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 Fourteen: Epilogue

A week after the company returned to Minas Tirith, it was time to bid farewell to their friends from Edoras. The day after Theoden and his men left, it would be time to farewell Thaurelda and Aethlien. Hallahiriel was very sad that she would not have Thaurelda to sit, sew and confide in. She had become quite close with her, and she knew that Faramir was having his heart ripped from his chest and shown to him over the matter.

Since Thaurelda had dealt him the news, the two of them had been inseparable.

Hallahiriel's wounds had healed rather nicely, though she would have a scar on her leg for the rest of her life. She was rather proud of herself over it, now her scar would have a story just like every scar Boromir had. It was an odd thing to be proud of, but Hallahiriel was far from conventional.

As for Boromir, he still limped and ventured as far as the Great Hall, Denethor's study or the Dining Hall to sit. It was of course very much to his dismay that he had to rely so greatly on others, but it was worth it all that Hallahiriel was back in his arms, his daughters were safe and Owynvan had met his end.

It did irk Boromir to no end that Owynvan had perished in a cave in and not as a result to combat with him.

Hallahiriel lead Boromir down the stairs and past the main entrance to the Steward's home. As they approached, they saw Rohirrim and horses spread out on the white streets of the city as they made ready to head for home. Faramir appeared from behind them, just returning from escorting back to her aunt's home. He wore a smile, though it was really all a facade.

Theoden handed the reins of Snowmane to one of his men and he, Eomer and Theodred walked over to make their goodbyes. The King shook hands with Boromir and Faramir and kissed Hallahiriel's hand.

"Well, friends, you show your guests such entertainment! It was wonderful coming to your city and extending the bonds of future family. I hope to see you all in Edoras someday, especially Lady Hallahiriel! The streets would flourish with celebration with a legend in the flesh! The Elvish Princess with hair like a flickering flame!"

Hallahiriel abstained from releasing chuckle. That silly fabrication would plague her until the end of time, no doubt. As Theodred spoke with Boromir and Faramir, Hallahiriel left her husband's side to speak with Eomer.

"I just wanted to thank you, my lord. You risked life and limb for me and my family and you helped me so patiently when I was injured. I am indebted to you, your cousin and your uncle. Very honorable men, indeed."

Hallahiriel stood on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. A look of quiet shock appeared on Eomer's handsome face and he nodded to her in return.

"You're welcome, Lady Hallahiriel. It was an honor to do so." Hallahiriel smiled warmly at him.

As the Rohirrim mounted their horses, Hallahiriel returned to Boromir's arm and received an odd look from her husband.

"Must you kiss him on the cheek?" Hallahiriel laughed and shook her head.

"Ah, I see you're a bit jealous. Though, I kiss Faramir on the cheek all the time and you do not look at me like you just did."

Boromir looked to his brother and then back to his wife and shrugged, "Aye, but he is just...Faramir."

Faramir's brows knitted together as he tried to figure out the meaning of Boromir's statement and whether or not he should take offense.

Hallahiriel leaned in and kissed Boromir's lips in resolution, "Put your silly fears to rest, my love. Eomer is going to be my son-in-law someday, and that indeed is a dismaying thought."

Later that night, Hallahiriel and Boromir laid in bed together. She slept on her side facing him, while he laid flat on his back and looked to the ceiling of their room. It troubled him still the way that Owynvan had spoken.

Who was his master? What was going to come next?

Boromir had an unsettled feeling in the pit of his stomach about what his city and his family may face someday. His wife and his little daughters had changed the way he looked at the world. He would protect them fiercely with his own life, as he would Minas Tirith and the land of Gondor.

He turned his attention to Hallahiriel's peaceful, sleeping face. He rolled on his side to face her and studied her somewhat parted, pink mouth and her dark eyelashes. Her coppery hair was tied away from her face was draped gracefully over her shoulder. She had been a revelation. Now he saw life through her eyes and through the eyes of their twin babes.

Boromir took her in his arms by the waist and pressed her to him. Hallahiriel was roused from her sleep to find her husband's face buried in her neck. She embraced him and questioned quietly.

"Are you alright, Boromir?"

"I'm better now, though too many thoughts weigh on my mind. I have not slept well since we have returned."

Hallahiriel, bleary eyed and not quite awake, pressed her mouth to his ear and whispered to him in comfort, "Rest easy, you are home now."

Boromir wished to take comfort in her words, but a dark feeling had crept over him. He knew that the ordeal with Owynvan was just the beginning of something bigger and more sinister. Hallahiriel ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"The past few weeks have been stressful, I know. With Owynvan, the 'Celebration' uniting our infant daughters to Horse Lords. Now with the injuries and Faramir and myself moping about Thaurelda...I know exactly how you feel."

Boromir had never told his wife about the words he had with Owynvan just before his demise. He feared that it would frighten her too much. However, there was one issue that he did not quite understand.

"Halla, I have been curious. Why did you allow Eomer to go through with the betrothal when he asked your permission if you are so against it?"

Hallahiriel sat up on one elbow and looked down at her husband in the darkness of night. It was a good question, indeed.

"Well, my reasoning is that if we were to be pressured into political matches with our daughters, then we would have a very difficult time finding men as honest and honorable than Eomer and Theodred. They risked their lives for our family, Boromir. I had only met them the day before and they helped you come to my aid. Eomer told me that he would wait to marry until Airigoniel was ready–be it when she is sixteen or thirty years of age. Still somewhere inside of me...I have this feeling that both the arrangements will fall through. Something will happen or change their minds..."

Boromir smiled up at her, she remained absolutely irrepressible in the way that she looked at the world, despite her status. Anything could happen, according to his wife. She kissed his brow and laid back down beside him.

"Now, do try and sleep, we must send Thaurelda and Aethlien off in the morning."

Hallahiriel and Boromir carried the twins down stairs and outside near the gate where Faramir was already standing. He was looking gloomy and tormented and Hallahiriel felt her heart tug in her chest just to look at him. She stood between Boromir and his brother and watched as two figures in a horse drawn cart approached.

Hallahiriel could make out Thaurelda and Aethlien dressed in traveling garb and sitting amongst their baggage and possessions. She heard Faramir make a sharp intake of air and held Ascafenien closer to her. She doubted her brother would ever be the same after this.

As the cart came to a halt, Thaurelda helped her elderly aunt to stand and lead her over to where Faramir, Hallahiriel and Boromir stood. The seamstress hobbled over with the help of her niece and saw the tears in Hallahiriel's eyes and began to chuckle.

"You always were a silly girl, Halla. Don't waste tears over a bent over old woman like me. I am going home to finish out my days. I shall be happy...and you will have your handsome husband, your beautiful children and surely more babes to come." Aethlien patted Hallahiriel on the cheek and did the same with Boromir and Faramir.

"Such handsome men." Hallahiriel noticed Boromir and Faramir stand up straight after hearing the compliment and she wanted to laugh out loud, if it were not for the sad situation. Aethlien hobbled back to the cart, leaving Thaurelda to say her goodbyes.

She looked nervous, her brown-green eyes wide and a little fearful and her long dark hair bound in a braid away from her face. Thaurelda nodded to Boromir and Hallahiriel and fought back tears.

"My Lord...My Lady, thank you for everything...your friendship has meant so much to me. This is not a long goodbye, I hope to be back every now and then." Boromir saw the look on Hallahiriel's face and saw that she was almost as devastated as Faramir. Of course, Thaurelda had been her constant companion and had helped deliver their children...his wife was losing her only female confidantes other than Corerith...but it was different with Thaurelda, they were like sisters.

Hallahiriel wrapped her free arm around Thaurelda and carefully pulled her to her and Ascafenien. Tears rolled down both women's cheeks and Hallahiriel whispered, "Please come back, dear friend. I will miss you so. You have been a saving grace and the twins will miss you, too." Thaurelda squeezed Hallahiriel's arm and made a sincere vow.

"I will come back, my–Halla. You are my family, too. I shall come back and see the babes and how much they have grown and how much they favor their parents. I return to Lamedon with a heavy heart, though I am happy to see my mother and father again..."

Thaurelda kissed both of the twins on the forehead and her eyes sprung forth more tears. Boromir bid her farewell and motioned for Hallahiriel to follow him out of the way so Faramir and Thaurelda could have a proper goodbye.

Faramir could hardly look at her for fear that his heart would stop beating and he would be forever lost at the sight of her in her riding garb. But Thaurelda demanded his full attention with her rueful eyes, "I know what you are thinking , Faramir. I will come back, I swear."

"I know and when Boromir and I have business in Lamedon, we will be sure to call. I hope that it will be very soon." Thaurelda sighed thickly. Faramir was trying to be distant and failing horribly.

"This is my duty, Faramir. I love my family and I must go where they need me. But do not let that insinuate that I do not care for you very deeply as well, because I do. I will come back." She took his hands in hers and made promises with her eyes.

Faramir could stand it no longer. He pulled her to him fiercely and kissed her passionately on the lips. His hands cupped her face and her hands went about his waist. They stood entwined there at the gate for what felt like hours until Thaurelda pulled away gently.

"Farewell, Faramir. Watch over your family and I will return. Please visit if you are in Lamedon, I would love for you to meet my parents."

Thaurelda backed away slowly, brushing tears from her eyes discreetly and tightened her cloak around her shoulders. Hallahiriel watched from the steps as Faramir turned to walk back to the house. She looked to Boromir and gave him a sad smile and he leaned in an kissed her gently on the lips.

"All will be well, love. Even Faramir will somehow survive. You heard Thaurelda herself...she will visit. I do not think I have seen my little brother in such a state, completely lovesick."

Faramir trudged back to the stairs and Hallahiriel looked him over carefully and handed Ascafenien to him. He looked down at the child and could not help but smile. Boromir gave his brother a hearty pat on the back as Hallahiriel took her husband by the arm.

"Come along, Faramir. Let's go inside so you can read your nieces poetry of our forebears."

Faramir nodded and they made their way inside to the warm glow of the fire in the great hall.

A/N: Hello, Loves. This concludes the second installment of Halla and Boromir's story. The third installment will be up shortly and will include a prologue of sorts about the raising of Ascafenien and Arigoniel and then it will commence shortly before the battle of Osgiliath.

Please Read and Review!

Love,

Leah P!

To the green lama: The Ramones are one of my favorites. I have been listening to them since I was a teenager! I am glad that you are basking in their coolness and their three chord brilliance! I promise Faramir will be okay...but things are gonna be rough in the next story for everybody. But there will still be comedy and schmoopiness. Please R& R! Love ya!

To Rana Ninque: It is an AU story, but it will follow canon for the most part and a little on the dark side. I still will have the lightheartedness between Halla, Boromir and Faramir–but things will just be a little strained . It won't be angsty, just a little stressful. More Thaurelda...and a little Eowyn toward the end. Things may be sad and Boromir may get in a tough spot...but I promise you it won't be anything horrible, but surprising and hopeful. Let me know what you think! Thanks!

To Ids-Sunshinegrl: I am glad that you are rooting for Faramir...I am too. I feel awful about Thaurelda, but she will be back. As for the betrothals, Halla's not a fan of them...but she feels a kinship for Eomer and Theodred and is afraid if they don't accept them...then Denethor could dig up someone worse...that's the logic, at least. Thanks for the review!

To Angel of Harlem: Wait until you get a load of the next story...and the next chapter for Rosaleen...it should be up soon, I am finishing it up and then I have to type it...please read and review! Can't wait to hear what you think!

To Dread Lady Freya: I am glad you like the direction in which I am going...with the circumstances more dire, I am excited to test out the whole dark side...as for the betrothals, Halla is not for them, but Denethor (in my little world) is that kind of dude...but we will see what happens! Stay tuned! Love ya!