Five: A Nameless Terror

Title: A Nameless Terror

Summary: Boromir and Faramir ponder over the placement and naming of the enemy.

Author: Sakura123 (weber_dubois22)

Rating: K

Word Count: 888

Chapters: 1/1

Character(s)/Pairings: Boromir, Faramir, Madril OFC, OMC

Spoilers/Warnings: None

On the seventh day of near-sleepless travel, the brothers reached Henneth Annûn, shaken with exhaustion and relief that wanted to manifest itself through tears of joy. The only one among their company who was even the slightest bit rested was the baby, who squirmed for a better position against Boromir's chest every now and again when his arm would slip down. He'd become so used to the movement in the short time he'd been charged with her, that he simply raised his arm up a bit and the squirming stopped.

Upon reaching the lower entrance, they were greeted by Madril, Faramir's second-in-command (and advisor) . If given the chance to fret, he would've, but a look from Faramir reduced his concern into a short nod and a worrisome look. They'd been expected back much earlier than when they arrived and it'd taken all of the senior ranger's self-control to keep from sending a search party out to fetch them. Faramir and Boromir were grown men, they'd look after themselves and each other if they ran into trouble, or at least, that was his reasoning.

He was glad to see that it was true. The sons of Denethor returned to the refuge unharmed, exhaustion being the only obvious trouble, yet, he did not expect them to return with a baby in tow. "We feared you'd run into Orcs," Madril said in a low voice, regarding the little hand that clung to the collar of Boromir's tunic. Faramir pulled the hood from his head with a sigh and shook his head; his ears adjusted to the melody of noises and soft conversation that echoed off the cavern walls. "Nay, Madril. There were no Orc's to be seen," He half-yawned. "Just a child." Faramir nudged his brother, who'd started to lean against the cool wall for a rest, then continued on deeper into the cave. Boromir gave a weary sigh and followed after his brother, Madril trailing behind him silence.

"Where on Arda did you find this little thing?" Madril inquired, peering past Boromir's arm at the child whose brown eyes were surveying her new environment. Boromir half-shrugged, he had no desire to speak, yet went about explaining where they'd "happened across" the babe, leaving out the more wearying parts he rather not think about. Madril sensed there was more to the tale than was told, but did not press the younger man for any more information. When the two entered the open space, the gaggle of rangers who'd surrounded Faramir paused at the sight of the Captain-General and bundle in his arms. "Is that it, captain?" One of them said, moving in to study the specimen.

The baby squirmed in Boromir's grip, appearing to frown when the youth leaned in closer to peer down at her. Boromir gave the young man a steely look, one which caused the ranger to take a step back. Faramir watched his grouchy brother with mild-amusement, knowing his mood would improve when he was given a chance to sleep.

They were all of them fascinated by the tiny creature in his brother's arms. Most behaved as though they'd never been so close to an innocent before while a few others simply thought back on and mentioned children of their own, waiting in Minas Tirith or elsewhere within occupied realms of Gondor.

"She's a lovely one, so she is," Said a ranger named Fayed. Faramir and Boromir, who'd situated themselves at one of the tables, shared an identical look of reservation when those words were spoken. Lovely in looks perhaps, but the baby was anything but "lovely" to them. "She's a ruddy terror, is what she is," Boromir grumbled, leveling his eyes on the head of golden hair, admittedly softer than anything he could remember touching. Fayed grinned knowingly at the Captain-General when he said, "Kept you up did she, sirs?"

"Yes, unfortunately, she did," Faramir answered, rubbing his temples warily. He shuddered at the memory of what transpired over just a few days and wondered, for a moment, how any woman daydreamed of bearing such torturous creatures.

"My missus' first did the same," Fayed recounted with nostalgia. "Nothing seemed to satisfy him, until we learned he just wanted something to gnaw at. Barely old enough to start gettin' any teeth, yet he teethed like a hungry Warg, so he did." He paused with a frown, then winced. "'twas murder on my lady's tits, though."

Respectively, neither Boromir nor Faramir decided to dignify that comment with an answer of sympathy or disgust. The baby bounced happily on Boromir's leg, glad to be able stretch her legs and arms. Fayed observed the baby girl with a gentle smile then said, "Does she have name, sir?"

Boromir looked taken aback by the question. "I wouldn't know, Fayed," He answered. "She was left to die in the wild, no sign of her family."

"Oh, it doesn't do well to have a nameless baby. Bad luck."

"Duly noted, Fayed," Faramir yawned, not at all in a mocking manner.

"What do you plan do with her?" He pressed. When a look was all he received, he said, "Your pardon, lords, but I don't think your father would want you returning home with a babe in your arms. It would give the folk the wrong impression, so it would." They took no offense in his words, knowing them to be true. Denethor would skin them both for being so careless and casting a poor image upon the house of the Stewards.

Boromir pondered on the matter for a moment. "I had a governess once. She and her family presently reside in Lossarnach," Boromir started. "The child will be well looked after there, I think."

"A grand idea, sir, so it is," Fayed agreed.

"When do you plan to depart?" It was Madril who spoke this time, causing all three men to sit up a little straighter. "The child cannot stay here, it is not safe."

"Later this afternoon, once we've had some sleep," Boromir answered warily, dreading the idea of moving from his spot any time soon.

Madril raised an eyebrow. "Faramir plans to go with you?"

"Aye," Faramir answered. "I cannot command the men until this task is done." He wanted to see the child off to her new family with his brother, feeling it was his duty to complete this self-appointed mission. Madril seemed to none too happy about the decision, but nodded all the same. Moving out of the room, he rallied those who were unoccupied with duties to him and ordered them to scout the perimeter. Things would go on as they had prior to the arrival of Denethor's sons and the nameless baby, there'd be so slacking because they'd returned. The room emptied slowly of the rangers, until there was no one left save Boromir, Faramir and the baby.

Boromir started to relax a little when a head poked back inside, hesitant and unsure was the expression on his face. Faramir recognized the young man immediately and asked, "What is it, Banris?"

"I don't mean to trouble, sirs, but It's just… well-"

"Spit it out, lad," Boromir muttered.

"-Do you think I could hold her, sir?" Banris inquired cautiously.

Faramir was never given the chance to response, however. "Banris, get you gone lad!" Madril's booming voice echoed from the hall Banris stood in, startling the young man into action and away from the sleepy commanders.

"What made you think of your governess?" Faramir asked, turning on his side. Boromir shrugged tiredly, suppressing a yawn as he did so. Sleep, all he wanted to do was sleep, yet his body would not do as he bid and fall into restful state. "Father," He replied, staring up at the baby that sat on his chest.

"Father?" Faramir repeated, incredulous.

"Aye, our father," Boromir sighed, readjusting himself on the bedroll. "Truth be told, Fayed might've something to do with it too." He laughed. "I wanted to keep the troublesome little thing nearby. Leastways I'd know she couldn't be dumped like baggage. But I wasn't thinking about certain things, consequences. Father would indeed be livid if saw this little bit in my arms... or yours."

Especially mine, thought the younger brother. Faramir said nothing for a while; he instead studied the forlorn expression on his brother's face then shifted his gaze over to the babe who played with the loose strings of his sleeve. "I thought you wanted be rid of the little monster?" Faramir said.

"I do," Boromir assured his brother, a grimace passed over his face when little fingers mistook his hair for thread and tugged it. He moved her further back so that she sat on his stomach, she whined in protest, digging a foot into his side. He readjusted her again, right back in the spot she'd been in originally. "But… I don't want the monster mistreated either."

Faramir nudged his brother. "You're terribly softhearted towards something that caused us so much misery," He chuckled.

"Ah, you were the same once," Boromir yawned. "Kept mother up all hours of the night."

"I have no recollection of this," Faramir feigned offence. "Are you sure you're not confusing me with you?"

"Quite sure, Faramir. I was saintly as a bab- ow!" Boromir shut his eyes against the spike of pain that ran across his scalp. The little imp had gone back to pulling at his hair again, wanting his full and undivided attention this time. Boromir glared at the little face that seemed to take delight in torturing him, while Faramir just shook his head, knowing his brother was probably reconsidering any kind thought he'd formulated in favor of the child.

"Bloody hell, lass," He winced. "lay off!" The babe gurgled something which could've been interpreted as a response, she loosened her grip on his hair and settled back on his chest.

"You were saying?" Faramir grinned.

"Shut up," Boromir grumbled. "I'm tryin' to sleep."

"Yes, good luck with that," Faramir turned over to lie on his back and all fell silent.

"What are we to call her?" Boromir's voice drifted up out of the silence, startling Faramir out his half-sleep. "What?" He mumbled.

"The baby. What should we call her?"

Faramir continued to stare up at the ceiling as he shrugged. "Shouldn't we leave that to your former governess?"

"Nay, little brother. We found her, might as well give her name as well," Boromir reasoned.

"If you say so," Faramir replied. "Have you a name in mind?"

"Idrial, perhaps?" Boromir said, focusing his attention on the baby. She said nothing (not that she could've anyway) and remained totally still. With a frown, Boromir realized she did not like the name and neither did Faramir.

"Evonyn?" Faramir tried, raising his eyebrows. Again she did not move.

"Lianna? Lucille?" Boromir suggested. "Lucille's a nice name for a lass- Ow!" The baby's fingers were on his hair again. "Curses."

"She doesn't like either name, brother."

"Yes, I'm can see that, Faramir," Came the reply through gritted teeth. He calmed then said, "What about Idis, lass?"

"That sounds awful-" Yet, despite his objection, there was no objection from the infant. Her little legs kicked up and down and she smiled, Boromir kept his hands at her side so as to keep her from falling over sideways.

"Idis? You like that name?" He smiled. The baby let out a low coo, leaning forward so that her fingers pawed at the edges of his collar. "Idis?" He repeated, grinning like a fool. She squawked and laid on her stomach, Boromir laughed softly at her antics.

"She likes the name," Faramir stated in mild disbelief. He looked to his brother with weary and hopeful eyes. "Can we go to sleep now?" Boromir gave his brother a short nod of the head, the younger brother exhaled and rolled onto his side so that his back was facing Boromir. Idis was well on her way into the land of dreams, resting comfortably on the elder brother's chest. Boromir did the best he could to find a comfortable spot on the hard floor; he laid one hand on Idis' back and closed his eyes.