Hi all!! It has been forever, I know, sorry to all of you. I'm also giving up the long-winded schpiel about not owning LOTR, blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda…a quick thanks to my reviewers, with all their great comments, suggestions, etc…so thanks to darkchild99 (you make me blush!! Thank you so much!), Amarthiel of Dor-lomin (I did try to space things out better, sometimes isn't so cooperative unfortunately…hope its better this time. Thanks for your candor!), Elora Nova (another blusher!! How sweet you are! Nah, not a mary sue hater, I'm pretty flexible with what I like, as long as the story's good. I'll be sure to check out your story too. Hope this update pleases you so far!), Allison (yep, 10th walker MS, I know it! Hope you like it tho…), Lucylambchops (thanks for the encouragement, I should have more time now for the next several months to work on it!), Ilenya (thanks so much! How sweet, I'm blushing again!! I don't mind having only a few reviews, as long as they are as good as the ones I've received!! Everyone is so supportive and encouraging!! I'll do better with my updates, maybe that'll encourage others to review! And I agree, Aragorn's pretty fabulous!!), Crecy (ha ha, I know, I always liked that line in the movies! And I also love how funny Gimli is, hopefully I can add some funny Gimli stuff later! Hope you like this next bit!), and, finally, Lady Tolwen (thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy this part too!)

Chapter 11

Meanwhile, Boromir was awakening from a nap that he had had, hearing music and laughter. Shooting straight up, he cursed himself, realizing that he was late for the celebration. Dammit! he thought to himself, I should have had one of the servants wake me! He rushed over, seeing his clothes hanging in the closet, and grabbed his black leggings and deep red tunic, the white tree of Gondor displayed largely on the front, seven stars arcing over the branches. It was the sign of the Steward, and the red of his tunic indicated his rank and service in Gondor's army, as well as the first born son of Denethor II, Steward of Gondor, who had the current, kingless rule of Gondor. Boromir hurriedly changed into his dress clothes and laced up the shiny black leather boots on his feet. Giving his hair a quick comb through, he tore open his chamber door and rushed down the stairs leading to the ballroom. Boromir took a quick glance around and noticed Frodo at the food tables with his fellow hobbits and Gandalf, Legolas and Elrond dancing, and Tari laughing with Aragorn over some private joke as they watched the others dance.

"Aragorn, you will have to help me with a few of these dance steps before I actually make it to the dance floor. I'm getting the main steps of the dance, I think, but I'm confused with the complicated part in the middle." Aragorn gave her the instructions, step-by-step, as she tried each part by herself. Tari picked it up quickly and found it to be pretty easy on her own. "How hard is it once you're with a partner?" Tari asked Aragorn. Before Aragorn could answer, however, she heard a deep voice behind her make an offer. "Why don't you dance it with me and find out for yourself, milady."

Tari turned swiftly, startled by the deep, somewhat husky voice. "Oh, Lord Boromir! I didn't see you here earlier. Its almost like you popped out of nowhere! How are you?" Boromir bowed to Tari, taking her hand and placing a soft kiss on it. "Much better now that I've seen you, milady!" Boromir responded with a flirtatious grin on his ruggedly handsome face. Tari averted her gaze with a soft blush to her cheeks. "You look lovely! You take my breath away with your achingly beautiful radiance!" Boromir declared with sincerity. He had noticed how good she looked in the garnet red dress that Arwen had picked out, enjoying what the view was doing for his imagination.

"So," Boromir began, his right eyebrow shot up in question, "how about that dance, Lady Tari? Would you care to honour me with a dance?" Tari bit her lip nervously, a bit wary of his somewhat leering looks at her. Shooting a quick glance to Aragorn, she saw his jaw stiffen as he glared at Boromir. "Its alright with me, Lady Tari, if you wish to dance with him." He stated coldly. Tari quashed the urge to shiver at his tone and decided to leave him on his own to sort out his issues with Boromir. "I…uh…yes, milord, I'd like that." Tari stammered nervously as Boromir took her arm and escorted her to the dance floor. She turned her head to shoot Aragorn a questioning glance, then had to turn back as Boromir stopped at his chosen spot.

Boromir wrapped one arm around the back of Tari's torso and took her hand in his free one. He began leading her in the complicated steps with ease, chattering on to Tari about himself as they moved along. Tari, however, wasn't really able to concentrate on him because, every few seconds, he turned her so that her view was on Aragorn, who was standing in a corner with a look of hatred on his handsome face. I wonder why he's staring at Boromir like that. If looks could kill, Boromir would have been lying dead on the floor before he had the chance to ask me to dance!

Thankfully, a few minutes later, the soft melody came to an end as a much faster song began to play. Tari excused herself from his grasp, claiming that she was a little too warm and needed to get some air. "Allow me to escort you to the balcony, milady." Boromir responded, but Tari vetoed that query in a hurry. "I thank you, milord, but I must speak with the Lord Aragorn about my training, as I had promised we would a few moments before your arrival. I am sorry, but perhaps we could speak later?" Tari suggested timidly. Boromir's blatant attention on her more than ample bosom was trampling all over her last nerve, and she knew that, if she didn't get away from him, she would end up inflicting him some serious bodily harm. "As you wish, my fair lady Tari." Boromir agreed, disappointment evident in his voice. Tari nodded to him in response and left him near the drinks table to find Aragorn.

Reaching Aragorn's corner, she felt both relief and trepidation. She knew that he was ready to throttle Boromir, but that he was showing enormous restraint. Arriving by his side, she lightly brushed his arm with her soft fingertips to wake him from his murderous trance. "Aragorn?" she said softly, trying not to startle him, "are you alright?" Aragorn reluctantly tore his gaze from where Boromir stood and landed it on her confused and concerned face. His stern glare softened as he noticed a touch of fear and uncertainty in her eyes. "I'm sorry, lady Tari, I did not mean to frighten or concern you. What was it you wanted to discuss?" he asked, trying to avoid what he knew was coming.

"Well," she began nervously, chewing her bottom lip as she thought about how she wanted to phrase her concerns, "would you escort me to the balcony for some air? It is rather warm in here, and we could have some privacy for our talk…" she trailed, although it sounded more like a question. Aragorn closed his eyes and sighed, resolved to the upcoming conversation. "Very well, my lady." He offered her his arm and led her out onto the terrace into the moonlight, gearing up for the discussion to come.