Here is Chapter Six. I tried to make it a little longer. I hope you like it!
Chapter Six
Boromir, being the healthy specimen of a man that he was, recovered rather quickly after he had first began to walk again. I only had to help him for a few weeks before he was doing it on his own. After that he challenged himself everyday by walking a little further than he had the day before.
One day he walked into the room where all of the supplies were stocked and I thought I would surely tear my hair out.
"What is this for?" He asked, peeking around the doorframe holding a bundle of herbs in his large hand.
"It is put in tea to ease aches and pains," I replied.
"And this?" A moment later he was looking out with a jar of bluish past in his hand.
"It is for burns, my lord." I looked up from the bandages I had been rolling.
Boromir continued quizzing me on the contents of the store room until there was clearly a note of irritation in my responses.
He came out and stood next to me at the counter. "I am sorry I am bothering you," he said earnestly.
I sighed. "You are not bothering me, my lord," I said quietly.
"It is only that I am not used to being so useless." He looked down at me and I met his grey eyes with my green ones.
I slid a stack of bandages toward him. "Well then, my lord, make yourself useful." I continued working and could feel him watching my hands. Eventually he tried to mimic my movements with his larger, clumsier hands.
It was silent for a while, but as usual, Boromir could not hold his tongue for long.
"Did you come to Minas Tirith with anyone?" He asked. "Your father or brother perhaps?"
"No, my lord. For one, I do not have a brother. Only my younger sister."
His hands stopped working and looked at me. "You came alone?"
I laughed. "Does that surprise you, my lord? I took my father's horse and left in the middle of the night."
"Yes it surprises me. I know very few women who would do such a thing," he said. "Why did you do it?"
"Why does anyone ever run away?" I smiled softly. "A broken heart of course."
I leaned over and moved Boromir's hands away from the bandages. "My lord, you have certainly made a mess of this."
Before Boromir could respond, the door flew open and huge crowd of men came in. There were about half a dozen being carried and a few that could support themselves, all accompanied by a handful of unscathed men.
"What happened?" Boromir demanded.
"An orc skirmish in the East," one of the soldiers replied.
The injured men were deposited in the empty beds and I began to think of a plan of action. I was working alone, but needed help.
"My lord, can you help me?" I asked.
"Of course, just tell me what you need." Even the Captain of the White Tower had once been a regular soldier and Boromir slipped into the role of inferior surprisingly easily.
I went to check the severity of the injuries. "I shall need a pail of hot water, several rags, a mixing bowl, and a few bundles of Athelas from the back," I said over my shoulder.
I silently thanked the heavens for Boromir's childlike curiosity and his explorations of the Houses. He would remember where everything was and be an efficient assistant.
"Help the Lord Boromir, please," I said to the able men. They quickly followed the Steward-Prince and took orders from him. The injured men were moaning and I tended to them as soon as Boromir brought the medicine.
A few hours later everyone had been tended to and most of them were sleeping or at least lying quietly. I was letting the bloody rags boil and had taken a seat to rest.
Boromir had disappeared into the back of the Houses and I let him do his wandering because I was too tired to do otherwise. He came out and to my surprise was holding a steaming mug. He pulled up a chair close to mine. "It has been a while since I have made tea," he said faintly apologetic.
He held the mug out to me, but did not let go when I wrapped my fingers around it. His eyes met mine with such intensity that I had to look away. He finally released his grip and I took a drink.
"It is very good, my lord, thank you." I smiled weakly.
I believe Boromir sensed my weariness for he let us remain in silence until Eldacar came to take my place.
"It looks as though you've been busy," the older man said, looking around, not even having to ask any questions.
"Incredibly," I replied standing to leave. I set my mug down and gathered my things. As I walked out I could feel Boromir's eyes scorching a hole in my back.
-ooooOoooo-
After the episode with the wounded men it was again my turn to have a few days off. I spent them much as I normally did, attempting to get a little extra sleep.
When I went back to the Houses, I was surprised to find that Boromir was no longer there.
"I released him," Eldacar said simply. "He was doing so much better and I fear we shall soon need all possible beds." He wrapped his cloak around him. "His father wanted him back in the palace as well, so I was overruled regardless."
"Of course," I nodded.
The first day without Boromir constantly chattering was very strange. The man, though an odd pair we made, had become my companion. I spent that first day in near complete silence, not having anyone to talk to except the few remaining soldiers. They were not very talkative.
After a few days Boromir came back. In his official attire he was much more striking than when he was bedridden.
"Ah, Lindy." He smiled. "I was hoping you would be here as I did not get to say goodbye before," he said.
"My lord, it is good to see you," I said politely, trying not to show how happy I really was.
"I am supposed to be having my bandages changed."
"Well then tunic off, my lord." I washed my hands and turned around to work on him. Merely looking at him nearly knocked me backwards. He was stunning in his virility and I was taken aback. I carefully unwrapped the bandages from around his barrel-like chest, trying not to touch his bronze skin more than necessary.
Taking care of a near invalid was one thing, but dealing with a fully functional Boromir was another. Color rose to my cheeks as his whole chest was exposed. I picked up the same medicinal paste I had been using and slathered it on the ever-healing wounds.
"I believe this is how we got a first good idea of each other," Boromir chuckled, his chest vibrating under my hands.
"I am very grateful that you refrained from having a temper tantrum today, my lord," I replied with a cheeky grin.
Boromir's roar of a laugh rumbled out of him and I had to join in, it was contagious like most things in the Houses.
"You hurt me." He smiled.
"Your pride is what was really injured, my lord. If I recall correctly I gave you a fair warning," I said.
I began to wrap his chest tightly with clean bandages.
"You did give me a fair warning he admitted.
I fixed the loose end of the bandage and handed Boromir his tunic.
"Lindy?" He asked.
"Yes, my lord," I replied after rinsing my hands in a basin of cool water.
"Would it be alright if I stayed here for a while? I am not needed by my father for anything." He adjusted his dark tunic and ran a hand through his hair.
"Who am I to stop the Lord Boromir?" I asked with a smirk.
He stayed much longer than what I considered "a while." The soldiers were happy to speak to him and even I was glad to have him back. He tried to help with a few menial tasks, but eventually gave up and served as my conversation once more.
While Boromir was my patient I had forgotten how silent the Houses could be. I had taken his company for granted and having him back was like seeing the sun after a long period of darkness.
As I spent that afternoon around him I understood why his soldiers would follow him anywhere. His sheer size spoke for him, saying he would face may foe without fear. If he didn't want to be he was not harsh or intimidating, but kind and humorous. I found, later that night, that my cheeks and stomach hurt from laughing and smiling so much.
Reallan came after the sun fell to take the night shift and Boromir was still standing by my side as I boiled some Belladonna for the soldiers who were still in pain.
"Lord Boromir." She curtseyed. "Are you a Healer now?" She asked with a smile.
"I am afraid not. My hands do not have nearly the skill required," he replied. "I actually stayed here because I find Lindy's company very intriguing."
My cheeks flushed and Boromir only gave a simple smile.
"She is quite an intriguing young woman," Reallan agreed.
I quickly gathered my things and wrapped my shawl around my shoulders. "Goodnight, Reallan."
"Goodnight, Lindy," she chuckled. "My lord." She nodded respectfully to Boromir.
"Good, my lord," I said when we had departed the Houses.
"I thought I might walk you home." He held out his arm to me.
I looked at him for a moment. "I can manage, my lord," I replied finally.
"Lindy, I could not live with myself if something were to happen to you and I was not there to prevent it," he said earnestly.
I chuckled. "My lord, amazingly enough I have walked myself home every other night since I have lived here, not to mention the days long ride from Bree that I made on my own."
Boromir looked at me seriously. "Humor me."
I sighed and put my hand on his large arm. He covered my hand with his much larger one and we set off.
As usual, Boromir chattered on and on during the walk to my home and I smiled and laughed as I had all day in his company.
We finally came to my modest home, but I could not feel any shame in it as Boromir did not seem to notice it at all.
"On a more serious note, Lindy," Boromir moved so he was standing in front of me. "My father is hosting a feast for my recovery. I was hoping that you would be attendance as you are the only reason I am recovered at all."
"My lord, many other Healers tended to you as well," I insisted,
"Perhaps, but you were my favorite." He grinned.
"I could not go. I do not belong at such an occasion, my lord." I shook my head.
"Someone once said 'what the Lord Boromir wants the Lord Boromir gets.' Was that you?" He asked, his grey eyes glinting in the dim light.
I sighed. Before I could even voice the face that I had nothing to wear, Boromir was quicker. "Do not worry about a dress. It is the least I can do."
He took my hand in his and, like a whisper, brushed his lips against it. Without another word he had turned on his heel and was walking back through the city.
Thank you for reading! I would love to know what you think!
Happy reading,
Avonmora