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 4

That evening Éowyn escorted the remaining members of the fellowship to sleeping quarters after the funeral of the King's son Théodred. The death of Théodred had saddened Boromir greatly…he knew the young Prince as a warrior and friend. It broke his heart to see young Éowyn in such pain at the funeral. Théoden had maintained his kingly demeanor but you only had to look in the king's eyes to see the pain there. Boromir wondered if his father would mourn his or Faramir's passing…he suspected his father might mourn his passing but probably not Faramir's…at least not the way a father should. He would probably mourn Boromir more as a successor than a son.

Boromir shook his head trying to clear it of those dark thoughts, then his thoughts turned elsewhere. He could not help but notice the longing gazes the Lady Éowyn bestowed upon Aragorn throughout the day. He was unsure why he felt such jealousy over that and in fact wasn't even sure of whom he was jealous, that is what bothered him the most. He decided he needed rest that was all.

Legolas and Gimli walked far back from the men and the lady. Legolas watched Boromir and Aragorn walk side by side down the hallway and then he turned to Gimli and whispered. "Have you noticed that ever since Amon Hen, Aragorn has had a shadow?"

Gimli grinned up at the elf. "Aye, I've noticed."

"Don't you think it's fitting? The future Steward of Gondor one step behind the future King?" Legolas asked.

"Aye...do you think he will do it then? Do you think Aragorn will finally accept his destiny?" Gimli asked stopping to look up at Legolas again.

"Yes...I think Aragorn already has and I think Boromir already knows it, that is why he swore his allegiance that night. I suppose it will be up to us to make sure that the Steward and his King make it to the end don't you?" Legolas asked grinning at the dwarf.

"Aye...we will have to watch them...each of us be their shadows if you will." Gimli added smiling.

"Yes...yes that is what we will do. You and I will make sure that the Steward and King return to Gondor." Legolas said confidently.

Éowyn and the men stopped to allow Legolas and Gimli to catch up. "We do not have many spare chambers, are any of you opposed to sharing? We have many injured in our other chambers right now due to the recent attacks on our outlying villages." Éowyn explained.

"We do not mind my lady." Aragorn responded softly. Boromir merely smiled at the blond girl.

"The elf and I can share a room...that is if you don't mind Master Elf?" Gimli announced.

"I don't mind at all Gimli...as long as you can keep the snoring to a minimum." Legolas teased.

"Snore! I do not snore!" Gimli guffawed.

"Aye Gimli you do!" Boromir said laughing. "Our first night out of Rivendell I thought a host of orcs had descended upon us until I realized it was just you snoring."

Gimli smiled then. "Hmm Legolas just exactly why did you save this man from falling into the pit at Khaza Dum?"

Legolas laughed, as did Aragorn. "Be silent the lot of you, poor Lady Éowyn has no idea what to think of this rabble before her."

Éowyn smiled. "It is alright, my brother Éomer and his friends tease as you all do."

"Boromir and I will also share a room...I am unsure what Gandalf might do." Aragorn said then.

"Gandalf is sequestered with the King, but we have a room for him should he desire sleep tonight." Éowyn said opening the door to one of the chambers. "If you need anything, please let one of the servants know."

"Thank you, Lady Éowyn." Boromir said bowing.

She smiled at the handsome blond man. She had known him from previous visits to Théoden's court, but she had never spoken to him before. She curtsied to him and Lord Aragorn before going to the next door to admit the Elf and Dwarf.

Aragorn and Boromir entered their room; it was sparsely furnished but had two rather comfortable looking beds.

"I have to admit Aragorn I have longed for a bed for quite some time." Boromir admitted as he walked to one of the beds and set his gear beside it.

"Yes it will be a welcome respite my friend." Aragorn said doing the same with his gear and then without a thought began to strip off his clothing. Boromir stared for a moment watching his friend undress and then he spied a small table and chair. He went to it and dumped out his pack.

Aragorn had stripped to nothing but his breeches and boots and walked over to the table. "What are you doing?" Aragorn asked.

"Looking for...ah ha!" Boromir exclaimed, "Looking for this!" He said holding out a small vial of oil and a whetstone. "I desperately need to tend my sword it probably wouldn't cut butter after the battle at Amon Hen." Boromir made sure to only look at Aragorn's eyes.

"As do I, but I want to get cleaned up first. Unless you'd like to go first?" Aragorn asked moving away from the table over to the bath, which had already been prepared by servants.

"Uh no you go ahead." Boromir said watching as Aragorn removed his boots and then slid his breeches down. Boromir turned away to allow his friend privacy and because seeing Aragorn in such a state of undress was causing all of his blood to rush to his groin. He should not be thinking this way he scolded himself. He lay his sword on the table and began working it over. He could hear the water sloshing as Aragorn bathed and then he looked over but Aragorn had slipped all the way into the water. When he rose back up his hair was wet and plastered to his head.

Boromir grinned at him. "Nice?"

"Oh yes...gods I had not realized how filthy I was until now. I bathed before we left Lorien and again at the river but hadn't realized how much grime I had accumulated. How did any of you stand me?" Aragorn asked wrinkling his nose a bit, which made Boromir laugh.

"Probably because we were all in the same predicament, all except Legolas that is. Do Elves bathe like cats or something? They are always so clean?" Boromir asked grinning.

Aragorn laughed. "I grew up with them, but even I don't know the answer to that."

Boromir chuckled and returned to his task. He heard Aragorn get out of the bath and drain it. He looked up to see the darker man wrapped in a thick blue velvety looking cloak that had been left for that purpose.

"Your turn." Aragorn said refilling the bath with water from the large cauldrons.

Boromir frowned for a moment. A King should not be filling a bath for him or for anyone. Then again Aragorn had said he was not a King yet. To himself he was a Ranger, and some small part of Boromir suspected even if Aragorn were crowned as the King of Gondor he will probably not care for servants waiting on him hand and foot.

Boromir rose and began removing his clothes...his right arm ached and he winced as he raised his arm. Aragorn was beside him almost immediately.

"Here let me help...has it gotten infected?" He asked worriedly.

"No, just still quite sore is all." Boromir admitted letting Aragorn help remove his vest, mail, and tunic.

"It's still quite red and swollen, but doesn't seem to be infected...I will put more medicine on it after your bath." Aragorn said then going to the bath and pouring more water into it and sprinkling some kind of herbs into the water. Boromir walked over and waited for Aragorn to turn away as he started removing his boots and then his hands went to his breeches. Aragorn had not yet turned.

"What?" Aragorn asked when he realized Boromir was staring at him.

"A little privacy if you please?" Boromir asked blushing.

"Privacy? Oh...oh sorry...I just...I was going to check the wound on your hip." Aragorn said blushing himself but turned away so Boromir could undress. He actually had not been thinking of the wound on Boromir's hip at all. Aragorn heard Boromir slip into the bath and sigh with contentment when he finally turned back around.

"I did not know you were shy, Boromir." Aragorn teased grinning.

"Well...I am not I guess but well...it's only proper." Boromir said scrubbing the soap on his forearm but refusing to meet Aragorn's blue gaze.

Aragorn simply grinned at him. Proper. He thought. The things I have been thinking about you my dear Boromir are far from proper.

While Boromir bathed Aragorn set out his herbs and salve on the ledge near Boromir's bed. When Boromir finished bathing he walked over to the bed wrapped in his own blue robe.

"Now sit and let me tend your wounds...they may be healing well but this will aid them to heal even faster." Aragorn advised.

Boromir eyed the sweet smelling salve, he knew from experience that stuff burned like fire but he decided he was not a child.

"Now this will burn dear one." Aragorn said lightly as he pulled the robe down to expose the wounds.

"I know." Boromir said softly. When Aragorn applied the salve Boromir sucked in a breath but managed to refrain from any other childish exclamations. Aragorn felt the man tense so he blew lightly over the area to take the sting away. Much like he would if Boromir were a child with a skinned knee. Boromir jumped at the cool air and turned to look at him curiously but said nothing. Then Aragorn placed a fresh bandage over the wound. He was almost tempted to kiss Boromir's shoulder but refrained. He moved and tended the other wound on the opposite arm and then said, "Lay down so I can tend your hip."

Boromir lay on his side and opened his robe being careful to cover himself in other areas especially since Aragorn's close proximity had caused him to stiffen. He did not want to try and explain that to the man. He wasn't even sure what exactly was happening to him. He had been attracted to men before in his life but not the way he was attracted to Aragorn. Boromir had been trying to deal with his lust for his friend for months now and since the night he declared his allegiance that feeling had grown more potent.

Aragorn ran his hand lightly across Boromir's hip. Boromir bit his lip to keep from making any embarrassing sounds while Aragorn's hands worked on him. The cut there was nearly healed, Aragorn noted, and in truth did not require medicine anymore. Aragorn decided that since it was in such a precarious place that Boromir could not really see it...he would tend the wound anyway just so he could keep his hands on the younger warrior a bit longer.

After a few moments of rubbing some of the salve over the wound probably much longer than he needed to he stopped. "Done." He said softly pulling Boromir's robe back over his hip. Aragorn had been tempted to let his hands roam more over the warrior's muscular body but he was unsure how he would react.

"Thank you." Boromir said softly. He knew since that had not burned as his arms had that the salve had been unnecessary but he reveled in the fact that his King wished to touch him that way.

"I need to finish with my gear." Boromir said then sitting up and going back to the small table. Aragorn followed him with his own gear and the two began working.

Aragorn sat on a small trunk leaning against the wall as Boromir at the table. They talked about a great many things as they worked. Boromir told a story about he and Faramir playing pranks on the tower guards as children and had Aragorn laughing so hard by the end of the tale he had tears in his eyes. He enjoyed listening to Boromir's tales of his childhood. After they had finished with their gear Aragorn saw Boromir attempt to hide a yawn behind his hand.

"We should take some rest." Aragorn said and stood moving toward his bed. They had not had a decent rest in nearly a week, in truth they hadn't had a good nights sleep in months. He still marveled at how well Boromir had held up to all the physical strain after his injuries.

"Goodnight." Boromir said slipping under the soft coverlet on his bed.

"Goodnight, dear one." Aragorn said blowing out the candles before crawling into his own bed.

Boromir smiled at the endearment he had become accustomed to hearing from Aragorn. He did not know what he had done to deserve such from the man but he loved hearing it. He nodded off into sleep.

The orcs kept coming, one after another, and Boromir kept fighting until an arrow pierced his chest...then another, and then yet another. He was in such pain...such agony he had betrayed them all. He had betrayed Aragorn! He did not realize he had called out in his sleep. Aragorn was beside the dreaming man in moments.

"Boromir! Boromir! It is just a nightmare, Boromir I am here." Aragorn said shaking the writhing man. He had called out his name in terror while he slept. Boromir's face was contorted as if in great pain. Aragorn rubbed his hand along the blond man's cheek. "Dear one, please."

Boromir's eyes snapped open and Aragorn sucked in a breath at the pain he saw in their green depths. The blond man was shaking. "Aragorn?" He asked in a frightened voice. "Aragorn!" He called out and flung his arms around the darker man leaning over him. Aragorn almost lost his balance from the tight grip around his arms but he managed to keep from falling on top of the frightened man.

"Shhh it was just a nightmare." Aragorn soothed softly, he wished to touch and soothe the younger man but couldn't because Boromir had his arms pinned to his sides.

"I am sorry...I dreamed that the archer did not miss." Boromir said in a near sob.

"Shhh he did miss, my dear one...he did miss. You are here in Rohan with Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, and myself." Aragorn cooed softly as he managed to shift enough to get his arms around him and rock the younger man back and forth as if he was soothing a child. An image of Boromir as a child flitted through Aragorn's mind. Boromir had held his brother Faramir like this on the road to Osgaliath when they were children, when Aragorn was known as Thorongil. Both boys had the blood of the Númenor just as Aragorn did. Aragorn's gift of the Númenor being that of long life and Faramir's gift was in the form of dreams. Aragorn suspected Boromir also had dreams, but not nearly as potent as Faramir's.

Boromir hated that he had shown such weakness and he loathed what he was about to ask but he could not help it. "Stay with me." Boromir sobbed against Aragorn's neck clutching the other mans collar tightly.

"Yes...always." Aragorn said softly shifting so he could slide into Boromir's bed with him. "I am right here dear one."

In the back of his mind Boromir was reminded of when he would soothe Faramir's nightmares as a boy. Boromir snuggled closer to him and they went back to sleep each man with their arms around the other.

When Éowyn came to their room that morning to wake them that is how she found the two lords. She was not shocked however; she had heard the Gondorian cry out in his sleep as she had gone to fetch a glass of milk for the King before he retired from his meeting with Gandalf that lasted late into the night. She had also heard Lord Aragorn calling to the man that he was having a nightmare. She knew Boromir had been injured and thought that perhaps his nightmares had something to do with that. She felt sad for him, she herself had horrible nightmares after her father died as a child and then again when she was older after her mother passed. She did not wish that on anyone.

Éowyn decided not to treat the scene before her any differently than she would had it been herself being held by her older brother Éomer. These men had traveled far together, had fought many battles side by side, and were probably as close as brothers. She went to the window and drew back the curtains to let the light of day in.

"Good morning my lords...it is time to break your fasts!" She called lightly to them. Aragorn opened his eyes and watched the young woman stride across the room to the door.

"Lord Aragorn, good morning, please wake Lord Boromir and come to breakfast. Fresh clothing is on the table." She said pointing to the small table and then leaving the room.

Aragorn glanced down at Boromir who still had his face buried in his chest. "Boromir...time to wake up." He said nudging him slightly.

"Don't want to." Boromir said softly snuggling a bit closer and Aragorn laughed.

"Come on." Aragorn said trying to unwrap himself from the other man with some difficulty.

Boromir finally realized what he was doing and released the other man. After they disentangled themselves Boromir finally got his wits about him and asked, "Was the Lady Éowyn in here?"

"Yes." Aragorn answered.

"Gods and we were both in the same bed wrapped up like kittens, what must she think of us?" Boromir said turning quite red.

Aragorn laughed again. "She didn't seem surprised in the least actually."

Boromir frowned and then got up. Éowyn was an odd woman indeed if she thought nothing of what she had seen this morning. Boromir was so embarrassed he thought he might not be able to face the pretty girl.

Both men dressed and went to the dining hall. Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf were already there. The King was seated at his place looking somewhat deflated and the day had barely begun.

As they seated themselves a guard came in with two children who looked ready to drop at any moment. Éowyn ran to the children and sat them at a nearby table to feed them. After a few minutes of choking down food as quickly as he could the oldest began relaying their tale. Boromir was both saddened and angered by the story the boy told.

"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the wild men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree." Éowyn said standing to speak to the King.

"You see? This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight." Gandalf told the King placing his hand on Théoden's throne.

Théoden shot that hand a nasty glance, Wormtongue used to do that same thing…when he was trying to manipulate him. He would not be manipulated any longer! Théoden stood and strode to the center of the room trying to shake off his misgivings, Gandalf was his friend, but he would not be forced into a fight he didn't not want.

"You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak. Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their King." Aragorn said to the King from his spot at the table.

"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Éomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war." Théoden replied sternly.

Boromir shook his head and looked at Aragorn. They would be slaughtered if they did not fight.

"Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not." Aragorn responded.

"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan." Théoden snapped in a hiss.

Boromir shifted and had to bite his tongue to keep from saying something that could cause real problems between Rohan and Gondor. Gimli and Legolas just stared at Aragorn.

"Then what is the King's decision?" Gandalf asked diplomatically. Gandalf was pleased to see Boromir had held his tongue. The young man had changed much indeed.

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

As the remaining fellowship followed Gandalf to the stables Gimli could contain his frustration no longer.

"Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?" Gimli criticized.

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn responded.

"Aragorn you know that Helm's Deep could well be a trap...everyone knows the Rohan flee to that hole. Something is amiss." Boromir warned, why was he making excuses for Théoden?

"Boromir is right. There is no way out of that of ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety but what he'll get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold." Gandalf said sternly.

"They will hold." Aragorn stated with conviction.

Boromir shook his head. This is madness. He thought to himself. Gandalf turned to him. "The defenses will hold, Gandalf." Boromir backed his King even if his path was pure folly.

Gandalf pulled the blond man aside much to Aragorn's shock. "You remember our talk in Fangorn?" Gandalf asked in a hushed voice close to Boromir's ear.

"Yes." Boromir replied softly.

"Good...stand by him. Aragorn will need you, Boromir." Gandalf warned.

"I will follow him into the very fires of Mordor if I must." Boromir said nodding his head with confidence. In his heart he knew until the end of his days where Aragorn went he would go.

Gandalf clasped his shoulder lightly. "Good."

"With luck my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light of the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East." Gandalf told the group before he rode out of the stable on Shadowfax.

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

The remaining fellowship began the march for Helms Deep with the Rohan people. Boromir and Aragorn walked together leading their mounts and listened as Gimli shamelessly flirted with the Lady Éowyn in front of them. Boromir laughed along with Éowyn when Gimli explained about dwarf women and men looking so similar people had a hard time telling them apart. When Aragorn whispered, "It's the beards." Boromir and Éowyn both laughed quite loudly.

Late that afternoon the refuges stopped for rest and Aragorn and Boromir sat side by side on a large rock, looking across the plains. Lady Éowyn approached with a small cauldron and two bowls and spoons.

"I made some stew…it's not much but it's hot." She said smiling sweetly at the two Lords.

She served Aragorn and then Boromir and both men thanked her. Aragorn was the first to taste the stew and by the look on his friends face Boromir was certain he would not take as large a bite. Boromir took a small bit and had to use every ounce of control not to spit it back out.

Aragorn looked up and lied. "It's good."

"Yes, my Lady…thank you." Boromir added to the lie…it was good and horrible.

Éowyn smiled sweetly and turned to leave. Aragorn looked at Boromir and they both nearly laughed. Aragorn began to pour out his bowl but Éowyn turned back to ask him something and the Ranger ended up spilling some of it on his hand and leg. She had been right about one thing, the stew was hot. Boromir bit his lip to keep from laughing.

She asked Aragorn about a tale the King had told her about Aragorn going to battle with Théoden's father but that he had to be mistaken. Boromir shook his head…what a tale indeed, Aragorn was not much older than himself.

"Your Uncle has a good memory, he was only a child at the time." Aragorn responded.

Boromir sat back and shook his head, what? Aragorn was far older than he thought him to be then.

"But that's not possible, that would make you at least sixty?" Éowyn asked in amazement. When Aragorn did not respond she asked again, "Seventy? Oh you could not be eighty…can you?"

"Eighty-seven." Aragorn answered. Boromir's foot slipped and he nearly fell off the rock. In the process he spilled quite a bit of his stew. Aragorn just shot him an odd look. Eighty-seven?

"You are one of the Dunedain, blessed with long life. I thought there were none left." Éowyn proclaimed.

Aragorn simply nodded. "There are few of us left, the kingdom has long since been destroyed."

She stood there staring at him for a moment and then said, "Oh please eat."

Aragorn nodded and glanced at Boromir. Boromir nearly laughed, oh well he had eaten worse…though he wasn't sure when. After they had choked down their stew they gave back the Lady her spoons and bowls. Once she was far from earshot both men began to laugh.

"Gods that was horrible." Boromir said trying to catch his breath.

"Glad to know it wasn't just me that thought it." Aragorn said still laughing. "Ooo look, she's cornered Legolas!" Both of the men began laughing again like children.

Once their laughter ended Boromir looked at Aragorn.

"You are far older than I thought you to be." Boromir said poking at the ground with a stick.

"I suppose it does surprise people sometimes." Aragorn mused.

"You said you had seen the White Tower of Ecthelion before…when were you last in Minas Tirith?" Boromir asked.

"You were probably no older than four or five at the time. I was known by a different name then, Thorongil." Aragorn explained.

"Thorongil!" Boromir exclaimed. That was certainly a name he knew well. "You are a legend in Gondor! I knew you! You guarded Faramir and I when we traveled from to Osgaliath after our mother died."

Aragorn laughed. "I would not think that you would remember that. As far as being a legend I didn't think Denethor would allow memories of me to linger, he wasn't exactly fond of me."

"He was not…but my grandfather was. He told me tales of you, as well as the tower guards who knew you. I remember wondering where you went and why. Why did you leave?" Boromir asked curiously.

"Because of Denethor, I knew I could not remain in Gondor. He hated me far too much. After your grandfather passed I knew I could no longer stay in Minas Tirith. I fear my return will not be welcome. Your pledge may be tested when we return because your father will not accept me as his King." Aragorn explained.

"I will change his mind." Boromir said looking up at the sky not sure how he would proceed to do that. He couldn't change his father's mind about Faramir how did he expect to change it about Thorongil or Aragorn. Then a thought occurred to him. Aragorn, Thorongil, Strider…how many names did the man have?

"Gods, Aragorn how many names do you have anyway?" Boromir asked and Aragorn began to laugh.

"More than I care to try and remember." Aragorn said grinning. "Let's get some rest, Boromir. We have a long march tomorrow."

The next day the refugees from Edoras began their trek again across the plains to Helms Deep. Around mid morning the Lady Éowyn fell in step with Aragorn and Boromir. Boromir smiled at her warmly, bad cook or not she was lovely. She started to say something to him but then refrained. Instead she turned to Aragorn.

"Where is she? The woman who gave you that jewel?" Éowyn asked curiously.

"She is sailing to the undying lands, with all that is left of her kin." Aragorn answered sadly.

Boromir looked at him, he knew about his relationship with the elf princess but did not know she was leaving Middle Earth, leaving Aragorn behind. He would not leave him so easily he thought. Then Boromir looked ahead of the lines to a rider less horse returning and he saw Legolas go over the hill with his bow drawn.

"Something is wrong." Boromir said softly grasping Aragorn's arm before he mounted his horse. Aragorn quickly mounted his horse as well and they rode ahead toward Legolas.

"What is it?" Aragorn called to the elf but his question died in his throat as he could see what it was.

"It's a scout!" Legolas called out.

"We are under attack!" Aragorn yelled to the King's men. Gimli rode past and Legolas mounted with him.

Boromir drew his sword and shield and nodded to Aragorn who had drawn his own sword.

Both men looked back at the Lady Éowyn before riding out. They both hoped to protect the refugees.

"Draw them away from the women and children!" Boromir called to the riders as he followed Aragorn to the head of the column.

Aragorn smiled to himself, Boromir always thought of the safety of the people first and foremost. It was his job as the Captain of the White Tower but Aragorn knew it was not only because of training but because Boromir had a good heart. Something that Denethor had been unable to stamp out of his son. Boromir had proven himself over and over again. Aragorn saw what strength lay in the hearts men, the strength that Boromir had told him was there all along. Boromir was flawed as any man but he tried to live with honor, and that was as much as any could wish for.

The battle was fierce and went on for quite some time, the warriors worked to keep the wargs from attacking the refugees that Éowyn was trying desperately to keep together and lead to safety. Aragorn was thrown from his horse but continued to fight on foot. Boromir tried to stay close to him but Aragorn leaped on a warg in an attempt to unseat the orc rider. During the fight the orc was thrown off but Aragorn's hand became caught in the beasts girth.

Aragorn frantically attempted to tear himself from the entrapment but was unable to. The warg ran twisting and spinning dragging him along the ground, trying to get away from the man. In the beasts fury it ran full speed off the cliff top.

Boromir, who had been closest to Aragorn had leapt onto the back of the nearest mount and was trying to catch up to him as he saw both he and the warg go over. Boromir screamed his name. Legolas, Gimli, and Théoden all turned to see Boromir racing toward where the hillside ended abruptly above the river.

Gandalf's words came back to Boromir about making the right choices. Now was not the time to do something rash but he had made up his mind. He would follow Aragorn to whatever end he led him to...even if it meant certain death. Boromir headed straight for the cliff where Aragorn had been dragged over by the warg.

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

Anaranë watched in horror...the man was mad! She thought. He is actually going to follow him over the cliff! She quickly whispered a spell into the seeing pool to ease their flight. This man was certainly keeping his promises she was proud that she had saved his life. He felt so bound by his honor he was willing to go anywhere for his King. This she thought was as it should be even if it was a bit bothersome.

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

"Let's hope you can fly boy." Boromir whispered to the horse as they plunged off the cliff to the river below. Legolas, Théoden, and Gimli stood stunned on the field watching in horror. They prayed that both of their friends would come back alive.

When the stallion and Boromir hit the water the horse immediately surfaced with Boromir beside it still holding his reigns. Both he and the horse swam for shore. He felt the horse surge forward and he knew it was able to touch bottom...he soon followed it and scrambled out onto the riverbank. Boromir leapt up quickly and hugged the stallion's neck.

"Thank the Valar that you can both fly and swim, boy." He said shakily and then looked up. How they had survived he had no idea, but he prayed that Aragorn had survived too. After leading the horse several yards along the bank of the river he saw Aragorn unconscious on the bank.

"Aragorn!" He called running to his friend.

He was unconscious but alive. That was all that Boromir could have asked for. He sent another prayer up to the gods, "Thank you for preserving him."

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Boromir pulled Aragorn fully out of the water and onto a dry grassy patch. "Aragorn!" He called shaking his friend. Aragorn coughed and Boromir rolled him to his side so that Aragorn could purge the river water from his body.

"How'd you get here?" He asked after several minutes between deep and painful coughs and gasps for air.

"I flew on the back of a winged stallion." Boromir said smiling.

"What?" Aragorn asked dazed.

"Nothing...I am here that is all that matters is it not?" Boromir asked then.

"No...how? I do not see a path down." Aragorn stated sitting up and shaking his head against the dizziness he felt.

"I followed you down on the back of a horse." Boromir stated.

"You did what!?" Aragorn exclaimed looking up at the cliff above them. "You could have been killed!"

"That is what I worried happened to you...obviously we were both wrong." Boromir said still smiling. "Oh Aragorn it was like flying it was...it was as if that horse had sprouted wings I swear!" He could barely contain his excitement.

"I had never believed you were insane before now my dear Boromir. If you were not with me now I would not believe you." Aragorn said shaking his head. He couldn't believe Boromir would do anything so foolish. "Do not EVER do anything like that again!" He scolded him then.

Boromir looked at him with his smile slipping from his face. "Then I should ask you to do the same...I pledged to follow you to whatever end...so don't leap off any more cliffs and I won't have to do anything so foolish!" Boromir snapped back.

"I did not leap…I fell." Aragorn muttered but he knew it was in vain.

Aragorn shook his head; he knew he was not going to win this argument with the man. He understood then that Boromir meant exactly what he said in his pledge, he would follow him to whatever end. Aragorn knew he must live up to this mans pledge and belief in him.

"I am sorry Boromir...I care about you, as you do me. I just don't want to be the cause of you getting hurt or worse killed, I could not live with myself should anything happen to you." Aragorn said then pulling the blond man toward him and wrapping his arms around him.

Boromir relaxed into his arms and said, "I know...I am sorry." If Faramir had done something so foolish he would feel the same way.

They released each other sooner than Aragorn would have liked, and Boromir stood up. "We better get back, I am sure Legolas and Gimli are beside themselves by now. Can you ride?"

"Yes...I think so." Aragorn said using Boromir's offered hand to get up. His body was sore from the impact with the water and he was soaked to the skin but he was alive.

They mounted the horse together and rode for Helms Deep. Aragorn rode in front of Boromir, he was weak and Boromir's strong arms around him made him ache in more intimate ways. He could not let his desire for Boromir undermine their friendship; he must get that part of his emotions under control before it ruined them both.

Boromir found it difficult to concentrate with his arms wrapped around Aragorn. He found himself wanting to lean in and nuzzle the darker man's neck in front of him. Gods, where had that thought come from? Boromir tried to shake his head and stare at the plains and hills ahead. Aragorn could never know how he felt; his shame would be too great to bear if he knew.

They topped a hill and saw below them a sea of Uruk-Hai marching for Helms Deep. Both men sucked in a gasp and Boromir said, "We must return quickly to warn the King! There must be 10,000 orcs down there!"

Aragorn nodded in agreement and then whispered something in elvish to the horse. They began riding hard for Helms Deep...when they finally arrived both men sighed in relief. This would give them several hours warning at least.

Once inside the keep shouts of "They are alive." Were heard throughout the compound and a disgruntled dwarf accosted them both.

"Where are they? I am going to kill them both!" He shouted. When he finally saw the two men he nearly burst into tears. "You two are the luckiest, the canniest, and most reckless men I ever knew!" He bellowed hugging each of them, then he turned to Boromir. "Bless you, laddie for returning him to us!"

"It's good to see you too Gimli." Boromir said patting the dwarf's back.

"Where is the King?" Aragorn asked.

Gimli tossed his head in the direction of the hall and both men strode toward it but were stopped by Legolas. "Your both late."

Both men stared at him a moment. "You look terrible." The elf said then to Aragorn. Boromir laughed and Aragorn smiled widely. It wasn't often Legolas made a joke.

"You lost this." Legolas said then handing the Evenstar to Aragorn and Boromir looked away his eyes meeting with the Lady Éowyn who was staring at them in amazement. Boromir did not know how much the elf princess meant to Aragorn but it made him feel a surge of jealousy he wished would go away. So he smiled and nodded at Éowyn who blushed.

"Thank you." Aragorn said then clasping the jewel in his hand.

"We must speak to the King." Boromir said urgently turning away from the blushing Éowyn. He was trying to ignore the feelings that were churning inside of him.

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