His own heavy footsteps echoed in the deserted alley, a pale full moon shining high overhead; the distant, drunken laughters and the clashing of jugs coming from the tavern got closer and closer with every step he took. That was where he was going to spend his night, once again. And he, the Steward of Gondor, wasn't supposed to be there.

It had been many weeks since Nienna had gone. Vanished. Not even Thorongil had been able - or maybe willing - to help him find his sister and get her back home, saying that he didn't know where she was and that he had other matters to think about, his wife expecting their first child. Boromir, though, had not missed the blame in his soldier's eyes whenever it came to talking about such things. It was pretty obvious that he had no doubt about who the culprit was. In fact, no one did.

Even Aragorn, who had personally cared to inform him that Nienna had actually been spending that fateful afternoon in the gardens with her brother, thought he was culpable for what had happened. And yes, he actually was. He knew that.

It had not been wise to doubt her word, not after all they'd been through together, he was at least supposed to trust her the tiniest bit. Yet he had not. And not because of something she had said or done, but only because of his undue possessiveness and jealousy.

And it had been altogether foolish to allow his instinct to take over him later that night, when he'd seduced Faramir. Seduced, he mentally repeated to himself, and a wave of burning shame crept its way to his very guts. But there was no other word; that was exactly what he had done.

Now, he was alone because of that. He had lost someone he loved, he had lost Nienna, maybe forever and the grief for such loss was still keen.

Barely eating, barely sleeping, drinking way too much and not caring about anything but his duties towards the Kingdom. He was the mere shadow of what he used to be: the worthy Steward and the valiant warrior weren't there anymore.

Barely alive.

The noises coming from the tavern were now very clear to his ears. Almost out of reflex, he pulled the hood down to cover his face further, and quickened his pace.

He really needed his ale. Yes.

The host showed him a place where he could sit down. A secluded spot where no one would bother him. The fat man was secretly commiserating that hooded stranger, knowing that he was probably blaming himself over something. Drinking pint over pint, until his legs were barely sustaining him.

Poor man, he thought, and before returning to his other customers, he glanced at the lonely woman to the other table. She seemed to be miles away.

Nienna was in fact looking at her jug, clearly bored. When she raised her eyes to look at the newly arrived, her heart skipped a beat, and her hands started to tremble.

But she would have been able to recognize Boromir among a thousand other men. From the way her heart was beating faster and faster, and her hands were almost crushing the glass as if it was the most tender of the materials. Yes. The Valars wanted her to face the worst of her nightmares.

Forcing herself to let go of the jug, she lowered her own hood, in a clumsy attempt to cover her face. Hoping with all of her heart that he hadn't recognized her.

Two months had passed from the last time she had seen him. That damned night when he was making love to his brother. Two cursed months. The worst of her entire life. If Thorongil hadn’t found her, Nienna didn't know what could have been of her. Risking his life, his career and everything else, her brother had taken her to his home. Not a soul knew where she was.

And indeed just now she understood what he had done to help her. For now she was well enough.

As soon as Thorongil had found her, he had immediately understood that there was something wrong. She was dripping wet, with a faintly insane expression over her features. For a whole month she had been crying, refusing the food they offered to her.

Nienna had recently fully recovered from a nervous breakdown. And she would have never thanked enough that little part of family she had left.

But there were no pssibilities she could avoid such a confrontation. He would have followed her, and she couldn't risk having her brother banished. Sighing deeply, she just stood there, her head hung low and the hood hiding her face.

Crossing her fingers almost childishly.

It was only after his second ale that Boromir glanced in her direction, almost without seeing her. He had spent most of the time with his head low, drinking, and blaming himself for what he'd done. Pitying himself. And wondering if he could possibily sink any lower than that.. most unlikely, indeed.

A few moments later he turned again, as if on second thought, to glance at the hooded figure. Whoever it was he didn't seem too cheerful, either, but Boromir couldn't see his face. Not since the hooded stranger was keeping it low and staring at the jug in his hands.

I'm in good company after all, he thought idly, only to realize after a split second that those indeed weren't the hands of a man.

Almost without thinking he stood up, his heart now beating wildly in his chest. He didn't know why, but it was as if something was pushing him to near that table, to see who it was. Hope, maybe. A fool's hope.

As he was approaching her table, Nienna felt even more insecure. She couldn't face him.

Suddenly all she wanted was to be miles away from him and that tavern, and she stood up as well. Actually dribbling him and swiftly approaching the exit.

Unfortunately also one of the drunken customers was trying to reach the door. One of the bottles scattered on the floor made him skid, and to avoid falling down, he clutched at Nienna's mantle. Pulling so much that soon she found herself without her hood to hide her face.

Scared to death, she glanced at Boromir, who was like frozen in the middle of the wide room. Taking advantage of his distraction, Nienna pushed away the drunken man, running outside.

I can't face him. I am not able to face him. I will not come back. He will not take me...

She didn't actually have the chance to go anywhere. Boromir, suddenly sobered up by her sight, had already caught up and grabbed her right arm, staring at her as if he was facing a ghost. For long moments he didn't speak, didn't move, almost didn't blink.

Nienna had probably been in Minas Tirith all the time, and he had not been able to find her. But now, for the Valar's sake, now she was right there before him and he wasn't going to let her go. Not again.

When he eventually managed to speak, his voice was just as unsteady as his legs, knees threatening to give away.

"Where--where have you been? All this time, where have you been?"

"Away from you" she just said. Actually trying to free herself. Without looking in his eyes.

Too painful. It was too painful to look at him, past memories now filling her mind. And the hurt for what he had done was still there. The wound had been painfully reopened as she had seen him again. Yet she wouldn't give him another possibility to laugh at her. Not anymore.

"Let me go, Boromir. It's over. I don't want to see you anymore".

"But I'm here now." he said, without letting go of her arm. At all. He seized also the other one instead, forcing Nienna to face him, even if she was stubbornly refusing to meet his eyes. "Look at me! For the Valar's sake Nienna, look at me!" he said heatedly, and yet almost pleading. He was well aware to be probably sounding pathetic and desperate, but at the same time he knew he couldn't let her go. He couldn't.

"Please, I'm asking you please.. give me the chance to explain if not else, give me at least that.."

"Explain ?" she almost roared, now clearly vexed. Despise and hurt were clearly taking over her features, despite all of her efforts to hold it back.

"What do you want to explain, Boromir? What ?I don't need an explanation, I don't need you ! What I've seen it's been clear enough! You've just had fun, you needed someone to marry. What do you want to tell me now? Y-you were... fucking your brother! I will never, ever come back to you. Never again! Go back to him and let me go. You've hurt me enough..."

Boromir shook his head at once, his hold on her arms firmer than ever.

"It's not like that.. it's all wrong" he said, still staring in her eyes. "I really wanted to marry you and I really loved you, I still do! Else why would I be still bothering you? Why would I have spent those weeks hoping to find you, doing anything to meet you again and cursing myself for what I've done? Why?"

"I don't even want to know..." she said, averting her eyes.

"Honestly...what do you want me to do? I'm sure that if you'd have found me making love to another man you'd had me banished without thinking twice. So what should I do now? Forgive you for that little mistake and go on as if nothing had really happened?"

"I want you to listen to what your heart says, for once" the warrior answered, in an uncharacteristically soft voice. "I want you to punish me for what I've done, if you think it's due, and I want you to give us a chance to see if there is actually something worth fighting for, something worth starting it all over again. That's what I'm asking of you, Nienna. Now you can send me away, and I will never bother you again. Or you can say that you still want me, at least the tiniest bit.. it would be enough for me."

For some reason the thought of losing him forever had been like a stab right in her chest. And it was clearly showed by her eyes, finally looking at Boromir. Nienna had never been good in disguising her mood.

Anger. Hurt. But also love. Unconditional love.

"It's not so easy, Boromir" she started after some moments, her voice shaky. "I can't just delete it from my mind. I can't just punish you and then forget it all. We've been fighting from the beginning. And I really believed there was something worth. But...but you've betrayed me, and I don't trust you anymore. Right now I just think you've used me. You will never love me as I do. That love of yours is reserved to Faramir...not to me."

Sighing deeply, Boromir seemed to consider the whole situation for some moments. She was right, no need to tell. But yet she hadn't rejected him thoroughly, and the barest hint of hope was still there. His fool's hope. He didn't want to lose her again.

"Listen to me then," he began, taking her face in his hands. "I will prove you how much I want you by my side, and I won't let you down this time. I swear I'll make you trust me again, just give me this chance.. you won't regret it. I swear, Nienna."

"I'm scared..." she murmured softly. Clearly upset by that contact. She had never thought she was going to feel his hands on her again. Yet he was there, asking her to give him a chance. The whole situation had her bewildered and confused.

"I don't want to be hurt. Not again. I couldn't bear it..."

"You won't get hurt. And I know you're scared.. I am too.."

Yes, he was scared. But only of losing the one he loved again, not to fail to meet her expectations or not to be able to make her happy. He only had to be careful, and everything else would have come by itself, little by little. No doubts about that.

"Where have you been all this time? Where have you been hiding? The Valar know if I've been looking for you.."

"I can't tell you" she said. Knowing that he would become mad at Thorongil, should he discover that she had been at his home all the time. And she didn't want to lose her brother, again. Not at all.

If he should ask her to follow him to the palace, she had to accept. Or else he would have surely followed her. Boromir was way too stubborn to accept a denial.

Thoronghil and Jezeanne had to think about their first child. What if Boromir would have them banished?

But this was not the only thing which scared her. And it would have been better to discuss about it now.

"I need to know something..." Nienna then said, without faltering the littlest. A determined expression upon her features.

"What are you planning to do with...Faramir?"

"Nothing.." Boromir answered, shaking his head. Then, not wanting to be misunderstood again, he added quickly: "I mean, we have never talked about the whole matter.. and nothing has ever happened again since that night, just as it's meant to be.. it's.. over."

He sighed softly then, still holding her face gently with both hands, and hinted a little smile.

"Just over. It's me and you now."

"No, it's not..." she sighed, shaking her head. "I still haven't agreed in coming back home with you, Boromir. And surely I don't want to start it all over again. We've been fighting from the beginning because of Faramir. I could not even say the name and you started to get angry. I want you to be honest, at least to yourself. I heard very well what you said to him when...when--"

"I know." Boromir said simply, and a heavy silence followed. But he didn't let go of her face, nor did he avert his eyes.

"I'm being honest this time Nienna, now I know I love the both of you." he said then, "In a different way, and I'm more than willing to give him up and to spend my life with you alone, if you still want me.. I'm not doing this because I and Faramir could never be together openly, please don't misunderstand me again.. you can't even imagine how much I've missed you. If there was a decision to take, then I've taken mine."

Nienna seemed to consider his words carefully. In his eyes there was no trace of lies. Yet she was still scared. Not that one can forgive a betrayal so easily, anyway. And the prospect of coming back and facing Faramir didn't make her enthusiastic. Not at all.

"I don't know, Boromir..." she finally murmured, lowering her eyes. Sighing deeply. "What if I come back and you start it all over again? What? And...then Faramir will be mad at me, you will feel guilty for he's suffering...What would you do then? Would you...make love to him again if we should fight ? Just to...punish me some way?"

This time Boromir drew back, disbelief on his face.

"You really think that's the reason why I've done it before?" he demanded, actually and utterly astonished. "Dear Valar Nienna, how can you even consider such a thing?"

Another brief silence, then. And for the first time since they'd met that night, Boromir was the one to avert his eyes.

"If I was.. trying to punish someone, that someone was rather Faramir."

The same moment he'd uttered the words, disbelief had been replaced by something else - something indefinable, possibly regret. And blame, blame for himself, the valiant warrior who'd been so weak and thoughtless to allow impulsiveness to take over. Ruining and wasting and discarding anything he had.

"I couldn't stand him avoiding me and being so cold, almost annoyed by my mere presence. That's why I've done it. I don't think I've ever felt more ashamed of myself and my reckless behaviour, I don't blame you for running away from me."

"You broke my heart..." was all she managed to murmur, as images of Boromir making love to his brother flooded her mind. The words he had whispered in the throes of passion echoing in her head. Over and over again.

Then she turned away, unable to stand still and look at him.

Just then, the tavern's door burst open. And a fuming fat man made his appearence on the doorsill. His eyes narrowed when he saw her. He was the one she had pushed aside to try and escape from Boromir. Nienna could clearly see that he was drunk, and involuntarily she stepped back.

"You silly little bitch..." he hissed, grabbing her tunic to pull her closer. "I'll beat you until you'll be begging for me to stop..."

"Let me go, you stupid swine!" she said harshly, actually trying to free herself.

But the man just glanced at the hooded stranger. Just to be sure that he wasn't dangerous. And when he seemed satisfied, evidently believing that he was just one of her customers, he raised one of his large paws and slapped her hard.

"Shut up!"

By then Boromir, who had been gripping the hilt of his sword since the man had come out of the tavern, his hand conveniently hidden by the cloak, had already drawn the weapon. And the tip of the blade was pressed uncomfortably against the drunkard's throat.

"Leave. Her. Alone.." the warrior growled, his voice low and dangerous. "And mark my words: I wouldn't soil my hands because of such a useless weakling, you're not even worth that. Yet I wouldn't scruple to cut your head off with my sword. Back off."

Actually sobered up by his words and by the cold steel which was already scratching his skin, the fattish man did as he was asked. Then, after another resentful glance at the woman, he just ran away as fast as he managed to. Soon vanishing in the darkness.

Nienna brought her hand to her mouth, to wipe a tiny drop of blood sliding from her lower lip. Her eyes soon met Boromir's, and something deep inside of her stirred. Boromir wasn't supposed to care for her. Yet he had immediately defended her, without falthering the littlest. Odd.

"Thank you..."

As soon as he'd sheathed his sword the warrior neared Nienna to have a look at her sore lip, plain concern in his eyes.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked softly, brushing his thumb over the offended area with all the gentleness he could muster, not wanting to cause her further pain. "Did he?"

"It's nothing, don't worry for me..." she said, clearly upset by his behaviour, and above all from that little contact. A part of her was still stubbornly trying to deny her feelings for him, screaming that she had to find someone else. But it wasn't easy. She missed him, and she knew that deep in her heart she still loved him. Even if it hurt.

"I have to go now, Boromir..."

"Come home with me."

It was not a command, but rather a plea. And it took some moments for Boromir to realize that he'd grasped her arm in an attempt to keep her in place. As soon as he realized, though, he let go of it at once.

"Let me take care of you.. even if it's nothing, allow me to take care of it."

Sighing softly, Nienna lowered her eyes to his hands. Were they trembling or was it her imagination? She didn't know. Yet the look in his eyes, that look, made her understand that she really wanted to give him another chance. Not that she had already forgiven him. The wound was still open. It still hurt. But she was ready to take what was to come. The time to run away was over. She knew that she would have never loved anyone else.

"I want...a room on my own. If--if I come along with you it doesn't mean that I've forgiven you. It's...still hard...and it'll get harder as I'll see that room...and your brother".

"I know" Boromir agreed, a soft sigh slipping past his lips as he took her hand into his. He just held it for some moments, squeezing it gently, and then brought it to his mouth to place a tiny kiss on its back.

"But--but I'll be at your side Nienna, I'll give you all the time in the world. I won't disappoint you this time."

A weak nod was all she managed to do.

As they were walking side by side to get to the palace, her hand was still enveloped by his larger one. It was quite late and excluding the guards at the entrance, it seemed that everyone was already asleep. Nienna didn't utter a single word throughout the walk. She was well aware of the awkward silence between them, yet she couldn't help it. As they reached the corridor, that corridor, she let go of Boromir's hand almost without noticing. And she had to appeal all of her self-control not to burst into tears.

Her uneasiness wasn't unnoticed by the warrior who, anyway, thought it would be better to say nothing on the matter and kept on walking. He only led her to her chamber and opened the door, waiting for her to enter before following her inside.

The room was just like it had been left two months before: Boromir, in his hope to find Nienna and bring her back home, had had the servants cleaning it almost every day, changing the bedcloths and filling the vases with fresh flowers. It looked as though she had never left the palace.

"I'll fetch some herbs for that lip of yours," Boromir said quietly, following Nienna with his gaze from the doorsill. "else it'll most likely swell and hurt quite badly tomorrow."

Turning to look at him, the woman folded her arms on her chest. As if trying to cling to something. The whole thing seemed unreal to her. To be there in her old chamber, with Boromir on the doorsill, made it seem as if she had never ran away. Nienna was living again her old life. And she was quite scared.

"Thank you..." she just murmured, without meeting his eyes.

Boromir left the room without another word. He was back but a few minutes later, carrying a small vial and a white cloth, and closed the door behind his back.

"This should do" he said, giving her a nervous smile as he sat on the edge of the bed. Still he could scarcely believe to actually have her back. Back at the palace, if not else, but indeed he wasn't likely to complain.

"Come here"

Nienna's eyes met his for a moment. And then she sat at his side, paying attention not to touch his body with hers. Looking at her feet just to avoid letting him see how scared she was to be with him again. Deep inside her heart she was just hoping that everything could return as it was before. Yet her mind was screaming that it was impossible. He didn't love her, no matter how much she craved to believe it.

Boromir, too, was silent and unmoving for a few moments, just clutching the cloth and staring absently at the vial.

Uneasiness. Of course, he'd anticipated it to be hard at first. But it wasn't certainly going to get any better if the both of them would just avoid looking at each other and utter not a single word, was it? So, mustering a good deal of self confidence and another good deal of determination, he finally decided to speak.

"Nienna, look at me" he prompted gently, yet without moving or touching her in any way. "I need to see your face"

Sighing deeply, the woman forced herself to do as he had asked. And finally she locked eyes with him. Clutching at her tunic just to avoid running away again. Too close. He was too close and she didn't know what to do. A thousand of emotions were shaking her very core, and she knew that it was clearly showed all over her face. But she was somewhat surprised to notice that he was faring no better.

"I'm sorry" she murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I-I'm just...I don't know..."

"Scared." a seemingly calm Boromir stated, hinting another strained smile as he poured some of the content of the vial on the white cloth. Then he neared her face, and started to wipe away the dried blood from Nienna's lips and chin as gently and carefully as he could, his grey eyes straying back to hers now and then. Though almost imperceptibly, his hands were trembling.

"I am scared as well."

"You shouldn't be scared" she murmured, sighing softly and trying to look elsewhere. His hands were igniting fires wherever they touched her, and she wasn't supposed to feel him like that. Not at all.

"Besides...I'm just...worrying that nothing will never be as it was before..."

At such words Boromir sighed, and retreated his hand in order to shed more of the greenish, thick fluid over the white fabric. Still he seemed absolutely calm. To an attentive eye, though, would have come easy to infer that he was merely trying to restrain himself. It was easy to tell by the way he was being careful not to touch Nienna's body with his, by the slight trembling of his hands, by the way he was keeping his jaw clenched shut.

"I think you're right," he eventually said, or rather muttered. "it'll never be the same. I only hope it'll be better than it was."

When their eyes met again, he didn't smile. And many long, significant moments passed before he spoke again, his voice slightly husky. And expectant, just like the look lingering in the grey depths of his eyes.

"Don't you, Nienna?"

Gulping nervously, the woman didn't avert her gaze. Just now she had realized that each and every time he looked straight at her, she held her breath. It was as if the mere presence of the man she loved so much was stealing the air. She was dying to forget it all, being kissed and held by him until morning. As if nothing else in the world mattered. Yet there was still a side of her which was stubbornly refusing even the mere possibility. A weak part it was.

One of her hands eventually settled on his larger one. Squeezing it affectively. Her eyes never leaving his.

"It'd be a dream..to--to start it all over again. Just you and me, living our life together. Bracing each other and solving our problems together. D--do you think we'll ever manage to?"

A small, almost sheepish smile slowly crept its way to the gondorian's lips, his eyes still locked with Nienna's. He nodded just as slowly, the cloth and the sore lip he was supposed to be tending to momentarily forgotten.

"Yes." he said. Meaning it. Then he leaned slightly forward, an rested his forehead against hers in an affectionate gesture, only for a few seconds, kissing the tip of her nose before drawing back. He wasn't sure whether she'd want to have him that close, and that soon, so he shifted his attentions back to the cloth, and poured yet more liquid onto it. Even if there was no need to.

"Here, let me see that lip. Then I'll let you sleep, you must be tired and in need of rest."

"I am..." she whispered, sighing softly and looking elsewhere.

Nienna remained quiet and unmoving to let him finish his task. It wasn't a bad idea. She had to stay alone and think about what was happening. Then the following day she had to tell everything to Thorongil. Yes. She needed to rest.

As soon as Boromir had finished, the woman smiled softly at him.

"See you tomorrow, then..."

Boromir nodded, staring wordlessly at her. Then he stood up, turning around to look at her again only once he'd reached the threshold.

"Goodnight, Nienna.. do you wish to have breakfast here in your room tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, thank you" she nodded. Of all things, she wasn't ready to face their King or Faramir. Not yet. And she knew that Boromir could understand the way she was feeling. She could read it in his eyes.

"Goodnight..."

When the door closed, and she was left alone, Nienna's fears re-emerged. Thorongil had never doubted that she would have returned to the palace. He aways said it was clearly written all over her face. Just now she realized how close with her brother she had become. And he had been right. Thorongil always was. That's why she had to seek his council the following day. Nienna didn't feel like following her heart. It was too dangerous.

A light knock at her door made her jolt, and she wondered who could it be at such a late hour.

"It's open!"

But a moment later, the door opened slightly. The feeble light coming from inside the bedroom seeped through the crack, and Faramir's features emerged from the darkness of the corridor. He didn't enter the room; he only opened the door enough for Nienna to see him clearly and stood there unmoving, staring back at her.

"You.. you're back" he said softly, and there was no trace of bitterness in his voice. He looked sincerely pleased to see her again.

The mere sight made her feel as if someone had punched her in the stomach. It lasted but a moment.

"Yes, I'm back. But don't pretend to be happy. I know you don't want me here. He found me, I didn't mean to intrude in your relationship again. That's why I've vanished two months ago. You managed to hurt me, and quite badly. Are you proud of yourself? You've had your revenge..."

"Revenge?" a bewildered Faramir repeated, shaking his head.

Of course. How could he expect her to be happy, or even pleased to see him after what had happened? He could remember that night very clearly, and had no doubt that she had not forgotten just as well. But a thing such as seeking revenge was something that didn't belong to him, he had never wished to punish or make her suffer in any way. But then again, he'd always been the rival, right from the start. Had he not?

"If you think I've ever wished to set you and Boromir apart, or to see you suffer, then you're wrong. I've never wanted to take him away from you. And in fact I haven't."

Nienna shook her head at his statement, sighing deeply. No. There was no way she could let him jeer her. But the last thing she wanted was to let Boromir hear that talk. A talk that should have been done from a long time.

"Come here and close the door, Faramir. There's no need to let the whole palace know that... Besides, I'm not blind, and I remember very well what happened. And you've been a shadow constantly making us fight. Right from the start".

Taking a deep sigh, Faramir did as he'd been told and closed the door. Then he took a couple of steps towards Nienna, and folded his arms while thinking carefully about an answer. How could he make her understand that he had never seen her as an enemy, in the first place?

"I swear I didn't.. encourage him in any way, that night. And Boromir, too, has soon thereafter realized that it has been a mistake and nothing more. Our relationship has probably been a mistake. Now we do know that. We both do."

"Don't lie to me" she said sternly, looking straight in his eyes. "It's clearly written all over your face that you don't believe in what you're saying. That's why I didn't want to come back here. He'll never love me. Never. You are the one he cares for. It's you he's always worried about. I'm...incidental.. Boromir just...needs me to hide what he feels for you. But I've had enough of you, Faramir. Enough. I did nothing to deserve such a grief. Yet you're hurting me, you and your brother and your love. I just want to forget it all, and to go on with my life!"

By then her eyes were stinging terribly, and she had her hands clenched into fists. Yet she never lowered her eyes.

"I did not lie" the young man retorted while nearing Nienna further, without ever averting his gaze. "I did not say I don't love him, for I do; yet I've never told him, and I never will. Why can't you understand that I don't want to be a rival to you, Nienna? Why? Why can't you understand that he loves you?"

"Because he loves you ! He loves you, fool, not me!" she actually snapped, clenching her fists. "I've asked myself if I was doing something wrong at least a thousand times. That night I realized it was not me. It's Boromir. He loves you, Faramir. You're not a rival to me. You're the one that Boromir loves, and this makes me suffer. For you can't understand what would I give to... have him care for me as he cares for you. Yet it'll never happen, no matter how hard I crave it... it'll never be..."

Blind. She was so blind not to be able to see how much she meant to Boromir.

And blinded by his own rage was Faramir who, in an attempt to knock some sense into Nienna's stubborn brain, grasped both her shoulders and even shook her. Not too roughly, for he would never deliberately hurt anyone, let alone a woman. But the gesture itself was indeed very unlike him.

"Then why do you think he's been looking for you every day since you've left, even charging his men to search villages and countries?" he almost shouted, shaking her again. "Why do you think he's almost stopped eating, almost stopped sleeping? He's become the mere shadow of who he was; I have never seen him smile in two months, not once. Yet I have seen him return home at dawn, his belly as full of beer as it could get, I've seen him so drunk not to be able to walk straight and march with his soldiers! How can you not understand, for Eru's sake?"

"Let me go!" she shouted, pushing him roughly away and swiftly jumping from the bed. Just to put some distance between her and that man. The one she couldn't almost recognize as Faramir. Involuntarily, her breathing had quickened, and she was staring at him wide-eyed. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse.

"You know nothing of me. I've spent almost two months in bed to try and recover from what I'd seen and heard. I've been blaming it over myself for being too hard on Boromir. Ceaselessly punishing my body and my mind. Trying to register the fact that the man I loved with all of my heart had betrayed me. He was making love with his brother, when he had promised me to be faithful. We had to marry. Can you understand? No. You cannot. And don't you ever dare to jump to conclusions when in fact you know pretty much nothing..."

"What I do know is enough. What I've seen during those two months is enough." Faramir retorted, though in a more controlled voice now. Still he couldn't believe he had reacted that way, and he did not attempt to near her again.

"The sooner you'll understand that Boromir actually loves you, the better. For you both. And remember this, Nienna: I will not get between you two. Ever. I do not want to, and I've never wanted to."

"It's not you, Faramir" she said, folding her arms on her chest. Still looking suspiciously at him.

"Is it so hard to understand that he loves you? He always looks at you, and he worries if you're nowhere to be seen. Boromir's upset when you are, and he suffers when you avoid him. What is this to you? What?"

Nienna's hearty question didn't get any answer, for Faramir stared at her for a few more moments before walking unhurriedly to the door. He stopped before opening it, though, and spun around.

"All I want is to see him as happy as he deserves, and with me he wouldn't." he said quietly. "He was right to say that we were but two fools, that we shouldn't have been together at all. I used to get mad at him everytime he said that. And I've probably realized too late that he was saying the truth, that he's been right all along, but it does not matter anymore." Said that he hinted a smile, and opened the door.

"Take care of him in my stead, if you will."

Then he was gone, vanished in the darkness of the corridor.

Turning and tossing for the thousandth time that night, Nienna sighed in despair. Faramir's words were echoing in her mind over and over again, almost driving her insane. Finding some rest was impossible to her.

Half an hour later a well resolved Nienna exited her chamber, warily looking around and then sneaking to Boromir's room. Feeling as if she was a thief. The corridor was silent and she saw no servants. Good.. Her hands were slightly trembling as they reached for the doorknob, but much to her relief the door didn't creak.

The half-darkness provided by the fire crackling into the fireplace allowed her to understand where Boromir was. The man was in fact lying motionless under his covers. His breathing steady and slow. Clearly asleep.

Without faltering the littlest, Nienna slipped in the bed, nestling against his body. Paying attention not to wake him up. Nuzzling his neck and smiling at the warmth she felt inside. Just that little contact had helped her to feel better.

And it was the regular heartbeat she heard against her ear which lulled her to sleep just a few minutes later.

When he drifted slowly back to consciousness, at first Boromir didn't realize to be snuggled up against someone. Someone warm, soft and comfortable and deliciously good-smelling. Someone breathing in time with him, someone -- wait..

His eyes snapped open as soon as the awareness sunk in. He propped himself up on an elbow, and almost gasped when he saw Nienna lying by his side, absolute peacefulness on her beloved features. Maybe it wasn't going to be as bad as he'd thought, after all, and she still wanted him by her side. Sure was that he did, he wanted to be with her more than anything else in that right moment. In fact, there were a lot of things they had to discuss.. privately. A lot of things that needed urgent attention.

Shaking his head amusedly, he couldn't help but grin to himself as he settled down again, taking Nienna into his arms. As if sensing the presence, she rolled onto her side; her back clung to the warrior's bare chest, making him shiver helplessly and tighten the embrace almost out of reflex.

"Valar, how I've missed you.." he whispered in her ear. Then his eyes closed, as his lips trailed a path of light kisses to her neck and shoulders.

Opening her eyes, Nienna found herself smiling. She had dreamed of Boromir cherishing and cuddling her. It had been so beautiful that she felt as if he was still there with her...actually kissing her. Then her eyes snapped open and she noticed his arm wound possessively around her waist. She tensed immediately. Slowly, she remembered that she'd be the one to search for him, the previous night. Sighing softly, she turned to face him, without drawing back at all. Just when her face was mere inches apart from his she allowed herself to hint a little smile.

"Good morning...I'm sorry if I've stolen your bed last night..." she murmured, looking straight at him. "But... I'm able to sleep peacefully only when you're with me. And I-I'd like to...talk to you, if you feel like listening to me..."

"I do." Boromir said simply, returning the smile. Then, before she could actually say anything, he gave her a light kiss on the lips and twined his legs with hers under the covers, in an attempt to pull her closer to his body. After that he settled down again though, starting to stroke her back affectionately, and waited for her to speak.

"I've never stopped loving you" she started, sighing softly. "Maybe...maybe just when I saw you with Faramir. And I've tried to hate you with all of my heart. Without actually succeeding. But I've been thinking a lot and...I think we should speak clearly. The three of us. For once we should just forget about our pride and everything else, and speak our mind. It'll only do us good. I don't want to lose you, Boromir. I can't be without you. Yet I know that you can't be without Faramir. Just...prove me that you love me...I'm so scared to be hurt again and I can't help but wonder if it's really love what you feel for me..."

"Then what else would it be?" he demanded softly, his gaze steady. One of his hands reached to stroke her face, while the other kept on sliding unhurriedly up and down her back. He couldn't bear that look in her eyes. He couldn't bear to see her hurt -- not because of him. And whoever else would dare to hurt her, would have to feel for themselves how very sharp the blade of his broadsword was.

He knew he loved her, and he knew he truly did. Now she needed that certitude too; maybe she had been needing it for a long time and he'd always been too blind and self-assured to realize. No big news here anyway.

Then speak your mind and do it now, he told to himself. You can do this. She deserves it.

"Nienna, I know I've never been clear enough about the matter.." he began quietly, stopping in order to take a deep breath and set his pride aside. "And I know that I feel.. whole when I'm with you, I feel thoroughly happy, and scared, and.. and I do not need anything else as long as I'm with you. I do love you, and I've taken you for granted for way too long; I've never been able to show you how much you mean to me, but I'll do whatever it takes to prove it now. Just tell me.."

He stopped again, both his hands now framing her face. "Tell me," he whispered, "and we'll make it all worth it this time."

Boromir's words had shaken her very core, and now Nienna was staring at him with watery eyes. He had never opened his heart to her that way. Yet he was doing it now. And just to let her understand how deeply he loved her. A fully returned love, anyway.

"I don't want you to talk to me. Show me..." she murmured, as the tears started to slide down from her eyes. "Show me how much you love me, Boromir. I--I've missed you so much...kiss me...please..."

Without a word, Boromir let his hands slide down to cup Nienna's face, lingering to brush away her tears with the utmost gentleness and care. His eyes searched into hers for a brief moment, and then closed as he leaned over. Just to bestow light kisses on her cheeks, chin, forehead, and even on the tip of her nose, playfully, grey eyes fluttering open again only to give Nienna a smile.

No further words. They would have only been empty and redundant, for sometimes a caring gesture alone is worth more than the most impressive of speeches. Boromir had never been good at that. Not when it came to unbind his own feelings, which he thought was way harder than speaking in the presence of a thousand soldiers. Before them he only had to keep his voice loud enough for everyone to hear, to look self-confident and to charge them up for battle with impassioned words.

But there was no battle to fight, and there was no crowd. All he had to do was to be himself, and hope she would love him anyway; despite his flaws and doubts and failings. Despite his being so shamefully, thoroughly human, and acting upon it.

"I love you." was all he said, or rather breathed on her skin, right before his mouth finally closed over hers. And he kissed it so slowly, deeply and devotedly that time almost seemed to stop.

Their tongues met in Nienna's mouth, and they started to stroke and caress each other. Slowly and sensually. Now and then she would suck at his lower lip, eagerly responding to his touch. Two long months had passed since the last time. Two months which seemed like vanished from the moment they had started that kiss. It was magical. It was foolish. But she wasn't able to think about their previous bickering. The only thing she was able to focus on were his lips. The cozy reassurance of his strong body clinging to hers.

In the meanwhile, her hands were gently stroking his bare chest. Reveling in the firmness she found there. Brushing her palms over the heated skin, marked with scars here and there. Perfect. To her he'd always seemed almost godlike in his perfection. Must be awfully in love.

"I love you..." she whispered back as they parted, a small smile curving her lips.

The warrior's answer was a wide grin. And a wicked one that was, which was if possible even more alarming.

"I know" he answered on her mouth, taking his time to nibble enticingly at her full lower lip before going on. "I've never doubted about your love, my dearest one."

His hands, that had been stroking Nienna's back and hair as they were kissing, slowly slithered their way to her firm backside with that last statement, and squeezed lightly. Just in case his intentions weren't yet clear enough. But it had been two months since the last time, their last time, and he didn't feel like beating around the bush at all. The awareness that she still wanted him, and the mighty relief that had followed, had too contributed to fuel his already outstanding need to make love to her until they were silly, or just plainly exausted, or both.

"Want you.." he murmured as he resumed his biting and licking, with more urgence now, and ground his hips demandingly against hers.

Pushing her hips towards his, Nienna made it clear enough. She wanted him, too. And quite badly. Her body was on fire, and she could already feel wetness pooling in between her legs. Just for that little contact. They needed to be together. They needed to make love to erase all the previous doubts and fears. It was the way they'd always showed their love. And they were pretty good at it.

Feeling somewhat bold, Nienna kissed him back with passion, in an attempt to distract him. While her hands crept their way to the lacings of his leggings. Unhurriedly loosing them. Craving to feel the steel hardness under her fingers. Needing to feel that velvety hotness against her palm. And the mere intensity of her desire for him was awful.

A soft moan was choked into her mouth when the warrior felt her tugging at the lacings. Without breaking the kiss, he slipped a hand between their bodies in order to give his assistance, while the other was already undoing the neckties of Nienna's nightgown. He was craving to feel her bare skin on his own, her firm nipples brushing against his chest. The mere memory was enough to elicit him another moan, kisses becoming almost frantic, and to make him shiver helplessly.

Their mouths parted only for a few seconds, to allow Boromir to rid his beloved of the garment and hurl it to the side; in the meantime he was kicking his leggings away. Then it was bliss. Hot skin against hot skin, limbs entwined, more fiery kisses. And soft pants filling the room, as outside the thick stone walls night was giving way to twilight.

Nienna was shamelessly brushing herself against Boromir's thick erection, moaning into his mouth as they kissed.

Valar, she had missed him. The mere thought that they were together again had her almost undone. Not even once she had dared to hope that such day would have come. Yet she was in his bed again. And Boromir really loved her. He really did.

In a swift motion, she slipped a hand between their bodies, wrapping her long fingers around his shaft. By then soaked with her juices. And this helped her a whole lot, for her hand easily slipped up and down. Pumping fast and hard.

Boromir had to break the kiss at the unexpectedly fierce assault, and he threw his head back in pleasure as a low moan burst from the back of his throat. It was almost all he could bear. And yet it was not enough.

"Yes" he breathed, and it sounded almost grateful even to his own ears. Scorching fire slowly rose in his loins, and he started to rock his hips back and forth in time with Nienna's relentless strokes, his fingers digging in as he kneaded and stroked the firm flesh of her buttocks.

"Give me what's mine" he whispered shakily, his voice thick with need. He opened his eyes. "Give it to me, Nienna"

"Come here and take it" she whispered back, looking intensely in his eyes. Yet her hand didn't stop at all. On the contrary, she quickened her pace, which had become almost frantic by the time. It was simply too beautiful to hear him moan and gasp and tremble under her touch.. Too beautiful to stop it now.

Memories of their first night together were invading her mind. He had been the first man who had taken her other opening, and often she wondered if he thought about it sometimes. If it was important to him as it had been for her.

A loud moan escaped her lips even before she could try and stop it when Boromir pushed his groin into hers. She had never wanted anyone that much in her life.

It took only a few more helpless shudders before Boromir put his hand over Nienna's, halting its movements.

"I believe we've had enough teasing for one day.." he murmured, stealing yet another heated kiss as he pushed her onto the mattress, climbing on top at once. Her legs were then spread apart without further ado for him to settle in between, his fingers teasing her nipples.

"Don't you agree?"

"Yes...I've missed you..." she breathed, drinking in the delicious sight of that glorious body. So powerful. So insatiable. And all hers. Indeed she had missed him. Like the desert miss the rain. Each and every night had been haunted by dreams of Boromir. Nienna was relentlessly thinking of him. Her love had never lessened, not the littlest.

"Come here, Boromir...I want you so badly..."

The hungry look he gave her in response was enough to testify that he, too, wanted her. And quite badly as well. Then, discarding the last remnaints of self control he'd left, he finally gave in to the overwhelming urge to just take her, claim her, love her. His mouth was fastened to her neck, to lick and bite and kiss it with fervent enthusiasm, when he thrust his hips forward quite roughly. And claimed what was his.

Throwing her head back on the pillow, Nienna had to bit her lower lip to stifle a cry. Overwhelming. Dashing. Passionate. Boromir, her Boromir. Her hands anchored herself on his shoulders. Her long legs wrapped tightly around his sides. And she gave all of herself to pleasure, raising her hips to meet each and every one of his thrusts. No matter how hard they were. Nienna wasn't able to think clearly, her instinct had in fact overrun her mind.

"Yes...."

Moaning softly in response, the warrior worked himself into a fierce, unbridled pace within a matter of seconds. He didn't even try to hold it back; there was no need to, and he didn't want to. In his opinion, he and Nienna had been restraining themselves for way too long. Two months can be very long indeed, and now both needed to release all those pent-up emotions and needs that had been stored in some dark recess within, during that time. All the tension, the bitterness, the grief and the all too human lust that were screaming and begging to be finally set loose.

To Nienna it was as if all of her dreams and desires had become true.

Soon, she was panting and moaning softly due to the wonderful friction and her taught nipples brushing against his chest. Boromir's hipbone was hitting her clit with every shove, making her dizzy with desire.

Then her orgasm clashed upon her at full force, spreading heat from her belly to her whole body. It was intense. So much so that her back was arching against him and her eyes were shut as she rode her climax, wave after wave. Unaware of anything but her body.

A few moments later a panting, flushed and exhausted Boromir collapsed on top of her, his face hidden between Nienna's neck and shoulder. He said not a word, his eyes closed as he allowed his muscles to relax and enjoyed the warm afterglow. Smiling against her skin.

"I love you" she whispered at his ear, tenderly kissing his forehead. Without loosening the embrace at all.

Without falthering the littlest, Nienna crossed the corridor and knocked at Faramir's room. Actually peeping inside and smiling awkwardly at him.

She had thought a lot about that. They needed to talk. And they needed to be honest, at least.

Boromir was waiting in their room. Nienna had asked him to stay quiet and let her call for Faramir. Of all things, she was worried that the younger man could have refused to come.

"May I speak to you?"

Faramir, who was sitting on the couch with a book on his lap and a goblet in his hand, stared wordlessly at the young woman for a few moments. As if trying to understand what she could be up to. To see how she was trying to be friendly reassured him a little, and he set the book aside before to nod his assent.

"Of course. Speak."

"I know you told me once that you don't want to meddle between me and Boromir..." she started, sighing deeply. Crossing her arms on her chest in a defensive posture. "But...I need you to come with me. Please...we cannot go on like that, and I want each one of us to be happy. W--would you like to...trust me? Just...for once...please..."

"I do not wish to see him." Faramir replied stubbornly, averting his gaze and reopening the book. "I have nothing to tell him, and I do not feel like facing him now. There is no need to. You can tell him I'm happy to see that you two are back together."

Closing the door at her back, Nienna finally neared Faramir. Looking intensely at him, even if he was averting his gaze. Sighing again, she knelt in front of him, taking one of his hands within hers.

"We used to be close..." she murmured, tenderly caressing his fingers. "We were friends...and....you can't understand what would I do to have that back. I'm so very sorry that I've been the cause of your sorrow, I didn't mean to. Valar, I had a crush on you at the beginning! Tell me that...that it's not over, Faramir. Tell me that you don't hate me..."

"I've never hated you."

Though Faramir was still avoiding her eyes, he did no attempt to withdraw his hand from hers. And he took his time to think about what he was going to say next, well aware that in such a situation words were easy to misunderstand. It had happened before.

"I've never hated him, either" he went on, forcing himself to look quiet and aloof, despite the slight trembling of his hands. "And I've never wanted to be an enemy to you, or a trouble to him. That is why I've stepped aside, only to allow him to live his life without having to worry about me. Even if it hurts, and even if I'm regretting it ever since and hating myself for being so weak and selfish.. I'm so sorry.."

"It's me who am sorry..." she murmured, intaking a deep breath, which was released a moment later. A little encouraged by his behaviour, she dared to rest her head on his knees. Closing her eyes.

"I knew I was ruining your relationship, right from the start. I've tried to call myself out, but...Boromir told me there was no need to and...I love him, Faramir. I've been selfish and I haven't considered your feelings. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you...I really care about you, even if you probably don't believe me at all. When--when I saw you two together that night...it has been as if my very heart had been ripped from my chest..."

Faramir nodded wordlessly, though he was aware she couldn't see his face. He didn't feel like saying any more. There probably was no need to, not since his free hand was reaching to stroke her hair, gently and affectionately, in an almost brotherly way. Such gesture, he reckoned, was enough to make her understand that there were no hard feelings from his part.

Raising her eyes to look at him, Nienna smiled at the tenderness of his touch. They were talking. No shouts or offences now. Just two people who were opening their hearts. And it was good, somehow. For they both loved the same man. Even if at the beginning Nienna had thought it would have been dangerous to her relationsip with Boromir. Now she was thinking otherwise. Boromir needed Faramir. The three of them had to stay together.

"Do you think we'll manage to...to start it all over again?"

The young man did not answer straightaway. Again, he pondered her words carefully and considered his chances. He was fully aware of how important that was, of how many things were due to the words he was to say next.

But then, upon lowering his gaze to Nienna's face, he had to smile. Knowing that he was going to do the right thing, for them all.

"I suppose we could at least try. But what about Boromir?"

"Why don't we ask him?" Nienna smiled, standing up and taking his hand. She'd hoped to hear those words coming from Faramir. Boromir had already told her that he had no problems about the whole thing. If she assured him that Faramir's presence wouldn't ruin their relationship. Yet it was time for the two brothers to talk about their feelings. At least.