This took far longer then I thought to get back to. Promise I won't let it go this long again!

Pippin had to hunt around until he found Faramir in his room, sorting through his meager supply of books. Once again, Pippin felt a momentary sadness that this intelligent and caring man was forced to live the way he did. Pippin watched as calloused hands tenderly caressed the soft leather bindings, his love for books clear in the gentle, sweet expression on his face. It wasn't right that this man ledan outlaw band. He should be spending his days translating rare manuscripts and foreign texts, perhaps even teaching. Instead, he made due with a handful of books they had salvaged from some of their raids and a few that Faramir carried with him from his former life. Prized possessions all and treated with the utmost respect and care. Pippin shook his head – there was no one else who could do what Faramir was doing but still, it was such a waste. When all was said and done, would he be able to go back to the life he once lived?

Pippin's movement in the doorway caught Faramir's attention and he smiled and said, "Come on in, Pippin. Was there something you needed?" He cleared away the books and offered Pippin a seat on the bed.

Pippin smiled at Faramir's thoughtfulness. The chair in here was far too high for hobbit comfort and Faramir offered the bed knowing that its lower height would be easier for him. Scrambling up he settled himself and then cocking his head towards the books said, "Doing a little bit of spring cleaning, are we?" He had a suspicion as to what it was really about, but was playing innocent to see how Faramir would react.

Faramir looked a little bit embarrassed and said "I'm trying to see what I have that our unexpected guest might read. As a soldier, he's not use to having time on his hands so I thought I could lend him something to keep his mind occupied." He picked up a book from the top of one pile, a faint blush on his cheeks.

Pippin fought back a grin. So Faramir was starting to warm to their new guest. Not terribly surprising, really. Physically he was the type that Faramir tended to respond to, and for all that he could be tough when leadership demanded, he was by nature a compassionate person. Show him someone who was suffering and Faramir would go out of his way to do something about it. And since their guest was currently Faramir's responsibility, that meant that his desire to be fair would start to override his natural inclination to dislike the arrogant Boromir of Gondor.

There were those who would argue that Pippin's plan was madness. That if Faramir was to fall for Boromir, it would only lead to disaster. But Pippin had learned a lot since he had been taken from the Shire and he knew that while Faramir was doing good work, that it would never be enough to keep up with the damage Denethor was inflicting. No, they needed a powerful ally and who better than Boromir, Captain-General of Gondor? Pippin smiled inwardly and then turned innocent green eyes back to Faramir.

"That's right nice of you. I know how much your books mean to you so it makes it a particularly grand gesture on your part. I hope he appreciates that." Seeing how Faramir squirmed slightly in embarrassment made it hard for Pippin to maintain his innocent expression, but he needed to gauge Faramir's state of mind. If he was willing to lend his precious books, it spoke to a definite softening of attitude. Now he just had to plant the seeds in Faramir's mind. Shifting slightly he said "Of course, it don't hurt that he's a fine looking man, now does it?" Pippin looked Faramir directly in the eye with this last statement.

Faramir blushed and looked away. "Pippin, that is not a topic to jest about. Let's not forget just why Boromir is here. Or who he is for that matter. I am doing this because we are not cruel and I will see that he is treated fairly while he is in our custody. That is all there is to it. " He stood rather stiffly and began quickly sorting books into piles.

Pippin was not put off by Faramir's reaction and said "I wasn't jesting - not really." He shifted so that he was kneeling up on the bed, better to look Faramir in the eyes. "I bring this up because I know that Boromir has the kind of looks that you find attractive. And while you may not want to admit it, you are attracted to him. But it is far more dangerous to deny and bury that attraction then to acknowledge it. Just because you feel it, does not have to mean you will act on it. You are far too noble to take advantage of someone who is in your custody, I know this. But you do yourself harm if you try to pretend that this does not exist."

Faramir glared at Pippin for a moment, then sighed and sunk down slowly onto the bed next to him. His shoulders slumped in defeat. Pippin threw a sympathetic arm around his shoulder and wisely said nothing. Finally Faramir raised his head and looked at Pippin. "I am truly a pathetic figure aren't I? To get caught by a pretty face. And the son of my enemy, no less." His lips were twisted in self-loathing.

Pippin rubbed his back and admonished "Hardly pathetic. And I have never known you to judge someone by their station rather than by their merits. If you are feeling something for Boromir, then I'd say that there is probably more there than meets the eye. After all, you saw a brave fighter in me and most would have said that a hobbit could never be more than a slave."

Faramir straightened up and said fiercely "Hobbits are some of the bravest and strongest people that I have seen. To survive all that has happened to you – that is the truest of all courage. Never doubt that you deserve your place here. You deserve that and so much more."

Pippin smiled wryly and said "I don't doubt it, not any more. But it was your belief in me that helped me to see what I had within me. You have a way of looking beyond what's on the surface and into the heart of a person. Even when they don't see it themselves. " Giving Faramir's shoulder a friendly squeeze he continued. "As for our guest, maybe there's more to him than even he can see. And if anyone can bring out the best in him, it would be you, Faramir. "

Faramir winced and groaned "Oh no, Pippin. Don't even suggest such a thing. It would be disaster pure and simple."

Pippin gave him a wide-eyed innocent look and said "What do you mean? I'm merely suggesting that you spend some time with him and talk. Man's got no real idea what his father is up to. About time that someone showed him the real impact of turning a blind eye."

Faramir was eyeing Pippin in disbelief. "Talk. That's all you're suggesting? Because I tell you right now, if you have any other ideas, you can get them right out of that devious little mind of yours. He's the son of the Steward , his heir. There is no way that any kind of liaison between us could bring anything other than disaster. I'm a wanted fugitive or have you forgotten?"

Pippin shook his head. "I haven't forgotten anything. But I can't see that having a few conversations with the man could lead to the downfall of all we've accomplished. And it just might win us a little sympathy. But I can see that this is a sensitive subject so I just leave it and you be." He slide down from the bed and began to walk toward the exit. Right before leaving, he turned and said "You may be an outlaw in the eyes of the law but in mine, you are the best of all men. " With a final smile, he turned and exited the room.

Faramir stared for a moment at the curtain that served as a door and then sighed and returned his gaze to the pile of books he had picked out for Boromir. Damn Pippin for stirring up things that he would rather not deal with! Things were hard enough for him to handle without adding this to the mix.

Convince Boromir to support them? He'd have better luck learning to fly! The man had come here to capture him. It was his sworn intention to see Faramir in chains before the Steward and convicted as a bandit. How was he to convince this proud, arrogant soldier to fight for peasants that he saw as inferior and not worth his time or attention? To fight his father who was building an empire that would be his to rule some day? What could Faramir possibly say that could get through years of belief that he was above such petty matters?

Shaking his head, he began to pace the small room. What could he say? He had always been taught that you should never turn away from potential support just because it seemed too hard to win. But convincing the son of your greatest enemy to join your cause is a fair sight harder than convincing a reluctant merchant to lower his prices to accommodate the poor. For starters, what did he have to offer that could compare to what Boromir would be giving up? The man would one day inherit wealth and power beyond most men's dreams. What incentive was there for him to give all that up on behalf of people he didn't even know?

Continuing to pace, he turned the issue over in his mind. The fact was that there really was no incentive beyond doing the right thing. His own life was a testimony to that. Living in a cave, hunted by the law – the rewards were certainly not tangible ones. But they were real for all of that. But how to convince someone who has lived a life of privilege that there was something to be gained by standing up for those in need?

Shaking his head, he realized it was nearly an impossible task. And yet, if he could succeed… Boromir could do a great deal of good for them. Even if he was unwilling to challenge his father openly, he could provide them with vital information, maybe even contacts deep within the chain of command. If he could convince Boromir to join them, it could be the break they need to turn the tide.

The first hurdle would be getting Boromir to trust him. Obviously things got off to a rocky start, but they had left things a bit less antagonistic after he treated Boromir's ankle. And since they would all be staying pretty close to base to avoid being captured by the law men and soldiers who would no doubt be combing the forests, there would be plenty of time for him to work on Boromir. He did have one advantage in that Boromir was not a man to be idle, so several days of confinement would have him happy to spend time with anyone – even his enemy. That last sentiment didn't make him feel too good but then again, this was not about creating a relationship, this was about winning a powerful ally to their cause.

As for any attraction he might feel towards the man, well, as Pippin said, he was not someone who let his desires rule his head. He would keep that firmly in check and focus on the matter at hand – which was winning Boromir to their side.

Having resolved that in his mind, he began to sort through the books once more, looking for ones appropriate for a soldier. They would provide him with a perfectly good reason to return to Boromir's room and give him a chance to show Boromir that he was not just some ruffian. It would take time but he was determined to win this battle.

Meanwhile, out in the hall, Pippin was grinning from ear to ear. The seeds had been planted, now he just had to wait for them to sprout…

To Be Continued...