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 Four:
The next afternoon, Hallahiriel and Faramir sat by the fireplace on an unusually crisp autumn day. Faramir was regaling her with tales of the past ages and the heroes of old; he found her to be an exceptional audience. Over the years, he had lent her books to read and afterwards she always seemed up for discussion.
He watched as Hallahiriel yawned and pulled the blanket that was wrapped around her a little tighter. Faramir raised an eyebrow to her, "Shall we stop for today?"
"I'm sorry, Faramir. I am very much enjoying myself. I wish to continue, if that's all right with you" Hallahiriel gave him a lopsided smile.
Faramir could not help but smile in return and he sat back in his chair, "Halla, I want to ask you a question and it may seem a little strange."
"You can talk to me about anything, Faramir. Go on and ask; I will answer truthfully." Hallahiriel rested her head on her hand and waited for Faramir to speak.
He looked boggled, to say the least and spoke quietly, "What is it like to be... to be..."
Hallahiriel raised an eyebrow to him as he trailed off, "To be what, Faramir?"
"To be...you know." Hallahiriel watched as her brother-in-law made an arching motion with his hands over his midsection. She chuckled lightly, he wanted to know what it was like to be with child?
"Well, Faramir, seeing as though you'll never have to physically go through it yourself; even though your future bride might, I suppose that it is only fair that I tell you." Hallahiriel looked amused with Faramir and smiled, "It's like you've eaten more than your fill all the time. Your back starts to ache from the weight you are carrying in the front and your legs and ankles grow tired quickly. I, myself, have not been able to see my feet for weeks. During the early stages, there's no real appetite and you feel like you have been running around in circles to make yourself dizzy. You feel like that all of the time. However, I am at the point that I am eating incessantly. Really, Faramir, it's hard to describe and I am sure that my words don't do it justice."
Faramir shook his head, "It sounds dreadful."
"You see, that's the odd part. It's not that bad. Actually it's quite pleasant. I am bringing a child into the world; equal parts of Boromir and myself. It's wonderful and frightening at the same time. All in all it's a mystery not reserved only to men; I am quite perplexed, myself." Hallahiriel smiled at him and waited for a response.
Suddenly, Corerith appeared in the hall and called to them, "Halla, Aethlien's niece is here with the material. Shall I bid her to come in?"
Hallahiriel smiled at Faramir and asked, "Would you go find Boromir for me, Faramir? He should be in his study. But be sure to come back down with him. I daresay that Thaurelda will want to see you."
Faramir nodded and looked the slightest bit bashful at Hallahiriel's words. As he went upstairs to fetch his brother, Corerith showed the dark-haired girl in. Thaurelda came ambling in with bundles of fabric in her arms. She wore her hair in a thick braid and was adorned in a simple maroon dress.
"Good afternoon, my lady, I pray that I called at an appropriate time." Thaurelda set the material in a chair to remove her brown cloak . Corerith stepped up and took the cloak from her and gave her a gentle smile.
Hallahiriel chuckled, "I am happy to see you, Thaurelda. I have all the time in the world at the moment. Won't you please sit down?"
Thaurelda sat down and Hallahiriel sat beside her, "To be perfectly honest, Thaurelda, I am quite interested about you. How long do you plan to stay with your aunt in Minas Tirith?"
She shrugged, "For a while. Aunt Aethlien needs me to run the shop and help with sewing. Her eyesight is failing and she has trouble holding needles and thread."
Hallahiriel felt tears welling in her eyes, "Poor dear! She has always been so kind to me. She and Corerith are like mothers to me. It breaks my heart to hear such news! I should help her more after the child comes."
Thaurelda looked frightened and patted Hallahiriel on the shoulder, for she feared that she had upset the lady; "Oh, Lady Hallahiriel! I am sorry, for I did not mean to trouble you! I am so terrible with words; I speak too frankly!"
Hallahiriel dried her tears and waved at the girl, "No, Thaurelda, you haven't upset me. I am so emotional, for obvious reasons. Curse my weepiness! By the way, please just call me Hallahiriel or Halla, as your aunt does."
"But you are a princess and wife to the Steward's heir! I would feel odd not showing you the respect that you deserve." Thaurelda shook her head nervously.
Hallahiriel chuckled in spite of her outburst of tears, "I am a princess by fable and not by station. I speak to you the truth, Thaurelda; I am not of any important heritage. My father owns a tavern in Dol Amroth and my mother died when I was very young. Halla is what I have always answered to and what I wish to be called."
Before Thaurelda could protest, Boromir and Faramir made their way down the stairs and the girl shot up to her feet. Hallahiriel raised herself slowly and greeted her husband and brother-in-law with a smile.
Boromir kissed Hallahiriel on the cheek, "How are you faring, love?"
She took his arm, "I am well. However, I think I have frightened Thaurelda with my bouts of weeping."
Boromir shook his head and turned to Thaurelda, "Don't fear, Thaurelda. She tends to do that. Halla is usually quite rational, however, emotions run high with a child on the way. I have actually grown quite used to it."
"Thank you, Lord Boromir." Thaurelda bowed a bit and Hallahiriel wanted to laugh. The girl reminded her of a lanky foal, quite unsure of her own body and appendages.
Thaurelda caught sight of Faramir, standing beside his brother and felt a quiet blush on her face. She curtsied again, this time even more shaky than the first; "Good afternoon, Lord Faramir."
Faramir gave a gentle nod and repressed a smile at her ill-attempt at grace, "My lady."
Boromir squeezed Hallahiriel's hand, "I wish to speak to Faramir about Rohan. We shall leave you ladies about your business. If you need us, send Corerith to my study."
Hallahiriel nodded and kissed Boromir's lips in a chaste manner, "Don't be late for the evening meal."
Boromir nodded and he and Faramir made their way upstairs. Hallahiriel watched as Faramir eyed Thaurelda hesitantly and saw that he really did not want to leave right away. She took Thaurelda by the arm and led her to the seats beside the fireplace. As they sifted through the materials that had been sent by Aethlien, Thaurelda commented, "Your husband, Lord Boromir, is quite dashing and certainly handsome! Did you both fall in love right away?"
"I should say not!" Hallahiriel chuckled. Thaurelda looked a little shocked at her answer and Hallahiriel smiled and launched into the tale, starting with the fateful and rainy day in Dol Amroth when Boromir and Faramir walked into her father's tavern, the preparation and ball at Prince Imrahil's and finally ending with Boromir stopping her from marrying Owynvan.
Thaurelda beamed at the triumphant tale, "It's so romantic!"
"Indeed, but at the time it was a little embarrassing. Now I can look back on it favorably." Hallahiriel pondered over two pieces of fabric and turned to her counterpart, "I don't mean to pry, but are you intended for anyone?"
"No," Thaurelda shook her head, "I'm not, though my parents long for me to find someone. There truly hasn't been the opportunity."
"No worries, Thaurelda. I never even expected to marry anyone. It seems to me that love befalls you when you least expect it. I would advise you not to be in any rush." Hallahiriel smiled and held up the two pieces of fabric, "I like these for the nursery the best. What about you?"
"If you like them, my lady. That should be all that matters." Thaurelda looked surprised by Hallahiriel asking for her opinion and shook her head.
"That will never do," Hallahiriel commented and eyed Thaurelda invitingly, "Tell me what you really think, Thaurelda. And be honest! I would value your opinion very much."
Thaurelda pointed to the piece of cloth in Hallahiriel's right hand, "I think that blue one is quite lovely, but the green seems drab for a little one."
Hallahiriel looked at the blue and green pieces of material with a discerning eye. She scolded herself for choosing shades that she liked and not what was appropriate for a newborn babe. Hallahiriel shook her head and smiled at the girl, "You know, you're right. The blue it shall be."
"I mean, the green is a very nice hue, my lady." Thaurelda stammered and thought that she had put down the tastes of Lady Hallahiriel.
"You don't have to apologize, Thaurelda. I quite agree with you. I want people to tell me what they think and not what they think that I want to hear. The blue is vastly more appropriate for a child." Hallahiriel reassured Thaurelda with a smile and a chuckle and the girl seemed to relax.
There they sat for the rest of the afternoon sharing tales and thoughts. Hallahiriel appreciated the company more than she ever even could have imagined. It was nice to talk to a woman of her own age and interests. After a few hours of conversation, Boromir and Faramir descended the stairs to the hall and found the two women laughing and having, what seemed to be, a very good time.
Boromir turned to his brother and produced a very broad smile at the sight. Faramir nodded happily and they made their way over to Hallahiriel and Thaurelda. Boromir reached his hand to his wife and helped her to her feet.
"Are you enjoying yourself, my lady?" Boromir kissed her cheek gently and Hallahiriel smiled brightly and took her husband by the arm.
"Indeed. Tell me, is it already time for supper? Time could not have passed that quickly?" As Hallahiriel saw her husband nod in return, she turned to Thaurelda and asked, "Will you not stay for the meal, Thaurelda? We would love to have you."
Thaurelda blushed atop her freckles and looked cautiously at Hallahiriel, "It would be an honor, my lady, but I do not wish to overstay my welcome."
"Nonsense! You are welcome to stay, Lady Thaurelda. It is as Hallahiriel said, we would be happy to have you!" Faramir reassured the girl in an affirmatory way. Hallahiriel looked to her brother-in-law in approval and felt thankful for his courage.
Thaurelda blushed a deep rouge and nodded in reply. Hallahiriel could not help but with glee, for the evening was sure to be entertaining. She turned to Boromir and patted him on the shoulder, "I shall inform Corerith that Thaurelda will be joining us tonight."
Next up: Owynvan breaks up the party and calls on the Steward; his ulterior motives peeping through the surface, Faramir and Thaurelda get closer and more awkward, Boromir and Halla talk names before Boromir leaves for Rohan and in two chapters Halla goes into labor!!!!
I NEED BABY NAMES!! E-MAIL ME OR POST ONE WITH A REVIEW!:-)
Angel of Harlem They're too happy? Huh, I'm stuck in a quandary then. Many more plotty things to come! Love Yeh!
Dread Lady Freya More Faramir fun to come! Especially when Halla goes into labor. I'm afraid I'm going to put him through the wringer, the poor fella. However, he wears it well!
Dream and Write Thank you for the kind words and the invite. I will be sure to check it out!
Simply Sara Think of the new Owynvan as the transformed geek from high school. He is all vengeance-y and cool now. However, as we will see, he still is a, er, poet at heart (still really bad, too). He's also a little more dangerous. Be sure to stay tuned!
Diamond Took3 Here ya go, sweets! Please review again!