Hebo Estel
Chapter Five: Decisions
A/N: Wow. I worked really hard editing this chapter, because when I started editing, it was such a mess. I would really, honestly and truly like to thank Gaslight for being my temporary beta, and helping me out when I really needed it! You are the BOMB! So, I hope you all like this, and remember to review!
When Delyth reached Boromir's bedchamber, the room was empty, and the windows to the balcony were opened, so that a cool breeze wafted through the room.
Delyth looked into Boromir's mirror and sighed at her reflection. Working in the kitchens for so long had definitely taken a toll on her appearance. Her hair, though still beautiful in its own dark way, was matted and tangled in places, and a bit greasy, as she had not bathed in awhile. Her face was covered with soot and grime from the kitchen's large fire, and her once lovely blue dress was now tattered and stained. Why would Lord Boromir love me? she thought sadly. I look no better than any other wench here. She sighed and splashed her face with cool water from Boromir's basin, washing away only some of the stains from the kitchen.
"What are you doing here, in Lord Boromir's chambers?" a voice came from behind her. Delyth spun around, only to see Faramir standing by the balcony doors. It seemed he had been standing there watching her for quite some time.
Struggling to come up with an excuse, she only managed to stutter, "Lord Faramir!" She curtsied.
"Delyth, right? You ran into me this morning on your way to the kitchens. If I am not mistaken, you were leaving my brother's chambers then, also."
"I can explain." Delyth said quickly.
"No need to. I understand what is going on here." Faramir took a few steps closer to Delyth, so that he was standing directly in front of her. "You love him, don't you?" Faramir lifted her chin with his hand, which was rough and calloused from handling weapons. His grey eyes bore into hers, and Delyth looked at her feet.
Delyth realized that there was no use denying it. "Yes. And he loves me. But your father will not let us marry, I think."
Faramir chuckled. "No, I don't think he will, either. My father is a stubborn man, much like his first born." Faramir's eyes glazed over, and it seemed to Delyth that he was looking through her as if she were transparent.
Suddenly, Boromir burst into the room, causing Faramir to spin around. "What are you doing here, Faramir?" Boromir asked, almost aggressively. His eyes lingered on Delyth for only a moment.
"I was just speaking with this marvelous young woman. I came here looking for you, and while I was waiting for you on the balcony, she just showed up. I thought it would only be polite if I struck up a conversation with her," Faramir said in a bemused tone.
Boromir began to say something, but Delyth cut him off. "He knows, Boromir," she said simply.
Boromir looked at his brother, startled. "And what do you think of us, young one?" He moved over and took Delyth's hand, squeezing it in his own huge hand.
Faramir looked as if he were thinking for a moment, and then said, "I think that you two were meant to be, and I wish you only the best in all you do." With that, Faramir turned and quickly left the room, leaving the two lovers alone at last. The two of them looked after the golden haired man, and then at each other.
"Your brother is a very interesting man," Delyth commented.
"Yes, he is," Boromir said softly, as if he were thinking hard. "He sees and understands more than he lets on. He is brave and outgoing when he is with me, but with my father, he is meek and sad. I wish my father would stop favoring me and just love us both. I can think of nothing I have done to make him love me more."
Delyth looked thoughtful for a moment, and then said, "What of Osgiliath? You triumphed in battle there."
Boromir shook his head. "That's just what my father thinks. Faramir did his part, too. He would have defeated the orcs, had he had enough men, I think."
"Maybe your father does love Faramir. Maybe, for reasons we don't know, he chooses not to show his love for both of his sons. Maybe he is just still upset for the death of his wife."
"Of course he is still upset. He really did love my mother." Boromir turned to Delyth and looked into her eyes. He reached out his and caressed her soot-stained cheeks. "Just as I love you," he said simply.
Delyth suddenly remembered their current situation. "What did your father say…? What did he say about us?" she asked timidly, leaning her head under the captain's chin.
"He wasn't mad at first. He thought you were just a concubine. But once I told him how we wanted to be married, he was infuriated. He said that I wasn't allowed to see you again, and he was raving about having your father removed from the kitchens," Boromir replied, wrapping his arm around her slight frame.
Delyth gasped and wrenched herself out of Boromir's embrace. "No! Boromir, he couldn't! My father needs that job! If the Steward kicks my father out, we will certainly starve!"
Boromir quieted her down by covering her mouth with his. When at last they parted, he said, "Don't worry. It was an empty threat. My father loves your father's cooking, and having all of your sisters around is like having free servants, at least until they come of age. Your father is safe. You, however, are not."
Delyth looked up at him, her face a mixture of exhaustion and confusion. "What do you mean?"
Boromir grimaced. It was obvious he didn't want to tell her. "Well, he doesn't want us to see each other anymore, so he is going to send you to work in the stables. He can't risk me loving you, because I need to marry for political reasons, not love. Or at least, that's what he thinks."
Delyth choked, not fully understanding what Boromir was saying. "The stables? I can't! I'd have to leave my family! I- I can't, Boromir! I can't!"
"Shhh! Delyth, please calm down! There you go. Now just take a deep breath. Okay now? Good." Boromir said soothingly. "Now, Delyth, you wouldn't have to leave your family. You can still live in the palace, and I'm sure my father will let you return after awhile, anyways. Don't worry about it; things will work out. I can feel it, Delyth."
Delyth looked at Boromir angrily, her dark eyes sparkling. "Why are you so passive about this, Boromir? Is the seriousness of this matter fully hitting you? I have to work in the stables! I won't be able to see you as much as before…" Delyth's voice trailed off, and her eyes watered. She couldn't speak for misery.
Boromir looked away. "You would give up so easily?" his voice seemed cold and emotionless.
Delyth looked at Boromir in disbelief. "Give up? I am not giving up. There is no way around this. I cannot disobey the orders of the Steward. He would punish my family. There is nothing we can do."
"Yes there is. There has to be," Boromir said fiercely.
"No, there isn't," Delyth sighed, reaching up to entwine her arms around her lover's neck. "You are going away, and I'm going to work in the stables. I'm sorry."
Boromir remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Do you remember, dear heart, when I left to go fight for Osgiliath?"
Delyth nodded, although she would rather not think about that day. "I remember. I was so worried I would never see you again. I cried for hours after you left."
"And," Boromir continued, "do you remember when I came back to you?"
Once again, Delyth nodded. "I was so happy I thought for sure my heart would burst. I remember how good it felt to be in your arms again." Saying this, she melted into Boromir's chest, and felt his arms move to wrap around her. She closed her eyes and imagined herself and Boromir far away, in a place where they could finally be at peace.
"I remember, too, Delyth. The whole time I was fighting, I could only think of you. My only hope was that I would return to you, and see your shining eyes once more. And I did. I came home to you."
"But now… Now there is nothing left." Delyth struggled not to cry, which seemed to be something she had done a lot of lately.
"How can you say there is nothing left? Do you not still love me?"
Delyth said, "I still love you, Boromir."
"Then why do you doubt me?"
Delyth tore herself away from his embrace and walked a few feet away. Then, turning, she glared angrily at him. "Boromir, why don't you see? Can't you tell how painful this is for me? I am a lowly, common serving wench, while you are a captain of Gondor. Everyone is telling us we can't be together. Can't you see that they are right?"
"I cannot see that they are right, Delyth, because I know they are not! I love you, and that is the only real thing that matters. Not my father, and not my duties. They are not significant to me when I look into your eyes." Boromir moved closer to her and took her face in his hands. "Come with me. Come with me to Rivendell. We can be married there, and we will never be apart again!"
Delyth shook her head and moved away from Boromir again. Turning her back to him, she whispered, "Your voice is like a song of the elves to my ears. It makes me forget all that is true and real. Your words are sweet, but full of lies. You care about Gondor and its people. You would not so lightly abandon them for me as you think."
Boromir looked at Delyth in despair, his dark hair falling over his eyes. "How can you say such hurtful things if you claim to love me?"
"Our love is a false hope. It cannot be." Delyth said coldly. Her heart was torn in two, but she knew she had to let him go. She wanted nothing more than to feel his soft lips meet hers, but she knew that Boromir had to move on; he had to learn to live without her. Boromir stared at her in complete shock. Delyth knew she should leave, but could not bring herself to walk away and leave Boromir like this. "I will always hold you near my heart, Boromir," she finally said. "But we should both move on. You should find a wife more suitable to your position. And I'll find a man in my station. We need to accept that we cannot love each other."
Boromir glared angrily at her. "I do not believe what you say. Your words cut my heart."
"I'm so sorry, Boromir. I'm so sorry." Delyth whimpered. Her heart was torn, and watching the pain and sadness play across Boromir's face felt to her like she had been stabbed repeatedly in the gut.
Boromir turned away from her and said in cold tones, "Please leave now. I have to prepare to leave."
Delyth stared in grief at Boromir for a moment, and then, pecking his cheek, she fled his chambers.
A/N: I hope you all notice and appreciate that this chapter was a bit longer than the others. This is due to my frenzied editing. If you have some suggestions on how I could improve my writing, REVIEW! Also, I am currently looking for a beta. If you think you might be interested, see my profile for more details! Thanks everyone!