Stone-verse: Talk between Boromir and Kíli.




After http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1skohbf

A discussion ranging from personal to political and back.

@Boromir_Aesir @Valandhir
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Kíli

Kíli watched as Baranor and Elennárë walked away from the forge, talking and discussing amongst themselves. He was glad that Baranor seemed honestly to be taking to Elennárë, it gave her another friend, someone else to look out for her. A soft hiss reminded him that he had two smelters that were still working. He turned and walked over, it was not much right now - just adjusting the ventilation of one of them. They'd be aglow all night, and be ready for the flow out in the wee hours before dawn. Thanks to his own fire fueling them, he'd not have to get up every other hour to feed them new fuel.

With everyone else gone, he allowed himself to relax a little and smile at Boromir. "Baranor was an incredible choice," he said. "he will be good for your sister, and he can protect her, even independently from your influence if necessary."


Boromir

Boromir stood back a little way from the smelters, keeping out of the highest of the heat they put out, but watching as Kíli attended them. "That is one thing I hope, that she will have more people to trust to watch over her besides myself, Shakurán... and you." He reached over to rub a hand over Kíli's shoulders.


Kíli

"She will," Kíli slightly leaned into the touch, reaching up to place a hand on Boromir's arm. "now that she is a real person, with a real background, someone people can relate to, she will begin to make friends on her own, and find people who value her for *who* she is. And she will have you, and even Shakurán to help her, when things get complicated." He winked at him. "And you will see - there'll be a few men throwing themselves at her feet before very long."


Boromir

That makes Boromir chuckle and shake his head. "If they do, I hope she has a good eye for those who are only doing so for perceived position, and those who might truly mean something." There is a slight fall in his smile as the thought of things of that nature he had been through in the past goes through his mind. "Either way, I hope she will lend an ear to my advisement on such. I know that even a half-sister who appears to be accepted by myself and my family would draw those vying for influence."


Kíli

Kíli can see the darkening expression in Boromir's face and he can not begin to guess what experiences have marked it. He gently squeezes Boromir's arm. "She grew up amongst elves, she will be the better schemer than the entire council on a good day. And I am sure she will listen to you." Not to mention that it might take her time to adjust to her physical existence to even consider something like that. "She probably... probably knows about those dangers." He snakes an arm around Boromir for a short hug.


Boromir

"I hope so," Boromir said, hugging Kíli back. "I have narrowly dodged a few attempts people have made to ensnare me, the ones from marriageable young women only being that easiest ones to avoid." He buried his nose in Kíli's hair, taking reassurance in his presence, a reminder that he now had something truer than anything in the past.


Kíli

Kíli wrapped both arms around Boromir to hold him, rebelling in the closeness they shared. For a moment he dared to imagine a future together - for one day Boromir would have to lead Gondor, and Kíli had promised Darghûn that he'd follow when the time came. He could not have said no to the kind old dwarf, who was almost a second father to him. Maybe those responsibilities would not have to separate them? He smiled and buried his face in the crook of the strong arm around him, disregarding the armor, to hide it. The future was nothing he should worry about - except for a few precautions he had to take, anything else was just dreams.

Peering up he manage an almost mischievous smile. "It would be hypocritical of me, to blame anyone for trying to catch you and never again let go." he said warmly.


Boromir

"You're the one who caught me, so I do not have any issue with you never letting go, only that I have no intention of letting *you* go either." Boromir smiled, returning the warmth he found in Kíli's affection. How would they manage to carry on? With the laws Gondor had they must remain secret, and maybe it was pessimistic of him but an attempt to change those laws in a time when he took over his father's role might face stiff opposition from a number of the lords of the land who he knew were rigorous in handing out punishments for 'fornication'. No, he had to hope he could change that, one way or another.


Kíli

Kíli saw the darkening expression and guided them both to sit in the hidden corner near the fire. "Dark thoughts?" he asked gently, taking Boromir's hand between his. He could guess the direction of those thoughts - the punishment for fornicating were lashes, a generous number at that. Not that Kíli feared them, he knew he had worse and could deal if it came to that. And there were options, things one could try, of one chose to play that game politically. Right now he preferred to keep it hidden, to not bring Boromir into a situation that would be volatile.


Boromir

"Only that my mind cannot help but think even when I take my place as Steward there are any number of the noble lords who would fight to prevent any changes in Gondor's laws." He settled his free hand around Kíli's and absently stroked a thumb over his knuckles. "I would change those laws, once I have the position to do so, but I know there are those who believe them right."


Kíli

"If we manage to hold this land against the East, I'd say that they are the easier battle," Kíli replied with wry humor, again considering something. "and..." he was not sure if he should begin to talk politics, or if he should have a long time ago. "and... there is something... something small and ancient that would even give your father pause. Oh... he'd give me a tongue-lashing about secrets having to stay secrets..." He shook his head. "but things would be more complicated than most people might like." He lightly traced his fingers along Boromir's hand. "and all of it is just theories. As long as we do keep it secret, there will be no noise."


Boromir

A puzzled frown crossed Boromir's face as Kíli spoke. What... what manner of secret?" He asked before he could think to stop. Ancient? That made him curious as to what Kíli meant.


Kíli

Settling a bit more comfortably, Kíli wondered if Boromir was already introduced into all the secret knowledge of the Steward's house, or if that happened after a Steward took the position, by some ancient librarian who came only out behind the shelves every century or so, to recite the secret lore to the new Steward. It was an idea Kíli could well imagine.

"I guess you know the old fairy tale of the Dwarven Prince who fought in the battle of Dargorlad and who remained in the White Mountains because his heart remained in Gondor?" he asked, it was one of the many fairy tales children grew up with, and while it twisted the facts a bit, this one held a good deal of facts still. "The story is not quite untrue, only it was a dwarf king who's heart remained here and who led his people to found a kingdom hidden deep in the White Mountains. It could not have been done without Gondor knowing, and as his love was a Noble from Gondor, things ended up with a contract between him and King Meneldil. And while much of it is now forgotten, a story to be told to children, the contract has been kept to this very day."

Kíli could not quite hide a small grin now. "Believe me, it is a complicated document and even then must have caused some sore teeth here and there, because it was not a Lady from Gondor that Durin IV lost his heart to."


Boromir

Boromir had to take a few moments to let that work through his mind, the old tales of a hidden kingdom in the mountains was fairly common, and he had heard versions that called it's inhabitant fairy-folk, but also versions that said dwarves as well. The latter had always sounded more realistic as they had the example of Erebor to show that yes, dwarves do, to this day, live in cities under mountains.

The latter issue however made him quirk an eyebrow. "With Meneldil's grandfather being the one to lay down those laws I would be more surprised if there was not some difficulties over such a partnership." He paused in thought, wondering what else this contract meant. "What did the contract entail?"


Kíli

"They had just stood through a war together and through a few terrible battles," Kíli replied, dwarven history claimed Durin IV dead in the final battle, and even those who claimed different would admit that something he did there weakened him to a point that might have killed him long-term. "and for all their strength the Númenorans had not been in Arda for all that long. They stood before that huge dark continent, and while the elves were their friends they were downright impractical when it came to the daily struggles of the land."

He tilted his head slightly, at the question of what the contract entailed. "The contract holds many things - beginning with support of Gondor's armies through weapons, steel and the like, to assisting with disasters and so forth... it is a long document, but the point I meant was - because of the bond between Durin IV and said warrior, it had to contain a passage about legalizing such matches." Kíli knew there had been another reason, a different reason why Tiórvi had pushed for that so hard, but even history and memory could only supply so much.


Boromir

Once again Boromir had to mull over the information for a short while. "I do know that even with such a long-standing agreement in place, there would still be argument, not in the least questioning about heirs - though I would hope to see Faramir eventually marry anyway..." His words trailed off as his mind still worked over his running thoughts. Looking at Kíli curiously he had to ask one thing that came to mind. "You knew about this because you know the dwarves of that hidden kingdom, don't you?"


Kíli

Those eyes, Kíli could sink into them and forget the world. He pulled it together, to not simply get lost in the moment. "I told of you Darghûn, the kind old dwarrow, who found me half dead in the Mountains?" he had spoken of Darghûn before, a number of times. "Darghûn is the King of the Hidden Kingdom, he is childless and... he considers me the son he never had. It was for him, I first came to Minas Tirith, to help sort a problem that had arisen, because I lived among Menfolk long enough to know my way among them." And then Minas Tirith, this land, both Kingdoms had become his home, grown onto him in ways Kíli could hardly explain. He shook his head. "And if you ever want the entire council of nobles to faint all at once and die of heart attacks, we'll discuss heirs with them." There was a wry amusement in his voice.


Boromir

That did answer some things about Kíli's history, as Boromir did recall previous mention of Darghûn, and that he had aided Kíli when he was driven away from Erebor. The teasing follow-up made him curious though. "Now you've made me wonder what give such a shock to the Council... I am almost not sure I wish to hear it myself."


Kíli

Kíli's eyes sparkled with mirth, only Boromir could draw such a smile from him. "Let's just say... I keep being careful to acquire a certain herb, so there will be no complicated consequences of our times together." he said, quite truthfully. The last thing the warcamp needed was talk that the Captain had managed to knock up a male soldier.


Boromir

For a moment everything stopped for Boromir. His thoughts ground to a halt and he went still, before switching to high speed, trying to decide if what Kíli said meant exactly what Boromir thought they implied. "Well I-" It took a bit to find words again. "I suppose it is best that you keep supplied, as I am sure that it would be... awkward if you ended up in a... delicate condition while the war is at a high again." He could not help but run fingers lightly across Kíli's cheek in a caress, as the implications worked through his mind. "Though maybe in more peaceful times such herbs could be set aside." Those words were followed up by a warm sweet kiss.


Kíli

Kíli opened up the that kiss, wrapping both arms around Boromir, his heart soaring. He had not been sure how such an idea would be perceived. "When this war is over, maybe," he said, gently running a hand through Boromir's tawny hair. Right now things were best the way they were. He leaned close for another kiss, just happy with them being together here.


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