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 Seven: Conversations

Faramir waited without the door to Eirien's chambers, idly noting the guards placed there and dismissing them as no threat to him. He tapped lightly once more on the portal.

"If you won't go away, you might as well come in," came the snappish reply from within and Faramir stepped over the threshold.

His eyes were met with a scene of carnage. "My lady, are you well?" he asked quickly as he stepped around and over the demolished furnishings toward the balcony. He was barely able to duck the thrown crockery as he stuck his head out to check on her. "What…"

"I'm having a temper tantrum, Faramir, and you picked the wrong time to visit!" Eirien screeched as she heaved another heavy piece of pottery against the far wall. She stood still then, heaving for breath, and glared at Faramir. Then, in a lightning shift of mood, she smiled brightly at him. "Please forgive me for my display of temper, my lord," she said demurely, but a glint of humor remained in her eyes. "Your arrival was ill-timed. How might this simple servant of the crown be of service to you today, my Lord Steward?"

"Actually, I came to see how you fared and whether you would wish to visit my brother," Faramir replied with a raised eyebrow. "And simple you will never be, Eirien," he finished, stifling the laughter that threatened. "What has brought on this fine display of temper?" he managed between snickers. "Other than the obvious, of course."

"Isn't that enough?" Eirien snarled as her good humor quickly evaporated. "Gods above, Faramir, this is a mockery of what marriage is supposed to be. I don't love him! Shouldn't that count for something?"

Faramir sighed heavily. "It should, yes," he tried patiently. "But you of all people should know the value of duty. How long did you put your life on hold for your people, Eirien? Does that not give them the right to demand you continue to do so? If this will bring them peace, should you not be at least a little complacent about it?"

"Easy for you to say, you made a love match!" she raged. "Curse it, Faramir, my heart doesn't belong with Cerris." It belongs with Boromir fell as clearly as if spoken into the silence.

Faramir covered his shock quickly. It had never occurred to him that she might be in love with his brother. They had an easy camaraderie that spoke of shared trials, yes, but they had not seemed like lovers. "Eirien," he said slowly. "Let me see if I can explain this in a way you will understand. You know I would never allow harm to befall my brother if I had the power to stop it. You also know I am totally devoted to my King's service. If I were ordered, right this moment, to exile Boromir and never see him again for the good of Gondor, I would obey. It would break my heart and my spirit, but I would obey my King's command. If I were ordered to leave Eowyn, though my heart would wither and die, I would do so for the good of Gondor. Do you not see? The people of Hollin are looking to you and Dalos for their common good! This is for the good of your people! They will be protected while they rebuild their lives. Is that not worth your compromise? Is your happiness so much more important than theirs?"

He couldn't let her see what his words were doing to him. It was like driving a nail into his heart, but this had to be done. The marriage must take place for the good of both peoples. It would destroy Boromir, it would wound Eirien perhaps beyond healing, but it must happen. For the good of Gondor if nothing else.

Eirien glared at him, but he returned her gaze unashamedly until she dropped her eyes. "I know," she replied woodenly. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears, but she did not allow them to fall. "You don't have to be patronizing, Faramir, I understood it before. I just wish…" Her voice trailed off and she stood by the balcony rail, gazing unseeing across the City. "I wish there were some way to accomplish this without hurting Boromir. This will destroy him." She could not face him and remained by the rail, wondering idly for a moment if she should just hop the rail and be done with this farce, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. This way, at least, Boromir would have the solace of knowing she yet lived, and she was no coward to take the easy way out. A deep breath, and her plan was complete. "If this must be done, then it will be done," she whispered. "But it must seem to him as if it were my decision," she stated flatly, her voice more certain. "I will not have him pine for me, nor lose any chance he may yet have at love. Better to wound him deeply and make the break clean. I shan't visit him, it would be too difficult a role for me to play, Faramir, please make my excuses to him. Tell him, if he presses you, that I am preparing for my wedding."

"So you would hide from him then until the deed is done, and there is no going back." Faramir could not decide whether she was bravely facing the inevitable or cowering behind convention. "I will make your excuses to him, as you wish. Should I give him any message at all?"

Her tears spilled over and she sank to her knees, totally undone and no longer able to contain her grief. "Tell him," she answered between sobs, "tell him… I wish him to dance at my wedding."

Faramir left her then, knowing that any further conversation was beyond her. He did not know how to comfort her, and he was certain that any attempt on his part would be met with resistance. So he left her, and went to carry her message to his brother and hoped that it would not be the death of Boromir.