien, because you were all your people had. You deliberately kept to yourself that your King still lived. What say you to that?"

If Eirien had thought his eyes cold before, now they were positively glacial. She raised her chin defiantly. "I say, Highness, that this is the first I knew of a surviving King. I do not take his claim at face value, though he wears the Stone of our people. My father, Andurs, taught me what I know, and charged me with holding our people together. I know nothing beyond that. Nothing. And you know from Boromir that I would not utter a falsehood to you. Honor demands you hear the truth."

Aragorn raised an eyebrow, but remained silent, and his expression didn't change. He turned on Dalos. "And what proof do you offer to your claim? You say you are a king, but you toil as a healer and are here on sufferance from Thranduil of Eryn Lasgalen. I require an explanation from you."

Dalos rose and faced Aragorn squarely, his own expression carefully neutral. "As proof, Elessar, I offer my actions of late. Your lord Boromir would have passed beyond the veil had I not intervened." He drew attention once more to the adamant in his mithril collar. "This has been passed down among us, father to son, since the days of the Last Alliance. When Ost-in-Edhil was razed, my people refused to follow Elrond Perehdil to dwell in Rivendell. We foolishly thought we would find sanctuary elsewhere. We were proved wrong, to our sorrows, and scattered to the winds. So my father spoke to me, when I was but a boy. So I have spoken to my son, wherever he may now be. I have not seen him in years, since I was taken by the Haradrim."

He turned his deep dark eyes to Eirien without a pause. "Your father, Andurs, was he a woodcrafter by trade?" he asked simply.

"He was," Eirien spat, totally nonplussed by the sudden shift in topic. "But he also knew his way around a ship quite well, and was comfortable with a blade. He taught me all I know about dueling and warfare."

"Then it is as I thought. I sent him forth with you, child, when the camp was attacked. He was to raise you and train you, and when the time came, to give you his blessing to lead our people until such time as I returned." He took her hands in his, gently. "Andurs was my armsmaster. He was not your father."

Aragorn cleared his throat impatiently. "As amusing as this story has come to be, I still require proof from you, Dalos. Thranduil sits with Boromir. Would he corroborate your tale?" Aragorn was not happy. This had certainly livened up his day, however.

"He would, my lord," Dalos answered promptly.

"Then I propose a solution to this dilemma." Elessar was going to settle this quickly. "Dalos. You are claiming her as your daughter?"

"I am."

Eirien began to protest but soon realized it would do no good. There was too much resemblance between them, and there had been none with Andurs. This man, Dalos, spoke the truth. She shut her mouth, feeling the vise of responsibility close tight about her once more. What more was she going to be asked to do for her people? Despair welled up in her spirit.

"Then, Dalos, I will require a few things of you. I will grant you Hollin as your new home, provided you meet my conditions." Aragorn's voice was flat and cold. "I require that your people take an oath never to take up arms against Gondor. If Gondor requires aid, then your people shall aid her. And your daughter will be wed to Lord Cerris of Lossarnoch. That will not only seal our pact, it will make absolutely certain that one particular band of pirates will never trouble the Bay of Belfalas again."

Eirien took a step back, her eyes wide again. "My lord, this is not… I am not… you gave me your pardon!" she stormed at Aragorn. "You forgave all my piracy on the grounds that I was trying to feed and shelter my people the only way I knew how! You---"

"Be silent!" Aragorn hadn't raised his voice, yet she immediately obeyed. There was such an air of command about the man that Eirien took a step back. He softened his voice again once he knew she was listening. "Your pardon stands. This is greater than just you, or any one person. It is greater than us all." He was trying to explain patiently, but feared her mind was already set.

"You must understand the necessity for this. Words are just that, words. The noblest of intentions will twist them into shapes the speaker never intended. There must be a tangible show of support, and unfortunately, that is usually a political marriage. I ask you, Eirien, to do this for your people. You have a duty to them to provide shelter and safety; what better way than to show your people that you approve of their placement here than to ally yourself so closely with Cerris? Cerris is an honorable man, kind and gentle. You would be treated well. And your people would no longer be adrift without purpose."

Eirien turned to Dalos. "Are you in agreement?" she whispered. Perhaps there was still a way out. But her hopes were dashed.

Dalos set her back from him and regarded her steadily. "In all the time you spent with Andurs, did you never learn duty? If this is the price to be paid for our people, then it will be paid." His voice was soft, yet there was steel behind the softness.

Eirien turned back to Aragorn, her face composed, yet devoid of emotion. "If this is your will, Highness, then I shall see it done. Shall I retire, then, so you might finalize your agreement?"

She had taken barely two steps toward the door before Dalos' voice cut into her thoughts. "There will be guards posted near your chambers, Eirien. Do not forget your duty to your people."