Author's note: Sorry for the long delay between updates! I'm such a bad author! Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed! Daughter of Olorin, thanks so much for reviewing every chapter and offering some insight on it! I'm glad that you tell me what you like about it and what I could do better! And to Dwen, sorry I haven't been reviewing lately since you revised, but I've got a lot of reading to catch up on!
And I should warn everyone that Eowyn is in this chapter, and that I made her a little OOC. I know she wouldn't ever act like that, but it fit the story and added a little action so there you go.
And while I'm at it, I don't own LoTR, just my own character. Although I wish I did. *sigh* Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Boromir stood there in silence for a moment, gazing down into her eyes and seeing the love and fear that filled them. He was finally glad to have gotten an admission of her feelings for him from her, but wasn't entirely satisfied as she still couldn't trust him completely to tell him what was bothering her. Who was she that she was so frightened to tell him?
Rhiannon had expected him to be relieved at her words, but he still held his composure, and she saw wariness creep into his eyes. "Boromir, please...say something," she whispered.
He looked away for a moment. "You love me...but you will not trust me, is that it?" he asked.
"I do trust you," she quickly replied, her words full of anguish.
"Then tell me what bothers you so much," he urged her. "Who are you that you won't even tell me that? Am I falling in love with you only to lose you in the end?"
"You know who I am. What's inside my heart, and that's all that matters. And why should I even explain myself to you if you love me so much? Why can't you just accept me as I am, and let me tell you everything when I am ready?" she pleaded.
He stepped back away from her. "Because there is one essential thing missing from our relationship, and that is trust. Why can't you trust me and confide in me, Elena?"
Tears filled her eyes as she gazed up at him, but didn't spill over as she remained firm in her resolve to wait to tell him anything. She knew she could just tell him now and get it over with, especially since she knew how he felt about her, but part of her wanted to delay the inevitable and live the dream just a little longer. If she told him now, he would be upset, and understandably so, but she didn't want to lose him just yet. "I told you, I'm not ready," she answered.
He sighed heavily and turned to leave. "This is getting us nowhere," he said. "I'm going to prepare our horses." Then he walked out of the room, nearly running into Eowyn who stepped aside at the last minute to keep from getting knocked over. He mumbled a terse apology and walked away, his thoughts troubled and hoping that by putting some distance between them he may be able to clear his head.
Rhiannon cursed softly and hastily wiped the tears from her eyes, then saw movement from the corner of her eye and wondered if it was him returning. "If you've got one last thing to say, don't bother," she remarked sourly as she began gathering the rest of her clothing together.
"I assume that last night was just a one night thing for the both of you?" a female voice observed wryly. Eowyn had been disappointed last night when Boromir didn't show up, and when Elena was missing as well she knew then what was going on. The handsome captain had caught her eye yesterday when she had first seen him, and she had thought that she had had the same effect on him. But seeing the scene before her, she was faced with the reality that he wanted only one person, and that was the woman who was standing in front of her right now.
Rhiannon turned to see the King's niece standing in the doorway, and her jealousy from yesterday flared up again. "That is none of your business," she replied, resisting the urge to say what she really wanted to say to the haughty girl. Or maybe haughty wasn't really the word she was looking for. She hated the way Eowyn always looked down on everyone like she was better then them, just because she was niece to the King, sister to Eomer. Frankly she didn't care who she was.
"Someone's testy this morning," she pointed out. "Was last night not good enough for you?" Normally Eowyn wasn't this belligerent, but there was something about the other woman that picked on her nerves, and she was suddenly in the mood for a good fight.
The ranger breathed deeply to try and keep a cool head since it would do no good for her to pick a fight, even though Eowyn clearly started it. "I told you it was none of your business. Why, are you jealous that it was me and not you that he chose last night? I saw the way you looked at him. What, did you think he wanted you as well?" she spat. "Sorry, but you were just a means to an end. He did that just to make me jealous, to make me realize how much I wanted him." She stepped a little closer to her, seeing the flare of anger in her eyes. "And since you want to know so bad, last night was a thousand times better then you could ever imagine it to be. So what do you have to say now?" And with those words, she had started the fight she hadn't wanted, but she needed something to vent her frustrations on, and she seemed like as good a target as any since Boromir had left.
Eowyn's fists clenched at her sides as a slow smile spread across her lips. "Meet me in the main hall, and we'll see who has the last word," she said, turning to leave.
"I look forward to it," she replied, watching as Eowyn left and then continuing with what she was doing before she was interrupted. She had already dressed for travel, and all she needed to do was put on her belt to have her sword and daggers at her sides. Then she strode from the room towards the hall, where she found Eowyn taking a few practice moves with her own sword, the blade cutting through the air with a whisper of sound.
Rhiannon stopped far enough away to allow herself some time to warm up as well, moving her sword in a graceful dance that loosened up her shoulders and warmed up the rest of her body. It was a move taught to her by the elves, especially by Haldir, and she often used it as a morning exercise to stretch muscles stiff from sleep. It also earned more than a few appreciative glances from those passing through on their way to their daily activities. Those who weren't quickly gathered around, eager to see them both in action.
She saw Eowyn moving towards her, and she responded in the same manner, their blades coming together in the sharp clash of metal which rang sharply throughout the hall. One of them would come in with an overhead attack, which the other would block and counter with a roundhouse slash that would have the other backing away suddenly. They were clearly evenly matched, apparently giving the crowd a good show as the numbers multiplied as word spread that they were fighting.
Even Boromir heard what was happening, and he quickly rushed to the hall from the stables to see for himself if what he was hearing was true. Soon he heard the ringing of swords, and pushed through the crowd to see them both engaged in a tough swordfight, as evidenced by the sweat beading both their faces and the heaviness of their breathing. His breath was taken as he watched Elena fight, having seen her fight in the midst of battle but never one on one with someone, and he saw how she moved for himself. A few times she made some errors as no one was ever perfect, but she managed to work her way through them and eventually came out on top, with Eowyn down on the floor facing down her blade.
Deciding that this was as good a time as any to stop this, he walked out on the floor, calling her name to get her attention. "Elena, is this any way to treat those who have been generous enough to provide us with food and shelter for the night?" he asked as he neared her side. Looking down at her, he knew he would never see a more desirable sight then now. Strands of her dark hair were glued in place by the fine sheen of sweat covering her face, which was flushed by the exercise. Her green eyes glittered brightly, betraying the excitement she felt whenever she fought in battle.
She gazed up at him, seeing the heat in his gaze which reached out and enveloped her in its warmth, and she wanted nothing more at that moment than to feel his lips on hers. But she was conscious of all eyes on them and pulled her sword back to her side as she turned her eyes on Eowyn who was looking at her with something she'd never thought to see: respect.
Clearly she had earned the woman's grudging respect as a result of their duel, being that the people of Rohan looked favorably upon someone who was skilled with a sword. Who knows who may've won if Boromir hadn't interrupted them? But it was clear to both of them that they were no longer rivals, but tentative allies. Rhiannon offered her her hand and helped Eowyn to her feet. "You fought well, Eowyn. We may never know who was the better fighter since we were interrupted, but I don't think we need to let that come between us any longer, now do we?"
Eowyn smiled. "No, we do not," she agreed, holding Rhiannon's hand a moment longer before releasing it and walking through the now considerably thinned gathering.
Boromir and Rhiannon watched as she left. "I leave you alone for a moment, and look what happens," he chided her teasingly.
She sheathed her sword and looked up at him with a smile. "What can I say? I can't help it."
Laughing, he caught her up in his arms and spun her around suddenly before setting her on her feet. "And I can't help that I'm in love with you, Elena," he breathed in her ear. "I'm still hurt that you can't trust me enough just yet, but I respect your decision since I don't want to push you into something you're not ready for. And I don't want to lose you just as soon as I found you," he added with a smile.
"Neither do I," she replied, sighing happily as his lips touched upon hers softly, never dreaming that she could love someone so much, not even Aragorn as Boromir was her life, and she couldn't imagine living it without him.
And I should warn everyone that Eowyn is in this chapter, and that I made her a little OOC. I know she wouldn't ever act like that, but it fit the story and added a little action so there you go.
And while I'm at it, I don't own LoTR, just my own character. Although I wish I did. *sigh* Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Boromir stood there in silence for a moment, gazing down into her eyes and seeing the love and fear that filled them. He was finally glad to have gotten an admission of her feelings for him from her, but wasn't entirely satisfied as she still couldn't trust him completely to tell him what was bothering her. Who was she that she was so frightened to tell him?
Rhiannon had expected him to be relieved at her words, but he still held his composure, and she saw wariness creep into his eyes. "Boromir, please...say something," she whispered.
He looked away for a moment. "You love me...but you will not trust me, is that it?" he asked.
"I do trust you," she quickly replied, her words full of anguish.
"Then tell me what bothers you so much," he urged her. "Who are you that you won't even tell me that? Am I falling in love with you only to lose you in the end?"
"You know who I am. What's inside my heart, and that's all that matters. And why should I even explain myself to you if you love me so much? Why can't you just accept me as I am, and let me tell you everything when I am ready?" she pleaded.
He stepped back away from her. "Because there is one essential thing missing from our relationship, and that is trust. Why can't you trust me and confide in me, Elena?"
Tears filled her eyes as she gazed up at him, but didn't spill over as she remained firm in her resolve to wait to tell him anything. She knew she could just tell him now and get it over with, especially since she knew how he felt about her, but part of her wanted to delay the inevitable and live the dream just a little longer. If she told him now, he would be upset, and understandably so, but she didn't want to lose him just yet. "I told you, I'm not ready," she answered.
He sighed heavily and turned to leave. "This is getting us nowhere," he said. "I'm going to prepare our horses." Then he walked out of the room, nearly running into Eowyn who stepped aside at the last minute to keep from getting knocked over. He mumbled a terse apology and walked away, his thoughts troubled and hoping that by putting some distance between them he may be able to clear his head.
Rhiannon cursed softly and hastily wiped the tears from her eyes, then saw movement from the corner of her eye and wondered if it was him returning. "If you've got one last thing to say, don't bother," she remarked sourly as she began gathering the rest of her clothing together.
"I assume that last night was just a one night thing for the both of you?" a female voice observed wryly. Eowyn had been disappointed last night when Boromir didn't show up, and when Elena was missing as well she knew then what was going on. The handsome captain had caught her eye yesterday when she had first seen him, and she had thought that she had had the same effect on him. But seeing the scene before her, she was faced with the reality that he wanted only one person, and that was the woman who was standing in front of her right now.
Rhiannon turned to see the King's niece standing in the doorway, and her jealousy from yesterday flared up again. "That is none of your business," she replied, resisting the urge to say what she really wanted to say to the haughty girl. Or maybe haughty wasn't really the word she was looking for. She hated the way Eowyn always looked down on everyone like she was better then them, just because she was niece to the King, sister to Eomer. Frankly she didn't care who she was.
"Someone's testy this morning," she pointed out. "Was last night not good enough for you?" Normally Eowyn wasn't this belligerent, but there was something about the other woman that picked on her nerves, and she was suddenly in the mood for a good fight.
The ranger breathed deeply to try and keep a cool head since it would do no good for her to pick a fight, even though Eowyn clearly started it. "I told you it was none of your business. Why, are you jealous that it was me and not you that he chose last night? I saw the way you looked at him. What, did you think he wanted you as well?" she spat. "Sorry, but you were just a means to an end. He did that just to make me jealous, to make me realize how much I wanted him." She stepped a little closer to her, seeing the flare of anger in her eyes. "And since you want to know so bad, last night was a thousand times better then you could ever imagine it to be. So what do you have to say now?" And with those words, she had started the fight she hadn't wanted, but she needed something to vent her frustrations on, and she seemed like as good a target as any since Boromir had left.
Eowyn's fists clenched at her sides as a slow smile spread across her lips. "Meet me in the main hall, and we'll see who has the last word," she said, turning to leave.
"I look forward to it," she replied, watching as Eowyn left and then continuing with what she was doing before she was interrupted. She had already dressed for travel, and all she needed to do was put on her belt to have her sword and daggers at her sides. Then she strode from the room towards the hall, where she found Eowyn taking a few practice moves with her own sword, the blade cutting through the air with a whisper of sound.
Rhiannon stopped far enough away to allow herself some time to warm up as well, moving her sword in a graceful dance that loosened up her shoulders and warmed up the rest of her body. It was a move taught to her by the elves, especially by Haldir, and she often used it as a morning exercise to stretch muscles stiff from sleep. It also earned more than a few appreciative glances from those passing through on their way to their daily activities. Those who weren't quickly gathered around, eager to see them both in action.
She saw Eowyn moving towards her, and she responded in the same manner, their blades coming together in the sharp clash of metal which rang sharply throughout the hall. One of them would come in with an overhead attack, which the other would block and counter with a roundhouse slash that would have the other backing away suddenly. They were clearly evenly matched, apparently giving the crowd a good show as the numbers multiplied as word spread that they were fighting.
Even Boromir heard what was happening, and he quickly rushed to the hall from the stables to see for himself if what he was hearing was true. Soon he heard the ringing of swords, and pushed through the crowd to see them both engaged in a tough swordfight, as evidenced by the sweat beading both their faces and the heaviness of their breathing. His breath was taken as he watched Elena fight, having seen her fight in the midst of battle but never one on one with someone, and he saw how she moved for himself. A few times she made some errors as no one was ever perfect, but she managed to work her way through them and eventually came out on top, with Eowyn down on the floor facing down her blade.
Deciding that this was as good a time as any to stop this, he walked out on the floor, calling her name to get her attention. "Elena, is this any way to treat those who have been generous enough to provide us with food and shelter for the night?" he asked as he neared her side. Looking down at her, he knew he would never see a more desirable sight then now. Strands of her dark hair were glued in place by the fine sheen of sweat covering her face, which was flushed by the exercise. Her green eyes glittered brightly, betraying the excitement she felt whenever she fought in battle.
She gazed up at him, seeing the heat in his gaze which reached out and enveloped her in its warmth, and she wanted nothing more at that moment than to feel his lips on hers. But she was conscious of all eyes on them and pulled her sword back to her side as she turned her eyes on Eowyn who was looking at her with something she'd never thought to see: respect.
Clearly she had earned the woman's grudging respect as a result of their duel, being that the people of Rohan looked favorably upon someone who was skilled with a sword. Who knows who may've won if Boromir hadn't interrupted them? But it was clear to both of them that they were no longer rivals, but tentative allies. Rhiannon offered her her hand and helped Eowyn to her feet. "You fought well, Eowyn. We may never know who was the better fighter since we were interrupted, but I don't think we need to let that come between us any longer, now do we?"
Eowyn smiled. "No, we do not," she agreed, holding Rhiannon's hand a moment longer before releasing it and walking through the now considerably thinned gathering.
Boromir and Rhiannon watched as she left. "I leave you alone for a moment, and look what happens," he chided her teasingly.
She sheathed her sword and looked up at him with a smile. "What can I say? I can't help it."
Laughing, he caught her up in his arms and spun her around suddenly before setting her on her feet. "And I can't help that I'm in love with you, Elena," he breathed in her ear. "I'm still hurt that you can't trust me enough just yet, but I respect your decision since I don't want to push you into something you're not ready for. And I don't want to lose you just as soon as I found you," he added with a smile.
"Neither do I," she replied, sighing happily as his lips touched upon hers softly, never dreaming that she could love someone so much, not even Aragorn as Boromir was her life, and she couldn't imagine living it without him.