Hebo Estel

Chapter One: Late Night Discussion

Rating: PG-13 for adult themes and some mushy romance

Time Period: In Gondor, before Boromir leaves for Rivendell

Status: In progress

Disclaimer: All characters and names, excluding Delyth and her family, are owned by the Tolkien Estate. I do not own them nor any other part of the Tolkien Estate.

A/N: This is the first chapter in my new story. Please read and review! I have posted this story in full before, but I took it down to meddle with it a bit. I am now re-posting it in shorter chapters, so as to make it easier for me. I am sorry if you've already read this, or if this was in any way an inconvenience to you. Also, I changed the names of a few of my characters, so if you chance upon a Tirwen, Mirwen, Lirwen, Luwen, or a Tolin, they were accidently left there when I combed through the story to change all of the names. I apologize for that. Thanks so much for your time! Comments and criticism very much welcome!

"Do you really have to leave, Boromir?" Delyth asked, yawning. She rested her head on her lover's shoulder. It had been a long day.

Boromir sighed and stroked Delyth's soft, smooth hand. "Only for awhile, dear heart. Only for awhile. You know I could never leave your side for long."

Delyth struggled to hold back her tears. "And will you tell them? Will you tell your father and brother about us, in case…?" The Gondorian woman's voice trailed off, fearful to speak of such terrible things.

"Delyth!" Boromir said sharply. "I am only going to Rivendell. I will be back well before spring." Boromir stood up and walked a few feet away from the bed where they had been seated to stand on the balcony. "But… I will tell them, nonetheless. We needn't hide our love any longer."

Delyth got up and stood next to Boromir. She grasped his hand and looked into his eyes. "I am frightened, Boromir. I sense something dark and terrible."

Boromir turned completely and faced the petite woman. He wondered at how they met as children. She was one of the many daughters of the head cook, and she was being trained to serve the Steward his meals. As they both grew older, they became very close friends, because they had many common interests. They began meeting in secret at night to talk. Eventually, their close friendship evolved into love. But their love would not be accepted by Boromir's father, Denethor, Steward of Gondor. Delyth was a servant, and Boromir was a captain of Gondor. Their love could not be.

The young captain stroked Delyth's dark brown hair. "Delyth, I beg you: do not be frightened. Whatever happens, you have my heart."

Delyth let a single tear slip down her soft cheek. They kissed tenderly, the sort of kiss that sends shivers down the spine. The kissed deepened, and Delyth had to pull away from Boromir. "All right, I'm sorry. I got carried away," Boromir apologized. He hugged Delyth's slender frame to him, and was reminded of how her head fit perfectly beneath his chin. "Tomorrow, before I leave, I will tell my father. We will wed when I return, with or without his blessing."

Delyth looked up at him and smiled through her tears.

"Now," said the young man, "you are weary. Rest your sweet head." Boromir helped Delyth to his bed and covered her with a light blanket, for summer was still in its prime. Delyth was very tired; she had been on her feet all day long, since before dawn. She only stayed up so late because nighttime was her only chance to meet with her lover. She was in a daze as Boromir tenderly kissed her forehead; she hardly knew what was happening. "I will see thee in the morning, when the sun rises in the East, and another day dawns bright," he whispered, and then left the room to sleep in the barracks with the other soldiers.

When Delyth awoke, it was several moments before she realized where she was. Then the previous night's memories came flooding back to her, and she wanted to melt into the soft bed and never get up. She realized with a start that she should be down in the kitchens helping her father prepare breakfast for the Steward and his sons. Her father would be infuriated if he knew she was late. She threw back the blanket and raced out of Boromir's room, cursing as she went. In her haste, she ran straight into the arms of Faramir, Boromir's younger brother.

Delyth gasped at her mistake and curtsied deeply in apology. Instead of being angry, Faramir's face was filled with mirth. "Excuse me, my lady, but why are you in such a hurry at this early hour?"

"I'm sorry, milord, but I have to be down in the kitchens to prepare for your breakfast."

Recognition filled Faramir's face, which was very similar to Boromir's. "Aha! You are one of the cook's girls. I thought you looked particularly familiar," he said. He gripped her arms tightly at the elbow, and went quiet, seemingly scanning her face.

Just then, Boromir came striding down the corridor, smiling to himself. His smile faded when he saw Delyth and his brother. His face was marred with confusion, but only for a moment. He quickly hid it with a large grin directed towards his younger brother. "Good morning, brother! It's been quite awhile since I've seen you awake at this hour!"

Faramir smiled weakly. "I was looking for you. I want to speak with you before you leave."

Boromir glanced meaningfully at Delyth, who was still trapped in Faramir's gloved hands. Faramir looked back at the girl, as if seeing her for the first time. "Ah. Forgive me, maiden. You should go now. If your father gives you any trouble, tell him you were talking with Lord Faramir."

Delyth glanced at Boromir. He gave a slight, almost unnoticeable nod, and she began to walk briskly down to the kitchens. "I beg you to reconsider, Boromir! It is not safe! Let me go in your stead!" she heard Faramir argue as she left. She hoped Boromir would heed his younger brother's words, and accept his offer.

A/N: A note on the names- if you would like to know how to pronounce my character's names, or if you would like to know their meanings, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. Also, if you know any good sites with Gondorian, Elvish, or other Middle Earth names, please e-mail them to me. The title of this story is Elvish and means, "have hope." If you disagree with this, or if you have any questions regarding this matter, please e-mail me. Please remember to leave a review, no matter how simple! If you all like it well enough, I will continue with the rest of this story.