I don't own any of the characters any of the general public recognizes from JRR Tolkien's bestseller books, ' The Lord of the Rings.' In fact, Tolkien would probably turn over in his grave if he knew what I was doing to his characters.

What happens before the chapter is this-

He (Boromir) has been fighting on the Pelennor for the last Eru-Knows-How- Many-hours, and now he's come inside to change clothes, have a meeting with Aragorn, Gimli, Eomer, Gandalf, Imrahil, and the rest of the captains of the west, eat something, arm up, and then ride out again. This happens after the meeting of the Captains of the West.

Boromir emerged from the great hall a little graver than when he had entered, treading the worn flagstones back to his rooms with a heavy heart. How was he to tell Rhoswen of this? She was so happy that after nearly a year he was back, and now he had to leave again, and this time, probably for good.

When he wearily pushed open the heavy door, it was not to his surprise that he found his wife to be sitting in his chair, wringing her hands. She nearly jumped to her feet and ran to embrace the High warden of the Tower, her small hands cold and her voice much older than when he had last seen her.

"Why must love be so cruel? They tell me you are to be taken from me once again."

"I must go; the king commands it." Boromir held her at arms length, surveying the woman with a critical eye. Rhoswen's pleas only increased in their beseeching nature.

"But already I have waited ages. Can he not stay this campaign a night, that we might be wed before I age another hour?"

"War does make elders of us all. What happened to the beautiful girl I left in Gondor a year ago? She's been replaced by a mature young woman."

"You find me ugly?" Rhoswen seemed saddened by this prospect.

"Never, my rose. I take it you still find me handsome as ever?"

"Absence makes my heart only long more for you. But my grave is like to be my wedding bed if you should not return."

"It is for Gondor-" Boromir began, but Rhoswen cut him off.

"Gondor! I care no longer for Gondor! Once there was a time when I would have gladly given you for Gondor and her whims, but now...now I need you. It is selfish and it is vain, but it is true." The Rose broke her sorrowed veil and began to cry copiously into Boromir's chest, her sobs accompanied by the gentle rocking back and forth by Boromir, and the soft whispers of reassurance in her ear.

"I wish to all the gods in heaven this moment could last a lifetime," thought Boromir with a sad look, his hands wrapped around this woman he loved so much, wanted to protect from everything, and yet found himself failing miserably at both.

"Go...Go forth, Captain, and do your duty. Gon...Gondor calls." Rhoswen stepped back from her lover's arms and looked away, willing herself not to cry any longer. Boromir's eyes pleaded with her.

"Will we not part on happy terms?" Boromir thought aloud for a moment, and then pulled his fiancée into a kiss, one that the White Rose would not forget for quite a while. So much passion, so much longing, so much desire to go to duty and yet to shirk, to heed and to ignore, to run or to sleep.

"You only make my pain greater with each passing moment. Go now, before this grief overcomes me." Rhoswen looked at him one last time, and left, running down the hall in tears. As Boromir watched her go, he turned aside as well and wept.

Why must he do these things? Why did Love have to be the arrow that shoots Beauty down, the spear that killed Bliss on the threshold of Marriage?

Thank you all for reading and reviewing...it really means a lot to me.

Sailor Taichichi Vegeta- Thank you. sniffles and takes lace hanky I got applause....lots and lots of applause. And thanks for reading the rest of my work; like I said, I do appreciate it. Would this comic you speak of be 'Revolutionary Girl Utena'? I think I've heard of it.

Roisin Dubh- I thought I'd lost you, there. And thankies muchly for the suggestion; that chapter is undergoing editing as we type.

Sz2000- Don't worry, I have lots of tests coming too. DARN YOU, END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!

Dread Lady Freya- Once again, a review that made me laugh- and I've needed more of those lately. Please grant my computer and I sanctuary before your bunnies cover the face of the earth in fluffy evilness. And thank you for the offer-I'll come often. All I need is occasional alone time with Boromir- preferably MY Boromir, but whatever works for you. ;)

Angoliel- BIG HUG! You put up with my massive hordes of e-mails and come back for more...