Title: Eyes of the Goddess
Author: Sairalinde
Type: FPS & FPH
Pairing: Main pairing: Aragorn/Boromir later: Aragorn/Boromir/Arwen/Éowyn
Rating: Explicit Sex
WARNING: A.U. and LONG!
Beta: Glorfindel
Disclaimer: Obviously these characters are not mine...never were...the only characters that are mine are the gods and goddesses I made up to make my version "work". This was written in fun that's all. No profit, not associated with Tolkien.
Feedback: Yes please send to sairalinde@hornofgondor.com
Archiving: Yes but ask first please.
Summary: A.U. where a Goddess intercedes and saves Boromir.
Notes: Giving credit where credit is due. I needed to give credit to Batter My Heart by Raederle a truly wonderful A.U. that inspired me. Anyway Raederle's story is archived at www.squidge.org/fellowship/fic/raederle_battermyheart.htm while I did not copy them I still wanted to offer credit since there are similarities and it was my inspiration for this story. Also P.R. Zed's song vid "Gods Better People" inspired my re-writing on this. It's been a horribly long haul on this story…longest I ever wrote. Hope you enjoy if you do read it all. ;-)
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Chapter 3

The four hunters ran across rocks and plains, with Aragorn alternating the lead with Legolas and Boromir, and Gimli trailing behind. Aragorn suddenly stopped and bent down to retrieve an Elven brooch from the ground.

"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall." Aragorn said rolling the brooch in his hand.

"They may yet be alive." Legolas whispered.

"Thank the Valar!" Boromir said gratefully. His little ones were still alive and had enough wits about them to leave behind markers for them.

"Less than a day ahead of us, come!" Aragorn called as he began running again.

Gimli still had not caught up with the group so Legolas called back, "Come Gimli! We are gaining on them."

"I wish that on cross-country we dwarves were natural sprinters. Very dangerous over short distances." Gimli complained trying hard to catch up to the pack.

Boromir grinned back at Gimli and purposely slowed his pace some so that he wouldn't be so vulnerable running that far back from the leaders. Thankfully their stopping the first night to allow Boromir rest had not put them too far behind.

Aragorn and Legolas topped a hill and came to a stop as they gazed across the plains below. Boromir was soon beside them and Gimli finally managed to catch up struggling for breath.

"Rohan, home of the horse-lords. There's something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets its will against us. Legolas! What do your elf eyes see?" Aragorn asked.

"The Uruks turn northeast. They are taking the Hobbits to Isengard!" Legolas exclaimed.

"Saruman." Aragorn murmured.

"They must think they have the ring bearer." Boromir stated softly.

Aragorn nodded in agreement, that in itself was a very good thing. If they thought they had the ring bearer then they had bought Sam and Frodo much needed time, and they may not be so inclined to harm Merry and Pippin if they thought their master needed them alive. They continued in their pursuit across the plains throughout the night. When dawn finally broke Legolas glanced at the sunrise.

"A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night." Legolas spoke sorrowfully. Boromir hoped it had not been his little ones. He felt a new wave of strength wash over him born of love, love for his brothers. If they did not rescue Merry and Pippin they would certainly avenge their deaths, that Boromir promised himself.

The sudden drumbeats of horses pounding across the plains caused Aragorn to pause and drew Boromir out of his thoughts. The group of hunters hid behind boulders along a hillside, as a large group of horsemen appeared, galloping past with their banners flying.

Aragorn stepped out of hiding as they passed, followed closely by Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli.

"King Théoden's men." Boromir whispered to Aragorn who nodded.

"Riders of Rohan! What news from the Mark?" Aragorn called to the riders.

At a signal from their Marshall, the riders made a quick turn and headed towards them, surrounding the small group in an ever-tightening circle. As they stopped, they pointed their long spears menacingly at them.

"What business does an elf, two men, and a dwarf have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!" The young Marshall demanded.

"Give me your name, horse master, and I shall give you mine." Gimli said smartly. The dwarf wasn't in the mood for this after three days of nonstop running. Boromir had to suppress a chuckle, and Aragorn rolled his eyes and put his hand on Gimli's shoulder to stay him from further outbursts.

The Marshall dismounted his horse and stepped closer to Gimli.

"I would cut off your head, dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground." The Marshall pronounced in a smirk.

Legolas moved swiftly to notch an arrow at the Marshall's throat.

"You would die before your stroke fell!" Legolas announced for all to hear.

The riders moved in their spear points edging closer to the strange travelers. An elf defending a dwarf, these indeed were strange travelers. Aragorn pushed down Legolas' bow arm.

Boromir wished this had turned out differently...were he not in the back of the group and could have said something or caught Éomer's eye he could have averted some of this tension. Boromir was about to speak but Aragorn began their introductions before he had a chance.

"I'm Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, and Legolas, from the Woodland realm. This is Boromir Son of Denethor the Steward of Gondor. We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your King."

"Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe. Not even his own kin, however I do. Greetings brother Boromir!" Éomer called pushing past a slightly shocked Aragorn to wrap his arms around Boromir. With that the spears were withdrawn and the horsemen backed off from the group.

At Éomer's grasp of Boromir's shoulders the Gondorian let out a pained hiss behind clenched teeth.

"What's this?" Éomer asked noticing the pained look on Boromir's face.

"Recent injuries...they still ache" Boromir responded softly.

"By the Valar, Boromir." Then Éomer turned to the rest of the party. "Saruman has poisoned the mind of the King and claimed lordship over this land. My company are those loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished." Éomer said looking over the group.

"We track a band of Uruk-Hai westward across the plain. They have taken two of our friends captive." Aragorn responded tersely.

Éomer looked at him shocked. "Of the Uruks you speak, they were destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night."

Gimli all but shouted in a distraught voice, "But there were two Hobbits, did you see two Hobbits with them?"

"They are our friends, Éomer." Boromir said sadly echoing Aragorn's words.

"They would be small, only children to your eyes." Aragorn told him hoping beyond hope they had found them.

"We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them." He said sorrowfully pointing off in the distance to a smoking pile of corpses.

"Dead?" Gimli asked in astonishment as Legolas put his arm around the dwarf to comfort him.

Éomer was shocked by that and then looked at Boromir who had tears running down his face. He had never known the Captain of the White Tower to cry before. These must have been close friends. Éomer considered his words and then nodded briefly. "I am sorry. Hasufel! Arod! Sindain!"

Three beautiful rider-less horses came forth before them.

"May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell. Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope. It is forsaken these lands. Boromir, I wish you safe passage home, avoid Edoras old friend you will not be any more welcome there than I." Éomer announced.

"We ride north!" He shouted to his men as he mounted his horse.

Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli rode toward the burning carcasses in uneasy silence. Once they arrived and dismounted Gimli began to sift through the smoldering pile, from which he retrieved a charred belt and dagger sheath.

"It's one of their wee belts." Gimli announced to the party sadly.

Legolas closed his eyes and spoke an elvish prayer. "Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wanath."

Boromir just stood looking around in disbelief. "They cannot be dead. Éomer and his men would not kill those they thought to be children." He reasoned out loud to no one in particular.

Aragorn screamed in frustration and kicked an orc helm before collapsing to his knees. This display of emotion from Aragorn forced Boromir to flinch. He had never witnessed this type of raw emotion from the normally controlled and even sometimes aloof Ranger before.

Still in disbelief Gimli muttered, "We failed them."

Aragorn looked away from the smoldering heap in front of him as something caught his eye.

"A Hobbit lay here... and the other." He said softly as he crawled across the ground. Boromir moved closer to Aragorn and looked at the signs that he was pointing out. Indeed a Hobbit had lay there.

As they moved across the ground, Legolas and Gimli joined in, all following Aragorn.

"They crawled." He moved forward indicating the way the grass lay against the ground. "Their hands were bound." He showed how their hands were together as they crawled across the ground. Boromir nodded in agreement.

"Their bonds were cut. They ran over here... they were followed." Aragorn said moving quickly.

"The tracks lead away from the battle, into... Fangorn Forest." He finished as they all gazed into the wood before them.

"Fangorn! What madness drove them in there?" Gimli asked in trepidation.

The four entered the dark dank forest, attempting to follow what hobbit tracks they could find

"These are strange tracks." Aragorn said pointing them out to both Legolas and Boromir.

"Aragorn something is not right here...I can feel something strange, magic is at work in this forest. Though it doesn't feel evil…just different…and very powerful." Boromir said quietly for only Aragorn to hear. Aragorn stared at Boromir for a moment, how could he feel magic, evil or good? Boromir had always seemed to have an aversion to anything magical, now suddenly he can feel magic at work?

"The air is so close in here." Gimli observed from his position slightly behind the two men. Aragorn realized that Gimli too could feel something strange, as he could, but he couldn't say if it was magic or not.

"This forest is old, very old, full of memory...and anger. The trees are speaking to each other. The elves began it. Teaching the trees to speak." Legolas said evenly his eyes darting about.

The trees were Ents! Boromir had only heard of them in stories.

"Gimli!" Aragorn barked.

"Huh?" The dwarf asked confused.

"Lower your axe." Aragorn felt that if they were indeed Ents they would not welcome an axe. That must be what Boromir was feeling. Boromir grinned at the dwarf who was looking quite sheepish.

"Talking trees? What would trees have to talk about other than the consistency of squirrel droppings?" Gimli scoffed and Boromir suppressed a chuckle.

"Aragorn, nad no ennas!" Legolas whispered to Aragorn. Boromir stepped closer.

"What?" He asked but was ignored. They tended to forget Boromir spoke little to no elvish.

"Man cenich?" Aragorn asked Legolas.

"The White Wizard approaches." Legolas said staring in front of the group.

That I understood just fine. Boromir thought as his hand went to his sword.

"Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us! We must be quick." Aragorn advised.

With a yell, the four swung around to attack. A bright light from behind the White Wizard blinded them. Gimli's axe and Legolas' arrow were deflected as they loosed them on the White Wizard. Aragorn and Boromir's swords both became too hot to hold and both men dropped them at their feet in shock.

A deep voice spoke then. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits."

Boromir gasped.

"Where are they?" Aragorn asked the wizard.

"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" The wizard asked.

Boromir shifted beside Aragorn. 'So much for not talking to him.' He thought.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Aragorn commanded the wizard who was still obstructed by the blinding light.

The wizard stepped forward but it was not Saruman it was their fallen comrade Gandalf dressed in white robes!

"It cannot be! You fell!" Aragorn whispered in amazement.

"Forgive me I mistook you for Saruman." Legolas said reverently falling to one knee, Boromir blanched and did the same as did Gimli.

"I am Saruman, or rather Saruman as he should be. Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and each day was as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done." The wizard explained.

"Gandalf." Aragorn said respectfully.

"Gandalf? Yes. That's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Gray that was my name. I am Gandalf the White now. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide." The old wizard said grinning.

The group followed Gandalf through the forest. They stopped for rest and Gandalf looked to Boromir. "Son of Gondor...walk with me if you please." Gandalf requested.

Boromir rose and walked with Gandalf away from the group. "It is good to see you alive my boy." Gandalf said knowingly.

"Yes, as it is good to see you alive." Boromir replied.

"I know you do not wish to hear this but you must, your life has been spared for a reason. For some reason the gods smiled upon you that day on the rise at Amon Hen, your tasks are not finished...as mine are not. It is why we are here now." Gandalf said softly.

"I have felt that something was at work, that Uruk could not have missed that many times had there not been some magic at work that day. I do not understand my purpose for being here though, what it means, or what tasks lie before me, but I will try to make the right choices." Boromir responded sorrowfully.

"Choices are often difficult to make. Sometimes we make the wrong ones, for the right reasons, other times we make the right ones quite by accident. I believe whatever you do you will choose the right path, the gods would not have spared your life otherwise." Gandalf said then. "Take heart in that son of Gondor."

"Thank you, Gandalf." Boromir said standing tall and proud in front of the wizard.

"You are most welcome my boy...come you should rest." Gandalf said taking Boromir's arm lightly to avoid his injury and led him back to the camp. He could sense a change in Boromir, a darkness had passed from his heart. Gandalf was glad of that, they would need a warrior such as him on this dark path.

After an hour the group set off again. Gimli and Boromir were both upset about leaving Merry and Pippin in the forest though Gandalf assured them they were quite safe. His foreboding words about the forest awaking made the hair on the back of Boromir's neck stand up.

Aragorn teased Gandalf that he hadn't changed, he still spoke in riddles and Gimli complained that this new Gandalf was even grumpier than the old one. Both comments making Boromir laugh quietly. Merry and Pippin would have enjoyed this. He wished that Gandalf could have let them find the little ones and bring them with them, but he trusted Gandalf more now than ever before. His father had always been suspicious of the wizard but Faramir had taken to him right away on his visits to Minas Tirith over the years, and Boromir had always been hard pressed to figure out why his father so hated the wizard.

Soon they were back at the edge of the forest where their horses were waiting.

"One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed." Gandalf advised.

Gandalf whistled piercingly. Soon his call was answered by a magnificent white horse. The five then set out for Edoras. The place Éomer had warned Boromir not to go.

"Gandalf?" Boromir asked riding beside the wizard.

"Yes?" Gandalf responded.

"We met up with some Riders from Rohan they warned us...actually warned me not to go to Edoras that I would not be welcomed there." Boromir told the wizard.

"Yes...though it is not only you who is not welcome my young friend. No one is welcome in Edoras these days...not even me." Gandalf explained.

"I understand but, Éomer was right…Théoden's advisor and I had cross words before I left for Imladris all those months ago. I in particular will not be welcome in Edoras, I will put you all in jeopardy I fear." Boromir explained.

"Do not worry, Boromir…I promise you Wormtongue will no longer be advising the King." Gandalf said smiling.

They stopped for the night to rest and Boromir fell asleep as soon as his head lay on his blanket. Aragorn was sitting up smoking his pipe as was Gandalf. He walked up to the wizard who told him that Sauron feared him…feared what he would become. Aragorn was unsure how he felt about that, but he intended to follow his destiny.

When Aragorn finally retired for the night he heard Boromir whimper in his sleep. He was having some sort of nightmare so Aragorn moved closer to the warrior and wrapped his body around the other man offering him warmth and comfort as long as he needed it. As soon as his arm wrapped around the younger man his whimpering stopped and his breathing again evened. Aragorn smiled and drifted off to sleep himself.

When Boromir awoke he felt warmth along his back and a strong arm wrapped around him. He glanced down and saw that it was Aragorn's. He wondered why the other man had curled around him in sleep, but decided it was best not to ask.

"Aragorn." He whispered trying not to draw the attention of the others.

"Hmmm?" A raspy voice said behind him.

"Aragorn…it's morning." Boromir said softly.

Aragorn sat up and looked around, he didn't say anything to Boromir just smiled then stood and stretched. He began picking up his blanket and Boromir joined him. They set about clearing camp without so much as a word between them. Boromir wanted to ask his friend so much, but decided his first inclination was right…some things he didn't need to know.

The group was soon ready to leave and when they did, they rode hard. By mid day they approached the great city built on a hill. The group stopped on the plains to regard the great city of the horse lords.

"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. The King of Rohan's mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Be careful what you say. As we discussed young Boromir do not look for your normal welcome here." Gandalf explained.

Boromir inclined his head and followed behind the other riders. His face being recognized as the Steward's son from Gondor might not be good. He decided to remove his bracers. Aragorn noted his action and reigned his horse beside him.

"What are you doing?" Aragorn asked completely shocked that Boromir was removing his bracers.

"I am removing my bracers. None of us may be welcome in Edoras if it is as bad as Gandalf says, but I fear that somehow the Kings advisor could try and single me out. Gondor and Rohan are allies, but before I left tensions were running deep between my father and Théoden. I feel it would be best not to be wearing a target if you get my meaning. Many know these bracers. I am the only man of Gondor who wears the white tree upon my arms." Boromir explained.

"Give them to me." Aragorn said. "Théoden knows me Boromir, as do his men, they will not even question me on them. I will give you my bracers and you give me yours. Besides it is fitting that I wear a symbol of Gondor is it not?" Aragorn asked smiling at his friend.

"Yes, if you intend to become King you will be seeing an awful lot of this symbol." Boromir said smiling widely at Aragorn.

Gandalf overheard their conversation. Boromir was right to be wary of their audience with the King, for it was not truly the King they were meeting this day. Gandalf smiled inwardly as he looked over at the two men exchanging their bracers. Aragorn has finally accepted his destiny, and due in no small part to Boromir it seemed. This is very good, very good indeed. He thought. Boromir still had much left to do; the gods were right in sparing his life.

Gandalf had covered himself with a gray robe to hide his new status as a white wizard while they were still in Fangorn. He did not seek to draw undue attention to himself, just as Boromir had wanted to hide his identity. When the riders entered Edoras the city was quiet, and the people were clad mainly in black and silent. All these poor people seemed to do these days was mourn the dead.

"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli mused from behind Legolas.

Boromir shook his head, "It is a graveyard, for this is not the Edoras I once knew, Gimli."

When their party arrived at Meduseld many guards appeared at the entrance of the Hall. Gandalf greeted them cheerfully.

"I cannot allow you before Théoden-King so armed, Gandalf Grayhame... By order of - Grima Wormtongue." Hama the Captain of the King's guard said pausing before saying Grima's name. His dislike of the King's advisor evident on his face. That was good, not all had fallen under the spell. Gandalf thought mildly.

Frowning, Gandalf nodded and handed over his sword, Glamdring then gestured to the others to give up their weapons. Aragorn handed over his sword, and Elven knife from its sheath, as well as his bow. Boromir did the same but would not relinquish his shield. Hama looked at him for a moment.

"What good is a shield as a weapon...unless you intend us not to have any protection...should we remove our mail as well?" Boromir asked with a smirk.

Aragorn had to suppress a chuckle at that. Hama did not press the issue. Legolas handed over his knives and bow while rather reluctantly Gimli handed over his axe. The group then made their way to the entrance, but Hama stopped their progress. He gestured to Gandalf. "Your staff."

"Hmm? Mm. Oh. You would not part an old man from his - walking stick." Gandalf asked innocently.

Hama nodded then and gestured for them to follow him into the hall. Gandalf winked at Aragorn who had great difficultly not smiling particularly when Boromir turned to him with a roguish look in his eye and a raised eyebrow. Gandalf bent as though he was feeling his age and leaned heavily on his staff as he took Legolas' arm in his. He made it seem as if he needed both the staff and the elf to help him stay upright.

As they entered the great hall, Hama bowed to the King, and then strode to his station.

"My Lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. He is a herald of woe." Grima said in his snake like voice.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden-King." Gandalf said loudly.

"He's not welcome." Grima told the King.

"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Théoden said in a shaky voice. The King was aged far beyond his years and barely able to speak. Boromir and Aragorn looked at one another. They were both shocked at the Kings appearance. He should not look this old, some evil was at work here!

"A just question, my liege." Grima whispered to the King, then rose and walked toward Gandalf.

"Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest." Grima announced loudly to the entire hall.

"Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" Gandalf barked pointing his staff at Grima.

"Your staff...I told you to take the wizard's staff!" Grima shrieked as he cowered backing away.

The guards rushed out from the sides of the hall and Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli dispatched them without difficulty, keeping them from harming Gandalf who was steadily advancing on the throne. Aragorn noted that indeed Boromir's shield made quite a weapon as he watched the blond man use it to incapacitate two of the guards. Grima hurried off as Gandalf approached the King but he did not get far. Gimli pinned the man down.

"Théoden, Son of Théngel. Too long have you sat in the shadows." Gandalf said to the King.

The group watched as Gandalf released Théoden from the evil hold of Saruman. The King's niece Éowyn had tried to run to his side but Aragorn caught her.

"Wait!" Aragorn warned her. She looked to Boromir pleadingly, she knew the blond man of Gondor.

"Please, my Lord." She whispered to him.

"Wait, my Lady…please, Gandalf will not harm the King." Boromir whispered. Tears were in the young woman's eyes but she stopped struggling.

Once Théoden was released from the evil spell he fell forward as if he would collapse and Éowyn rushed to his side finally tearing herself from Aragorn's hold. The blond lady smiled and placed her hand on the King's face with tears of joy in her eyes, as years seemed to melt away from the King. Finally her uncle had returned to her. Gandalf stepped forward, and Théoden and Éowyn looked up at him.

"Gandalf?" The King asked in amazement.

"Breathe the free air again, my friend." Gandalf said smiling at his old friend.

Go to Chapter 4