Eyes of the Goddess

That evening Éowyn escorted the remaining members of the fellowship to sleeping quarters. Boromir could not help but notice the gazes she bestowed upon Aragorn. He was unsure why he felt such jealousy over that, and then he decided he needed rest that was a

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 Fangorn Forest, Aragorn has had a shadow?"

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

"Don't you think it's fitting? The fe Ste 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." Éowyn explained.

"We do not mind my lady." Aragorn responded softly. Boromir merely smiled weakly 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 surrounded 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. "Tis alright, my her her Éomer and his friends speak 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 blond man she had known him from previous visits to Théoden's court, but she had never spoken to him. She curtsied to him 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 beginning 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 weapons and my mail." 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.

"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 bathedore ore 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." Boromir said simply. Then 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 cloak that had been left for that purpose.

"Your turn." Aragornd wad walking over to the fire taking the large water cauldron to the bath to refill it for Boromir.

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 undershirt.

"It's still quite red, 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 a bit.

"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 said then.

"Well...I am not I guess but well...it's proper." Boromir said bbinbbing the soap on his forearm.

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 and came over to the bed wrapped in his own blue robe Aragorn said. "Now sit and let me tend your wounds...they may be healing well but this will aid them to heal even faster."

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 young 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 sat on the chair at the table. They talked about a great many things as they worked. Aragorn enjoyed Boromir's sense of humor and purposely said things to make the young man smile so he could enjoy the sight of that. After they had finished with the 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.

"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 theamieaming 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 in the 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.

"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 rocking 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 Thorngil. Both boys had the blood of the Númenor from their half-elven mother, just as Aragorn did, and Faramir's was in the form of dreams.

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."

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 walked down the hall that night to the kitchens 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 binjuinjured and thought that perhaps his nightmares had something to do with that. She felt sad for him, she herself had horrible nightmares after her parents died as a child and she did not wish that on anyone.

She 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 and were probably as close as brothers. She went to the window and drew back the curtains to let thght ght 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 and Aragorn laughed.

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

Boromir finally released him and they disentangled themselves. "Was the Lady Éowyn in here?" Boromir asked finally getting his wits about him.

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

Boromir frowand 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.

"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 standing.

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 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.