Unexpected Commonalities by chrissystriped  

Bilbo sat up straight when he heard the heavy steps of an approaching human. He knew it wasn’t the Dúnadan, his friend moved more quietly than any other of the Big People. For a moment he pondered whether he should leave; the way that man from Gondor had talked during the Council, he was not sure if he wanted to meet him again. But then he decided to stay. It was a fine afternoon, the sun warmed his limbs, and while he enjoyed having his young friends, especially Frodo, around him while he could, he enjoyed a bit of peace and quiet now and then. He would not be chased away from his favourite spot by a big, loud man. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, when he heard the man come closer, hoping that he would just walk past.

“They told me I would find you here.”

Bilbo sighed inwardly. He opened his eyes and squinted at the man, the sun blinding him. “And what might you be wanting?” he answered, starting to feel cranky.

The man made a step to the side so Bilbo didn’t have to look directly at the sun anymore. Bilbo mellowed a little, he hadn’t expected him to be so perceptive.

“I’ve decided to set out from Rivendell with the Company. We will have the same road for a long time anyway. I just came to assure you that your son will have protection.”

Bilbo would be much happier, if Aragorn decided to go with Frodo, but he didn’t want to make the Gondorian angry by saying that and also it had sunk in what the man had said. He laughed. “Oh, Frodo is not my son.”

“I… I’m sorry”, the man stuttered and Bilbo couldn’t deny that he enjoyed seeing him flustered. “I did not mean to offend.”

“You didn’t,” he said with a wave of his hand. “He’s my cousin.” Bilbo didn’t get into the exact way they were related, he’d learned that neither elves nor men had quite the interest in family trees that Hobbits had. “Never quite got around to having children. I never had that much interest in a marriage,” he murmured.

“Oh, I see,” the man said and Bilbo threw him a curious look. He didn’t sound judging in the way his relatives had in his younger years — before his adventuring had made him an undesirable match for anyone but the most daring Tooks and they’d found other reasons to be displeased with him. “My father has wanted me to marry for years, but…” Boromir shrugged. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to choose. I don’t feel like that. I know I’ll have to marry and have an heir eventually, but I keep putting it off for as long as I can.”

“Come,” Bilbo moved over on his bench to make space. “Why don’t you sit down with me? You meet so few people like us.” He’d rarely had the chance to talk freely to anyone, not since he’d travelled with dwarves. They’d never thought it strange that he didn’t wish for a wife. In their culture it was not frowned upon, given that dwarf-women were less numerous than men.

Boromir sat down beside the halfling, feeling a bit odd. He’d never told anyone besides Faramir about this. But Bilbo’s slightly forbidding posture had changed to something more welcoming and if here was someone who truly understood him… “Why is everyone so keen on finding love?”

“I don’t get it either.” Bilbo sighed. “I’ve liked to be friends with women, but they always seem to want to make it complicated.”

“Oh, I’ve certainly done more than be friends with them, but yes, they tend to make it complicated.” He’d had his share of kisses and groping in the night-dark citadel and he’d joined his comrades in visits to certain houses in the lower rings of the city. “I enjoy the physical aspects.” Boromir was mortified to feel himself blush when Bilbo cocked his eyebrow at him.

“And having an heir without being married is not acceptable, I guess. Or adopting a relative, like I did.”

“If father were a little less stern, I could leave the marrying part to my brother. He’s a hopeless romantic, I know he’ll find a wife to be happy with.” He missed Faramir at his side. He’d look at that Aragorn like a figure who’d stepped out of legend. “But… I’m the elder and I’m supposed to continue the line. How did you manage to get away with not marrying? I’ve found that women are persistent, if they’ve set their heart on capturing yours.”

“I went on an adventure. That’s frowned upon among my people.” Bilbo chuckled. “I guess that’s not an option for you.”

“No.” Boromir laughed. “I’ll get a parade when I come home. Which I quite enjoy, to be honest. I think valour should be acknowledged.” The halfling gave him one of those looks that made him feel like a naughty schoolboy but he held his peace.

“Well, I guess our people are just very different in that regard”, Bilbo said mildly.

“Yes, it sounds like it. Although I admit, I wanted to go on this journey so much because that meant getting away from the court and the expectation of marriage.” Boromir leaned back in his seat and looked out over the garden. Autumn was slowly moving towards winter, but there were still flowers blooming here and there. He’d never realised how far away from nature Minas Tirith was until he’d come here. “My father is a stern man but he loved my mother dearly. He thinks it is my duty to marry a woman of Gondorian blood and the feelings will come after. He does not understand that not everyone is made for that. Once I’m back, I’ll have to decide on my future wife, those were his words.”

Bilbo patted his knee compassionately. “If I may give you some advice? If that is your only choice, choose at least someone you can be friends with.”

Boromir drew his eyebrows together. It had never occurred to him that men and women could be friends. Too different were their interests. “Maybe you’re right.” He could at least try to get to know the women who might become his wife instead of running away. The time of running away would be over soon anyway. “But then, having heard everything that was said in the council…” And knowing the state of Gondor’s defences. “It might be too late anyway.”

Bilbo shook his head. “I won’t give up hope until Gandalf does. Don’t give up yet. And don’t forget this old hobbit, when you marry. You’re not alone. We have to make the best of the world around us.”

Boromir bowed his head respectfully. “Thank you for your kind words. I enjoyed talking to you.”

“You’re not so bad yourself.” Bilbo winked at him. “Now go along and let me have some peace. Don’t you have any planning to do?”

Boromir chuckled and rose from the bench. “Good day to you, Mister Baggins.”

Bilbo smiled to himself. This conversation had been much more pleasant than he’d feared. He hoped Boromir would be able to make something good out of his circumstances like he himself had.

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