Chapter 13

It was late afternoon, and Minas Tirith was still more than a hard day's journey away, two or more if they pursued a more normal pace. The horse carried his two riders forward with a confident unbroken stride.

Boromir glanced down at her, sleeping in his arms. He had damn near lost her. As he drank in the sight of her, he realized that although he had never seen her looking more unattractive, at the moment her dirty face was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

She was sitting crossways on his lap, her head resting on shoulder, strands of uncombed dark hair falling across his arm. Her nearness was having it usual effect. She merely shifted in his arms, unconsciously snuggling closer and his resolve almost crumbled completely. Just a taste of her he thought, as his fingers traced the bruise on her cheek. Fresh anger arose, and for a moment he wished that bastard were alive, simply for the sheer pleasure of killing him again.

Extra careful of her bruised cheek, with a light, gentle touch he tilted her face upward, his mouth finding hers in a soft tender kiss, his lips merely brushing hers. Her lips parted slightly beneath his and with a gentle thrust of his tongue he tasted of the sweetness that was his Katerina. When they both pulled back from the kiss, she was looking up at him, meeting his tender gaze, with a smile on her face and love in her eyes, she asked, "Did I thank you for rescuing me?"

She lay her head back against his chest snuggling in closer and her head resting beneath his chin.

"I think you just did, my sweet." Even as he tightened his embrace of her, he fought with everything in him to bring himself, his raging desire for her, under control. This was certainly not the right time, much less the right place. He leaned down just a little, his lips brushing across her forehead, his whisper soft and reassuring, "Go on back to sleep, love."

The horse continued to carry them forward smoothly, and soon Katerina, safe in the arms of her lover, slept once more.

Faramir was following at sufficient distance to allow his brother and Katerina much needed privacy, but yet staying close enough to provide protection if needed. He'd watched the intimate exchange, glad for the couple to be reunited, but he knew his father had not had his final say in this. Faramir was certain of two things. Without a doubt trouble would loom upon their return. His father would not take Boromir's rebellion lightly. The second was the absolute certainty that his brother would willingly give his life to protect the woman he was currently sheltering in his arms.

******

Tired and dusty, the travelers made camp near a small creek, the brothers knowing this would be their only chance, for by midday tomorrow they would reach open plains. They'd not stopped since Katerina's rescue, where it had been a miracle in itself that it was the brothers of Gondor, and not a party of orcs that had come upon the mercenaries.

Therefore, they had ridden relatively swiftly most of the night and the better part of the morning, wanting to put much distance behind them. To their relief, they had seen no evidence of an orc presence in this particular area. This was an opportunity for all three of them to wash and get some much needed rest.

Boromir and Katerina were beside the fire. Faramir had gone off to bathe in the creek. Katerina's mood was subdued, although she had rewarded him with a genuine smile when he presented her with the clean dress. Boromir, content for the time being to just have her with him, watched in silence as she stared into flames.

Despite her ordeal, her injuries were thankfully limited to some scrapes, a few bruises and rope burns on her wrists. Freshly washed, her hair hung loose and her eyes were distant, somewhere else. Boromir would never forgive his father for this. For the damage he'd done to Katerina's spirit. She'd been devastated to learn that his father was the one behind her kidnapping.

Boromir had not had the courage to ask his own questions yet and it was inevitable that the time had come, better to get it over with and deal with things now, whatever they may be. His desire for Katerina was a strong as ever, but he couldn't pursue it until he knew. "Katerina, I wish to know, if…, if those men… I mean….did they?"

"No milord, they intended to sell me at auction." Boromir released the breath he'd been holding, fury lingering in his eyes and he swore under his breath.

Katerina raised her gaze to meet his, her eyes full of shame, fearful unshed tears shimmering in her gray eyes. "I do not lie to you, Boromir, truly they did not rape me, but I feared they might every moment, the big one would not keep his hands off of me. If you find me unworthy of you now, I would understand."

Again, Boromir bristled with anger. Damn his father, for the damage he'd done to Katerina, while still reparable, should never have happened. He had come for her, so how could Katerina possibly think he would cast her aside? That she might be found unworthy because of things not her doing, and beyond her control. No matter what, he would want her.

He had only wanted to assure himself that she had not been injured or brutalized beyond what he'd witnessed himself. That she had suffered no damage to the inside. Her confidence was in shreds. He hastened to reassure her, "Katerina, I have never felt for anyone what I feel for you. You are my heart, do you not understand how much I love you? You are my treasure, worth more to me than all the gold in the world."

She let go out of relief and the tears streamed down her cheeks, Katerina reading the desire in his eyes as his hand came up to gently to touch her face, to tenderly wipe them away. "Shhh, my love," he murmured, "Nothing has changed between us."

Her eyes closed as she leaned into Boromir's caress, welcoming his tender touch. Her favorable response was all the encouragement Boromir required for his need of her was great. He pulled Katerina forward into his arms, settling her in his lap. His mouth found hers again, but it was no gentle kiss like this afternoon. His kiss was fierce and demanding, it had been three weeks since he'd last buried himself in her velvet depths. His arms tightened around her and he crushed her against his chest.

Katerina's arms encircled his neck as she met his kiss with equal yearning. Passion began to sweep through them both. He rained kisses along her throat, his hand cupping her breast and she moaned her response, her voice inviting, enticing, "Oh…. yes,…. Boromir,… oh yes." She arched against his caress.

His hand found its way beneath the skirt of her dress, and somehow, although not exactly clear, due to his caresses Katerina found herself naked beneath it. His fingers grazed through her curls, feeling the gathering wetness between her folds, "I want you my love, I want you now," he murmured his mouth on hers yet again.

Katerina's hands found his laces, freeing the heavy shaft, "Aye, milord, take me."

Hiking her skirt up toward her hips, Boromir helped Katerina position herself astride his lap, his hands slid beneath the dress lifting her hips enough to allow him penetration. "Lower yourself down, my love."

Katerina did as he asked her hands at his shoulders to steady herself, her gaze locked on his. Both of them taking in every nuance of sensation. Wordlessly she began to rise and fall on him, savoring the feel of him within her, the fullness, and the depth of the penetration. He moaned his pleasure and began to move in time with her.

By the Valor, he's missed this, missed her. He couldn't imagine feeling this way with any other woman. Moving together, their mouths joining as well, barreling headlong into an intense climax for them both. The climax was powerful, not only because of their passion, but also this time because they were letting go of the fear, anxiety and frustration of these last days as well, wiping away the horror of it, moving past it and finding the love they felt together stronger than ever.

As they drifted back to earth, her arms encircled his neck and she clung to him as they recovered. He'd not withdrawn from her yet, and they remained that way for a brief time.

Boromir let her skirts fall around her legs as he brought his arms aro und her waist, just holding her, Katerina never seeing his grateful tears that she was alive and safe in his arms. Later he got the blankets, and with Faramir keeping first watch, the lovers soon slept, their limbs entwined. In blissful peace, for at least the time being.