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, Aethlien, Airigoniel, Ascafenien, 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 Eleven: The Pursuit
They had been riding for only twenty minutes and Hallahiriel could not tell where their destination could be in the pitch dark. Her dress that she had made especially for the celebration was ripped and torn from the branches and brambles that the horses tore through so haphazardly. Owynvan and his men led her further and further away from Minas Tirith and her thoughts burned with worry.
She prayed that Boromir and Faramir would find her, for she would die rather than become Owynvan's captive and toy. How she reviled the man behind her. Hallahiriel swore that she would end it that night.
Boromir led the men back into the hall while carrying Ascafenien close to him. His heart thundered against his ribs and he fumed with the desire to tear that nit Owynvan limb from limb. He handed Ascafenien to Thaurelda and Eomer gave Airigoniel to Corerith.
"Take them to the nursery. Faramir, arrange for Rangers to stand guard outside the door, inside the room and above and below the window. Hurry back, brother, we need to take action immediately before they have gotten too far." Faramir gave a solemn nod to his brother and watched as Boromir paced about.
With a sigh, Faramir turned on his heel and went about with his duties. The situation lied heavily on his heart and mind. What sort of action could they take to ensure that Hallahiriel returned home without a scratch?
Halla. She was very brave to go with Owynvan and avoiding a skirmish between his men and the guests at the celebration when the twins and Thaurelda were at risk. Faramir's mind wandered to just what Boromir may be thinking. He was sure to kill Owynvan when they found him.
Faramir continued to be plagued with thoughts as he arranged guards for the nursery. He met eyes briefly with Thaurelda and remembered the horribly frightened look on her face as Owynvan held a knife to her throat. Of course, he would allow Boromir the honors of repaying Owynvan, although he did hope he would be able to get a kick or two in as well. How dare Owynvan threaten the four most important women in his life.
Thaurelda gave him a weak smile and sat in a chair close to the twins' crib. Faramir nodded in return and once the guards were in place, he made his way back to the hall where Boromir, Theoden, Theodred, Eomer and Imrahil devised a plan of action.
Boromir still paced, his handsome face distorted with anger and worry. He quietly seethed as the others threw out suggestions; with none of which did he seem to be particularly pleased.
"Perhaps we should just ride after them. They would not be hard to track, that large of a group." Imrahil offered and Boromir shook his head. Faramir looked on as Theodred spoke up.
"Someone in the city must know where his lair is. Does he have family in Minas Tirith?" Boromir slowly nodded.
"Yes, his sister is married to the butcher." Boromir grabbed his cloak and shield and looked ready to leave.
"Come, we'll go to his sister's home." The others made ready their weapons and Theoden called some of his men and Faramir some Rangers to aid in the search.
"Tell me where to find Owynvan." Boromir demanded gruffly.
Therassa crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. Her round-faced husband stood nearby. Her sharp features lingered bitterly on Boromir and she replied in a silky tone.
"Why should I my lord? I will not be spoken to in this manner in my own home." Boromir rested his hand on the hilt of his sword and narrowed his eyes at Therassa.
"Your brother, fool that he is, took my children hostage and demanded my wife in return. Forgive me that I am bypassing any pleasantries." Therassa held back a chortle and shook her head.
"Owynvan never got over that confounded barmaid. He always harbored a place in his heart solely for her. It is lost on me. How she stole everyone's hearts is a mystery." Boromir stepped close to her and sneered. He did not ask for her thoughts on Hallahiriel.
"Tell me where your brother lives, or you and your husband will be banished from the city."
Boromir watched as Therassa's serpentine features dropped and her eyes darted away from him and to the fireplace. Marrying the butcher was one thing, but being banished from the city and into the countryside was one of her worst nightmares.
"My brother resides in a wooded area just outside Lebennin." Therassa replied with a frightful sigh.
"In a house or elsewhere?" Boromir interrogated.
She continued to avoid his gaze and stepped closer to her husband, the butcher. Boromir could tell that she was still threatened by the suggestion of banishment.
"I do not know, my lord. My brother has never bothered to tell me." Though he wished that he could investigate further, Boromir knew that time was against him. Each moment he spent in the butcher's home was a moment that Hallahiriel was being taken further and further away.
Without a word, Boromir turned and walked out of the door. Faramir saw a mixture of rage anticipation on his brother's face that he recognized immediately. Boromir was ready for battle–and victory.
"We make southeast for Lebennin. Keep your eyes keen for tracks." With that brief command, Boromir mounted his horse and urged it into gallop.
Hours had passed in the darkness when Hallahiriel felt Owynvan's horse come to a halt. He dismounted quickly and yanked her by the elbow. Hallahiriel came tumbling off of the horse unceremoniously. Her knees buckled from sitting in the same position and felt paralyzed for a brief moment when her feet off of the ground.
Owynvan took her by her bound hands and lead her to the mouth of a cave. As she looked wayward to the sky, she could see the blue and orange hint of morning dotted in the sky and knew that she was far away from home. Hallahiriel felt the burning anger in her stomach and the sting of tears in her eyes, but she pushed them both away. This was no time to fall apart. She had to keep it together and fight until Boromir came to her aid.
She watched as Owynvan took a torch in one hand and continued to guide her with the other. His men tethered their horses and hid them in the wooded area beside the cave. As Owynvan led her further, Hallahiriel could see that the cave forked off into two directions.
"I'm sorry that I could not find a better place to stay, Halla. But this will have to do for the moment." He motioned for two of his men to approach and clasped on to her elbow.
"Take her to the back, give her some water, make her comfortable and then secure her hands and feet. I will be back in a moment. Treat Lady Hallahiriel carefully or I will surely know." The two men nodded to Owynvan and flanked her on either side.
As she walked, Hallahiriel worried. She worried about her daughters, Faramir, Thaurelda and her beloved Boromir. She prayed that he would find her, but wished him no harm along the way. She would never forgive herself if he came to injury to save her.
The men led her down the left side of the fork in the cave, where she saw many little hollows in the stone. They turned left once more and Hallahiriel found herself in a room-like space where the men lit torches and sat her on the floor. One of the men handed her his water skin and she grasped it as good as she could with her hands bound at the wrists. As she drank, the other man tied her ankles tightly together.
Once she could not run away, the man with the rope then untied the bindings at her wrist, took away the water skin and secured her hands behind her back. She was trapped. The men eased her on the floor when Owynvan made his entrance with a sack over his shoulder. He waved the men away and bid them to stand guard at the entrance of the cavern. Owynvan sank onto the floor beside Hallahiriel and caressed the side of her face with his fingers.
"Here, let me have a look at you." He turned Hallahiriel's face to meet his and saw that there was a cut on the apple of her cheek and the right corner of her lip was bleeding and trickling down her chin.
Owynvan took a cloth out of his sack and poured water from his skin on to it. He dabbed at Hallahiriel's cuts. For a moment, she remembered the day that she returned to the house of the Steward after her botched wedding to Owynvan. If he tried to kiss her she would bite him. Her lips belonged to one man only, and that was Boromir.
"I'm sorry for the roughness of the ride, the branches of the trees hit the skin like a whip, but I think that you will heal up nicely." She looked at him in disbelief. He was being so caring and attentive, but she knew that this was a ploy unless he had gone mad.
"Why are you doing this?" Hallahiriel demanded hoarsely.
"You promised yourself to me Halla, this is your bed to lie in. You should be asking yourself why you treated me like you did. You craved power. That is the only reason you left me to marry Boromir. It was not my sister who was the social climber." Owynvan pulled a thin blanket out of his bag and draped it over her.
"I married Boromir because I love him. He was and is the only one I love. I am sorry if I hurt you, Owynvan, but you are making a big mistake taking me away from my husband and children." Owynvan shook his head and touched her cheek gently.
"You know nothing of love, Halla. But you will. Once I take you far away from here and find a place to live. We'll start a new life together. As for Boromir, he will make the big mistake if he tries anything rash. Try to get some rest, dearest. I will be back soon." Hallahiriel gritted her teeth in anger. Owynvan had gone stark raving mad.
She tested the bonds at her wrists and felt no escape, however, she could feel the large knot on the back of her hands and she twisted her fingers to work it. She would not sit and allow this to happen. Hallahiriel was determined to save herself and Boromir some time.
A/N: You all will be happy to know that I am almost finished with chapter 12, which is entitled "The Rescue". Boromir and Company devise a sneak attack, Halla tricks Owynvan–but will they escape unharmed? To find out–I need five reviews on Chapter 11! Please, Please Read and Review!
Five reviews and I post chapter 12!
Love you all–
Leah P!
To Faeruvan: Glad you like the story! The next chapter is full of romance and action! Please drop me a line and review!
To Hanrox: Thanks for the compliment! I wish I had a sixteenth of the talent and skill that Tolkien had! Boromir finds Halla in the next chapter! Romance and action to ensue! Please read and review!
To Sieluvar: Indeed, the gift is a palantir–the same palantir that pops up in ROTK! Maybe I'll see if I can scrounge up a rabid weasel somewhere! Good idea!
To Dread Lady Freya: Owynvan is very cheeky, indeed! But he will get his in chapter 12! Boromir is gonna have some fun with him, I promise! As for Eomer's secret–you gotta read and review to find out! Love ya mucho!
To Angel of Harlem: Ha ha! I didn't mean to slip in "Vertigo"–it was totally subconscious! I'm trying for tickets again in the presale on Wednesday crosses fingers. I hope you like the chapter! Please review!
To Rana Ninque: Ah yes, there will be another story after this one–if not two more. Lots more to do with Halla and Boromir. Next, I plan to focus on the time when Osgilliath is attacked and when Boromir must leave for Rivendell. More Faramir and Thaurelda and Eomer's secret to come. Please review!