Boromir, Thou Shall Live
By pmochizuki
Author's Note: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!!! I've got another chapter down as a little early Christmas present for you all! I'm feeling very good at the moment: School has finished for the holidays, I've got my SAT results (which were pretty good!), I'm going to go caroling with my church around the neighborhood, I've found a new love (which is tap dancing!!! Woohoo!)… 'tis the season to be jolly!
Well, I guess even after a long break in updating the previous chapters, I still have many devoted readers. :P Thank you all so much for reviewing and giving me all your wonderful support!
As for this chapter's title, I had noooo idea what to name it! If you have any better suggestions, please tell me!
Special thanks to reviewers at the bottom of the chapter!
Chapter Thirty-Seven: 'Questions Left Unanswered'
Damrod watched from a discreet distance as the Hobbit finally woke. The little one seemed disoriented at first, and Damrod was tempted to reveal himself. But Sam soon got his bearings and crept out of the ferns to where the rest of the Ithilien Rangers were gathered, along with that other Hobbit, Frodo.
Making sure that he wasn't seen, Damrod carefully eased himself up from his position where he had been guarding the sleeping Hobbit. When Captain Faramir and the others had returned after the battle, Sam had been napping, and under the insistence of Frodo, had been allowed to continue his rest. Unfortunately, Damrod had been chosen to guard Sam, and he was relieved that his ward had finally decided to return to the land of the living. To say truthfully, Damrod had been a bit surprised by how deeply the little one slept. He wondered again what had befallen the two Hobbits and why they were in Ithilien…
Coming out of the fern, Damrod saw that Faramir was apparently still questioning Frodo. The whole company of Rangers was seated in a wide semicircle, with the Captain seated between the arms and Frodo standing before him. And from what Damrod could see, Faramir did not seem to be satisfied. No, not in the least.
In the corner of his eyes, Damrod spied Mablung and Elbaran sitting somewhat apart, not too close yet enough so they could hear the conversation between Faramir and Frodo. Seeing as Sam had gone to stay by the other Rangers, Damrod decided to join his friends.
Mablung was the first to notice Damrod and beckoned for the younger man to come sit next to him. On the other hand, Damrod wondered if Elbaran was just pretending not to notice him. To tell the truth, Elbaran always somehow irked Damrod in a strange way. Elbaran emitted an air of knowing everything… and Damrod hated that.
Maybe it was one of the reasons why he enjoyed provoking some kind of reaction from the stoic soldier.
"I see that Elbaran is brooding again."
Elbaran's response was a cold look. "I see that you are once more avoiding your duty."
Gesturing to Sam, Damrod answered evenly, "I see no harm in letting him sit by the other men. Isn't he sitting next to one of your scouts? You don't believe your own men can take care of one little Hobbit?"
Not even deigning to reply, Elbaran once more focused his attention on Faramir. Leaning over so only Mablung could hear, Damrod said, "A bit sensitive, isn't he?"
"Well, you can make the most insensitive of men feel like strangling you," Mablung said dryly.
The younger soldier smiled. "Say what you will. It is a gift."
At this, Elbaran snorted and Damrod shot him a look. Apparently for all his indifference, the scout had been listening carefully to the whispered conversation. "Mablung, why do you put up with him?" Elbaran asked with a pointed look at Damrod.
"It is really quite simple," Damrod said before Mablung could answer. He put on his most serious look as he explained, "You see, Mablung very much wishes to marry my sister."
His words finally got an interesting reaction from Elbaran as the Ranger looked in shock at Mablung. Mablung, who was turning red at the ears, pretended not to be affected.
"You are marrying his sister?" Elbaran exclaimed in disbelief.
"I haven't asked her yet."
Damrod rolled his eyes. "There's really no reason to actually ask Damriel. Everyone knows once there's a chance, the both of you are getting married. Especially if they knew what I know the two of you did last summer behind the stables…"
He was pleased to see Mablung's eyes widen and his mouth fall open. Elbaran, on the other hand, was coughing, but Damrod could obviously tell that Elbaran was only trying to keep from laughing.
"Don't try denying it," Damrod said sweetly.
"I deny nothing except that I did anything to dishonor your sister," Mablung said hotly, the first of the surprise fading away to a simmering irritation.
"That was a highly inappropriate way to say farewell to my sister."
"All I did was kiss her!"
"And by the Valar, did you kiss her," Damrod said with wink towards Elbaran.
Mablung raised his hands in defeat. "Why am I even bothering to try proving anything to you?" He sighed as pushed his long, dark bangs from his eyes, a faint blush still on the tips of his ears.
Elbaran sympathetically laid a hand on the aggravated Ranger's shoulder. "I believe you, Mablung. Though I have only one question. I do hope Damriel looks nothing like her brother."
Damrod glared at the two men as they chuckled. "Thank the Valar she does not!" Mablung said vigorously. "She is the sweetest thing that will ever walk these lands."
"Aye, I agree, though I wonder at her actually thinking of becoming betrothed to you."
"You were the one who introduced her to me," Mablung replied with a shrug. "How can you expect me not to fall in love with her?"
It was Damrod's turn to shrug. "I guess it is true. Yet – "
"Quiet," Elbaran suddenly interrupted. "Something is happening!"
And indeed, as Damrod looked towards Faramir and Frodo, he saw that the two seemed at a standoff. Both were quiet, and the silence seemed to influence the very air. Damrod along with his two friends halted their conversations as they tried to listen to what was happening…
Faramir kept his impatience in check as he saw Frodo look uncomfortably down at the ground. The Captain had been for some time questioning the Halfling, for even though Frodo had supposedly explained everything of how he had come to Mordor, Faramir was not satisfied with Frodo's account in several places.
Specifically, he wondered what part Frodo had played in the Company setting out from Rivendell, why he had left Boromir, and where he was now going.
And in particular, what was Isildur's Bane?
Seeing that Frodo looked as if he might not answer, Faramir spoke. "But it was at the coming of the Halfling that Isildur's Bane should waken, or so one must read the words," he insisted, trying to meet the Hobbit's eyes, though it was hard, for Frodo continued to stare at the ground. "If then you are the Halfling that was named, then doubtless you brought this thing, whatever it may be, to the Council of which you speak. Boromir must have seen it. Do you deny it?"
Frodo still made no answer.
"What concerns Boromir concerns me," Faramir said after a while. "Have you this thing with you? It is 'hidden', you say. But is it not so because you choose to hide it?"
Faramir saw that Sam, who had joined the Rangers some time before, looked ready to kill the one who was questioning his master so closely. Faramir chose to ignore him though. Frodo held the key to too many riddles. Though he cared very much what this Isildur's Bane was, he was more worried about his brother…
"No, not because I choose to," Frodo answered slowly, finally meeting his captor's eyes. "It does not belong to me. And if to any mortal, great or small, should it belong, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, is the only who may lay any claim to it."
There it was, that name again. Aragorn… Faramir mulled over the name slowly in his mind. There was something about the name he couldn't quite place. "The leader of your Company from Moria to Rauros?"
Answered with an affirmative, Faramir continued, "Why so, and not Boromir, prince of the City that the sons of Elendil founded?"
For a brief moment, Faramir saw Frodo glance carefully around at the Rangers. He looked as if he was weighing his choices of what to say. But finally, appearing to come to a decision, Frodo met Faramir's eyes with a certain strength behind them.
"Because Aragorn is descended in direct lineage, father to father, from Isildur, Elendil's son, himself." Frodo paused then said, "And the sword that he bears was Elendil's sword."
A murmur of astonishment ran through the ring of men. Faramir could distinctly hear some of them say aloud: 'The sword of Elendil comes to Minas Tirith! Great tidings!"
But as for himself, Faramir found himself looking upon the Halfling with some doubt. Too many coincidences, too many revelations… why now? And why from this Halfling who may hold the answers to so many questions…? He must be careful where this conversation will now lead, for if indeed the return of the king was at hand…
"So great a claim will need to be established and clear proofs will be required," Faramir told Frodo firmly, loud enough so his men could hear, "if this Aragorn should ever come to Minas Tirith. For when I set out six days ago, neither he nor any of your Company had come."
"Boromir was satisfied with the claim," Frodo said insistently. But seeming to sense Faramir's steadfastness, Frodo sighed. "If only Boromir were here so he would answer all your questions. Since Boromir was in Rauros many days back, he must be in Minas Tirith by now." The Hobbit suddenly looked up, a hint of pride in his stance. "He knew my errand, but it is not mine to reveal to any outside the Company. I must not be hindered."
Faramir pursed his lips slightly. Bold words did Frodo speak. But Faramir would not be appeased so easily. "So, you bid me mind my own affairs and get myself back home and leave you be. And that when I return, Boromir will tell me all when he comes."
Faramir was incredibly curious as to what the Hobbit's mysterious errand was, but knew it would be pointless to press too much on that matter. If it was indeed a matter of great importance, it would be best to keep it hidden from his men. To change the topic of conversation to a safer subject, yet something quite as urgent... "Were you a friend of Boromir?" the Captain asked suddenly.
The question quite obviously threw Frodo off guard as the Halfling drew back a bit, a look of apprehension flickering in his gaze. The reaction made Faramir narrow his eyes. There was something not quite right. Something was being hidden about Boromir.
"Boromir was a valiant member of our Company," Frodo finally answered softly. "Yes, I was his friend, for my part."
For my part… That last phrase caught Faramir's attention the most. He deduced that something must have happened between his brother and this Hobbit, something that was troubling Frodo very much.
Faramir crossed his arms over his chest, speaking his words slowly but deliberately. "If indeed you are telling the truth, there is still one matter which you have not spoken to me. It is the matter of the horn of Gondor being heard on that very day which you say you parted ways with the rest of your Company."
Frodo shook his head. "I know not of what happened. Only that I left my companions in haste, for we were being pursued by the servants of Saruman the Wizard."
"The horn of Gondor was heard throughout the land, even reaching the ears of the high Steward of Minas Tirith, Denethor son of Ecthelion."
"Boromir's father," Frodo whispered.
Faramir nodded gravely. "Aye, that you are correct. Five days ere I set out on this venture, eleven days ago at about this hour of the day, I heard the blowing of that horn from the northward in seemed, but dim, as if it were but an echo in the mind. A boding of ill we thought it, for no tidings had we heard of Boromir since he went away."
"I wish I could do anything to ease your worries for your Captain."
If only you could… Again, Faramir's head was filled with the image of his dead brother lying inside a strange boat of Elven design. His face once so full of life, now so cold and grave… For a brief moment, Faramir struggled to compose his features and swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. He spoke, harsher in tone than he had intended , "I had hoped that his friend and companion would have been able to tell me much of what may have happened to him."
"He was alive and strong when we parted. And he lives still for all that I know." The Hobbit then lifted his hands up apologetically. "Though surely there are many perils in the world."
"Many indeed," Faramir said in deep thought. Seeing how unnerved the Halfling was becoming, he decided to try catching the Halfling off guard. "And treachery not the least of the perils."
The words caused Frodo to suddenly pale, and Faramir realized he might have struck too hard. But before he could try pressuring the Hobbit into revealing anything more, Sam had decided he had had enough.
The stout Hobbit jumped up from the ground and strode up to his master's side. "Begging your pardon, Mr. Frodo," Sam said to his companion, "but this has gone on long enough. He's no right to talk to you so! After all you've gone through and much for his good and all these great Men as for anyone else."
With just those words, Faramir discovered a bit more than he would have learned from the close lipped Frodo. This other Hobbit may be more useful than he had first imagined. First of all, Sam was easily irritated and quite outspoken in what he believed. And most important, the Hobbit was very protective of his friend and master…
Yet before he could wonder how he could best use this knowledge to his advantage, he was now being held under the angry gaze of the fuming Hobbit. "See here, Captain!" Sam planted himself squarely in front of Faramir, his hands on his hips, a look on his face as if he was addressing a naughty child. If the situation was not so serious, Faramir doubted he would have been able to hide any evidence of humor from his face. Even now, the Captain noticed many of his Rangers murmuring amongst each other, many with grins on their faces as they watched the scene unfold. Faramir could well imagine the looks being shared among Damrod, Mablung, and Elbaran, who were most probably sitting somewhere behind him.
He managed not to smile as the Hobbit continued. "What are you driving at? Let's come to the point before all the Orcs of Mordor comes down on us! If you think my master murdered this Boromir and then ran away, you've got no sense; but say it, and have done! And then let us know what you mean to do about it. But it's a pity that folk as talk about fighting the Enemy can't let others do their bit in their own way without interfering. He'd be mighty pleased, if he could see you now. Think he'd got a new friend, he would."
By that time, all humor had left the situation for Faramir as he watched the Hobbit breath deeply after his outburst. An outburst from which Faramir had learned far more than any other person would imagine. For in Frodo's face, Faramir saw that the Hobbit seemed worried and agitated, as if Sam had spoken too much. Yes, Faramir now knew that Frodo's so-called 'errand' was indeed of an important nature. An 'errand' that the Hobbit seemed to fear, yet hold close to his heart.
"Patience," Faramir said thoughtfully. "Do not speak before your master, whose wit is greater than yours. And I do not need any to teach me of our peril. Even so, I spare a brief time in order to judge justly in a hard matter."
He smiled grimly. "If I were as hasty as you might think, I would have slain you long ago. I am commanded to slay all whom I find in this land without the leave of the Lord of Gondor. But I do not slay man or beast needlessly and not gladly, even when it is needed." Making sure that the Hobbits understood, he continued, "Neither do I talk in vain. So be comforted. Sit by your master, and be silent."
With a red look, his eyes glaring daggers, Sam sat down heavily, knowing that to disobey would not go well for him. Faramir saw Frodo look into his own eyes hesitantly, as if wondering where this conversation would now lead.
Faramir gave the Hobbit a small smile in reassurance. "Tell me Frodo. Do you remember what horn Boromir did bear?"
Frodo looked far off, as if bringing to mind the object of Faramir's question. "A great horn of the wild ox it was. Bound with silver, there were also written ancient characters upon it."
"That horn the eldest son of the house has borne for many generations: and it is said that if it be blown at need anywhere within the bounds of Gondor, as the realm was of old, its voice will not pass unheeded. Now you may see my concern on why Boromir chose to blow upon this horn.
"Now I shall tell you why I am at ill at ease in my heart for Boromir, the Captain General of Gondor, son of the High Steward of Gondor."
The Ithilien Captain proceeded to tell the Hobbits of the dream where he had seen Boromir lay inside a boat floating on the calm waters of a river. A boat so heavily burdened that it was almost filled with clear water, yet the warrior inside was as if asleep. The figure was dead with many wounds. A broken sword on his knee…
Faramir paused, seeing that Frodo's face had become ashen, for his dream seemed to have disturbed the Hobbit. Even Sam seemed troubled, his brows furrowed in deep thought. Faramir quietly said, "Dreamlike it was, yet a dream so real that I cannot be comforted. For Boromir, dear Boromir… he is my brother."
As soon as the words were uttered from his lips, the two Halflings started, their eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Faramir nodded his head. "Yes, Boromir is my elder brother. And I can only hope and pray that the vision I received was but a dream and that he is not dead."
There was some silence before Faramir spoke again. "In my dream, there was but one thing missing among my brother's gear, and that was his horn. One thing only I knew not: a fair belt as it were of linked golden leaves, about his waist."
Frodo looked down on the ground, closing his eyes as if in pain. "Alas! That was the golden belt which was given to him in Lothlorien by the Lady Galadriel. She it was that clothed us as you see us, in Elven-grey." Frodo opened his eyes, though his gaze was distant, as he fingered a green and silver leaf brooch, which was fastened on his cloak beneath his throat. "This brooch he also must have been wearing."
Faramir nodded as his throat constricted. He felt suddenly cold at heart knowing that the dream was more and more becoming a possibility he would have to face. He distracted himself by looking closely at Frodo's brooch. "It is beautiful. It is of the same workmanship."
He leaned back as he quietly contemplated what Frodo had said. So, you passed through the Land of Lorien? Laurelindorenan it was named of old…" He eyed the Hobbit carefully. Much that was strange about the Hobbit he was beginning to now understand.
"The boat you described in your dream came also from Lorien," Frodo spoke as he watched Faramir's features carefully. "In three such boats we rowed down Anduin to the Falls."
"Reaching my ears is only more confirmation," Faramir said sadly, shaking his head. In his head he cried out to his brother, 'Those who have dealings with the Mistress of Magic who dwells in the Golden Wood may look for strange things to follow, did you not know, dear brother? Boromir, O Boromir! What did she say to you, the Lady that dies not? What did she see? What woke in your heart then? Why went you ever to Laurelindorenan, and came not by your own road, upon the horses of Rohan riding home in the morning? Why? Why cannot I be comforted when I think of you?
Maybe it wasn't right for him to be so close to his brother as to be almost physically pained at the thought of his death. How would he be able to survive the Dark Days ahead without his older brother watching over him?
Shaking out of his reverie, Faramir stood up suddenly, looking down at the two Hobbits. "For me there is no comfort in our speech together," he said in a quiet voice.
"Your dream fills me with foreboding, but a vision it still was," Frodo said gently. "A vision and no more, some shadow of evil fortune that has been or will be. Unless indeed it is some lying trick of the Enemy."
Giving the Hobbit a small smile, Faramir could only reply that he hoped the Halfling was correct in his thoughts. "There is something strange about you, Frodo Baggins. An Elvish air, maybe. More lies upon our words together than I thought at first. I should now take you back to Minas Tirith – "
"Will you not put aside your doubt of me and let me go on my way?" Frodo wrung his hands together, worry etched in his features. "I am weary and full of grief. And afraid." Afraid indeed he looked; nevertheless, the Hobbit squared his shoulders. "But I have a deed to do, or at least a deed to attempt. I entreat you to allow my companion and I to go on our way."
"I'm afraid that letting you go is something I cannot allow." Faramir sighed. Decisions, more decisions to make. And he now had two Hobbits to worry about. Two Hobbits with a mysterious errand which they strongly believed was of an important nature in the war against the Enemy… "As I was going to say," Faramir continued, "I should take you back to Minas Tirith to go before Denethor. But, if what you say is true, I would then have chosen a course which would prove ill for my city. So I will not decide in haste what is to be done. Yet we must move hence without more delay."
Sighing again, Faramir quickly issued some orders to his men. At once the men who were gathered round him broke into small groups and went off in different directions, vanishing quickly into the shadows of the rocks and trees. Soon, only Damrod and Mablung remained and came to stand next to their Captain.
Once more putting his gaze on his guests, Faramir spoke to them. "You will come with me and my guards. You cannot continue along the road southwards, if that was indeed your purpose. It is unsafe and will be unsafe for some days and even more closely watched after this day. And, as you said, you are weary. As are we.
"To a secret place we shall take you with us, which is somewhat less than ten miles from here. Neither Orc nor spy of the Enemy has yet to find it, and even if they did, we could hold it long even against many. There we may lie up and rest, and you with us. In the morning I will decide what is best for me to do, and for you."
Frodo and Sam looked at each other, clearly unhappy with the decision. But Faramir was adamant; he was not going to let them out of his sight until he had some sort of idea what the Halflings' errand was. And to know if there was anything else to be learned about what happened to his brother.
Faramir turned away from the Hobbits and spoke quietly to the two other Rangers. "Mablung, Damrod, you will lead while I take the rear along with our guests."
"Are you sure that this is the best course of action, considering we still do not really know who they are?" Mablung asked with a frown.
The Captain could only shake his head solemnly. "I feel that they truly do not have an ill intent on their part. I feel that if they have said anything dishonest - "
"Nor have they revealed any important truths," Mablung pointed out.
Sighing, Faramir nevertheless was firm in his decision. The Hobbits would be traveling with them, and that was the end of the matter. He needed some time to mull over what had transpired…
"Again, I wonder as to why you will need the two of us along to guard these so-called 'guests' of ours," Damrod said, wrinkling his nose.
"Must you complain about everything?" Mablung gave Damrod a glare.
"Well," Faramir interrupted before Damrod could reply, "you will be even more pleased to learn that Elbaran shall be watching our backs throughout the journey to Henneth Annun."
"Elbaran?" Damrod snorted. "You could not have picked a more sullen or morose man for the job, Captain."
"At least he does not talk as much as old wives gossiping at the public well in Minas Tirith," Mablung mumbled under his breath. Naturally, he said it loud enough so his remark could be heard by his two companions.
Faramir laid a restraining hand on Damrod's shoulder. "Come, we have no time for quarreling. The sun would set before the two of you reach any sort of compromise."
Damrod gave a mock glare at Mablung while the older man remained stoic except for a twinkle of humor in his eye. Yes, there could not be a stranger pair of friends to be found in all of Middle-earth, that much Faramir was certain.
He turned away from his two Rangers and faced the Hobbits. "Shall we?"
Seeing there would be no choice in the matter, Frodo and Sam came to stand next to Faramir. No more words were spoken as Mablung and Damrod quickly turned on their heels and began leading the way, slowing their pace slightly in order for the Hobbits to keep up.
As they walked, Faramir once more wondered if this was the best decision which would be met under the circumstances.
He unconsciously rested his eyes upon Frodo, who walked a few steps ahead of him. There was still much to be learned from the Hobbit, and Faramir knew he would not rest until he knew all of the facts… especially any facts having to do with his brother…
Bawuer could finally no longer stand it. He set his cup deliberately on the ground and moved to get up from where he had been sitting on the floor of the tent. "I cannot stay here any longer."
But before he could complete the action, a strong hand reached out to grab his wrist. "Sit down, Bawuer," Firnon said firmly, a tone he used when he would not allow for any nonsense from anyone. "When your mother knows anything for certain, she will send Deluen here. You know this more than I do."
Growling, Bawuer could only nod and settle himself down on the floor again. "I don't like waiting."
"You never did," Firnon said, finally releasing the young man's wrist after making sure Bawuer was not going to try leaving again. "I have always compared you to a brash young colt. I imagine you would be very much like Ebon…"
Bawuer shook his head, allowing a hint of a smile on his lips as he tried to relax. "Grandfather, do not insult me."
"I would consider it more of an insult to Ebon than to you." The old Rohirrim man fingered his cane which always remained in his hand. "I always thought the two of you were the perfect match. I would not have given Ebon to you if I hadn't thought as much."
"I thought gave Ebon to me just so you would not have to deal with him any more."
Firnon, shaking his head, said, "Think what you will. I knew if you couldn't handle Ebon, no one could. Take it as a compliment, either you would tame him or I would have to have set him loose."
Before Bawuer could say anything in reply, someone entered the tent. Seeing it was his sister, Bawuer jumped up, the worry over his friend coming back to him twofold. Especially considering the sober look on her face. Whatever news she was bringing was sure to be unpleasant.
Gently Bawuer took Deluen by her shoulders. "Deluen, what – "
"I don't know," Deluen whispered, in a tone Bawuer had hardly ever heard her speak in. Worry… and fear? "Mother is worried, and you know what that means."
Bawuer tried to swallow down the sudden lump which formed his throat. Mother was worried… Faedwyn, who never let her feelings show, was worried…
He tried to move his sister aside to leave. "I am no longer going to just wait here without knowing what exactly is going on."
"Do you want the truth?" Deluen asked quietly, taking his hand in hers to halt his movements. "Because if you want the truth, I tell you now that you will not like the truth."
"I would rather know than be made to wait on the sidelines."
Deluen sighed and squeezed his hand. "Mother thinks he is not going to last the night."
Bawuer closed his eyes in pain. No… Why was this happening? Boromir had been fine, hadn't he?
In a daze, Bawuer whispered, "It's my fault."
"Brother, please sit down," he heard his sister plead. "There is nothing you can do."
"There has to be something I can do." Bawuer pulled his hand out of Deluen's grasp. "I'm going to ask Mother if – "
"Bawuer, sit down. Now."
His grandfather's stern voice caused Bawuer to snap back to attention. Sighing, he sat down, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. A moment later he sensed Deluen seat herself next to him, her hand placed gently on his shoulder.
"Now," Firnon said firmly, "this is no time for either of you to become irrational. There will be dire consequences if indeed Lavlaisi should die. Have you thought at all about the importance of what is happening? This is not just another soldier we are talking about." He dropped his tone to a mere whisper as he said, "We are talking about the heir to the Stewardship of Gondor."
The importance of what his grandfather said hit Bawuer hard. For a moment he could not say anything. Boromir, son of Denethor, High Steward of Gondor…
"By the Valar…" Bawuer breathed.
Firnon nodded. "Aye, as fate would have it, we have stumbled into something too big for our own good."
"What do you mean?" Deluen asked nervously.
Giving his grandson a quick glance, Firnon answered, "I believe it is time we reveal Lavlaisi's true identity."
Bawuer stood up quickly and began to pace. He was not pleased with where the conversation was heading. "You speak as if he is already dead," he said accusingly.
"I am thinking logically," Firnon said quietly, yet with steel in his voice. "We must prepare for the worst. You must realize that this is not just personal in that your friend is dying. This could quickly become very political, between Rohan and Gondor. Imagine how Lord Denethor could react hearing his son has died in a neighboring land, with no real explanation as to what happened."
"That's not what – "
"That's how it will be taken," Firnon cut Bawuer off, hitting his cane on the ground for emphasis. "And imagine how this will affect us."
Looking away, Bawuer clenched his fists. "This has nothing to do with you, Mother, Deluen, nor anyone else. I will take full responsibility."
There was an awkward silence except for the sound of Bawuer's footfalls as he continued to pace. Finally, Firnon ordered Bawuer to sit next to him.
Obeying his grandfather, Bawuer took Firnon's hand which was offered to him. "My beloved grandson," Firnon said, squeezing the other's hand, "I may have sounded harsh, but I was speaking only from the point of view others who might look upon these circumstances. Now I speak to you as your grandfather.
"I will not allow you to take blame for anything that has transpired. Events were out of your control, and I do not doubt for a moment that you did all that you could."
"I could have – "
"Men who wonder too much about 'what might have been done' or 'what could he have done instead' do not get any where," Firnon interrupted. "The past is in the past. We are now here, living in the moment of here and now. Do not forget that."
Bawuer, letting his grandfather's words settle in, nodded slowly. "Then what is to be done?"
Firnon faced Deluen after a few moments. "Luen, what was Lavlaisi's condition when you left?"
"He awoke about an hour ago, but was not awake in the way you might think," Deluen answered with a nervous shrug of her shoulders. "I doubt he is aware of his surroundings at all. Mother was saying he would occasionally mutter some words, yet nothing which made any sense to her."
Thoughtfully, Firnon pursed his lips.
"What are you thinking, Grandfather?" Deluen asked with some hesitation.
"I am thinking of what to do now." Firnon crossed his arms over his chest. "I was thinking it would be better to speak to Lavlaisi before speaking to anyone else. But as he is not in any condition to hold any conversation, I am wondering what other course of action we should take."
Bawuer, too, wondered what was to be done. If they were indeed to reveal Boromir's identity, who to speak to? Eowyn, the White Lady of Rohan? Somehow, Bawuer repelled from that idea.
First of all, he still would not even consider the idea that there was no hope for Boromir. Surely his mother could be wrong. It was possible that Boromir would be well by morning… wasn't it?
He then recalled how Boromir had been struck by a sudden attack of convulsions… How the Gondorian could hardly keep himself under any control… How Boromir seemed unable to breathe…
But he had been fine just moments before that incident. So strange, and there was still no explanation as to what had suddenly come over Boromir.
His thoughts were interrupted as Deluen got up. "I am going to let Mother get something to eat now, for I fear she will be up all night."
"Have Herluin and Morwyn eaten yet?"
Deluen shook her head at Firnon's question. "I was going to ask if they could stay with you tonight."
"How can I refuse spending time with my great-grandchildren?"
Bawuer's sister went over to kiss Firnon on the forehead. "Thank you, Grandfather."
As she was about to leave, Bawuer, having come to a decision, stopped her. "Deluen, go ahead and get Herluin and Morwyn and stay with Grandfather tonight. I'll send Mother along."
Deluen looked at him in surprise. "What?"
"I will stay with Lavlaisi. Maybe I can try talking to him."
"Bawuer… I cannot really see how it would do any good..." Deluen trailed off and helplessly raised her hands. "Lavlaisi is not – "
"You don't know that for sure," Bawuer insisted. "I am not giving up on him yet."
He looked over to Firnon to see his reaction. But instead of the frown he expected to see on the other's face, there was instead a small smile upon Firnon's lips. "As I said, just like Ebon. Impatient, and maybe just a little stubborn."
After giving his grandfather a smile and his sister a few reassuring words, Bawuer departed from them for his mother's tent. He found both his mother and Boromir just as he had left them; Boromir laying on the ground and his mother kneeling beside him.
Faedwyn did not seem surprised to see him. As Bawuer sat down beside her, she reached out to take his hand. "I told you not to come, but I knew it would only be a matter of time before I saw you come in here," she said gently.
"I told Deluen to stay with her kids; they're with Grandfather now."
Faedwyn lifted a hand to gently stroke Bawuer's head. "You wish me to leave, don't you."
Bawuer shrugged his shoulders. "Deluen says it will be no use trying to talk to him."
"For the past hour he has opened and closed his eyes, and he would sometimes speak. Names, places, and events I don't even know about. He appears to be losing his grip on this world, for his dreams appear more real to him than the present. But I have always believed that… you can never tell when they are listening or not." With one last loving stroke of Bawuer's head, Faedwyn got up and started walking out. But before she could leave, she was stopped by Bawuer's whisper.
"Deluen also said that you think he won't last the night."
Bawuer couldn't bear to look at her face, scared to see what he would find in her eyes. But her words were enough to make him feel helpless of the whole situation. "I'm sorry…"
Barely registering that she had left him alone with Boromir, Bawuer clenched his jaw grimly. For the first time since entering the tent, he put his gaze upon the Gondorian's face and could hardly keep from wincing.
Boromir seemed asleep at the moment, but underneath his closed lids was movement. He was dreaming, just as Faedwyn had said he had been doing. His pallor was deathly pale and though the night air was chilly, there was a sheen of sweat upon Boromir's brow.
Feeling that maybe it was indeed a lost cause to try to talk to his sick friend, Bawuer was just about to lose all hope when Boromir began to move around.
Leaning over his friend, Bawuer saw that though Boromir did not open his eyes, his lips were moving subtly, as if he was speaking to himself. After a few moments, the mutterings became loud enough for the Rohirrim soldier to catch a few words and phrases. Something about a Lady, and strangely enough, a mirror, with the general tone of Boromir's words seemingly pleading to someone for answers.
Mysterious as it was, it was nothing compared to what happened next. Before Bawuer could react, Boromir suddenly opened his eyes and struggled to get up.
"Frodo!"
Bawuer grabbed the Gondorian by the shoulders, trying to get him to lie back down. "Boromir, you are not well," Bawuer said soothingly, hoping to calm the man down.
But Boromir seemed adamant, and refused to cooperate, shaking his head instead. "There is no rest for the cursed," he whispered hoarsely. "Nor for traitorous men…"
Cursed? Traitorous? What was the man talking about?
Bawuer was finally able to get the weakened man to lay back. But before he could speak, Boromir reached out and grabbed him by the arm. Their eyes met, and Bawuer felt a twinge of ice ripple through his being as he looked into the haunted, green-grey eyes of the Gondorian. Eyes that were hauntingly distant and unfocused. And in their depths was reflected a world of torment and shame.
Shocked by the barrage of emotions in those eyes, Bawuer tried to pull away. "You are not well," he repeated, shaken by what he was witnessing. This was not the Boromir he knew…
"Will there ever be any peace?" Boromir whispered, eyes once more unfocusing and looking away from Bawuer. The man shivered, his left hand clenched at his side. "If only to be free from the weights of my thoughts, am I to be burdened forever?"
Speechless, Bawuer wondered how to reply to the cryptic questions. All he could do was lay a hand on his shoulder. The night air seemed to grow colder with the touch…
There needn't be any reply for the delirious though, for Boromir closed his eyes and began speaking quietly to himself once more. "If only she had told me, would there have been a chance… any hope…" Bawuer leaned forward but there was no more to hear. Boromir had once more seemed to slip into the oblivion of restless sleep.
"Bawuer!"
Hearing his name called out behind him, Bawuer turned around to see Deluen standing at the entrance, her face pale, a worried look in her eyes. Before he could ask her anything, she moved swiftly to sit next to him.
"A group of men rode into camp," she spoke in a rush, "and they are even now speaking to Lady Eowyn. They are preparing to sup for the evening. Bawuer... Lady Eowyn requests your presence."
Some of Deluen's worry beginning to rub off on Bawuer, he tried to push away the feelings of apprehension rising in his throat. "Who are these men?"
Deluen shook her head. "No one is really sure, though the people are whispering that they are Rangers from the North. Some say they are the Dunedain!"
"Here, in Dunharrow?"
"Yes. Though I have not laid eyes on any of them, I have also heard that traveling with them are Elves and a Dwarf."
The story was becoming stranger as the tale progressed. Grimly, Bawuer wondered why he was being called. He asked his question aloud, and all Deluen could do was shrug her shoulders.
Suppressing a sigh, Bawuer stood up slowly. "I doubt it would be appreciated if I am not prompt in answering her summons."
"Before you go," Deluen spoke, "there's something else I should mention. The leader of the group arrived this eve is said to be a mighty warrior, a foreigner. One having fought at Helm's Deep."
A mighty warrior? A foreigner? Bawuer thought hard. Only one man came to mind…
"They say he carries the sword of Elendil, and his name is Aragorn."
"Aragorn?" Bawuer was so startled that he spoke the name louder than he intended.
Deluen nodded but just before she could speak again, both of their attentions were shifted to the ground where Boromir had suddenly stirred, his eyes opening. "Aragorn…?"
Curious it was to hear that name being spoken from the Gondorian, so Bawuer knelt back down next to Boromir. With surprising speed, Boromir's hand shot out and grabbed Bawuer by his collar, making the Rohirrim gasp in shock. His face was brought close to the other's, and Bawuer was amazed to see that the same green-grey eyes so distant before were now somewhat clear, a certain sharpness in them.
"I need to speak to Aragorn," Boromir spoke firmly, though his voice was still quiet. Amazed by the request, all Bawuer could do was shake his head.
"You are not possibly well enough – "
"I must speak to Aragorn," Boromir interrupted, a slight desperation creeping into his voice. "Take me to him." The man suddenly gasped in pain, letting go of his grip on Bawuer. He rolled to his side, curling up slightly and breathing as if it was difficult to pull air back into his lungs.
"Try to get him to straighten up," Deluen commanded, the healer inside of her taking over. Working mostly without thinking, Bawuer helped her in trying to get Boromir to lay back, a thousand thoughts swirling through his head.
"Bawuer, please…" Boromir whispered as soon as he could finally take in a shuddering breath. "Do this one thing for me… Let me at least see Aragorn…"
Watching in horror, Bawuer jerked back as Boromir began to cough violently, struggling to even breathe. Deluen caught Bawuer's attention by shouting at him. "Bawuer, get Mother now! We're going to lose him now if we can't do something!"
Bawuer didn't need to be told twice as he ran out of the tent, hoping he wasn't going to be too late…
Author's Note: Sooo sorry, again I've left it at a cliffhanger, and one that's very similar the previous chapter! But I needed to write more of Faramir and Frodo, and I needed to prepare for Aragorn's arrival…
Hope you liked the bit of humor at the beginning of the chapter! Everyone seemed to be looking forward for some humor from Damrod, hope you liked it!
As for Faramir's part, hope you all like it. I'm mostly taking it from the book, but since Boromir's alive, I've naturally changed things a bit. There'll be another scene coming up where Faramir and Frodo have another talk.
Next Chapter: Ahhhh!! The chapter you've all been waiting for! The two greatest men destined to meet!!! Noo… it's not Boromir meeting Frodo… :P Anyway, I'm hoping to get the next chapter done soon since I have no school for a while.
Replies to my "Family of Reviewers"
freelance beatnik Hello there, thanks for the review as always! Glad you're happy that Bawuer's past has finally been revealed! (at least, the past that I'm letting you guys know… :P) Sorry bout the cliffhanger, and sorry again for another cliffhanger for this chapter! I'm starting to like writing these cliffhangers… :P
lindahoyland Hi, thanks for reviewing my story! Yes, I agree with you that the "dawn" speech should have bee in the film, it would have been such a cool moment! I checked out your bio, that's cool that you're British! I've always wanted to go to Europe, and especially England…
Michaela90 :P Sorry bout taking so long to update… I'm glad you are so pleased with the update though! Yeah, I know what you mean about never thinking that there'd be broken marriages in Middle-earth. But as I was writing the story, I began wondering with all that's going on, with war and so many men being killed, why shouldn't there be some dysfunctional families? Hope you like this new chapter!
shie1dmaidenofrohan Yay! I'm so pleased you thought that Bawuer's past was nicely done! I was so worried that it wouldn't be accepted, that it was a bit too 'un-Middle-earthis'. :P Still wanting Eowyn to marry Faramir, huh? Just wait till you see what I've got in store for this great meeting between Eowyn and Boromir (at least, I hope it turns out well…) Well, you were just asking if Boromir was going to cross paths with Aragorn… it's coming together because Aragorn is in Dunharrow! The next chapter should be interesting to write. Thanks for your vote on Damrod, I present him for you early in this chapter!
Aelimir Hey there! Bawuer's name is pronounced 'BA-wu-air'. Hope that makes sense… :P Yes, Eowyn will be coming out a bit more, especially in the next few chapters! You've voted for Damrod, I give you Damrod! I hope you liked him in the beginning of the chapter! Young and spunky! (wink!)
Celtic Angel18 So happy that you liked the previous chapter! Whew, I'm also glad that you don't think that Bawuer's past seemed 'made up'. Through my writings, I really wanted to portray how the home and family was such a basis in Middle-earth life. Glad that you could catch upon that portrayal. :D You're the third person to vote for Damrod, so that clinched it! Hope you liked his little scene in the beginning of this chapter. Haldir and Isilme I've decided not to write for a few more chapters. Please be patient with me, hope you liked this new chapter!
rose of england Hiya, welcome to my 'family of reviewers'! Thanks so much for your reviews, they were greatly appreciated! I'm glad you're liking this movie so much! Umm… where did I get my Elvish translations… I'll try to remember where I did get those translations, I've forgotten where I got them. I hope you enjoyed this new chapter! Again thanks for the reviews!
Aldariel Wow, thanks for the wonderful review! I really love loooong reviews! For more Haldir and Isilme, I think you'll have to wait a bit more before I write about them. I've put Boromir and Faramir in such interesting scenarios so that I don't think my readers would appreciate my detouring too much. And as for the reunion you've been waiting for, it should be coming up real, real soon! Hee hee, your version of what the reunion 'might be like' had me laughing sooo hard! Very… 'interesting'. Lol! 'Mordor's Most Wanted'… LOL! Liam Neeson is indeed very cool! Did you hear that he's going to be in "Batman Begins" alongside Christian Bale? That would be totally awesome, he's in the trailer and gets to do some fighting too! Wooo, I can't wait! I also totally agree with Ewan McGregor, totally hot! Did you hear that he might be the next James Bond? I think he'd be a LOT better than Clive Owens (another James Bond candidate) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this new chapter! Have a great day/evening (depending on when you read this!)
Arianna Malfoy Thanks for the review! Yes, a lot of questions are answered about Bawuer's past, but you're right that there are still some left to be answered. :P Yup, SATs are Yuck! But at least I finished with them, and I've got good scores, so I'm all relieved! I decided to write in Damrod's point of view, but I still hope you liked it; I put plenty of Elbaran. Have a Merry Christmas, hope you liked the update!)
Lady Laffs-a-lot Aha, another reviewer votes for Damrod! Thanks for the vote, I hope you liked the little bit of comedy I've put in the beginning of this chapter. Of course, things get pretty serious again real quickly. :P Hope you liked this new chapter!
KendraC Hello there, thanks for the review! Hee hee, though I was going to mention the 'Gondorian name eight letters long and starting with a 'D'…' :P LOL! Your certainly right about Eowyn needing some appreciation. I have a feeling she was a real loner, considering she doesn't really like being just a woman and wanting to fit in with the men. On the other hand, she's kind of romantic at heart I believe. Oh, the reunion you've been waiting for is coming up! Good luck with writing fanfics again! Whoah, I just saw your name tying for first place for the Texas Women's Chess Championship! Congratulations! Wow, you must be a REALLY good chess player! The computer chess player ALWAYS beats me, but I think I'm getting a 'bit' better. My SATs are finished with, and I've got my scores which turned out pretty good, especially my verbal! I'm feeling real good about that, and my parents are really proud. Hope you liked this new update!
crimson-88 Fighting through a swarm of cobwebs, huh? Good luck!
Cindy Hello there, thanks for reviewing! That's cool that you're a beta-reader for two other authors! Well, at first I didn't think I needed a beta-reader, I actually didn't want a beta-reader at all. But when someone mentioned they were going to nominate my story for some kind of LOTR fanfiction award, she said it would be better to get the story a bit 'polished'. So I asked her in my 'replies to reviewers' if she recommended any beta-readers. Well, I was approached by Lady Ancalimone, who offered to be a beta-reader for me! I hardly waited a whole day, which was really cool! If I do ever need help in grammatical questions, I'll be sure to ask you, thanks so much for the offer! I hope you liked this new chapter, have a wonderful Christmas!
Pipkin Sweetgrass Thanks for the review, I'm so glad you enjoyed the previous chapter! Yes, poor Bawuer indeed! I've put him through so much, haven't I? Your right in that Boromir would understand family dysfunction, considering what kind of family he comes from. :P I have a beta-reader now, yes indeed I do! I have a question, I've visited your site but I'm not really sure how to get my story nominated for your Bee Charmer award. Could you please help me out in that? Hee hee! Reading your review I was trying to picture a 'modern' Boromir… definitely the women would be all over him… including many fanfiction readers, huh? :P I hope this chapter is a good one, though it's more like just an intro for the next chapter. Thanks for always reviewing!
flip8 Hiya, thanks for reviewing! You really think chapter 36 is the best so far? Thanks! As for who Bawuer hates and why… that's still a secret!
Gods-girl2004 Glad you're liking the story so much! Thanks for reviewing!
Lady Morwen Eleniel, Loremaster of Anorien Hi there, cool name! Experimenting with screen names? I would, too… but I'm too lazy. :P lol! Thanks for you compliment about my new chapter. I've learned through reading other fanfiction's reviews that though characters must be canon, readers would get bored if the characters are too canon, do you know what I mean? But if I ever do get out of the boundaries of canon, please be sure to let me know! Yes, there is a girl involved in Bawuer's past… something to think about, huh? A reunion is coming up, I hope you're excited about it as I am! Thanks for your vote on either Damrod or Elbaran. I decided to write in Damrod's point of view, but with plenty of Elbaran. Hope you liked this new chapter; have a very merry Christmas!
Kitsume Cool name, mixing kitsune and tsume. Do you study Japanese? Glad you approve of Bawuer's history. As for if Boromir is going to have a relationship with Deluen… that still remains to be seen. Well, the reunion between Boromir and Aragorn&co. is coming up! Hope you're excited about it! Well, you asked to have this updated before Christmas… here it is! I hope you enjoyed it!
Racetrack's Goil Heya! Thanks for the reviewing! Don't worry for having taken so long to review, I know how busy it's been… At least it's the holidays though, isn't it? YAY! Yes, the 'death of Boromir shall affect many'… lol! That would be pretty funny if Bawuer's mom choked on popsicle stick, wouldn't it? Don't worry, after reading your scenario, I shall make sure not to let Boromir die. Thanks for the compliment on my writing nice angst though! It's strange, I really hate angst, especially the kind of angst 'trash' a lot of fanfiction authors write. It's hard to find some really nice angst that will at least have a happy ending. Anyway, hope you liked this new chapter, though I've but dear Boromir in even bigger danger now… and he hasn't even seen Aragorn yet! :P
iron-eyes24 Hi there! I think I knew what you meant that Damrod would tell the hobbits 'I beg your miniscule problem'. Ha ha! Well, I'll try to incorporate it into the story for your sake. I hope you're still loving and enjoying this story! I didn't take too long to update, did I? At least I have this up before Christmas! Happy holidays, hope you enjoyed this new chapter!