*Disclaimer: I do not own any characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien (such as
Boromir, Faramir, or Denethor). I own only Hallahiriel, the former Barmaid
of Dol Amroth, Corerith, Lady Brumwen, Therassa, Owynvan and Gweddyn.
The story is set in 3011, seven years before "Fellowship." Boromir is 33 and Faramir is 28. Hallahiriel happens to be 26.
The Continuing Story of Hallahiriel, the Former Barmaid of Dol Amroth
By Leah Pensotti
Chapter Two: A Delicate Condition
A month after learning of the joyous news, Hallahiriel sat near the hearth and attempted to read a book and fight off the feelings of loneliness. Boromir and Faramir had been away for a week, attending to business in the south and west. She put down the book and looked to her stomach where her delicate state had began to show through. Hallahiriel rested her hands on the bulge and thought about how life would be once the child came.
Corerith caught sight of Hallahiriel from the hall and called sweetly to her, "How are you, Halla?"
Hallahiriel broke away from her thoughts and turned to Corerith, "I'm fine, albeit, a little lonesome."
She rose to her feet and Corerith stepped closer to put a hand on her belly, "Are you hungry? We should be certain to keep you well fed."
"No, Corerith. I daresay the mere thought of food sickens me. Ioreth tells me that it is normal and it will soon subside." Hallahiriel smiled to the older woman, who looked at her discerningly and shook her head.
"How far along are you?" Corerith studied her carefully.
Hallahiriel smiled and stated, "Next week it will be five months."
Corerith shook her head and looked a little mystified, "Halla, you look much further along than that. If I didn't know, I'd say that you look closer to seven months."
Hallahiriel looked worried and then shifted her gaze down to her stomach. Thoughts raced through her head and she stammered, "Ioreth could not be wrong, could she? Is she mistaken?"
"Surely not, for I have never known her to be so. However, I haven't ever seen the likes of it at four months." Corerith tried to comfort the young woman with her words, though Hallahiriel found it hard to doff the concern she now felt.
Corerith saw the perplexed look on Hallahiriel's face and patted her maternally on the back, "Come now, there's no need to worry. When you go to see Ioreth the next time, just ask her. I am not a healer, so perhaps I am mislead."
Hallahiriel smiled and shook her head, not completely rectified with the situation, "I do suppose I should eat something, Corerith."
"Aye, that's a good idea, girl." The older woman took Hallahiriel by the arm and led her to the kitchen.
~~
After being away for nearly five weeks, Boromir and Faramir found themselves a day away from Minas Tirith. Faramir studied his brother curiously, for Boromir had been silent for quite sometime.
"Tell me Boromir, what do you think so heavily on?"
Boromir smiled faintly and turned to his younger brother, "I think of home, Faramir. I think of Halla and all the comfort she brings. I worry about her while we are away, especially now in her current condition."
Faramir smiled knowingly, "And to think you weren't going to stop her from marrying Owynvan."
Boromir laughed boisterously, "Indeed, little brother. I would've regretted that very much. Now I cannot imagine life without her, however, upon first seeing the Barmaid of Dol Amroth, I never intended on falling in love with her. She has changed me, Faramir. I feel awful for the way I treated her early on and I try to make it up to her everyday that we are together."
Faramir smiled and shook his head. Boromir had changed over the past three years and had become quite agreeable. However, he would've never thought that his brother would become a romantic.
"When did you know that you first loved Halla?" Faramir asked without even realizing it.
Boromir looked thoughtful, "It was when she appeared on your arm in the dining hall. When Lady Brumwen and Owynvan were the guests of father. That is when I had an inkling."
He turned to his younger brother and smiled, "Why do you ask, Faramir? Is there a maid that has caught your fancy?"
"No, although I hope there will be someday." Faramir looked the slightest bit flabbergasted and did not look at Boromir.
"Come now, Faramir! There are many ladies that are desperate to catch your eye! I see it everywhere, especially in Minas Tirith and Dol Amroth ladies of the court and servant girls alike bat their eyelashes and giggle. You cannot tell me that you have not noticed!"
Faramir shrugged, "I suppose I have," he kept his eyes on the path ahead and changed the subject, "Whatever happened to Owynvan and Therassa, I wonder?"
Boromir grimaced at the sound of both their names, "The last I heard, Therassa married the blacksmith's son a year after Halla and I wed. As for Owynvan, he left the city shortly after the wedding debacle and has not been heard from since."
Faramir stifled a laugh and merely smiled, "I hope he's given up poetry, wherever he may be."
~~
"It's no use, Corerith. I can't move. You'll have to leave me here."
Hallahiriel laid in bed with a huge grin on her face as Corerith bustled about the room, hoping to get the young woman out of bed. She reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a newly-altered blue dress and sighed thickly, "There'll be none of that, Halla. You promised to help me sew blankets for the nursery. We'll go downstairs by the hearth and you can sit in the chair. It isn't trying work, my dear."
Hallahiriel sat up slowly, "Alright, all I needed was proper motivation."
Corerith helped her out on the dress and braided her long, coppery hair. Hallahiriel yawned and asked, "Can we eat first, Corerith?"
"Of course! I can tell that you've gotten your appetite back!"
Hallahiriel nodded in agreement, "And then some, I'm afraid. Although, I'd rather be hungry all the time than constantly sea-sick."
Outside, there suddenly came the sound of horses on the white streets of the city. Hallahiriel's ears perked up at the sound and spoke excitedly to Corerith, "They're home! Will you help me down the stairs, Corerith?" She took the older woman's arm and they made their way down the stairs. Hallahiriel walked slowly and cautiously with the aid of Corerith, but wanting nothing more than to bound down the stairs and into the arms of her husband.
As Hallahiriel and Corerith passed the final step, Hallahiriel saw Faramir entering through the door. He smiled at her and offered her his hand. She accepted it and embraced him tightly. Hallahiriel began to cry, something that she had lost all control over during her pregnancy. She cried at the drop of a hat and especially when she was sewing.
Faramir hugged her close to him, "It is good to see you, Halla! You look lovely!"
Hallahiriel dried her eyes and choked down a sob, "Indeed. Soon I will be so big I won't be able to walk."
Faramir chuckled and kissed her lightly on the cheek. His sister-in-law was going through all the emotions that mothers-to- be commonly experience, he and Boromir would have to exhibit patience and understanding at the highest levels. He heard his brother entering and pulled away happily as Hallahiriel caught sight of her husband and her tears flowed free again.
Boromir scooped his wife up in his arms and she sobbed uncontrollably against his neck. Boromir held her at arms-length and looked puzzled, "Why do you weep, Halla?"
Hallahiriel shook her head, "Pay no mind to my tears, Boromir. As Corerith can attest, I cry at the strangest times and the silliest of situations. Ioreth assures me that it is normal for a person in my condition. I am just so happy to see you. I have missed you."
"And I you," Boromir kissed her longingly on the lips and then placed his hand at her growing belly and marveled at the feel, "How do you fare, Halla? How is our child?"
Hallahiriel smiled and covered his hand with her own, "Our child is very active. I am kicked very frequently with strong little legs."
Boromir could not help but smile, "I am so happy to look on your fair face, love. I don't think I have seen such a beautiful thing."
Hallahiriel laughed, "Indeed. I'm enormous. I feel like a cave troll."
Boromir kissed her again and grinned, "Never have I seen such a fair cave troll!"
She swatted at him playfully and turned to Faramir, "Corerith and I were just getting ready to make breakfast. Are you hungry?"
"I could do with some breakfast." Faramir replied.
"As could I, however, I am sure that father would want to see us as soon as possible." Corerith collected Boromir and Faramir's cloaks and nudged them to their father's study, "You two go ahead and Halla and I will prepare the meal. Go see your father and tell him of your journey. We'll be ready to eat when you both return."
Boromir nodded and stole another kiss from Hallahiriel before he and Faramir walked away. Hallahiriel turned to go to the kitchen with Corerith and quickly burst into tears again.
~~
"Tell me of your journey, Boromir. How fares life in the fiefs?" Denethor took a sip of wine from an ornate goblet.
Boromir looked to Faramir and then back to his father, "Everything is well and the people seem happy."
Denethor nodded and then asked, "No trouble then?"
"Not that we could find, father. All seemed well in Lebennin, Anfalas, Lamedon and Lossarnach." Faramir spoke up confidently.
The steward nodded again and rose from his chair to stand before his eldest son, "How is your wife? I have seen her recently, and it seems that things are moving along very nicely."
"She tells me that the child is active and has begun to kick. To be honest, I am quite anxious to return to her, father."
Denethor smiled faintly, "Of course! However, Boromir, I will need you to visit Rohan. You will go to Edoras and hold counsel with King Theoden in a month."
Faramir caught the look on Boromir's face and said, "I will go, father. Boromir is needed here. Halla will be heavy with child by then."
Denethor's features darkened and spoke gruffly to Faramir, "Boromir will go to where his duty calls him. Besides, the girl will not be ready to give birth until well after he returns."
He then turned back to Boromir and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder, "There, there my son, Hallahiriel will be in good care. Corerith, Ioreth and your brother will watch after her."
Boromir nodded in a conflicted manner, "I know, father. I will go where Gondor bids me."
As the words crossed his lips, Boromir felt the sting of guilt. He had just returned and in a month he'd leave again. He knew that Hallahiriel would be upset and he did not wish to leave her in the hardest months of pregnancy, but he had to do it."
Denethor smiled, "Good. Now go and take your leave, for you both have traveled long."
Boromir and Faramir bid their father farewell and made their way to breakfast.
~~
For the entire day; Boromir, Faramir and Hallahiriel talked about the brothers journey and the plans that Corerith and the mother-to-be had for the nursery. Boromir did not tell her about Rohan and resolved to tell her the next day.
After the evening meal, Boromir said goodnight to Faramir, who was completely engrossed in a book beside the fire. As he entered his quarters, he heard Hallahiriel softly laughing. She laid in bed in her nightdress, her hands settled on her stomach and a smile wide across her face. Boromir shut the door quietly behind him and inquired, "What do you find so amusing, my lady?"
"Our active child is at play. Come here and see for yourself." She smiled up at him happily and Boromir removed his boots and crawled into the comfort of their bed. As he laid beside her, Hallahiriel took his hand in hers and placed it on the underside of her belly.
"I don't feel anything," Boromir stated worriedly. Hallahiriel put a finger to his lips and whispered, "Be patient."
They laid in silence for minutes when Boromir had lost hope that his child would kick again. Suddenly, he felt a swift, strong kick against his palm. Boromir sat up a bit and a stunned smile washed across his face.
Hallahiriel chuckled at his reaction, "That was the strongest yet. I believe our child was saying hello to its father."
"Remarkable!" Boromir quietly exclaimed and allowed his hand to remain there a bit longer. Hallahiriel ran her free hand through his hair wistfully.
"I'm so glad to have you home, Boromir." Hallahiriel felt tears running fast down her cheeks and inwardly cursed herself for her uncontrollable emotions.
~~
A/N: Hi all! I am so happy to be writing about Boromir, Faramir and Halla again! Next chapter Halla's mood swings, Boromir leaves for Rohan, Faramir copes with being his brother's stand-in and dunh-dun-uh-duh the return of Owynvan!
Here's my list of shout-outs!
-integrate_cos2x Thanks for coming back for the story! I hope you enjoy it! Don't worry about Denethor, I mean he is a little mad after all!:-)
-Angel of Harlem So what's the theme going to be ? I am very anxious to know! Yes...Faramir sees all and in the next few chapters he may see too much. He's going to be very close to Halla while Boromir is in Rohan and he has to do some things that he never thought that he'd have to do!
-wizzothecrunchyfrog Thanks for coming back and reviewing again! Feel free to review many more times!
-Ids-sunshinegrl Thanks for the kind words! I agree that they will be good parents, so here is some more Boromir and Halla parental goodness! Please stay tuned!
-Diamond Took3 Thanks for the review! Many more surprises for Halla and Boromir on the path to parenthood! Thanks for the support!
The story is set in 3011, seven years before "Fellowship." Boromir is 33 and Faramir is 28. Hallahiriel happens to be 26.
The Continuing Story of Hallahiriel, the Former Barmaid of Dol Amroth
By Leah Pensotti
Chapter Two: A Delicate Condition
A month after learning of the joyous news, Hallahiriel sat near the hearth and attempted to read a book and fight off the feelings of loneliness. Boromir and Faramir had been away for a week, attending to business in the south and west. She put down the book and looked to her stomach where her delicate state had began to show through. Hallahiriel rested her hands on the bulge and thought about how life would be once the child came.
Corerith caught sight of Hallahiriel from the hall and called sweetly to her, "How are you, Halla?"
Hallahiriel broke away from her thoughts and turned to Corerith, "I'm fine, albeit, a little lonesome."
She rose to her feet and Corerith stepped closer to put a hand on her belly, "Are you hungry? We should be certain to keep you well fed."
"No, Corerith. I daresay the mere thought of food sickens me. Ioreth tells me that it is normal and it will soon subside." Hallahiriel smiled to the older woman, who looked at her discerningly and shook her head.
"How far along are you?" Corerith studied her carefully.
Hallahiriel smiled and stated, "Next week it will be five months."
Corerith shook her head and looked a little mystified, "Halla, you look much further along than that. If I didn't know, I'd say that you look closer to seven months."
Hallahiriel looked worried and then shifted her gaze down to her stomach. Thoughts raced through her head and she stammered, "Ioreth could not be wrong, could she? Is she mistaken?"
"Surely not, for I have never known her to be so. However, I haven't ever seen the likes of it at four months." Corerith tried to comfort the young woman with her words, though Hallahiriel found it hard to doff the concern she now felt.
Corerith saw the perplexed look on Hallahiriel's face and patted her maternally on the back, "Come now, there's no need to worry. When you go to see Ioreth the next time, just ask her. I am not a healer, so perhaps I am mislead."
Hallahiriel smiled and shook her head, not completely rectified with the situation, "I do suppose I should eat something, Corerith."
"Aye, that's a good idea, girl." The older woman took Hallahiriel by the arm and led her to the kitchen.
~~
After being away for nearly five weeks, Boromir and Faramir found themselves a day away from Minas Tirith. Faramir studied his brother curiously, for Boromir had been silent for quite sometime.
"Tell me Boromir, what do you think so heavily on?"
Boromir smiled faintly and turned to his younger brother, "I think of home, Faramir. I think of Halla and all the comfort she brings. I worry about her while we are away, especially now in her current condition."
Faramir smiled knowingly, "And to think you weren't going to stop her from marrying Owynvan."
Boromir laughed boisterously, "Indeed, little brother. I would've regretted that very much. Now I cannot imagine life without her, however, upon first seeing the Barmaid of Dol Amroth, I never intended on falling in love with her. She has changed me, Faramir. I feel awful for the way I treated her early on and I try to make it up to her everyday that we are together."
Faramir smiled and shook his head. Boromir had changed over the past three years and had become quite agreeable. However, he would've never thought that his brother would become a romantic.
"When did you know that you first loved Halla?" Faramir asked without even realizing it.
Boromir looked thoughtful, "It was when she appeared on your arm in the dining hall. When Lady Brumwen and Owynvan were the guests of father. That is when I had an inkling."
He turned to his younger brother and smiled, "Why do you ask, Faramir? Is there a maid that has caught your fancy?"
"No, although I hope there will be someday." Faramir looked the slightest bit flabbergasted and did not look at Boromir.
"Come now, Faramir! There are many ladies that are desperate to catch your eye! I see it everywhere, especially in Minas Tirith and Dol Amroth ladies of the court and servant girls alike bat their eyelashes and giggle. You cannot tell me that you have not noticed!"
Faramir shrugged, "I suppose I have," he kept his eyes on the path ahead and changed the subject, "Whatever happened to Owynvan and Therassa, I wonder?"
Boromir grimaced at the sound of both their names, "The last I heard, Therassa married the blacksmith's son a year after Halla and I wed. As for Owynvan, he left the city shortly after the wedding debacle and has not been heard from since."
Faramir stifled a laugh and merely smiled, "I hope he's given up poetry, wherever he may be."
~~
"It's no use, Corerith. I can't move. You'll have to leave me here."
Hallahiriel laid in bed with a huge grin on her face as Corerith bustled about the room, hoping to get the young woman out of bed. She reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a newly-altered blue dress and sighed thickly, "There'll be none of that, Halla. You promised to help me sew blankets for the nursery. We'll go downstairs by the hearth and you can sit in the chair. It isn't trying work, my dear."
Hallahiriel sat up slowly, "Alright, all I needed was proper motivation."
Corerith helped her out on the dress and braided her long, coppery hair. Hallahiriel yawned and asked, "Can we eat first, Corerith?"
"Of course! I can tell that you've gotten your appetite back!"
Hallahiriel nodded in agreement, "And then some, I'm afraid. Although, I'd rather be hungry all the time than constantly sea-sick."
Outside, there suddenly came the sound of horses on the white streets of the city. Hallahiriel's ears perked up at the sound and spoke excitedly to Corerith, "They're home! Will you help me down the stairs, Corerith?" She took the older woman's arm and they made their way down the stairs. Hallahiriel walked slowly and cautiously with the aid of Corerith, but wanting nothing more than to bound down the stairs and into the arms of her husband.
As Hallahiriel and Corerith passed the final step, Hallahiriel saw Faramir entering through the door. He smiled at her and offered her his hand. She accepted it and embraced him tightly. Hallahiriel began to cry, something that she had lost all control over during her pregnancy. She cried at the drop of a hat and especially when she was sewing.
Faramir hugged her close to him, "It is good to see you, Halla! You look lovely!"
Hallahiriel dried her eyes and choked down a sob, "Indeed. Soon I will be so big I won't be able to walk."
Faramir chuckled and kissed her lightly on the cheek. His sister-in-law was going through all the emotions that mothers-to- be commonly experience, he and Boromir would have to exhibit patience and understanding at the highest levels. He heard his brother entering and pulled away happily as Hallahiriel caught sight of her husband and her tears flowed free again.
Boromir scooped his wife up in his arms and she sobbed uncontrollably against his neck. Boromir held her at arms-length and looked puzzled, "Why do you weep, Halla?"
Hallahiriel shook her head, "Pay no mind to my tears, Boromir. As Corerith can attest, I cry at the strangest times and the silliest of situations. Ioreth assures me that it is normal for a person in my condition. I am just so happy to see you. I have missed you."
"And I you," Boromir kissed her longingly on the lips and then placed his hand at her growing belly and marveled at the feel, "How do you fare, Halla? How is our child?"
Hallahiriel smiled and covered his hand with her own, "Our child is very active. I am kicked very frequently with strong little legs."
Boromir could not help but smile, "I am so happy to look on your fair face, love. I don't think I have seen such a beautiful thing."
Hallahiriel laughed, "Indeed. I'm enormous. I feel like a cave troll."
Boromir kissed her again and grinned, "Never have I seen such a fair cave troll!"
She swatted at him playfully and turned to Faramir, "Corerith and I were just getting ready to make breakfast. Are you hungry?"
"I could do with some breakfast." Faramir replied.
"As could I, however, I am sure that father would want to see us as soon as possible." Corerith collected Boromir and Faramir's cloaks and nudged them to their father's study, "You two go ahead and Halla and I will prepare the meal. Go see your father and tell him of your journey. We'll be ready to eat when you both return."
Boromir nodded and stole another kiss from Hallahiriel before he and Faramir walked away. Hallahiriel turned to go to the kitchen with Corerith and quickly burst into tears again.
~~
"Tell me of your journey, Boromir. How fares life in the fiefs?" Denethor took a sip of wine from an ornate goblet.
Boromir looked to Faramir and then back to his father, "Everything is well and the people seem happy."
Denethor nodded and then asked, "No trouble then?"
"Not that we could find, father. All seemed well in Lebennin, Anfalas, Lamedon and Lossarnach." Faramir spoke up confidently.
The steward nodded again and rose from his chair to stand before his eldest son, "How is your wife? I have seen her recently, and it seems that things are moving along very nicely."
"She tells me that the child is active and has begun to kick. To be honest, I am quite anxious to return to her, father."
Denethor smiled faintly, "Of course! However, Boromir, I will need you to visit Rohan. You will go to Edoras and hold counsel with King Theoden in a month."
Faramir caught the look on Boromir's face and said, "I will go, father. Boromir is needed here. Halla will be heavy with child by then."
Denethor's features darkened and spoke gruffly to Faramir, "Boromir will go to where his duty calls him. Besides, the girl will not be ready to give birth until well after he returns."
He then turned back to Boromir and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder, "There, there my son, Hallahiriel will be in good care. Corerith, Ioreth and your brother will watch after her."
Boromir nodded in a conflicted manner, "I know, father. I will go where Gondor bids me."
As the words crossed his lips, Boromir felt the sting of guilt. He had just returned and in a month he'd leave again. He knew that Hallahiriel would be upset and he did not wish to leave her in the hardest months of pregnancy, but he had to do it."
Denethor smiled, "Good. Now go and take your leave, for you both have traveled long."
Boromir and Faramir bid their father farewell and made their way to breakfast.
~~
For the entire day; Boromir, Faramir and Hallahiriel talked about the brothers journey and the plans that Corerith and the mother-to-be had for the nursery. Boromir did not tell her about Rohan and resolved to tell her the next day.
After the evening meal, Boromir said goodnight to Faramir, who was completely engrossed in a book beside the fire. As he entered his quarters, he heard Hallahiriel softly laughing. She laid in bed in her nightdress, her hands settled on her stomach and a smile wide across her face. Boromir shut the door quietly behind him and inquired, "What do you find so amusing, my lady?"
"Our active child is at play. Come here and see for yourself." She smiled up at him happily and Boromir removed his boots and crawled into the comfort of their bed. As he laid beside her, Hallahiriel took his hand in hers and placed it on the underside of her belly.
"I don't feel anything," Boromir stated worriedly. Hallahiriel put a finger to his lips and whispered, "Be patient."
They laid in silence for minutes when Boromir had lost hope that his child would kick again. Suddenly, he felt a swift, strong kick against his palm. Boromir sat up a bit and a stunned smile washed across his face.
Hallahiriel chuckled at his reaction, "That was the strongest yet. I believe our child was saying hello to its father."
"Remarkable!" Boromir quietly exclaimed and allowed his hand to remain there a bit longer. Hallahiriel ran her free hand through his hair wistfully.
"I'm so glad to have you home, Boromir." Hallahiriel felt tears running fast down her cheeks and inwardly cursed herself for her uncontrollable emotions.
~~
A/N: Hi all! I am so happy to be writing about Boromir, Faramir and Halla again! Next chapter Halla's mood swings, Boromir leaves for Rohan, Faramir copes with being his brother's stand-in and dunh-dun-uh-duh the return of Owynvan!
Here's my list of shout-outs!
-integrate_cos2x Thanks for coming back for the story! I hope you enjoy it! Don't worry about Denethor, I mean he is a little mad after all!:-)
-Angel of Harlem So what's the theme going to be ? I am very anxious to know! Yes...Faramir sees all and in the next few chapters he may see too much. He's going to be very close to Halla while Boromir is in Rohan and he has to do some things that he never thought that he'd have to do!
-wizzothecrunchyfrog Thanks for coming back and reviewing again! Feel free to review many more times!
-Ids-sunshinegrl Thanks for the kind words! I agree that they will be good parents, so here is some more Boromir and Halla parental goodness! Please stay tuned!
-Diamond Took3 Thanks for the review! Many more surprises for Halla and Boromir on the path to parenthood! Thanks for the support!