Chapter 9

A/N: I AM alive! I know it's been a while, I'm sorry. Same old story, school, etc. I won't keep you waiting then. Hopefully this chapter is more exciting than the last :)

It was not long before they made it to the Golden Wood. Well, that is to say, not long by the standards of their trip thus far. It was still a two-day journey to the fabled woods. They travelled in silence, mostly, only speaking when necessary. It was clear that they were all in thought, most of them grieving over the loss of Gandalf. There was one, however, who was not thinking of Gandalf, per se, but rather, thinking of a strange young woman.

Boromir thought of Aria throughout their journey to Lothlorien. She had known that Gandalf would fall, that much was clear to him, just as she had known of his fate. She had told him that perhaps things had change since her coming to Middle-Earth, and perhaps she would be able to save him. But, she had not been able to save the wizard, and perhaps she would not be able to save him.

These thoughts floated through Boromir's head as he stepped along side Aria. He glanced at her every now and then, peeking at the expression on her face. She looked forlorn, as always. He longed to find a way to make her feel better, to hold her, or to console her, but he knew well enough that there was nothing he could do to change the situation. He vowed to himself to be her pillar of strength through this, to pull them out of it together.

He thought of their future together. He knew not how long she would stay with him, or whether or not he would be alive long enough to have a proper future with her, but thinking of it gave him the hope he longed for along this dark journey. He could only hope that they would all survive it, to make his vision of the future come true. He mused to himself ideas of him and Aria, sitting by the fire in the Citadel of Minas Tirith. Or riding together outside the city walls, or reading the Ballad of Gil-Galad at night in a warm, soft bed together.

The image of the bed remained with him longer than he planned, bringing up thoughts of warm covers, feathery mattresses, lush pillows and soft skin. If he could have, he would surely have blushed then. He looked over to his lady, who was completely oblivious to his impure thoughts of her, and and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with a tired expression, and smiled sadly, placing her hand over his. She held his hand there, and squeezed it lightly. He pulled her to him, and walked with his arm securely around her shoulders. She leaned into his embrace, and he could feel all of her exhaustion. He reminded himself that she had never been on a journey such as this one before, nor had she been very well prepared for it. He sighed, and held her to him. She rested her head on his chest as they walked. He knew they must be approaching the forest, as Aragorn looked in much higher spirits than he had before, and Gimli looked much more wary and seemed to grumble more.

They were trekking up a great hill now, and Boromir silently helped Aria along by pushing her, and letting her weight rest on him. When they came to the top, he caught a glimpse of great golden trees,

"Those are mallorn trees. They surround and protect the city, shrouding it from evil. Come, we are nearly there." said Aragorn, picking up the pace.

Boromir looked down at Aria and smiled, "Baths await, dearest."

She smiled silently and kissed the palm of his hand. Her lips were soft against his calloused palms, but he felt the tingle of her touch for moments afterwards. As they approached the woods, Boromir felt both relieved and wary. The crossed the threshold into the forest, and they were almost immediately stopped by a group of wardens. They seemed to have come from both the ground and the trees. They eyed the group carefully, especially Gimli, but looked relieved to see both Legolas and Aragorn. The leader and Aragorn exchanged some seemingly friendly greeting, and Legolas demonstrated the traditional elvish greeting.

They had nothing to do but wait while Aragorn and the leader, who they learned was named Haldir, deliberated.

"We will take you the city, but you must travel blindfolded. The way to the Golden City is secret to those who do not dwell here. It has been many years since a dwarf has been allowed in Lórien." Haldir said, looking at Gimli with some disdain. Gimli grumbled and protested, as did Legolas. He was kin to these people, and did not feel that he should be blindfolded upon entering a realm that he was free to be in. In the end, it was decided that all the companions would be lead into the city blindfolded, as was fair.

Aria was being guided by one of Haldir's brothers, Orophin, she thought she remembered him saying. He placed his hands on her shoulders, and led her through the forest, over rope bridges, avoiding rocks, roots and shrubs. All in all, he was a good guide. Along the way, Haldir received word that the Fellowship was to be allowed to remove the blindfolds, and they were welcome in Lothlorien. Orophin was kinder then, making small conversation with her as they walked. They spoke only idly, and very sparingly. She knew that he must be on the watch for enemies, but he seemed to relax noticeably at a certain point.

"We are on the outskirts of Caras Galadhon, the heart of elvendom on earth, and the home of Lord Celeborn, and Galadriel, Lady of Light." Haldir announced fondly, looking at the great city in the morning sunlight. Aria looked over Orophin's shoulder and her breath hitched in her throat when she look upon the great city. It seemed alight with gold and silver and brightness, and it warmed her heart to see it. Yet, it had a kind of old sadness about it, like the dull pang of some terrible memory. She looked to Orophin, who had a similar expression on his face. Aria thought of the elves then, and their love of the sea, and the bitter-sweet happiness they must have towards their home. Love of their homeland, and the love of the sea, conflicting in their hearts, mingling with the fear of the coming darkness. It was sad, but the resilient elves gave her hope, nonetheless.

Their appearance in the city was met with some curiosity by the elves living there, and gained them many wary looks. Gimli, especially, was looked upon with not small amount of disdain, and an enormous amount of caution. However, it was clear to all that they were welcome in the Golden Wood, as they were un-blindfolded, and being led directly to the Lady's receiving chamber.

They climbed the stairs of the massive mallorn trees, that appeared to grow right out of the trees themselves. It was unlike anything Aria had ever seen, and certain unlike the films. It was similar, but so much more grand and organic. Everything seemed to flow together, from what Aria could only imagine was several millennia of work and thought. They climbed the tedious stairs, Aragorn and Legolas with ease, everyone else huffing and puffing once they reached the top. Aria held her side when she got to the top step, and Aragorn smirked at her as if to say 'someone has been eating more than her share of the rations'. They were asked by Galadriel's sentinels to wait outside until summoned.

Aria.

Aria blinked furiously.

Long have I awaited your coming. Your presence here interests me greatly. When I am done speaking to your company, please stay. There are many things I wish to ask you of.

Aria shook her head violently, which elicited a snigger from Aragorn, and a sympathetic look from Boromir.

I know my ways are strange to you, but do not fear, I will not read what I have not the right to. Come, inside.

Aria stepped forward then, and reached to open the door. The sentinels moved away, allowing her to pass. She pushed the grand doors open, and at the foot of a staircase, stood Galadriel and Celeborn.

"Welcome. Long have we awaited your coming." greeted the Lady, stepping down the stairs. Celeborn with her. She spoke of their journey, and of their trials. Celeborn asked after Gandalf, to which the fellowship were forced to explain his fall and his battle with the Balrog.

I see what you know, though I do not wish to. Do no think of such things in my presence, it is important that you shut out these thoughts. You have revealed too much to me already.

Aria thought some kind of apology, and tried to focus on something else. Her eyes went to Boromir as the Lady and Celeborn spoke to them. He looked pained, and Aria was sure of what he was thinking, or rather, what the Lady of Light was making him think. She was momentarily angry, but it quickly dissipated.

Do not be upset. I show him these things only to strengthen his will. You have done much for him, this I know. He remains strong because of you. Do not give up, have faith in your own strength.

Aria nodded, silently. Turning towards Boromir, she smiled slowly, comfortingly. He did not return her smile, but the look in his eyes suggested appreciation. She would speak with him later, and try to quell some of his fears.

"You are weary from much toil. You will sleep in peace tonight." Galadriel finished, with a smile. She gestured for two of the sentinels to ready talans for them to rest in.

"Come, now, gentlemen. I am sure you could all use something warm and potent in your hearts tonight. I think we have some miruvor in the kitchens. We shall leave the ladies to confer." said Celeborn, gesturing them towards the door. Boromir nodded, but waited for Aria. She went to him, and placed a careful, chaste kiss on his cheek.

"I'll come to you later, don't worry." she said quietly. He nodded, and squeezed her side, before exiting the chamber.

"Come, Aria, sit. I will not have you standing any longer. I saw the way you leaned on Boromir, I would have you rest now." said Galadriel, pulling up a comfortable looking chair. Almost immediately, two elleths came in, and brought them a sweet smelling tea and dish of fruit. Aria eyed the fruit hungrily, and the lady pushed the dish towards her, "Do not worry, I asked for it only for you. I am not hungry."

"Thank you." Aria responded simply, before biting into a fruit that resembled a sweet fig. She chewed happily as the Lady asked her simple questions about her world, and how she came to know of the books and movies. Aria explained it honestly, with as many details as she could provide. Galadriel seemed the understand when Aria could not go into detail, and did not push her for information.

"Well, Aria, I can offer you little advice, for you know more than I. I can only tell you that this journey may take you down many paths, but you must know your heart. Challenges may arise, and you will have to be ready to meet them. My mirror has told me many things. Your part in this fellowship will soon come to an end, if the mirror is true. But you will still have many tasks ahead of you."

Aria nodded in understanding. She wanted desperately to ask the lady about Boromir, and what to do, but she knew that she couldn't. She had to trust her heart, and her heart told her to wait it out. All this heart business seemed beyond silly to her, and she really had trouble simply trusting her instincts, but she knew she couldn't ask.

"Now, enough of this talk. I wish to hear about Boromir." Galadriel said, with a twinkle in her eye. Aria blushed furiously, "Ah, so that is how it is. I see."

Aria swallowed thoughtfully. "I don't even know how it happened."

"Oh, I think I do." the lady responded, smiling. "What I said remains true. Your presence keeps him strong. You know of what I speak. The spell will break soon, because of you. This is something to hope for, I think."

"You think I'll be able to help him?" asked Aria. The lady nodded.

"You would be surprised how distracting a pretty young woman can be. The only thing as powerful as hate and greed is love and devotion."

"I'm glad to hear it. I've been worried sick over it."

"You are a lucky woman, Aria. I'm sure there is no shortage of ladies in Gondor who would wring your neck for taking their chances at become Lord Boromir's wife."

Aria looked shocked, frightened, joyous and embarrassed all at once then. Galadriel laughed, and the sound of it echoed through the chamber, like the ringing of silver bells. Aria couldn't help but smile, "I see you have no thought of this yet. I should inform you then, that it is unlikely that Boromir will not consider you becoming his bride. You are not of noble blood, this is true, but your position in the fellowship grants you some position, to be sure.

"Of course, this is all depending..." she trailed off, and her eyes grew darker. Aria wanted to say something, but forced a gulp of the flowery tea down instead, clamping her mouth shut. They talked of Boromir some more, and Aria told her of their travels together. Galadriel, she was surprised to learn, was not so different than any other female. She cooed over Boromir and Aria's softer moments, and listened intently when Aria told her of their battles. After what seemed like an eternity, Aria began to yawn.

"Your exertions are catching up with you, I see. Go now, and find your lord. No doubt he has been waiting for you. I will see you in the morrow. Sleep well, Lady Aria."

"Boromir?" Aria asked quietly, aloud, knocking on the door of the talan that she was told was his. There was no answer, so she tried again, louder this time, "Boromir? Are you there?"

Suddenly, from inside, she heard rustling, a thud, and a quiet curse. Arching an eyebrow, she made the open the door herself. Just as her hand clasped itself around the door handle, the door swung open, pulling her forward violently, and making her lose her balance. She tumbled into a heap, knocking over Boromir, and landing flat on top of him in a jumble of legs and arms. Groaning, she made to get up, but strong arms kept her close. She freed an arm from under his, and rubbed her head where it had collided with the floor.

"Poor sweet, did your head become acquainted with the floor?" Boromir asked quietly, running a damp hand over her forehead. She winced as his fingertips came into contact with what she was sure would become a bruise. He removed her hand from her head, and laid a soft kiss on her palm. She noticed then, that he was damp, and his hair was very wet.

"You're wet." she said simply, toying with some of the soft hair at his temple. He smiled,

"I was bathing when you called. I had not the time to finish."

"Oh," she said, running her hands through his damp hair. It felt so different now that it was clean. It was so dark, she noticed, that the light from the candles in the room seemed to reflect off of it in places. "I could have come back later..."

He shook his head and put his hand on the back of her neck, drawing her face closer to his, "I would not have you come back later. It seems like forever since last we were alone."

She smiled, and kissed him softly, meaning to pull back after a moment. He was not to be deterred, however, and deepened their kiss. She sighed into him, and allowed him to pull her closer, pressing their torsos together. She wrapped her one arm around his neck, and the other around his back and held him to her, playing with the damp hair at the back of his head. Taking her by the waist, he lifted her off the floor and into his lap, with her legs across his knee. His tongue slid past her lips softly, and he closed whatever space was left between them.

Moments later, he pulled away slowly, his breathing much more ragged than before. She smiled at him, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"That is hardly appropriate behaviour for a nobleman, my lord." she said into his head, making him shiver in his damp clothes. By way of response, he captured her in another passionate, but much shorter kiss.

"This nobleman has enough power to decided what is appropriate and what is not, my lady." he responded, nuzzling her head with his. She squirmed as his hair tickled her neck, and he laughed lightly. He pulled her up off of him, and led her to the small sitting area a ways away. There was a covered tray of food there, "Have you eaten?"

She nodded, sitting in the chair across from him, "Yes, I had some fruit with the lady, earlier." he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Fruit is hardly a meal. Come, eat, I will not have you wither away on me. I intend to keep you around for some time, yet." he said with a wink, dishing some kind of roasted bird onto a plate with a roll of bread, and pushing it towards her, "I will eat when you are finished. You have been exhausted for days. I can last until you are finished."

Aria looked at him with an unsure expression, and then at the food with a hungry expression. He smiled, and handed her a fork. She ate fervently, practically inhaling it, and barely tasting it. Boromir found it difficult to suppress his laughter,

"My, we are a hungry girl, aren't we?" he said, earning him a slap on the hand, and a sheepish smile from Aria. He feigned hurt, and cradled his 'wounded' hand close to his chest, "You wound me, my love."

"My apologies, good sir. I shall offer you recompense for this violent action. What would my lord ask of me?" she responded playfully. He pretended to look pensive, stroking his scruffy face with his thumb and forefinger.

"Yes, I think that shall do. Hmm...perhaps a kiss from the fairest maiden in all of Arda." he said matter-of-factly. Aria smiled,

"I'm sorry, but I think Lady Arwen is a little far away at this point, Boromir."

He smiled, "Nay, the Evenstar is lovely indeed, but not so lovely to me as another maiden from a far-off land."

Aria raised a sceptical eyebrow at him, "You don't need to flatter me, Boromir, I do have eyes you know. I know I'm not as pretty as she is, but I'm alright with that." she said with a laugh. She handed him the plate and he held it as she put some more food on it for him. He ate, talking only sparingly, to save her from having to see the half-masticated food in his mouth.

"I would have you meet my brother. He would tell you that you are by far the loveliest woman in my acquaintance." he said, after swallowing.

"I think that will change sooner than you think. Faramir will not think I'm so pretty in a couple of months. His attentions will definitely be elsewhere." she responded, sipping some of the wine Boromir had poured for her earlier. He raised his eyebrows at her, and his face broke out into a happy smile.

"So, Faramir will meet someone, then? Who is she?"

"I can't tell you that! But, I promise you would approve. There is hardly any way not to." she said, smiling.

"If she brings my brother joy, I would not complain if she was a cave troll." he responded, polishing off his meal. "It has been a long time since Faramir was truly happy. He spends all of his time in Ithilien with his rangers, to keep out of sight of father."

"Out of sight, out of mind." Aria recited, darkly. Boromir nodded,

"It is well, though. I would not have father think of Faramir too oft. Such things only bring Faramir more impossible tasks, and less recognition" he said sadly, taking a gulp of the wine. Aria gave him a sympathetic look. He shrugged, "There is not a lot that I can do for him here in Lothlorien. Let us speak of something more joyful. Did the lady tell you how long we are to rest in the city?"

"Yes, she said we must stay a month, at least. It would be unwise to continue on while we are so weary and sad." she responded. "I want you to rest, Boromir. I don't want to see you on the archery range, the practice ring, in a patrol group, or out of my sight for at least three days."

"It is not I that needs so much rest, but you! My mind is more at ease here, and less at ease in other ways. I feel not the pains of our journey, but I fear for the future of my people. Do you know of what the Lady said to me in my mind?" he said quietly, bowing his head. Aria got up and knelt beside him.

"Yes, I know. Don't worry, Boromir. You will see what is to happen in time. Gondor will suffer much, yes, but not without good reason. You will be proud of your people, I promise." she said, taking his hands in hers. He looked down at her, and squeezed her hands.

"I hope your knowledge is not wrong in this, Aria. I will have no more suffering befall my people." he said grimly, kissing her hand.

She stood up and walked over to the large door that was open, leading to the back balcony of the small talan. She stood on the edge, elbows resting on the railing made of vines and gnarled branches, circling the entire talan. She looked up at the boughs of the trees, and could see the stars gleaming in the sky between the pockets of trees. The trees themselves seemed to reach up as far as the heavens, grazing the stars with their soft golden leaves.

A strong arm circled its way around her waist, and another around her from the other side. She felt herself being pulled into his chest, and held there, with his bowed beside her ear. He stood there quietly, and she could feel his breaths on her neck, and the rise and fall of his chest. She turned her head up at him, her nose nearly touching his.

"I wish," he whispered slowly to her, "that you could see yourself the way I do, Aria. You are completely unaware of what you have done to me, my love. I fear I shall never be the same again."

She kissed him softly, speaking into his lips, "I wish only that I knew that it could last forever. For all my knowledge, you are the only thing I am unsure of."

"And why are you so unsure? I think, if there is one thing that you may be sure of, it is that I will be with you to any end." he said, running his hand over her neck, and turning her towards him more. She held him tightly, resting her head against his, their noses touching.

"I love you." she said quietly, kissing him. He pulled her closer, and held her tight against him, placing a kiss on her temple.

"Then that is something to be sure of."

Aria was both in utter bliss, and utterly terrified. She had complicated things greatly, she knew, but saying it out loud did nothing to change the fact that it had been in her heart for weeks. Boromir seemed natural to her, as natural as both a clear starry night, and a violent electrical storm.

A/N: So, that's it for now. Things seemed to have calmed down a bit with school, so hopefully I'll be able to update more often now. I hope this was satisfactory :P I tried to make it a bit fluffier, since the last chapter was lacking. As always, if you liked it, please take the time to review it!