A/N: A couple reviewers have mentioned that they thought this was an A/L…That's partly our fault due to the summary. We planned from the beginning for this to be a multiple pairing story but since the beginning was mainly A/L we wrote the summary as an A/L. The summary has now been changed and, in warning to all our readers, the story will be based on A/L, B/F and a third pairing to come later.
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Chapter 19
TA 3019 February 27
Legolas easily balanced on a low branch of a tree just finishing up his turn at watch. Farothen had taken the first watch; Gimli took second, followed by Aragorn, who had reluctantly woken Legolas for the last watch. Luckily, nothing had happened, leaving Legolas free to think.
His main line of thought, obviously, was the quest. His main worry was how it would go with a wounded man and a pregnant elf. Legolas would never admit aloud that he doubted his own ability to be of any help, but he had to admit it to himself. Especially considering the lingering effects of this pregnancy.
After leaving Lorien the nausea had returned. On top of that he'd started experiencing occasional dizzy spells and he was always fatigued. He couldn't tell Estel, though. The ranger had enough to deal with without worrying about his pregnant husband.
Legolas sighed as he watched the sunrise. Sometimes he almost wished he'd never gotten pregnant. At least not yet.
Legolas hissed in a breath at a sudden, almost angry, flutter in his stomach. Smiling a little he pressed a hand to his belly, "I'm sorry, little one. I did not mean I wished you away. It would just have been simpler if you hadn't joined the quest with me."
There was another, gentler flutter. As if the babe was saying, 'I forgive you.' Legolas chuckled, "You're going to be trouble aren't you."
Another flutter.
'Well, at least she's honest.' Legolas thought jumping to the ground. Almost immediately he had to lean against the tree as a wave of dizziness assailed him, followed closely by the need to throw up. Pressing a hand to his mouth Legolas stumbled into the woods.
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Legolas didn't even expect anyone to be awake yet, so when he returned to the camp he was really surprised to see Boromir not only awake but standing upright. Although he had to lean on a tree just to remain vertical.
"Boromir, what do you think you're doing?!" Legolas exclaimed at the obviously insane human. He didn't realize how loud he'd been until he noticed Gimli, Aragorn and Farothen stirring in their sleep.
Boromir glanced over at Legolas with a weak grin. It was obvious that he could barely stand up, but Boromir was sure not going to show any weakness in front of the others. He'd already failed them once before.
"We've already wasted a night letting the Uruk Hai get away from us. And Merry and Pippin are still in their clutches."
Legolas rolled his eyes, "Ai, Boromir…"
"I won't let Merry and Pippin die in the hands of these orcs!" Boromir declared.
In the meantime, Aragorn, Farothen and Gimli had all woken up and were staring at Boromir in amazement.
"Are you always this stubborn?" Aragorn asked.
Boromir shrugged, "Of course, but what does that have to do with going after Merry and Pippin?"
Aragorn sighed, "Boromir, there's no need for you to move around this soon after being injured. A few of us can just go ahead…"
"No." Boromir said curtly, interrupting Aragorn, "I'm not an invalid and will not be treated as one. Besides, I've had to fight in worse pain than this."
Aragorn sighed once again. Considering the lifestyle that Boromir had led, Aragorn had no doubt that the younger man was telling the truth. But they probably weren't going to catch up to the Uruk Hai and running could actually slow down Boromir's healing.
Luckily Farothen strode up and took control of the situation, "Boromir! If you insist on this foolishness then at least agree to ride Roch."
"Farothen, I don't need to…"
"Yesterday you were shot with three arrows!"
"I can handle it."
"Those wounds will be very painful after you've been running for a long time. Roch likes you, so it wouldn't be a problem."
"No, Farothen!"
Gimli stood back watching Farothen and Boromir absolutely amazed. These two combined with Aragorn and Legolas were absolutely too much. Gimli had to be with the four most stubborn, temperamental and prideful males in Middle-Earth.
Unable to resist, Gimli turned his head to Aragorn and Legolas and asked, "Who will win this fight?"
Wearing smug smiles, Aragorn and Legolas glanced at each other and said in the same tone, "Farothen."
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Twenty minutes later they started their trek after the Uruks with Boromir grumbling as he rode Roch after them. While Aragorn took the lead with Farothen at his side, and Gimli a few paces behind them, Legolas hung back by Boromir. Roch, for his part, seemed happy with the arrangement, and occasionally nuzzled Legolas' shoulder.
Boromir kept a close eye on the elf throughout the day. He was not blind, or stupid. He had no doubt that when Legolas had left camp that morning he'd been ill. Boromir hadn't seen Legolas leave but when he'd returned he'd been paler than usual. Even now the elf was still a little pale.
"Are you alright, Legolas?" Boromir asked, "You've but to ask and Aragorn will pause for a short rest."
Legolas met his gaze, "Nay, Boromir. I am fine."
"Were you fine, Legolas, you would not have left camp to be ill this morning. I had thought you were over that."
Legolas sighed and grumbled, "Can I hide nothing from you, human? Sometimes I fear you are more observant than Estel.
Boromir chuckled, "I guess I've just gotten in the habit of watching out for you in the last couple months. Forgive me. I'm used to watching out for my little brother, Faramir. And you look younger than him."
Legolas rolled his eyes with a half amused sigh, "Trust me, Boromir, I am far older than any mortal alive." He met Boromir's gaze mischievously, "If I were younger than your brother…your husband would not have been alive to marry you."
Boromir's gaze flew to Aragorn, making sure he hadn't overheard Legolas' comment. The action drew a quiet laugh from the elf, "Have no fear, Boromir. I am well aware of Estel's ability to hear me. He will not hear this conversation."
Boromir released a sigh, "Perhaps not, but in any case, we were talking about your health."
Legolas growled under his breath at Boromir's words before shaking his head, "I am very capable of taking care of myself, adan. I have done so for over two millennia."
"And yet we still must tell you when to eat and rest. When did you eat last, my friend?"
Legolas once again growled under his breath, but other than that remained stubbornly silent. Boromir laughed, having caught a few of the Elvish words, "Something tells me I was just cursed. I should really try to learn your language."
"Annoying human," Legolas mumbled, "Yet you seem to grow on a person."
Boromir grinned, "I knew you loved me."
Legolas said nothing, but Boromir didn't miss the small grin on the elf's lips.
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They traveled at a jog all day, and evening was fast approaching when a halt was called. Surprisingly, it did not come from Aragorn.
Since Boromir had taken it upon himself to watch over his Elven father-in-law, he could not miss the fatigue overtaking the elf. His steps were becoming more ragged instead of the normal fluid movements. His breaths were coming in short, quiet pants as well, and he kept an arm curved protectively over his stomach.
Boromir was just about to call out to Aragorn when Legolas stumbled. Roch reacted quicker than Boromir, though, and shifted closer to the elf, giving him some much needed support.
"Aragorn!" Boromir shouted, ignoring the twinges of pain his wounds gave him as he slid to the ground, "We must stop!"
Using Roch to keep himself on his feet while he gained his balance Boromir put a hand on Legolas' shoulder, "Sit."
About that time Aragorn reached them, followed closely by Farothen. Gimli, who had managed to stay a few steps ahead of the horse, elf and man, approached with Farothen.
Aragorn wrapped an arm around Legolas as he glanced at Boromir, "Farothen, help Boromir. We'll make camp."
"No." Legolas mumbled, "We must continue, lest the Uruk Hai get too far ahead."
"You can barely stand, Legolas." Aragorn whispered, "You need to rest. I'm sorry. I was not thinking."
"I'm fine. Boromir should not have called a halt."
Gimli huffed, "Aragorn is right, Elf. You need a rest." The dwarf looked over where Farothen was gently lowering his husband to a sitting position on the ground, "As does Boromir."
Boromir met the dwarf's gaze, wanting to deny his claim, but a glance at Legolas changed his mind. He may not want to admit out loud that his injuries were bothering him, but to himself he had to agree that he needed a rest as much as Legolas did.
"I will take the blame for this rest, if I must," Boromir said looking at Legolas as Aragorn settled himself on the ground with the elf in his lap, "As long as you indulge me and rest as well, Legolas."
Legolas' only reply was a half-hearted 'hmm' as he drifted of to the Elven dreamscape in Aragorn's arms. Boromir shook his head, "And he claimed he didn't need rest."
Farothen chuckled, "He's as stubborn as you, Boromir. And anyway, you should follow his example and get some sleep as well."
Boromir merely grumbled as he lay down. He lifted his head again when he heard his name called, "Aye, Aragorn?
Aragorn looked up from his sleeping husband, running his fingers through Legolas' hair, "I just wanted to say thank you…for watching out for him for me."
"It is no problem." Boromir replied, "But you're welcome."
Farothen hid a satisfied smile at the exchange. Maybe the bond of friendship between Boromir and Aragorn would make it easier for Aragorn to accept the Gondorian as Farothen's husband. Hopefully. The only obstacle was Aragorn still sometimes thought of Farothen as his baby and didn't like to admit Farothen was grown up.
In fact, everyone in Imladris would be shocked when they found out Farothen was married to Boromir. They all viewed Farothen as still young.
Boromir shifted, trying to get comfortable, and released a hiss of pain. Farothen sighed, he'd come far to close for comfort to losing his husband. That close call had told him better than anything else that the man was worth it. And, when everyone saw how much Boromir and Farothen loved each other, the young half elf knew they'd accept it.
There was one good thing about being 'Imladris' baby boy'. Anything he wanted…he got.
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February 29
Boromir could tell that Legolas wouldn't be able to go much farther on foot. When they stopped for a break, he decided, he had to talk to Aragorn about a rest. Legolas needed it.
Aragorn, Farothen and Gimli all thought Legolas had gotten enough food and rest for the past two days. But none of them had been watching the elf the way Boromir had.
At meals Legolas would only have a few bites then mash together what was left to make it look like he'd actually eaten more. And he was also having trouble sleeping.
Boromir had trouble getting comfortable at night because of the arrow wounds in his sides, so he'd been awake when Legolas had been. The elf had been moaning and clutching his stomach in pain. The result was that Legolas was currently on the verge of collapse.
Just as that thought entered Boromir's head, Legolas stopped in his tracks and started swaying on his feet.
"Halt, Roch." Boromir whispered quietly in the horse's ear.
Ignoring the pain in his sides and the slight dizziness, Boromir slid off Roch's back and ran up to Legolas just as the elf collapsed. Boromir got there just in time to catch Legolas and sink to the ground with him. He hissed in a breath as the pain in his side flared.
"Aragorn! Farothen!" Boromir shouted.
Aragorn, Farothen and Gimli all turned as one and let out a collective gasp as they stared at Boromir and Legolas. Legolas was almost sheet white, was covered in a cold sweat and was breathing heavily. Roch had come up behind the two on the ground and was gently nuzzling Boromir's shoulder.
"What happened?" Aragorn shouted as he ran up to the pair. Farothen and Gimli were close behind.
"He just collapsed." Boromir said as Aragorn gathered Legolas into his arms.
Boromir suddenly found himself under the scrutiny of his three conscious companions…well, not including Roch's serious Equine gaze.
"Your tone suggests you know more, laddie." Gimli said gruffly.
Boromir sighed as Farothen helped him to his feet, "I've…noticed some things."
"Farothen set up a bed for Legolas, please." Aragorn said, then turned back to Boromir and asked, "What things?"
Boromir hesitated before sighing again, "He has trouble sleeping, he's not eating right…and what little he does eat he throws up."
Aragorn settled Legolas on the blankets Farothen had spread on the ground and ran his fingers over the elf's face, "How could I not see it?"
Nobody knew how to answer so they said nothing until Farothen said, "We should make camp here. We're catching up to the Uruk Hai. We can afford the rest."
Gimli nodded and knelt down beside Aragorn, "Aye. Our elf can go no further today."
Boromir chuckled, "Our elf? You've decided to claim him then, Master Gimli."
Gimli merely gave a gruff 'hmm'. Boromir laughed outright.
Aragorn looked up when he heard Farothen give a small sigh. In the couple heart beats it took Farothen to notice he was being watched and concentrate on setting up his own bed for the night Aragorn followed his son's devoted gaze to Boromir. He narrowed his eyes, realizing what he was seeing.
Farothen was falling in love. With Boromir.
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Replies to reviews…
Peace Hope And A Little Madness: Well, I hope we don't drive you too far insane (though, then you can join us in the delightful world of insanity). The updating schedule is kinda unavoidable since we only get together on weekends…unless we manage to find a way to get a post out during the week which is rare. Just bear with us, please, we will get to Aragorn finding out about Farothen and Boromir being married…eventually.
Arch-Nemesis: About your question considering whether Farothen will get pregnant during or after the quest…well…let me just say, you'll be surprised.
Muchacha: What do you consider 'mushy'?
Sunnflowers: Thanks for your comment about the battle scenes. I guess as the writer I'm my biggest critic. But I'm glad you thought they were pretty good.
Once again, thank you all.
~Becky and Brina~