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Boromir was shy towards the newest addition to the fellowship. A young healer who was determined to support the fellowship in their journey. They had a bright, twinkling laugh and every moment in their company felt lighter.
Right now, they were settling down for the night and all Boromir could do was look at the ethereal figure.
-
You sat on a nearby log next to the fire. You leaned down, your features flickering in the firelight. You gestured wildly with your hands as you continued to tell a wild story to the hobbits that also surrounded the fire.
“… then the great king of the west slammed his sword down! ‘Ne’er in my 60 years of life.’ he exclaimed.”
The hobbits all held on to every word you said. You leaned down even further, your voice falling to a hush for dramatics. “He took his Great Sword and swung at the thieves.”
Everyone gasped. One of them fell off their seat on a log across from you. You glanced down at the fallen friend and let out that breathtaking laugh of yours. Boromir watched as you gracefully stood and moved to help him.
“Be careful, small hobbit. We shan’t be getting injured so soon in our journey. It’d be twice the work for me!”
The hobbit crossed their arms. A determined expression on their face. Boromir thought it might’ve been the one called Pippin.
“Small?! You’re almost as small as us.” He exclaimed, passionately. You just smiled and sat back down.
Boromir wished to join in the banter, yet he knew if your gaze drifted towards him for even a second, he would freeze and stutter like a newborn deer. Instead, he made his way towards where Aragorn was cleaning his weaponry.
“I saw you watching. While their medicinal aid is invaluable, I caution you on pursuing them. They are still young, Boromir,” Aragorn said softly as Boromir approached. The man in question frowned.
“You think so lowly of me?”
“No, but I know mens’ desires and their faults.”
“I can barely talk to them. You have no right to caution me like this. I would do nothing untoward… I simply enjoy their company.”
Aragorn elegantly raised an eyebrow and moved to continue.
“I don’t know why Elrond and Gandalf allowed such a young healer on this perilous journey but we must respect their decisions and our fellow members.” He stated, pointedly.
They both moved to look where you and the hobbits were talking. They watched silently in thought.
Merry and Pippin had begun telling the healer of their own adventures. They were on their feet, acting out dramatic scenes of their adventures. Some seemed too fantastical to be true, but your encouraging smile never dwindled. As the story continued, Gandalf had walked over to the shrinking fire behind you. He placed a hand on your shoulder and leaned down to whisper something.
Boromir watched with a furrow in his brow as you wore an expression of soft confusion. You turned to the hobbits and clearly gave them an apology before walking off with Gandalf. Gandalf’s hand traveled down to your waist, resting comfortably on your hip as the two walked into the forest.
Boromir turned to Aragorn, concern obvious on his face. “It seems Gandalf has no respect for his fellow travelers,” He sneered. “If you think me pursuing them was an issue…” Boromir trailed off intentionally.
Aragorn seemed deep in thought. Concern evident on him as well. He looked to where the hobbits conversed; they clearly had not noticed anything. His gaze briefly moved to where Legolas and Gimli were laughing before fixing his stare to Boromir.
“It might be wise to follow them,” he suggested slowly. The two men got up, and as casually as they could, followed you and Gandald into the forest.
“I can’t believe Gandalf would do something like this. I thought he was a great guy but this is sickening,” Boromir hissed. Aragorn just shook his head and made a gesture to keep quiet.
They were able to catch up pretty quickly to you. And they found themselves behind some brush aside a large clearing. The clearing was illuminated by the moon, giving the scene before them a haunting appearance.
You were sitting in the middle of the clearing, your legs splayed behind you as you kneeled towards a single delicate flower growing from the earth. Gandalf was behind you, his form draped over yours. His hands on your shoulders as he whispered in your ear. Boromir had to strain to hear.
“…imagine my surprise when the starlight hit it. They shine just like you,” Gandalf murmured.
A twinkling giggle was heard. “You are far too much of a romantic for your age,” you replied.
“How can I not be, when it is you I have. I am glad you have decided to join me.”
“It’s a noble endeavor, how could I not?” You smiled, and gave a soft caress to the flower before turning slightly to face Gandalf. You leaned closer, a gleam in your eye. “And I get to spend time with you.”
Gandalf moved a hand to your cheek. His gaze was clear with affection and hunger. Boromir flinched. He couldn’t stand it. He started to move but was suddenly held down by a strong grip.
He whipped around and came face to face with Legolas. He hadn’t even heard the elf join them. Legolas had a firm expression and shook his head quietly. He mouthed one concise word. “Wait,”
Boromir almost flew into an outrage. Gandalf was manipulating their poor fellowship member and Legolas wants him to wait?! He shifted slightly, ready to give Legolas a piece of his mind, but Aragorn nudged him slightly. He turned back to the scene before him.
It was clear the two had shared a quiet affectionate kiss while he looked away. They were mere inches away from each other. Your eyes never seemed to stop shining in mirth.
“And will you take it with you? A memento of my gaze.” Your eyes flicked down to the flower again.
A deep chuckle echoed through the forest.
“I need not a floral memento of your eyes, my dearest. A memento of you is in all the life around me. This world is your own. A reflection of you.”
“You are so dramatic, my heart. It’s an amazement you still have such florid language for me after all these years.” You took his hand in yours. A stark contrast between their hands shone beneath the moonlight. One aged with time and one fresh as snow.
“Is it histrionic if it’s true? In fact, I’d make you another world so you may have two. One just for us. ”
“You’re too much of a flirt, Gandalf,” You said his name like they shared a private joke. “I seem to recall you being much more chivalrous with me eons ago, dear.”
Boromir had started to sneer at the wizard’s words but he paused when he heard you speak. Eons ago? Of course, it could be a turn of phrase but…
He looked to Legolas for answers and the elf seemed to understand. He gestured for them to leave. Boromir took one last glance towards the two of you.
The three of them moved back towards where they had set up for the night and Boromir immediately turned to Legolas. “You better have a good reason for stopping me. Gandalf should not be treating a young one like that. It’s… it’s immoral!”
“Did you not listen to their words? It took me a while to figure it out, but they are no simple mortal,” Legolas explained.
“They’re an elf? They look nothing like them. They’re shorter than humans, let alone, elven kind,” Boromir replied.
“I was curious as to why they joined us. I…” Legolas paused, seemingly at war with himself. He continues with hesitation in his voice, “I took the liberty of glancing at Elrond’s ancient texts. In it, was a story… of an ancient elven pathfinder and a wizard. Elrond had them out for a reason and I wasn’t sure… but I believe they confirmed my beliefs.”
Aragorn and Boromir were speechless. The three simply stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. When thoughts finally returned to Boromir, he stuttered questions to the elf.
“You got all of that from a couple lines of text? A couple sentences mean nothing! Who’s to say that Gandalf is just using that story as a cover up?”
“I do.”
The three whip around to find you standing before them. Gandalf acted as a towering shadow behind you. Your normal, light-hearted expression was replaced with furrowed brows and a small, disappointed frown.
“I admire your concern for my purity but I do not appreciate you slandering Gandalf’s character to our fellowship. It is unbecoming and unjust.“
“Dear…” Gandalf started, calmly.
You whipped around. “No. I will not take any slights against you Gandalf. Any insult against you is my own.”
The old wizard sighed and brushed a long weathered finger against your cheek. He smiled down at you and shook his head lovingly. He looked back to the two men and the elf. He gestured towards you again.
“Meet The Pathfinder,” he said. Legolas’s eyes widened with recognition and awe.
“I’m sure you’re now aware, but for those who are not, I am older than the age of men itself and more than mature enough to be in a relationship with my dear Gandalf. ” You smiled, sharply. You tuck a stray hair behind your ear, showing off the now clear pointed ends to them.
Boromir looked properly cowed and swallowed nervously. Aragorn and Legolas exchanged a look and bowed their heads to you.
“I apologize, my liege.” Aragorn said.
You just laughed. “Now that is not necessary. All I ask is for all of this to be resolved quickly and to be in the presence of my partner in peace.” The sparkle of delight was back to twinkling in the healer’s eyes.
You and Gandalf watched as the men in front of you scrambled to agree before leaving the two of you alone.
Olórin leaned down to wrap his arms around the other. Pressed against the other, he whispered in a language long forgotten, “I love you.”
“And I love you, Olórin.” The response came. The same hushed words. The same lost ones.