Chapter 22

TA 3019 March 1 early evening

The six riders were within seeing distance of Edoras when Gandalf stopped them.  As they all looked on he said, "Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld.  There dwells Theoden, King of Rohan, whose mind has been overthrown.  Saruman's hold over Theoden is now very strong."

He paused to glance at each of his companions in turn before adding, "Be careful what you say and do not look for welcome here."

"Were Eomer here we would be welcome." Boromir replied thoughtfully, "Perhaps the Lady Eowyn will welcome us.  For she knows me as well."

Gandalf nodded, "Yes, Boromir.  They would welcome us.  But Grima has control of Edoras as Saruman's servant."

Boromir smirked disgustedly, "He is nothing more than a witless snake."

"With Saruman backing him he is a very powerful witless snake, Boromir." Gandalf said sounding slightly amused.

Boromir grinned but before he could reply Aragorn cleared his throat, "Maybe we should continue our journey before sunset.  Not all of us have Elven sight like my husband and son."

At the same time Farothen and Legolas smirked, "You're just jealous."

"Definitely father and son." Gandalf chuckled, urging Shadowfax forward, "But come, Aragorn has a point.  We must reach Meduseld quickly."

A few minutes later, as they rode through the gates of the city, the six companions found themselves under the scrutiny of the somber citizens of Edoras.  Riding behind Legolas Gimli glanced around.

After a moment he mumbled, "You'd find more cheer in a graveyard."

Legolas gave a small hum of agreement as they rode the last few yards to the steps leading up to the doors of the Golden Hall.  There they dismounted and climbed the steps on foot.

At the top they were met by a group of several guards.  Gandalf gave them a smile and a small nod, "Ah."

Boromir gave a small wave, "Hama."

Hama merely nodded before turning back to Gandalf, "I cannot let you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame.  By order of…"  He seemed to sigh and rolled his eyes slightly before finishing, "Grima Wormtongue."

Gandalf gave a nod of understanding and handed over his sword before motioning for the others to do so as well.  What followed was a somewhat drawn out surrender of weapons.

Gimli handed over his axe somewhat reluctantly, seeing as no dwarf wants to be without his weapon.  Aragorn handed over his bow and quiver, the dagger he'd gotten from Celeborn and Galadriel as well as a smaller dagger from a sheath at his hip and his sword.  Boromir handed over his sword as well, the dagger he kept strapped to his thigh and a throwing knife.  Farothen handed over a sword and his bow and arrows.  Neither Boromir, nor Farothen were going to willingly hand over the daggers they had exchanged in Lothlorien.  And finally, Legolas handed over his bow and arrows, followed by the twin knives holstered on his back before bending over to pull a dagger from his right boot.

"Oh…" Boromir mumbled, bending over to pull a dagger from his left boot.

At the same time Farothen mumbled, "Right."  He then leaned down to also pull a dagger from his right boot.

Hama cocked a brow when they stopped handing over weapons, "Is that all?"

Legolas seemed to think a moment then nodded, "Yep, that's it."

At that Hama gestured to Gandalf, "Your staff."

"Hmm?" Gandalf muttered, as if not understanding then, glancing at his staff, he looked a little hurt and said, "Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?"

Hama seemed to hesitate a moment then nodded, "Follow me."

Gandalf threw Aragorn a wink as Legolas stepped forward and offered his arm to the wizard as if to give the 'old man' extra support as they followed Hama into the hall.  Farothen and Boromir exchanged grins.  Legolas seemed to be an expert at little tricks like that, from getting Aragorn out of the way to tricking royal guards into thinking a powerful wizard was merely a harmless old man.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As they walked into the throne room Grima, appearing as exactly the witless snake Boromir had called him, leaned toward Theoden and mumbled so quietly only Farothen and Legolas heard him, "My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming.  He is a herald of woe."

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King." Gandalf said as he stepped away from Legolas' side and continued to approach Theoden with Aragorn and Farothen flanking him and Gimli right behind him.  Meanwhile, Legolas and Boromir hung back to act as rear guard as a band of lethal looking men began to follow Gandalf, Aragorn, Farothen and Gimli.

Once more Grima whispered to Theoden, "He's not welcome here."

Theoden lifted his head sluggishly and looked at Gandalf, "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"  He ended his question with a look at Grima as if asking, 'How was that?'

Grima nodded, "A just question, my liege."  He stepped toward Gandalf with a glare, "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear.  Lathspell I name you.  Ill news is an ill guest."

Gandalf seemed to loom over Grima as he snapped, "Be silent!  Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth!  I did not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!"

Gandalf raised his staff and Grima stumbled back, glancing around at the guards nervously, "His staff!  I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

It was at those words that the men following Gandalf, Aragorn, Farothen and Gimli attacked.

Boromir consciously held Legolas back from joining the coming fight while Aragorn, Farothen and Gimli rushed forward to hold back the attackers.  At first glance, the three appeared to be helpless since they were outnumbered and weaponless.  But Farothen had the swiftness of the elves when it came to fighting and he used this to avoid any daggers aimed his way.  Aragorn was a ranger.  And Gimli was…well…Gimli.  Whatever he lacked in grace he made up for in sheer stubborn cussedness.  The three easily held their own against the attackers.

The only problem came when one attacker rushed at Aragorn from behind with a raised dagger.

Instead of calling out to Aragorn, Legolas remembered the dagger he'd never removed from his left boot.  Reacting with lightning reflexes he quickly withdrew the dagger and threw it at the back of Aragorn's would-be assassin.  He was surprised when three daggers appeared in the man's back as he went down.

Farothen ran up to Aragorn to make sure his ada was okay.  As he ran over the half elf met Legolas' gaze and gave a nod, which meant that one of the daggers had been thrown by him.  While Legolas stood confused as to where the third dagger had come from, Boromir waked up beside him and clapped him on the shoulder.

"I don't just look after you, elf," the man of Gondor said, "I look after my king as well."

Legolas turned to Boromir with a grateful smile, "Thank you, mellon nin."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After Gandalf had succeeded in drawing Saruman out of Theoden and Grima had been thrown out of Meduseld (literally) the six Hunters helped pick up the mess they had made in the hall.

"Boromir, weren't you standing directly behind me?" Aragorn asked from his position kneeling by the dead body.

"Yeah," Boromir answered, "Why?"

As four guards carried the body out Aragorn stood up with the three daggers in his hands, but the one with sapphire in the hilt he held up in his right hand.  Farothen's dagger.

"Because, based on the positions of the daggers, this is the one you threw," the ranger replied, "What were you doing with Farothen's dagger?"

It was a good thing Aragorn's attention was on Boromir and not Farothen behind him, or he would have seen his son stiffen and go slightly red.  Boromir, luckily, was used to dealing with much more scrutinizing confrontations with his father and was able to meet Aragorn's gaze with an indifferent shrug.

"Farothen and I must have grabbed each others' daggers at Amon Hen," he said, "They look very similar."

Farothen breathed a sigh of relief when Aragorn shrugged back and tossed Boromir his dagger.  The ranger then turned around and gave Farothen his.  Luckily Aragorn had only seen the dagger and not the sheath with 'my jewel' sewn on it.

The ranger still looked suspicious, but at that point Hama came in, "You can finish cleaning up later.  We're laying Prince Theodred to rest now."

Boromir sighed, "What a horrible time for Theoden to lose his son."  Forcing a strained smile he tried to lighten the mood slightly, "The only bright point is that now Faramir can go to Father with the news that he's the consort to the future king of Rohan and not just the third marshal of the Mark."

Hama held his finger to his lips in a shushing gesture as Aragorn, Legolas, Farothen and Gimli tried not to laugh.

"Theoden still doesn't know about that," Hama said as he turned to walk away, yelling over his shoulder, "And he doesn't need another shock right now."

Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli all trailed after Hama but Boromir and Farothen stayed behind to re-exchange their daggers and, of course, give each other a kiss.

"That was quick thinking on your part, my jewel." Farothen whispered against Boromir's lips.

"Shut up and kiss me, Farothen." Boromir growled.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Theodred's funeral was a somber affair.  Guards who had been good friends of his were pallbearers.  While they laid him to rest in the tomb the Lady Eowyn, Theoden's niece, sang a lay in their native Rohirric.

After that Theoden and Eowyn were left in privacy to grieve and the Hunters and Gandalf were shown to their rooms by a servant.  Aragorn and Legolas shared one room (obviously) and by Aragorn's orders Farothen shared a room with Gandalf across from them.  The room next to Aragorn and Legolas' was shared by Boromir and Gimli.

Of course, while Aragorn took a bath, Legolas stood in the hall outside the open door of their room watching in amusement as Farothen and Gimli traded rooms.  Catching his son's eye Legolas motioned the half elf over before he could disappear into Boromir's room.

Farothen sighed as he approached his Elven father, "Yes, Legolas?"

Legolas grinned innocently, "Okay, a word of warning.  I can keep Estel from finding out you're in Boromir's room if you keep any…noises…to a minimum volume.  I cannot plug his ears without him getting suspicious."

Farothen blushed, "Ai, Legolas.  I…we…will do…that."

Legolas chuckled as Farothen rushed into the room Boromir was in.  Gimli leaned against the doorjamb of the room he was now sharing with Gandalf.

"Yer diggin' yourself in deeper by the minute, elf."

Legolas shrugged, "How?  I merely gave him a warning.  If he truly does not want Estel to find out then he will heed it."

"Hmm." Gimli grunted before he was cut off by Aragorn calling from his and Legolas' private bathing chamber.

"Legolas, meleth, come join me!"

Legolas glanced over his shoulder before turning back to the dwarf with a smile, "Excuse me, my friend."

Gimli chuckled as Legolas stepped into the room and shut the door.  Turning to face Gandalf he shook his head, "With those four I'm surprised there is only one wee babe on the way and not two."

Gandalf exhaled a puff of smoke, "Fate is a trickster, Gimli.  Never believe something until it is proven beyond a doubt."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Legolas walked into the bathing chamber connected to his and Aragorn's room and stopped just inside the door, his breath catching at the sight of his husband immersed up to his chest in soapy water.  Aragorn held out a hand, beckoning the elf forward.  He cocked a brow as he took in the silver silk shirt and green leggings Legolas was still wearing.

"You are still clothed, my love," the ranger said, "I believe you are supposed to take them off to bathe."

Legolas nervously ran a hand over the bulge of his belly that was prominently displayed by the sheer silk, "Estel…I do not think…I don't…I'm getting…"

Aragorn rolled his eyes, "Come, my love, you will always be beautiful.  Join me."

After another moment of hesitation Legolas undressed and slipped into the tub before Aragorn could get a good look at him.  Chuckling Aragorn pulled his husband into his arms for a kiss before positioning him so they sat with Legolas leaning back against Aragorn's chest.

He pressed a kiss to the elf's shoulder and gently ran his hand over Legolas' swollen belly, whispering, "Stunning."

Sighing, Legolas relaxed against his husband, "Sure you say that.  You're partial.  But honestly, when was the last time you saw a fat elf?"

Aragorn chuckled, "Not fat, meleth.  Pregnant."

"Still fat." Legolas pouted.

"But you carry my child." Aragorn said, lightly feathering his fingers over Legolas' belly, "There's nothing more beautiful…"

His words cut off abruptly when he felt a shifting under his hand.  Legolas gasped and pressed his hand over Aragorn's on his belly.  Aragorn released an awed breath and pressed gently.  As if on cue there was another shift of movement.

"She moved," the ranger gasped, "I felt her move."

Legolas leaned his head back and turned it to kiss Aragorn's jaw, "She is saying hi."

Aragorn swallowed, "She's really in there."

Legolas chuckled, "She better be.  Or there's some other reason I've been getting sick every morning."

Aragorn hugged Legolas tight, "Hannon le, meleth nin.  Im meleth le."

Legolas twisted in his husband's embrace to kiss him on the mouth, "A im le, Estel nin.  An cuil."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn's deep laugh sounded through the wall making Boromir and Farothen pause mid-kiss.

"I think that's Aragorn," Boromir said against Farothen's lips from underneath his husband.

This fact was confirmed about two seconds later when Aragorn's laughter was joined by Legolas' and the sounds of splashing water.

Farothen shuddered as he climbed off of Boromir, "Eeww!  I do not want to hear Ada…doing that!"

Boromir jumped off the bed and headed toward the door, "Then let's take Gandalf and Gimli's room."

Farothen opened his mouth to speak but by that time his husband was already out the door, so he just shrugged and followed.

Boromir didn't even bother knocking on the door to the room Gandalf and Gimli were sharing and started talking, "We're switching rooms."

"Wha…?!" Gimli grumbled, "I just got comfortable."

Boromir sighed, "I'm not exactly comfortable doing anything with my husband when Aragorn and Legolas are right in the next room.  Those walls are not that thick."

"Oh.  Alright then." Gimli said walking out of the room, passing Farothen on the way.

"You two should not worry about noise unless you've heard Gimli snore," Gandalf said as he stood up.  Both Boromir and Farothen burst out laughing.

"We have," Farothen said, "In Lothlorien."

Gandalf chuckled as he headed out the door, stopping just inside it to look back, "Boromir."

Boromir looked at Gandalf, his face clearly showing impatience to be alone with his husband.

"Next time you leave a bedroom after having fun with Farothen…you might want to make sure you're completely covered up," the wizard finished, nodding toward Boromir's front.

Boromir looked down to where Gandalf was nodding and turned beet red as he realized he was completely on display. He spun so his back was to Gandalf and Farothen as the two of them burst out laughing.  The Maia was still chuckling as he left and closed the door behind himself.

Not laughing, but still smiling, Farothen walked up and put his arms around Boromir, "Come, my jewel.  I'll give you a reason to blush before the sun rises."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gandalf had gotten his laughter under control, but he was still grinning, when he walked into the room across the hall.

"I take it by that smile that you told Boromir about his display," Gimli asked calmly.

Gandalf glared at the dwarf, "You knew?  I thought you actually had not noticed."

Gimli snorted, "What was I supposed to say?  Hey, Boromir, I can see one BIG reason Farothen really likes you."

Both of them roared with laughter as they lit up their pipes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Legolas stiffened in Aragorn's embrace as he heard Gandalf and Gimli's laughter.  They had switched rooms again!

Legolas groaned as he detangled himself from Aragorn.  Boromir and Farothen must have heard him and Aragorn.

"What is wrong, meleth nin?" Aragorn asked.

"We should go into the bedroom, Estel," Legolas answered.

"Why?"

Legolas sighed, "Because I just heard Gimli and…Boromir laughing in the next room.  And if I can hear them they might be able to…"

Aragorn's eyes widened as he caught Legolas' meaning and rose from the tub, "Good idea."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Well," Gimli grumbled as he turned over in his bed, "At least those two finally went into their bedroom."

Gandalf shook his head in amusement as he continued to smoke his pipe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Elvish translations…

Hannon le, meleth nin.  Im meleth le – Thank you, my love.  I love you.

A im le, Estel nin.  An cuil – And I you, my Estel.  For life.

('Estel nin' could be read as 'my hope' if you prefer)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Replies to reviews…

Jenn:  I'm glad you like this story.  In answer to your question, we update on fanfiction.net and the geocities site is updated by the site owner.

Arch-Nemesis:  Nope, that's not right either.  It's something a little more serious than that.  You can keep guessing if you want though.  I'd like to see where your mind can go from there.

Lando's Star:  All I can say at the moment is that the baby is in no serious danger.  As for what is causing the illness, we'll explain that as the characters find out.  But I CAN say that Legolas won't lose the baby.  We couldn't do that to him…and we have plans for the babe later in the story.

Hana-Heart:  We have Farothen calling Legolas by his name right now because they just met for the first time a month earlier.  We're just letting them get to know each other first since it would feel kinda odd calling a near stranger 'Dad'.  Bear with us, he will begin to address Legolas as his father eventually.

Cold crystal tears:  I'm glad you like this story as well.  It's a true compliment to us as writers when readers who normally avoid this type of story tell us they like it.  Thanks.

Tsurugi-chan:  Well, we're purposely making Legolas kinda giddy in this story for a little bit of a humor spin, he will also be making some trips to the other end of the mood swing spectrum.  And…well…he IS blond.

In answer to everyone's comment on when Aragorn finds out about the marriage of Farothen and Boromir, he won't find out about that until after the war has been won and he's somewhat settled in as king.  Things will have calmed down slightly and he'll be able to concentrate more.  We've already discussed a couple ideas for the scene, we just have to decide which one we like best.

Thanks to all for the great reviews.

~Becky and Brina~