*** This time only a short author's note. // indicates the beginning and ending of a flashback. And this is a pure Boromir-chapter. Aragorn & Legolas will be "on the screen" next one again. ***

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Boromir didn't know for how long they had been travelling now. It seemed like an eternity to him and he felt more miserable with every minute passing by. He had seen dreadful things in his life, he had experienced horrible pain both physical and mentally, he had felt a lot of overwhelming emotions both positively and negatively. But what he felt right now was new to him. He was totally helpless, a status that never before had taken control over him. It drove him mad that he could not do anything, apart from just sitting, waiting and hoping. He was a man of deeds, and no matter what fate had brought him, he always had taken action to turn the life of his people, and with that his own life, to the better. His heart was brave and he was not afraid of pain and death. But the thought of not being able to intervene, not being able to take some action scared him.

After some more hours that seemed like days to Boromir, the group of kidnappers decided to set up a camp. Somebody pulled him from the horse and dragged him a short distance with rough determination until he finally pushed Boromir to the ground, down on his knees.

"Beware, Boromir of Gondor," the man spoke with a threat in his voice, "we will watch you all the time. If you try to escape, I swear to you, you will die the most painful death you can think of."

Boromir heard the man join the others who obviously just started to make a campfire. They were not very close to him, but not really far away either. He knew it would be a very foolish idea to try to get away, and so he just remained seated on the cold ground and listened to the crackling of the fire and the voices of the people who had taken him from his home.

Again it felt like a never ending moment, until suddenly one of the men came back to him.

"Lie down and sleep," he ordered. Boromir didn't react. He couldn't fight them, but that didn't mean he had to do what they told him. He would not obey. He would not allow them to take away his last bit of dignity.

"Lie down, I said! We have to go a long way tomorrow!" the man shouted getting angry and gave Boromir a hard push that made him fall on his side, but he sat up again only a second later. Boromir's defiance was answered with a hard punch in his face. A sharp pain exploded on his nose and he felt blood bursting from his nostrils. But he remained in position, not willing to subordinate, much to the fury of the man who was beating on him.

"You bastard of a nobleman!" he screamed in pure hate and kicked Boromir in his stomach, "Lie down now and rest!"

Boromir tried to ignore the pain and struggled to keep his balance while he was beaten up, but after a moment the massive impact of another very hard kick made him collapse to the ground. The torment didn't stop, even now as he was lying there defeated.

"Stop it! Do you want to kill him?!" another man yelled from further away.

"Why not?!" the furious answer was, going together with another kick.

"Not now! Not here! And now stop it!"

Boromir was left lying on the hard ground, flames of pain licking through his body. He didn't move and just lay still, feeling the cold blades of grass tickling the skin of his face that was starting to swell with bruises. He concentrated on this soft and light sensation and the sweet memories that came with it, perhaps it could make him forget about the pain and humiliation...

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//

Blades of grass were tickling his naked skin, the chilly breeze of the wind was wafting over his body, but he did not feel cold. Her tender caresses and loving kisses heated him up, making his whole body glow with passion. Her skin was so soft, her body so delicate. He inhaled her sweet scent, relished her heavenly taste and enjoyed the touch of her skin against his. He knew she was young, but she proved to him that she indeed was no child anymore. Not at all.

They both had not wanted this to happen. Not now, one day before their wedding. They both knew that it was not right. That they had to wait. They both had not expected that in the end their desire would be stronger than their rational thinking...

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This was all his fault. If he had taken his brother Faramir and his cousin Ghorid with him like his father had wished, this never would have happened. They both were great warriors and together with them he would have been able to protect Aerilyn. If anything had happened to her he would hate himself for the rest of time.

The blood that came from and was in his nose slowly started to dry, making it even harder for him to breathe, but he almost didn't notice it. The memories alone occupied his mind. Everything he could think of was her pretty face, her sweet voice, her silky skin. And her laughter that always made his heart melt. He feared that he never would hear it again.

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//

"This place is truly beautiful," Aerilyn said overwhelmed.

"Nothing compared to your beauty," Boromir replied. She blushed a bit and smiled shyly. They rode next to each other for a while until she suddenly said: "Can we go faster, my Lord? I have not been on a horse since our arrival at Gondor."

When she saw the expression on Boromir's face she added: "I tell you I am a splendid rider. I will not fall."

"I do not want you to hurt yourself."

"I will not fall," she repeated a bit offended, "Let me prove to you. Or are you afraid that my riding skills could be better than yours?"

He laughed and said: "I do not think so, my dearest. I am well experienced on this matter."

"Is that so? I want to see. Let us compare," she said teasing, a small grin on her face.

He was speechless for a second but then a smile spread on his face.

"As you wish, my Lady, we..."

He hadn't even finished with the sentence he wanted to say when she speeded away on her horse, leaving a startled Boromir behind. He decided to give her a good start so she was in advantage. He would catch up soon anyway, he was sure about that. When she finally vanished behind some trees and his eyes lost her he urged his horse after her.

Suddenly there was a scream that made heavy worry well in his heart. He rode as fast as he could and hurried to get from his horse when he discovered her lying on the ground.

"Aerilyn!" he yelled when he was on his knees by her side, scared that she was badly injured from the fall. Her eyes were closed and she didn't move. He said her name again, and again there was no reaction. He carefully pushed his arms under her and easily lifted her up when he rose on his feet.

"You are easily fooled for a well experienced warrior," she suddenly said, raising her head and looking at him with an amused sparkle in her eyes.

He wanted to say something but was so confused that he didn't get a word out. Then he started to feel angry because she had managed to fool him indeed. But finally the huge relief was stronger and he couldn't do anything else than holding her on his arms and kiss her. While he slowly lay her down on the ground again, not stopping to kiss her, she closed her arms around his neck and softly pulled him even closer. After a few moments of tenderness he disconnected from her lips again and backed away a bit so he could see her face. When he moved his arm to run a hand through her curly hair a necklace fell from the neckline of his clothes and started to swing in front of her face. She carefully took the amulet that was attached to it in her hand and looked at it closely. He watched her silently.

"This is wonderful," Aerilyn finally said.

"It is from my mother," he explained, his voice low. She looked up, the charm still in her hand.

"Tell me about her," she demanded with a soft tone in her voice.

"There is not much to tell," Boromir said and cleared his throat as his voice started to get husky. When Aerilyn didn't respond anything but kept looking at him expectantly he continued to speak.

"Her name was Finduilas and she was the daughter of Adrahil, prince of Dol Amroth. She was very beautiful and warmhearted, a good wife to my father and a good mother to Faramir and me."

"When did she die?"

"I was ten, Faramir four."

"It must have been hard for you."

"It was my father who suffered the most," Boromir abruptly took the amulet from Aerilyn's hand and let it vanish in his clothes again.

"I apologize for asking. I have no right to be so blunt, please forgive me," Aerilyn said and moved her head to the side to escape his gaze.

"Aerilyn...," he said with a sigh and gently forced her to look at him again, "you may ask me whatever you wish to ask. And I always will be honest with you. Tell me you know I say the truth."

"Yes, my Lord. I know you will treat me more than good."

"Please, call me by my name," he begged, his hand still resting on the side of her head.

"Boromir," she said with a slight smile, wiping a strand of hair from his face. He smiled back and she closed her eyes when he bent down and lowered his lips on hers to kiss her devotedly. The kiss was harder this time and he pulled her close to his body in a loving embrace. Her heart started racing as she had never been kissed like this before. When he felt her moan softly against his lips he worked one of his hands under her clothes and gently ran it over her bare back, sending shivers up her spine.

"What if somebody passes by?" she suddenly asked breathlessly.

"Nobody will come," Boromir replied, kissing her face.

"How do you know?"

He backed away again, locking gazes with her.

"You do not need to fear it," he said, not referring to people who could discover them, "I will not hurt you. Never."

"I know," she replied, "but we are not married yet. We have to wait."

"We will be married in less than only a day. I am tired of waiting..."

He bent down again and softly brushed his lips over the sensitive skin of her neck. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the beautiful sensation.

"Me too. I want to be all yours," she said and then added in a whisper, "I want to please you, but I do not know how."

"Do not worry, Aerilyn. I will show you," he said and then sealed her mouth with a passionate kiss before she could reply anything...

The desire took control quickly and so they proceeded, not wasting any thoughts on not being married yet or getting surprised by somebody. And the blades of grass were tickling their skin while they were making love...

//

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The clear images of his memories changed into a blur when he started to feel dizzy because he couldn't get enough air to breathe. He struggled hard, but the dried blood blocked his nose and he felt that he would suffocate soon. When he started to move heavily in order to try to get rid of the gag he caught the attention of the kidnappers again. He didn't even hear that one of them came closer, he was too much caught up in his fight with death. As soon as the man removed the gag Boromir inhaled more than he could take. The sudden and massive intake of breath made him cough heavily and the cold air sent a sharp pain through his throat down to his lungs. When he had calmed down again and breathed more controlled, the man spoke to him.

"If I hear only one word from your lips I will cut your tongue out of your mouth."

Knowing that the threat was serious he remained lying on the ground silently, but his worried and tortured soul did not find any sleep this night.