"Down A Different Road"
Part 2
by Beryll

 

Well, fate moves in ever unpredictable ways. One moment I'm sitting on the walls, cursing myself, not knowing which way to turn, next thing I know is a cry down in the streets: "Faramir has returned!" As if I had willed him to come, with my desperation alone. There was rejoicing in the palace all around me, as I hurried down the steps to the gate to greet him: The moment I knew he was there, I also knew what to do. I just had to reach him, before my father did. Had to somehow manage to drag him to a quite corner, before anybody else could.

I managed, but only by an bare inch. I saw one of my fathers guards across the courtyard, just when I grabbed his arm and pulled him after me. The look on his face was priceless and had the situation not been so grave, I would have laughed. I wish I knew, what he thought that moment. Not only, that his elder brother, whom he still thought far away, greeted him at the door, but he was also behaving utterly strange.

So we were only a few paces away, when he stopped me. "What's wrong?" he asked, worry clear in his voice. My ever perceptive brother. He reads me like an open book. "Not here." I answered. "Please trust me on this. Come with me and I will explain." He looked at me a long second, than nodded slowly. He must have seen how serious I was. Maybe even how afraid.

We went to one of our hideouts of old. Places, we would go, when we did not want our stern father to find us, when we wanted to be just children and no ever responsible princes for once. I looked at him then, and drew him into a silent embrace of welcome. I had missed him, more than I realised. He says, I am his strength, the thing that keeps him grounded in his thoughtful ways. How can I ever express what he means to me. I am not as good with words and if worse at saying them out loud, but he is like my second brain somehow. When he is near, I think clearer. As I did now.

I explained to him as quickly as I could, not leaving out anything. If there was any person I trusted not to behave foolishly around or be tempted by the ring, it was him. I told him about the quest, what had happened so far and why we were here now. And then I told him what father had just done. That he had taken prisoner the man, who was rightful heir to the thrown of Gondor. That he had done so in secret.

And he listened quietly, absorbing the information, quickly processing it in his efficient way and coming to the same conclusion, I had reached. "The ring must leave the city." he said. "A shadow has been on the mind of our father, since you left, and it has been ever deepening. I do not no what darkens his thought, but I fear light has fled his mind completely right now. We can not risk him gaining the ring." I nodded.

"I know. But we cannot leave Aragorn here as well. Therefor I ask you to go with the fellowship in my place, taking them through Ithilien and on to Mordor. You will be of more value to them there anyway, than I would be. You know the territory much better. I will try to find Aragorn and then..." I broke of. "I don't know, we should follow you, I suppose, but can I dare, leave Gondor to the hands of father now...?"

Faramir looked at me with sad understanding in his eyes. "You do know, what you talk of?" he asked quietly. "This is high treason against your steward, our father, the one you swore allegiance to." The pain threatened to tear my heart, but there was only one answer. "My allegiance has to be to my king." I said, my voice shaky but true. I held Faramirs eyes. "Will you help me?" For a long moment he looked at me, fighting his own conflicting emotions. Then he nodded and with that sealed both our fates. Should this bit fail, to history we would both be known as traitors.

Decision made, acting and planing went hand in hand, as we stealthily made our way towards the quarters of the rest of the fellowship. Yes, Frodo should have rested another week, but I trusted Faramis and Legolas to take care of him. It was Faramirs idea, to send a message to prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. I would never have considered, drawing anybody else into this mess, but he was right of course. If I really tried to - Valar! how difficult it was to even think it - tried to put the rightful king onto the thrown instead of my father, I would need any help I could get. And Faramir told me, Imrahil had noticed the growing darkness in our father as well. For a moment I felt outraged, that my brother and the price should talk about my father like that behind his back. Then I realised how ridiculous that sentiment was and agreed to his idea.

When we reached the quarters of the others, the halflings were asleep already. Gimli sat at a table, mending his armor. He looked up in surprise, for we had parted, saying good night. Then he noticed Faramir and a wry smile showed beneath his beard. "So there is another proud Gondorian." his grumbled amiably, getting up to greet my brother.

I introduced them quickly, asking then, where Legolas was. It was the level headed elf, I needed to talk to now, not Gimli, who was quite likely to just grab his axe and go looking for Aragorn, felling guards left and right. "He went outside, to catch some clean air." Gimli explained with a hint of distaste in his voice. Then he caught some of my worry and his brow furrowed. "What is it? You look, like you've just seen a ghost."

"Wish it was but a ghost." I answered. "We're in trouble." As I had predicted, his hand went for the axe immediately. Let it never be said again, the minds of dwarfs move slowly, for a threw one quick glance about the room, then fixed his gaze on me. "Aragorn." he said, no question in his words. So he had noticed there was something amiss, as well.

I nodded and he surprised me, by relaxing his grip on his axe. "So what happened?" he asked, obviously fighting to keep his calm. "I am not sure myself." I answered honestly. "I saw my fathers guards take him away. He was unconscious but I am certain, he was still alive. So I believe, my father must have some reason to keep him so a little longer."

Gimlis eyes went to Faramir then back to me questioning. "He knows about the quest. I told him. We can trust him." I said, not sounding to convincing to myself but it seemed to satisfy Gimli. "The ringbearer has to leave Minas Tirith." Faramir said. "That is most important now."

"Yes, it is." a level voice said behind my back and made me nearly jump out of my skin. None of us had heard Legolas enter the room. "But you should all take more care, of what you speak, when you do not no who is listening." He was right of course, but Gimli still found some humor. "I do not think, the men of Gondor sneak around, like you do, master elf." he grumbled.

"They don't." Legolas agreed. "But if they learn, what Frodo carries, they won't have to sneak, for they will come for it in full strength and not even your precious axe will hold them for long." Gimli started to protest, but then just shook his head, starting to put his half mended armor back on. "I will wake the halfling then." he grumbled. "You make a plan that involves me hacking some orcs to pieces and I will follow it through." Legolas nodded silently, then turned to me.

"I take it you have some sort of idea, how to continue now?" he asked, his face betraying no emotion, unreadable as ever. "The fellowship must leave tonight, as long as my fathers thoughts are still bent on Aragorn. He will learn soon enough, what Frodo carries, now that he has removed the threat to his thrown." "And he will take it." Legolas finished my thoughts. "Yes, you are right." He looked at Faramir. "So you are sending your brother with us, to take us to Mordor. What about you?"

I was grateful then, for his quick mind. It would have taken me a lot longer, to explain. "I will stay." I simply said. "I will try to find Aragorn, before my father does something... irrevocable." "Kills him." Legolas stated clearly. "You might as well say it. I clearly remember your own words in council. Gondor needs no king. Now I see who taught you that sentiment." His words were harsh, but there was no rancor in them.

I lowered my head, feeling humbled by his honesty. "Boromir." he said very softly, making me look up again. "I do not envy you, for the days ahead. I will rather go to Mordor with Frodo then I would face my own father as an enemy. Do not despair over your decision. It is the right thing to do, no matter how much it hurts." He clasped my arm in a gesture of friendship. "I hope I will see you again. You and Aragorn. I hope the shadow will be lifted." He gave me a small smile. "Do not worry about the quest anymore. Your task is a different one now. I will care for Frodo."

How he knew, how much I needed that reassurance, I will never know, but it felt, as if he had taken my oath to Frodo on his own shoulders, freeing me to help Aragorn. We looked at each other for a short moment. Man and elf, bracing for the dangers ahead. Then sleepy hobbits spilled into the room, with questions and complains. We made them ready as quickly as possible, explaining as we went down hidden paths to the outer walls of the city. Never would I have thought, I would move like a hunted animal through my very own home.

Frodo was horrified, when he heard of the betrayal of my father. He wanted to stay, to help Aragorn. We tried to convince him, that his mission was the more important one, but he wouldn't listen. So much kindness, in so small a man. In the end it was Legolas, who took him to the side and talked to him quietly. When they came back, there was a telling moistness in Frodos eyes, but he had agreed to leave.

I parted with them then, so none would see me at the gates. It would not do, to make father more suspicious, then he already was. I counted on his misgivings with Faramir, to put all fault on him, as he was always wont to do. One last embrace with Merry and Pippin, both pledging, to protect Frodo in my stead, as I had taught them to do. One last handshake with Gimli, who promised in his usual gruffness, he would be back, to sample some more Gondorian beer. One last long look at Frodo and Sam, Frodo giving me his bravest smile.

Legolas and Faramir? There were no words needed. I have never thought, I would ever feel this close to the elvan prince. And was actually glad, to see my brother go. Like this, he would at least not be here, when everything we had ever known, would break and none of us knew, what would come afterwards.

Then they disappeared into the darkness, leaving me more alone, than I had ever felt in my whole life. I am a soldier, a commander. There had always been somebody, I could follow, or who would follow me. Now I had to do this all on my own. And I felt so very scared.

I went back to the tower, to my familiar rooms, feeling completely out of place. I still had no idea how to find Aragorn. He was not supposed to be found, so father would have put him somewhere, even I would never guess. I could not go ask the guards I had seen taking him. They wouldn't tell me but certainly let my father know. And I couldn't go ask father either. I spend hours, wandering my rooms thinking and thinking and not getting anywhere at all.

*****

At last I must have fallen asleep, for he was woken by violent hammering on my door. My first impulse was, to grab my sword and just kill whoever was outside. What have I come to already, expecting nothing but enemies in my own home? I checked myself just in time, rubbing sleep from my eyes, trying to clear my mind.

"Who's there?" I called, my hand resting on the swordhilt. "My lord Boromir," a familiar voice answered, "the Steward asks for your immediate presence on matters of grave importance." So the word was out. My father had realised, what had been so close and was gone now. But how much did he know, about my involvement in the matter? Had he guessed, I had sent the fellowship away? I had to find out as much as possible, without giving anything away myself.

And as my brother has pointed out to me serveral times, I am a horrible lyier. Whatever mischief we had gotten into when we were young, it was always I who gave us away unintentionaly. And then my brother had been there to brief me, on what to say. Now I had to face father on my own. Something Faramir had drilled into me then over and over again, came back to my mind: "Stay as close to the truth as you possibly can, then you don't look like you're lying". It didn't make sense to me then, but I hoped it would help me now to convince my father. Much more inportant things were at stake. The safety of Gondor, the wellfare of my people and foremost the life of Aragorn.

So I opened the door, no really having to feign sleepiness for I had not had more than a couple of hours of rest. One of my fathers guards stood there, looking worried. At least he had not sent his whole guard to arrest me yet. So there might still be hope to play this carefully. What I would have done, had it been otherwise, I can not say. Had they come to take me prisoner, would I have been able to kill these men, who had served me and my father as long as I could think back? To my own horror I must say, that probably I would have done so.

I had fallen asleep in my clothes, with my swordbelt still on, so I just rubbed my face to gather my wits some more and then followed the guard to my fathers hall. Never before had this door looked so threatening. the hall behind was filled with shadows, the sunlight of early morning just staring to drift inside.My eyes took a moment to adjust, then a saw the steward, sitting on the thrown, watching me, watch him.

I stepped up to the thrown, clasping my hands behind my back, so he would not notice their trembling. I was only halfway there, when he spoke. "My son, darkness has truly fallen over Gondor." he said slowly and my heart turned to ice. He knows, was all I could think. He knows, he is just toying with me.

"Your bother has betrayed us. I have always suspected him to be in leage with other powers but now he has revealed his hand. He has bowed to the Dark Lord." For a dreadful moment, I had no idea, what he was talking about. Then it hit me. He must be thinking, they were taking the ring to Mordor, to give it to ist owner. How, in the name of all that is devine, could he ever believe THAT? Faramir must be right. Our father had truly gone mad. But al least he did not seem to suspect me.

"What happened?" I asked, not having to pretend to be horrified. He rose from the thrown then, walking towards me, somehow making me feel very small and scared. "Tell me, Boromir, what do you know of the reason, your companions were traveling this way?" he asked, his voice grave. He had reached me and put his hands on my shoulders, effectivly trapping me.

'Stay as close to the truth as you can' Faramirs voice echoed in my mind. "They were carring some kind of magic ring." I answered, my voice sounding brittle in my own ears, but father didn't seem to notice. "It is supposed to help in the war... Did they not talk to you about it? I thought it was ment for you...?"

I sounded so unconvincing to myself, I was just about to run, when my father gave a sad headshake, drawing me into a close embrace. "No my son, they did not. My poor trusting Boromir. They did not. You were used, to carry a most dangerous weapons to the enemy. I should have talked to you, the moment you arrived, but my mind was on other matters. Now there can only be regret for my neglecience."

He held me at arms length again. "I am so sorry. This must be impossibly hard for you." he said, deep sadness in his voice. "The people you thought your friends have betrayed you. They have fled Minas Tirith in the company of your brother. This must be, what they had planed right from the start. To meet Faramir here." "They are gone?" I asked in a choked voice. "Where to?"

If only he doesn't know, I silently prayed. If he doesn't know, they will make it. They have a headstart of at least twelve hours. That has to be enough. "I do not know." my father answered and I felt myself start breathing again. "They were seen at the gates last evening, but nobody thought to ask them, where they were going, as your brother was with them. Curse him."

He let go of me then, turning away, giving me a moment to think. And for the first time in my life, I had a truly bright idea, not involving some kind of battlefield strategie. "If only we could ask the elf or that ranger." I muttered to myself. "They would certainly know, what they had planed next." My father whirled around like a snake ready to strike, a bright smile suddenly on his face.

"My son, your mind is clearer than mine in this matter." he said. "That is a most brilliant idea. That man you call a ranger, is in fact a descendant of our beloved king Isildur. From a very minor line, of course, never fit to rule this city. But he has been entertaining hopes, of gaining the thrown for himself, after pledging his loyalties to the Dark Lord. I realized this, as soon as I set eyes on him. So I had him arrested yesterday. He still remains in the city."

Valar, to hear my own father twist the truth like that, was like having him twist my heart instead. Was he really believing this, or did he just say it, to convince his ever trusting son? My father must have sensed some of my turmoil for he eyed me carefully. "Boromir, I know this is difficult for you, but you must gather your courage. I need your strong arm now, more than ever. You are the only one, I can trust now."

He smiled and I felt like screaming 'Yeah, father, trust me, for I will be the one to put the dagger into your back!' This was just to terrible. How could my wise and gentle father become this twisted thing of mindless hate? And still love me? Still trust me? I conjured the scene of his guards dragging Aragorn across the courtyard back before my minds eye, to remind myself, why I was doing this, why I had to stay strong. And still it hurt, my love for my father battling the love for my king in my heart, tearing me apart.

In the end, it was a different memory, that gave me strength. A day like any other, when we were in the Emyn Muil. Aragorn sitting on a rock, smoking, watching the hobbits discuss dinner, smiling to himself, then turning to me saying "Don't you sometimes wish, to be as careless as they are? If we should survive this quest and whatever shall come after it, let us go somewhere, where nobody knows us and let us be like them for a couple of days."

I know he was only joking, but his eyes had been sparkling like a clear mountain spring and he had been just so... adorable. I loved him so much, my head hurt just thinking of him. I could not bear the thought, of living without him. Better to die, trying to kill my father, but live with that pain any minute longer.

My father was still looking at me, waiting for some kind of response, so I gritted my teeth, forcing a smile. "I can do this, father." I said slowly. I took a deep breath. "May i sugest, I go and talk to the ranger? He might tell me more, that he would tell you." Please make him take the bait, I prayed, trying not to let my eagerness show. He saw it anyway but misinterpreted it. "You don't have to do this, Boromir." he said, worry evident in his voice. "There are ways to loosen any tongue. He will tell us, what he knows."

This was not true! He was not really telling me, he was going to torture the rightful heir to the thrown of Gondor! This was just... impossible. "I'm sure he will." I pressed out, not able to mask my voice anymore. "But will that be in time? I should talk to him right now." And again my father managed to misinterpred my emotions. "Easy my son," he cautioned, "do not let your anger rule you. He will not tell us anything if you break his neck."

I clamped down on my feelings then, trying desperatly to calm down. I had to convince him, to let me do this. It was my only chance, of finding Aragorn. "I will not shame you." I said, breathing deeply. "Please allow me to serve you in this matter. I have done enough harm already, helping them."

"It was not your fault." my father tried to reassure me. He looked at me for a long moment trying to pierce the walls I had carefully build around my true intentions. Then he seemed satisfied and nodded. "Go to him then and see what you can learn. But do not expect to much. He is like a poisonous snake. He will only try to sway you with his words." I did not really listen to him anymore. When he had given his consent for me to go, I felt like the whole of the Misty Mountains had been lifted of my heart.

He send one of his most trusted guards with me, to show me the way to the place, where he kept his precious prisoner.

*****

They had put him in a room in one of the towers, a place where nobody would just wander by. A place, to put somebody, if you wanted him forgotten. A place, where I would never have found him on my own. At least my father had not imprisoned him in some dank dungeon cell. Although that had probably just been, because some of the dungeons keepers might have asked too many questions.

There were two guards before the door. So father took no chances with this 'ranger'. They unlocked the door and opened it for me. The room behind the door was empty, except for Aragorn, sitting on the floor across the door, trying his best to look none-threatening and failing miserably. Any warrior could see, that he was ready to jumb anybody, making the mistake of getting to close to him.

I don't know, who he expected to see, but certainly not me. For a moment there was surprise in his eyes, then a horrible flash of pain, for he must have thought, I had betrayed our quest. Then his face was a mask of calm again. I just looked at him, to convince myself, he was still alive.

Only when I realized, how much the doubt he must be in would pain him, did I turn to the guard, who stood outside. "Lock the door and do not come in." I told them in my best commanding voice. "I wish to talk to him alone." They looked uncomfortable at that for a moment, but they complied.

When I turned back to Aragorn he was slowly rising from the floor, eyeing me warily, still not speaking. I crossed the room in two strides, kneeling before him, lowering my head. "I have betrayed neither you nor our quest." I said, keeping my voice low, for what I had to say was not for other ears then ours. "Frodo and the ring left Minas Tirith yesterday evening. I sent my brother Faramir with them, to guide them. The ring is as safe, as it can be on this quest."

He grabbed my shoulders then, pulling back to my feet. There was immense relief in his face and something else in his eyes, I could not quiet place. "If you trust your brother, so will I." he said. "But what of you? Shouldn't you be with them?" I shook my head. "My allegiance is to my king and I could not leave my home in the hands of my father, the way he is behaving." I explained.

There was great sadness in his eyes. "I am not king yet." he said. "This is a dangerous path you have chosen." Well, if I walk it with you, I don't mind dying, I thought and said: "You will be king, have to be now, as Gondor is without a wise ruler." He nodded, obviously not pleased with the prospect. How could my father ever have thought, this man wanted to steal his thrown? Looking at him now, I was pretty sure, he would have rather returned to his woods and stayed there for good.

"It's no good to confront your father without anything to backup my claim." He started pacing the small room. "Your father has taken Narsil." he explained, when he saw the question on my face. I felt anger rise in me. How could my father dare this? "You are right," he continued, "something has to be done. Gondor will not he able to defend herself from the storm that's coming with this Steward, who is looking for threats near his heart but not from Mordor."

He looked at me again. "I am not familiar with courtlife in Gondor. Who should I turn to?" Again it was my brothers careful thinking that gave me an answer. "Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth has his doubts about the Stewards sanity as well. I have send note to him already, on what has happened here with you. His voice weights heavy with the other nobles of Gondor. Maybe we should go to Dol Amroth to consider further action?"

Aragorn closed his eyes briefly. "Dare we take that much time?" he asked more himself than me. "The danger is drawing ever closer and right now there is nothing to stop the darkness, pouring out of Mordor. Wish Gandalf were still with us. He might have been able, to bring your father to his senses." I felt him weighing options more quickly, than I could even grasp them.

At last I took a deep breath. "It's no use. It will eventually come to it anyway. I have to confront your father now. I either I learn, what has cast this shadow over his mind and make him see reason or..." He did not finish the sentence but his intention was clear. And he was right of course. It hurt like a knife twisting in my heart, but he was right. Father had to be stopped before he did more harm.

Aragorn must have seen the pain in my face, for he put one hand on my shoulder again. "Boromir, I can not ask you to help me in this." he told me. "If you manage to get me out of here, see that you leave the city for Dol Amroth right away. So you will not be endangered, should I fail." How very naive of him. As if I could even breath without him in the same room. "You cannot ask my help." I said, fighting tears. "But I offer it willingly and you will not refuse me." There was as much pain in his eyes then as in mine, but he did not try to send me away again.

I got us out of the room by beating the guards outside unconcious. They were so surprised they didn't even put up a real fight and I was grateful for not having to really hurt them. We made our way trough the awakening palace quickly towards the hall of my father, luckily not being noticed by anyone who might warn father.

*****

And now here we are, before the doors, that have threatened me once today already. And again I am scared. Not for myself or the wellbeing of my father. Just for Aragorn, who looks so calm and composed. He truly is like the kings of old. There is a strength in his heart, none of us mere mortals can match. I will fight to my death to protect him. Even should it be my own father I have to fight.

The guards at the door just recognize me and open the door for us. He walks in slowly, like the ranger he also is, entering dangerous territory. I follow on his heels, hand gripping my swordhilt so hard my knuckles hurt. I can do this, I tell myself, if he can, I can as well.

My father is on the thrown again. He watches us approach and the mad fire is in his eyes again. Pure hatred, directed at Aragorn alone. "So you have stolen my second son as well, elvan upstart." he snarls, as the door clses behind us. "What do you want now? My thrown? Well you can't have it. I will never allow you to soil the names of my ancestors by taking what is not yours."

Aragorn stops a few paces from the thrown. In him I feel no anger at all. Only sadness. "What have I done to earn so much hatred?" he asks softly. "Have I asked for that thrown? Have I asked for the blood of Isildur runing through my veins?" My father stares at him for a moment. "How dare you claim Isildurs heritage?" he says then, his voice rising. "You are nothing but an elvan bstard. A creature neither human nor elf. Their is no pride in you. No knowledge what it means to be man."

Aragorn rises his head a little higher now. "I am Isildurs heir." he says, a bit of anger in his voice now as well. "And I know of the struggles of man. You are not the only one, spending his life protecting innocents. You keep your eyes on Gondor, as befits its Steward but I must look further." His voice softens again. "Do not judge me, without knowing me. It has never been my wish to claim this thrown without the Stewards consent and it is still not. Please give me time to prove my worth to you."

My father rises from the thrwon now, shaking with barly controlled rage. "So you can poison me with your pretty words, like you have done with my sons? Never! I was warned of your coming. I know who you serve! The Dark Lord will never put one of his on the thrown of Gondor!" He really believes this, I think horrified. But why? How can he judge so wrongly? "I will never bow to the Lord of Mordor." Aragorn says slowly, obviously puzzled as well. "How did you...?" But my father interrupts: "Enough! I will not listen anymore. You have done enough harm, you will not do more!"

I see it in his eyes, a split second before he moves. But a split second is enough for a seasoned warrior. It only takes one step and I am between my father and my king, taking the dagger thrust intended for Aragorn. The shock in my fathers eyes is incredible as he realizes what he has done. I feel the shadow leave his eyes, more than I see it. Feel his hands let go of the dagger, imbedded in my breast as well.

That it would take the death of his eldest son to see reason, I think strangely calm. And then the pain hits me. A fiery point, deep in my body, spreading incredibly fast. I hear Aragorn shout something, try to turn to him, to see his face one more time, but the ground moves beneath my feet and I fall. It hurt. Oh Valar, it hurt so much. I want to breath, but I can't. Who would have thought, death would be so painful?

Then there is Aragorns face, hovering above me. So there is some mercy beneath the stars. At least I get to see him again, before I have to go. At least I was allowed to die for him, like I so much wanted to. And die without him knowing my shame. If just he will be safe now...

I try so tell him, it's alright, try to give him one last smile, but the darkness is swallowing his face now.... the last thing I see are his eyes, his beautiful eyes... goodbye my love... goodbye...

 

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Beryll

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