It has become a ritual between them. Third watch, deep in the darkest hours of the night. They settle by the fire, and after making tea, Boromir brings out the board and playing pieces. And their private war begins.
Boromir, used to playing with his brother, will attack ferociously, expecting to win in two to three moves, only to be thwarted by Aragorn's patient, unbreakable defense.
But tonight, something is different. Boromir's style is calmer, more controlled, as if he has come to some decision. Aragorn holds his own against the son of Gondor, but loses more of his pieces than usual. He has never been one for foretelling, but deep in his heart, he feels that this game is somehow important to their future.
He shakes off his reverie as Boromir questions him, and moves to flank Boromir's king. One more move and he will have him.
He is not a man who puts much belief in omens and prophecies, having spent much of his life trying to escape the ones surrounding him.
And yet, he cannot explain the shiver down his spine when, unexpectedly, Boromir sacrifices one of his knights to save his king.
**********
Later, he wil blame himself for not having seen it; later, he will wonder if he could have changed things, changed fate.
Now, he cannot think at all, as he and Legolas and Gimli somberly carry Boromir's body to the elven boat. *My brother,* he mourns, silently. *My knight, my sacrifice.*
As Legolas begins to sing, he bends to place something into the curl of Boromir's hands: the king from their chess game. The white wood is stained dark with his blood and his tears...his own sacrifice.
He straightens and pushes the boat into the water... and watches his knight fade into the distance.
Summary: Some sacrifices cannot be avoided.
Rated: G
Categories: LOTR FPS Pairing: Aragorn/Boromir
Warnings: NoneChallenges:
Series: NoneChapters: 1 Completed: Yes
Word count: 300 Read: 578
Published: 09 Aug 2009 Updated: 09 Aug 2009