Author's Note: The lack of reviews of late has been a little bit discouraging, but I think this chapter will definitely surprise. As a reminder, I am truly encouraged to write when I receive feedback because it allows me to understand that people are still interesting in what I create and use their criticism and ideas to make a better story over all. If you have any feedback at all, please, please review and know that it means a great deal to me. Thanks and enjoy the chapter!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Amera carefully smoothed out her gown and closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the chill night air as she opened the doors to the throne room. The chamber never ceased to take her breath away, the moonlight tinted soft greens and blues as it streamed through the colored glass high above her head. Elegant golden sconces held lit torch that flickered wickedly against the spotless marble columns that lined the room. And, as her gaze traveled down the length of the room, Calmacil sat lazily atop the ancient throne of Annuminas, surrounding by emptied wine bottles.
Lowering her head respectfully, she slowly strode forward and knelt before him, her voice soft as she murmured, "Your captain told me you had summoned for me, my lord."
She could feel his eyes pour over her as he chuckled and she swallowed hard, closing her eyes as he slurred, "Indeed, I did, my lovely Aeliniel." There was a brief pause and she heard him greedily swallow yet another goblet of the rich wine stored in the kitchens. "Tell me, have you enjoyed my little visit?"
"Of course, my lord." That was a lie. Amera was anxious for his departure on the morrow, excited to be free of the leering gazes and filthy whispers of the men that had accompanied him on his journey. Each time she encountered his company, she could feel their lustful eyes on her slender body, violated by the thoughts that she knew swirled in their minds as she passed. Calmacil had been a pig of a king, she had come to realize over the past few days, for as she had tried to show him the monuments, tombs and statues dedicated to his forbearers, he had shown nothing but blatant disregard for the proud tradition from which he was descended. He had more interested in the stores of the treasury than the emblems of his people, bored by the ancient courtyards and glittering towers of Annuminas. She would patiently wait until his death and his successor would eventually visit, as all the kings did, for she wanted him to leave and never return.
"You know," He belched then and she cringed slightly, her lip curling with disgust as she hid her eyes from him, "I will be leaving tomorrow."
"Yes, my lord."
He suddenly rose and she felt her heart beat in her chest as his stained fingers roughly grabbed her chin, forcing her gaze upon him as he slurred, "And I would have you perform one last service."
She swallowed hard, resisting the instinct to strike out at him as he stared at her with hazy eyes, steadying her voice as she replied, "Of course, my lord, I have sworn loyalty to that line to which you belong. Ask what you will and I shall see it done."
He grinned crookedly at this, his fingers slowly brushing along the pale curve of her cheek. Amera tasted bile in the back of her throat, swallowing its acidic burn as she willed herself to remain still. One last task and he would be gone forever, she reminded herself, taking with him half the bounty of her city in his greedy hands. She uttered a small, ragged gasp as his hands left her face and traveled to the cords of his robe. Calmacil cracked his neck idly as his robe slipped away, revealing a bare chest and leggings as he stood before her.
She recoiled, instantly rising to her feet and treading slowly backwards as she whispered, "You have drunk too much, my lord, and know not what you do."
He rolled his eyes and motioned her forward, taking a lazy swig from his goblet. "Come now, Aeliniel."
"No…no."
The drunken king sighed, running a hand through his dark hair before reaching to untie his breeches. "No need to make this more uncomfortable than necessary, dearie, surely you've done this sort of thing in the past.
Her mind flashed back to the night in the treasury, trembling as she recalled the vibrant crimson that had stained her pale hands and the empty sobs that had wracked her body as she had scrubbed them for what seemed like an eternity, desperate to rid herself of the evidence of her needs. She snarled back without thinking, her heart beating wildly in her chest as she recalled the great rage that had soared through her, "I will not do this, Calmcil!"
"You don't have a choice!" He roared in return, a deadly fire raging in his bloodshot eyes as he staggered forward, pointing towards her as he leered, "You are sworn to do as I say, are you not?"
"Do not do this." Each word was filled with bitter venom as they flew from her lips.
"I, Calmacil of Arthedain," He snarled as he strode forward, roughly grabbing her chin in his hands as he forced her face just a movement's from his own, hot spittle burning her skin, "Order you, Aeliniel, to submit to my will as your duty ordains."
She was silent, staring at him with absolute loathing, her chest rising up and down as her fingers clenched into tight fists by her side. He snorted, finishing off his goblet with a tilt of his head, "As I thought." His eyes grew distant with lust and she closed her own eyes in return, willing herself to another place as his words fell upon her, "Now strip."
The night breeze, once so comforting to her, was icy and cruel as it wound its way around her bare form, stirring the gown around her feet as she remained perfectly still. Her jaw was firm as she raised her head, refusing to grant him what victory she could, looking him straight in the eyes as he strode closer. She would not be a victim to him, no, she told herself, she would allow him what was forced of her and that was it. A simple physical action. That was all. No more, no less.
His wine stained fingers slowly stretched towards her pale breast, his eyes widening as a lustful grin spread across his face. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, removing herself from her body as her mind traveled to the quiet gardens on the uppermost tier of the city, to the cool water and delicate leaves that swirled around her as she slept. She felt his touch upon the gentle swell of her slender breast for but a moment, then recoiled as he suddenly roared in pain and surprise.
Her eyes flew open as her hands instinctively covered herself, staring as Calmacil staggered backward, clutching his hand which was now strangely discolored, as if it had been burnt. He looked at her with horror and loathing, the heaviness of his eyes gone as he snarled in rage and terror, "You…you burned me."
She took a step back, terrified and confusion as she reached for her gown rapidly, sweeping it over her body as she watched the furious king before her. He fell backwards as he lost his weight, tripping over one his discarded bottles and she made a motion forward, but froze in disgust as the instinct passed.
"What…what are you?" He snarled and she took another step backward, biting her lip in shame and fury and fear. "Be gone!" He suddenly roared and she whimpered quietly as the goblet flew from his hand and struck her cheek. She felt the skin tear and the warmth of blood as it spilled down her cheek, the vessel slowly wobbling by her feet as Calmacil shrieked, "Be gone, witch!"
Amera turned and fled into the night, her heart beating with fury as she hid in the shadows of her city and waited for her king to leave.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
As Boromir slowly shut the oak door behind him, he knew at once that Amera was recalled some distant memory as she stared into the dying fire, her dark hair streaming over the pale blue of her gown as she stood frozen. Softly murmuring, he took a step closer, "Amera?" He paused mid-step as he took notice the change in her eyes, for when she lost herself in the recollections that constantly swirled through her mind, her flickering eyes were bittersweet, filled with both joy and sorrow as she remembered that which had long since passed. But now, her eyes were different; cold and distant, yet rippling with a burning intensity he had only seen before in the heat of battle and the night they had first kissed in Lorien as she had cried out at him in pain and suffering.
Unsure of what to do, he slowly extended his hand to rest upon her shoulder. He blinked as she flinched and turned, rage burning in her eyes as his touch interrupted her thoughts. However, she glanced away for a moment and seemed to gather herself before whispering, "I am sorry, Boromir, I…my thoughts were elsewhere."
"Sh," He wrapped his arms around her slender waist, closing his eyes as his hands felt the familiar arch of her hipbones as he pulled her closer, "You need not apologize, love." He kissed the top of her head, murmuring into her curls, "Do you wish to speak of it?"
"No." Her voice was swift and he knew not to press the issue, instead planting a gentle kiss as he removed himself from the embrace and rested upon the edge of his bed. With a tired sigh, he absently kicked off his boots, continuing, "Do try and get some sleep tonight, Amera, for the journey tomorrow will not be an easy one." He swallowed the angry words that threatened to burst forth at the thought of Theoden's decision, but instead ran a hand through his hair before undoing his hauberk. "Tomorrow will be filled with crying children and frightened mothers as Edoras is emptied and, for better or for worse, the people of Rohan will flee to Helm's Deep," He sighed once more, "under command of Theoden."
"He fears for his people, Boromir, you know this." He looked as Amera's soft voice whispered to him and was suddenly robbed of breath, his jaw involuntarily dropping as he watched her slowly put on a cotton shirt, her back to him as her dress was draped over the edge of the bed. He swallowed hard as he traced the curve of her waist with his eyes, the way her pale, bare shoulders shifted as her dark hair tumbled over them. Boromir forced his gaze away, closing his eyes as he stammered, "You could give a warning, Amera."
"What?" She turned around and perked a brow, clad in her loose shirt and leggings as she cast him an odd glance. He rolled his eyes as he looked to her, "You know."
She blinked, then snorted as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Unless I am mistaken, you've already seen all of me, Boromir."
He blushed and looked away, staring intently at his bare feet as he mumbled, "That was different."
There was a brief pause and he heard the smile in her voice as she murmured, "Do I tempt you?"
He rolled his eyes once more and laid on top of the bed, resting his arms behind his head as he grumbled, "Shut up, Amera." A moment later and she gently crawled into bed with him, but he blinked as she shifted to her body to rest just above his, her dark hair fall over his shoulders onto his chest as she smirked. He took a deep breath as her hand softly brushed along his cheekbone, her pale eyes rippling in the firelight as they met his. She slowly leaned in, positioning her delicate mouth but a movement from his own, her breath warm against his lips as his heart began to race in his chest. This was different for her, he knew as his hands traveled of their own accord to her hips, for while Amera had always been passionate, even fierce at times in her affection when the burning light appeared in her stormy eyes, her closest attempt to seduction had come in the form of smacking his arm when he said something out of line or flashing him one of her quick, feral grins.
Amera's eyes flickered to his lips and his to hers, their eyes slowly closing as she whispered his name and closed the distance between them. He sighed into the kiss as her slender hands gently cupped his hand, the smooth pads of her fingers tracing his cheekbones as his hands slid up her back to pull her closer. She trembled for a moment as his fingers slid across the rough edge of her scars through her thin shirt, four ragged lines against the smooth pale of her curve. He paused at this, not wanting to hurt her, but moaned softly as she suddenly deepened the kiss and moved her hands to rest firmly against his chest. His hands slid to her shoulder blades, which danced beneath his touch as she shifted slightly, their passion rising swiftly as his body reacted to her touch.
He wanted to inquire about the sudden change in her, to know why the difference in her actions, but all thoughts fled from his mind as her lips traveled to his neck and began to explore the delicate skin between his jaw and collarbone. He gasped slightly, groaning her name gently as her soft lips danced against him, gentle and fierce all at once in a way that stole his breath away. Boromir closed his eyes and cradled her head, his fingers slipping through her dark curls as his desire grew. The kiss beside the Anduin that night, so long ago, had been passionate, yes, but this, this was different.
With a thick, low growl he rolled atop her and positioned his arms above her head as he hungrily met her lips, his kiss fierce as his tongue caressed her own. She groaned his name beneath him and his heart raced at her response, for he wanted nothing more than to hear him breathe his name over and over again in pleasure, pleasure he could and needed to give her. He had been with other women and while he was not proud of his…interactions with them, there had been no true feelings behind the act. But Amera was different.
He opened his eyes and watched the dying fire dance over her pale skin, listen to the soft sighs of her moans as her hands explored the muscles that rippled through his back as his hips shifted against her own. She glowed with desire, her slender chest rising and falling swiftly beneath his own, her dark, lustrous hair fanned out around her head as it lay against the pillows. He did not protest as her hands fumbled with shirt, shifting as he roughly removed it and threw it aside before leaning down once more to meet her lips. His hands trembled as they fell to her hips, his thumbs rubbing small circles against the arching bones. He groaned deeply as her mouth trailed to his neck once more, her tongue tracing invisible designs over his sensitive skin as his mind grew hazy with lust.
Without thinking, he gently shifted her legs apart and settled his hips between them, shuddering at the sudden friction between them as she sighed his name. Boromir knew what was to come and wanted it desperately, longing to know her in ways that none before he had, to take her in his arms and if only for a little while, escape the burdens placed upon them both. However, he needed to know one thing, to discover the answer to the question that had plagued him since the night they had kissed beneath the veiled starlight.
OOOOOOOOOO
Amera swallowed hard, breathing in deeply as her breath raced, her vision swimming before her as her body burned with a desire she had never known. Boromir rested his forehead against hers and she smiled softly, wrapping her arms around his neck as she whispered, "What is it, love?"
His eyes were hazy with lust, but still sparkled with emerald flecks of pride as he looked down into her eyes. His hair, messied by her fingers hung around his glowing face and she brushed a loose lock behind his ear, waiting for him to speak. His voice was but a whisper as he finally spoke, almost nervous in its softness, "Why me, Amera?"
She blinked, "What?"
His fingers slowly traced along the arch of her cheekbone and her heart fluttered in her chest, closing her eyes in content as he continued gently, "You could have had anyone, Amera, why did you choose me?"
She looked at him for a long moment, then laughed with gentle affection as she pressed her lips briefly against his own, tickled by the softness of his beard as she replied, "I did not want anyone, Boromir. I did not seek out what now I feel and in truth," She kissed him once more, "I had thought myself incapable of caring for another outside that which my duty claimed."
He was not satisfied by this answer, she saw, and as she rolled her eyes, she gently elaborated, "All my life, Boromir, through all the ages I have known, I have been revered and feared by those whom I served. I was treated either as a monster, as something unnatural to be kept hidden away behind shining walls, as a foolish, delicate child to be kept safe in a gilded, ancient cage or something intangible, a creature that could never understand the emotions of those she met because she was not human, forever alone in the remains of a city she was bound to."
She swallowed hard, fighting back the memories of the pain and loneliness that flooded her mind, and whispered, "But when you looked at me, Boromir, there was no needless reverence, no fear," Her hand rose and gently cupped the side of his noble face as she whispered, "You saw me as an equal, melleth nin, as one who walk beside you, one who could play a part in the shaping of the destiny of this world." Amera blinked away tears she had not known had formed, smiling softly as she gazed up at the captain general of Gondor, "You looked at me like I was human."
There was a pause and she was unable to determine the emotions that flickered in his eyes as he looked down on her. She swallowed hard and looked aside as he was silent, biting her lip as she tried to think of an apology, of a way to retract what she had just said.
"I love you, Amera."
She looked back to him, tears filled her eyes as the simple truth in his words rippled through her. A moment later and their lips connected yet again, her hands stroking the soft curls that dotted his broad chest as he shifted against in a steady rhythm. The scars of where the arrows had pierced his chest were a reminder to her of how close she had come to losing him, hoe she should have and would lost him if not for Nienna's intervention. In between the soft moans that involuntarily escaped her lips as his hands trembled at her waist, she thanked Nienna for the grace that had been shown unto her, for the life of the proud, noble son of the Steward that had been saved.
Without thinking, she took his hands in her own and slowly slid them beneath the fabric of her thin shirt, granting him permission to explore her pale flesh as no other had, her heart racing with an intensity she had only known in the midst of battle. He drew in a slow, uneven breath as his fingers slid up her stomach, then groaned deeply as they met the slender swell of her breasts. Amera's back arched slightly as he caressed her, both firmly and gently, gasping at her body surged with sudden, breath-taking heat. His hips moved a steady rhythm against her own and in that moment, she wanted him more than anything else, to be able to reciprocate the pleasure he created in her, to share the secrets of her body with him and to know him. To love him.
"When this all ends," Boromir sighed as his eyes closed in obvious pleasure, his bare chest rising and falling as his calloused hands explored the pale flesh of her body, "Come with me, Amera."
She moaned softly at this, placing her hands atop his once more as she guided him. His voice was low and thick as he continued, heavy with lust as he breathed, "Let me show you the wonders of my city, my beautiful Amera, let me share it all with you. Come to Minas Tirith me, love."
Amera trembled at his words, an icy chill sweeping through her as a flurry of memories surged through her like tidal wave. Boromir noticed her silence and paused, drawing a deep breath as he repeated, "Leave behind the empty streets of Annuminas, Amera, and return to the pride of glory of the Gondor. Stay with me in Minas Tirith."
She could not breathe at that moment and only strange, choked sounds escaped her throat. He looked at her in alarm, gently cupping her face with his hands, "What is it, love?"
"I….I cannot."
"But, why? Would you not wish a future with me?" The pain that suddenly appeared in his eyes broke her heart and she shook her head fiercely, wrapping her arms around his neck as she whispered, "Of course not, melleth nin, I love you with all that I am."
"Then why, Amera?"
"Because I am banished, Boromir." He recoiled in surprise and she turned her head, closing her eyes as a stray tear coursed down her cheek. Each word drove a stake into her heart, her hands trembling with the ferocity of the pain that surged through her. "I am banished from the realm of Gondor under penalty of death."
He stared at her in absolute shock, his eyes wide as he struggled to gather his words, finally stammering, "I…I don't understand. I thought you left Annuminas after the death of Earnur, Amera."
She bit her lip as her shoulders trembling, her eyes slowly opening as she stared blankly into the dying embers of the fire. "I was banished, Boromir," Her voice fell to a low, pained whisper, "I would not so readily abandon that which I cared for and called my home for nearly a thousand years."
"Who banished you, Amera?" Boromir suddenly grew angry, his eyes flickering as he growled, "And why?"
"It was a mistake, my love, for the fault lies with myself, as well. He…he was scared and I was scared, terrified of the uncertainty of what lay before us. He only meant well," Her voice cracked as she closed her eyes, swallowing hard, "I know this now, he only wished for things to be as once they were, but I refused to see this in my pride, refused to admit my failings, that things had changed forever. And for this," She sighed, "I was banished."
Boromir was silent as he stared at her, closing his eyes as he slowly questioned that which she knew him to know that answer of, "Who did this, Amera?"
She looked to him, her voice barely a voice. "Mardil Voronwe, the Steward of Gondor."
He pressed the back of his hand to his mouth, swallowing hard as he drew a deep breath. Tears fell from Amera's eyes as she watched him, wanting nothing more than to run into the sanctuary of his embrace and forever leave behind her past. Boromir finally spoke, running a hand through his hair as he whispered, "My ancestor, Amera, whose blood flows through my veins, was the reason you fled Annuminas and laid beneath the leaves of Fangorn for an age?"
"Boromir, please, it was my fault, as well. He only asked that I vow to serve him as I had the line of Elendil, for he wanted naught but to show his people that their Aeliniel remained true to them after the breaking of the line. You must understand this, love." She took his face in her hands with renewed desperation, tears flowing down her face as he refused to meet her gaze. "It was my fault, Boromir. I caused this, subjected myself to this in my unwavering pride."
He recoiled at her touch, rising from the bed as he backed away, shaking his head as he stared at Amera. "Amera...I…" He whispered, his eyes bright with the pain of sudden understanding, "I do not understand why you did not tell me this."
Amera's heart was torn asunder at his pain, rising before him as she implored, "Because it lay in the past, Boromir! Because it was a thousand years ago and bore no relevancy to the journey before us!"
"How can you say that?" His voice grew angry as he slammed his hands against the wall, his chest heaving as his auburn hair fell over his face.
"Because I love you, Boromir!" She snarled in return, choking back tears as she shook her head at him, reaching out for him in desperation. He turned to look at her hand and reached out for it, but suddenly recoiled as he turned to stare at her. Through her tears, she could see a strange emotion in his forest eyes, one she did not recognize and he whispered, "I am sorry, Amera. I am so sorry."
Her voice cracked as whispered, pleading to the man she loved, "I do not want your pity, Boromir."
His shoulders suddenly shook as he held back a choked sob, turning his gaze from her as he hurried to pull his shirt over his head and she saw he struggled to keep his composure, running his hands frantically through his hair. "Boromir, don't do this." She whispered, her eyes widening in horror as he staggered to the door.
"My love, please."
The proud son of the Steward looked over his shoulder at her as he opened the door and she saw tears in his eyes, flickering as he swallowed hard.
"Boromir, please."
Tearing his gaze from her, Boromir turned and disappeared into the shadows of the dark hall, leaving Amera alone to weep in the dying firelight.
