A/N: Before we begin, I just want to warn you the descriptions of the battles are not what I would call great because neither of us is very good with that aspect of LOTR writing. Sorry if it's not the best.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 18
TA 3019 February 26
Frodo ran to the top of the hill where a large stone structure, probably a watch tower, stood before sitting down to catch his breath.
'If the ring is going after Boromir's mind, it will attack the others as well,' he thought. Aragorn and Legolas already had so many burdens that they probably wouldn't be able to withstand an assault from the ring. And the others…Frodo didn't really want to lose them to the darkness.
'I have to go alone. Boromir can't stand any more of the ring's torment. And the others will fall before long.' Frodo was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the footfalls coming up behind him until Aragorn spoke.
"Frodo?!"
The hobbit half jumped while still sitting before turning to face the ranger who was looking at him strangely.
"It tried to take Boromir." Frodo said standing, "And it almost succeeded."
Aragorn's eyes widened and he got an urgent look on his face before starting to walk forward, "Where is the ring?!"
Seeing the urgency on Aragorn's face Frodo was suddenly reminded of Boromir right before the ring had taken him. He stumbled back yelling, "Stay away!"
"Frodo?" Aragorn asked in a confused voice as he stopped his advance, "I swore to protect you."
"Can you protect me from yourself?" Frodo returned.
Aragorn looked thoughtful as he contemplated Frodo's question. 'Boromir fell to the temptation of the ring. I might as well.'
In the meantime, Frodo had opened his hand to reveal the ring resting on his palm. He turned his gaze back to Aragorn's with a serious look on his face, "Would you destroy it?"
Aragorn looked at the ring with a look of fear on his face. Frodo couldn't know that the whispers that had been tormenting Boromir before were now tormenting Aragorn.
Aragorn…Elessar…Take the ring. You'll gain everything you need to be king. With the elves leaving you'll be the most powerful man in Middle-Earth. Especially with the only remaining elf, a prince of their race, by your side. Take it! Be a better man than Boromir! Only a halfling stands in your way!
Frodo was aware of none of this. The only thing he was aware of was Aragorn trembling as he reached out toward the ring. But instead of taking it, he closed Frodo's hand over it as he knelt before the hobbit
"I would have gone with you to the end," Aragorn declared, "Into the very fires of Mordor."
The man finished his statement by pushing Frodo's hand back toward his chest then raised his own hand in a gesture of peace.
"I know," Frodo said, for he could see in Aragorn's eyes that he had been tempted, but had resisted. However, the ring had only begun it's assault on Aragorn's mind. There was no telling what would happen as the Fellowship got closer to Mount Doom.
"Look after the others. Especially Sam. He will not understand." Frodo said, "And try to help Boromir. He's the only one who touched the ring besides me and it's been preying on his mind since he did so on Caradhras."
Aragorn nodded, almost in shame. 'I should have recognized Boromir's burden earlier,' he thought to himself. He then narrowed his eyes as he sensed trouble approaching and jumped to his feet, drawing his sword, "Go, Frodo."
Looking startled Frodo reached down to unsheathe Sting far enough to see that the blade was glowing blue.
"Run." Aragorn said to the hobbit. However, Frodo seemed to be frozen in fear so Aragorn's voice got more urgent, "RUN!!!"
Finally Frodo turned and took off down the hill while Aragorn turned the other way to face the enemy. The orcs were larger and more fearsome than any Aragorn had ever seen. They were Uruk Hai orcs, Saruamn's creation. But even with the odds Aragorn showed no fear. Instead, he had an almost arrogant look on his face as he raised his sword for battle. He was grossly outnumbered, but he would give Frodo a chance to escape, even if it meant his life.
Throwing himself into battle he swept low with his sword, knocking the first orc to reach him off balance before deflecting another's scimitar as it swung at him. In seconds he was embroiled in a battle that left him no time to worry about Frodo and forced the whispers of the ring to the back of his mind.
As he continued fighting he made his way up the steps of the watch tower, trying to gain more room to fight. Unsurprisingly. He was followed by several orcs. Concentrating on defeating his enemy he was vaguely aware of one of the orcs, presumably the leader, yelling, "Find the halfling!"
Glancing down to see the orcs running in the direction Frodo had gone Aragorn jumped off the watch tower yelling, "Elendil!"
As he landed he dragged two orcs to the ground with him and rolled onto his back just in time to stab an advancing one through the chest. As the creature fell Aragorn got to his feet just as Legolas ran up already shooting arrow after arrow. Gimli came behind Legolas with his axe swinging at any orc who dared get in his way. Both joined the battle without hesitation.
"Aragorn, go!" Legolas shouted before shooting another orc.
Aragorn ran past the elf with a quick nod and took a path through the trees that would intercept the orcs chasing Frodo. Catching the first orc by surprise he once again swung low with his sword, literally sending the creature tumbling head over heels. Ignoring the fallen orc Aragorn met the others in another fight where the odds were decidedly in the enemy's favor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Boromir wasn't exactly sure how long he sat in the small clearing where he'd fallen to the ring's power. All he knew was his mind was filled with chaotic thoughts that he stubbornly forced into order. As he did so he slowly became aware of a sense of danger and the sounds of battle coming closer.
He jumped to his feet as one thought put all the others to rest, 'The little ones!'
Drawing his sword he ran in the direction the sounds of battle were coming from. As he ran he caught sight of two small figures running toward him until they stopped and glanced around in panic and Boromir realized they were being approached on both sides by whatever it was that was chasing them.
A second later Boromir got his first look at the enemy. Some breed of orc, only bigger, deadlier. A breed that could walk in daylight.
Seeing Merry and Pippin in trouble made Boromir's warrior blood surge and he threw himself between the advancing enemy and his friends just as one lifted his sword to swing at the hobbits. Catching the descending scimitar blade with his own sword he kicked the orc, sending it stumbling back before spinning to face another approaching orc.
Continuing to fight the orcs swarming toward him Boromir kept up a protective awareness of Merry and Pippin as they felled a fair share of the enemy with their own small swords. Apparently the lessons Boromir had given them were paying off.
While the orcs kept coming Boromir used any means he could find to hold back the wave. The dagger in his boot was sent flying toward an orc who was coming up behind Pippin. Yet even in the midst of battle Boromir resisted using Farothen's dagger, not wanting to risk losing it or defile the meaning of it with orc blood.
Seeing a means of escape, Boromir made his way to the hobbits and pushed them behind him, toward the escape route, "Merry, Pippin, go!"
Not needing to be told twice the hobbits ran. Boromir kept himself between his fleeing friends and the enemy. As he, himself, backed toward the escape route he held his sword in one hand and continued to block and parry the orcs' weapons as he used his other hand to grab the horn at his waist. Brining the horn to his lips he blew, the deep call echoing throughout the surrounding woods.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The combined efforts of Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn had dwindled the number of orcs who hadn't went after Frodo to a mere dozen. While Aragorn and Gimli each fought on with their sword and axe Legolas stood back and picked off those they couldn't fight with his bow, aiming and firing arrow after arrow. Seeing that his husband was about to be overpowered by a particularly large orc Legolas shot a final arrow, killing the orc Aragorn struggled with. Gimli felled the last orc with a swing of his axe at the creature's stomach.
The sudden post-battle silence that blanketed the clearing was shattered by the deep call of a horn. Legolas met Aragorn's gaze, "The Horn of Gondor!"
"Boromir!" Aragorn gasped, rushing past Legolas.
Legolas hesitated but a moment as one single thought filled his mind. If they lost Boromir now it was a definite possibility that they'd lose the man's Elven bonded as well. Legolas had gone for almost forty years without Estel and the stress had nearly killed him. If Aragorn had died during any of those years, Legolas knew he would have followed soon after. Farothen had a fair amount of Elven blood, possibly enough to die of a broken heart if Boromir were to be taken from him now, after such a short time. Beyond that, the Elven bond of marriage was a deeper commitment then the marriage of the mortal's. Souls were bound together in an Elven marriage…a bond that survived even death.
Shaking his head Legolas ran after Aragorn. They had to reach Boromir before it was too late. Legolas didn't want to lose Boromir, for the man of Gondor was a close friend as well as family. But above all, Legolas would not lose his son. Not after just finding him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Farothen heard the call of the horn echo through the woods and judging by the volume at which it came, he was close. He could even hear the clash of metal against metal.
Farothen felt his heart constrict and pleaded with Roch to go faster. Miraculously the stallion seemed to find another burst of speed.
"Hannon le, Roch. Hannon le." Farothen whispered. The rest of his thoughts were turned inward, 'Hold on, Boromir. Please hold on. I'm almost there.'
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Letting the horn drop back to his waist Boromir brought his sword up to block the scimitar an orc swung at his head. Using the momentum of the block he forced the weapon away before delivering a blow of his own, felling the orc before spinning to deflect another attack.
An arrow seemed to come out of nowhere and buried itself in Boromir's shoulder. It wasn't the wound, itself, that sent the man to his knees, but the shock of getting hit. One of the hobbits, Pippin by the sound of the voice, released a cry of surprise, drawing Boromir's attention.
Seeing the worry mixed with fear in their eyes made Boromir get to his feet. He came up swinging, set on defending his friends until help arrived. He managed to kill several more orcs before another arrow sent him to his knees again. Only this time, Boromir saw where the arrows were coming from.
One of the orcs, probably the leader, was carrying a bow and a quiver full of black arrows. The orc had a sadistic grin on it's face as Boromir glanced at it.
This time it was Merry who released the cry as the second arrow hit Boromir just below his ribs on the right side. With a sinking feeling, Boromir realized that he didn't have anything to deflect the arrows with, and he was so caught up in the throes of battle that he couldn't stop to block the deadly projectiles. However, one more glance at the hobbits, sheer cussedness and stubborn pride forced the man to his feet once again.
He wasn't sure how long he managed to stay on his feet, or how many of the enemy he defeated, but suddenly a third arrow slammed home just above his left hip. When the arrow struck home, Boromir heard the sickening sound of metal splitting and realized with a heavy heart that the Horn of Gondor, long a family heirloom of the line of Stewards, had been destroyed. The force of the blow sent him to his knees a third time as an insurmountable number of orcs swarmed past him, capturing the hobbits.
Boromir tried to force himself to his feet again as two orcs lifted Merry and Pippin and carried them away, but the attempt failed as an orc passed him too close and nearly sent him sprawling. He managed to catch himself before he hit the ground, sending a sharp pain through him as it sent a shock through the area where the second arrow still pierced his body.
Sighing in dejected defeat Boromir turned his gaze to the orc leader as he stopped in front of him, notching a fourth arrow to his bow. At such close range there was no possible way the shot wouldn't be fatal. Boromir closed his eyes, allowing a picture of Farothen to sketch itself in his mind.
'I'm sorry, Farothen, my love. I've failed you.'
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Farothen rode into the clearing just in time to see the orc stop in front of Boromir and notch the arrow. Reining Roch to a stop he was off the stallion in a second and running toward the orc. He reached it just in time to shove it away from Boromir.
"Farothen!" Boromir gasped.
Sparing his husband a quick smile Farothen held his sword at the ready as the orc regained it's balance and spun on him, hissing out curses. Farothen's only reaction was the same arrogant, battle hungry look his ada used to intimidate his opponent.
"Come and get me yrch!" Farothen growled.
With a growl of his own the orc did just that. Farothen drew on years of learning the sword under the tutelage of his uncle Elrohir, as well as a decade of traveling with his ada's rangers, to block, parry and thrust, giving the orc no chance to wound him with the scimitar.
With each block Farothen taunted his opponent, having learned through years of experience fighting countless battles, that to anger an opponent is to bring them into the disadvantage. One who fought in anger made mistakes. All Farothen had to do was continue the taunts and block each swing of the orc's weapon.
Finally the mistake came. The orc swung low at an odd angle, hoping to tear a mortal wound in Farothen's stomach. With almost full Elven speed the half elf spun away, swinging his sword high and easily separating the grotesque head from the orc's body.
However, Farothen didn't waste time basking in the glow of killing the orc. His husband was much more important at the moment.
"Boromir!" Farothen shouted as he headed over to where his husband was lying on his back. The sight of three arrows sticking out of Boromir's body was enough to make Farothen want to weep.
"Farothen..." Boromir gasped in disbelief, "What are you doing here?"
Farothen gave Boromir a weak grin, "You know I could never leave you."
Boromir smiled up at his husband, but it was a smile full of pain.
"Farothen! What are you doing here?!" Aragorn's voice suddenly asked.
Farothen winced as he turned to face his ada, who looked both worried and angry.
"Argue with me later, Ada," Farothen said, "Boromir needs your help."
Aragorn gave Farothen a look that clearly said, 'Oh we'll definitely discuss this later' as he ran and kneeled before Boromir.
"They took the little ones," Boromir said to Aragorn.
Aragorn only spared him a glance. Boromir must have meant Merry and Pippin because he never referred to Frodo or Sam by those names.
"Hold still," Aragorn said as he pulled out the arrow in Boromir's shoulder as gently as possible. Boromir clenched his teeth as the arrow ripped muscle, but didn't complain.
"Frodo. Where is Frodo?" Boromir asked Aragorn.
Aragorn shot Boromir a sympathetic look, "I let Frodo go."
Boromir looked up at Aragorn with eyes full of shame and guilt, "I tried to take the ring from him."
As Aragorn once again glanced down at Boromir with a look that showed understanding, not blame, Farothen closed his eyes in a sudden realization.
That's why their bond had almost been severed. The ring had tried to plunge Boromir into darkness. Farothen shivered slightly as he imagined losing Boromir that way. It would be worse than losing him to death. To have him still alive, but so twisted and evil that there wasn't any trace left of the man Farothen loved.
Snapping back to the present, Farothen realized that Boromir and Aragorn were still talking.
"Forgive me I did not see it," Boromir was saying. Sometime while Farothen had been trembling over what might have happened to Boromir, Aragorn had removed the arrow from Boromir's left side. The broken horn lay off to the side.
"I have failed you all." Boromir continued.
Farothen felt tears fill his eyes at his husband's desperation, but amazingly it was Aragorn who reassured Boromir.
"No, Boromir." Aragorn whispered, "You fought bravely. You have kept your honor."
Boromir gave a soft cry as the last arrow was removed from his right side. Aragorn had come to the conclusion that none of the arrows had been fatal blows, but there was still concern over blood loss and infection. Boromir clearly wouldn't be going anywhere tonight. Not only did he need to recover from his injuries, but the remains of the Fellowship had to make sure that he didn't fall into complete hopelessness.
Boromir was crying as he said his next words, "The world of men will fall. And all will come to darkness. And my city to ruin."
Aragorn helped Boromir into a sitting position before looking the man right in the eye as he made his promise.
"I'll swear to you now, Boromir. That whatever may happen to us, I'll give my life to keep the White City from falling. Nor will I let our people fail."
As both Aragorn and Farothen tended to Boromir's wounds simultaneously, Boromir gave a weak smile to Aragorn's words.
"I'll hold you to that promise, Aragorn. And I will follow you, my brother. My captain. My king."
Both Aragorn and Farothen were extremely moved by Boromir's words, but before they could say anything, Legolas and Gimli finally came running.
Legolas, for once, actually looked exhausted.
"Aragorn, where are the others?" Legolas asked then, as his eyes fell on Farothen, he added, "Farothen! What are you doing here?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The conversation between Farothen and Aragorn was held off until they got back to the shore where the boats were and had Boromir settled on a bed of blankets next to a fire that Gimli had started with the few pieces of firewood he'd managed to gather on the trek back to the river bank. A quick glance around told them that at least Frodo had gotten away and, most likely, Sam had gone with him. One boat was missing, as were both Sam and Frodo's packs.
While Aragorn and Farothen had their discussion Legolas sat next to Boromir since he was still trying to recover from the lingering fatigue and sipped at his water, hoping to allay the slight nausea that had apparently decided to return. At the same time Gimli sat a little to the side, in deference to the elf's predicament, smoking his pipe. All of them watched the argument going on between father and son.
"No, Farothen. You're going back to Lothlorien. At least there I know you'll be marginally safe." Aragorn was saying.
"Ai, Ada! I'm just as capable of taking care of myself as you are!" Farothen snapped back, "I spent the last ten years fighting at your side with the rangers, why is now so different?"
"This is a war! Not just a bunch of rogue orcs we happened to find along the trail, Farothen! These are armies that are organized and have only one purpose! To kill any who get in their way! They're not even orcs, they're Uruk Hai. More deadly, better fighters."
"I'm not going back, Ada. I can be an asset to this group. One you could use! Especially now," Farothen said, "Boromir's wounded and Legolas is pregnant. You could use another good fighter."
Aragorn stubbornly shook his head, aware that Farothen had a point but not about to admit it, "I won't risk you."
Farothen released a growl, "Ada, why are you being so stubborn? You're the one who shouldn't be here! You're supposed to be the king of Gondor! You…"
Aragorn sighed, "This war is how I am to become king, Farothen. But if I fail, then you must take up the sword reforged and finish it for me. You are the next in Isildur's line…"
"I am not going back, Ada. I won't fall in this war. Nor will you." Farothen interrupted stubbornly, "As Grandfather has said many times. The line of Elendil is a hearty breed."
Aragorn released a furious hiss and spun on his heel to pace away from his son mumbling, "Stubborn as Legolas! Arrogance of an elf on top of that." He spun back to face Farothen, "Not even Elendil was invincible, Farothen. Even elves can fall in battle. I won't let that happen to you."
Boromir looked up at Legolas and whispered, "Who do you think will win?"
Legolas just barely hid his grin, "Farothen."
"Why do you say that? Aragorn is just as stubborn." Boromir said with a small smile.
"Because," Legolas replied, "Estel can deny me nothing. And When I feel it's the right time I will step in on Farothen's behalf. But first Farothen must show his own worth. If he gives in before I feel he should than he does not belong in this war and he should return."
"How do you know he'll last?" Boromir asked, "I mean...I have faith that he can. But you know Aragorn…"
Legolas smile, "Aye, I do know Aragorn. But I also know Farothen has a double dose of pride and stubbornness, as well as temper, from both Estel and I. I sense that he is more than a fair opponent for Estel. And like I said, I will step in when I feel the time is right."
"Are you not worried about his safety?" Boromir asked, "After all, he is your son as well."
Legolas met Boromir's gaze seriously, "Of course I worry for him. But your recent situation has shown me the error we made leaving Farothen behind when we left Lothlorien. I have Estel by my side in this quest. I know if anything should happen to him, I will be by his side when it does. Our last moments together will be as they should."
Boromir swallowed, "You think Farothen and I should be together if something happens." He paused and had to add, if only to know whether or not he'd lost the elf's trust and respect by falling to the ring, "When something happens? I couldn't defeat the ring, I could easily fall again."
"No, Boromir." Legolas said, putting a hand on the adan's uninjured shoulder, "You did defeat the ring. It took you, but it could not keep you. You are the strongest of us all."
Boromir sighed, "It was the thought of Farothen that made me come to my senses. My love for him…"
"Then that is another reason for him to travel with us." Legolas said, "He is your strength as you are his. As Estel and I are each other's. That is the nature of an Elven bond. One cannot live without the other."
Before Boromir could reply his attention was drawn back to his husband and father-in-law as Farothen snapped, "Let me come with you willingly, or I will follow behind anyway!"
"Farothen…" Aragorn started but Legolas cut him off with a few soft words.
"Estel, his decision is made. He is our son, you will not change his mind," the elf said, deciding it was time for him to intervene, "And besides, if you feel you must fight this war to prove yourself as king of Gondor, perhaps it is his destiny to prove his worth as prince the same way."
Farothen remained silent as he studied Legolas somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected his other ada to come to his defense. His gaze went to his husband as Boromir smiled encouragingly and Farothen returned it with a smile of his own.
"Legolas, if he…" Aragorn started.
Legolas cut him off again, "He made a point when he said we could use his skills in battle, Estel. I have to agree that Boromir and I are not up to top form. Let him come with us. It is his place to fight at his father's side. At his king's side. I know this; I too am the son of a king. Don't deny him his destiny."
Aragorn stood stiffly for a moment, scowling at Legolas then spun on his heel and stalked into the woods grumbling, "I'm going to find more firewood for overnight."
Legolas looked at Farothen with a small smile as he got to his feet, "Welcome to the Fellowship, hen nin. Gimli, come, we should find some berries…or something."
As the elf and dwarf walked off Farothen sat down by his husband. They exchanged a knowing grin. It was obvious Legolas had just wanted to give them a couple moments alone.
Farothen leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Boromir's lips before whispering, "I love you, Boromir. Don't ever scare me the way you just did again. I could not live if I lost you."
Boromir reached up with his uninjured arm and ran his fingers through Farothen's hair, "I'll try not to. I promise. I love you too, Farothen. I never want to hurt you. But you must promise me as well that you will not get hurt."
Farothen pressed another loving kiss to Boromir's lips then whispered, "I promise."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elvish translations…
Hannon le, Roch. Hannon le: Thank you, Roch. Thank you.
Yrch: Orc
Hen nin: My child
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Replies to reviews…
Peace Hope and a little Madness: Well, this chapter answered your first question. Farothen did save Boromir. As for the other two, well, Aragorn will find out about Farothen and Boromir's relationship bit by bit (he's not stupid or blind) but it will be a while before he finds out about the marriage. And whether or not it will be Boromir or Farothen who gets pregnant…that's one of our surprises for later so I'm not going to answer that one yet.
Vuaryn and Seelenspiel: Like I said in the first review reply, this chapter answers you question about Farothen saving Boromir. I hope you like that little change from the actual story.
For everyone who reviewed, thanks again.
~Becky and Brina~