𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒

the steward's son [Boromir]

[Published: 30.07.2020]

There was a moment of silence; it was insufferable. Nothing could be more painful- for such news to reach her, yet not a word more, no elaboration, no explanation, just the sentence itself left to waver in the air, to torture and to agonise her.

(Y/N) froze at the news, her heart stopped, this sinking feeling pulling her down, deeper and deeper, into the abyss of her sorrows. Her body began to shake, as the words replayed through her mind, again and again, wondering how it could be possible. Her mind wanted to believe the report fictitious, to believe that the messenger was mistaken- but she couldn't even convince herself that.

"What did you say?" she murmured. "We have found a body; we believe it to be of your father," the messenger repeated, his eyes squinting, "He is dead, my lady. Slaughtered by orcs," the girl's hand flew to her mouth, and she shook her head in disbelief.

"He... can't..." she whispered, with a shaky voice, "He wouldn't...leave me..." it grew too much to bare, and she found herself running away.

Faster and faster, her feet trod against the floor beneath her, through green grasses and sodden soil, every footstep mirroring the beat of her heart. Her breaths grew long and desperate, and her muscles began to ache. She ignored the pangs and continued; she just needed to escape. She fought against the urge of crying, and bit down onto her lip. The world around her blurred, and all of it seemed to just fade.

It was not till she tripped and fell, that she found herself on the outskirts of Gondor, in a northern forest. Her bruised knees ached, and her fingernails digged deep into the sod beneath her. She tried her best to keep her emotions inside, but she couldn't help it anymore; tears spilled down onto the floor, her sobs echoing throughout the forest.

It was silent, just as she had suspected. She was isolated, an entity apart from a civilization, the lost one in a world of certainty. There was this numbness that swallowed her up, and consumed her- her crying stopped, and her tears dried, and the world around her seemed to press down on her.

There were several footsteps; (Y/N) didn't dare to look up. She couldn't bare to think someone would be able to see her in such a state- she felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment, and she wiped the remaining moisture of her face. The person before her cleared their throat, before speaking.

"Forgive me, m'ilady; is there something the matter?" a gruff, yet kind male voice said.

"I'm quite alright, thank you," she replied meekly, her red eyes looking downwards, rubbing her hands together.

"Here, let me help you," a hand extended towards her- reluctantly, (Y/N) looked up, to meet the eyes of this man.

His hair was messy and dark blonde, his eyes were dark and endearing, and a gentle smile that put the girl at ease. His countenance was charming and chivalrous; there was a friendliness in his appearance, which (Y/N) found endearing.

Eventually, she reached up, and grabbed firmly onto his wrist. He waited a moment more, almost as if he was savouring it, before pulling her up. (Y/N) quickly recoiled from his grasp, and brushed at her dress. She huffed at the sight of the marks, dirt streaked all over the fabric- it would take some time to clean those off. She sniffled slightly, as her aching eyes subsided, and she began to regain composure.

"Is everything alright, miss?" the girl looked up, to see the man was still there; there was this friendly, amiable look on his face- concern.

"I'm fine, thank you," she huffed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Are you sure?" he enquired.

"Yes; not that it's anything to a stranger," she quipped, raising an eyebrow. After a moment, his expression sparked with realisation.

"Oh- where are my manners!" he bowed slightly, "I am Boromir," his head jerked upwards, and he flashed a charismatic grin, "And who might you be?"

"I am (Y/N)," she muttered, bowing her head down instead of curtseying; a tedious formality in her eyes, "Pleasure to meet you, Boromir,"

"I didn't expect to meet a maiden during my training today," he said, straightening his back, "May I ask what you are doing here?"

"Can't a woman decide to take a stride in the wilderness?" she replied defensively.

"And can't a man enquire why she does so?" he smiled once more, his hazel eyes gleaming with intrigue.

"He may wonder, but he shan't get an answer," (Y/N) smirked. He seemed taken aback by her remarked, but liked it nevertheless. He chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"I see," he shrugged, "You're not the talking sort," he dug into his pockets, and pulled out a handkerchief, "But I do believe your eyes are in need of drying," the girl looked at him in horror, flummoxed, before slowly taking the fabric from his hand, and dabbing it at her eyes gently.

"Thank you," she murmured, "I'm sorry too, I don't usually act-"

"No need for an explanation," he said kindly, "Our men when were sent to fight an orc pack a week ago; next to none returned. One can only assume..." his voice trailed off, and his expression became grave, and his hand stroked over her shoulder.

The girl looked at him in surprise, the act completely out of the blue; one look into his eyes, and she felt comforted. It was unusual and wholesomely unexpected. There was a warmth, a kindness in his eyes, that calmed her raging emotions, that tamed her melancholy, that eased her troubles.

"Well you assume right," she shrugged, "My father died in battle," she removed the handkerchief from her eyes, and offered it back to him.

"You may keep it," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. (Y/N) awkwardly smiled, and placed the piece into her pocket.

"I could not imagine how you could handle such news," he mumbled, earning a scoff from the other.

"Please, you should've seen me five minutes ago; you would've been agonised at the sight of me," her voice trailed off, as she contemplated the previous moments.

"Is there anything I can do for you, my lady? I would be happy to assist,"

"Oh, I..." the girl was taken by surprise by his forwardness- however, the earnest in his eyes was unmistakable. She attempted to hide a blush, and shook her head.

"I thank you, Boromir, but I shall do fine on my own. But your offer is kind, and I shall keep it in mind," (Y/N) curtseyed, and locked eyes with the man.

"Till next time,"

He grinned, and reached over to grab the girl's hand. She was positively surprised, but did not feel his intentions were malicious. He brought her hand to his lips, and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles- the girl grew abashed, as his eyes looked up to hers once more.

"I hope to see you again, (Y/N),"