To Capture the Heart of a Warrior

Chapter three: It Seems to Be Catching





The last thing Legolas had expected to happen to had come to pass.

He blamed Boromir and Pippin for this; he had not known Men...or hobbits for that matter...were capable of not only so much love, but of such great passion. Being an elf, he had heard everything. He had heard everything, every cry, whimper, moan, groan, growl and howl.

And the entire time, he had thought only of one thing: Aragorn. He couldn't drive the thought from his mind. And worse still, he knew Aragorn liked elves. He could hear the lovers stirring, now. Pippin, of course, wanted breakfast. Boromir, being a soldier, was trained to maintain always his appearance, and so he was insisting on grooming before breaking their fast. Legolas bent his attention to the conversation in the little enclosure and listened; well, actually eavesdropped, on the exchange between Boromir and his Little Teacher.

"But, Boromir, sweet boy, can we not clean up after we eat?"

"Little One, I will not show up for breakfast with the smell of last night's sweat...and more...still clinging to me. Nor shall you. Remember that we are a couple now, and we reflect each other in every way. I must be neat and clean, and as my lover, so then must you!"

Legolas heard Pippin sigh. It wasn't an impatient sigh, either, but one that was only made by the lovesick.

"For you, sweet boy, I'll do anything to make you happy."

Now Legolas could hear their morning kisses. He heard Pippin giggle and then a muffled "mmmph" from Boromir.

"Since we must get cleaned up, let's get just a little more smelly." Pippin said.

"Sweet one, we can't keep the others waiting that long. Besides, there is another bedtime to look forward to. I would rather save my time and energy for that. Oh, don't pout, my sweet! I shall make it up to you."

Pippin giggled. "Well, I'll hold you to that word. Teacher has yet more lessons for you!"

"Ai!" thought Legolas. "Let Aragorn listen tonight. Who can say, perhaps when he does, then he may wish to.... teach me more about this side of Men"

Apparently the lovers had taken a couple of water bags into their enclosure, for now he could clearly hear clothing, once more donned for warmth, being removed.

"First, your pretty face," Boromir said. There was the sound of water being poured.

"Hoy! Boromir, that is very cold!"

"I know, my sweet, and I'm sorry. As a soldier I am used to such little inconveniences. Now be still, your face is clean. Now for your hair."

“He's giving Pippin a bath!" thought Legolas.

"Little inconveniences? Hoy! Boromir! Oh, that's so cold!"

Boromir chuckled. "Patience, my sweet, 'tis soon over."

"Mmmm, yes. It is cold, but your fingers feel so good on my scalp. Yes, my sweet boy, you are quite right. It will indeed be a more pleasant evening after having a nice bath."

"Now let me rinse you. Alright, let me wash your back for you."

"Oooh! Hoy! Cold!"

"Be still, my sweet. Almost done."

"Oh, good! You're right, I do feel much better. Now; you.”

"Very well, Little Teacher."

There was more splashing. Pippin began to sing in that sweet high voice. Some hobbit song about baths, it seemed. His singing was full of joy and liberally shot through with soft laughter.

"Now, what a face! Be still! Yes, the bath was a very good idea. Now your hair."

"Lovely," Boromir said in a soft, low voice. "I always did this for myself, but I tell you now, I hope you bathe me more often." Boromir made the low, soft sound in his chest that was so much like the purr of a gigantic cat.

"The feeling, my sweet boy, is mutual. I liked being bathed by you."

"Not as much as I loved doing it for you!"

Legolas could tell he was speaking around a smile, no doubt an indulgent one.

"Now your back. Your big, strong, beautiful back."

"Oh, yes, so good! I love your little hands, my sweet, so gentle and caring!"

Legolas heard a hiss from Pippin.

"Boromir! These scars! Who did this to you?"

"Well, to tell the truth my father had it done."

"But why would he do such a thing?"

"Because I wouldn’t let him hurt Faramir." Boromir answered. "I love my father, but he mistreats Faramir. And so I became Faramir's father as well as brother. My father disapproves highly of my love for my little brother. But my father uses my love for Faramir to control me. If I fail in any task given me, he has Faramir beaten."

"Oh, my poor sweet boy!" said Pippin softly. "Poor Faramir!"

"Yes, it is hard, but he shall not forever be Steward. When I am Steward, Faramir will never suffer so again."

"Turn around, let me wash your back. Your poor, scarred back."

Legolas heard the sound of tender little kisses and Boromir’s deep, rumbling laughter. Pippin must be kissing the scars.

"Oh, my sweet, that feels so good!"

"Done and done!" Pippin said.

"Good, now to break our fast."

The pair emerged together. Boromir lifted Pippin for a ride on his back. They never even saw Legolas. If they had, they would have seen him casting loving and lustful gazes at Aragorn.



To Be Continued