Bring me to life

Chapter 4

The next morning Faramir woke before dawn,he had to guide the rangers for a reconnaissance tour of the eastern side of the woods as his father had required. He dressed quietly, looking at Kreshen's sleeping form now and then. Before exiting the room he took the fur cover from the bed to put it over her, fearing that she would be cold, and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

A couple of hours later a still sleepy Boromir made his way down the corridor, carrying a large tray with the breakfast meant for his little brother, but this time he did bother to knock at the door before opening it.

Kreshen awoke when she heard someone knocking at her door.

Yawning, she looked at the cover on her body with wide eyes. Faramir.

She found herself completely awake at Boromir’s presence outside of the door, and she suddenly lowered her eyes, moving aside to let him enter.

“Good morning, master”.

"Good morning, Kreshen." Boromir replied, entering the room and then setting the tray on the table. He noticed just then that Faramir was not in bed, but he asked nothing. "I brought some food" he said instead, turning around to look at her. "Eat while the tea is still hot."

The girl just stared at him for some moments, as if her brain was not able to understand such a change of behaviour.

How could he be the same person that the day before had almost raped her?

“Am I allowed to…eat?” she asked doubtfully, still unmoving, her eyes fixed in his for the first time.

Boromir just nodded, sitting at one side of the table, and she finally neared him, sitting at the opposite side.

There were also biscuits, and some pieces of an hot cake.

While eating the chocolate cake, as if she was a child, she took some whipped cream with a finger, gently sucking it away and smiling again.

She could easily remember her grandmother’s cakes, that were as good as that one, and those happy thoughts always made her smile.

On the other side of the table, Boromir was still trying to rub the sleep off his eyes. Of all things, he wasn't certainly a morning person. Not when he was at home and allowed to rest, anyway.

"Do you like the food?" he asked then, noticing the small smile on Kreshen's lips, and watching her closely for some moments. It was the first time he saw her smile, and he decided that he liked it. A whole lot.

“Yes, thank you master” she told him, raising her eyes to look at him.

His gentle behaviour was so different from the night before that she could almost say that he was a different man. And she was still suspicious.

"I am not your master" Boromir replied quietly, folding his arms across the chest, without averting his gaze. "Faramir is. You should probably call him that, not me."

“As yesterday you acted like a master to me” she started, lowering again her eyes and sipping her tea, “I assumed that I should have called you that”.

No accuses. There was no need to say it out loud. For it was evidently written on her face. And on her body, still sore from his forceful assault the night before.

Boromir sighed at her words, and raised an eyebrow. "You said that I could. Didn't you? I can remember it very well."

“I have to say it anyway, master” she informed him.

“For your father will have me flogged and starving if I don’t comply every order that his sons give to me. Even if I don’t like it at all”.

"Oh, do not worry." the man replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I noticed that you didn't like it, trust me, you made it very clear. And do not call me that."

“I am not what you think I am” she told him sadly. “I’m not a whore. I’ve never done it before. My only fault was to be poor. And I’ve been sold as a slave to your father. You’ve assumed that I…do it as a profession. You’re wrong”.

"I might be wrong," Boromir said, leaning over the table and propping on his elbows. "but since you are here I think you should try and get the better of the whole situation, don't you agree? Faramir will treat you well, do not be troubled. He's not like me."

“No, he’s not” she assumed, looking straight into his grey eyes.

“He’s been very kind to me. That’s why I’ve been hurt when he allowed you to…threat me harshly. He had told me that no one would have hurt me while I was under his protection. And… he told me that he would have treated me as a person. You didn’t do it yesterday. And I’m still sore”.

"I owe you my apologies, then, but it could have been worse." Boromir said, his eyes still fixed on hers. "And it's not been Faramir's fault last night, but mine. He couldn't deny me anything and I knew it, but I think he cares for you a lot more deeply than you know. So blame me for what has happened, not him."

“There’s no one to blame but my bad luck, milord” she murmured sadly, sighing and standing up.

She walked to the couch, taking the fur cover and starting to settle it on the bed. It was indeed another joke of her bad luck.

And Boromir wasn’t at all rough when he allowed himself to speak with sincerity and calm.

Said man was still sitting at the table, and following Kreshen with his gaze. He said nothing for a while and then he stood up, setting plates and mugs on the tray to take away. "Just call a servant if you do need something. I doubt if you'll need me, but in case I'll be in my chambers."

Noticing that he had took the tray, Kreshen immediately neared him, trying to take it.

“You don’t have to do it. Leave it to me, it’s one of my duties”.

But trying to take the tray from him, her hands clasped his, and instead of withdrew them, she just raised her eyes to his, smiling shyly.

Boromir hinted a smile, too, but drew back. "I will manage." he said quietly, though that small contact had upset him greatly. He wasn't used to that sort of.. closeness, indeed. Once at the door he turned back to look at her for some moments but said nothing, and closed the door behind him.

Kreshen looked at the door for a while, sighing deeply.

Boromir was indeed a strange man. The day before he had almost raped her. Today he had brought her breakfast and had talked to her, apologizing for his behaviour and telling her not to blame Faramir.

Who was the real one?

She was a very confused, and went to sit on the couch, looking at the fire, and trying to understand what she felt about the two brothers.

It was obvious that she cared for Faramir, even if he had betrayed her trust.

But what about Boromir? He was quite a sight, indeed. His noble features and the intensity of his eyes were always in her mind.

Faramir came home quite late that night, muddy and dripping wet. He and his men had met a quite bad rainstorm on the way home, and he was sure that a quite bad cold was already on its way. He closed the door behind him and let his drenched cloak fall carelessly to the ground as he slipped off his tunic and neared the fireplace to warm himself up at least a little bit, chattering his teeth helplessly.

Kreshen was sitting on the bed, reading one of his books, and when she saw him so wet and cold, she couldn’t help but sigh softly.

Then she took hold of one of the blankets and neared him from behind, wrapping it around his shoulders, in an attempt to warm him.

“Do you want me to prepare an hot bath? Or maybe some hot milk?”

"I want you to hug me" Faramir replied softly, raising his blue eyes to look at her. "Even if I don't deserve it.. at all.."

Sighing deeply, the girl just looked at him for a while, trying to forget the fact that he had shared her with his brother.

It was not hate what she felt in that particular moment. She wanted to hug him, too. Even if he had betrayed her, Faramir was her anchor. Maybe the only one she could cling to.

Without thinking anymore, she hugged him fiercely, hiding her face onto his chest, inhaling his familiar scent.

“Thank you for the cover. I…thought that I had made an error about you…”

"You probably did" Faramir murmured, almost clinging to her, the guilt for what had happened the night before stronger than ever. "I am so sorry.. so sorry Kreshen. I shouldn't have agreed and.. I shouldn't have enjoyed it.." he sighed, finding the courage to withdraw and look into her eyes. "It wasn't the first time. He probably thought that you were just.." he stopped then, closing his eyes for a moment. "I am sorry."

“I actually am just a--” she murmured sadly. “I shouldn’t care so much for you…you’re just my master, and you would never come to care for me. And that’s right, maybe. It was…a dream of mine. Nothing more. I felt hurt because I wasn’t expecting you to betray my trust. But you did. And…you shared me with your brother. It’s your right to do it”.

Faramir shook his head bitterly. "I do care for you. I do, very much. And I thought you had understood that it is your right to say no if you don't feel like doing something.. I was expecting you to deny him, but you didn't. He wouldn't have touched you, otherwise. This is all my fault."

“It has been horrible” she just whispered, lowering her eyes.

“But I’m afraid of your father, Faramir. He promised me to let me freeze, starving and flogged if I would ever say no to your requests…”

A moment later, her voice muffled for she had her head buried between his neck and shoulder, she continued.

“Boromir was here today. He told me not to blame you, for it was his fault. And he apologized…”

"He must like you, then" Faramir smiled, tightening the embrace. "And do not be afraid of my father.. how can you think that I would tell him.. anything just to have you punished? I could never do such a thing."

“He doesn’t like me. He’s not able to like women. And he’s hurt me. Yesterday he…has treated me as an animal…” she murmured, adjusting the blanket on his shoulders.

“Do you need me to do something? You look as if you’re freezing…”

"I am" Faramir replied with a faint smile, "I'll have the servants arrange a hot bath, and then I'll go straight to bed. Do not worry for me, then."

“I can’t help it” she just whispered, kissing the corner of his mouth and gently caressing his cheek with her thumb.

A moment later she was hurrying towards the bathroom, warming the water for his bath, and pouring his favourite scented oil in it.

"What would I do without you?" Faramir smiled from the doorframe, the blanket still wrapped around him and his hair still dripping wet. Before Kreshen could reply he was sneezing energetically, and then shaking his head. "Oh, Valar" he chuckled, "I fear that you'll have to take care of a quite sick Faramir these days."

“I don’t mind it” she smiled, taking his hand and guiding him to the tub.“I am just worried for you”.

Having said that, the girl kneeled in front of him, unlaced his leggings and yanking them away, without looking into his eyes.

She also helped him to enter the tub, pouring some hot water on his head, in an attempt to warm him.

Once out of the tub and dressed again Faramir was feeling less frozen, but still cold.

"I'll have to tell father that I won't lead the reconnaissance tomorrow" he sighed, sitting in front of the fire, a small pout making its appearance on the fair face. "What a useless weakling I am."

“You are not useless” Kreshen reassured him, sitting at his side and immediately enveloping the man into a warm embrace.

“And neither weak. You just need some rest. Tomorrow you’ll stay in bed. Do not worry, for you’ll be better soon”.

"I hope so."

After having sent a servant to the palace to inform Denethor that his son had caught quite a bad cold, Faramir took off his leggings and slipped under the covers, snuggling next to Kreshen in need of warmth. He fell asleep quickly, but his temperature rose to the extent that after a few hours he was stirring and moaning softly while sleeping, his forehead burning and sweaty.

Kreshen had awoken immediately, touching his forehead and frowning worriedly.

She quickly jumped off the bed, settling the covers on him again, and putting on a tunic and a pair of leggings.

As she finished, she knocked at Boromir’s door.

“Wake up, milord!” she hurriedly called from behind the wooden door. “Please! I need you to help me!”

"Hold your horses!" Boromir muttered sleepily, getting up and then grabbing his leggings to put them on. He dragged himself as far as the door and opened, running a hand across his face in a quite slumberous fashion.

"What's the matter?"

“Faramir” she told him quietly, noticing that at least she had obtained his attention.

“He’s unwell. He’s got a quite bad fever and it’s so hot. I’ve woken up for he’s moaning while sleeping. I don’t know what to do”.

"Go back to his room" Boromir replied, suddenly wide awake and already searching for his tunic. "I'll ask a servant to call the healer, stay with Faramir until he arrives. Wet a cloth with fresh water and put it on his forehead."

“Yes” she nodded, running to Faramir’s door and towards the bathroom, where she prepared a wet cloth as he had told her.

Once sitting on the bed at his side, she put it onto his forehead, she caressed his cheek.

“Don’t worry, Boromir is going to call a healer. We’ll take care of you”.

A quite flushed Faramir opened his eyes slightly, and somehow reached to put his hand over Kreshen's.

"I am sorry" he murmured feebly, "I did not mean to give you all these troubles."

The door opened and Boromir entered the room, followed by the healer. The man put his bag on the table, flashing a glance at Kreshen, and started to search for his tools. "I fear you should exit the room, my lady. May I have your help to undress your brother, Lord Boromir?"

Boromir nodded briefly, and then shifted his gaze to the girl. "Wait in my chambers, Kreshen."

Nodding, the girl turned to the door, glancing again at Faramir.

Boromir’s room was almost identical to Faramir’s. Unable to sit down, the girl started to nervously walk up and down the room, sighing deeply now and then.

Long minutes later Boromir entered the room, closing the door behind him.

"He's asleep" he said quietly, "the healer had him drink some sort of brew, and said that he'll be well soon. You will sleep here until then."

“What if he’ll need me?” she immediately replied, walking to the door. “What if he would need some help? I’ll sleep on the couch.”

"You will sleep here." Boromir repeated, but this time his tone was stern and commanding. "The last thing we need is to have two diseased to take care of."

“Oh, don’t worry, milord. I know quite well that you would never take care of me” she snapped, walking towards the window.

Boromir was commanding her again. She was feeling useless knowing that Faramir was unwell, and would have slept with him, no matter if she would be sick after that.

"I couldn't take care of you and him at the same time." he replied curtly, nearing the bed as he took off his tunic and threw it on the nearby armchair. "I don't know what you're planning to do, but I think I'll get some sleep."

The girl just glanced at him, sighing softly. That man was a mystery to her. He was harsh again.

But it was very late, and Kreshen was tired, so she took off her leggings and went to the other side of the bed, laying down and covering herself with the blanket, staring at the ceiling.

Boromir settled himself under the covers, and glanced at the girl before giving her his back and sigh contentedly, relishing the warm comfort of the heavy covers. "Sleep well." he said quietly, not expecting an answer.

“Thank you” she said instead. “Good night”.

Kreshen woke up late, but she noticed that Lord Boromir was still sound asleep.

Paying attention not to wake him up, she quietly dressed herself, exiting the room.

A servant prepared a large tray with some cake, biscuits, hot milk with fine honey and fresh fruit, for Lord Faramir’s breakfast.

Once finished, Kreshen asked her to take it to his chamber, and vanished into the dark corridor.

A moment later she peered into Faramir’s room, pleasantly surprised to see him awake, and forgot to close the door.

“You should sleep, you know that?” she smiled at the man, showing her relief to see him better than the day before.

“I’m here to help you with your breakfast” Kreshen added when she had reached the bed and set down the tray.

"You shouldn't be here.. I don't want you to get sick." Faramir said softly, though in fact he was quite happy to see her. To him her very presence was like a sunbeam breaking through the clouds, especially now that he was bedridden and feverish, and the only company he could afford was that of his beloved books.

Boromir had waken up minutes before, and when he had realized that Kreshen wasn't anywhere in the room he had dressed himself, decided to find her. Once in the corridor he had heard soft voices coming from his brother's half opened door, and somehow curiosity had got the better of him.

What were they like with each other, when they were alone?

He peered into the room somewhat shyly, knowing that spying on them like that wasn't probably a good idea, and feeling like he was right in the way. It hadn't been like that the other night, when he'd entered Faramir's room and found him making love with her. To Boromir, that was just sex. Nothing more, and nothing less. Now he was invading their privacy.

Mind, she was still a mistress to him. But now he could also see her like a woman, and not just like a mere sexual object. Aside from his mother and the pampered daughters of their allies, most of the women he dealed with in his life were whores, or easygoing plebs willing to have a tumble or two with the Steward's son.

And he wasn't used to this. Kreshen was way too demure, too soulful, too gracious to be compared to the other women he'd known until then. Maybe only his mother was like that, but when she had died he was but a child, and he couldn't remember much about her. The only things he could actually remember quite clearly were her warm embraces, and charitable bright eyes.

In the meantime Kreshen was lovingly feeding his sickened brother, smiling at him, cherishing him tenderly. No masters, no lords there. Only a slender, smiling girl and a young man named Faramir.

It was just then that Boromir realized that Kreshen had never called him by name. Never, not one time. Nor had she smiled or looked at him that way, with such tender affection in her eyes, and of all things he couldn't certainly blame her for that. It was clear that she and Faramir were not in love, but yet there was such mutual understanding, such fond closeness between them that he found himself envying Faramir, even if just for a second. Shame promptly followed.

Boromir drew back almost instinctively, suddenly wishing to just flee and vanish somewhere else to avoid witnessing how very differently his dear brother Faramir was being treated by Kreshen. Suddenly aware of how truly lonely he was.

An half hour later, a smiling Kreshen entered his room, carrying a tray full of food. She managed someway to close the door behind her, noticing that Boromir was sitting on the couch.

Slowly, she carefully settled the tray on the little table near to where he was sitting.

“I’ve thought that you hadn’t had any breakfast, milord” she told him politely, avoiding to say that she hadn’t eaten, yet.

“So I’ve brought you something. You should eat it while it’s hot”.

Boromir's gaze shifted from the tray to Kreshen's eyes, and he nodded. "Thank you." he said quietly, fighting to hide how upset he still was, and smiling faintly.

"How is Faramir?"

“He’s better, but still weak. I think he’s feeling feverish but would like to go out, for he don’t like to stay into the bed” she answered, pouring some hot tea into a mug, and handing it to Boromir.

Just then, she seemed to notice that something was wrong, and tried to understand what was he up to.

He seemed quite upset, but she wasn’t able to find the cause.

That morning she had been quite surprised to see that during the night he hadn’t tried something on her. Even if she wouldn’t want to think about it, in her mind there was still the ghost of his violence on her.

“Would you like some biscuits? Or maybe some cake. Or I could prepare you some bread and honey. What do you prefer?”

"My tea will be enough" Boromir replied, in a strangely soft voice. "I am not hungry."

He was clutching the mug into his hands, nervously, and the urge to avert his eyes was almost unbearable.

Too close. She was too close, and he didn't know exactly what he was supposed to do. He could just sip his tea nonchalantly and look at the fire crackling in front of him, or try to enter into some kind of conversation. He did neither. He stood up, placing the mug on the tray, and walked to the window to look outside.

"It is raining again." he said, cursing himself immediately. What a lame thing to say.

“Really?” she asked then, walking behind him to look outside.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been out. The last time I was in my village…”

Sighing deeply, she settled herself at his side, glancing at him for a moment and then averting her gaze.

“Will you stay home for a while? Faramir told me that you travel a lot” she asked, but she suddenly turned to look at him. Scared. She had been a fool to talk to him in that confidential tone, referring to her master simply as Faramir.

"Faramir is right." Boromir replied quietly, noticing the fear in her eyes and choosing to ignore deliberately the lack of etiquette. Not that he cared too much about it, anyway. "I will probably leave again in a couple of weeks, but I don't know for certain. It could be sooner, it could be later."

“I’m sorry, milord” she quietly muttered, sighing softly. “It’s just that…sometimes I forget my place here.”

Then, walking towards the fireplace, she turned to look at him.

“I’ll go into the kitchens to have my breakfast. Is there something else I can do for you?”

"Yes, there is something you can do." he said, turning around to meet her gaze. "Have your breakfast here with me."

It wasn't a command given by a lord to his mistress, this time, only a request from a person to another. He was craving more than anything else for her company, willing to try, at least, and be a little more sympathetic towards her.

“I’m glad to comply” she smiled, looking directly into his grey eyes, a little surprised by his kindness.

Taking a piece of hot apple cake, she took it to Boromir, still smiling.

“But I’ll eat here only if you’ll eat with me. Here” Kreshen told quietly, handing the cake. “Take this. And come sit near the fireplace”.

"It's a deal."

Boromir ate his cake quietly, sipping his tea now and then, saying nothing and without looking at her. He was content just to know that she was there at his side, it was enough for him. Once finished with the breakfast he stood up to set the mug on the tray, and stretched lazily. It was good to be at home and on rest, yes, but also awfully boring after a while.

"What do you do when you're hidden in that room all day?"

“I bore to death!” she chuckled, turning to look at him. “Well I usually read some of Faramir’s books, or maybe I look outside, imagining how could it be to ride again over the hills”.

She was quite at ease with him now, even if she could sense that he was still pushing her away, maybe without even knowing it.

“Are you boring yourself?” she suddenly asked, a worried frown on her face. “I don’t mind to stay alone, if you want to go out. I promise to stay here, I’ll touch nothing of yours and I’ll check on Faramir now and then”.

"It's raining" Boromir shrugged, walking to the window again. "I would call my trainer or drag Faramir in the courtyard otherwise, and fence for an hour or two. With this weather there is not so much to do outside, I fear, and my brother is ridden in bed. So what do you suggest?"

“Well…” she began, running an hand through her black hair. “We could have a nice and relaxing chat, if you don’t mind. We hardly know each other…”

“If you’re interested in knowing each other…” she added after a moment, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course." he said, nodding, and crossing his arms across the chest. "I'd very much like to know how you happened to be bought and taken here, and where you come from, for instance."

“Do you?” she smiled, eyeing him curiously, and then setting her feet on the couch to embrace her knees.

“My family was really poor. I was their first daughter, but I have got a lot of brothers and sisters, and my father’s money wasn’t enough” she explained, sighing softly and looking at the fire.“One day I was walking outside and your father saw at me. He entered my home and offered a shamefully high amount of money to buy me. My father immediately accepted. Without thinking twice” the girl continued, smiling bitterly. “He’s like dead to me. I don’t want to see him anymore. I’ll never forgive him for what he’s done to me. I’ve been measured and checked as you do with a beast at the market place. I’ve been forced to stay naked for three days. Without food. For I didn’t want to accept the fact that I’ve been sold as a sexual slave to the Steward. That’s all. And there’s just my beauty to blame. If I wasn’t like that your father wouldn’t have noticed me. I’ve always promised to myself that I would have made love for the first time only with the one man I would have come to love. Fate has brought Faramir to me. It could have been worse…”

She had talked without even breathing. Decided to tell him everything and lighten her hearth of that heavy burden she was carrying from too much time.

"Yes, it could have been worse." Boromir agreed, turning to look outside the window again. "It could have been I." he added bitterly then, unsure of how he was feeling in that moment.

“Are you always so…” she started, searching for the right words to choose, turning to look at him. “…reckless?”

“I thought that you did that to me for you didn’t like me. And so you…you’ve been that rough…”

Boromir couldn't hold back a smile at her words, and he didn't avert his eyes this time. "On the contrary, I like you very much." he said, still smiling. "But please tell me.. what do you mean exactly with reckless?"

“Well” she began, “you didn’t…even kiss me, or wait for me to…to be accustomed to you, to be…ready for you. And when you finished you put on your clothes and walked away.”

Kreshen was attentively studying his reactions. She still couldn’t believe that he had told her that he liked her very much.

"Kisses are for lovers" Boromir replied quietly, "and that's not what we are. The women that I use to bed do not trouble themselves with such matters, but just wait for it to be over and to get their payoff."

“I am not paid to do it” she told him back, a little sadly, averting her gaze. “And Faramir always kisses me. He’s gentle and we talk a lot. I’ve helped him to stay up when he fought with your father. I’m here to prepare him a hot bath when he comes back tired from his scouting. We warm each other’s nights. It’s not only sex, milord. When I’m with him I don’t want it to be over. Even if we aren’t lovers”.

"He would be glad to hear that." was Boromir's curt reply, followed by a deep sigh. He looked at Kreshen again, thoughtfully this time, and faltered a little before asking that question, the question that was in his mind since she had told him about how different was his brother's behaviour towards her.

"Would you kiss me?"

Kreshen fixed her gaze on him, thoughtfully. Then she answered. Sure of herself.

“Yes. But…just if you promise me not to be rough…I don’t think you’re such a monster, milord”.

"Try me." Boromir said, nearing her just to stop a few paces away. "But I do want your assent this time. And I want you to mean it."

Smiling, the girl stood up, crossing the small distance between them, and looking longingly into his eyes.

Very slowly, she raised one hand to his face, caressing his cheek, his soft blonde hair and his neck.

A moment later, her lips were caressing his, her eyes closed as her arms were circling his neck, almost clinging to him.

Boromir sighed softly at the contact, but he didn't return the kiss at once. It was very different from all the other kisses he'd given or been given, it was soft and unhurried, almost affectionate. He couldn't remember ever kissing someone just to kiss before, being usually led by instinct rather than by tenderness or affection when dealing with the opposite sex, but he was quite liking it nonetheless. Though it wasn't some sort of foreplay, nor a passionate outburst targeted to a sole purpose.

He eventually closed his eyes, and his strong arms wrapped around her slim waist almost of their own will. Allowing himself to relax he relished the softness of Kreshen's lips, trying to match her gentleness, inhaling the delicate scent of her skin and holding her tight within his arms.

They continued to kiss like this for a while, Kreshen caressing his face and back to let him relax.

Just when she felt that he was quite at ease, she parted her lips, gently licking and nibbling at his lower lip, relishing the feeling of his strong body against her own.

Boromir parted his lips in response, a sound very similar to a soft moan escaping from him as their tongues met. At the same time he tightened his grip on her, clinging to her lithe, perfect body, and yet he had the presence of mind to let her be in charge and guide him. He didn't deepen the kiss, even though his head was already spinning and his breathing getting shallow and quick, his hands settled firmly on the small of her back.

A moment later the kiss deepened, and Kreshen was feeling almost dizzy with desire.

He could kiss.

With a simple, sensual kiss, he had put her body on fire. Something that had never occurred.

When they finally parted for the lack of air, she looked at him, softly panting, her eyes bright and her lips swollen from kissing.

“I told you that you can be gentle and tender if you want to…”

"Possibly" Boromir replied, his gaze locked with Kreshen's as one of his hands travelled along her spine, reaching to caress her neck and shoulders. "But.. I want you quite badly now. Does that worry you?"

“No” she just whispered, gently caressing his chest. “I want you, too…”

A small smile curved Boromir's lips at her words, and he leaned closer to steal another kiss, more urgent and demanding this time.

"Do you trust me, then?" he whispered, dragging her unhurriedly towards the wide bed and staring straight into her eyes.

“I know you’re a man of honour” she whispered back, holding his look, laying down when her knees touched the edge of the wide bed.

And she took him with her into the process, smiling again and claiming his lips for another burning kiss.

During said kiss the majority of Kreshen's garments were removed, and subsequently thrown away by a quite impatient Boromir. His tunic had to deal with the same fate mere moments later, and even before the piece of clothing hit the ground the man was already bustling hastily with his belt, eager to get rid of anything that was in the way between him and Kreshen. Once done with the belt and kicking away the boots he stopped unexpectedly to look at her, panting and flushed.

"May I proceed?"

Smiling again at him, pleasantly surprised by his behaviour, the girl quietly helped him to remove his leggings.

Once finished, she took hold of his face, kissing his forehead and looking intently into his eyes.

“It must be an elvish spell…you behave so differently…”

"Oh, believe me" Boromir grinned, returning the intense stare. "I'm holding back with great effort, my lady. But I.. I want you to like it, this time."

“I’m liking it…” she whispered back, smiling, before she reached the back of his neck with one hand and pulled him towards her, tracing a wet path with her tongue from his lips to his neck, stopping now and then to kiss and nibble his earlobe, knowing all too well that it was a weak spot.

Boromir couldn't hold back a moan and a shudder, tilting his head to the side to expose his neck further, lips slightly parted and eyes closed.

"Oh Valar" he panted, clinging to her. "I want you so much, Kreshen.."

“I want you, too” she whispered, without stopping her ministrations, feeling the heat emanating from his body and his thick erection pressed against her belly.

A moment later, she slowly began to rub herself against him, moaning softly against his ear and closing her eyes for a moment, due to the unbearable sensation.

Holding her tight by the waist, Boromir shifted on the bed to lay flat onto his back, with Kreshen on top of him. He was matching her movements perfectly, panting and sighing helplessly beneath her, doing his best not to rush things and wait for her to be ready for him.

Closing her eyes, the girl shifted her body to let him enter her, and hissed in pleasure when he did it.

It was a wonderful sensation to be filled with that man, even if she knew all too well that it was a one time stand, a sexual game and nothing more.

But while slowly moving onto him, staring at his face while she was pleasuring him, she couldn’t help but think that she had become very fond of that man. Immediately cursing herself. He was one of her masters. She shouldn’t think about him that way, for the only thing that it could come out was a heart broken. Hers.

Boromir had his eyes closed and his head thrown back, shiny golden hair scattered over the pillow. Both of his hands were still settled at her waist, the grasp firm and yet not tight enough to bruise, his hips were moving in time with hers.

And this, too, was very different from their first time together. It was not just physical this time, no, it was like they had some sort of connection, it was mutual. She wasn't just laying down, waiting for him to fulfill his needs. She was making love to him.

He opened his eyes, searching for any sign of discomfort on her beautiful, flushed face, and finding none. He fought to keep his eyes open as his hands slid up from her slender waist to cup her breasts, fondling and teasing rosy nipples, a low groan escaping from his lips when he felt her shudder and tense.

Moaning out loudly at his ministrations, Kreshen quickened her pace, closing her eyes and soon panting with lust.

The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire into the fireplace and their sounds while their pace became almost frantic, their release nearing more and more.

At a certain point, Kreshen began to feel the heat build in her lower belly, bursting seconds later in an explosion of pleasure, causing her almost to cry out for it was even too much for her.

After a few more thrusts each and every muscle in Boromir's body tensed, and his back arched sharply. His hands left her breast just to grip convulsively at her waist, again, his fingers digging in the soft skin. He found himself moaning her name as pleasure reached its peak, shaking the very core of his being, leaving him trembling and breathless.

Waiting for him to recover, Kreshen just laid down onto his chest, nuzzling her face between his neck and shoulder, all the time gently caressing his hair and chest.

From where she was, she could feel that his heartbeat and his breathing were still erratic, and closing her eyes, she allowed herself to relax.

Without opening his eyes Boromir wrapped his arms around her, almost unconsciously, and sighed softly. Now that was relaxing, he thought, a small smile slowly curving his lips. And it was beautiful to have her so close, beautiful to share the afterglow and the heat of their tangled bodies.

"It's been good." he stated quietly then, still unmoving, as if afraid that it would have broken the spell.

“You’ve been wonderful” she whispered, placing a gentle kiss on his neck, and relishing his closeness.

About an hour later, Kreshen raised her head to look at him, gently caressing his cheeks and kissing his mouth with the outmost tenderness, smiling sweetly.

"I might get used to this.. this closeness." Boromir chuckled, returning the kiss and then staring intently at her for some moments. "We should go to check on Faramir" he said, "and it's almost lunch time. Do you want to have your meal served in his room?"

“Yes” she nodded, kissing the tip of his nose and reluctantly standing up, searching for her dresses that were abandoned on the carpet.

Slowly, she started to dress up, her eyes never leaving his.

It was as if something had changed between them. In a good way.

When she had finished, she prepared his dress on his bed, and walked to the door, stopping on the doorframe to look longingly at him before to go to Faramir’s.