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 5

When they entered the King's hall, Aragorn went first with Boromir following behind. Aragorn walked with the air of a King already, it should be Théoden bowing to him, Boromir thought briefly. After relaying what they had seen, Théoden called all able-bodied men to arms. The two men then followed Théoden outside.

"No army has ever breached the Deeping wall or set foot inside the Hornburg." Théoden boasted.

Gimli was standing against a wall listening. "This is not a rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-Hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad." He warned.

"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep!" The King snapped.

Aragorn and Boromir both patted Gimli's shoulder as they passed. They knew the dwarf was right. Théoden was still not thinking clearly from his ordeal with Saruman.

"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be re-sown. Homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them." Théoden stated arrogantly.

"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!" Aragorn argued with the King.

"What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance!" Théoden yelled.

"Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid." Aragorn pleaded.

"And who will come. Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead." Théoden said grimly.

Aragorn looked at Boromir and then back at the King. "Gondor will answer." Aragorn said proudly.

Boromir nodded in agreement.

"Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon.. No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone." Théoden shouted.

Boromir blanched and yelled angrily before storming away, " While you were sowing crops and raising your horses Gondor's people fought and died to keep your lands safe! Where was Rohan when Osgaliath was besieged? I came here with a message beseeching your aid months ago and you in your spell weakened state turned me away! Where was Rohan when we needed her?!"

Théoden looked down then unable to face Aragorn. "I am sorry my Lord, I know the sacrifices Gondor has made, the son of the Steward is right. I did turn him away when he brought a message from his father. I was not myself then. I should not have said that. It is too late to call for aid; you know this, as well as I do. It is too late." Théoden said sadly. Aragorn nodded.

"You say Gondor has not answered, but she has, the Captain of the White Tower is here as am I. We will fight for Rohan and her people." Aragorn answered.

Théoden snapped his eyes back to Aragorn's...the man finally acknowledged his destiny, but was it too late? Aragorn then turned on his heel and went to find Boromir. He found him sitting on the steps of one of the halls with his head in his hands.

"Boromir." Aragorn said softly sitting on his heels in front of his friend.

Boromir looked up and his eyes were pained. "I am sorry Aragorn I should not have spoken to the King like that. I know it was not him who turned me away all those months ago."

"It is alright...Théoden was sorry for what he said as well. He said he realized that Gondor has defended us all from Mordor for many years and I told him that he says Gondor has not answered but she has, in the form you of and of me." Aragorn said then looking deeply into his friend's green eyes.

"You...you said that?" Boromir asked astonished.

"Yes. Now come, we have a battle to prepare for." Aragorn said standing and offering his hand. Boromir took it and rose with him. They sought out Legolas and Gimli.

As they walked through the halls they assessed the men. "Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers." Aragorn said disgustingly.

"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli added.

"Or too few." Legolas said softly.

"A man fighting for his home no matter what his age can be quite a foe, Legolas." Boromir said moving to the side to allow a guard to pass.

"Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes. Boe a hyn: neled herain... dan caer menig!?" Legolas said loudly to Aragorn.

"Si beriathar hýn ammaeg nâ ned Edoras." Aragorn answered while Boromir and Gimli looked at each other unsure of all the words they were exchanging.

"Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-'erir ortheri. Natha daged dhaer." Legolas said despairingly.

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn yelled loudly spinning on his heels to face Legolas. His tone and body language caused Boromir to take a step back and even the elf flinched. All in the hall fell silent.

Aragorn stormed off and Legolas and Boromir meant to follow him.

"Let him go, lads. Let him be. This is difficult for him...reconciling the two halves of himself, elf and man." Gimli said leaning on his axe.

Boromir looked at Legolas. "I did not understand what you and he said, but believe me Legolas, a man when he is defending his home be he young or old, warrior or not, he will fight. He will fight harder than a hired soldier because he is fighting for what he believes in and what he loves. When a man is faced with the choice of freedom or oppression a man will fight with all of his will for freedom. He will fight even if infirm, even if too young he will fight because the bonds of love and loyalty are stronger than those of hate. You are an elf and know little of the hearts of men...look to Aragorn. Look at all he fights for, what he believes in...how hard he fights. He is no elf...he is but a man, remember that always and take heart in that." Boromir said clasping Legolas' arm.

Legolas had been looking away with his eyes downcast until then. He looked up into the green eyes before him and smiled. "You are right, I should look to you both for strength in men because you and Aragorn are the best of them." The elf said then and strode away.

Gimli grinned at Boromir and followed the elf. Boromir stood there for a moment shocked by what the elf had said. He certainly was not the best of men; he had far too many flaws and weaknesses. Boromir set off to find Aragorn. He finally found Aragorn alone in a chamber preparing for battle. He watched him put on his mail, and then set to helping him with his gear and many armaments. They worked in companionable silence, and then Aragorn aided Boromir with his own armor. They clasped arms and leaned their foreheads against each other. They needed no words to convey what they felt at that moment. Suddenly they realized they were not alone. Aragorn turned out of their odd embrace to face Legolas who handed him his sword.

"We have trusted you this far, you have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." Legolas said softly ignoring the blush on Boromir's face at finding them in such an odd embrace. Legolas understood that the two men shared a unique bond and it was not his place to pass judgment.

"There is nothing to forgive, Legolas." Aragorn answered.

Boromir smiled at the elf who in turn smiled back. Gimli walked in carrying chain mail and slid it on over his head. It fell all the way to the floor bunching around his feet.

Gimli looked down disgusted. "If we had time, I'd get this adjusted. It's a little tight across the chest."

Boromir laughed and Aragorn and Legolas grinned at the dwarf.

At that moment a horn sounded outside the gates. "That is no Orc horn!" Legolas announced brightly racing up the steps.

The men and the dwarf followed him to find an army of Elven archers led by their friend Haldir from Lorien.

"How is this possible?" Théoden asked in shock.

"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that allegiance." Haldir announced to the King.

"Mae govannen, Haldir!" Aragorn yelled hugging Haldir, "You are most welcome!"

Legolas moved into the ranks to join his Elven brothers "We are proud to fight alongside men once more." Haldir announced.

Boromir, Aragorn, and the King smiled at the elves gratefully. Their skills as warriors would be well needed this night. The remaining fellowship moved to their positions on the wall and watched as Saruman's army approached. Legolas and Boromir stood ready to fight, but Gimli looked up from between them frustrated, he could not see a thing.

"Arg... You could have picked a better spot."

"Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?" Legolas teased the dwarf who laughed heartily at that along with Boromir. The two of them groused like an old married couple he thought.

Aragorn moved up to stand next to Boromir just behind Gimli.

"Well lads, whatever luck it is you live by, let's hope it lasts the night." Gimli said smiling up at the men.

"Your friends are with you, Aragorn." Legolas said looking at Gimli and Boromir and back to Aragorn.

"Let's hope they last the night." Gimli grumbled forcing Boromir to snicker.

"Indeed Master dwarf, indeed." Boromir answered and the group shared a small laugh.

Aragorn was charged with leading the elf archers; he began issuing commands in elvish and Boromir looked on. As lightening flashed across the night sky he could see nothing but the orc army far into the distance. This would indeed be a long night he thought. He rolled his shoulders trying to release the tension and loosen up his still aching arms. He had done well in the warg battle and he intended to do well this night.

Finally the battle began when one of the human archers accidentally loosed his arrow too soon. The orcs howled and then began rushing the walls. Aragorn instructed the elves to fire. Hundreds of arrows flew past them and into the orcs below. Théoden's archers provided a second wave but as far as Boromir could tell though many hundreds of orcs had gone down they hadn't made a dent.

Aragorn called out in elvish "Pendraith!"

Boromir looked down that had to mean ladders he thought and drew his sword. So the time was upon him. Gimli looked up at Boromir grinning and said, "This is more like it." Boromir smirked at him and they turned to take on any who breached the wall.

Throughout the early stages of the battle Boromir could hear Legolas and Gimli ticking off a count of how many orcs they had slain. Boromir had no time to count however and found himself fighting back to back with Aragorn.

Then Aragorn spotted orcs placing some large metal balls under the drain to the wall. He suspected they were up to something and then he saw a large Uruk-Hai running with a flaming torch toward the wall. He rushed forward and began yelling for Legolas to bring the orc down. Legolas hit him with two arrows but the orc leapt into the drain. A moment later the entire wall shook and exploded in fire, smoke, and flying debris. Boromir and Aragorn were thrown from the wall to the soaked earth below. Both men were unconscious and the orcs rushed toward them like a black tidal wave.

Aragorn rose to his knees and shook his head, he saw Boromir on the ground beside him and he began shaking him in an attempt to rouse him before the orcs were upon them. Gimli called out from the remaining wall above and leapt down to protect them.

Boromir sat up shaking his head in time to see the orcs as they rushed toward them and saw Gimli land and roll then get up swinging. Aragorn stood and pulled a still stunned Boromir up. The elves had gathered behind them and Aragorn commanded them to charge. Hand to hand combat then ensued.

Théoden's voice cut through the din, "Aragorn, pull back to the keep! Get your men out of there!"

Aragorn set about calling the elves back and Boromir caught Gimli up with the help of one of the Elven archers and pulled him back. "What are you doing? Stop it!" Gimli protested but Boromir and the archer continued dragging the dwarf to safety.

"Théoden has called us back to the keep!" Boromir shouted.

Once inside the keep Aragorn and Boromir rushed to Théoden. "How long to you need?" Aragorn asked the King.

"As long as you can give me." The King yelled.

"Gimli, Boromir, come with me!" Aragorn called. The two followed him out onto a small ledge that concealed a secret door.

Aragorn stopped and peered around the wall and then pulled back and took a deep breath. Boromir looked at him and nodded. Gimli looked up at them both and said, "Oh, come on. We can take them!"

"It's a long way." Aragorn warned.

"Toss me." Gimli said almost inaudibly.

Boromir looked down at Gimli and then at Aragorn. Didn't he once say no one tosses a dwarf? He thought to himself.

"What?" Aragorn asked to make sure he had heard the dwarf correctly.

"I cannot jump the distance so you'll have to toss me!" Gimli said angrily.

As Aragorn reached down to pick him up Gimli pleaded, "Ehh.. Don't tell the elf!"

Aragorn looked at Boromir and they both nodded. "Not a word!" They called in unison smiling. Then Aragorn tossed him over to the gate. Next Aragorn leapt the distance and then Boromir.

The three battled the enemies outside the gate, giving Theoden's men time to shore up the entrance. As they placed the final boards in the door Théoden called, "Gimli! Aragorn! Boromir! Get out of there!"

Aragorn looked around for a way out but saw none then Boromir looked up.

"Legolas!" Boromir yelled pointing.

Aragorn looked up to see Haldir and Legolas drop down two ropes for them. Aragorn picked up Gimli and the two archers pulled their three friends up the wall.

The orc army breached the gate and Théoden called out retreat to the castle.
Haldir, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, and Boromir all ran for the keep. Once inside the group helped brace the gate there as Aragorn addressed the King.

"The fortress is taken. It is over." Théoden said in a defeated tone. Boromir stopped and turned to him. How could he give up now?

"You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it!" Aragorn argued.

"Aragorn...they have broken through the inner door...the women and children...!" Boromir shouted.

"Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?" Aragorn asked beseechingly.

Théoden stood as if in a stupor and did not respond. Legolas and Haldir picked up a table tossing the crockery and candles to the floor so they could shore up the inner most doors.

Aragorn looked to the King's guard Gamling. "Is there no other way?!" He shouted.

"There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-Hai are too many." He told him.

Boromir turned from bracing the door with another long table. He stared into Aragorn's eyes and nodded, at that moment he could see a change wash over Aragorn. Now more than ever he looked the part of a true King, a man who was born to be a leader of men.

Aragorn ignored Théoden and spoke to Gamling directly, "Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance!" He commanded.

Boromir moved closer to Théoden, the man was obviously about to crack under the pressure.

"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" Théoden proclaimed despondently.

Aragorn paused and looked at Boromir.

"All is not lost." Boromir whispered.

Aragorn then looked to the King. "Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them." Aragorn spoke proudly.

"For death and glory?" The King asked.

"For Rohan. For your people." Aragorn said shaking his head.

Boromir smiled at him; no he had never been more kingly than now.

"The sun is rising." Gimli said looking to the window high above.

Boromir smiled remembering Gandalf's words. Aid would be here soon. "Aragorn, the time is now." Boromir said looking from him to the King.

"Yes. Yes! The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the Deep one last time. Then let this be the hour when we draw swords together." Théoden proclaimed for all to hear.

Boromir and Aragorn were both relieved by his answer and Gimli cheered, "Yes!" as he ran for the Hornburg.

The remaining men led by Théoden, Gamling, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, and Haldir mounted horses and waited. Gimli sounded the horn, as the last door was breeched but the orcs were surprised to discover a small army awaiting them on horseback.

"Fell deeds await. Now for wrath. Now for ruin. And the red dawn! For Éorlingas!" Théoden called as he charged forward.

They rode out to clear a path and Aragorn looked up for a moment to the east. There he saw Gandalf...just as he had foretold then he saw Éomer and his men. Aragorn turned and saw Boromir smiling at him. He had looked to the east as well.

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The battle for Helms Deep ended in triumph for the Rohan. They ran the Uruk-Hai forces into Fangorn and the forest came alive before them, destroying the army of darkness. Legolas was excited seeing the trees take their revenge. Boromir shook his head and looked at Aragorn.

"Glad they were on our side." Boromir mused and Aragorn smiled as did Gandalf.

"Indeed, my Lord Boromir. Your little ones seemed to have persuaded the forest to fight." Gandalf said smiling proudly. Boromir smiled broadly. His little ones, his brothers.

That night Aragorn, Boromir, Haldir, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, and Éomer were heralded as heroes. There were many wounded and dying so it left no time for celebrations. Late into the night they tended to the wounded.

Aragorn and Gandalf were much more skilled healers than Boromir but he could at least tend the least life threatening wounds. Boromir found himself working along side Éowyn most of the night then he fell asleep next to the Lady Éowyn some time in the early morning against a wall. The two had last been tending one of Éomer's men who had sustained a nasty gash on his head, and a stomach wound that while painful would not be fatal.

Aragorn had looked up from the bed of the elf he had been treating and saw the two blonds sitting against the wall next to each other. Éowyn had her head against Boromir's shoulder and a surge of jealousy washed over Aragorn. He saw Éomer heading over to the woman.

He overhead him say, "Come sister...you must eat and rest." She looked to Boromir beside her and squeezed his hand then looked to Aragorn.

"He should do the same, my Lord Aragorn." Then she and Éomer left.

Aragorn crossed the room and knelt down in front of his loyal friend, a friend who followed him without question over a cliff without regard for himself. A friend who would follow him to hell and back he believed, and Aragorn knew in his heart that he indeed would lead him there. This loyal man he loved with all of his heart.

"Boromir...let's get you to bed." He said lightly shaking his friend.

Boromir awoke and looked into Aragorn's blue gaze. "Sorry...didn't mean to fall asleep."

"It's alright...you need rest, you fought hard last night, and worked all day tending the wounded. Have you even eaten?" Aragorn asked touching his cheek lightly. Boromir could not resist leaning toward the light touch.

"No. But neither have you." He answered softly.

"Then come on dear one, let us both eat and rest." Aragorn said standing and like so many other times offered his hand.

Boromir took his hand and followed Aragorn to the bedchamber Théoden had given them. Once inside Boromir looked around, the chamber contained only one bed though it was a large one. There was a fire burning and several candles were lit, at the small table sat a tankard of wine and a loaf of bread and cheese along with some dried fruits.

"I am not sure what I want more...to crawl into that bed or eat." Boromir answered stripping off his outer layers of clothing down to his under tunic.

"How about both?" Aragorn asked lightly as he did the same.

"And get crumbs in the bed?" Boromir teased.

Aragorn laughed and shook his head even as exhausted, as he was Boromir still managed to make him laugh. Boromir sat down at the table and began cutting a slice of bread as Aragorn sat across from him pouring them both wine.

"I had never been as glad to see the sun rise as I was this morning." Boromir admitted softly.

"I felt the same way...I prayed that Gandalf would arrive." Aragorn said then.

"I had no doubt he would be here." Boromir said then and Aragorn stared at him for a moment.

"You have changed much since Amon Hen." Aragorn reflected.

"Yes, I believe that I have. I doubt it was the injury though...I know you say I did not betray the fellowship and perhaps I didn't in so far as I didn't actually take the ring but that experience has changed me. I hope for the better of course...Also Gandalf told me I was to die that day but the gods spared me for some reason. He does not know why and neither do I, but I intend to do everything I can to live up to whatever expectations the gods have in me...and whatever expectations you have of me." Boromir said before taking a drink of wine.

Aragorn considered what Boromir had told him and then he thought about the way Boromir held up under such physical duress after his injury and then about the cliff. Boromir had described it as flying not falling. Perhaps the gods had aided him in these as well.

"I lay no expectations on you Boromir...it is you who should expect things from me. After all you have accepted me as your King though I think I am anything but." Aragorn said stabbing a piece of hard cheese with a small knife.

"Aragorn if you could have seen yourself with Théoden when he was unable to find the will to continue the fight you would know you are a King. You are a great King of men, if only you would let yourself be. Perhaps though that is why you would make such a good King...you have what I have lacked my entire life and that is humility." Boromir said smiling.

Aragorn laughed. "Then we balance each other."

Boromir laughed then. "That didn't sound very humble, Aragorn."

They continued to eat and discuss their path. "We will head for Gondor next...but I fear the road will be difficult to bear. I cannot ask you to follow me." Aragorn said after some time.

"You cannot ask me to follow you, but you cannot command me not to. Am I right?" Boromir asked.

"No. I will not impose commands upon you dear one." Aragorn said then and leaned back in his chair to regard the handsome blond.

"Aragorn, for some time now you have called me 'dear one' and you said I am dear to you...I want you to know that I...I do care for you I am just not as comfortable with endearments as you seem to be." Boromir said then.

Aragorn smiled. "I know you care, if you didn't care you wouldn't have flung yourself off a cliff on horseback to follow me...I would have to be blind and or stupid not to realize that."

"You are never going to let me live that down are you?" Boromir asked then.

"No, I daresay that we will be old and gray before I forget that." Aragorn teased.

"Ah but you are already old, Aragorn." Boromir teased and both of them laughed as Aragorn threw a small piece of bread at him.

Boromir stood and walked to the bed...he tugged off his over tunic and Aragorn stared at him in shock.

"Boromir why did you not tell me you were wounded!?" He said advancing toward him.

"What? What wound?" Boromir asked then he noticed a large cut across his stomach but it was not deep. "It does not hurt...I never even noticed it until now."

"Lie down on the bed." Aragorn said going to his pack.

"Please don't put that salve on it." Boromir knew he sounded like a petulant child but that salve burned like the fires of Mount Doom itself.

Aragorn laughed. "For such a brave warrior you certainly have an aversion to this salve."

Boromir blushed and Aragorn smiled widely. He looked even more handsome when he blushed.

"Just lay down, I promise it won't burn."

Boromir lay back and waited. Aragorn sat on the large bed next to him and rubbed his hands together to warm the oil he had chosen instead of the salve.

"This will not sting or burn." Aragorn promised again.

The oil had a sweet fragrance and when Aragorn touched him with it the liquid was warm and soothing but did not sting or burn in any way. Boromir closed his eyes and reveled in the light touch Aragorn's callused hands had as they worked across his stomach and up his chest. His chest wasn't injured so Boromir opened his eyes to look at him.

"My chest has no wounds." Boromir whispered huskily. Then Aragorn leaned over him and touched his lips to Boromir's.

"I suppose these don't hurt either?" Aragorn asked pulling away but before he could Boromir's arms wrapped around him and pulled him down for another kiss. This kiss was intense and Aragorn almost lost all sense of self control when he heard and felt Boromir groan lightly in the back of his throat.

Aragorn sucked the other man's bottom lip into his mouth and then slid his tongue inside Boromir's mouth without any protest. After they broke the kiss both of them were breathless.

"I have wanted to do that for months now." Aragorn whispered running his fingers through Boromir's soft blond hair.

Aragorn smiled and trailed light kisses from Boromir's lips to his throat and then he bit his neck lightly and soothed the bite with his tongue. Boromir wished he were not so tired now.

"Aragorn I would love to continue this, but I am truly exhausted as I am sure you are...just lie with me." Boromir requested and Aragorn stretched out in the bed next to the blond man and pulled him into his arms.

"Sleep dear one." Aragorn whispered kissing Boromir's forehead.

That night Aragorn dreamed of Arwen. "This is a dream." He stated as she bestowed a light kiss on his lips.

"Then it is a very good dream." She responded.

"I thought you had gone?" Aragorn asked.

"No I have not. The light of the Evenstar does not wax and wane it burns forever eternal. I do see another in your heart Estel...a love that connects you to the world of men more fully. Something I can never provide you with, a connection to your people." She spoke in her beautiful lyrical voice.

"I am sorry for betraying your love, Arwen." Aragorn said painfully.

"I can feel that you still love me, but you also love the man of Gondor. I am not selfish, Aragorn." She answered looking deep into his eyes.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"You love the Steward's son, and you love me...you have chosen your path, you will become King of Gondor. You will need your Steward and you will need a Queen." She answered.

"What are you saying?" Aragorn asked sitting up.

"You may have us both." Arwen answered then she faded away.

Aragorn awoke startled. Arwen had not gone to the undying lands, she waited for him, she would be his Queen and she would allow him to love Boromir. Aragorn wondered what Boromir would think of that.

He fell back to sleep curled around his friend and morning found them much too soon. "Aragorn...I need to get up." Boromir said pushing at the man whose leg was slung over his. He could feel Aragorn's hard length pressed against his hip and his own erection had tented the covers. He needed to get out of the bed, now. Éowyn seemed to have no qualms about just walking into their chambers since this was her home after all. If he continued to lay there with Aragorn's warm breath on his neck much longer the woman would be scandalized and both men would be shamed.

"Aragorn please." Boromir said shaking the man slightly.

Aragorn shifted. "No...this bed is warm and your skin feels so good against mine...no Boromir I do not wish to let you up." Aragorn said then planting a light kiss on the blond mans shoulder.

Boromir smiled, he didn't mind this at all but he knew Éowyn could come in at any minute and besides he needed to relieve himself. After a few more minutes of wiggling trying to break free of Aragorn's grasp the darker man relented and let Boromir rise. Aragorn immediately fell back to sleep and Boromir began his morning rituals.

When Aragorn finally awoke he saw Boromir sitting at the table reading a scroll.

He sat up in the bed. "What are you doing?" He asked.

"Hmm? Oh I was reading this scroll detailing the history of Rohan. Quite interesting. I am sure I was taught as a child but I didn't take to my lessons as well as my brother Faramir. I was more interested in weapons, armory, and horses unfortunately. Faramir was more interested in history and languages than I. Now I regret it because I would like to understand when you speak Elvish to Legolas and I wished to learn more of the Rohan people. I know and love Éomer as a brother but I knew little of what his people had endured. Their lives have been no less easy than those of the people of Gondor." Boromir said placing the scroll on the table.

"They have not had to contend with the forces of Mordor at their very gates every day but they have had their own hardships to bear. Most of our food comes from Rohan you know...without Rohan the people of Gondor would starve. We must keep most of our people inside the city walls so we have no farms. There have been times that Rohan rationed food so they could provide it to Gondor knowing we had no other means. I did not know that. I feel terrible for the way I spoke to Théoden." Boromir admitted running his fingers through his hair.

Aragorn swung his legs over the side of the bed and strode over to Boromir. He sat on his heels and looked up at the man in his chair. "Do not do this...do not despair and do not feel guilt for words spoken in anger. You were both upset." Aragorn said placing his hand on Boromir's knee.

Boromir smiled then. "I know you are right, you slept well?"

"Yes...pleasant dreams indeed." Aragorn said fingering the charm around his neck remembering his dream of Arwen. Boromir noticed the gesture and stood up.

"I...I need to go speak to Gandalf." He said and then rushed out the door. A bemused Aragorn slid into the vacated chair and suddenly realized that Boromir had misinterpreted his actions and words.

"Damn." Was all the man could say.

Go to Chapter 6