Author's note: Hi, everyone! It's snowing here...again! I think it snowed some other time in the last two weeks. Thanks so much for the reviews! I know I haven't said it in awhile, but I appreciate all you guys' reviews.
To answer Dwen's question, Rhiannon has gotten over her feelings about Aragorn, they just share a special bond because they're cousins.
And BeeJang, I found the Haldir and Craig Parker websites by searching through Yahoo. Some of the Craig Parker sites have sound files, and I even found a beautiful tribute to Haldir that almost brought tears to my eyes. If you guys would like it, e-mail me.
Enough with my rambling! Hope you all enjoy this chapter! C-ya!
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER TWELVE
Faramir took leave of her shortly after, promising that he would keep her true identity to himself. She knew he would keep his word as he was a man of honor, and she asked him to store her weapons in a safe place where no one could touch them. Then her thoughts lit on Faramir's brother, the handsome Captain of Gondor who had saved her life, and she wondered if he had seen her dagger as well. She thought not as Faramir would've surely said something about it to her.
Relaxing back into the pillows, she suddenly felt so tired and took a short nap before waking to see she had a different visitor this time. It was dark outside since she saw the candles had been lit throughout the room, and the soft light cast his head in a golden glow as well as made his face seem years younger than he truly was. But it was his eyes that belied his real age as they seemed wearied with sorrow at the many lives that had been lost in the battle, as well as having to bear the responsibility of his station as the son of the Steward of Gondor.
She immediately wished she could take away some of that pain that she saw etched on his face, but thought better of it since she didn't wish to become so close to him or anyone for that matter. He knew her now only as a ranger that had come to help in the defense of Gondor. If he found out who she truly was, he would be angry at first, but then as he came to realize who she truly was would he begin the courtship in earnest as if he married her he would become King of Gondor. Which would never be because of Aragorn's presence as the rightful King.
Boromir sat in a chair at her bedside, pleased to see she had finally woken from her dreams. He was glad to have been here as he had been disappointed to hear that his brother had been the first to speak with her upon her awakening. He had had little time to even visit as his father constantly kept him tied up with matters of defense and such, which he didn't dislike entirely, but lately he was growing noticeably more aware of his age and he wished to find time to get to experience what he had been unable to up until now.
Sure, he had had his pick of women in the past, but none of them stirred his emotions on such a deep level as she did. She was everything he had ever wanted in a woman: strong of spirit and brave of heart as well as very pleasing to the eye. He had been caught unawares by her sudden appearance in his city, and he yearned to know more about this mysterious woman before it was too late.
It had been established that he would be leaving Minas Tirith soon for the fabled land of Imladris where Elrond dwelt, he was just unsure of how soon he would be leaving. And once he did leave, he wanted to have something to take with him to keep him company on his long journey, even if it was just a memory of a converstion...or perhaps something more.
"How are you feeling, Elena?" he asked to keep his mind on where it belonged instead of somewhere it didn't.
"As fine as can be expected," she replied, trying to sit up again and being unsuccessful in her attempts to do so.
"Here, let me help," he offered softly as he sat on the side of the bed and helped pull her up into a sitting position. She hissed as the movement pulled on her wounded side, and she clutched at his sleeve as she rode out the wave of intense pain. He held her until it passed, wondering if she could hear the fierce beating of his heart.
She hated him having to see her like this, but it was time for her to drop all pretenses at being brave and independent, at least for this moment. She was tired after having been on the run so much, and she had failed in her promise to those she cared about. There was no pride left in her for her to feel, and she didn't know she was crying until the first sob threatened to cut off her breathing, and once it came there was no stopping it as the flood of tears came.
Boromir was surprised to see her crying, and wondered at her tears, but offered her the support she needed so badly right now if she would accept it from him. She held close to him as she cried out her weariness and her sorrow, and he held her gently against his chest, careful not to disturb her injury as he whispered what few words of comfort he knew. This was an unfamiliar situation to him as he had never been around women when they were like this. He was used to the clash of armor and the ringing of horses' hooves on the stone as they marched to battle, but he had to admit he didn't mind holding her in his arms. What was even stranger was that it felt incredibly right for them to be together.
Once she had regained control of herself, she released her hold on him and sat back a little, accepting the square of cloth he offered her with an embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry, my lord," she finally said, her voice slightly hoarse. "I imagine this is the first time you've had a woman collapse into tears on you, isn't it?"
He smiled. "It's quite all right," he replied. "You needed it, so I gave it to you. Would you like to talk about it?"
She looked up into his eyes, their blue depths warm like the candlelight that shone upon them and gazing at her with genuine concern. She wished she could confide in him, wanted more than anything than to be able to tell him everything, but that would bring them even closer together than she wanted to. And that was something she was determined to keep from happening at all costs.
Apparently a tear must've leaked from the corner of her eye as he reached up to wipe it away with his thumb. The touch was soft for someone who was so used to wielding a sword, and it sent her heart to pounding furiously as a delicious shiver raced down her spine at feeling the brush of his fingers at the side of her neck. Not even Aragorn had evoked this level of emotion in her, and she became aware of other sensations that his nearness provoked within her.
He smelled of leather and heated skin, and she could hear his labored breathing as if it were the sound of the wind passing by her. His hand when she touched it was warm and strong, his skin rough with calluses from swordplay, and she managed to retain enough control over her emotions to remove his hand and place it on the bed at her side. "There's no need," she replied. "I am fine now."
He smiled, hoping she wouldn't see the disappointment he felt in his eyes. He had seen the effect his touch had had on her, and it was very intoxicating to know that with just a touch he had broke through her defenses. He wanted to take her in his arms once again, just to relish the feel of her, but he knew that it was too soon to be so forward with her. He sighed a little as he realized that it would be very hard for him to control himself whenever he was around her, especially after feeling her hand on his. How could a woman have such control over a man as to drive them mad with just a mere touch of their hand?
"As you wish, my lady," he replied with a smile to hide his emotions.
She returned the smile, having seen his disappointment and relieved that he had not pressed her further, for if he had she wasn't sure she could resist him a second time. "Your brother tells me you have visited me a few times already," she said to take the focus off of her.
"I have," he agreed. "When time allows me to. My father keeps me busy with military matters, especially now."
She made a small sound of agreement. "It's a wonder you have any time to yourself," she pointed out, feeling a wave of sympathy at his situation.
He sighed a little as he shifted within his seat. "I suppose that will be a moot point soon."
She cocked her head a little in confusion. "Why do you say that?"
He locked his gaze with hers, and she couldn't stop the jolt that passed through her at the intensity of it. "I have been ordered away on an errand in hopes of finding the answer to a riddle. I am to leave soon."
She didn't know why, but she didn't want to have to stay here if he wasn't here as well. A crazy thought, but it was there all the same. He had saved her life, and maybe it was because of that that she felt so drawn to him. "You will take this journey by yourself?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied evenly, wondering if she would be willing to accompany him and afraid to ask because his manly sense of pride forbid asking any assistance. It made him appear weak, as if he was unable to take care of himself, but he would ask if it meant having her with him.
Her eyes on him still, she considered his words for a moment. "If your father would allow it, I would ask to accompany you," she said, knowing she was insane for doing so but not caring in the least. She wanted to leave Gondor behind her since it would always remind her of her failure to protect it. "Since I failed in my duty to protect Gondor, perhaps I can repay him by protecting the life of his oldest son."
A smile spread across his face. "We are all guilty of that, Elena, so do not take it so personally," he offered, knowing now that that was the reason she had been so shaken earlier. Judging from what little he knew of her, he knew that their defeat sat wrong with her, and she would be haunted by it for the rest of her life. "Against the evil in Mordor, what hope do we have of being able to protect Gondor? Day by day it grows stronger, and our forces weaken at the same time. That is why I must go to Imladris to speak with Elrond so that I may discover its meaning."
She stiffened a little at his words. "You would give up all hope before the end?" she asked. "If that is so, then you are defeated before you even begin. Sauron's work is already done by the despair he puts in our hearts, and that in turn weakens the fighting spirit that drives us to protect what we still have."
Moved greatly by her words, he took her hand in his own and brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Your heart has a strength not seen in Gondor for many years," he said. "Perhaps we have lost sight of that and fallen into despair." Then he released her hand and rose to his feet. "I will tell my father of your wish to travel to Imladris. I bid you to rest and recover your strength for now, and I will have an answer for you in the morning. Good night, my lady," he said as he bowed to her then disappeared from her sight.
She sat back against the soft pillows, berating herself for letting her tongue get the best of her. She wasn't sure if she had offended him or not, but she had no right to judge him when he was the one who had fought against Mordor all this time. All she had done was hide in the shadows, afraid of her heritage and her responsibility that she knew she would one day have to claim, and that was something that she would never forgive herself for.
**********************
Aww, a little Bory and Rhiannon closeness! I wonder what will happen between them if she goes with him? Will she be able to keep her promise to herself to keep from falling in love with him? Or will she give in to her emotions?
Thanks for reading!
To answer Dwen's question, Rhiannon has gotten over her feelings about Aragorn, they just share a special bond because they're cousins.
And BeeJang, I found the Haldir and Craig Parker websites by searching through Yahoo. Some of the Craig Parker sites have sound files, and I even found a beautiful tribute to Haldir that almost brought tears to my eyes. If you guys would like it, e-mail me.
Enough with my rambling! Hope you all enjoy this chapter! C-ya!
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER TWELVE
Faramir took leave of her shortly after, promising that he would keep her true identity to himself. She knew he would keep his word as he was a man of honor, and she asked him to store her weapons in a safe place where no one could touch them. Then her thoughts lit on Faramir's brother, the handsome Captain of Gondor who had saved her life, and she wondered if he had seen her dagger as well. She thought not as Faramir would've surely said something about it to her.
Relaxing back into the pillows, she suddenly felt so tired and took a short nap before waking to see she had a different visitor this time. It was dark outside since she saw the candles had been lit throughout the room, and the soft light cast his head in a golden glow as well as made his face seem years younger than he truly was. But it was his eyes that belied his real age as they seemed wearied with sorrow at the many lives that had been lost in the battle, as well as having to bear the responsibility of his station as the son of the Steward of Gondor.
She immediately wished she could take away some of that pain that she saw etched on his face, but thought better of it since she didn't wish to become so close to him or anyone for that matter. He knew her now only as a ranger that had come to help in the defense of Gondor. If he found out who she truly was, he would be angry at first, but then as he came to realize who she truly was would he begin the courtship in earnest as if he married her he would become King of Gondor. Which would never be because of Aragorn's presence as the rightful King.
Boromir sat in a chair at her bedside, pleased to see she had finally woken from her dreams. He was glad to have been here as he had been disappointed to hear that his brother had been the first to speak with her upon her awakening. He had had little time to even visit as his father constantly kept him tied up with matters of defense and such, which he didn't dislike entirely, but lately he was growing noticeably more aware of his age and he wished to find time to get to experience what he had been unable to up until now.
Sure, he had had his pick of women in the past, but none of them stirred his emotions on such a deep level as she did. She was everything he had ever wanted in a woman: strong of spirit and brave of heart as well as very pleasing to the eye. He had been caught unawares by her sudden appearance in his city, and he yearned to know more about this mysterious woman before it was too late.
It had been established that he would be leaving Minas Tirith soon for the fabled land of Imladris where Elrond dwelt, he was just unsure of how soon he would be leaving. And once he did leave, he wanted to have something to take with him to keep him company on his long journey, even if it was just a memory of a converstion...or perhaps something more.
"How are you feeling, Elena?" he asked to keep his mind on where it belonged instead of somewhere it didn't.
"As fine as can be expected," she replied, trying to sit up again and being unsuccessful in her attempts to do so.
"Here, let me help," he offered softly as he sat on the side of the bed and helped pull her up into a sitting position. She hissed as the movement pulled on her wounded side, and she clutched at his sleeve as she rode out the wave of intense pain. He held her until it passed, wondering if she could hear the fierce beating of his heart.
She hated him having to see her like this, but it was time for her to drop all pretenses at being brave and independent, at least for this moment. She was tired after having been on the run so much, and she had failed in her promise to those she cared about. There was no pride left in her for her to feel, and she didn't know she was crying until the first sob threatened to cut off her breathing, and once it came there was no stopping it as the flood of tears came.
Boromir was surprised to see her crying, and wondered at her tears, but offered her the support she needed so badly right now if she would accept it from him. She held close to him as she cried out her weariness and her sorrow, and he held her gently against his chest, careful not to disturb her injury as he whispered what few words of comfort he knew. This was an unfamiliar situation to him as he had never been around women when they were like this. He was used to the clash of armor and the ringing of horses' hooves on the stone as they marched to battle, but he had to admit he didn't mind holding her in his arms. What was even stranger was that it felt incredibly right for them to be together.
Once she had regained control of herself, she released her hold on him and sat back a little, accepting the square of cloth he offered her with an embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry, my lord," she finally said, her voice slightly hoarse. "I imagine this is the first time you've had a woman collapse into tears on you, isn't it?"
He smiled. "It's quite all right," he replied. "You needed it, so I gave it to you. Would you like to talk about it?"
She looked up into his eyes, their blue depths warm like the candlelight that shone upon them and gazing at her with genuine concern. She wished she could confide in him, wanted more than anything than to be able to tell him everything, but that would bring them even closer together than she wanted to. And that was something she was determined to keep from happening at all costs.
Apparently a tear must've leaked from the corner of her eye as he reached up to wipe it away with his thumb. The touch was soft for someone who was so used to wielding a sword, and it sent her heart to pounding furiously as a delicious shiver raced down her spine at feeling the brush of his fingers at the side of her neck. Not even Aragorn had evoked this level of emotion in her, and she became aware of other sensations that his nearness provoked within her.
He smelled of leather and heated skin, and she could hear his labored breathing as if it were the sound of the wind passing by her. His hand when she touched it was warm and strong, his skin rough with calluses from swordplay, and she managed to retain enough control over her emotions to remove his hand and place it on the bed at her side. "There's no need," she replied. "I am fine now."
He smiled, hoping she wouldn't see the disappointment he felt in his eyes. He had seen the effect his touch had had on her, and it was very intoxicating to know that with just a touch he had broke through her defenses. He wanted to take her in his arms once again, just to relish the feel of her, but he knew that it was too soon to be so forward with her. He sighed a little as he realized that it would be very hard for him to control himself whenever he was around her, especially after feeling her hand on his. How could a woman have such control over a man as to drive them mad with just a mere touch of their hand?
"As you wish, my lady," he replied with a smile to hide his emotions.
She returned the smile, having seen his disappointment and relieved that he had not pressed her further, for if he had she wasn't sure she could resist him a second time. "Your brother tells me you have visited me a few times already," she said to take the focus off of her.
"I have," he agreed. "When time allows me to. My father keeps me busy with military matters, especially now."
She made a small sound of agreement. "It's a wonder you have any time to yourself," she pointed out, feeling a wave of sympathy at his situation.
He sighed a little as he shifted within his seat. "I suppose that will be a moot point soon."
She cocked her head a little in confusion. "Why do you say that?"
He locked his gaze with hers, and she couldn't stop the jolt that passed through her at the intensity of it. "I have been ordered away on an errand in hopes of finding the answer to a riddle. I am to leave soon."
She didn't know why, but she didn't want to have to stay here if he wasn't here as well. A crazy thought, but it was there all the same. He had saved her life, and maybe it was because of that that she felt so drawn to him. "You will take this journey by yourself?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied evenly, wondering if she would be willing to accompany him and afraid to ask because his manly sense of pride forbid asking any assistance. It made him appear weak, as if he was unable to take care of himself, but he would ask if it meant having her with him.
Her eyes on him still, she considered his words for a moment. "If your father would allow it, I would ask to accompany you," she said, knowing she was insane for doing so but not caring in the least. She wanted to leave Gondor behind her since it would always remind her of her failure to protect it. "Since I failed in my duty to protect Gondor, perhaps I can repay him by protecting the life of his oldest son."
A smile spread across his face. "We are all guilty of that, Elena, so do not take it so personally," he offered, knowing now that that was the reason she had been so shaken earlier. Judging from what little he knew of her, he knew that their defeat sat wrong with her, and she would be haunted by it for the rest of her life. "Against the evil in Mordor, what hope do we have of being able to protect Gondor? Day by day it grows stronger, and our forces weaken at the same time. That is why I must go to Imladris to speak with Elrond so that I may discover its meaning."
She stiffened a little at his words. "You would give up all hope before the end?" she asked. "If that is so, then you are defeated before you even begin. Sauron's work is already done by the despair he puts in our hearts, and that in turn weakens the fighting spirit that drives us to protect what we still have."
Moved greatly by her words, he took her hand in his own and brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Your heart has a strength not seen in Gondor for many years," he said. "Perhaps we have lost sight of that and fallen into despair." Then he released her hand and rose to his feet. "I will tell my father of your wish to travel to Imladris. I bid you to rest and recover your strength for now, and I will have an answer for you in the morning. Good night, my lady," he said as he bowed to her then disappeared from her sight.
She sat back against the soft pillows, berating herself for letting her tongue get the best of her. She wasn't sure if she had offended him or not, but she had no right to judge him when he was the one who had fought against Mordor all this time. All she had done was hide in the shadows, afraid of her heritage and her responsibility that she knew she would one day have to claim, and that was something that she would never forgive herself for.
**********************
Aww, a little Bory and Rhiannon closeness! I wonder what will happen between them if she goes with him? Will she be able to keep her promise to herself to keep from falling in love with him? Or will she give in to her emotions?
Thanks for reading!