"Wow."

Boromir and Faramir looked outside to see the first of the winter snow fall from the sky. The air was so cold. The people in the lower levels were bundled up in multiple layers of clothes. Boromir looked down into the lower levels trying to spot Kyra. He wanted to apologize and explain why he couldn't be with her the night before. She was nowhere to be seen.

"Look at that, my son", Denethor said with a smile as he approached Boromir and Faramir. "The snow has begun to fall. Winter has come."

"Father, may I go outside today?" Boromir asked.

"No. you need to stay inside and keep warm."

"Father, please. I promise I won't be out too long. I'll keep warm."

Denethor sighed as he looked at Boromir. He saw his son almost ready to plea for some freedom for the day.

"Okay, Boromir", he said. "You may go out, but only for today. I expect you to be back by sundown."

"I'll return by then, Father", Boromir said smiling.

"Can I go with you, brother?" Faramir asked.

"Maybe next time", he smiled apologetic.

Boromir went to his chambers and bundled up in warm clothes before going outside. He went down to the lower levels hoping he would find Kyra. He saw most of the city's citizens doing their chores as usual, but Kyra was not among them. Boromir looked up to the Citadel wondering if Denethor was watching him. He sighed in relief when he saw Denethor was not at the window watching. Now to find Kyra.

Kyra coughed and shivered as she laid in bed. She waited outside as long as she could before she had to return home.

"Kyra, how are you feeling?" her mother asked as she felt her forehead. "Would you like something to eat?"

Kyra shook her head weakly allowing her mother to leave. Her throat felt itchy as she coughed hard. She closed her eyes thinking about how long she waited out in the cold night. Where was Boromir? He said he would meet her. Why did he never show up?

"Kyra!"

She opened her eyes and looked out the window. Kyra gasped as she saw Boromir standing at the window. She coughed as she tried to sit up.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice raspy.

Boromir looked around the room. It was a lot smaller than his room. His eyes fell upon Kyra as he heard her coughing. Her hair stuck to her sweat covered forehead. She was paler than he had ever seen her. Boromir climbed through the window entering the room. He closed the shutters to the window, shutting the cold air from the room.

"Thank you", Kyra rasped.

Boromir brushed the hair from her face as he felt her forehead. He was shocked at how warm she felt.

"You're burning up", he said. "How long were you outside?"

"As long as I could stay", she said. "Where were you?"

"I'm sorry. My father was starting to question me more than usual when he saw I was gone. I couldn't risk it."

Kyra scooted over allowing room for Boromir to sit next to her. He ran his fingers through her hair and she laid her head against his chest.

"I was worried", she coughed. "When you never came I thought you had abandoned me."

He looked at her surprised that she would think such a thing.

"Why would you think that?" he asked. "Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"

"No…"

"Kyra, I love you. I would never do such a thing to you."

Boromir pressed his lips to hers. Kyra gave a muffled surprised sound as she weakly tried to push him away.

"Boromir, I'm sick", she said. "I don't want you to get sick. What will your father say?"

"I'll just tell him it was the cold that made me sick", he smiled. "He's never doubted me yet."

Kyra smiled and chuckled. She stopped and went into a coughing fit. Boromir rubbed her back as he pulled the covers up to her chin.

"Rest", he said. "I'll stay with you as long as I can."

She nodded as she closed her eyes, her head still resting on his chest.