FIC: Th'Expense of Spirit (A/B, PG)

[przed]

Title: Th'Expense of Spirit
Author: P.R. Zed
Pairing: Aragorn/Boromir
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Professor; the story is mine own
Rating: PG. Also VS for Very Sad (don't say I didn't warn you)
Notes: Originally conceived for the contrelamontre line of poetry challenge, but only now completed. A companion piece to And In the End.

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Th'expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action
Sonnet 129, Shakespeare

He tries to move around the pain, but it pins him in place. He will fight no more, love no more, live no more. All that's left is death and failure.

He has failed again, failed all: his father, his brother, his city. Failed Frodo, failed Merry, failed Pippin. Most of all has he failed Aragorn and his good lady.

Shame burns his cheeks, in spite of the pain, as he thinks of nights shared with his city's future king. Tears prick the corners of his eyes as he remembers Aragorn straining above him in passion, the jewel at his throat a constant reminder of a promise made to another.

He cannot help but love Aragorn, though he knows that love is tainted. Aragorn is pledged to Arwen, Elrond's gracious daughter. And he, Boromir, Captain of the White Tower, a man for whom honour is everything, has brought them both to this vice, this weakness.

His only hope is that his death will expunge all. Will restore his king's honour; will remove his trespass.

As Aragorn approaches him, grief in his face and comfort in his hands, Boromir struggles to find the words that will release his king, that will give him the strength to defend their city and allow him to return to his lady freed from the stain of infidelity.

And as he takes in a laboured breath and begins to speak, Boromir bleeds for them both.

Comments

[archet.livejournal.com]

Heartbreaking. So sad that at the end even as Boromir thinks of Aragorn he feels shame, feels that he's shamed them all, that his honor is broken and wants only to regain it.

And as he takes in a laboured breath and begins to speak, Boromir bleeds for them both.

Lovely and moving portrayal of Boromir. Thanks for sharing, :)

[przed.livejournal.com]

So sad that at the end even as Boromir thinks of Aragorn he feels shame

This is not my normal view of Boromir, which tends to the redemptive, but when the poetry challenge came up I immediately thought of this sonnet and how it might relate to his view of himself and Aragorn.

Thanks so much for your comments. (Now I really need to do a more positive story with Arwen.)

[archet.livejournal.com]

This is not my normal view of Boromir, which tends to the redemptive

Yes, me too, otherwise it would just be too tragic and sad. I thought the movie showed that, or at least I like to think that he died with some bit of peace/hope.

Thanks so much for your comments. (Now I really need to do a more positive story with Arwen.)

Very welcome! Will look forward to the happy!fic, though this is wonderful. There isn't nearly enough A/B! ;)