It was an unconscious Sedryn that Boromir handed down to Eomer when they arrived at Rohan late that night. The ride had long since exhausted her meager reserves of strength, and although Theo checked her often he had said that there was no need to stop, only the sooner she got to a bed the better.

Eowyn met them at the gate.

"Eomer!" she said, reaching up to hug him.

"All's well, Eowyn," he answered, and Boromir heard the weariness in his voice. "We have company," Eomer continued. "This is Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor, and his wife Lady Sedryn. They were caught unawares by the Orcs and Lady Sedryn was hurt. She'll need a bed in the infirmary." He said.

She nodded. "You honor us with your visit," she said, turning her intense gaze to meet Boromir's. "You are welcome here."

Boromir dipped his head, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the cool, beautiful woman and the ache of worry he felt for Gondor. "Thank you for your kindness to me and my wife," he said, his eyes flicking back to the woman in his arms.

She nodded to him. "Follow me to the infirmary, please." She said. "There are healers there who will attend to her."

A few moments later Boromir carried Sedryn into the infirmary and laid her down onto a table that Eowyn directed him to. Two healers scurried to the side of the table as Theo told them what needed to be done.

"This is Lela and Raverin," Eowyn said, introducing the two women healers once Theo had finished. "They'll tend to your lady. Your room is next door; I'll have someone run a bath for you and send something to eat up."

"Thank you." Boromir said simply. Eowyn nodded and left; Eomer followed after giving a reassuring smile to Boromir.

"She'll be fine." Theo said once they had left. "The ladies will bathe her – that will soothe the inflammation from the saddle rubbing against her leg and they'll bind it again, with fresh herbs instead of dried. That too will help. She'll sleep the night and wake up tomorrow."

Boromir nodded. "I know of nothing else to give but my thanks."

Theo smiled. "Nothing more is needed," he said, walking out of the room.

"You needn't stay, sir," one of the healers, Raverin Boromir thought, said. "Go and rest."

"Thank you," he said. "Will you knock on my door when you are finished?"

"Certainly." She answered. Boromir nodded and walked to his bedroom.

Raverin sent for the hot water and as quickly as possible got a bath ready for Sedryn. Meanwhile, Lela undressed Sedryn and then, with Raverin's help got her in to the tub.

Gently, they washed the grime off her body with herbal soap and a washcloth. Sedryn slipped in and out of consciousness as they bathed her, the water turning murky as they scrubbed.

"Wh-who are you?" she whispered hoarsely when she woke up the first time.

"I'm Lela, and this is Raverin. You reached Rohan, and we're tending to you. We're healers," answered Lela, but Sedryn had already slipped back into sleep. Shrugging, Lela continued tending to her.

After a few moments, they lifted her out of the water and toweled her dry. Clothing her in a fresh nightgown, Raverin covered Sedryn's wound with a fresh bandage while Lela brushed and plaited Sedryn's hair.

Sedryn woke up again, for a longer period this time. They took the opportunity to give her some water and some broth to drink.

Then, they put her to bed. On their way out, they knocked at Boromir's door. "My Lord," Raverin said through the door. "She's resting."

Boromir, who had fallen asleep in the bathtub, blinked awake. "Thanks," he said, then realized that his voice probably didn't carry through the door. "Thanks!" he called again, louder, as he hauled himself out of the tub, shivering as the cool night air met his bare skin. Reaching for the towel, he dried himself off and dressed himself in the spare tunic and trousers he had in his bag. Still a bit cold, he tied himself into the thick robe he found lying on his bed.

Then, he went to Sedryn.

She was just falling back into sleep when Boromir came in. Her face brightened when she saw him. "There you are," she said, her voice a little stronger for the broth and water the healers had fed her.

"All right?" he asked, smiling as he saw her bundled luxuriantly under a thick blanket.

"Splendid." She said. "Sleepy!" she added as a yawn nearly split her jaws into two.

He smiled. "Go to bed." He said, pulling up a chair to her side.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'll stay here." he answered.

Didn't they give you a room? She asked.

Yes. He answered.

And isn't there a bed in it? She continued.

Yes.

Well then! Go to bed yourself! I'll be fine for tonight. She said.

"Sure?"

"Mm-hmm. Now go to sleep!" she said, smiling at him through ever heavier eyelids. He kissed her on the forehead before he went back to his room to sleep.

He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Late next morning Sedryn woke up to find Boromir smiling at her. "Good morning." He said.

She smiled. "Good morning. I'm hungry."

Boromir laughed heartily. "Breakfast was a few hours ago, but I daresay I can scrounge a second breakfast up for you."

"Thank you."

As Boromir went to go find her food, Lela and Raverin came into the room and checked on her.

"Likely you don't remember us," said Raverin, "but we're the ones who tended to you when you came in last night. I'm Raverin and she's Lela."

"Many thanks to you, ladies." Sedryn said. "We are indebted to you."

Lela chuckled. "Eat." She said. "That's payment enough, for a healer."

Sedryn smiled. "Aye. I'm a healer too; I know what you mean. But I won't forget."

And with that last sentence she again remembered Gondor waiting.

A quarter of an hour later she was digging voraciously into the eggs Boromir and Lela had brought her. When she was replete, Lela took the tray back to the kitchen.

Raverin, hands perched on her hips, said, "Now, are you ready to walk?"

"Most definitely," Sedryn answered without hesitation, pulling away the blanket. Shifting her legs over the edge, she carefully stood up, Boromir and Raverin at each side ready to steady her.

Shakily, she put pressure on her legs and stood up. Boromir took her arm and helped her to the chair.

At this point, someone knocked on the door. It was Eomer.

"Good morning." He said, nodding at them. Raverin and Lela stole away when he entered.

"Good morning." Boromir said, Sedryn echoing him.

"I am glad to see you in better health, lady." He told Sedryn. "I trust Raverin and Lela took good care of you?"

"Splendid." Sedryn answered, feeling somewhat bashful in the presence of the Fieldmarshal of Rohan.

He nodded curtly. Suddenly Sedryn sensed that Eomer had something else to say.

Boromir, she sent. Something's troubling him.

I can tell. Boromir answered. "Is there something amiss, sir?" Boromir continued.

Eomer bit his lip and moved into the room, closing the door behind him. "Things are…uncertain, with my uncle." Eomer said. "He is…not what he was."

Boromir left Sedryn's side and walked closer to Eomer. "What is it?" he asked quietly, suddenly realizing that Eomer was younger than he was.

"It's his counselor, Grima." Eomer whispered. "Do not trust him! 'Ware what you say of Gondor and your business in his presence."

Boromir's eyes grew dark. "Is he a traitor?"

"Every single man but for my uncle thinks so and despises him. Yet my uncle refuses to hear any grievances against him."

"I see," Boromir said, nodding. "We'll take care. Thank you."

Eomer inclined his head. "He wormed his way to my quarters this morning and tried to ask me questions. I told him your names, and judging from the way his eyes glittered he knows who you are. Other than how we met up, I told him nothing else."

"Thank you." Boromir took a deep breath. "Is there anything we can do?" he asked.

Eomer's eyes flashed. "No. Only take care."

"Understood." Boromir said.

With that, Eomer turned and walked out of the room.

Poor lad, Boromir said.

Mm-hm. Sedryn agreed. Isn't there some thing we can do?

Maybe. Boromir said. Maybe.

"When are we to have our audience?" Sedryn asked aloud.

"The time he receives people is after the noon meal." Boromir answered.

"I'd best get dressed then," she said, reaching for a dress that hung on a peg next to her chair. Moving slowly, she stood, putting her pressure on her left leg to keep from toppling over. Boromir walked to her and unbuttoned her nightgown, helping her step out of it. Still unused to being nearly completely unclothed in front of him, a hint of a blush stained Sedryn's cheeks as she used Boromir to steady herself.

From his kneeling position he gave her a dark, tender look. Sedryn felt her breath steal away as he drew the dress up her legs and body, his hands brushing her body with an agonizing sensuousness that sent shivers running down her body as he rose to a standing position. Although he had the laces of the dress in his hands Sedryn felt them draw up then loosen as Boromir kissed her on the back of her neck, his arms stealing around her waist for a brief moment. Just as she relaxed into his hold he pulled away and clumsily laced up the dress.

Still wanting his arms around her, she took a deep breath. "Thanks," she said shakily.

"Mm-hm," he breathed.

They pulled apart from each other guiltily when someone knocked at the door. It was Raverin, pulling a massive trolley full of food behind her. "Lunch time," she said.

"Oh my." Sedryn replied, her eyes going wide at the sight of so much food. "I'm not that hungry," she added, her voice fading away at Raverin's indignant look.

"Of course you are." Raverin said.

Boromir chuckled as he walked forward to help her drag in the heavy trolley. "Look, Sedryn, there are hot rolls and butter, fresh vegetables, potatoes, everything you like."

"But Boromir, I just ate!" she said, her voice rising on the last note.

He shrugged. "Suit yourself," he said, luxuriantly buttering a roll. Raverin turned away to hide a smile. There was no way Sedryn could resist eating, the way Boromir was enjoying his roll.

Sedryn bit her lip, but in spite of herself she giggled. Giving in, she said, "Oh, fine, I'll have a roll!"

He laughed. "'Sgood!" he said, his voice muffled by the bread.

"Evidently!" she said, pulling a piece apart to butter it.

Moments later a look of bliss appeared on her face. "This is good!"

Raverin laughed. "Enjoy," she said. "Lord Theoden will be accepting visitors soon; I'd suggest you eat quickly and get there before he gets tired."