Minas Tirth shrank away quickly from sight until it no more but a shimmering blur on the horizon. The horse underneath me strained against the bit, fighting for the rein I dared not to give him so early in our pace. The rangy chestnut stallion underneath me leapt about in protest as I fought to control him and keep myself firmly planted in the saddle.
Axis, the love of all my horses. He was the ugliest brute in the stables with an attitude to match his looks. He terrorised the grooms with an almost gleeful look in his eyes. His snapping jaws were painful and if he couldn't get you with them, he'd kick at you instead. Despite all this, he was the fastest horse in Gondor. And I was the only one he would tolerate with me riding him. He was far too big and strong for the likes of me, however I loved him dearly and tolerated his bad behaviour. Thanks to him we were at Osgiliath in next to no time. As I pulled him to a halt, he was barely breathing heavy and only a light sheen of sweat appeared on his neck. I tried to not grimace as we rode into the ruins. The smell of death hung heavy in the air. A short breeze would blow and the smell of rotting corpses would waft to my nose. I swallowed heavily, ignoring my churning stomach. I kicked Axis into a faster trot hoping to escape the smell that was threatening my lunch to make an appearance. Seeing me come in, a few men scuttled towards me.
"Lady Devera," the first guard saluted me smartly. He was one of Faramir's rangers and I knew him well.
"Damrod, lovely to see you," I smiled. Axis chose that moment to start prancing on the spot, chewing on the bit impatiently. I gave him a short jerk of the reins to keep him still. The stallion squealed in protest but stood his ground, only to start pawing at the dust. Damrod shook his head in amusement at the stallions antics. He knew better than to move in and grab Axis head. He'd be on the receiving end of his snapping jaws once too often.
"Boromir left here a few hours ago Devera," Damrod said to me before I could open my mouth to ask.
His words caused me to start grinding my teeth in sheer frustration. Of course Boromir had to do that to make life difficult. I could have been on the road by now and already caught up to him if not for this detour. I should have know better though, Boromir's lack of patience was only rivalled by my own. He would have waited a mere hour before setting off by himself in the hope to put as many miles behind him as possible. Thanking Damrod as politely as possible given my temper at the time, I turned Axis around and trotted out of the ruins. The stallion grabbed the bit and jogged sideways, eager as always to be off.
I wheeled away from Osgiliath and let Axis have his head for the first few miles. He was more than happy to oblige me. Axis hadn't been out for a fortnight and he was fresh to go. The ground flew beneath us in a blur of green and brown. It didn't take long before Axis' hooves hit the beginning of the Great West Road. I slowed him down into a walk to let him catch his breath. Boromir's horse would be his massive charger, build for war and not for speed. He shouldn't be that far ahead.
After an hour of walking I started to grind my teeth again in frustration. There was no sign of Boromir anywhere ahead. The Grey Woods weren't far, I could already see the shady edges of the forest in my sight. However my nearest concern was it'd be nightfall soon. Do I push ahead to find Boromir, or camp for the night? These woods scared me and I didn't relish the thought of spending the night there alone. I nudged Axis into a brisk trot who happily obliged with an enthusiastic bounce. I cringed and waited for the inevitable buck to happen however Axis was on his best behaviour after being allowed to let some steam off. Even though the afternoon was only beginning to show tints of the approaching twilight I felt as if the night was coming on quicker than expected. The woods seemed to throw off an unnatural darkness that made my palms sweat with fear and my eyes dart around nervously. Axis seemed to pick up my fear and starting snorting, shying violently and everything as the shadows around us deepened.
The first stars had come out when I first spotted what looked to be a campfire ahead. It was nothing more than a sparkle of light in the distance. Even from afar I could see what I hoped to be a shadow of one man moving around it. Axis didn't need any encouragement, I had barely thought the command before he sprung off into a fast canter. In moments the campfire was nearly in clear sight. So was its occupant and horse.
Boromir had his sword drawn and looked ready to attack the second I rode past him. I couldn't help but smile as I slowed Axis down. Boromir visibly relaxed and a slow smirk appeared on his face as he sheathed his sword. I reined Axis to a bouncing halt in front of him.
"My lady Devera," Boromir grinned as he side stepped to avoid Axis' head.
"My lord Boromir," I felt the smile on my lips tug wider.
It had been quite an accident that Boromir and I had become lovers 2 years ago. A night where we had both snuck off to a rather rowdy tavern on the 4th level. Faramir had joined us not long after with a few of his Rangers. In the small hours of the morning not long before dawn we had all been kicked out of the tavern. Completely inebriated we had managed to stagger our way back home and I had only managed to make it as far as Boromir's room. Refusing to move from his bed Boromir had no choice but to climb into bed with me. According to him I had stripped off naked by the fourth step into his room and one thing led to another. The next morning through our throbbing hangovers we had laughed about it and said it wouldn't happen again. That had only lasted a few days before I had gone back into his bedroom with nothing more than a robe on late one evening. I was no shy virgin before Boromir had taken me to bed. I was a woman of needs and he was more than happy to help me with those needs.
I was not in love with Boromir. He was the close friend I had never had during my lonely childhood years. I cherished his friendship more than anything, yet I wanted nothing more than that from him. I had seem countless woman chase him for his title and money. Yet none had captured more than a quick tumble in bed with him. Our situation suited us both. A life married to a stuffy Gondorian noble would not suit me, nor did I want it. At 25 years old I should have been married a long time ago with a few children hanging off my skirts by now. My love affair with Boromir kept the hounds at bay, and even Boromir's father knew of it. His silence was approval enough for both of us to do as we pleased.
I swung out of my saddle and grabbed Axis by the bridle before he could swing around to bite. While I had the stallion firmly by the bridle Boromir swiftly pulled my saddle off and Axis was brushed down and hobbled in a few minutes. It usually took me much longer to do it as I was always trying to avoid his snapping jaws. But today he seemed more than content just to let me hold his bridle and stroke his ears while Boromir quickly worked on him. The smell of roasting rabbit wafted around the campsite and I could feel my stomach growl in appreciation. The large lunch had done little to satisfy the appetite I worked up being on the road again.
"You got further away from me that I expected," I tried to scold Boromir after we were finished but the smile on my face gave me true feelings away. The feelings of dread about staying by myself tonight were long gone. I felt as if I could truly relax for the first time in months.
"I do apologise my lady," Boromir gave me a mock bow which made me giggle. "However I rode as long and hard as I could, then set up camp so we could dine on the finest feast available."
Compared to the usual food I carried on the road with me, tonight was a feast. The rabbit was young and plump seasoned with a few herbs Boromir had managed to find. He had packed well for a long journey so we helped ourselves to the bread and fruit that would perish quickly. The conversation over dinner was easy and light hearted as I sat between Boromir's legs gnawing on the last bones of the rabbit. When the last of the food was gone I leant back into Boromir's chest. Silence stretched between us as we both enjoyed the sounds around us. The horses were grazing contently, somewhere in the forest an Owl hooted and the fire danced and crackled.
I felt the brush of Boromir's beard tickle the back of my neck before his lips gently kissed it. I sighed in content, the stress of the last few months melting away at this very moment.
"You are very tense," Boromir whispered into my neck.
"Your father works me very hard, I've barely been home these last few months." I wrinkled my nose slightly.
"I've noticed," Boromir chuckled into my neck. His breath against my skin sending goosebumps along my flesh. "My bed has been empty and cold without you."
Boromir began to massage my neck. I groaned in relief as his strong hands worked out the various muscle knots that had made their way in there over the last few months. My thoughts could barely be strung together as he worked his massaging hands down my back. My body not only responded to the relief of the various aches and pains disappearing, but also his touch sending my body on fire.
"Feel good?" Boromir whispered in my ear with a throaty chuckle.
"No it feels terrible but please keep doing it so you can improve," I laughed and tipped my head back so I could look at him.
It really had been far too long since we'd had a private moment together. A few months ago Boromir's face wasn't so lined with tension. The haunted look of a solider that had seen too many battles was now evident on his face. Dark circles were heavy under his eyes. I shuddered to think of what the battle of Osgiliath had been like.
My thoughts were quickly silenced with a gentle kiss from Boromir. He gently tipped my head back as I wrapped my arms around him. I inhaled the scent of him greedily, the smell of horse, well worn leather and weapons oil clung to him like his own cologne. He groaned lightly against my lips and I could feel his arousal already digging into my back. I smiled and let my tongue dance teasingly against his.
"Oh I've missed you Devera," Boromir whispered against my lips. Those words made me pull back from him and turn around in confusion. I tilted my head in question. Boromir had never uttered any words like that to me. We saw each other when we could and we both understood that. He just gave me a slight shrug of his shoulders.
"Like I told you, my bed has been empty and cold without you in it it these last few months," Boromir shrugged again. "We have both been away a lot these last few months."
I let the comment go with a slight shrug of my shoulders just as he did. His words were true enough. Boromir's bedroll would neither be empty nor cold tonight. I turned so I was sitting in his lap as I undid the ties on his tunic. Sliding it off his shoulders my hands met with something cold and hard underneath it. I pursed my lips in annoyance.
"The chain mail comes off or I don't get naked" I pouted.
Boromir just lay back with a chuckle in his bedroll. He knew all too well how I detested trying to get his chain mail off. Most times I attempted it I ended up in an ungraceful heap on the floor. It always made me glad that I never had to help him out of his bulky plate armour.
"And I thought you would be ripping my clothes off, chain mail or not, after such a long absence," Boromir chuckled as his hands found my thighs. I tried to keep my thoughts together as he teasingly stroked up the fabric of my breeches. His hands ran up my thighs just brushing me in the right place so briefly and teasingly. I couldn't help but gasp every time he hit the right spot. Before I could protest Boromir sat back up and grabbed me into a passionate kiss. His tongue demanding entry to my mouth. He nearly had my body completely undone before even getting my clothes off. I gave in easily to his hands tugging off my clothes. My own hands hastily pulled his clothes off, including his blasted chain mail which I managed to get off without hitting myself in the head. Boromir couldn't help but chuckle as I all my ripped his under shirt and breeches off as he pushed me onto my back. I had no comprehensive thought as my legs wrapped around Boromir's now naked body.
After our passion died down the only thought I had was one of utter peace in those last moments where I lay on Boromir's chest. My fingers lazily trailed circles around his chest hair as I drifted off to sleep.
The sun was just peeking over the horizon when I woke the next morning. The campsite was quiet except for the sounds of both the stallions grazing. I was lying on my side and Borormir had an arm wrapped around me as he still lay in a peaceful sleep. I closed my eyes and tried to will myself back to sleep. It only took me a few seconds to realise it wouldn't happen and I reluctantly untangled myself from Boromir's embrace. He stirred briefly but was asleep again within a heartbeat. It was cold and I could feel goosebumps prickling my body as I pulled on my clothes that were strewn around in our haste last night. I left my feet bare as I padded quietly towards the nearest tree to do my morning business.
As I squatted I felt a hot breath down my neck. Craning my next I came face first looking into Axis' muzzle.
"Morning my snapping dragon," I whispered to him as I quickly caressed his nose. I turned my head back around and was shoved to the ground.
"Your breakfast is coming stop being so impatient," I grumbled to my stallion. I could feel his warm breath down my neck as he nickered gently to me. I couldn't help but snort in amusement. The only time he acted sweetly towards me was when he wanted his breakfast on the road. Every other time I would be dodging his snapping teeth. I pulled up my breeches and headed to where the saddlebags were stowed. Axis followed me as quickly as his hobbles would allow. In one of the fuller saddlebags I pulled out a few generous handfuls of grain into 2 nosebags. I put Axis' on and then Boromir's charger, Nightwind, whom was waiting patiently for his own food. I stroked the black stallions nose as I gave him his breakfast. A sweet tempered stallion who's nature would serve more of a high born lady than that of a war horse. However he carried Boromir safely through many battles. Horsemanship was one thing to not come easily to Boromir despite years of lessons, much to his disgust. So a horse with smooth gaits and an easy nature made things a lot easier for him. The name Nightwind was my doing.
It had been a few years ago when my father was still alive. A horse trader had come to Minas Tirith and I had begged my father to take me. He had been busy with some matter but suggested if I had asked Boromir nicely enough he would accompany me. The words were music to my ears as a pretty smile could often get me by what I wanted with Boromir. Faramir had always been harder to sway, his propriety often standing in the way of accompanying me when it was just the two of us. It turned out that Boromir had wanted to go so he was more than happy to me.
I practically dragged Boromir along in excitement. I loved seeing the horse traders from Rohan, it reminded me of a small piece of home. Not to mention they always brought with them some of the finest stock. Walking along the lines of tethered horses a massive black stallion caught my eye. He was magnificent, long straight limbs with a short back and arched neck. His coat was as black as night except for a tiny white star. I had been stroking his nose when the merchant had come over. He had recognised me from one of my trips to Rohan and enquired about my father. While I was talking to him Boromir had come over and was admiring the horse. It took about 20 seconds of persuasion from the merchant for us to try the horse. I had been first to ride him on Boromir's insistence to see if he was safe enough for him to ride. The grin on my face after a few minutes of riding him was enough for Boromir to climb on. Within the hour the stallion was paid for and I was gleefully riding him up to the stable. When Boromir had asked what his name should be it was the first thing that came to my head. Despite the grimace and being told it was a girly name for a charger, it stuck.
"You're miles away," Boromir kissed the back of my neck.
I jumped nearly a mile in the air with my heart racing from the scare. I whirled around to a smirking Boromir, my palms twitching to wipe the smirk of his face.
"Yes, well, I was thinking about the day you brought Nightwind," I composed myself and turned back to his stallion. I pretended to readjust with the straps on his nosebag as Boromir laughed at me.
"And I thank the Valar every day I have him despite you naming him a girl name rather than that brute over there," Boromir jerked his head towards Axis. As if my stallion understood perfectly what he said, his large ears laid back right against his head.
Boromir wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tight while nuzzling my neck. A girlish smile crept onto my face at his open display of affection. How rare it was for us to have a moment just to ourselves. No maids to interrupt, no eyes watching your every move at court to wait for a mistake to add fuel to the gossip fire and no stifling customs to uphold.
"I was disappointed to wake up and find you clothed this morning," Boromir murmured into my neck as he trailed soft kisses down the side of my neck. His words sent flames of desire that I thought were quenched last night running through my body once more. I wasn't the only one, I could feel his arousal pressing into my back. I turned around in his arms and pushed him back towards the bedroll. We landed in an ungraceful heap on it and I managed to straddle Boromir.
"You only had to ask," I smiled sweetly as I slowly undid my tunic. Boromir didn't wait for my to finish. He was already at the ties of my breeches tugging them off. My tunic followed and my hands were busy at Boromir's laces. I had him out on his ties in no time and straddling myself on him. He gasped as his fingers dug into my hips as I took my time with long slow strokes. I lost track of time as I bought myself closer to the edge until finally Boromir's patience wore thin with my teasing. He flipped me over onto my back and pushed into me. It was enough to send me over the edge, biting into his shoulder to smother my cries of passion. We both lay gasping for breath for a good long few minutes.
"I could get used to this," I murmured into Boromir's neck laying a kiss on it. I could feel rather than hear his chuckle as his face was buried into my shoulder.
"You do things to a man that drive him wild with desire Lady Devera," Boromir scolded lightly finally raising his head. The tension that lined his face yesterday had lessened and he looked younger and more carefree. A gentle smile was on his face as he tenderly stroked my cheek. I couldn't help but return the smile.
"Ah then that man shouldn't make suggestions that involve me taking me clothes off after long months of being alone," I scolded back. We both laughed and finally untangled ourselves and began getting dressed. My hair was a mess of tangles so I set about unbraiding it and smoothing it back into a plait while Boromir set about cooking breakfast. A simple fare of dried fruit and bread with 2 cups of strong tea. I felt utterly spoilt when Boromir pressed the cup of tea in my hand. It was strong with just the tiniest splash of honey. Just the way I like it. I beamed at him as I sipped my tea. It never failed to surprise me that he always managed to make my tea right.
By the time we had finished breakfast Axis was already pawing at the ground impatiently. I managed to tack him and Nightwind while Boromir quickly packed up our small camp. We were on our way within minutes. Axis strained at the bit to be let go and after a few minutes of fighting I sighed in exasperation.
"Shall we?" I turned to Boromir. Before he could reply Axis sprung away from him and Nightwind. He let out a buck of delight and squealed as he landed. I grabbed a handful of mane and scowled down at his neck at his antics. His buck unseated me slightly so I scrambled to right myself in the saddle incase he decided to do it again. He didn't, he just chose to pull at the bit wanting to go faster. Shaking my head at his naughtiness I simply crouched down over his neck and let him go. The cool morning wind whipped against my face making my eyes sting with unshed tears. The tip of my nose felt frozen within a few moments. Glancing back Boromir and Nightwind were just a speck behind us. Part of me wanted to just let Axis have his head and run until he couldn't anymore. But it would be foolish to let him run out of energy so early in the day. Reluctantly I reined the still bounding stallion back to a walk. He snatched at the bit and danced around in a circle, skittering rocks across the road as he went. He bounded up into a small rear as Boromir caught up to us moments later. His face was alight with a broad smile.
"I forgot how much fun it was just to let Nightwind have his head," Boromir laughed breathlessly stroking his neck. Unlike Axis, the other stallion was breathing heavily.
His laughter was contagious, I joined in with him, despite Axis still skittering around not behaving himself.
"Come let us ride, the road is long," I grinned at Boromir which he returned looking carefree. I touched Axis with my heels and he bounced off into an energetic trot. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Boromir shaking his head at my horse.