Sorry it took so long, I'm not so sure if this chapter is any good. Thank you for your reviews, and I really do hope you all like this chapter. As always, let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 10: Reunion

"Ellethwen?" called eighteen year old Éowyn and Ellethwen looked up from her sewing as she sat in Éowyn's room.

"Yes, Éowyn?" she asked and the young woman walked over to her and kneeled in front of her with a letter in her hand. Ellethwen frowned and looked at Éowyn. "What's this?" Éowyn smiled.

"It's a letter from Gondor, it came with messages for Uncle, but it was addressed to you." Ellethwen's heart pounded in her chest as she looked at the envelope. The last letter she received six months earlier was from Faramir when Boromir was seriously injured. She'd been worried for so long but then she took to busying herself with so many tasks she now took to sewing because she was too tired to do much else. "Perhaps it is your love; perhaps he is better and able to write to you." Ellethwen looked at her and nodded.

"Perhaps," she whispered as she took the letter from Éowyn. Éowyn stood and walked over to the other chair and sat down where her own sewing sat. As much as she hated to admit it, the skill Ellethwen taught her was good for one thing and that was keeping her busy when she felt as if she could run around the room and not tire. Ellethwen paying no mind to the younger woman opened the envelope. To her relief it was Boromir's hand that rested on the page and her heart rested as her eyes scanned his words.

"Ellethwen,

"Faramir let me read you letter once my health had returned. Do not worry about me for I am fine, just missing you terribly. These letters have been doing little to quell my desire to have you in my arms. There have been times when I have wanted to ride to Edoras and never look back, but as you know I have yet to do so.

"I am sorry, my love, but soon we will be together again. Write back to me for Duilin is one of the messengers that traveled to Edoras. Remember, I will come for you and I love you.

Yours for eternity,

Boromir"

Ellethwen smiled and closed her eyes as the tears fell from them. He was well, but still unable to ride to Edoras and claim her.

"Are you all right, Ellethwen?" Éowyn asked and Ellethwen opened her eyes and looked at the other woman.

"I am fine," she said as she sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "He is well, but still unable to come for me." Éowyn frowned.

"It has been five years, surely his duties do not keep him that busy." Ellethwen shook her head.

"You do not understand for you know not who he is." Éowyn sighed and stood from her chair. She walked over to Ellethwen and kneeled before her once more.

"Then tell me. You know I will never utter a word to anyone." Ellethwen smiled, it would be good to talk freely with her about Boromir. She had talked of him before but never in detail.

"He is Boromir son Denethor," Ellethwen said as she met Éowyn's eyes. The younger woman's eyes widened.

"The son of the Steward?" she asked in a whisper and Ellethwen nodded.

"Aye, the oldest son of the Steward and one of the Captains of the Gondorian guard."

"How in the world did you manage that?" Éowyn asked in a whisper and Ellethwen frowned.

"I did not manage it, I was his chambermaid. I remained invisible to him for five years until one night when I was late in my usual cleaning. I was leaving his chamber as he was storming in and he knocked me unconscious with the door." Éowyn giggled and Ellethwen smiled. "At his urging, mind you, we became friends and then . . . then I found myself falling in love with him. I tried to stop seeing him. I avoided him for a time, but then he confronted me and I pushed him away. He went off to battle and I remained in the Citadel.

"During the winter, I became ill and lost consciousness from strain and my illness. He found me in his room and rushed me to the healers where he would spend the evenings with me. Once I was better, I tried to avoid him but he confronted me again and I found that he felt the same, that he loved me in return." Éowyn smiled and Ellethwen sighed. "Months later I was banished from Gondor on a lie, one of the other maids said I was bedding him and trying to seduce the Steward's oldest son. I swear to you Éowyn that I never bedded him. We had done nothing more then share kisses." Éowyn took Ellethwen's free hand and gave the older woman a kind smile.

"I believe you. You love him, Ellethwen; one cannot stop the desires of one's heart no matter the station." Ellethwen laughed and squeezed Éowyn's hands.

"How does one so young know so much?" Éowyn smiled.

"I've had a few good teachers, my uncle and you." Ellethwen blushed and shook her head.

"If you'll excuse me, I'd like to write back to him and inform Duilin I'll have a letter for him." Éowyn nodded and moved away. Ellethwen sighed and left the chamber. She had a letter to write.

Seven more years passed and as the year 3018 progressed, Ellethwen began to doubt if Boromir would ever come for her. Ellethwen had sent a letter to Minas Tirith in early June, but the rider came back saying that Lord Boromir was no where to be found and the guard he spoke with would not give him any information. Now, it was early July and still no word from him. Ellethwen was sweeping the hall as seeing that Éowyn truly no longer needed a handmaiden, but a friend so she took to light duties around the Golden Hall.

The king had grown ill and was resting in his chamber, but Ellethwen had a feeling there was something more going on. However, she knew not what it could have been. Suddenly, laughter echoed from the door and Ellethwen looked up. Prince Theodred was walking into the hall along with Lord Éomer and Ellethwen smiled. Éowyn would be happy to know her brother and cousin returned safely from their patrol of the lands. However, the man she saw with them caused her to drop her broom and the wooden stick echoed off the stone walls. The three men looked at her and the one that surprised her smiled at her. Their eyes locked and she slowly walked over to him.

"Ellethwen?" Theodred asked sounding slightly concerned but she paid no mind.

"You came," she said in a whisper as she stopped in front of Boromir. His smile only grew as he reached his hand out and touched her face. She slowly closed her eyes only to have them flutter open as she smiled. Without thought she let out a small laugh and threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. She felt him laugh softly as he wrapped his arms around her tightly and returned her embrace just as hard. He smelt of horse, leather, and sweat but she didn't care. He was there in her arms and that was all that mattered.

Éowyn walked into the hall and her eyes widened when she saw Ellethwen embracing someone tightly, but it just wasn't anyone for she could tell by the looks Éomer and Theodred were giving her. She walked forward and looked at Theodred.

"Do you know why Ellethwen is acting so towards the Steward of Gondor's son?" he asked her in a whisper and Éowyn smiled.

"He is the man Ellethwen has been corresponding with all these years," she said in a whisper and both Éomer and Theodred looked at her surprised. "He's come for her." The three of them stepped away and let the pair have their moment.

Ellethwen felt tears falling from her eyes as she held onto him. "Ellethwen," Boromir said hoarsely, "I can barely breathe." She laughed softly and pulled back. She looked up at him with tear filled wide blue-grey eyes. He sighed and kissed her forehead. "You have barely aged a day," he whispered against her skin and she sighed as she closed her eyes. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.

"You have," she said teasingly and he smiled before he laughed and shook his head. He leaned in and kissed her swiftly. Ellethwen sighed against his lips and closed her eyes as she held onto him. He slowly pulled back sighed.

"I have missed that beyond all measure," he said against her face. Ellethwen nodded.

"Definitely," she whispered and he smiled.

"Excuse me," Éowyn said from behind them and Ellethwen blushed as she looked at her. Éowyn only smiled. "I do not mean to interrupt your reunion, but the mid-day meal is about to be served. Ellethwen, you may eat with us if you wish." Ellethwen nodded and smiled.

"Thank you, my lady," Boromir said as his arm remained around Ellethwen. Éowyn shook her head.

"Ellethwen is my friend and in the last twelve years, I have never seen her so happy." Boromir smiled and looked at her.

"She will have cause to be much happier in the next few days," he said softly and Ellethwen smiled and blushed as she looked at him. Éowyn just shook her head as she led them over to the table where Theodred and Éomer waited. However, Ellethwen felt as if she was floating. He had come for her just as he promised and she had never been happier.