I do not own LotR or anything else in Arda.
"Boromir!" the crowd of men cheered as their Captain-General placed the white flag atop the wall and drew his sword with his other hand. "Boromir!"
"This city was once the jewel of our kingdom, a place of light, and beauty, and music, and so it shall be once more!" Boromir yelled, thrusting his sword into the air.
The men cheered and raised their swords and spears.
"Let the armies of Mordor know this: never again will the land of my people fall into enemy hands!"
The soldiers cheered once more.
"The city of Osgiliath has been reclaimed!" Boromir yelled. "For Gondor!"
"For Gondor!" the men yelled in reply.
"For Gondor!" Boromir repeated.
"For Gondor!" they cheered.
"I thought I was the jewel of Gondor," another voice came from on the wall near Boromir. Everyone looked to see the golden-haired woman with blue eyes bordering on violet approaching Boromir. She wore silver chain mail under a black tunic with the symbol of Gondor emblazoned upon it, and a violet skirt over black boots. The insignia of a Captain was pinned to her tunic. "Have I been upstaged?" she asked.
Boromir sheathed his sword and laid his flag against the wall. He held out his hand and courteously helped her mount the last few stairs. "You, my darling Taríen, will always far outshine any other jewel," Boromir said, making sure it was loud enough for the soldiers to hear. He gently kissed her brow.
"Are you quite certain, because I'm feeling quite put out…abandoned, like an old sock. Has an ancient city taken my place in your heart?" she asked with a pout. She was also speaking loudly enough for the soldiers to hear.
Boromir could see the mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
"Certainly not," he replied loudly, before wrapping his arms around her waist and passionately capturing her lips with his own. She wrapped her arms around his neck as they continued to kiss. The soldiers cheered, and several wolf-whistled. She was breathless as they parted.
"Believe me now?" he asked softly.
She smiled and nodded.
Hand in hand, they walked down from the wall and mingled amongst the soldiers. Taríen was the only woman in the city, but as she would remind anyone who seemed uneasy of it, she was the Lady of Gondor and a Captain of the White Tower, and she would do as she pleased. They were soon approached by Faramir. Boromir dropped Taríen's hand and embraced his brother heartily.
"Good speech," Faramir said as they parted. "Nice and short. Though your addition was quite humorous, Írimanésanya," he said to Taríen.
"Well, I couldn't have the men thinking that Osgiliath was the great jewel of Gondor, now, could I?" she asked innocently, though her eyes still twinkled with laughter.
Faramir and Boromir chuckled. "I suppose not," Faramir said.
"A short speech leaves more time for drinking," Boromir said.
All three laughed.
"Break out the ale!" Boromir yelled. "These men are thirsty!"
The men began to cheer.
"Will you join us, my lovely wife?" Boromir asked knowingly.
She smirked in reply. They had long established that she could hold her liquor better than anyone else in Gondor. A moment later, Boromir deftly carried three glasses of ale over, giving one to Faramir and one to Taríen. They toasted each other.
"Remember this day, little brother," Boromir said. "Today, life is good."
They all took a sip of their ale.
Faramir glanced to the left and his face fell.
"What?" Boromir asked, slightly concerned.
"He's here," Faramir said.
Boromir and Taríen's faces fell as well, and they turned to look. Sure enough, a smiling Denethor was walking amongst the soldiers.
"One moment of peace, can he not give us that?" Boromir sighed.
"Where is he?" they heard Denethor ask as he walked towards them. "Where is Gondor's finest? Where's my firstborn?"
Boromir plastered a fake smile on his face and walked over, still hand in hand with Taríen. She had a similar expression on her face.
"Father!" Boromir greeted.
Denethor embraced Boromir, and smiled as Taríen kissed his cheek.
"They say you vanquished the enemy almost single-handedly," Denethor praised.
"They exaggerate," Boromir replied. "The victory belongs to Faramir also!"
Denethor's face turned stony as Faramir also walked over. "But for Faramir, this city would still be standing. Were you not entrusted to protect it?" Denethor asked coldly.
"I would have done, but our numbers were too few!" Faramir protested.
"Oh, too few," Denethor mocked. "You let the enemy walk in and take it on a whim!" He took two steps forward. "Always you cast a poor reflection on me."
"That is not my intent," Faramir protested, his voice almost emotionless.
"You give him no credit and yet he tries to do your will!" Boromir said quietly to Denethor before walking out of public sight with Taríen.
Denethor followed them angrily.
When they were alone, they turned around to face Denethor.
"He loves you, Father," Boromir said.
"Do not trouble me with Faramir, I know his uses and they are few," the Steward said hotly.
The couple looked away in sadness, Boromir shaking his head.
"We have more urgent things to speak of," Denethor whispered. "Elrond of Rivendell has called a meeting. He will not say why, but I have guessed its purpose. It is rumored that the weapon of the Enemy has been found."
"The One Ring," Taríen said. "Isildur's Bane."
"It has fallen into the hands of the Elves," Denethor whispered. "Everyone will try to claim it, Men, Dwarves, Wizards. We cannot let that happen. This thing must come to Gondor!"
"To Gondor," Boromir said slowly.
"It's dangerous, I know," Denethor continued, still whispering. "Ever the Ring will seek to corrupt the hearts of lesser Men, but you, you are strong, and our need is great. It is our blood which is being spilled, our people who are dying. Sauron is biding his time. He's massing fresh armies. He will return, and when he does, we will be powerless to stop him. You must go!" There was a smile on Denethor's face as he said, "Bring me back this mighty gift!"
"No," Boromir said, shaking his head slightly. He brushed past Denethor. "My place is here with my people, with my wife and children. Not in Rivendell!"
"Would you deny your own father?" Denethor asked angrily, following him out. Taríen also followed, and noticed that the argument had caught the attention of the men.
"If there is need to go to Rivendell, send me in his stead," Faramir stated, stepping forward.
"You?" Denethor asked with a humorless laugh. "Oh, I see. A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor, to show his quality. I think not. I trust this mission only to your brother, the one who will not fail me."
Taríen and Boromir winced at the insult. Faramir kept his face calm.
"By your leave," Boromir said icily to Denethor, "I will prepare to depart."
"I'm going with you," Taríen declared.
All three men turned to look at her in disbelief.
"But you could get hurt!" Boromir protested.
"I know that it is not the practice here, but I was trained in the sword and bow, axe and spear. I am in no way defenseless. And I can keep my head better than Boromir can, you all know this. Besides, my place is beside my husband, whether he be in Minas Tirith, Osgiliath, or Rivendell," Taríen said firmly.
The three men exchanged glances, and then sighed as one. They knew better than to argue with her.
"As you wish, Írimaquenya," Denethor said.
Only a short time later, both were mounted on their horses as they sat in the courtyard of Osgiliath. Boromir had his shield on his back, while Taríen carried a quiver of arrows over her cloak.
"Remember today, little brother," Boromir said, looking at the flag he had put up.
Faramir nodded, tears in his eyes.
"Namárië," Taríen added as they began to ride.
"Namárië!" Faramir called after them.
Quenya Translations:
Írimanésanya – My lovely sister
Írimaquenya - My lovely one
Namárië -Farewell