"Wagons, headed this way!" A sentry shouted below to the milling soldiers. Excited murmurs began to run through the crowd as the sentry peered at the wagon train crawling across the fields to Osgiliath. "Someone fetch Captain Faramir!"

A soldier darted away from the group, returning shortly. The Captain climbed nimbly up to join the sentry.

"What is it Alec?"

"I think the company has arrived," the sentry said with a smile. Faramir smiled as the dust dissipated and the heads of the women inside the wagons came into view. He quickly shouted out orders as he climbed his way down,

"Men! Let's help get those wagons unloaded! There's work to be done before we can begin to celebrate!"

Faramir climbed down, keeping his eye on the head wagon. As soon as it rolled to a stop in the center of the compound, a wiry woman rose. She wore her curly black locks tied back, allowing her sparkling green eyes to show as she began to shout orders.

"All right, ladies! You know what to do! Healers to the hospital area! The rest of you, help with all the supplies. No ale will be opened until all the work is done!" A mix of "ayes" and groans surrounded the camp as men and women began the work. The wiry woman hopped nimbly down and rushed quickly into Faramir's arms, laughing.

"Faramir, my friend! I am glad to see you are still among the living!" Faramir laughed, holding her to him for a moment before stepping away to get a better look at her.

"Rae, you haven't changed. Still taking command." Rae chuckled and shrugged her shoulders.

"I learned from the best." She glanced around at everyone working before lowering her voice. "Is he...?"

Faramir shook his head. "He's off taking care of the dead. But the men and I insisted he take a room in one of the buildings tonight." Faramir noticed that Rae's eyes glittered with excitement, although her face remained impassive.

"How nice of you. You men are too good to him." Faramir raised an eyebrow, causing Rae to flush a faint red. "Oh, be quiet. Come on. Just because you're a captain does not mean you won't work. Let's go!" Faramir laughed and fell into step behind Rae as they began to unload the wagons.

It wasn't until evening that all the work was completed. With many a happy sigh, a good selection of the ale barrels were opened. Tonight was a night of celebration. Not loud and boisterous, but calm and recollecting. Tonight was a night to remember lost friends, and lose thoughts in a woman. The soldiers mingled happily with the women from the city, happy to have beautiful company. Boromir walked through the crowds, his brother at his side.

"Today went rather well. The women helped more than I thought they would," Boromir commented dryly.

"They had quite a taskmaster," Faramir replied with a chuckle. Soldiers left and right greeted Boromir and Faramir with cheers and hearty comments. Faramir was handed mugs of ale and he coolly handed one to his brother. They paused in crowd, turning towards each other.

"We've done well, my brother." Faramir commented softly, his eyes dark with the memory of his fallen comrades.

"Indeed we have." Boromir returned. They clinked their mugs and drank a toast to the fallen. After a somber moment, Faramir clapped Boromir on the back with a smile.

"Come, Boromir! The men have insisted you take a room in one of the standing buildings. Your dinner awaits you!" Boromir laughed and with an arm thrown around his brother's shoulders, they were off.

The stairs were shadowed, the sound of the soldiers merry-making dulled. Faramir went up the stairs ahead of his brother, opening the door to the bedchamber. It was simple, for Osgiliath. It had two large chairs in front of a roaring fire, a low table on the side and a large bed dominating the area. Boromir let out a low whistle. It'd been some time that he'd slept in a real bed.

Faramir smiled, "I'll have your dinner sent up."

Boromir gave his brother a questioning glance, "You'll not be joining me?"

"Oh, no. I have previous plans with the men." With a grin, Faramir exited the room, leaving the door cracked behind him. Boromir shook his head and laughed as he settled into the chair with its back towards the door. His brother was still not a good liar to him. He shrugged his shoulders and grinned. It seemed that whatever his surprise was, it would appear momentarily. He just hoped it wasn't a woman. All the men knew where his heart lay. His smile faded as the memory came to mind. But it disappeared as someone knocked on the door.

"Enter." He called, suddenly reluctant to get up. He heard someone enter, the quiet clattering of plates upon the table.

"Your dinner, my lord." A whispered voice reached his ears, causing him to stand and turn. And he stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth falling open. It was...

"Rae..."

Rae looked up, her face flushing pink. By Gondor, he looked well for being in a battle for so many days. His chestnut-blonde hair fell just above his shoulders, shiny and clean with a fresh wash. His blue-gray eyes were sparkling, and she knew why. It had been months since they'd last seen each other. And for love, that was an achingly long time.

"You have some roasted pork and some fried potatoes. If you want more.. I can fetch it." Rae stumbled across the words, aware of his heavy gaze upon her. "Or perhaps more al-"

She was cut off abruptly as Boromir crossed the room to her, encircled her with his arms and kissed her senseless. Rae slid her arms around his neck, leaning against him with relief. It really had been too long. It seemed that ages later that they finally managed to break apart. Boromir leaned back, looking down into Rae's sparkling green eyes.

"Gilraen, my love, you are beautiful. But how did you manage to make it to Osgiliath?" Rae laughed and broke off from him, beginning to make up two plates.

"Have you already forgotten what I do when you're not around? Besides making perfumes, I also have a knack for healing remedies. My sleeping drafts and potions to numb pain have become vital at most hospitals. I was asked to lead this expedition. Apparently I have the loudest voice." Gilraen rolled her eyes and handed Boromir his plate, refilling his mug of ale. "I think they assume because I've spent so much time with you and Faramir, I've learned how to command."

Boromir settled back into his seat, watching Rae as she took her own plate and mug and sat opposite him. "Faramir did mention that the women and men had quite a taskmaster today." Gilraen to a delicate sip of her ale, raising an eyebrow.

"He did, did he? If there wasn't a celebration tomorrow, I'd give him extra work. Perhaps later."

Boromir laughed and shaking his head, began to eat. They ate together for some time, in a companionable silence. They were content to just look at each other, make sure the dream was real. Small talk drifted in and out as they finished. Rae stood and removed the plates and mugs back to the tray. She set them both outside the door, knowing that someone would no doubt take them away. Sure enough, she heard the sound of booted feet coming to the door and then moving swiftly away with the tray.

Rolling her eyes to the heavens, Rae locked the door and walked back over to Boromir, standing in front of him, her hands on her hips.

"Do you know you never said how happy you were to see me?" Boromir laughed and tugged her down into his lap, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"I'm immensely happy to see you." Rae leaned back to look at his eyes and after a moment, chuckled and snuggled against him.

"I suppose that will have to do." Boromir smiled and kissed the top of her curly locks. He had missed her! Boromir held her for what seemed like an eternity. Rae was quite content to stay that way the rest of her life. Her eyes fluttered shut and she thought she would doze off, as she heard Boromir say in a quiet, asking tone,

"We've known each other for such a long time, haven't we?"

Rae nodded sleepily. "Mm, yes."

"And our love is been steadfast throughout."

"Aye." She felt suddenly shifted as he reached underneath his shirt to pull a chain out; something was encircled by his fist.

"I was planning on waiting until I returned to Minas Tirith... but knowing my father, it may be sometime."

"What is it?" Rae looked confused, leaning back to see better into his face. He loved puzzling her. That way it was all the more precious when he surprised her.

"Close your eyes." She did as he bid, sticking her tounge out at him first. Boromir carefully took the chain from around his neck. Taking Rae's hand, he placed the object on the chain in it, closing her fingers around it. Rae's face scrunched up with confusion, as well as impatience. He let her struggle for a few moments, before kissing her lips.

"Open your eyes." Rae's eyes snapped open and she carefully opened her hand. She intook a sharp breath, and let it out slowly. "Boromir..."

It was a ring. A beautiful ring. The band was a delicate silver; it looked like it would snap in her hand. Atop it was a stone; a tiny ruby. It was breathtaking. She looked from the ring to Boromir, seeking an answer. Boromir chuckled.

"Gilraen, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Gilraen blinked once, twice. She looked down at the ring in her hand, then back to Boromir, in whose lap she sat. Then to the ring, then to Boromir. Her face split in a wide grin and she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly. Boromir laughed and held her to him.

"I hope that means you will?"

"Of course I will! When?"

"When? As soon as I return to Minas Tirith."

"Won't your father disapprove?"

Boromir's eyes clouded momentarily. "Damn my father. We will marry with or without his consent."

Rae giggled, her eyes shining with mischief. "Oh, Boromir! You're so darling!"

Boromir gently took the ring and chain from her, placing it around her neck. He watched as the ring fell to just above her breasts. He placed a reverent kiss at the point.

Rae shivered and stood. "A secret engagement?" Boromir followed and slipped his arms about her waist from behind.

"Isn't that the best kind?"

"It'll do for now." Rae stood on her tip toes to kiss him. He gladly met her halfway. Steadily, the kisses grew more and more heated, and hands began to roam. They broke, breathless.

Boromir looked at her, his eyes dark with desire. "We should stop."

Rae, equally breathless, shook her head. "We're getting married soon enough anyway. We've waited for too long. I don't want to wait any longer."

Boromir lifted her easily into his arms. "This is your last chance to say no."

Rae's response was to kiss him. He smiled as he returned the kiss and carried her to the bed.