Chapter 17: Beginning the Journey

It had been five months since Boromir unwillingly left his home of Gondor. Pharazphel and Faramir could not believe how much time had passed since Boromir left them. Both of them wished that they could be beside Boromir while he was in Rivendell. Faramir was deemed less worthy for the journey by his father, Denethor, as was Pharazphel. Pharazphel was also unable to journey due to her pregnancy. In the five months since Pharazphel announced the joyous news to her husband, she began to grow a large, round belly. Pharazphel greatly missed Boromir, but bearing his child gave her hope and happiness while she awaited his return. Pharazphel had hope that she would soon be reunited with her husband and have his child.

The five months since Boromir's departure were overwhelming for Faramir and Pharazphel. Pharazphel's growing belly made it more difficult to move about day by day. The child also proved to be very strong and restless as it kicked Pharazphel every waking hour. Although Pharazphel was a strong woman, bearing a child took its toll on her.

Another unbearable aspect of the five months was Denethor. Denethor was always shut up in his halls and rarely acknowledged Faramir or Pharazphel. When Pharazphel revealed her pregnancy to Denethor, he was only more callous to Pharazphel than ever before. Faramir also bore the brunt of Denethor's wrath for his aid to Pharazphel. Denethor thought him to be traitorous for aiding a woman of Rohan during her pregnancy. Faramir paid no heed to his father's taunts. Boromir charged him to look after his wife while she carried the child. Faramir was determined to fulfill his brother's wishes.

During the five months, Faramir and Pharazphel began to wonder about the gender of their newest addition. Pharazphel had gone to the Houses of Healing to rest and have more news of her unborn child. Faramir was not far from her side. He sat by Pharazphel's bed and took her hand.

"Good morning, sister," Faramir greeted warmly.

"Good morning, Faramir," Pharazphel replied.

"How does the little one fare today?" Faramir asked.

"Ioreth said that the child should be very healthy," Pharazphel said. "Although, I feel that I did not need her word. I already know that the child is strong. The child grows every day and kicks in my belly every hour. I have no rest."

"Ah, then the child is just like his mother and father," Faramir commented.

"Yes, it is," Pharazphel agreed. "Every time I feel it move, I am reminded of Boromir. Although, I must admit, bearing his child is becoming an overwhelming task."

"Well, the both of you agreed to do it," Faramir laughed. "If I may say, I know that my brother is a valiant man, but even he could not endure bearing a child and neither could I."

Pharazphel laughed heartily as did Faramir. "I would not advise it on both of you. Bearing a child is a daunting task, especially if it is the child of Boromir."

"You certainly have risen to the challenge bravely," Faramir said. "Do you know what it is yet?"

"I cannot know for certain until it is born," Pharazphel said. "Ioreth has tended to many women with child. She tells me that because I carry the child low in my belly, it may be a boy."

"If it is a boy, he'll have the strength of his mother and the stubbornness of his father," Faramir said.

"I feel it must be a boy," Pharazphel said. "Ioreth knows more about healing than I do."

Faramir placed his hand on Pharazphel's belly. "Have you thought of a name?"

"You may be surprised to find that I have had plenty of time to think as I lay here," Pharazphel said wittily.

"It does not surprise me at all," Faramir laughed. "What names did you think of?"

"If it is a boy, than he shall be Taramir," Pharazphel declared. "If it is a girl, she will be Pharazith."

Faramir nodded. "Those are strong names, indeed."

"I wanted my child to be strong, like its father," Pharazphel said. "I dearly want Boromir to be with me now."

"He will be soon enough," Faramir reassured her.

"I cannot thank you enough," Pharazphel said sincerely. "for all that you have done. You have stood by my side for so long since Boromir departed."

"I am glad to do so," Faramir said. "I am doing as my brother bid me. Until his return, I shall be there for you and my niece or nephew."

Pharazphel stroked her belly. "I hope Boromir's return comes sooner rather than later."

"It will, Pharazphel," Faramir reassured her.

Pharazphel smiled and felt her baby kick inside of her. She trusted Faramir's word and he had not been false to her. However, the strong kicks inside Pharazphel reminded her that time was growing short. She hoped that Boromir would return to meet his child.

Meanwhile, Boromir had prepared for his long journey. He and eight other members of the Council had assembled to become the Fellowship of the Ring. This fellowship would guide the Hobbit, Frodo Baggins, on his quest to destroy the One Ring. Boromir greatly protested against destroying the One Ring as he remembered his father's words before he departed. Although Boromir desired to bring the One Ring back to Gondor, he would not stand against the will of the Council.

Boromir and the rest of the Fellowship had assembled at dawn. All of them were lightly clad, as their journey was meant to be kept in secrecy. Boromir only carried a round shield, a sword, and the Horn of Gondor on his belt. In the courtyard of Rivendell, Lord Elrond bade the Fellowship farewell.

"The Ring-bearer is setting out on a quest to Mount Doom," Lord Elrond said. "You who travel with him: no oath nor bond is made to go further than you will. May the blessings of Elves, Men, and all Free Folk, go with you. Farewell."

With Lord Elrond's blessing, the Fellowship departed. For many days, the company trekked through the borders of Rivendell. As Boromir journeyed farther, his mind was always on Pharazphel and their unborn child. He greatly desired to be by her side while bearing his child. Boromir knew that once his task was done, he would be free to return to his wife and child. This thought kept Boromir's spirits lifted.

The Fellowship rested and made camp on the east of the Misty Mountains. During this time, Boromir grew a friendship with two Hobbits, Meriadoc

Brandybuck and Peregrine Took. This Hobbits referred to themselves as Merry and Pippin. While they made camp at the mountains, Boromir took to teaching the Hobbits swordplay. Boromir was impressed with the spirit of the two Hobbits, especially at the Council. He was amazed how quickly they learned the sword.

Boromir squared of with Merry and Pippin, and the pair kept up with his movements expertly.

"Two, one, five! Good! Very good," Boromir praised.

Boromir continued to engage Merry and Pippin, going faster and faster as the Hobbits improved.

"Two, one, five! Faster!" Boromir shouted.

The faster their swords clashed, the more adept Merry and Pippin became, which amused Boromir greatly. Suddenly, while dueling Pippin, Boromir's sword slipped and bit into Pippin's finger.

"Oh, sorry!" Boromir apologized.

Pippin kicked Boromir's knee with his hairy foot. Merry collided his sword into Boromir's hip. Boromir found himself forced to the ground with the tiny Hobbits on top of him.

"Get him!" Merry cried. "For The Shire!"

"Hold him! Hold him down, Merry!" Pippin cried.

Boromir laughed merrily as he wrestled with the two, young Hobbits. Aragorn, who had been watching and smoking his pipe, attempted to break up the scuffle.

"Gentleman, that's enough!" he cried.

Before he could intervene, Merry and Pippin grabbed his legs and tossed him in the air. Aragorn landed flat on his back, causing Boromir, Merry, and Pippin to burst out in raucous laughter. Suddenly, a dark cloud came into view. The cloud looked strange to the Fellowship.

"What is that?" Samwise Gamgee asked.

"Nothing. It's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli said, unperturbed.

Boromir stopped scuffling with Merry and Pippin and gazed suspiciously at the cloud. "It's moving fast against the wind."

"Crebain from Dunland!" cried Legolas the Elf.

"Hide!" shouted Aragorn.

The Fellowship scattered hastily to hide their camp. They doused the fires and spread out, taking shelter in the rocks and bushes. They watched as a swarm of black crows scattered around their camp. In the next moment, the crows were gone, but the Fellowship knew they were spotted.

"Spies of Saruman!" cried Gandalf. "The passage South is being watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras."

The company gathered their possessions and made way to the snowy pass of Caradhras. No one knew where the white mountain pass would take them, but they knew that the secrecy of their quest was now gone.

A/N: Oh, dear! Things are turning ugly. Sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I hope I did well on the names for Pharazphel's baby. I did my best research and spent hours looking and trying out name combinations. I hope I did not disappoint. Thank you for your reviews, favorites, etc. They mean so much to me. Thank you and enjoy!