Hi, everyone, real life is out of the way so here I go….

Chapter 39--Warrior's Pride

Everyone else was as shocked as Boromir by the remark and didn't react for several minutes then Legolas starting laughing. That was all it took to get the rest started.

Boromir glared at them. "SHUT UP!!!" he shouted and stormed off after Syri.

Qui looked a bit concerned by how angry Boromir looked and started to follow. Aragorn touched his arm. "Boromir will not harm her," he said. Qui nodded slowly and sat down again as Aragorn began to tend to Legolas' wounds.

Boromir caught up with Syri, well out of sight of the others. He felt she was waiting for him. "Why did you say that, damn it? To embarrass me in front of the others?" he demanded.

"I said only the truth, I would think you would be flattered, " Syri shrugged.

"We just met!!" Boromir protested.

Syri stared at him. "I said you were cute, I did not say I would sleep with you," she said frankly. "I do not bed just anyone."

"It seems wrong for a woman to lead mercenaries, it is not--" Boromir began.

Syri didn't let him finish. "Proper? Oh, I know about mercenaries. My family were farm folk, poor, but proud. When I was fifteen a small band of mercenaries came to our farm, asking for food and shelter. My father explained we had very little food to spare, but we would share our supper with them and they could sleep in the barn, but that did not suit the leader--" she said.

"Syri, I--" Boromir began.

"Shut up, let me finish," Syri snapped. "The leader killed my father, ran him through then they turned their attention to mother and me. They took turns raping both of us that night. The next moring they burned down our farm, but they were not done with us. We were taken to be used as slaves. The leader claimed me as his personal plaything and gave my mother to his men. She eventually died," Syri paused and took a deep breath. "Finally the band was attacked by a band of guards and were slaughtered. Qui was among them. It took me awhile, but I came to trust him. He became the first member of my band. I will never be used again or allow another to be used, man or woman."

Boromir was quiet for a long time. "So that is why you joined us, because of Legolas?" he asked.

"Yes, he has a special and valuable gift, unfortunately one that others will try to exploit. He needs to be returned to his people for his own sake," Syri said.

"You are a brave and beautiful woman, Syri and I am sorry for the tragedy that befell your family. I would never act so," Boromir said.

"No, I do not think you would, but enough, we should get back, handsome," Syri said.

Never had Boromir wanted to kiss a woman as much as he wanted to kiss Syri at that moment, but he had a feeling he'd get kicked in the groin if he did. Just as Syri turned away he decided it would be worth it. He caught her wrist and pulled her to him. He kissed her.

Syri kissed back with force, tangling her finger in Boromir's shaggy, blonde hair then pulled back. "Prove yourself worthy and you may end up sharing my bed, But I will not lay with someone that is not worthy," she growled.

"I will do my best to be worthy of you, my lady, but we must return to the others before they think we killed each other," Boromir said. They walked back to the others, feeling like a agreement had been reached between them. They would see what the future held.

No one said anything when they rejoined them. "We should leave, I do not feel secure this close to Minas Tirith and we are close to Mirkwood," Aragorn said.

Legolas' eyes brightened at the thought he would soon be home.

No one disagreed so they mounted and rode off, ignoring Gimli's surly muttering…..

You all like? Please R/R?