Soriel was thrilled to be going to her home, but sad at the circumstances surrounding them. They lost Gandalf and with him, much of their hope. As they entered the wood, Gimli proceeded to tell the Hobbits about an "elf witch" who resided there. Soriel had to stifle her laughter. Galadriel was no witch, but the Dwarf's tale was amusing.

They nearly walked right into a circle of arrows, fitted to their strings. They were surrounded by a group of Elves. Soriel recognized their leader.

"The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark," he said.

"Haldir!" Soriel said, and rushed forward to greet him.

His eyes widened at the sight of her, but then he smiled as he embraced her. She heard Boromir huff and scowl.

"Soriel!" Haldir returned. "My dear friend! I thought you were in Imladris!"

"It's a very long story," she said. "For now, we need refuge."

Unfortunately, Haldir would not allow them into Lothlórien. He and the others could sense the evil of the One Ring and Soriel understood his hesitation. She and Aragorn pleaded with Haldir to allow them in, explaining everything to him. At long last, he agreed to guide them inside.

The Company met with Celeborn and Galadriel, Lord and Lady of Lothlórien. They were dismayed to hear of the fall of Gandalf, but were otherwise greeted fairly warmly. They could at least stay in the forest for a time and recover. Soriel saw Boromir start to sweat and he averted his eyes from the Lady Galadriel.

When they were finished, Soriel invited Leila to stay with her in her dwelling and the men could stay where the Lord and Lady bid them. Leila agreed to this, as Soriel had an extra room. They were all in flets situated in the trees. Gimli and the Hobbits were visibly uncomfortable, being creatures that usually dwell in the ground. Before they parted ways, Soriel asked Aragorn if she could tell Leila about the quest now that they had come this far with her.

"She did save my life," Soriel said. "I believe we can trust her."

"Very well," Aragon agreed.

When they arrived at Soriel's dwelling, the women sat down to talk. Soriel explained everything she knew about the Ring and the quest to destroy it. Leila seemed surprisingly on board for joining their cause, but she had questions.

"To get to Mordor," she said. "Will we go through Gondor?"

Soriel shook her head. "No. We must be more discreet. I believe we will go into Mordor from its northern border."

Leila sighed in relief. "Good."

Soriel shot her a questioning look.

"It's just that Gondor is not safe," Leila said, though she seemed to scramble for an explanation. "I have been there as of late, and have seen first-hand the power of the enemy in those lands."

Soriel nodded. "Yes. Boromir has often spoken to me of how much Gondor endures from the lands of Sauron."

"Well, it is natural for a husband to express his concerns to his wife," Leila said simply.

Soriel blinked. "What on earth gave you that idea?"

"Well, my father often tells my mother the things weighing on him –"

"No, Leila," Soriel interrupted. "I mean, what gave you the idea that Boromir is my husband?"

"Is he not?" Leila asked.

"No!" Soriel cried, a little too defensively.

"Do you want him to be?"

"I –" Soriel stopped dead. Truthfully, she wanted that very much, but she had to be realistic. "Even if I did want it, it could not be." She shook her head quickly. "But what made you think so?!"

"You rely on him so much," Leila explained. "He often holds your hand. You exchange many knowing smiles and glances, as if you've known one another for years. You just seemed quite happily married to each other.

"You got that from knowing us hardly a fortnight?!" Soriel gasped.

"Yes," Leila said. "Why is it so impossible?"

Soriel sighed. She then explained everything to Leila that she told Arwen. Boromir was to inherit the Stewardship of Gondor. Soriel could offer him nothing.

"I do not believe your reasoning," Leila said. "It sounds to me like an excuse to keep your feelings inside."

"Leila, I am only saying what he would say," Soriel argued. "It's the truth."

"I think he loves you," Leila said. "What can it hurt to be honest with one another?"

"There are so many other things at stake," Soriel said. "The quest is more important, and who knows what will happen after that?"

Leila shrugged. "I am only thinking of your happiness. The quest is important but so are you." She got to her feet. "Anyway, Merry and Pippin have promised to teach me a game from the Shire. Would you like to join us?"

Soriel shook her head. "No, thank you. I wish to relax and recover."

Leila bid her farewell and departed. Soriel went to her room and laid on her bed. She had to consider things now that a newcomer had assumed she and Boromir were married based solely on their behavior. Were they really so obvious? She would like to think not, but it was apparently so. She tried to convince herself that Leila was mistaken, but she had spoken true. Soriel relied very much on Boromir. It was her faith in him that got her through the mines. They did clasp hands and lock eyes a lot. They had done so countless times since they met, she just did not realize it was odd in front of the others. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a soft knock at the entrance of her dwelling. She went out and was surprised to see who it was.

"Boromir!" she gasped. "What brings you here?"

"I wish to see you," he returned. "I am sorry if it is not a good time."

"No, it is a perfect time," she assured him. "Please, come in."

He did so, and then faced her.

"The Elf man," he began. "Haldir. What is your relationship to him?"

Soriel remembered his earlier behavior and almost laughed.

"He is only a very old friend," she said. "Don't tell me you are jealous."

He looked at the floor for a moment as if very interested in his own boots.

"No matter," he mumbled.

"Is there anything else?" she asked.

"Yes," he said, with more confidence. "How much do you know about this Galadriel woman?"

"Well, we are not bosom friends, but I know of her," she told him. "What of it?"

He seemed to grow agitated at this part. "When we arrived here I heard her voice in my head. She spoke of my father and the fate of my people. She told me there is still hope…but I'm not so sure."

"What are you unsure of?" she wondered.

"Myself," he answered honestly. "The strength of my country is failing and I feel I am failing. I am off on this quest when my people need me most. But then I am told this is what is best for my people and all people at that. I am no longer sure of what is right or if I am fit to lead."

She considered this for a moment. "Boromir, when we were in the mines of Moria, I had faith in one thing. Have you any idea what that was?"

He shook his head. "No."

"It was you," she told him, and approached him. She placed her hand on his cheek. "I had faith in you because I know who you are and how strong you are. You are a noble man. A good man. And also…just a man. You make mistakes, but you carry on. It is these qualities which earn you the faith and love of your people."

"And what of you, Soriel?" he asked suddenly. "What of your faith and love?"

She looked very hard at him, and brought her other hand to caress his cheek. "You have always had my faith and love."

She felt his arms wrap around her waist and he pulled her close. Her arms coiled around his neck. This contact of their bodies made Soriel's heart rate pick up. She felt his as well. It comforted her to know he was just as nervous.

"And you have had mine," he told her.

"Even as horribly as I spoke to you that day we met?" she asked with a laugh.

He chuckled. "Well, perhaps some time afterward."

She grinned as he leaned forward and captured her lips with his. It was passionate and romantic. Their lips moved in harmony like moon pushing and pulling the tide. She led him to her room, and then he knew her as he would a wife.

Soriel had never been happier in her life than when she awoke in Boromir's arms.