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.
The Continuing Story of Hallahiriel, the Former Barmaid of Dol Amroth
By Leah Pensotti
Chapter Eight: Names to Faces
Boromir sat in the dining hall, eating breakfast with Eomer and Theodred. He was not really sure why his father had sent him to Edoras, other than to keep the alliance with Theoden and Rohan strong. The three men had been chatting idly, when the doors flew open with thunder.
Eowyn, Theoden's sixteen-year-old niece and Eomer's younger sister entered with a flourish of long, golden hair, lanky form and a worried expression. All at the table looked up and Eomer rose to meet her.
"Eowyn? Whatever is the matter?" The King's nephew asked his sister, who still wore a hastened look on her young face.
"Two men on horses. They are approaching quickly, brother." Eomer nodded and Theodred rose and followed him. Boromir felt an odd feeling at the pit of his stomach and darted behind them. As the four of them reached the steps of Meduseld, they looked out over the capital and laid eyes on the horsemen.
Boromir squinted and recognized them as Rangers of Ithilien. He ran down the steps to meet them and saw that they were none other than Mablung and Damrod, two men under Faramir's command. Before they could greet him, Boromir nodded solemnly.
"It's Lady Hallahiriel, isn't it?" Mablung nodded in return and dismounted his horse and Damrod followed suit.
"Aye, my lord. Faramir sent us, your wife has undoubtedly beared your child by now." Boromir smiled grimly; Hallahiriel was right, it was not unusual for a child to arrive early. He felt a tinge of guilt pull at his heart.
"When did it happen? How long ago did you depart?" Damrod spoke up, a serious expression on his bearded face.
"Four days ago, in the late afternoon. Faramir came to us and bid us to ride quickly to Rohan and tell you." Boromir looked back up to the top of the stairs where King Theoden now joined the others. He asked Mablung and Damrod to wait for him at the bottom of the stairs and then he turned and walked up to meet the anxious faces of his hosts. King Theoden raised an interested eyebrow to Boromir and asked.
"What news, Boromir?" Boromir looked at the King and tried not to seem utterly frantic.
"It is my wife, my lord. Four days ago, she was ready to bear our child. I fear that I promised her that I would return if word was sent. My brother sent Damrod and Mablung, two of his Rangers to do so. I hope that you understand why I must go..." Before Boromir could finish, King Theoden waved at him and smiled.
"No worries, Lord Boromir. Two weeks of your amiable presence will surely be enough to suffice for this visit. You go home to your family and your newborn. Please send your lovely wife our praises. I do hope that you will bring her to Edoras some day. I daresay all of us would like to meet the lady of legend. Tell your father that all is well with Rohan, and that soon we shall meet. You best be off, the earlier you leave, the sooner you will arrive." Theoden smiled warmly and Boromir bowed his head in gratitude.
"Thank you, Theoden King."
Faramir laid in his bed in the evening, the past few days had been taxing on all who dwelled in the house. His two newborn nieces kept everyone alert and on their toes. Corerith was with Hallahiriel during the night, aiding her with the children.
Hallahiriel was tired and weak. She asked if there was any word from Boromir every available minute. Faramir knew that she longed to see him, for he wished for his brother to return as well. Thaurelda helped when she could be spared from her aunt's shop and Ioreth came down from the Houses of Healing to bring Hallahiriel herbs and brews that would return her strength to her. Ioreth had said that Hallahiriel should be out of bed within a week, but the labor had strained her very much.
As for his father, Faramir was quite worried indeed. Denethor rarely left his study and asked that all his meals be sent up to him. The Steward had not yet seen his granddaughters, though Faramir had walked the stairs to tell him the very night of the births. As Faramir thought of his father's exchange, he felt a cold tinge start at the base of his spine.
Denethor looked vexed and drawn, though Faramir wore a tired smile.
"Father, Hallahiriel has given birth. You are a grandfather!"
"Indeed, Faramir. Two girls are they not?" Denethor sneered coldly and Faramir cocked his head to the side.
"Did Corerith come and tell you? How did you know?" The steward waved his hand with impatience.
"What does it matter how I know, boy. Now tell me, are they two girls?" Faramir looked taken aback by his father's display and shook his head.
"Yes, father. Twin girls." Denethor smirked at Faramir and grunted.
"A pity, really. Boys would serve us better in the long run, in battle and in rule. However, in sixteen years the girls will serve some purpose for Gondor. We can make political arrangements with other countries. I'm sure Theoden's house would be happy to arrange a marriage with ours at some point. Especially if they grow with the fairness of their mother, they will think them to be fine breeders. Yes, the girls will serve some purpose." Denethor sipped vacantly from a goblet in thought and Faramir's heart dropped and then raced at a terrified speed.
How could he speak this way about his own family? About Boromir's daughters?
"Father, you cannot mean what you say. The children will bring honor to our house in more ways than just being offered as political brides..." Denethor chuckled and waved again.
"Don't worry, Faramir. Your brother's wife is still young, twenty-six I believe. There is still time for her to bear an heir. Perhaps a spare or two as well. However, there is no time to lose. I will speak with Boromir when he returns, they should make haste. If I am right, he will arrive six days from now in the afternoon."
The way his father spoke had kept Faramir up for the past five nights. At what point did Hallahiriel become only good for breeding and his firstborn grandchildren only good for selling to other countries for allegiance and loyalty to Gondor? Even for Denethor, who was never affectionate with anyone other than Boromir, this mad behavior was drastically out of character.
Of course he could never tell Hallahiriel about it. It would break her heart.
Faramir punched his pillow lightly and rolled over on his side. He tried to think of something else; however, thoughts of Thaurelda kept him awake as well.
Hallahiriel sat up with the help of Corerith in the pale, late morning light. Her bleary eyes tried to focus, but the light seemed to be as weak as she felt. It was time for the babes to feed and she could hear their faint whimpers beside her. Faramir had moved the crib from the nursery into Hallahiriel and Boromir's quarters so it would be easier to attend to them while Hallahiriel healed and gained her strength.
"Corerith, has there been any word from Boromir?" Hallahiriel asked in an uneasy tone. Corerith merely shook her head and handed her the younger infant, who looked up at her mother with grey eyes so close to her father's. Hallahiriel sighed fitfully, she was very grateful for all of the help that she had been receiving from Faramir, Thaurelda, Corerith and Ioreth; but she wanted her husband home. She wanted him to meet his daughters and to help her take care of them and share all of the experiences of their early infancy. It had been six days since Faramir sent word to Rohan with Mablung and Damrod.
When both children were fed and changed, Corerith set to work on Hallahiriel. She helped her bathe and she loosely twisted her hair at the nape of her neck and helped her into a clean nightdress. Corerith thought Hallahiriel looked better, a tant amount of color returned to her cheeks although she still remained the palest ivory that Corerith had ever seen. She had brought the girl breakfast and saw that Hallahiriel's appetite had returned.
A knock came upon the door as Hallahiriel ate. Corerith rose from the bedside and placed her hand on the knob, "That will be Thaurelda, no doubt. Dear girl comes to see you every spare moment she has."
Hallahiriel chuckled lightly and shook her head as she took a bite from her bread.
"I am not the only one she comes to see, Corerith. She and Faramir have an understanding. Mark my words."
Corerith nodded in agreement and opened the door. She emitted a small gasp when she saw a filthy Boromir standing before her. Hallahiriel looked up and choked on her bite of breakfast. As she started coughing, Corerith ushered Boromir in and threw her arms around him briefly.
"Bless you, my lord! You look a fright! We weren't expecting you for another few days!" Boromir nodded, his eyes resting on his wife in the bed. She looked so pale and small.
"Aye, Corerith. As soon as I got word, I left. We did not stop or sleep until we arrived." He felt Corerith removing his cloak and shield and he doffed his horn, sword and boots. Boromir could not resist any longer and crawled into bed beside Hallahiriel. He took her face in his hands and pleaded.
"Forgive me, Halla. I should have been here. I wanted to see our child born more than anything. Tell me, are you in pain?" Hallahiriel shook her head.
"No, I'm only a little tired. It was a lot of work, but I am feeling much better. I daresay, I am very glad to have you home." She offered him a small smile and Boromir embraced her. Hallahiriel didn't care how filthy his was from his journey, she only wished for him to hold her tighter. She kissed him gently on the lips and Boromir nodded to the crib curiously.
"Can I?" She nodded to him happily, knowing that he was about to receive the surprise of his life. Boromir rose off the bed carefully and walked to the corner of the room. As he peered into the crib, his eyes widened and he stuttered.
"T-there's two." Hallahiriel giggled nervously and nodded.
"Yes, Boromir. We have twin daughters."
"Twin daughters? Twin daughters!" A mix of emotions ran over Boromir's handsome face and before he could reach down to his children, Corerith tapped him on the shoulder. Boromir turned to find the older woman behind him with a chastising look on her face.
"I know you wish to hold your children, my lord. However, I must not allow it until you are cleaned up and changed." She placed a fresh pair of clothes in his hands and Hallahiriel could not help but chuckle. He gave a half smile and relented to Corerith's request.
When Boromir reappeared, his skin was clean and freshly scrubbed and he wore the clean garb that Corerith had handed to him. Boromir kissed Hallahiriel wildly, astonished at the task she had accomplished. Twin daughters! What a surprise! Boromir left his wife's side to venture to the crib again. The babes slept peacefully inside, their little mouths parted with bliss. He reached down and lifted one into the crook of his arm and inspected her carefully. The child stirred and her eyes parted, revealing the tame grey that matched his own.
As his daughter looked up at him, Boromir felt that his heart had never been so full before. Hallahiriel called to him from the bed, tears catching in her dark lashes.
"She is our youngest. She is also the smallest of the two." Boromir nodded quietly, he had found himself at quite a loss for words. Which was a predicament that he was wholly unfamiliar with all together. He sat on the bed for a moment, taking in the first experience with his youngest daughter. He kissed the babe on the forehead and passed her to the open arms of her mother so he could retrieve the other.
Hallahiriel cradled her child delicately and watched as her beloved Boromir picked up the eldest daughter and laid beside her in bed. They sat elbow to elbow, holding their newborn twins in quiet wonder. Boromir stroked the top of the firstborn's bald head and then did the same to the child that Hallahiriel was holding. He chuckled with the feel of the fair brown hair beneath his fingers.
"I wish I could have been there. I already feel as though I have missed out on so much. Will you ever be able to forgive me, Halla?" Hallahiriel turned to him in confusion and she answered in a whisper.
"Hush, Boromir. There is nothing to forgive. If you should apologize to anyone it should be Faramir. I daresay he hasn't slept...and the look on his face when he entered the room! I thought that he was going to keel over. He was as pale as can be and white as the streets of the city. I think I turned his hand purple as well."
She kissed him lightly on the temple and he smiled his very handsome smile. Hallahiriel had not seen that particular smile in quite some time and she whispered in his ear.
"Tell me what your thinking, my lord. I have never seen you in such a state." Boromir exhaled quickly and turned to his wife, completely awestruck. She was so charming, even as tired and frail that she looked, she still radiated that light of the spirited barmaid he had met over four years before. He never thought that he would be in that moment, with a wife and children; five years ago he would have scoffed at such a notion.
"I am dumbfounded, love. I am completely amazed. I can only deem it a miracle." Boromir smiled at her warmly and Hallahiriel found herself crying again.
"So you are happy?" Boromir turned to Hallahiriel and he shook his head.
"You and your questions. Of course I am happy, Halla. I am overjoyed. I am euphoric and elated. Three of the dearest creatures are with me at the moment. They are beautiful, Halla. Our daughters are perfect as can be imagined. I do not deserve such gifts. I especially do not deserve you." Hallahiriel saw the serious look on his face and she rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.
"You speak such nonsense, Boromir. I think lack of sleep and too much travel has exhausted more than your body and now affects your mind. There is one matter we should clear up, though. These dear creatures have no names. I have been calling them 'my love' and "little one' for nearly a week. I think that you should name them. I cannot keep my mind clear enough to pick only one for each. I end up changing my mind. So I turn to you. Name our children, Boromir."
Two hours later, Boromir had chosen Ascafenien for the firstborn daughter and Airigoniel for the youngest. Hallahiriel thought they were the best names, for none of the ones she had chosen had rang true with such certainty as the ones that Boromir had selected. As the children rested in their cribs, Hallahiriel watched as her husband slept beside her, exhausted from the non-stop journey from Rohan.
Sometimes it scared her when she thought about just how much she had to lose. Boromir, Faramir, Corerith and now her two dear little girls; her life was so filled with love that at times she thought that she would wither away if she lost any of it. Hallahiriel traced the side of Boromir's face with her fingers as he slept and thought about the days and years to come.
A/N: Ah, there always seems to be trouble in paradise! Owynvan returns with a vengeance and a PLOT against Boromir. Oh and Faramir gets a little lovin'...STAY TUNED! PLEASE R&R!
Simply Sara: Haha! You are a trip and I am an EVIL authoress to keep you on the edge of your seat, but alas, I like you there! Please write as many wordy and vocabulary filled reviews! Love you!
Dread Lady Freya: I LOVE pink bubblegum cigars! Can I have more than one:-)? Yum! Anyway, the little dears have much more to worry about than Grandpa Denethor...Owynvan!!! I think that Thaurelda will show more of her backbone very, very soon!
Rana Ninque: I love Faramir and Eowyn as well, I cannot wait to write about it and incorporate her more into the stories. However, I am a little biased because Thaurelda is a product of my own imagination and I love her! Thanks for the review!
Diamond Took3: All right, you can hurt him just an eensie, weensie bit. Gotta leave the majority for Boromir to beat up! Thanks for the review!
Angel of Harlem: Poor Faramir indeed...but I'm making it up to him by giving him a little romantic action in the next chappie. Anyway...Did you see Bono at the DNC? I just got a new black kitten last week and I named him Bono Vox! I am such a geek! Oh well, I am sure that you appreciate me! Love ya mucho!