Boromir, Thou Shall Live

By Priscilla Stafford

Author's Note: Well, here's another chapter for all you readers! Sorry it's a bit short, but I needed to introduce Isilme further into my story, and I know you were all waiting for a scene between our favorite not-dead-in-the- slightest Man of Gondor and our favorite cool-rescuer Elf.

Personal notes to reviewers are at the bottom of the chapter.

ENJOY!


Chapter Five: 'The Road to Healing'

Boromir stood for a long time, lost in his thoughts. He went over and over what Galadriel had said to him.

'How can I possibly make a difference? One man, one man who was so susceptible to the Ring?' Boromir could not understand.

Before he knew it, the sun's rays coming through the trees had vanished, and there was only a murky glow in the deserted gardens.

Boromir walked away from the glade and hoped to never again have to look into the mirror. This one time had taken its toll on his already weary body and mind. Rest sounded good at the moment, and he headed back toward his room.

Walking back, he saw that the inside of his room was alight with candles. Candles he knew were not lit when he had left.

Cautiously he walked through the open balcony doors and was surprised, and slightly startled, to see an Elf-maiden. Her back was turned towards him as she was setting a tray on a table next to the bed.

As she seemed to not notice his presence, Boromir cleared his voice and was the first to speak. "Pardon me, but who are you?"

"I am Isilme, my lord." With those words, for she obviously had known he was standing there the whole time, the Elf-maiden turned to face him.

Whatever Boromir was going to say was caught in his throat as he looked into her eyes. For her eyes were the color of the sea after a storm, sparkling with silver starlight.

Boromir began to study the rest of the object of his fascination. She had the basic face structure of most Elves he had met -- high cheekbones, delicate eyebrows, exquisite lips, and a daintily arched nose.

Her hair was, strangely enough, a very dark blonde, unlike the sun-kissed golden hair that most Lothlorien Elves possessed. Her stature was like most Elves, her loose fitting robes hiding much but hinting of a willowy and graceful figure.

Then Boromir went on to truly study her, not only by her looks, but by focusing on what he felt from her. Immediately he could surmise that her beauty did not compare with Galadriel or Arwen, the only two Elves who Boromir could honestly say possessed all the beauty of the Middle-earth.

Her stance portrayed neither power nor weakness. Her voice was neither soft as the fluttering of a butterfly, nor loud as most men.

Boromir slowly began to place what her felt about her. Here was an Elf-woman who simply radiated calm. Her whole being felt like the epitome of balance, a steadfast heart, an even temper, and a resolute mind.

In an instant, Boromir already felt admiration for her, for he too wished for such peace at heart as she must have.

Isilme seemed to feel him measuring her so she stood still, cool eyes watching him, too.

Boromir finally remembered his manners and hastened to apologize. "Forgive me, my lady. Your presence surprised me."

"Yours did not surprise me," was her quick reply.

The man of Gondor hid a smile. She had wit, he already knew he was going to like her.

Isilme continued to speak. "I have come to check on your wounds, so if you would, please sit on the bed." Her tone was no-nonsense, and Boromir found himself obeying her without qualms.

While she helped him take off his shirt, Boromir watched her. He may have been mistaken in his earlier thoughts, for at a closer look she was indeed a beautiful creature. But upon closer examination, Boromir found something that surprised him, for in her eyes he found sadness.

Boromir spoke softly, barely above a whisper, "Oh, Lady Isilme, why are your eyes heavy with grief and sadness?"

Isilme started at his words and stood abruptly. "Lord Boromir, you would not want to know." Her voice was strangely harsh and Boromir cringed at her words.

"Forgive me, my lady. I did not mean to offend."

Isilme's flame suddenly seemed disappear as she gave him a mournful glance. She stayed silent, as if trying to decide whether she should speak. But she did not.

Instead, she once again bent down to take off the bandages on his shoulder. Her touch was gentle, obviously the hands of a healer. Boromir grimaced as he took a look at his own wound. It would leave a scar, but it would be only more added to his other battle scars.

Isilme continued her work in silence. Boromir was curious but held his tongue, knowing what it was like to have a heavy heart, yet not have the strength the share it.

With a start, he realized that Isilme and he had a lot more in common than he would have assumed.

Haldir walked through the quiet hallways of the lower city of Caras Galadhon. He loved the beauty of Lothlorien, especially in the evenings, where everything felt so peaceful, and the air was so still.

Very soon he was at his destination, a doorway into one of the rooms of the lower levels. He did not knock but entered without thought. As soon as he did though, he wished he had knocked.

For there was Isilme, kneeling before Boromir, tending to his wounds.

Haldir felt something flow through his blood and was shocked to realize it was jealousy. "Stop it," he thought. "This is no conduct for an Elf."

Isilme stood up at his appearance and offered a slight bow. "My lord."

For an instant in time, Haldir forgot everything except Isilme. He took a moment to speak. "My lady, I did not expect to see you here."

She cocked her head prettily, her expression challenging. "And why is that?"

Why did she always make him feel so witless? She truly was a strange one. "I..."

"I'm sorry, my lord, I did not mean to be accusatory."

Haldir inwardly sighed, glad he needn't feel like he was trapped in a corner. "No need to apologize."

An awkward silence fell. Isilme finally broke the ice. "I shall be back in the morrow, Lord Boromir. Rest well." She didn't wait for an answer and walked straight up to Haldir. It took all of Haldir's will power not to back up as she stood a mere foot away.

"Till we meet again?"

Haldir could hardly muster up a reply before she swiftly left the room with a rustle of her robes. "Fool," Haldir scolded himself.

The Elf heard someone clearing his throat and turned to face the man whom he had forgotten entirely about. Boromir had put his shirt back on and now had a very serious expression on his face.

"It seems I owe you my life." Boromir strode towards Haldir so they could see each other eye to eye.

"There is no..."

"Do not say it, Haldir," Boromir said quickly, his tone troubled.

Haldir searched Boromir's face. This was not the face of someone who had just been given a second chance at life. This was a man who had a great burden on his heart and mind.
The Elf felt for the man. It was not pity; Boromir was no man to pity. No, he felt sad for him and stretched his hand out to grasp the other's shoulder.

"Boromir, it was my honor to save your life."

Boromir shook his head. "How can you say that? Do you not know that I tried to take the Ring from Frodo?"

Haldir held back his surprise with ease. But in truth it did not really surprise him. He had seen the corruption when he had first met Boromir at the outskirts of Lothlorien.

"Boromir, look at me." Haldir did not speak till the other had obeyed. "I serve Galadriel, Lady of the Wood, the wisest of all Elves. She sent me to save your life. I know she would never have done so unless she believed that what she was doing was right. And that is all I need to know."

The man of Gondor looked startled, then thoughtful. Haldir smiled. And thus he knew the healing had begun for Boromir, for the man had not only been wounded in body, but in spirit and mind also. "Let us talk no more of this."

Boromir nodded. "Thank you."

"And no more 'thank yous."

Boromir nodded again, then a smile spread over his features. "Well, then I must say instead...," he nodded to the door, "that is one feisty Elf."

Haldir felt himself blushing against his will. "She does have an... interesting disposition."

The other chuckled slightly. "Interesting is the word. I understand your attraction to her."

Now it was Haldir's turn to be startled. "Why do you say that?"

"I may not have much experience with women, but I do have eyes." Boromir raised his eyebrows and slightly cocked his head, becoming serious. "Why is she so sad, Haldir?"

He sighed. "So you have noticed."

"I told you, I do have eyes."

Haldir went to sit down on a chair and gestured for Boromir to do the same. "Wouldn't you be sad, too, if your only brother was killed in battle. It has now been twelve years."

Boromir's eyes widened with the knowledge. "They must have been close."

"They were."

"Then she definitely needs someone to help her through her sadness." The implications were clear, and Haldir shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

"I do not think she sees me in that way."

Boromir scoffed at him. "You are incredibly blind for an Elf. She obviously likes you very much."

It was now Haldir's turn to scoff at him. "I do not know where you get your hallucinations." Haldir decided to turn back the jibe at him. "But it is understandable, you are of the race of men."

Boromir only leaned back in his seat, a sly smile on his face. There was a long silence. Haldir finally could not stand it any longer. "So... you think she is... interested."

"In a word, yes."

Haldir shook his head. "This means that I truly don't understand anything about women. They are too confusing."

"I totally agree." Boromir reached for two glasses and filled them with wine left from Isilme's tray. He handed one of the glasses to Haldir. "Shall we drink to women? And Elf-maidens?"

Haldir brought his glass up and smiled. "And to their very confusing ways."

"May Men, and Elves, be granted wisdom in such matters."

Galadriel watched as Boromir and Haldir clinked glasses.

This was indeed a strange turn of events. But she felt in her heart that it was a good thing. The two made a strange pair, for they couldn't be more unlike besides the fact that they were from different races.

But if their friendship blossomed, it would be to the benefit of both of them.

She looked at Boromir. "Boromir, your path of healing has begun. I'm afraid that the road will be long and hard. But if you hold onto what you believe in, I have all faith that you will triumph."

Galadriel heard Boromir and Haldir laugh. The sound brought a smile upon her lips.

"Yes, indeed Boromir. You will triumph."

Author's Note: Once again, sorry it's short! Next chapter should be up definitely by the end of this week, I'm certainly on a roll here! You won't believe how much fun I'm having writing this fic!
Thanks to:

Spry Sprite I hope you like having more Boromir in this chapter! Well, about Boromir getting the girl... I'm zipping my lips! My little secret, author's prerogative! does a witch cackle Sorry this sounds like I'm rambling a bit.... anyways, get ready to read about Faramir in the next chapter! I totally agree, he was too evil in the movies (though David Wenham is so handsome!) I promise to make him noble, honorable, and full of valor. For he and Boromir share the same blood, right? wink!

Melodist Oh, I'm so glad you like the mirror scene! That was a hard part to write, I didn't want to scare Boromir TOO much! Hee hee! Yes, I agree. Poor Boromir! Don't worry, I've given him a friend in this chapter. Shirtless Boromir... that IS very interesting.... grins

BoromirDefender Glad you like my Galadriel! I hope you're happy to hear that I'm keeping a steady look into Galadriel in my story. Maybe you can give me some advice, but should I have more Celeborn in my story? I don't know, he sounds tough to write...

Alex92 I'm really glad you're liking this story! That's so cool you live in Chile! I live in Japan, GREAT raw fish. Really. I mean it. winks!

Maria Facts? What facts? Oooh, I see, the little 'hints' I'm putting everywhere... hee hee! Well, just think, I might change everything just to throw you off track! laughs evilly But, just to 'wet your appetite', I'll give you a very teeny weeny hint of what's going to happen... how do you think Eowyn's going to take to Boromir...?