I had no idea on what woke me up. All I know is that I jolted awake in what felt like seconds after I had fallen asleep. Yet it must have been hours. The fire had died down to nothing but embers when it had been roaring before I fell asleep. The stars outside my window sparkled against the black sky as there was no moon tonight. I shivered as I groped the empty side of my bed. Perhaps that what's woke me up. I was so used to sleep curled around Boromir for the last few weeks. To roll over and not find his warm body beside me would be enough to wake me. I lay onto my back and stared at the roof silently assessing my body. I was aching from the usual day in the saddle, but I was awake. Wide awake. With no hope of going back to sleep.

I groaned as I rolled out of bed. Judging by the blackness outside dawn was quite some time away yet. Outside my door silence stretched before the great halls. Not a soul appeared to be awake except for me. There was a robe hanging on the back of the chair near my wardrobe. I slipped it over my naked body and threw my cloak over it. I padded quietly out of Meduseld onto the steps. The stones were cold underneath me feet and despite the hot day the night air was bitingly cold. I stared out into the blackness over the rolling planes of Rohan. The only sign of movement for miles was the torch burning in the watch house at the gates of the city. No doubt the guard would be bent over a fire whittling the hours away doing menial tasks. I hadn't ever been on guard duty but Boromir had often described it as 'The only time you get to sharpen weapons, fletch arrows and do other tasks you never have time for.'

Though I had often seen Boromir sharpening his own sword, I had never in my life seen him fletch an arrow. A very average archer, it lay to Faramir to tend his brother's rarely used bow and arrows. And later on to also take over my own archery training when my father passed away. In fact I had taken a great deal of Boromir's arrows as my own which he had never noticed. I was ridiculously proud of my own ability to shoot. I was no terrible shot and held my own against most accomplished archers. I would never have the strength to fire a long bow, but my own small bow designed for firing from horseback suited me perfectly.

A hand closed over my mouth stifling the scream that rose in my throat. As the person behind me clasped my mouth gently I could feel a familiar body behind me. The smell of weapons oil filled my nostrils and I knew it could only be one person. I instantly relaxed in his arms.

"Shhh," Boromir whispered in my ear as he nuzzled my neck. "What are you doing out here?"

He lifted his hand from my mouth and dropped his arms around my neck letting them drape over the front me of. I leant back into him and stilled my hammering heart. I didn't even hear him approach.

"I couldn't sleep," I murmured. "I woke up and found myself wide awake. Perhaps a comfortable bed doesn't replace sleeping in your arms every night."

"Perhaps," Boromir's chest rumbled with laugher. "I found myself thinking the same thing. I tossed and turned for hours and every time I tried to fall asleep I would wake up feeling something was missing. I heard someone walk past my door and came to see who it was."

"It's nice to feel so wanted you can't sleep without me," I chuckled. Boromir just tightened his arms around me. He didn't say anything except kiss my neck and then rest his chin on my shoulder. The scratchy stubble of his beard tickled my neck.

It was strangely peaceful standing there wrapped in his arms staring out into the darkness. I didn't want this moment to end. Like everything else it wouldn't last. Duty ever called us away and apart.

"If only things were simpler for us," Boromir said quietly as if he had read my thoughts. "These last few weeks I would give anything to disappear into the wild with you and forget about everything."

"And what would we do in the wild?" I asked lightly although my heart was beating fast again. I had never heard Boromir talk like this. He loved the life he lead as a soldier. He would not have it any other way. Whatever the conversation he had with Theodred and Eomer must not have been good.

"Raise horses, build a vegetable garden, stay far away from everything that is happening," Boromir said almost wishfully. "We could have a life together."

I wanted to turn around to look at his face to see if he was serious but he held me too tightly.

"We do have a life together," I said as lightly as my voice would allow it. It sounded strangely thick and high pitched to me. I had no idea where this conversation was going and I wasn't sure if I wanted to know. Nothing had ever evolved past bed time antics in our relationship. I don't know why Boromir was bringing it up now. I was content with the way things were. And until a moment ago I thought the same about him.

"A life of sneaking behind everyone's back, a life of you galloping off at a moment's notice to carry a message of woe or good tidings, the life of a warrior for me not knowing if today is the day I won't return," Boromir's voice was thick and full of emotion. I was glad I couldn't see his face because I had no idea how to react to what he was saying now.

"I'm tired Devera, I'm 41 and I have nothing to show for my life," he continued when I said nothing. "I do not want a warrior's life for the rest of my days."

A heavy lump stuck in my throat. I had no idea what to say to that. It was often said that it would be up to Faramir to pass on their family name. That Boromir would never settle down to marry or have children. I thought that to, until those words left Boromir's mouth.

"Haven't you ever wanted anything else in your life Devera?" Boromir asked softly.

"Like what Boromir? A marriage where I'm suffocated by 4 walls and children hanging off my skirts and my husband keeps me chained to the responsibilities of a household?" I couldn't help the bitterness creep into my voice. "You of all people know all too well Boromir that isn't the life I want. And I have your Father to thank immensely from escaping that fate and allowing us to act the way we do."

Boromir was silent for a long while.

"What did you discuss with Eomer and Theodred?" I asked trying to keep my voice neutral. It didn't work and I had to clear my throat uncomfortably. I felt horrible for my little snap at him. He did know what I felt, we had discussed it many times. I don't know why he was bringing it up now.

"Nothing you haven't heard already," Boromir sighed heavily. "The same reports of growing numbers of Orcs, now more organised and also cunning. Theodred and Eomer have both lost more men in the last few months than they have in years."

I had gathered as much from what I knew. It still didn't explain Boromir's strange behaviour. He loved a life with a sword in his hand. I had never known him to be anything other than the mighty warrior he was. I had never known him to want to be anything else.

"There have been rumours Nazgul were spotted crossing the river Isen."

His words stopped the breath in my lungs. And my heart. It took a long while before I could find the air to speak. Boromir stood silently behind me not moving a muscle.

"Surely that cannot be true Boromir," I said breathlessly. "Rumours are just rumours, the Nazgul haven't been seen since your namesake lived. It was probably just a rider on a black horse."

"There were 9 riders, all dressed in black," Boromir's voice was so strained. I wanted to turn around and kiss him to give him something else to think about. "This is beyond me Devera. That and the cursed dream both Faramir and I had."

Boromir had never actually shared what his dream was with me. The only thing I knew was that he needed to seek his answers in Rivendell.

"Come back to bed with me," I whispered to him. I could find no words of comfort to offer him. But I knew him well enough that if I could get him to bed he could lose himself for a while.

"We are guests under Theoden's roof Devera," Boromir reminded me gently. I didn't say anything except pulled myself closed into him and arched my body against his. His response was instant by the muffled gasp and I could feel his fast growing arousal dig into my back.

"My bed or yours?" I pretended not to hear him as I ground my hips back and forth. His head dropped on my shoulder and I could feel the rumble of a muffled chuckle against me.

"My naughty little vixen," his hands moved up to cup my breasts. I gasped as his hands found my breasts under my robe and he almost absently played with my nipples.

"You say we are guests yet you have half slipped my robe off" I murmured as I leant back to look at his face. In the blackness there wasn't much I could make out.

"Then let me take you to a quieter place to rid yourself of it completely," Boromir lifted me up suddenly. I muffled a yelp of surprise and gripped onto the front of his shirt. He smiled down at me tenderly and I couldn't help smile back. Whatever dark mood had taken him before seemed to be hidden away under the depths of many years of practice hiding his emotions. None the less I let myself be carried back to my room and I dragged him down onto the bed with me pausing only long enough to remove my cloak and robe.

~~

We only stayed in Edoras for a few days. Enough time to rest our horses and repack supplies. Although it was only a few days it felt almost like an invigorating holiday compared to the last few months in Minas Tirith. Boromir spent the nights with me. He would walk in when everyone else was in bed and leave just upon dawn. If anyone suspected anything nothing was said. Things were easier in Rohan in that regard. Even if we had been caught nothing would be said of it. Men took lovers to bed all the time, especially soldiers. They would not be tied down until their heart let them do so otherwise.

It was enough time for Boromir to get some much needed sword practice in. The men were more than eager to appease him and he never lacked for sparring partners. I got in some much needed archery practice on the ground. Though I was desperate to learn to shoot properly and effectively from horseback. I could do it but I wasn't happy with my accuracy while I was riding. Axis was far too skittish and headstrong to allow me to train correctly so I had to be content with keeping my feet on the ground. It was not from lack of trying either. I begged Theodred the use of his own horse Brego to practice on. He wouldn't be swayed for my time was too short to get in any real learning. He did promise me when I came back to visit Eowyn he would happily teach me. That cheered me to no end.

One thing I did not enjoy was Eowyn's attempt at teaching me sword fighting. Again. We had done it occasionally over the years and it was apparent I had no talent at it. At all. I was quick enough to defend myself but no matter how much I tried I could never attack back. If left Eowyn frustrated and me red faced from embarrassment. Boromir tried to help me briefly but gave up within minutes shaking his head.

"Your father was an excellent swordsman, why did he not teach you?" Boromir asked me looking at me in exasperation. He easily disarmed me within about 2 moves. My hands were still stinging from the blade spinning out of them. I had to retrieve my practice sword from outside of the practice ring. Even using a practice sword Boromir so easily swung the heavy wood with years of ease and practice. The wood would feel like a feather in his hand compared to his own massive broad sword.

"I believe he had his hands full with 2 sons of the Steward of Gondor," I shot back to cover my lingering embarrassment. "And from what I heard they spent more time avoiding their lessons than participating in them."

"I never avoided my sword lessons," Boromir said with a hint of a smile. "My archery lessons were an entirely different matter."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. It was true.

We left early in the morning. Even Nightwind seemed to be glad to be going. The massive stallion pawed at the grass as Boromir tied the last of our new provisions on. Axis showed no such restraint. He openly danced around, snorting and jumping at every tiny movement. I put my foot in the stirrup and tried to mount, only to have him jump sideways with a squeal. I had a good enough grip on the saddle I didn't fall, but it still infuriated me. I tried again with the same effect. It wasn't until Eowyn stood forward and grabbed his head I could actually swing on. As soon as my backside hit the saddle Axis squealed again and bucked on the spot. I grabbed one rein and kicked him as hard as I could, spinning him in a tight circle until he stopped. He complied but as soon as I let the rein go he began to do tiny rears on the spot. He was straining to go and there would be nothing I could do to stop him for the first few miles. My arms would be aching terribly tonight.

"I'll be back soon," I promise Eowyn as I struggled to get Axis under control. She eyed the stallion with a twinkle of laughter in her eye.

"Perhaps you should talk to Theodred about a new horse to go with your archery lessons," she chuckled. "I will see you in a few months Devera. Safe travels. Could you bring me back something from Rivendell?"

I could not refuse such a simple request. My head was already spinning with ideas on what to bring her back.

I had no plans on waiting for Boromir, I just let Axis have his head he so desperately strained for. He flew along the streets and we burst out of the gate in the weak sunlight of dawn. A few miles of road were easily eaten up by his long stride and the morning light finally broke through. I could finally slow Axis back to a walk while Boromir caught up. I didn't have to wait long for he was only a short distance behind me. Nightwind seemed eager for the chance to stretch his own legs and the pair drew even with us quickly. It was clear Boromir was in no mood for talking. He brushed off my idle chatter with mere grunts until I gave up. After a few hours of sullen silence I wished I had galloped on for a few more miles.

Boromir was silent for many days after we left Edoras. He would speak if I spoke to him and little more. The easy mood of our time spent in Edoras was long gone by mid morning. It was a rather boring part of the journey as the lands stretched in rollings planes for miles around us. The road was well travelled and well used but we passed no one in our journey. Of a night Boromir lay awake when he thought I was sleeping. I could see the deepening circles under his eyes increase every scenery changed little as we rode through the Gap of Rohan. His tension was easily felt as we crossed the Isen and it only lessened when we put many miles between us. I finally lost my temper as we set up camp for the night.

"What is going on Boromir?" I crossed my arms and stared at him angrily as soon as the horses were settled for the night.

He was sitting in front of the pile of kindling we had lighting a fire. He looked up at me as if it was the first time in days he actually saw me. He scowled heavily before looking down at the task at hand. It was clear he wasn't going to speak to me so I saw down across from him in a huff. I stared at him while he started the fire, yet his eyes never looked up from his task.

"Stop glaring at me Devera," he finally said roughly. His voice sounded coarse from many days of not talking.

"I will stop glaring at you when you tell me what's on your mind," I growled "I'm sick of riding in silence and seeing you brooding."

Boromir said nothing again except to throw the water skin that was at his feet to me. I caught it easily while never taking my eyes of him. Uncorking it I took a deep drink and nearly choked on what it was. Instead of water it was a strong red wine, tart and full of berries from the last harvest of summer. It spread through my body with a warm glow.

"You can thank Eowyn for that next time you see her," a ghost of a smile was on his lips for the first time in days. It lightened my heart slightly to see some of the tension lines melt away from his face. He sat back on his sleeping roll he had already spread out and motion for me to throw it to him. I did and he caught it one handed and took a long drink from it. Throwing it back to me I repeated my previous drink, however not choking on it this time.

"I have been thinking these last few days," Boromir said quietly as he stared into the growing flames. It was one advantage of having a dry summer. There was always plenty of kindling and firewood to be found of an evening before we settled down for the night. The shadows danced on his face giving him a world weary look. The dark circles on his eyes were only deepened by the shadow of the flame.

"I have noticed," I said dryly taking another long swallow of wine.

"How far are we away from Rivendell?" Boromir asked.

"If we rode at the pace we have been setting we could be at Tharbad within a few days, from there another week of solid riding through the outskirts of Hollin and we could reach the outposts in which I found after a few days," I said as I shrugged my shoulders. "I have never actually been in the city if you recall correctly, I don't know how far it actually is into the Valley itself."

Boromir made a noise of acknowledgement but said nothing further. I tried not to sigh in frustration so I raised the wine skin to my lips again.

"Devera?" Boromir said softly.

I made a grunt of my own acknowledgement as I took another long drink of wine. It tasted marvellous sliding down my throat. The tart taste of berries filled my mouth sliding over my tongue like a caress. It was strong though. I already felt it making my head feel slightly giddy.

"Marry me?"

I inhaled the large mouthful of wine and coughed violently. I couldn't stop the coughing, it racked through my entire body so badly Boromir had to come over to me and thump my back. It took a good few minutes before I could even draw breath again properly. I must have heard him wrong. My mind was playing tricks on me for sure.

"Pardon?" I wheezed once I found my voice. I looked up at him through watery eyes. Boromir seemed nervous. Boromir was never nervous. Fierce, angry, stubborn and loving. But never nervous.

"You heard me correctly the first time," Boromir ran his hand through his hair now looking very nervous. "Marry me."

"That second time wasn't a question," I coughed again. I could feel the blood draining from my face as the words sunk in. I had to have hit my head and be dreaming. Never before would I have ever thought those words would pass over Boromir's lips to anyone. Let alone me. Hysterical laughter bubbled up in my throat before I could stop it. I must have sounded like a man woman as I howled with laughter so hard I had tears running down my face.

"Thank you very much Devera," Boromir shook his head almost looking hurt. "This isn't how I planned it."
I managed to rein my laughter into something that resembled a cross between a snort and a giggle. I finally managed to contain myself enough to trust myself to speak without becoming hysterical again. I wiped the tears away and tried to look him in the face without laughing again.

"Boromir this is crazy, where did this come from?" I asked.

As the words left my mouth that night back on the steps of Meduseld suddenly made sense.

"Haven't you ever wanted anything else in your life Devera?"

The memory sobered me up immediately. Boromir was being serious. This must have been why he had been so quiet over the last week.

"I know its, well, quite out of the blue," Boromir chuckled nervously. "But it makes sense for us to marry."

"How does it make sense?"

This is not how I ever wanted to be proposed to. Although I was grateful for not being chained to an arranged marriage of political alliance and money, I still had my dreams. I was like most of the other ladies of the court who were single. I wished for my knight in shining armour to come and sweep me off my feet in a whirlwind romance. I wanted to be one of those few lucky ones who did marry for love to walk around in that blissful bubble they seemed to be encased in. The ones who glowed with pleasure whenever their husband walked up to them. The breathless giggles that escaped their lips anytime their husband touched them. If I ever did marry, I wanted it to be for love. Though the thought never occurred to me on how Boromir might feel once I found someone else. I was so absorbed in my work I never even tried to find anyone.

"Lord Sandor was enquiring about you," Boromir said with a strangled voice."Again."

The news sobered me up immediately. Lord Sandor was one of the most influential voices in the Council. He controlled the trade of horses in Gondor and had his own large breeding farm. By supplying the cavalry mounts to Gondor it made him rich. And gave him an extremely powerful foot hold in the politics. I had refused him openly in court not long after Boromir and I became lovers. It had embarrassed him enough that I was forced to meekly apologise by Denethor. The man was a snake. Although handsome in his younger years he now drank far too much and spent most of his days hunting and whoring. He was married until his wife died in childbed along with his son. The rumour was he found out the child wasn't his and killed them both himself. However they were just court rumours.

"Again?"

"Yes again Devera," Boromir glanced at me sideways, looking wary about what he was about to say. "Faramir believes he is trying to marry you simply to acquire Axis. It is the only type of dowry you would bring to him, yet it would be a very profitable one."

Axis. My eyes flicked over to my stallion ripping at the grass in the distance. Despite his bad temper and ugly looks he was a very popular stallion of choice amongst the cavalry. His speed and strong limbs gave strength to the chunky mares that were often used. He made me a tidy coin every spring when breeding season was upon us. How much he made was beyond me. I had always let Faramir deal with my money and keep it safe for me. If it had it in my purse I would spend it.

"And it would be the ultimate revenge after you so openly called him," Boromir chuckled dryly at the memory. "What was it again?" "A slimy snake and I'd rather go fuck Sauron himself than for Sandor to touch me," I couldn't help but chuckle with Boromir. The humour was short lived though as Boromir spoke again.

"Father refused of course. However as soon as Lord Sandor left he turned to me and said, 'Just marry her and be done with it Boromir so I would hear no more of Lord Sandor's drivel. You and her aren't exactly discreet in your affections. Even if she can't produce an heir it would do you well to finally marry someone' I found I couldn't argue with Father's logic. He has been at me a lot more of late to get married."

I felt a hot blush creep up onto my face at those words. It was true though. I had terrible trouble with my monthly cycle and sometimes it didn't come for months on end. When I finally got the courage to see a healer about it she simply smiled at me sadly and sat me down. She explained that if my monthly cycle wasn't regular it was simply my body's way of saying it couldn't have children. Or that I would have terrible trouble ever trying to have one.

"But." I found for once in my life I couldn't find any words to speak. There was no argument, no quick witted reply. Just nothing. Boromir moved so he was sitting in front of me and he took my hands while looking into my eyes.

"I know it's not for love," Boromir looked extremely uncomfortable. This was the closest either of us would come to talking about our feelings towards each other. "I love you dearly as a close friend, but I am not in love with you Devera. But you would be safe from the meddling at court and I from Father harassing me to find someone to settle down with."

I let out a shaky breath. At least he got that part correct. I felt the exact same way about Boromir. I loved him as a friend but nothing more than that. I enjoyed his company in bed as much as as I did outside of bedroom. It would save a lot of hassle as well. If I was Boromir's wife then I might be spared from as much work as I had been doing. It might not be his crazy idea of us living together away from Minas Tirith, but it was a sound idea.

"I don't see you on one knee with a ring in one hand and horse in the other," I said shakily. Although I had spent many years in Gondor, I was still a woman of Rohan at heart. And a man doesn't propose to a woman of Rohan without a horse in his hand for her. I couldn't work out a good enough response so I was trying to buy my time with wit.

A small motion in Boromir's hand caught my eye. As I glanced down my breath caught in my throat at what I was seeing. I had only heard about it in passing and never seen it myself in person. But I knew what it was straight away.

Finduilas' engagement ring.

It was said that it passed down the line of Stewards for generations. Seeing it with my own eyes I could believe it. It was a thin gold band slightly dull with age. In it was set an emerald with diamonds on either side of it. The design was simple yet so beautiful. I could hear my own heart pounding in my ears as I couldn't take my eyes off it.

I dimly heard Boromir used to shrill whistle he trained Nightwind to come to. When I could finally tear my eyes away from the ring I glanced up. Nightwind was standing beside Boromir placidly with Boromir holding the rope for his halter in his hand. I hadn't even notice him get to one knee but he was now looking up at me patiently. Ring in one hand and horse in the other.

"Is this more fitting my lady?" despite his good humour he still looked nervous. He was searching my face for an answer I couldn't give at the moment.

"I'm sorry what was the question again?" somewhere in my mind I couldn't help but to tease him. He stared at me with a frustrated sigh. At least it was still buying me time to get my brain to focus and give him the right answer.

"Lady Devera of Rohan, daughter of Ceadda, will you do me to honour of becoming my wife?" Boromir asked finally looking sincere despite the obvious nerves still playing on his face.

"Yes."

It was all I could manage before being caught in a fierce embrace. I laughed as Boromir sent both of us tumbling to the ground. Nightwind snorted in surprise but managed to step back to avoid both of us.

"I have conditions though," I said turning my head to avoid Boromir kissing me so we could talk. He if kissed me now we would be lost for the next while. Then fall asleep afterwards without me being able to get a word in. He sighed and dropped his head onto my shoulder.

"Of course you do," He grumbled in good humour. He raised his head and smiled that tender smile of his that was only reserved for me. The one that lit up his entire face and drew away all the lines of stress and sorrow etched on his face. It always made me smile back and now was no different.

"We wait until we both get back to Minas Tirith to announce it and make it official," I paused searching his face for any sign to what he was feeling. I was relieved when he nodded in agreement. I wanted nothing to complicate matters in the long journey between now and returning to Gondor.

"And no wearing armour to the ceremony," I teased him.

Boromir chuckled and reached forward to kiss me. This time I let him, it was soft and gentle. Not the passionate kiss I was expecting.

"Not even officially betrothed yet and you already order me around," Boromir chuckled as he tweaked my nose playfully. "But I accept both conditions, I was going to suggest the first myself."

He pulled me up so we were both standing. Reaching into the inner pocket of his tunic he pulled out a fine golden chain. Unlike the ring this was very new. The gold was still shining.

"To keep it safe until then," Boromir explained."Though I would like to do the proper thing and put it on your finger for now."

I felt strangely giddy as he slipped the ring onto my finger. It really was an exquisite work of art, and what was more surprising it actually fit my perfectly. I couldn't stop staring at it until something else pressed into my right hand. It was the lead rope to Nightwind's halter. I couldn't help but let a girly smile of glee slip onto my face.
"Does this mean you ride Axis tomorrow since Nightwind is now mine?"

The look on Boromir's face was enough to make me burst out laughing.

Authors Note

This is my other story I've been dabbling with. I hope you've enjoyed it so far! As always I love reviews so if the story is to your liking please let me know. :)