Solatiri looked up as Boromir held her close.

"Boromir?"

"Yes?" he answered.

"Boromir, will you tell me?" she asked.

He pulled away and looked at her confused.

"Tell you what?" he asked.

Solatiri looked at him and wrapped her arms around him. She rested her head against his chest.

"Will you tell me you love me?"

Boromir looked at her unsure. Could he really say it at this time? Would it make a difference? He would be leaving for Mordor tomorrow and she would be leaving for Gondor. Even if he told her his feelings, they wouldn't be able to court until he returned.

"Solatiri", he began. "Now is not the time."

"W-what?" Solatiri asked confused.

"I cannot tell you what you wish to hear."

"But why not?"

"It would not make any difference", Boromir said. "Until I return, those words will not mean much."

"Boromir, of course they would!" Solatiri said. "If you pledge your love for me, I would know to wait for you. I would know that it is me you want."

She looked up at him.

"Not that any of it would matter. I will always wait for you. I want you and no other."

Solatiri pressed her lips against his once more. Boromir held her close as he kissed her back.

"I love you, Boromir, son of Denethor."

She pulled away to return to her room for the night. Solatiri gave him one more look and smile before she shut the door behind her. Boromir watched her hoping he made the right decision in not telling her about his feelings for her.

Solatiri on the other hand was disappointed. She had been waiting so long to hear Boromir claiming his love for her. She didn't want to wait for Boromir to return home and then tell her. No one knew how long he'd be gone.

Boromir was up before dawn. The sun had not risen yet. He knew Solatiri would still be asleep at this time and used this to his advantage. He stepped out of his room and walked down the hall to Solatiri's room. He opened the door quietly to find her asleep as he predicted.

Solatiri laid tucked beneath the covers. One hand was underneath her pillow with the other laying across her body. Boromir quietly stepped closer to her bed. Solatiri's long red hair was spread across her pillow. Her long eyelashes curled against her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted as she breathed evenly.

"Boromir", Solatiri mumbled as she continued to dream.

Boromir gently brushed the hair away from her face as she slept peacefully. He watched as she twitched as his fingertips brushed against her skin.

"Farewell, my love", he whispered. "Until we meet again."

He pressed his lips against her forehead. Boromir watched as a smile crept upon her face for a second and fell as she turned in her bed. With all said and done, he turned away as he left the room to meet the rest of the Fellowship. The sun was rising and time was of the essence.

"The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom", Elrond said in front of the Fellowship and all of Rivendell. "On you who travel with him, no oath, nor bond is laid to go further than you will."

Boromir nodded as Elrond spoke, however his thoughts were on Solatiri. He looked at the crowds of Elves that were there to watch them off. Solatiri was not among them. He wondered where she was. Did she already leave to return to Gondor? Was she still in Rivendell, but refused to see him off…the way she wasn't there when he left Gondor?

"Farewell", Elrond bade the group. "Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you."

Either way, it was too late to wait any longer for her.

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer", Gandalf said.

Boromir watched as Frodo turned to exit the gates of Rivendell. As they walked past the gates, Boromir looked back at the city. He only hoped Solatiri would make it home safe without him.