Silael. Remembering what he had heard of the Numenorean practice of using Elvish elements in their own names, Legolas thought through the name again. Silael. Shining Star.
"A lovely name," he offered cautiously to Boromir whose expression was still guarded.
"Yes. As beautiful as she is."
Now Legolas's curiosity was well and truly kindled. Never had he heard mention of any woman in connection to Boromir, Captain of Gondor. "But,"
"I delight in arms and warfare and have no thought for aught else?" Boromir stated sardonically with a slightly bitter cast to his features. At Legolas's abashed face he shrugged. "I have heard it said often enough. Oh, not to my face but I make a point of being informed of the talk in the City and among the soldiers. And in truth I have not sought to wed. I cannot in good conscience marry one woman when my heart is already given to another."
Legolas raised an eyebrow. When he had started the conversation he had never expected this.
"Why not simply wed her then?"
Boromir looked at him and laughed mirthlessly. "Yes. I forget. You have not met my father."
"Your father would forbid you to marry her?"
"Oh, nothing so drastic. But he would not approve of her, and she does not wish to sow discord between my father and I. If not for that we would have married long ago."
"She sounds… unique."
"Yes," and Boromir's face was no longer bitter. "She appears fragile as the finest pottery yet she is stronger than tempered steel. Wise beyond her years, yet I have heard her laugh carefree as a child. Fair, with night black hair and blue-gray eyes changeable as the sea, yet her soul is more beautiful still. A light that dares to shine when all other lights fade"