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 Five: Owynvan's Gift
Hallahiriel looked down at her plate; so far the meal had been polite and very quiet. Boromir and Faramir sat across from Hallahiriel and Thaurelda while Denethor had requested his meal in his study; for he did not feel up to entertaining a guest. Hallahiriel sighed a little heavily and Boromir took a concerned notice.
"Are you ill, Halla?" She looked up and smiled warmly at her husband, whose brows had furrowed in worry.
"No my lord, I am well. I only cannot eat another bite." Hallahiriel rested her hands on her growing midsection and smiled softly across the table. Boromir nodded in mild relief and Hallahiriel watched Faramir and Thaurelda as they sat in silence.
She turned to Thaurelda and asked, "Are you at all interested in books?"
"I am, however, my family does not own many." Thaurelda spoke a little meekly, not really sure what Hallahiriel meant by the question.
"Well, we have quite a library. I must say that I was in your position while I lived in Dol Amroth. My father did not hold credence about the importance of books. However, Faramir has piqued my interest with them. Perhaps he would consent to give you a tour." Hallahiriel looked hopefully at Faramir; who looked the slightest bit thunderstruck by the idea. He sat up straighter and wiped the nervous look from his face.
" I would be happy to show you the library, my lady." Faramir rose and offered Thaurelda his arm. She blushed a bit and took his arm as he helped her to stand. As they walked away, Faramir threw Hallahiriel an unsure glance over his shoulder.
Boromir caught the broad grin on his wife's face and walked to her side to help her from her chair. As she stood he asked, "And what, pray tell, was that all about?"
"I believe you may have an inkling, my lord. I mean, your little brother is quite grown and Thaurelda is pretty." Boromir and Hallahiriel walked to the courtyard and watched as the sun set into the fading vermillion sky.
"Ah, I see you have taken to playing matchmaker, dearest. I do agree that Thaurelda is a very lovely girl. She's quiet and unassuming." Boromir trailed off faintly as he caught the raised eyebrow his wife threw at him.
"So what are you trying to say, my love?" Hallahiriel poked her husband in the ribs playfully.
"I think that she and Faramir might be quite agreeable together. Well suited for each other. However, none should ever be as lovely as my fair barmaid." He cupped Hallahiriel's face in his hands and kissed her lovingly on the lips.
Hallahiriel pulled him close to her and buried her head in his chest. Boromir's hands combed through her coppery hair and he felt a touch of sadness pull at his heart; knowing that soon he must leave her once again.
"There is something I wish for you to think on, Boromir, before you must depart for Rohan." Hallahiriel looked at him in a serious manner.
"And what would that be, Halla?" He wore an interested look and trailed the back of his hand against her cheek.
"I want us to name our child. If something should happen, and the babe comes early, I should want to have it in place." Hallahiriel grinned brightly and touched her right hand to her stomach.
Boromir chuckled and rested his own hand upon hers, "That is something I believe we can do. Names; I never thought I'd be choosing a name for someone, a name that they will bear for their entire life. It's rather monumental, isn't it?"
"Indeed it is. Shall we begin with names for daughters or sons?" Hallahiriel took Boromir's arm and led him around the courtyard.
Faramir lit a few lamps with a candle; and they illuminated the entire library. He heard a surprised gasp behind him and turned to see Thaurelda's brown-green eyes widen. Faramir smiled as he watched Thaurelda examine the nearest shelf of books.
"I have never seen so many books! They are absolutely lovely!" Thaurelda ran a finger gently down a book spine and Faramir stepped up beside her.
"Would you like a book about history, myths, or poetry? What would you like to read?" Faramir asked in a friendly tone. Thaurelda shrugged and turned a little bashful.
"I don't know my lord. What would you recommend?" Thaurelda looked up at Faramir in curiosity.
Faramir felt a slight hitch in his breathing as he looked down at her; her dark eyes wide and a little timid. He did find her to be one of the loveliest things that he had seen in quite some time. He broke from his reverie and reached for a burgundy-bound book on the highest shelf.
"This should be a good start. It's a compilation of tales and poems from all over the country." Faramir smiled warmly and placed the book in Thaurelda's hands. She turned it over carefully and looked back up to him.
"You're g-going to let me borrow this?" She looked overcome with amazement and Faramir let a chuckle escape from his lips.
"Of course, my lady. However, only under the condition that you return it and then choose another." Thaurelda beamed and hugged the book to her chest and Faramir fought the urge to pull her close to him.
"Thank you, Lord Faramir. I shall take the utmost care with it." Thaurelda nodded in assurance and Faramir could not help but grin in return.
Suddenly, Faramir heard the sound of horses nearing the gate. It was too late for pleasantries and Faramir could only deduct that it was ill news on the horizon. Faramir took Thaurelda by the hand, which surprised her very much.
"What's wrong, my lord?" Thaurelda looked frightened by the look on Faramir's face.
"I hear horses coming this way. We must find Boromir and alert my father." Faramir ushered Thaurelda out of the library and down the stairs to the dining hall.
"Dimernil?"
"No."
"How about Ascafen?"
"Ehh...no." Hallahiriel shook her head in an indecisive way. None of Boromir's suggestions for their child's name had really struck a chord with her. Boromir looked frustrated and a little weary. He shrugged dramatically and gave his wife a lopsided smile.
"I fear I am out of ideas, dearest. Perhaps we should wait until the child comes and then bestow a name upon him. It would do us well to look at him and then go from there." He patted her gently on the hand and Hallahiriel nodded in agreement.
They sat in the courtyard for a precious few moments of silence before Faramir came bursting out the dining hall door with Thaurelda in tow. Boromir could see that his brother looked quite anxious and rose to meet him.
"Whatever is wrong, Faramir?" Faramir became wide-eyed and poor Thaurelda clutched a book to her chest and looked on in mounting confusion.
"Horses, Boromir. At least six are approaching as we speak." Hallahiriel saw the change in her husband's countenance and knew exactly what he was thinking. The horses bore none other than Owynvan and his faithless band of mercenaries.
Boromir caught sight of his wife's face and saw the pained expression she wore. He took her by the shoulders and leveled his head to hers. He spoke sternly, but with much fervor and concern.
"Do not be frightened of him, Halla. You are the Lady of Minas Tirith; to visibly show fear would be giving him nothing but pleasure and satisfaction knowing that he has some small fraction of power over you. He is a coward and I will not have this use of scare tactics against me, my family and especially my wife. Do not fear him Halla, for if he acts with zeal I will relieve him of an appendage. Stand by my side ceaselessly as you always do and we will emerge victorious." Boromir kissed her brow and she nodded in agreement.
Boromir took his wife by the arm and lead her into the great hall. Faramir and Thaurelda followed closely behind. Thaurelda looked ahead to Lord Boromir, who had enraptured them all with the words to his wife. No wonder he was a trusted leader in battle, with such impassioned words no army could not fight without fire and hope, no matter what the odds against them were to be.
Thaurelda then looked to the young Captain Faramir, who was handsome, gentle, thoughtful and often solemn. She longed to know more about him tonight, however, it would have to wait for another day until the urgency of the moment had passed.
Corerith was waiting at the door. Her hair pulled back in a long gray braid and holding a candle. She looked to the sons of the steward in an apprehensive manner.
"It's Owynvan, my lords. He and his men await the permission to speak with your father. They say that they have come to bring him a mighty gift."
Boromir and Faramir looked to each other and Hallahiriel leaned into the comfort of her husband's arm. Boromir looked back to Corerith with a stern demeanor.
"Show them in, Corerith."
A/N: So Sorry for the delay loves! However, I have spent the last two ½ weeks in Europe, tramping about. I went to Austria, Paris, the Scottish countryside, London (I love London, I spent over a week there) and Dublin. Sorry Angel of Harlem, unfortunately no Bono, Larry, Edge or Adam sightings. But I did walk past the Clarence Hotel!
Up Next: Halla faces Owynvan, Boromir threatens Owynvan, Faramir escorts Thaurelda home and Boromir must away to Rohan. Oh! And Halla goes into premature labor! Poor, Poor Faramir!
To my faithful readers
Angel of Harlem: How about "The Ground Beneath Her Feet"? That's dark! Glad you like Thaurelda, but no worries it's just fiction; of course Faramir belongs to you!
Whizzothecrunchyfrog: Thank you for the review. Realizing what you said is true. Hard things, baby names! I got some ideas from the Middle Earth name generator. Please review again!
DiamondTook3: Here's more for you! Enjoy!
Dread Lady Freya: Yep! More awkward, then a little more comfortable. Faramir and Thaurelda are truly bonded after the help Halla during her labor. Boy, you really won't like Owynvan after this story is over. But no worries, 'cause Boromir is the man and he will kick his arrogant as-I mean, Backside! Hugs to you!
Simply Sara: Faramir and Thaurelda are cute aren't they? They just ooze with it! Hope I keep you wanting more with this chappie! Thanks!