Things Forbidden

Things Forbidden

Chapter 4
Author: Frosty the Squib
Codes: Boromir, Aragorn, Elrond, Faramir, Haldir, Legolas, OC, AU
Rated: NC-17
Summary: The coalition of Men and Elves against Sauron causes a weakness which the Dark Lord exploits.

Author's Plead: Please review.

*

"It was odd. I have bed many women, and never before have I felt like that afterwards. I felt as though...," Boromir paused and shook his head, "I don't know."

Faramir leaned forwards across the table and widened his eyes. "Like you betrayed everyone and everything you hold dear?"

Frowning, the elder Steward looked up from the table and knit his brow. "Yes."

Sighing, his brother leaned back and nodded. "I know the feeling well."

The dining hall was filled with soldiers and guards, all there for breakfast. It was dawn, and Boromir had not slept. With tired eyes he looked around at his kinsmen and had the overwhelming feeling that he had just compromised all of their safety. "What is she?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know. She can only be so many things." Faramir took a drink of ale and followed his brother's gaze. "What exactly happened between you two? Why did she insist on meeting you?"

Boromir blinked and looked at his brother. "We talked."

"About what?"

He shook his head. "About things that I think Aragorn needs to know about." Quickly standing, he motioned for his brother to follow and as they exited the hall, he continued, "She told a wild story about dark elves, and was very keen to know who kept the one ring."

Faramir widened his eyes as they crossed the courtyard. "Did you tell her?"

"No." Pausing and thinking, Boromir looked to his brother. "At least, I can't recall having said anything."

The younger sighed. "It matters not. One elf can only do so much."

The climbed the stairs to the King's Hall and entered. "She is supposed to meet me today. She wanted to speak with Aragorn." He stopped as they crossed the marble floor. "That must be why she wanted to speak with me. To get at Aragorn."

Faramir was confused. "But I have access to the King as well. It doesn't make any sense."

"It does. We may both be Stewards, but I am still senior to you. She was working her way up." He frowned, still not quite sure of her actions. "Unless she spoke the truth. I found her to be too random to judge properly."

"Well, if she wanted to speak with Aragorn, then she is still in the city. We can interrogate her if need be."

Boromir began walking again. "You're right. We will discover if she has been truthful or not."

"Where did she say she would meet you?" asked Faramir.

Again, Boromir stopped. He looked back at the door to the hall. "I'm not sure. My rooms, I think."

The younger Steward raised an eyebrow. "And if you are not there?"

"Shit." Inhaling deeply, he looked at Faramir. "I should go find her. We can't afford to lose her."

He moved to leave, but a hand on his arm stopped him. "You should stay. Fill in Aragorn. I will go find her."

Boromir frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," he said, starting towards the door, "I will be back soon."

Nodding, the elder ran his hand through his hair and sighed. When the doors closed behind Faramir, he continued his way into the hall to the King's private dining room. As he approached the doors, he stopped and frowned. What if Valaina's story had been all lies? What if he actually had compromised his people's safety? What would he say to Aragorn?

Growling under his breath, chastising himself for his lack of control, he raised a hand and knocked at the door.

It opened immediately. "Lord Boromir," said the guard who had opened the door. He bowed and stepped aside, allowing the Steward to enter.

Aragorn sat at a table in the centre of the room. He looked up when Boromir entered and raised his eyebrows. Normally no one ever bothered the King during his morning meal, and he looked slightly concerned at the arrival of the Steward. The woman who sat beside him, though, seemed nothing but pleased.

"Boromir," greeted Arwen, "Please come in." She smiled and pointed towards an empty chair at the table. "Have a seat."

He hesitated, but at Arwen's beckoning came forward and sat down. His hooded eyes moved to Aragorn, then to the Queen. "I apologize for interrupting your morning, my lady, but there are some concerns I must address with the King."

Arwen's blue eyes moved from Boromir to Aragorn. "It's alright," she said, looking back at him.

Aragorn's expression became even more troubled. "What sort of concerns?"

Boromir's eyes flickered to Arwen, but she did not move to leave nor did her husband seem to expect her to. Taking a deep breath, Boromir told his story.

The King and Queen were quiet throughout the narration. Boromir, haunted by his actions and concerned for his brother, left out certain things that had occured. "Faramir has gone to find her now. We must confirm or deny her story."

"You're sure she was an elf?" asked Arwen, who had grown quite pensive. When Boromir nodded, she looked to her husband. "If what this woman speaks is true, we must send someone to Rivendell immediately."

Aragorn nodded. "You are sure you told her nothing of the ring?"

He hesitated, but nodded. "Yes, I am sure."

Sighing, Aragorn leaned back in his chair. "We must find out for ourselves if Mirkwood has fallen to the enemy. We must be careful, though, not to alert them that we have suspicions. Boromir, you and I will go. We will stop in Lorien and take someone with us, Haldir perhaps, so we can have confirmation on what we worry over." His eyes moved to Arwen, who had grown quiet. "Afterwards, no matter what we find, we will continue on to Rivendell. Elrond will be notified."

Arwen smiled and nodded as Aragorn touched her hand gently. "I worry for him. If Sauron has elves working for him, I fear for all of us."

"We will fight him," he said, squeezing her hand, "And we will win."

Agitated, Boromir exhaled loudly. "I should never have let her out of my sights. I should have brought her here immediately. I apologize, my lord, my lady. This is my fault."

"Nonsense, Boromir. This is no time to lay blame." Arwen knit her brow and cast a glance at the door. "Should your brother not have been back by now?"

The Steward's eyes flickered up in worry. Just as he was about to speak, a knock sounded at the door. All three stood as the guard opened the door and allowed Faramir entry.

"Greetings, my lord. Lady." He bowed, then looked to his brother. "She never arrived."

Boromir frowned. "What do you mean?"

"No one has seen her. I waited, and when she did not arrive I sent guards to look for her. She has not been seen or heard from since she left you last night."

The Stewards looked at the King. "Continue the search, Faramir. If you find her, hold her for questioning. No matter what the outcome, Boromir and I will be leaving for Mirkwood today. You will be left to care for the city."

Worry spread over the younger's features, but he nodded. "As you wish."

"What if we find her, Aragorn," asked Arwen, "What should we do with her?"

He considered, then looked up at Faramir. "Do what you must to find out if she speaks the truth, then send someone to Rivendell. We will meet there."

Aragorn made his way towards the door. "What if what she says is true?" asked Boromir as he followed the King, "What happens then?"

Stopping in the hall, Aragorn looked back to his wife and Faramir. "If Boromir and I do not send word from Rivendell within a month, you must assume we have been captured. You know what to do then."

"Aragorn," breathed Arwen, her eyes shining in anxiety, "Must you leave so suddenly?"

His hand touched her face as he smiled. "I will see you again, my love. Be strong in my absence."

Allowing them a moment, the Stewards made their way out into the main sitting room of the hall and looked darkly at one another. "Do not speak to anyone of our indiscretions," whispered Boromir, "I kept that knowledge from the King and Queen."

Faramir frowned. "Why?"

He shook his head. "It was not necessary for them to know."

Conflicted, the younger leaned closer. "I do not want them to know, either, Boromir, but what if that information could help them make a judgement? She seduced us. What kind of elf does that?"

He clenched his jaw. "It will not help them. We will find out soon enough if she speaks the truth." His voice was strong, but his eyes betrayed him. Faramir knew his brother worried if he had done the right thing.

Changing the direction of the conversation, Faramir asked, "If she is no longer in the city, where do you think she has gone?"

"I don't know." Thinking back on the conversation he had had with her, he added quietly, "Rivendell. Or Mirkwood."

Faramir's eyes widened. "You will meet up with her."

"I will not be alone. If we meet her, things will be different. She will not manage to take advantage again."

Sighing and looking back at Aragorn and Arwen, Faramir replied, "I hope you are right."

*

TBC