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, Thaurelda, Corerith, Lady Brumwen, Therassa, Owynvan and Gweddyn.
The story is set in 3011, seven years before The Fellowship of the Ring. Boromir is 33 and Faramir is 28. Hallahiriel happens to be 26.
A week and a half after Boromir had left for Rohan, Hallahiriel did little more than sleep and sew with Thaurelda. Faramir noticed how exhausted she looked and how miserable she looked. He watched as she and Thaurelda made friendly conversation by the fireplace and sewed soft gowns for Hallahiriel's child.
Faramir looked back to his book and strayed a few glances in Thaurelda's direction. She brought back the book he lent her two days before and he gladly lent her another. She smiled at his sister-in-law warmly; she and Hallahiriel had become quite inseparable. He continued to read and at times became distracted by the sound of Hallahiriel and Thaurelda's laughter.
Until he heard Hallahiriel gasp.
He shut his book worriedly and ran to her side. Hallahiriel was breathing heavily and had dropped her sewing on the floor. Thaurelda held her by the arm and steadied her footing. Faramir clutched Hallahiriel's shoulders and pleaded.
"Halla? What's wrong?" Hallahiriel looked up to him, her breath never slowing and she struggled to tell him.
"It's the babe. It's time Faramir." Faramir looked at Thaurelda worriedly and she only nodded.
"Are you certain, Halla?" She saw a look of panic on Faramir's face and wanted to chuckle in spite of herself and her current situation. However, she felt the damp trickle of liquid down her legs and knew that it was indeed time. She was almost six weeks early. She shook her head affirming Faramir's question.
"I am positive." Thaurelda held her arm tightly and called for action.
"Faramir, send men to Rohan, right away. Boromir will not make it back in time. It is at least a four day journey to and back. But send for him. After the men depart, go to Ioreth. I'll take Hallahiriel upstairs. My mother was a midwife, though I have not done it myself, I have seen her deliver many a babe." Thaurelda's voice sounded commanding and Faramir tried not to appear so nervous. Thaurelda looked at him beseechingly and pushed him towards the door with her free hand.
"Faramir! Go!" He stumbled slightly and then threw open the door and ran down to talk to his men to send word to his brother.
Boromir had been in Rohan for eleven days, and when he held counsel with King Theoden and his men; he wasn't exactly dwelling only on the matters at hand. His heart and head were home with Hallahiriel. As he sat in the King's chambers in Meduseld, Theoden caught sight of the far off look in Boromir's eyes and stopped curiously.
"Boromir, is there something the matter?" Boromir sat up, knowing that he had been exposed.
"I'm sorry, my lord. My thoughts strayed to Minas Tirith and my wife, Hallahiriel." Theoden looked interested and so did the others that sat in the counsel. The King looked at the other men in the room, amongst them his son Theodred and his twenty year old nephew, Eomer.
"I had heard that you had married a few years ago. Rumor has it to an Elvish princess with hair like a flickering flame." Boromir smiled in spite of himself and nodded. The rumors had indeed stretched far.
"Actually, she is of elven ancestry. She comes from Dol Amroth. The woman has turned my life on its ear." Boromir heard a collective chuckle and the King asked seriously.
"So what is it that concerns you so?" Theoden gave him a small smile and Boromir sighed.
"Halla is heavy with child, our first born; and I cannot help but think of her." Theoden nodded in understanding. His own wife, Elfhid, had died giving birth to Theodred thirty-three years before. That is a loss that grieved him every day.
"I understand your worry, Boromir. However, tonight we will drink to your beautiful wife and the child she is about to bear. May he be a mighty man of Gondor and friend to Rohan." The King raised his cup and the other men followed suit. Boromir chuckled again, but Hallahiriel never left his mind.
Hallahiriel had been in labor for eight hours before the pains began coming closer together. Thaurelda had ushered her to bed and began applying cold compresses to Hallahiriel's forehead. Faramir had sent two of his most trusted men, Mablung and Damrod, to Edoras to tell Boromir that it was time. When he went to get Ioreth, he found that the healer had gone home to Lossarnach to visit family. Corerith gladly stepped in; she had helped birth two of her sister's children.
Faramir paced the floor outside of Hallahiriel's room, feeling just the slightest bit frantic. Thaurelda opened the door and motioned for him to come in. Her dark hair was pulled back haphazardly and she wore her sleeves bunched to the elbows and an apron over her dress. She looked collected, but a little tired.
"She's asking for you, Faramir. The time is getting closer." Faramir looked shocked and stuttered.
"Me? She wants me in there?" Thaurelda almost laughed at loud at the horrified look on his handsome face. She took him by the arm and smiled.
"You're her family, Faramir. Since Boromir is gone, you must act in his stead." Faramir shook his head and walked hesitantly to the door.
"It's not common for men to aid in birthing." Thaurelda pulled his arm harder. She felt like she was pulling a stubborn horse out of a patch of mud.
"If you don't come in here, Halla will never forget it. She's in such a state; I think that you should do what she wishes. And what would Boromir say?" Faramir's features softened at her words. Thaurelda was right. He must go in. He glided into the room and Thaurelda smiled in victory.
Corerith sat by Hallahiriel's side, prompting her to breath. Her face was bright pink and her blue-grey eyes squinted with pain. Corerith sighed and waved Faramir on.
"It's about time you got here, my lord. Don't you worry, Thaurelda and I will do the dirty work. Don't look so petrified; Halla will think something is wrong." Faramir took Hallahiriel's hand and smiled at her, all the while fighting the waves of sea sickness.
"I'm here, Halla." Faramir accepted a cool cloth from Corerith and dabbed it on her forehead. She dug her fingernails into his hand and he grimaced. Hallahiriel nearly drew blood!
"I hope Boromir's having a nice time in Rohan. I told him this would happen!" She gritted her teeth as Corerith inspected Hallahiriel's progress.
"It's time, Halla. I need you to push." Thaurelda rushed to Hallahiriel's other side and helped her to sit up. She rubbed her back comfortingly and braced for the push. Thaurelda and Faramir met eyes for a moment and she gave him a hopeful smile.
Hallahiriel pushed hard; pain searing through her and she cried out. Faramir dotted away the sweat from her brow and Corerith patted her knee.
"Good girl, now in a few minutes you'll need to push again. Ready?" Hallahiriel nodded and grasped Thaurelda and Faramir's hands tightly. Faramir could swear his hand was turning purple when Hallahiriel pushed again.
She struggled for breath and Corerith nodded.
"Good, good. The head and shoulders are out. One more strong push and we're done. This is the fastest delivery that I have encountered. Push, Halla!"
Hallahiriel pushed, her whole body tensed and she let out a wail. Corerith wrapped a bundle in a blanket and Thaurelda, Faramir and Hallahiriel heard the baby cry. Corerith smiled joyfully and spoke in a proud tone.
"You have a daughter, Halla."
Hallahiriel began to cry, from joy and pain and for the fact that Boromir was not there to partake in the experience. Thaurelda took the baby from Corerith and the older woman gave Hallahiriel an examination.
Faramir smiled bright at the sight of his newborn niece and turned to Hallahiriel and kissed her on her weary brow. Corerith looked up and in a startled manner and cried.
"We don't have much time. Thaurelda, get another blanket."
Hallahiriel could feel more pain coming and Faramir raised an eyebrow to Corerith, "What's happening? What's going on?"
Corerith chuckled, "There's a reason that this babe came out so fast. There's another coming out right behind it."
Hallahiriel gasped with pain and surprise, "Twins?"
Faramir and Thaurelda exchanged shocked looks and Corerith nodded. Faramir offered Hallahiriel his hand again, knowing that it was going to be painful. She looked up at him gratefully, tears still in her eyes.
"Faramir..."
He nodded to her and smiled. It was much like going into battle. Faramir knew that Boromir would regret this, missing the birth of his twins. He was in for quite a surprise when he returned from Rohan. Faramir pushed the thoughts from his head and turned to the task at hand.
"You're doing wonderfully, Halla. I'm here."
Hallahiriel felt the pains come again and Corerith gave the command to start pushing.
An hour later, the second child came. She was much more belligerent than the first. Hallahiriel held her daughters in each arm and felt like that she herself had been reborn. The younger babe was smaller than her sister and had a small patch of fair hair on her scalp. The older had no hair at all.
How she wished Boromir was at her side. She kissed her children gently on the forehead and passed the smaller babe for Faramir to hold. He had never held a child before, and he cradled her like a most precious and breakable object. Thaurelda took the older girl and sat beside Faramir.
Hallahiriel looked on warmly and sleep called to her. Corerith had changed the sheets on Hallahiriel's bed and she pulled the blankets to the girls chin. The older woman looked on in awe and she patted Hallahiriel's cheek.
"You've done good, girl. You should get some rest. Taxing work, giving life."
Hallahiriel smiled sleepily, she felt tired and strained. She hoped that Corerith would go to the Houses of Healing and bring back something that would help with the pain. She reached for Faramir's hand and he took it happily. Hallahiriel had never seen him smile in that way. She wondered how Boromir would react when he learned the news?
"Thank you, brother." Hallahiriel whispered in a barely audible tone. She then turned to Thaurelda and smiled, "And thank you, friend. I could not have done it without you."
Thaurelda held Hallahiriel's gaze and fought back tears. She merely smiled and nodded and replied, "You're more than welcome. You should rest, my lady. Your daughters are warm and safe."
Hallahiriel sighed and her eyelashes fluttered. She fell a sleep in what seemed like a matter of seconds. Thaurelda turned to Faramir, who could not take his eyes off the child in his arms.
"How are you feeling, my lord?" Faramir shrugged and looked amazed.
"I cannot believe that I am the uncle to twin girls. I cannot believe that Boromir, my brother, is now a father, and I cannot believe that Hallahiriel made it through that experience. I must say that I have a deeper respect for what goes into bearing children. Aren't they beautiful? They have Boromir's eyes, but thankfully, they mostly resemble Halla. It's been a remarkable night, Thaurelda." Faramir whispered and Thaurelda looked on knowingly.
"Yes, it has. And to think that you almost missed it because you were too frightened." Thaurelda smiled devilishly at the young captain and he looked at her in shock.
"I beg your pardon?" Faramir countered in mock accusation. She was right, he did almost miss it. However, Thaurelda only laughed her enchanting laugh and raised an eyebrow to him.
"Are you ready to hold the eldest, my lord?" Thaurelda offered the babe in her arms to Faramir and he gently took his eldest niece into his free arm and grinned.
Boromir was in for quite a shock, indeed.
A/N: Twin girls! Next up...Boromir returns home for the shock of his life, Faramir tells Denethor about his granddaughters...but he already seems to know! Owynvan pays another visit later on and Faramir continues to bond with Thaurelda.
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!
To Simply Sara: I love wordy reviews! Recidivist is one of my favorite words, LOL! Glad you're on the edge of your seat! I hope that this chapter has kept you there! Keep reviewing!
To Dread Lady Freya: I laughed out loud about Faramir "the midwife"! Haha! I'll see what I can do about Denethor...Keep reading! I love ya!
To Diamond Took3: Don't hurt Owynvan too much! You gotta leave something for Boromir to beat up! Thanks and love!
To integratecos(2x: Yep, it was messy. I myself have this great phobia of giving birth. I want kids...I am just terrified of physically having them! You hit the gift on the nose! Love you!
To Rana Ninque: Thank you, sweetheart! Thanks about Thaurelda...the thought of Faramir thinking about kissing Therassa made my stomach turn! I corrected it, thanks to you! That's what I get for writing at 2 a.m.!
To Oracle10: Bingo! We have a winner! Very, very insightful; my young Padawan! Keep reading!
To Angel of Harlem: I'm gonna buy the Faramir shirt and wear it for you! The new U2 album in November! New single on the radio in September! Hallelujah, indeed! Hope you liked the chapter! Love ya!
The story is set in 3011, seven years before The Fellowship of the Ring. 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 Seven: It's Time
A week and a half after Boromir had left for Rohan, Hallahiriel did little more than sleep and sew with Thaurelda. Faramir noticed how exhausted she looked and how miserable she looked. He watched as she and Thaurelda made friendly conversation by the fireplace and sewed soft gowns for Hallahiriel's child.
Faramir looked back to his book and strayed a few glances in Thaurelda's direction. She brought back the book he lent her two days before and he gladly lent her another. She smiled at his sister-in-law warmly; she and Hallahiriel had become quite inseparable. He continued to read and at times became distracted by the sound of Hallahiriel and Thaurelda's laughter.
Until he heard Hallahiriel gasp.
He shut his book worriedly and ran to her side. Hallahiriel was breathing heavily and had dropped her sewing on the floor. Thaurelda held her by the arm and steadied her footing. Faramir clutched Hallahiriel's shoulders and pleaded.
"Halla? What's wrong?" Hallahiriel looked up to him, her breath never slowing and she struggled to tell him.
"It's the babe. It's time Faramir." Faramir looked at Thaurelda worriedly and she only nodded.
"Are you certain, Halla?" She saw a look of panic on Faramir's face and wanted to chuckle in spite of herself and her current situation. However, she felt the damp trickle of liquid down her legs and knew that it was indeed time. She was almost six weeks early. She shook her head affirming Faramir's question.
"I am positive." Thaurelda held her arm tightly and called for action.
"Faramir, send men to Rohan, right away. Boromir will not make it back in time. It is at least a four day journey to and back. But send for him. After the men depart, go to Ioreth. I'll take Hallahiriel upstairs. My mother was a midwife, though I have not done it myself, I have seen her deliver many a babe." Thaurelda's voice sounded commanding and Faramir tried not to appear so nervous. Thaurelda looked at him beseechingly and pushed him towards the door with her free hand.
"Faramir! Go!" He stumbled slightly and then threw open the door and ran down to talk to his men to send word to his brother.
Boromir had been in Rohan for eleven days, and when he held counsel with King Theoden and his men; he wasn't exactly dwelling only on the matters at hand. His heart and head were home with Hallahiriel. As he sat in the King's chambers in Meduseld, Theoden caught sight of the far off look in Boromir's eyes and stopped curiously.
"Boromir, is there something the matter?" Boromir sat up, knowing that he had been exposed.
"I'm sorry, my lord. My thoughts strayed to Minas Tirith and my wife, Hallahiriel." Theoden looked interested and so did the others that sat in the counsel. The King looked at the other men in the room, amongst them his son Theodred and his twenty year old nephew, Eomer.
"I had heard that you had married a few years ago. Rumor has it to an Elvish princess with hair like a flickering flame." Boromir smiled in spite of himself and nodded. The rumors had indeed stretched far.
"Actually, she is of elven ancestry. She comes from Dol Amroth. The woman has turned my life on its ear." Boromir heard a collective chuckle and the King asked seriously.
"So what is it that concerns you so?" Theoden gave him a small smile and Boromir sighed.
"Halla is heavy with child, our first born; and I cannot help but think of her." Theoden nodded in understanding. His own wife, Elfhid, had died giving birth to Theodred thirty-three years before. That is a loss that grieved him every day.
"I understand your worry, Boromir. However, tonight we will drink to your beautiful wife and the child she is about to bear. May he be a mighty man of Gondor and friend to Rohan." The King raised his cup and the other men followed suit. Boromir chuckled again, but Hallahiriel never left his mind.
Hallahiriel had been in labor for eight hours before the pains began coming closer together. Thaurelda had ushered her to bed and began applying cold compresses to Hallahiriel's forehead. Faramir had sent two of his most trusted men, Mablung and Damrod, to Edoras to tell Boromir that it was time. When he went to get Ioreth, he found that the healer had gone home to Lossarnach to visit family. Corerith gladly stepped in; she had helped birth two of her sister's children.
Faramir paced the floor outside of Hallahiriel's room, feeling just the slightest bit frantic. Thaurelda opened the door and motioned for him to come in. Her dark hair was pulled back haphazardly and she wore her sleeves bunched to the elbows and an apron over her dress. She looked collected, but a little tired.
"She's asking for you, Faramir. The time is getting closer." Faramir looked shocked and stuttered.
"Me? She wants me in there?" Thaurelda almost laughed at loud at the horrified look on his handsome face. She took him by the arm and smiled.
"You're her family, Faramir. Since Boromir is gone, you must act in his stead." Faramir shook his head and walked hesitantly to the door.
"It's not common for men to aid in birthing." Thaurelda pulled his arm harder. She felt like she was pulling a stubborn horse out of a patch of mud.
"If you don't come in here, Halla will never forget it. She's in such a state; I think that you should do what she wishes. And what would Boromir say?" Faramir's features softened at her words. Thaurelda was right. He must go in. He glided into the room and Thaurelda smiled in victory.
Corerith sat by Hallahiriel's side, prompting her to breath. Her face was bright pink and her blue-grey eyes squinted with pain. Corerith sighed and waved Faramir on.
"It's about time you got here, my lord. Don't you worry, Thaurelda and I will do the dirty work. Don't look so petrified; Halla will think something is wrong." Faramir took Hallahiriel's hand and smiled at her, all the while fighting the waves of sea sickness.
"I'm here, Halla." Faramir accepted a cool cloth from Corerith and dabbed it on her forehead. She dug her fingernails into his hand and he grimaced. Hallahiriel nearly drew blood!
"I hope Boromir's having a nice time in Rohan. I told him this would happen!" She gritted her teeth as Corerith inspected Hallahiriel's progress.
"It's time, Halla. I need you to push." Thaurelda rushed to Hallahiriel's other side and helped her to sit up. She rubbed her back comfortingly and braced for the push. Thaurelda and Faramir met eyes for a moment and she gave him a hopeful smile.
Hallahiriel pushed hard; pain searing through her and she cried out. Faramir dotted away the sweat from her brow and Corerith patted her knee.
"Good girl, now in a few minutes you'll need to push again. Ready?" Hallahiriel nodded and grasped Thaurelda and Faramir's hands tightly. Faramir could swear his hand was turning purple when Hallahiriel pushed again.
She struggled for breath and Corerith nodded.
"Good, good. The head and shoulders are out. One more strong push and we're done. This is the fastest delivery that I have encountered. Push, Halla!"
Hallahiriel pushed, her whole body tensed and she let out a wail. Corerith wrapped a bundle in a blanket and Thaurelda, Faramir and Hallahiriel heard the baby cry. Corerith smiled joyfully and spoke in a proud tone.
"You have a daughter, Halla."
Hallahiriel began to cry, from joy and pain and for the fact that Boromir was not there to partake in the experience. Thaurelda took the baby from Corerith and the older woman gave Hallahiriel an examination.
Faramir smiled bright at the sight of his newborn niece and turned to Hallahiriel and kissed her on her weary brow. Corerith looked up and in a startled manner and cried.
"We don't have much time. Thaurelda, get another blanket."
Hallahiriel could feel more pain coming and Faramir raised an eyebrow to Corerith, "What's happening? What's going on?"
Corerith chuckled, "There's a reason that this babe came out so fast. There's another coming out right behind it."
Hallahiriel gasped with pain and surprise, "Twins?"
Faramir and Thaurelda exchanged shocked looks and Corerith nodded. Faramir offered Hallahiriel his hand again, knowing that it was going to be painful. She looked up at him gratefully, tears still in her eyes.
"Faramir..."
He nodded to her and smiled. It was much like going into battle. Faramir knew that Boromir would regret this, missing the birth of his twins. He was in for quite a surprise when he returned from Rohan. Faramir pushed the thoughts from his head and turned to the task at hand.
"You're doing wonderfully, Halla. I'm here."
Hallahiriel felt the pains come again and Corerith gave the command to start pushing.
An hour later, the second child came. She was much more belligerent than the first. Hallahiriel held her daughters in each arm and felt like that she herself had been reborn. The younger babe was smaller than her sister and had a small patch of fair hair on her scalp. The older had no hair at all.
How she wished Boromir was at her side. She kissed her children gently on the forehead and passed the smaller babe for Faramir to hold. He had never held a child before, and he cradled her like a most precious and breakable object. Thaurelda took the older girl and sat beside Faramir.
Hallahiriel looked on warmly and sleep called to her. Corerith had changed the sheets on Hallahiriel's bed and she pulled the blankets to the girls chin. The older woman looked on in awe and she patted Hallahiriel's cheek.
"You've done good, girl. You should get some rest. Taxing work, giving life."
Hallahiriel smiled sleepily, she felt tired and strained. She hoped that Corerith would go to the Houses of Healing and bring back something that would help with the pain. She reached for Faramir's hand and he took it happily. Hallahiriel had never seen him smile in that way. She wondered how Boromir would react when he learned the news?
"Thank you, brother." Hallahiriel whispered in a barely audible tone. She then turned to Thaurelda and smiled, "And thank you, friend. I could not have done it without you."
Thaurelda held Hallahiriel's gaze and fought back tears. She merely smiled and nodded and replied, "You're more than welcome. You should rest, my lady. Your daughters are warm and safe."
Hallahiriel sighed and her eyelashes fluttered. She fell a sleep in what seemed like a matter of seconds. Thaurelda turned to Faramir, who could not take his eyes off the child in his arms.
"How are you feeling, my lord?" Faramir shrugged and looked amazed.
"I cannot believe that I am the uncle to twin girls. I cannot believe that Boromir, my brother, is now a father, and I cannot believe that Hallahiriel made it through that experience. I must say that I have a deeper respect for what goes into bearing children. Aren't they beautiful? They have Boromir's eyes, but thankfully, they mostly resemble Halla. It's been a remarkable night, Thaurelda." Faramir whispered and Thaurelda looked on knowingly.
"Yes, it has. And to think that you almost missed it because you were too frightened." Thaurelda smiled devilishly at the young captain and he looked at her in shock.
"I beg your pardon?" Faramir countered in mock accusation. She was right, he did almost miss it. However, Thaurelda only laughed her enchanting laugh and raised an eyebrow to him.
"Are you ready to hold the eldest, my lord?" Thaurelda offered the babe in her arms to Faramir and he gently took his eldest niece into his free arm and grinned.
Boromir was in for quite a shock, indeed.
A/N: Twin girls! Next up...Boromir returns home for the shock of his life, Faramir tells Denethor about his granddaughters...but he already seems to know! Owynvan pays another visit later on and Faramir continues to bond with Thaurelda.
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!
To Simply Sara: I love wordy reviews! Recidivist is one of my favorite words, LOL! Glad you're on the edge of your seat! I hope that this chapter has kept you there! Keep reviewing!
To Dread Lady Freya: I laughed out loud about Faramir "the midwife"! Haha! I'll see what I can do about Denethor...Keep reading! I love ya!
To Diamond Took3: Don't hurt Owynvan too much! You gotta leave something for Boromir to beat up! Thanks and love!
To integratecos(2x: Yep, it was messy. I myself have this great phobia of giving birth. I want kids...I am just terrified of physically having them! You hit the gift on the nose! Love you!
To Rana Ninque: Thank you, sweetheart! Thanks about Thaurelda...the thought of Faramir thinking about kissing Therassa made my stomach turn! I corrected it, thanks to you! That's what I get for writing at 2 a.m.!
To Oracle10: Bingo! We have a winner! Very, very insightful; my young Padawan! Keep reading!
To Angel of Harlem: I'm gonna buy the Faramir shirt and wear it for you! The new U2 album in November! New single on the radio in September! Hallelujah, indeed! Hope you liked the chapter! Love ya!