To Capture the Heart of a Warrior

Chapter twenty-five: A Family Discussion





Faramir crept quietly to his brother’s room. The guards were always on duty in this wing of the palace, for this was the wing where all the private chambers were. The guard said nothing to him as he quietly opened the door and stepped in. The moon was quite full and it bathed the room in ghostly silver light and deep shadow. In the bed lay Boromir, on his back. Cradled in his arms was the Ernil i Pheriannath, the Prince of the Halflings. Boromir’s arm lay loosely around his little lover, and the halfling’s head was pillowed on Boromir’s broad shoulder. They slept soundly, naked as newborns, obviously sleeping the sleep of those that have made love and made it well.

Faramir regarded the two, so odd-looking together, the little halfling and the big Man, yet somehow their differences made them seem all the more beautiful. Seeing Pippin naked for the first time Faramir could see how his brother’s heart had been claimed. The little creature was indeed beautiful, his skin flawless but for his battle-scars. Long golden lashes lay against Pippin’s soft, smooth cheeks. His little bow of a mouth was sweetly slack in sleep like a baby’s mouth. His limbs were long for the size of his body, lending the halfling a graceful look. The soft golden-brown crown of curls completed his beauty, hanging down over closed eyes in a charming veil. The only thing that could have improved his looks would have been his eyes, were they open. The halfling’s eyes were remarkably green, such a bright green it was hard to look away from them. His buttocks were round and smooth. The small chest was dusted with a sparse growth of light, downy golden hair. He looked almost like some magical creature from a child’s story. This was all the more the case since it had only been recently that Faramir had learned that halflings were not story-book creatures at all, but real, living people. Faramir bent and placed a soft kiss first on his brother’s cheek, then on Pippin’s. He pulled the sheet up over the sleeping lovers and turned to creep quietly from the room.

“He is back, now, don’t fear, Faramir. He is returned to us.”

Faramir stopped in his tracks. He hadn’t meant to waken anyone, and now he was in the embarrassing situation of having come into the chamber to the naked and sleeping lovers.

“Don’t be embarrassed. You’ve seen your brother naked before, I’ll wager. As for myself, I’m covered up now. You should know, you did it. Please, turn around. You must have come for a reason.”

Faramir made himself turn around to find both Boromir and Pippin awake. He blushed a deep red.

“I think, Pippin, he came more from old habits than anything else. I think I know why. He always came here when he couldn’t sleep, and only a pretty female ever kept him awake.”

“Eowyn, is it?” Pippin asked.

“Yes, it’s Eowyn. I was going to ask Boromir if he thought we were a good match.”

“I can think of no better, Faramir. Does the White Lady return the sentiment?” Boromir said.

Faramir sat on the side of the bed. Pippin sat up, wrapping the sheet around himself. “She does, I know. She had set her heart on the king, but to my relief, he loves another.”

“Aragorn does get around a bit.” said Pippin. “I’m surprised he didn’t…”

“Pippin!”

“Sorry, Boromir. You’re right; I shouldn’t prattle on so. It reflects badly on us.”

“There’s a good lad. There’s my good little poppet.”

“I only ever want to make you proud of me, acushla.”

“You have, poppet. You’ve made me so proud of you.”

Faramir watched Pippin squirm into Boromir’s lap. He threw his little arms around Boromir’s neck, beaming with pride. Faramir couldn’t help grinning.

“You two seem so happy together.” Faramir said.

“We are, brother. My Little One has made me complete.”

“I confess it took some getting used to.” said Faramir. “After all, it’s so unlike you. Always one for the ladies you were, so when I learned of this love of yours, I could scarcely believe it. But then…”

“Then, what?” Boromir said.

“Then I got to know him. At first he was so battered and bruised, and his heart was so broken that I wondered what you could have seen in him. But then a little time passed, and I got to know him better. When the bandages came off, I could see then how he stole your heart.”

“Yes, he is quite a pretty thing, is he not?”

“We’re making him blush.”

“I know. That’s just one more thing I love about him. He thinks he isn’t anything special, when he’s the most special, perfect creature I have ever seen.”

“Stop, please, you two!” Pippin covered his face with his hands. Faramir reached over and gently forced Pippin’s hands away from his face.

“You are too modest, Peregrin Took. Only the sweetest, prettiest halfling could steal my brother’s affections. But truly, Pippin, it is your heart, your dear, innocent heart that makes you so perfect for my brother. You see, in you he will always have someone to look after, to protect and love with all his heart. Once he did that for me, not quite in the same way, mind you, but yes, he did have me to look after, to take care of, to guide and protect. I can’t fill that space as I once did, but you…you can, for the rest of his life. He need never be alone or unloved while you live. For that, Little Brother, I am grateful.”

Faramir found his arms suddenly full of a naked halfling, which threw his arms around Faramir’s neck, planting a wet, noisy kiss on his cheek. Then Pippin reclaimed his place in Boromir’s lap.

“Faramir, since I’ll not be taking a wife, there is something that should be given to you.” Boromir said. He lifted Pippin from his lap and swung his legs over the side of the bed, pulling on his breeches. He went to the foot of his bed and opened a large chest and took from it a small box. He handed the box to Faramir.

Faramir opened the box. His mouth hung open for a moment, then he managed to speak in a soft, low tone. “Mother’s wedding ring! Boromir, are you sure you want to give this to me?”

“Of course I am, little brother. I would very much like to see your pretty lady wear it. Mother would approve, I’m sure, as I approve.”

Faramir embraced his brother. “That is all I need hear,” he said. “No man could ever make me as happy as you have, my brother. No man’s approval means more to me than yours.”

“And what of my brother’s approval?”

Faramir went to Pippin. He cupped the small face in one hand, bent and kissed the smooth cheek. “He has your brother’s approval a thousand times a thousand, Boromir. He saved my life. He saved my brother’s life. Anything he asks of me, I would gladly give.”

“Truly?” asked Pippin.

“Yes, Pippin, truly. Anything.”

“Can Boromir come home with me? Can he live in the Shire with me, at the Great Smials?”

Faramir sighed. “I had rather hoped you would remain here, in Gondor, with us. But yes, if he wishes it, I give you my blessings, Little One. On one condition.”

“What might that be?” asked Pippin.

“That you return here with him, as often as you can.”

“Of course, you great goose! I could not keep my acushla away from his only brother.”

“Then you may spirit him away, Little Prince. Only after my wedding, of course.”

“Done! Did you hear that, Boromir? You’re my property, now.”

“Scamp! I’ll show you who is whose property!”

Faramir laughed. “I think I should go now. My brother has that look in his eye.”

“What look?” said Pippin.

“Oh, as if you don’t know. I’ll see the two of you later.” Faramir gave Pippin yet another peck on the cheek, then he embraced his brother once more. He bid them goodnight and went to his own chambers. As he lay in his bed growing drowsy he could hear his brother.

“Come here, you wooly-footed little rascal. Your property, indeed.”

There was a hobbity little squeak, then the sound of laughter, high and sweet, then Boromir’s voice once more.

“What’s the use? You’re right, I am your property right enough.”

And then Pippin’s voice, saying “Oh, my acushla! My only love! If you are my property, then I must be yours, too. Shall I show you?”

“Again? Insatiable little minx! Do you ever get enough? Shameless creature!”

“Oh, be quiet! You know you love it when I’m like this.”

Another hobbity little squeak, then Boromir again.

“And you love it when I’m like this!”

“Oh! Oh, acushla! Do that again?”

There was a good bit of laughter followed by soft moans. The moans turned into louder groans, then stifled cries until there was at last silence. As Faramir fell asleep, he hoped that he could have that kind of love with Eowyn.

To Be Continued