Masks

Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews. ;) Boromir the kid brother, eh? :D As long as he's reasonably enjoyable, at any rate? *hides* Glad you guys continue to read...hope you had a great New Year!!!

*

Walking together in the hall, side by side, Boromir his brother walked towards the private apartments of their family. He was feeling restless and the younger's silence gnawed at him. "Do you know what it is that he wants?" he asked, glancing to Faramir's solemn face.

"I haven't a clue," Faramir sighed. "You know Father never tells me anything when it concerns you. I couldn't possibly understand duty, remember."

"Then it is a duty that will be laid upon my shoulders?" the elder brother prodded thoughtfully.

The younger shook his head, rolling his eyes. "I did not say that, nor mean to imply it. He probably has words of wisdom concerning your wedding. Perhaps he wishes to inform you of your wedding night duties."

Boromir laughed at that and shook his head. "If I do not know my wedding night duties by now, I have pity for the woman I must marry."

"You seldom say her name," Faramir observed, not untruthfully. "Do you not like her?"

"She is beautiful," the elder replied with a shrug.

Faramir raised his eyebrow. "Are you frightened she will force herself on you roughly?"

Rolling his eyes, Boromir frowned at his brother. "Yes, that must be it. Do you have any advice on how to protect my virtue from her ravishing lusts?"

Stopping at the corner leading to their rooms, Faramir grinned and clapped his brother on the shoulder. "My advice is to lay back, close your eyes and beg for more."

"Indeed," Boromir laughed. He gave a long exhale after and looked to Faramir. "Will I see you at dinner?"

"Indeed not," the younger replied. Boromir cocked his eyebrow and guessed at why his brother would be absent. He was not wrong, either. "I am having dinner with someone."

"That little minx has given you her pardon, has she?"

"Her pardon?" Faramir laughed. "It is you that has to win her pardon. Me, I have something better."

"And what is that?"

"Her favor." The younger brother grinned as Boromir made a sour face. "Do you dislike her so?"

Leaning against the wall, Boromir shook his head and traced a crack along the surface. "Not at all. She is very amusing."

His little brother watched him curiously and the elder straightened under his scrutiny. Faramir nodded a slow nod, but said nothing of it and nodded onwards. "Father is waiting. He will want to have your attention before dinner."

"Yes," Boromir sighed, glancing over his shoulder. "Try not to frighten the poor girl, will you?"

"Not anymore than you would," Faramir retorted dryly, heading towards his own quarters.

Shaking his head, Boromir continued down the hall to the grandiose doors he knew his father would be found behind, guessing already what his sire wanted.

*

“It pains me you will not be at the table tonight,” Éowyn sighed, gathering Alura’s raven hair into her hands and letting it fall back down. She watched her cousin in the mirror with a smile. “Still, for romance I will make an allowance.”

Alura groaned and put her hairbrush down. “Éowyn, please. You know I hate when you do this.”

“Is it not my privilege as your kinswoman?” she countered, drawing the sleeves of the dark-haired one’s dress down a little bit. “Faramir is a fine and handsome man.”

Putting her sleeves back the way they were, Alura turned and looked up seriously. “Would you have preferred Faramir to Boromir, Éowyn?”

Her cousin widened her eyes, shaking her head. “I do not know either brother enough to make such a judgment. Boromir is a good man."

"Boromir is an ass," Alura stated firmly. "He is rude and...and obnoxious...and..."

The blond shook her head, refusing to have it. "He has been nothing but cordial to me."

"He has to impress you," the dark-headed one countered.

"Don't be so suspicious. I'm certain if you simply quit letting him bother you so much, he will give up on it and move on to another target."

Alura set her jaw, pointing at her cousin. "If one more person tells me that, I'll scream." She sighed and looked the blond over. "Éowyn, please speak openly with me. Tell me what you feel."

Exhaling, Éowyn wandered to the nearby bed and sank down. She looked poised to be honest and unconsciously Alura leaned forward. Éowyn shrugged her shoulders uncertainly. "I am not afraid of him, if that is what you think. I could have love for him."

Somehow hearing that did not lighten Alura's spirits. Part of her wanted her cousin to hate Boromir and refuse this wedding. She was afraid, even if Éowyn was not. Not that Boromir would be cruel to her so much as a general feeling that this was wrong and would end in pain for Éowyn if she was not careful. "But he is so arrogant," she all but whispered.

Éowyn shook her head softly. "Éomer is arrogant at times. That does not mean he will be a bad husband to she that marries him." Smoothing her hand along her skirts, the blond watched her cousin for a moment, then waved her hand. "Get up and go meet with Faramir. You are going to be late."

Rolling her eyes, Alura stood up and brushed her hair behind her ears, then took a final look at herself. She didn't know what she expected of this night, but she wasn't going to be purposefully rude. "Just promise me you'll be wise about this and not a martyr," she said as she closed in on the door and turned.

"Don't be ridiculous," the princess said with a frown and a shooing hand. "You must tell me everything tonight."

"There will be nothing to tell," Alura hissed, then shut the door and headed on towards her evening. Her pace was brisk and carried her to the private apartments swiftly. As she neared she heard a door open and wondered if he was coming to fetch her for being tardy.

She stopped at the corner when a loud voice betrayed it not to be Faramir, but Lord Denethor. He was speaking harshly. "You like not what you have heard, but do I still command your loyalty, Boromir?"

Footsteps stomped in her direction, but she made no move to hide or interrupt. The footsteps stopped nearby. "My loyalty has always been to Gondor, Father. Ever shall that be without change."

"See that you remember who it is that rules over Gondor, then," the Steward warned before closing his door. Alura jumped at the loudness of his action. The footsteps began again and soon found Boromir rounding the corner. He narrowed his brows at seeing her there, but he said nothing and passed her by.

Alura turned and watched him stalk away, wondering what that was all about, then hurried on towards Faramir's apartment to see if he understood this. She found the door she had been directed to by Eowyn's word, then knocked and waited. It opened soon after and revealed her dinner mate. Faramir smiled in welcome. "Come. Dinner is waiting."

She entered his room and looked around at the finery. It was very tasteful and fitting of a prince, yet had the used feel of any home. There was a small dining table set with candles and fruits and near that a small fire was kindled in a small hearth. "You live well," she commented, glancing towards the arched entrance to what she supposed would be his sleeping area.

"You should see my father's room," he replied, approaching the dinner table. "Would you like some wine?"

"Yes, please." She joined him and sat down, watching him retrieve two goblets made of silver and carved with the White Tree symbol of his kingdom. Red liquid tumbled out of an earthenware pitcher that he set down at the table when he was through serving. She sniffed the wine and took a drink, then moved on to ask him what was on her mind. "When I came your father and Boromir seemed...argumentative. Do you know what it was about?"

Faramir knit his brow and gazed at her steadily. "What was said?"

She shrugged absently and replied, "Lord Denethor said something about Boromir not liking what he had heard, but he wished to know if he still commanded Boromir's loyalty."

"And what did Boromir say?"

"That he had always been loyal to Gondor and always would be."

He shook his head thoughtfully and glanced at his door as if it would give him an insight into what had occurred outside of it. Finally he looked up into her face, his expression lighter. "I confess, I know not what it was my father wished to speak to Boromir about. It seems strange at first, but my brother can be contrary. I am sure my father had some duty Boromir did not like to have thrust on him. Nothing to worry about."

"I suppose," she answered softly, looking down at the plate before her. He watched her and she smirked at his scrutiny taking her fork. "It looks lovely."

"Not as lovely as you, however," he responded.

Alura bit her bottom lip, searching for a proper response, but came back empty except to say, "You flatter me."

"Only because I wish your favor. I still have your judgment to consider, recall?" He grinned at her blush.

The rest of dinner was not unpleasant. He spoke of his childhood and she of her own, then both retired to a couch with freshly poured wine. He exhaled and watched the flames that danced in the hearth. "So you have not delivered a verdict. Am I as boorish as my brother or do you think another dinner would be worth having?" he asked, taking a drink of his wine and setting it down.

Alura set hers down as well, feeling warm and more relaxed than when she had begun the night. "I enjoy your presence, Lord Faramir."

"Please, drop the title," he asked, reaching out and taking her hand. He pulled it before him and traced her fingers softly. And I must confess, I enjoy your presence immensely. More than I had anticipated."

"Is that so?" she asked, eyebrow raised.

He laughed and nodded gently. "I did not anticipate the wish to kiss you. Not this strongly.” His eyes asked the question that was on his mind, but he did not halt his words from coming, “May I kiss you?”

Her pulse raced suddenly as he smoothed his fingers into her hair and moved closer to her. She had not the will to deny him and nodded, but questioned within just how much she wanted this moment as his eyes fluttered shut and he enclosed upon her. His arm found its way around the back of her neck as his lips pressed against hers. Alura closed her eyes and allowed him the entrance he bid of her with his tongue. He caressed with warmth within her mouth softly, in a seeking manner that made her shiver in his hold. The arm around her neck disappeared downwards, his hand spreading and smoothing down the center of her back gently. It was a lingering moment that ended slowly. When it did Faramir sat back with a hazy look that seemed to be trying to understand her reaction.

Alura exhaled, looking down at her fingers. “I did not anticipate that either,” she confessed, then shot him a sidelong glance.

"And what of your judgment now?" he asked softly, reaching to touch her hair again. He wound a lock of it around his finger and admired the soft chestnut color. "Do I have your favor?"

"You have my favor," she answered tentatively, but with a smile. "But what are your intentions?"

He let the hair slide from his grasp. "I intend to pursue you like a hunter chases after a prize doe."

She blushed slightly at his soft gaze. "And when you have me in your sights? What then? Will you spear me?"

Faramir laughed at that and shook his head, then reached out to still her hands. He brought one into his lap and smoothed his fingers along her own. "I had hoped you would come to me. What say you to my plea?" He moved in nearer, running his hand up her arm. When he leaned over her this time he was more aggressive, urging her to her back along the couch as his mouth sought for hers. Alura brought her hand up along his side, smoothing to his back.

His tongue darted along hers hungrily and she felt herself quite breath-taken. A thrill of pleasure passed through her, but things began moving too fast too soon. She felt his thigh smooth between her thighs, pressing against her firmly as his hand pulled the shoulder of her gown down, baring her milky skin for his tasting pleasure. He left her lips and trailed them down her jaw to her throat where he began a fervent kiss that would mark her.

Biting her bottom lip, Alura inserted her arms between them and pressed against his shoulders gently. He stopped and looked down into her eyes with a wan smile. "Too soon have I asked for those liberties, I see. Forgive me?"

She laughed at his playful pout. "You are forgiven. For now."

He sat up and held out his hand, which she took and was aided to a sitting position. "For now? So your favor is movable by my sore mistakes? Such pressure you put on a man to be gentlemanly."

"Is that truly so hard?" she asked him with an interested gaze.

"It is not so terribly hard," he responded after a moment's thought. "It is my want to be good to any woman. Only your beauty tempts me to wanting things I should not ask for. It is the puzzle of every man that pursues a woman, to choose between wisdom and instinct."

"Instinct has a certain charm," she admitted, smiling as she ran her eyes along his face. "But so does wisdom."

He laughed lightly. "So I have noticed. Still, I should be grateful. There is something to be said for the chase. And I do intend to keep chasing." Taking up his wine again he sipped, watching her over the rim of the cup.

Alura grinned and spoke as he drank. "And I intend to keep running."

Faramir moved the cup from his mouth and covered his mouth as he swallowed, then grinned at her. "Is that so?"

"Only until I feel I should allow you to catch me," she offered with a smirk.

He shook his head with a soft look. "You are difficult game, but that makes the hunt all the more interesting, I admit. I shall prove myself a faithful hunter, however."

Feeling the night coming to a close, Alura stood up and watched as he did the same. "It may be we have an interesting game between us," she offered with an arch smile. He came closer as if in answer to her challenging tone.

"It may be," he repeated, reaching up to smooth a lock of her brown hair from her face. He smiled and moved closer still, letting his eyes shut halfway. He pressed his mouth against hers in a chaste, gentlemanly way, then moved back with a breathless bow. "You have inspired my manners."

She laughed at his florid act and headed towards the door. "It has been an interesting night, my lord. Thank you for the dinner and the company."

"The pleasure was mine," he replied, watching as she entered the hall. "I hope I see you again tomorrow."

"You may." She gave him a parting look, then turned into the hallway and began to depart the royal apartments. Her mind was abuzz with the events of the night. He was handsome, she reflected quietly, fidgeting with her fingers, not really watching her steps. Handsome and kind. Funny as well. She crossed her arms and was reminded sharply of Éowyn’s certainty there would be something to talk about tonight. She shook her head. Her cousin was not wrong.

When she came to her quarters Alura entered and saw Éowyn lounging on a divan, a book in her hands. "Boromir's private journal?" Alura mused, pulling her hair out of the braids she had donned for her dinner. "Does he give any clue what may be wrong with his personality?"

Éowyn rolled her eyes and sat up, closing the leather bound volume. "You have a sharp enough wit already. Need you tend to it every hour?" She eyed Alura thoughtfully. "What happened tonight?"

"You get right to the question," the dark-headed girl observed coolly. "We had dinner."

“And?" the blond pressed, watching her in the mirror as Alura looked herself over.

Alura turned on her heel with a mild expression. "Why not tell me the personal affairs of you and Boromir?"

Éowyn rolled her eyes and moved to a chair, sinking down in it. "Is that the price of sharing your joy? So be it. We had dinner tonight. He was a gentleman." A frown crossed her fair face. "He seemed troubled, however."

"He had words with his father," Alura supplied. Éowyn looked up in interest, so she continued. "I came around their rooms just as Boromir stormed from Lord Denethor's private rooms. It seems his father said something that Boromir did not like. Denethor asked if he still commanded his loyalty, even. Boromir agreed, but his face was dark when he passed me by."

"I wonder what it is that bothered him," Éowyn mused softly. "I asked him if he were troubled and he told me it did not concern me, that he did not wish me to worry over nothing. But it seemed to me there was a hidden story within his eyes after he said that. What ill thing could Denethor have said to him?"

Wanting to comfort Éowyn, agreeing with Boromir that she did not need to worry, Alura said, "Faramir suggests it was a duty that Boromir did not agree with, nothing more. I'm sure there is nothing to worry over."

The blonde nodded after a moment's consideration, but did not appear wholly convinced. "You may be right." In an instant the concerns left her bright eyes, but Alura knew they were not forgotten. Éowyn turned back on the matters of the night. "So, tell me of your dinner. Did Lord Faramir entertain you?"

Alura smirked and nodded, settling in beside her on the couch. "He was funny and kind as you said. He...kissed me."

Éowyn’s eyes widened. "Is that so?" she asked in a teasingly shocked tone. She calmed when her cousin shot her a look. "What was it like?"

"Nice," was all she could think to say. The princess laughed at her and Alura scowled. "What of Boromir? Have you kissed him?"

"Perhaps," Éowyn said offhandedly.

Alura shook her head and stood up, wringing her hands. "You are impossible with your demands to pry, then reveal nothing. I have sleeping to do."

Laughing, Éowyn stood up and nodded. "Yes, well, serves you right for not spilling all when I asked it."

"But I told you!" Alura jerked open her closet to retrieve her nightgown. "Will you not do me the same service?" Her cousin smiled, but the light did not reach her eyes. Alura stopped teasing. "There is nothing to tell, is there?"

Éowyn was a strong woman, with a sometimes stern expression. She was not one given to weeping, but in that moment Alura entertained she may. The blond shook her head. "It is early yet. I...I'm being silly. He is a good man."

A swell of anger hit Alura, but she gave audience more to the concern for her cousin that came with it. Throwing the gown to the bed, she came to Éowyn and took her hand gently. "To feel isn't silly. Are you all right?"

The blond swallowed and nodded, but her concern did not melt away. "Oh, Alura. I am afraid suddenly of this marriage. He is kind, but...distant. What if..."

Alura shook her head with a firm expression. "No. You do not know what is in his heart, so do not assume. He seems afraid to show his true self and hides behind his sarcasm. It may be that he is as uncertain as you are. Perhaps he fears he will go too far if he tries too hard."

"Perhaps," Éowyn sighed, nodding and looking as if she were trying to believe that. She shrugged it off her shoulders, but like her concern over Boromir's manner earlier, Alura knew it was not completely gone from her cousin. "Anyway, our costumes should be done tomorrow. They wish us to return for another fitting."

“Don’t let this bother you, Éowyn,” Alura said firmly, not wanting her to go back to her rooms feeling troubled.

The princess smiled gently and nodded. “I shall not. He is an important man with important tasks on his mind. I am sure it is nothing.” She opened the door and stepped behind it. “Rest well. Tomorrow I will come for you early for the fitting and then we can speak more of your plans for Lord Faramir.”

“I have no plans,” Alura hissed as Éowyn shut the door. Shaking her head, she returned to the bed and reached for her gown, then headed towards the washroom. Boromir’s treatment of her cousin wasn’t to be unexpected she had to admit. He was being forced into an arranged marriage, which could upset anyone. Still, she would not see her cousin worried over this or married to man that despised her. She set it in her plans to have a word with him if she ran across him. A subtle word, for Éowyn’s sake.