Author's Note: Hello and welcome to chapter ten of "Wounded". I would like to say thanks to everyone who reviewed, Nari-chan SND, MerryKK, Sarahbarr17, childofGod-4ever, and Awen1923. Thank you all so much! As always I do not have a beta and while I have proofread this chapter many times, I am sure I have not caught all my mistakes. Any errors that appear in canon, grammar or spelling are my fault and my fault alone. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Tolkien's masterpiece.

Chapter Ten Confronting the Truth

Aniror felt the air escape from her lungs. She gasped and clutched the table.

"Aniror?" Faramir was by her side then, his hand upon her back. She flinched and pulled away from his touch. Oh the memories it brought. "What ails you?" His voice sounded soft, whispered. It slipped into her ear and made her heart ache. She trembled.

"I am well." Aniror stepped away. His hand slid from her back, falling to his side. Concern laced his gaze.

Aniror squeezed her hand over her left forearm to stem the pain. The scar burned at the very mention of Erthor's name and the old poison of the Orc arrow once more threatened her.

Faeleth stared at her, as did Orophin and Rumil. She hated the cruelty of their eyes and the questions that lurked behind each glance. Aniror turned from them.

A space of silence passed, torturing. Each moment grated upon her, each memory. Erthor, the fool, the coward. What brought him to Lorien? Did he wish to beg for her mercy? Or did he come to gloat?

Many a day she wished for his death and torment. Many a day she had vowed revenge. And what had revenge brought her?

Aniror glimpsed Faramir by the tableside, his head bowed. Such was her vengeance, a human, a lowly Man. Oh how Erthor would laugh now.

"You must come with me," Rumil said. He laid his hand on Orophin's shoulder. "Haldir has asked for you. The company must be brought to Caras Galadhon tonight."

"Tonight?" Both Faeleth and Orophin asked in unison.

"So many leagues to cover," Orophin grumbled.

"And they must be wearied," Faeleth said. "Won't they rest?"

"No, not this night," Rumil said. "Orcs have troubled the borders."

"Orcs?" Boromir found his feet. "From where?"

"The mountains," Orophin replied. "Most dwell in Moria, leaving only to attack and harass."

"If my sword is needed," Boromir paused and gestured to Faramir. "And my brother's. We shall come if you wish and offer our aid."

"The way is long and you are still counted as strangers in our land," Rumil said. "My apologies, but you must stay in the city until you take your leave and return South, to your homeland."

Boromir nodded but Faramir said nothing. He stepped behind Aniror and once more, his hand pressed upon her shoulder.

"Aniror?"

Aniror jumped as she felt his hand upon her. A shiver rushed up her spine. Would he not leave her be?

"We must leave at once," Rumil said. He and Orophin were by the door. "Forgive us." The door opened and shut and Faeleth hovered by it for a moment, her hands clenched.

"Aniror?" Faramir had drawn closer to her now. She struggled to remain still.

"I…I must take my leave as well," she said. Gently, she brushed away Faramir's hand.

"Do you go to join them?" Faramir asked. Aniror ignored him, brushing past both Boromir and her sister. But Faeleth would not let her reach the door.

"Aniror." She grabbed her wrist and with surprising strength, pulled her back. "Where do you go?" she whispered.

"Away," Aniror replied. Faeleth still would not release her and an angry flush brushed her cheeks. "Leave me go."

"Do not be a fool," Faeleth said. "Do not think to go after Erthor." Her eyes slid over Faramir. "Not now."

Aniror cursed under her breath, offering her sister a scowl. But by the Valar, she was right.

Aniror shook her off and moved back into the kitchen. Faramir was on her heels, as usual.

"Who is this Erthor?" he asked. "His name seems not unfamiliar."

"An old friend of our family come from Imladris or Rivendell as Men are wont to call it," Faeleth replied. She laughed to cover the lie. "An old friend is all."

"Had I not heard otherwise," Boromir said suddenly.

Aniror whipped about. "What say you?" Her breath came hard, fueled by fear. What could this Man know?

Boromir shook his head. "Nothing. We must take our leave." He beckoned to Faramir. "Mistress Faeleth, my deepest thanks."

Both brothers bowed to Faeleth and farewells were exchanged. Aniror stalked over to the door. She twisted her fingers around the knob. Sweat made her palms sticky.

"Come, I will guide you back," she said. "Neither of you know the way."

The trees of Lorien were still, no wind daring to glance upon them. The moon sailed high and its light fell downward, coloring their backs silver. Boromir watched Aniror before him and wondered if she would dart away into the darkness with a cackle and a grin.

She was wicked. Did Faramir not see this?

He turned his head to glance at his younger brother and saw only care in his eyes and foolishness. His heart clenched, beating loud and hard. What bewitchment had befallen him? They should have never come to Lorien, never.

"Take care," Aniror said. Her voice broke the silence. She pointed to the ground where roots snaked and fallen logs hid beneath deceiving leaves.

"Your sister is pleasant," Faramir said. He hurried his step to catch up with Aniror, leaving Boromir behind in shadows.

Aniror laughed and the sound was high and steely. Boromir shivered.

"Pleasant, in her simple way," she said. "But rivalry is a treacherous thing and poisons us even now."

They continued to converse. Rage churned Boromir's blood. He hated this Elf, this wretched she-Elf.

And he hated to see his brother used.

What course of action might be taken? This was no military matter. One could not solve such a quandary with sword or bow. Care must be applied along with great thought and cunning. The only way to fool a deceiver was to deceive. But he had not the mind to trick or trap her. But Faramir did.

Could he make his brother see the truth of it?

Boromir sighed and glanced up. They had already come to the Lady's home and the always present guards greeted them. Faramir stood close to Aniror.

"Will you come again?" he asked. Boromir did not like the eagerness in his voice.

"Yes, when I can," she replied.

Suddenly, Faramir took a step forward and placed a kiss on her brow. Aniror jumped and wriggled in his grasp.

"Good night, my lord," she said. Boromir felt her brush past him, wild-eyed. Faramir watched her go before turning up the stairs.

"Come along brother," he yawned. Boromir made to follow him, but paused by the bottom step.

"Go, I will come shortly," he said.

"But brother-

Boromir ignored him and slipped into the darkness.

Aniror, for all her reputed skill as a guard, was not difficult to find. Boromir spied her first passing beneath the far-side of the Lady's dwelling, her head bowed. In the telling light of the moon she looked cold and so very cruel.

He took a breath and waited for her to draw closer. She did not notice when he stepped out before her.

"Abroad so late?" he asked. "Do you go to borders of your land, I wonder or into some peril?"

Aniror looked up at him sharply. Shock sat undimmed in her glance. "What know you of my ways?"

"Not so polite when not with my brother," Boromir said. Aniror scoffed.

"My courtesy does not come cheaply, Man. I will not extend it to those who may not afford it or do not wish it."

"You are free with your affections, though, too free." Boromir stopped short of calling her a whore. Unbridled anger would only further damage the situation and blind his senses. He needed his wits about him this night.

"Tell me," he said. "What brings an Elf to Ithilien and gains her the love of a mortal? Did you choose my brother from the outset for your wicked ploy or would any Man have done?"

"Piglet!" she snarled but did not answer his question.

"How many lies have you spun?" he continued on and his voice rose. "Is it all for sport? You seem little pleased with Faramir now."

"You have but spent an hour in my company and think to judge me?" Aniror said. Her face seemed to shrivel with rage. "Little you know though great is your speech. Dumb is your tongue and mind, I think."

"Ah, but my ears are sharper than believed. Your Wood does not keep its secrets well. Many are willing to speak and I have heard the full of it."

Aniror's mouth opened slightly but she snapped it close. Her eyes widened with understanding then fear.

"Who, I wonder, has played my betrayer?"

"One who is dear to you," Boromir said, twisting the verbal knife further into her gut. He wanted her to bleed for her crimes.

"My sister?" she asked.

Boromir shook his head. "I am not so careless as to speak. But I will say what I know."

Aniror watched him and he paced before her. This Elf could be dangerous, was dangerous. Every word must be carefully placed.

"I know of your first lie to my brother," he said at length. "The Lady released you from her service, you took no leave. How wretched it must be to lose one's position after years of plotting and speaking falsehoods. But worry not, my brother will not return you to the guard or fetch you the captaincy you wish."

"That's a lie!" she cried.

"You do little good denying it," Boromir said. He paused. Aniror looked livid, her high-cut nostrils flared. Should he continue?

Boromir knotted his hands behind his back. "And I know of Erthor."

She recoiled.

"I know that you loved him and pursued him and failed. And I know you sought revenge by way of Faramir."

"I sought nothing from your brother."

Boromir smiled. "Then you will not mind our leave-taking. A shame it should come just as Captain Erthor arrives, but we must return to our city."

"Faramir will not go with you," she countered.

"He will, I shall see to it."

Boromir turned from Aniror. Her rage burned and he felt the heat of it.

"Good eve, lady," he said lightly and passed back into the shadows. She did not follow him. Boromir sighed in relief.

Now he had only to convince poor Faramir.

Author's Note: Well it's about time Boromir said something, I think. Aniror has run unchecked for too long.

Thanks so much for reading! Please review and share your thoughts with me. All feedback is greatly appreciated.