Eyes of the Goddess

The company mounted again, and Haldir's archers followed on foot. Pippin joined Boromir on his horse and Merry rode with Aragorn. Théoden and a small group of his men decided to return to Edoras in the morning and muster an army of horsemen to aid Minas Tirith.

The company decided to take rest at the fords of Isen. They had just started setting up camp, when a group of riders approached from the north. "Those are elves!" Merry called out.

"We seek Aragorn, son of Arathorn," one of them said.

Aragorn ran forward to greet the elves. He swept both into his arms smiling widely. Boromir stared at him for a moment. "These are my foster brothers! Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Elrond." Aragorn exclaimed happily to Boromir.

Boromir smiled. "Well met, Elladan and Elrohir, I am Boromir, son of Denethor." Boromir said bowing in greeting.

The two elves bowed in return.

"Our father has sent the Dúnedain to your side, Estel. Word came that Isildur's Heir had need of his kinsman in Rohan," Elladan explained. "Also we have brought something else." The two brothers brought forth two cloth-wrapped bundles.

"Father sends this to you and says, 'Remember the words of the Seer and forget not the Paths of the Dead.' " Elrohir opened the cloth to reveal the sword of the King, the re-forged Narsil.

Elrohir bowed his head. "It is time for the Sword-that-was-broken to go to war once again." The elf said respectfully.

Aragorn stared at the sword of Elendil. Boromir just stood in awe staring at the sword that had once been nothing but shards in the shrine at Rivendell. Aragorn laid his hand over the hilt his hand still hovering over the sword then he grasped it and swung it into the air. As he did so Boromir went to his knees, as did the rest of their party. On the banks of Isen stood the one true King of Gondor in all his glory. Aragorn stood staring at the beautiful sword in his hands, the sword that was now whole. Would he be able to do what it is he must? Could he cnd tnd the armies of Gondor or would he fail just as Isildur failed?

He looked around him then and realized his friends were bowing to him. "Do not do this...I am no king yet."

The group rose to their feet and Elladan offered another gift. "My sister sends this and said that you should use it when your hour comes."

Aragorn nodded, "I know what it is. It is not time to reveal it."

The group resumed the task of setting up camp for the night. Aragorn entered the tent that he and Boromir were to share. Boromir was sitting on his bedroll.

"Quite a day." Boromir mused.

"Indeed." Aragorn answered.

"You looked right earlier, that sword looks right in your hands." Boromir said removing his boots.

Aragorn shook his head. "Wish it felt right...I know you see me differently than I see myself. What do you see in me truly, Boromir?" Aragorn asked.

"It is true that at first I did not see, I was blinded by my own pride and my father's beliefs. I truly believed that Gondor did not need a King. We had gone centuries without one, why now? Why you? I believed that with my whole heart at first. When I did not know you that is. When I was too wrapped up inside my own head to see you. To see who you are, how you are, Aragorn when I see you I see a proud warrior, and noble man, a man full of passion, and humility. A fair man, and a just man what better traits to be a king? I see a man who is so full of honor that you are terrified to follow your destiny. You do not wish to fail, you are frightened by what you know is expected of you. For you being a normal man is not an option because you are so much more than that. The blood of the Númenor runs through your veins and yes the taint of Isildur as well. You are his heir, you are not Isildur, and I do not see you failing. If you would but just believe in yourself half as much as I do, as all of us do, your friends, then you will prevail over all." Boromir ended his speech standing to face Aragorn.

Aragorn looked into his friend's green eyes and said. "Arwen told me once 'Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate.' I wanted to believe her. Tonight you have said much the same thing and I want to believe you, I know in my head that you both are right, but in my heart I fear that I am not strong enough."

"Perhaps if you were alone you would not be, but you have the fellowship, you have me." Boromir said stepping closer. "Allow us... allow me to be your strength when you feel you may falter." Boromir took Aragorn's hand and placed it over his heart.

"I have pledged my life to you, I will follow you to whatever end, you know I mean this pledge. Aragorn, I know that Arwen pledged the same thing to you and she did not go to the undying lands. She is in Rivendell awaiting your coronation in Gondor. She will be your Queen and I will be your loyal subject and Captain of the White Tower, and perhaps Steward when my time comes. You inspire such devotion in those who love you, my liege. If you would but see what we see in you."

Aragorn gazed into Boromir's green eyes that were sparkling now. He had never discussed these things with Boromir before...they had never really discussed Arwen but somehow he knew.

"How did you know of Arwen's pledge?" Aragorn asked.

"I spoke to Gandalf before we left Helms Deep." Boromir answered.

Aragorn wondered how much the old wizard had told him. Gandalf knew Aragorn loved Boromir, but he did not know if Boromir loved him...he suspected, but he didn't know for sure. He had told Aragorn he cared for him, but not that he loved him.

"Do you Boromir?" Aragorn asked then.

Boromir looked confused for a moment. "Do I what?"

"Do you...love me?" Aragorn asked.

Boromir smiled. "I cannot fathom how you did not already know. Yes, I do love you."

Aragorn pulled Boromir into his arms. "And I love you dear one." Aragorn said pressing a light kiss to the blond man's forehead.

The two men heard someone clear their throat and they both turned in each other's arms to see Gandalf standing in the doorway to the tent, blocking any view from anyone outside. "Um excuse me, but your little ones are restless, Boromir."

Aragorn laughed and Boromir shook his head. "What is it Pippin, Merry?" Boromir asked going to the tent flap.

"Umm we um were wondering...can we sleep with you in your tent...otherwise we have to sleep out here by the fire and I would love to have a roof even a cloth one over my head again, and we, well we missed you." Pippin asked looking down at the ground.

Boromir smiled at his dear friend. "Of course, bring your things."

He turned to Aragorn whoked ked mildly displeased. "What?" Boromir asked.

"Nothing." Aragorn said striding back to his bedroll to grab his pack. He had hoped for a night alone in the tent with Boromir. They had just declared their love for each other and they can't even have a single night alone? Aragorn was becoming increasingly frustrated to the point his body positively ached. Why didn't they just invite the entire fellowship to sleep in their tent!? He thought angrily as he left.

"I will be back in a few minutes...I need to talk to my brothers." Aragorn said walking past Boromir who was pulling his boots back on to help the hobbits.

Gandalf followed Aragorn outside. "The two of you are ummm becoming closer." Gandalf said reaching for the right words.

"If you mean have I bedded him no I have not, and at this rate I never will." Aragorn snapped and then stopped walking. Gods had he just said that out loud to Gandalf?

Gandalf roared with laughter. "Well." The old wizard said shaking his head. He stopped and watched the Ranger walk away.

Aragorn left Gandalf and continued to walk around the camp. He needed to think on a great many things. Elrond had sent word that he needed to follow the Paths of the Dead...that would be a road he could not ask his friends to follow him on. When he returned to the tent an hour later he found Boromir asleep with two hobbits curled around him like kittens. Aragorn stood watchinem fem for a few minutes and Boromir said, "Close the tent flap the air is cold."

His voice startled Aragorn and he said, "Oh...sorry about that. I thought you were asleep."

"Was waiting on you." Boromir said sleepily.

Aragorn couldn't help but smile at that. "Well I am here now; go to sleep dear one."

Boromir fell asleep and Aragorn lay down next to Pippin who was sandwiched between the two men. Sometime in the night Pippin awoke and could not fall back to sleep. He left the tent and began wandering around the camp. He came to the tent that Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimli were sharing and spotted Gandalf's pack that held the strange ball he had found at the tower. Pippin being a curious hobbit wanted to know more about the strange thing Gandalf called dangerous. How could a round rock be dangerous? He wondered. He dug through the pack and found the orb.

He stared down at the orb and watched as clouds seemed to form inside the ball and then aftinfting red light seemed to pulse and glow. Images began to flash in front of him and then he screamed and collapsed in fright.

Pippin's scream awoke most of the camp; Boromir awoke with a start and saw that Pippin was not in the tent he raced out into the night without boots only his breeches and under tun He He soon found Gandalf leaning over the hobbit.

"Gandalf, what has happened? Why did Pippin cry out?" Boromir asked in a rush.

Boromir scooped the unconscious hobbit into his arms and began to check him for signs of injury as Aragorn arrived by his side.

He noticed the orb on the ground next to where Pippin had lay and asked, "What is that thing, Gandalf?"

"It is a Palantír, one of the lost Seeing Stones of Númenor. They are not all accounted for." Gandalf explained.

Boromir was stunned he had heard of the Palantírs before.

"It is how Sauron controlled Isengard. Sauron has the Ithil-stone in Mordor, the Ringwraiths stole that from Minas Ithil many years ago." Gandalf explained as the hobbit began to stir.

"Pippin...Pip it's Boromir...it's alright I have you little one." Boromir said soothingly to the writhing hobbit. He sat on the ground and cradled Pippin in his arms.

"Can you hear me little one?" Boromir asked desperately.

"Boromir!" Pippin cried out throwing his arms around the man and sobbing against his chest.

"Shh it's alright, it's alright." Boromir said rocking him like a child and looking up at Gandalf and Aragorn.

"Pippin...what did you see?" Gandalf asked.

"An eye ringed in fire, and a voice in my head...he asked who I was. I told him I was a hobbit. He said so you are Baggins and I was so afraid I would betray Frodo I said yes." Pippin explained. "Then I felt eve everything was closing in around me and a great pain in my head and my chest then I fell over."

Gandalf nodded, had he not fainted and released the stone Pippin might now be dead. The wizard turned to Théoden who had just arrived in their midst.

"Ride for your halls, old friend, do not wait for morning. The Nazgûl are stirring; they will come to seek this hobbit for they believe he is the ring bearer. I will take Pippin with me to Minas Tirith tonight." Théoden nodded in agreement.

Boromir suddenly realized what Gandalf planned to do. He was going to use poor little Pippin as bait, make the wraiths believe he was the ring bearer.

"Gandalf no...I cannot allow you to use him as bait!" Boromir begged.

"I must Boromir...he will be safe with me. You have my word." Gandalf reassured the man.

Gandalf picked up the Palantír and swathed it in cloth, "Take this my Lord Aragorn, it belongs to you."

Aragorn frowned at the formal address from Gandalf as he reached for the stone. "Stay safe, Mithrandir." Aragorn said.

Éomer and Théoden set their men to packing up camp for the journey back to Helms Deep to call muster hours earlier than planned.

"Lord Aragorn, what is it you plan to do?" Eomer asked.

Aragorn turned to his companions, "Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, will you follow me still? Our path is long and I cannot promise you safe passage where I go."

"You know my answer." Boromir stated.

"Wherever you lead," Legolas agreed.

"Aye, you lead the way, Aragorn." Gimli stated.

"Hey, what about me?" Merry asked.

"You are to go with the King...we dare not take you with us...do not worry Pippin will be safe and you will be reunited with him in the White City. Do not despair, young master Meriodac." Aragorn said patting the hobbit on the back.