A/N: Please, please, please, forgive me for not thanking you all sooner for your encouraging reviews! I have been having a few problems with the new editor, and so, by the time I save the darn thing properly, I find that I've forgotten to add an author's note. Silly me!

While I love all reviews, I would really appreciate some reviews specific to my characterization of Boromir. This story is the first I've written with him in it, and while Faramir can talk to me for hours and hours about his life, Boromir has shown himself to be a rather tight-lipped fellow. I would appreciate any insight into him that anyone wishes to offer!

Thanks!!!!

Chapter 8

Keeping to the trees, the Elf followed Faramir as he was finally carried from this grim place. She reached her consciousness out to him, but found his thoughts disjointed and hazy, though most of them were of her. She wondered how Faramir's brother would react when he found that the ranger was not far wrong when he had said that she had taken his soul. However, though he did not know it yet, Faramir had taken hers as well.

If only she had not allowed him touch her, she could have healed him and been on her way. She silently cursed her own carelessness. Because of that one mistake, she would have to rest awhile before she could heal him, and far beyond that problem, she and this intriguing young Man had been accidentally tied together by her magic, and she knew that this situation now could not be undone until one of them was dead. As she was one of Elvenkind, it would most likely be his death that would free them from this connection, and though the joining was not to her liking, she did not wish him dead again anytime soon.

And so it disturbed her how badly wounded he yet remained, as she had not the strength to heal him now, and she would be unable to do so anyway while he remained in the keeping of these Men. She wished that she could have healed his damaged ribs, as she knew that their jagged, broken edges were biting into the delicate tissue of his lungs with every breath he drew, the blood slowly pooling within them. Soon he would be unable to breathe at all. This was something that no mere Man had the power to alleviate, and if she did not follow him and heal him later, he would surely die.

She was uncertain how she would proceed, though, once he was removed from the forest. Since she had escaped from Mordor, she had not departed from the safety of the trees, and, until now, she had never felt any need to. With a weary sigh, she dropped from her hiding place and followed the Men, hoping that she would not be accidentally shot as an orc before she could decide upon the best way to approach them. Luckily for her, the bearers of the litter had their attention firmly upon Faramir, and though the remainder of the Men kept their attention on the wood around them, she only had to stay within the edge of the forest to keep hidden from the ones who were bringing up the rear.

"Why is there yet no wain for him?" she heard the warrior complain loudly, and she felt pity for him, for it was apparent that his brother meant everything to him, and that he was suffering almost as much as the other one was, though he wouldn't allow himself to break down before these Men. The Elf thought back upon the memories she had seen when she had briefly touched Faramir's mind. So, this was Boromir. This Man was also everything to Faramir: brother, parent, friend. He was the one that she would have to speak with if she wished to remain with Faramir, for she knew that without his permission, she would never gain the proximity that she would require to save the ranger's life.

With her exceptional sense of hearing, she heard Faramir softly cry out, and Boromir immediately called for him to be lowered to the ground. He shouted angrily at the other men, demanding to know again when the wain would arrive, and all of them drew away from him except one, as he stood next to Faramir, running his hands through his hair as he struggled to maintain a calm facade.

"Lord Boromir," said Captain Meneldil quietly as he drew close to the warrior, "I know you worry for your brother, but these Men have recently seen a horrific battle, and I would not have you shouting at them in your frustration. We do the best that we can, and I promise that we shall see the young lieutenant home to his father as soon as possible."

"I fear that it shall be too late for his father to see him yet alive, Captain," Boromir whispered. Meneldil nodded but said nothing. Speaking normally now, the warrior added, "I shall not apologize for demanding the best care for my brother, though I do apologize for the tone." Again the captain nodded, and moved away from the brothers, before he caught hold of the arm of a passing lieutenant and whispered some brief words in his ear that did not interest the Elf.

Instead, she listened to Boromir once again attempting in vain to comfort his younger brother, offering him more water, and she heard Faramir also attempting in vain to explain her to his elder brother. It was clear that this needed to cease immediately, for the lieutenant would require all of his strength now. Silently, she circled the position where the group of rangers stood waiting for their order to move on, and after taking a deep, steadying breath, she emerged from the forest, making her presence known by clearing her throat. Instantly there were at least ten arrows aimed at her heart, and she showed her hands to them, hoping that they would know that she meant them no trouble. "I am here to see Lord Faramir."

As the rangers lowered their bows at the sound of the feminine voice, their captain took a step toward her, and said, "Lord Faramir is indisposed at the moment. Who might you be?" he asked, his suspicion plain upon his face. He was trying to see into the depths of the hood that hid her face, but was having no success.

"What is it?" she heard then, and the elder brother made his way to the front of the group. When his eyes lighted on her, his expression became unreadable. "Who are you?" he asked warily.

"I am a friend of your brother's. I must see him." She was close enough now to feel Faramir's fever, his injuries taking a dangerous toll on his body.

Boromir raised an eyebrow, looking her up and down, as he rested his hand upon the pommel of his sword. "Must you? How do you know my brother?"

"We became acquainted in the forest when he was attacked."

"And you aided me as well," said Boromir. "I think it odd, though, that you disappeared before I could thank you."

"Bo?" Faramir moaned from his position behind the Men, and the Elf winced at the jumble of painful emotions that crossed the warrior's face. He went back to Faramir's side, and the Elf was surprised when no one made any move to stop her as she followed him. She stood close by as Boromir knelt and took his brother's uninjured hand within his own again.

"I am here, little brother, and your friend is here as well." He spared a seething glance for the hooded Elf.

Faramir sighed, and she could feel him relax. "Thank the . . . Valar," he managed to say.

Despite his reservations, Boromir knew that he shouldn't burden his brother with any of his concerns, but he couldn't help but ask, "Fara, who is this woman?"

The ranger's grey eyes lit on her form. "She is . . . a good friend." He took a shuddering breath. "My lady," he finally whispered, using the Elf's own language very effectively. "Thank you."

The Elf took a step closer and reached her mind out to the ranger. Save your strength, young one. You need but to think it, and I shall comprehend your meaning.

He was startled by the unfamiliar contact, and closed his eyes again so that he could concentrate better. My thanks again, my lady. . . . Lachdúliel? That is your name?

She nodded as she mentally affirmed his thoughts.

I am glad to formally make your acquaintance, Lady Lachdúliel. I am Lieutenant Faramir of Gondor. He opened his eyes again, and she was startled by the intense awareness and intelligence that she spied within their depths. What did you do to me when we touched? I see things in my mind, people, places that I do not recognize, but somehow they all seem familiar anyway. Am I dreaming?

Sadly, no, young one, neither of us is. For now I shall say only that we are each burdened with the other's pain and save the full explanation for another time.

Boromir, unaware of the silent exchange, said, "Please, Fara, try to rest."

Faramir, please, obey your brother, for he is frightened and feels useless when he sees you suffering thusly. I promise that I shall explain all to you.

Please, my lady, there is so much that I wish to know now. . . .

But she gently silenced his mind with a thought. As Faramir closed his eyes, she said to Boromir, "He shall sleep now and rest painlessly." There was a murmur of disbelief from the rangers, but no one said anything aloud. "If you would allow me. . . ." She took yet another step closer to the wounded Man, but Boromir stood quickly and blocked her access to his brother, his green eyes flashing in anger.

"I would not allow you, for I know naught of you, and you have not even seen fit to show me your face." He stood waiting.

Finally, she spoke. "I would not reveal my identity here before these Men."

"Why?" asked Boromir. "What have you to hide?"

"My reasons for remaining hidden are my own, but I swear to you that I have not harmed your brother, nor would I. I seek only to aid him."

The warrior stared at her mistrustfully, and she wondered briefly if, in the end, she would have to beg him to allow her to heal Faramir. "I do not trust you. However, my brother has no more time to dally. I would have you accompany me to Minas Tirith, since for some unfathomable reason, you seem to bring my brother such comfort. But you shall remain under guard for as long as you are in his company, and if you make any move toward him, ill or otherwise, I shall hew you down myself."

His eyes were filled with emotion, and the Elf had no doubt that he would do as he said. She nodded her acquiescence and waited for Boromir and the other bearers of the litter to raise Faramir from the ground before she fell into step behind them and wondered what awaited her within the city of Men.