Chapter 25
TA 3019 March 4 afternoon
"A great host you say?" Theoden asked, turning mid-pace to face Aragorn.
The ranger gave a small nod, "All of Isengard is emptied."
Theoden hesitated a moment, tilting his head thoughtfully, "How many?"
"Ten thousand strong at least." Aragorn replied in near monotone, belying the worry he felt for his family.
"Ten thousand?!" Theoden gasped in disbelief.
"It is an army bred for a single purpose," Aragorn added, "To destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall."
"Let them come!" Theoden declared before stalking out of the room.
Aragorn sighed, annoyed and faced Legolas. The elf merely cocked a brow with a touch of amusement, his thoughts perfectly clear.
'Stubborn fool.'
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Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir and Farothen ended up following Theoden around as he made preparations for the upcoming battle. However, at the moment the five of them were being ignored as Theoden talked to Gamling.
"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall."
Gamling nodded as he walked off to see things done. In the meantime, Theoden kept explaining things to the five Hunters.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above," he said, "No army has ever breached the Deeping wall or set foot inside the Hornburg."
"This is no rabble of mindless orcs," Gimli grumbled as he leaned against the door, "Their armor is thick and their shields broad."
Theoden glared at Gimli in annoyance, "I have fought many wars, Master dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep."
Gimli grumbled again as Theoden walked right past him into the keep. The rest of the group followed close behind with Legolas resting a reassuring hand on the dwarf's shoulder as he passed.
Theoden was still talking as the others followed him through the keep and along the wall, "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn, we've seen it before. Crops can be resown, homes rebuilt. Within these walls we will outlast them."
"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages," Aragorn said to Theoden in growing frustration, "They come to destroy it's people. Down to the last child."
Theoden turned around quickly and grabbed Aragorn's arm as he drew the ranger close and spoke in a whisper, "What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make it such an end as to be worthy of remembrance."
As Theoden turned to leave Aragorn quickly spoke up, "Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid."
Theoden turned back and regarded him with skepticism, "And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer." Aragorn answered quickly.
"Gondor?" Theoden practically sneered, "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon…"
Farothen could see the explosion coming before it actually occurred from the look on Boromir's face, but was unable to do anything about it. Boromir's temper flared and he pushed ahead of Aragorn before Theoden could even finish his sentence.
"Hold your tongue, Theoden! Do not think for one moment that Rohan is the only kingdom of men under siege and the only kingdom with blood being spilt. I gave my life to Gondor and believe me when I say that we would have sent aid to Rohan if we had any warriors to spare," the Gondorian said fiercely to the older man.
The other four Hunters stood tense as they waited for Theoden's reaction. But he must have realized he'd gone too far because he visibly stepped back from Boromir. Unfortunately Boromir's temper was still up, so in the next moment he turned on his heel and stalked off. Farothen looked worriedly after his husband for a moment before running after him. Boromir should not be left alone in this temperament.
Aragorn watched the two leave, but for once didn't freak out. He had a feeling that if he went running after them like an overprotective father would he'd simply get a fist planted in his face.
Theoden nodded after the two retreating men, "You see, Aragorn. Gondor and Rohan cannot help each other. So we are alone."
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Farothen reached Boromir in the archway of a door to a supply room. Or it had been a supply room. Most of the food and supplies had been moved to the caves with the women and children. That meant that Farothen was alone with his husband. For the moment.
"Boromir!" Farothen called out, "Please don't run from me in anger, my jewel."
Boromir stopped halfway into the room. He slowly turned around and Farothen was surprised to see tears in his husband's eyes.
"Please don't cry, my jewel," Farothen said as he walked up to Boromir, "Theoden just spoke out of frustration."
Boromir shook his head, "It's not that, Farothen. It's the people of Rohan. They're losing hope just as swiftly as my people are. The people of Rohan and Gondor deserve some peace. A chance to not have to bury their loved ones constantly."
Farothen stared at Boromir in open admiration, "You would give your life for your people wouldn't you?"
"I already have," Boromir admitted, "My childhood ended when my mother died. At ten years old I had to start taking responsibilities that my father neglected. Including protecting and looking out for Faramir. As I grew up I became my people's only hope. And they didn't have very much."
Farothen wrapped his husband in a comforting embrace, "Whatever happens, Boromir, don't lose hope. Once all hope is lost, Sauron will have already won."
Boromir sighed in Farothen's arms, "As long as you're here, Farothen, I think I can find light in the darkness."
That said, Boromir pulled Farothen into a kiss and the half elf simply sank into it. They might never see the dawn so he was going to enjoy this last moment alone with Boromir.
"Don't make me a widower tonight, Boromir," Farothen whispered, "The grief would surely kill me."
Boromir kissed Farothen on the forehead, "The same goes for you, little elf."
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Early evening
"Legolas, I don't want you in this battle tonight," Aragorn was saying as he, Legolas and Gimli headed to the armory.
"You cannot just order me to the caves," Legolas replied, "These people need warriors and I'm the best archer in this whole keep, except maybe for our son."
Aragorn sighed in frustration, "We'll manage."
"Aragorn, this is stupid!" Legolas said angrily, "If Helm's Deep is breached it will not matter whether I'm in the caves or not."
"Legolas…you're carrying our daughter," Aragorn said simply, "She should be your first priority."
"I will not be left behind, Aragorn. Everyone who is important to me is in this battle. If I lose them…I'll lose my heart to grief." Legolas replied on the verge of tears.
Aragorn didn't want to upset Legolas any more than he already was; especially after all he'd been dealing with the past few days, so he said nothing as the trio entered the armory. Legolas took one look around and groaned at the assembled 'soldiers' of Rohan.
"See what I mean," he said to his husband.
Aragorn seemed to have a similar opinion as he absently twirled around a battered sword before dropping it back on to a table, "Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers."
"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli said suddenly.
"Or too few," Legolas added, "They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes."
Legolas' words not only got Aragorn's attention, but the attention of everyone in the armory. They all looked up at the elf in silence, but his next words were in Elvish for Aragorn's ears alone, "Boe a hun…neled herain dan caer menig!"
Aragorn sighed at the elf's tone, "Si beriathar hyn amar na ned Edoras."
"Aragorn," Legolas said impatiently, his hormones making his next words harsh, "Men i ndagor. Hyn u ortheri. Natha daged aen!"
Aragorn was also impatient and angry. Angry at the whole situation. Angry that he and Legolas couldn't simply get some peace to live out their lives. Angry that Legolas wouldn't just go into the caves. And angry over Legolas' despair.
He walked forward to where the elf was standing and practically yelled in his husband's face, "Then I shall die as one of them!"
Legolas looked shocked at the harsh words and Aragorn instantly regretted them. But he also recognized that he needed a chance to calm down, so he hesitated only a moment before turning and walking away.
With tears filling his clear blue eyes Legolas moved forward to go after his husband but was stopped by Gimli's hand closing over his arm.
"Let him go, lad," the dwarf said, knowing Legolas needed some time to calm down as well, "Let him be."
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"Are you almost prepared for battle, Farothen?" Boromir asked as he and his husband continued to get ready.
"Just about," Farothen answered then unexpectedly started chuckling.
"What's so funny?" Boromir asked.
"I was just thinking that you might have to wait a little to kill orcs, my jewel," Farothen said as he nodded at Boromir's lack of a bow.
Boromir raised an eyebrow, "I could always go and grab a bow and some arrows from the armory."
Farothen burst out laughing, "My jewel, I love you and I have faith in your abilities as a warrior, but you need more work with a bow before I let you waste even a single arrow."
"Are you insulting me?" Boromir asked with a grin as he advanced on Farothen.
"Of course," the half elf said as Boromir pinned him to the wall.
"This means I'll have to punish you," Boromir said seductively as he pressed a demanding kiss to Farothen's lips.
Farothen didn't object one bit and the two of them soon became so caught up in the moment that they failed to hear the sounds of someone approaching.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," a familiar voice said from the doorway with barely suppressed anger.
Boromir and Farothen froze in each other's arms. 'No, this isn't happening now!' Farothen thought as he and Boromir slowly broke apart and turned to face his very angry father.
"Ada!" Farothen said with a gulp.
Aragorn stepped into the room and nodded his head toward the door, "Farothen, you can leave. I'd like a word alone with Boromir."
Farothen quickly ran out of the room, not wanting to face his father's wrath at the moment. At the same time Boromir held up his hands in supplication, "Aragorn…this isn't what it looks like."
Aragorn didn't answer at first. Instead he drew his sword and placed it under Boromir's chin, "Tell me that this…thing between you and my son hasn't gone beyond what I just saw."
Boromir nodded quickly while crossing his fingers behind his back and eyeing the sword pressing lightly against his throat nervously. But Aragorn still stared at him in fury, "Is this out of jealousy, Boromir? Are you going after Farothen as an alternate way of someday ascending to the throne of Gondor?!"
Boromir stared at Aragorn in horror. He had never once thought of Farothen as a conquest or a means to an end, "I would never hurt an innocent just because I was angry at them and I'm not jealous of you, Aragorn. At least…not anymore."
"If you hurt him…" Aragorn started.
"I won't," Boromir interrupted, "I swear to you on my life, I won't."
Aragorn sighed and let his sword drop. Wearily he lifted a hand to his forehead. He couldn't deal with this now, not after his argument with Legolas.
"I'll deal with this later," Aragorn growled, glaring at Boromir in warning, "And you'd better not do anything more with my son than what I just saw!"
Boromir slumped against the wall as the ranger left the room. If this was how Aragorn reacted when he saw Boromir and Farothen kissing, then Boromir was as good as dead once Aragorn found out they were married.
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Little over an hour later Aragorn stood in the armory alone, methodically pulling on his battle raiment. He still felt regret at the argument he'd had with Legolas earlier in this very spot. Deciding it was time to find his husband he reached for his sword only to have it be held out to him.
He met Legolas' gaze as he took the sword with a small nod. Just as he was about to speak the elf did so, "We have trusted you this far and you have not led us astray. Forgive me, meleth. I was wrong to despair."
Aragorn reached up to stroke Legolas' jaw, "U-moe edhored, meleth nin."
Legolas smiled and stepped into Aragorn's arms for a kiss. Gimli's appearance interrupted them, though, and they turned to face him, noticing with some amusement that he was holding up the bottom hem of the chain mail he was wearing so it bunched around his waist.
"If I have time I'll get this adjusted," the dwarf growled, dropping the mail to the floor where it bunched around his feet, "It's a little tight across the chest."
Aragorn tilted his head, raising both brows and smiling slightly. Legolas bit back a grin and was just about to make a smart retort when the call of a horn shattered the silence of the armory.
Legolas felt a surge of hope as he rushed out of the armory saying, "That is no orc horn!"
Aragorn, also recognizing the horn for what it was, followed his husband, leaving Gimli to struggle with his chain mail.
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Haldir halted the contingent of elves in front of Theoden just as the king gasped, "How is this possible?"
The elf met Theoden's gaze proudly, "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together." He looked up when he saw Aragorn and Legolas run down the steps behind Theoden and he continued speaking with a smile, "We come to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn stopped at the bottom of the steps and gave Haldir a small bow, "Mae govannen, Haldir." After a momentary hesitation he closed the last couple feet between them and pulled Haldir into a hug, whispering, "You are most welcome."
Haldir initially stiffened at the embrace before tentatively returning it. Just as the ranger stepped back Haldir once again found himself in a tight embrace as Legolas hugged him as well.
Once Legolas had stepped back Haldir met Theoden's gaze, half wondering if the king wanted to jump forward and hug him as well, "We are honored to fight alongside men once more."
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Elvish translations…
Boe a hun…neled herain dan caer menig! – And they should be…three hundred against ten thousand!
Si beriathar hyn amar na ned Edoras. – They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras.
Men i ndagor. Hyn u ortheri. Natha daged aen! – We are warriors. They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!
U-moe edhored, meleth nin. – There is nothing to forgive, my love.
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Replies to reviews…
Strider: I guess you could look at that two ways. As a change in the positioning of the lands of Middle-Earth. But, we never planned on laying out Eomer's whole route. It's possible they traveled south until they reached Gondor's northern border then turned east. It's also possible that Eomer crossed the Anduin at some point. We had our own reason for writing it the way we did. You can read it any way you want. We won't make you read it a certain way.
Arch-Nemesis: Okay, why Faramir didn't tell Eomer what was bothering him…it was still too painful at the time for one thing, also (as I tend to do) he might have clammed up to protect himself from the pain of admitting it out loud. As for why Legolas couldn't feel the bond…as I see it, Aragorn was unconscious so he wasn't really 'there' and the pregnancy is kinda playing hell on his body.
Cinnamon-Sweet-Heart and Peace hope and a little madness (still haven't changed it to 'a little insanity' huh?): Anyway, as for whether or not Faramir is pregnant…*zips mouth shut, locks it and throws away the key*. Could just be stress that's causing his problems. I get that way sometimes when I'm stressed.
Thanks again.
~Becky and Brina~