Title: To Where You Were

Author: Sicily Bean

Rating: T (language, adult themes)

Genre: Drama/Romance

Pairing: Boromir/OFC

Notes: After much fussing over details, here is the first chapter of "Where"! I do hope you like it, as I’m adding in a brand new character and the plot twists that will ensue with her creation. Hopefully this will also be a bit more realistic too, as last time was kind of – off. XD Enjoy!

Summary: Delilah is back in the present -- but she's brought Boromir with her! She is joined by her sister, Noelle, and best friend, Gwenyver, as they weave through another adventure. Though keeping him a secret won't be easy... not with the shady Robert hot on their heels. He'll do just about anything to get Delilah back...

Dedication: To my Tolkienite sister-at-heart, Kaye Thorn, and my real sis, Emily. Wouldn’t have a fic at all without you two!

Disclaimer: Tolkien owns his characters, places, songs, etc., and I own my characters.

-To Where You Were-

Chapter One:
Eärendil’s Gift

This is the last night you’ll spend alone,
Look me in the eyes so I know you know,
I’m everywhere you want me to be,
The last night you’ll spend alone,
I’ll wrap you in my arms and I won’t let go,
I’m everything you need me to be…

Delilah felt her world crumbling around her. She had failed. He was dying.

O maiden of another world… With this, may you finally believe in the power of your words. The voice brushed her consciousness, a mere whisper in her sorrow-laden mind.

It washed over her like the warm rains of summer – caressing and easing her despair, like the comforting gentleness of a parent. A soft breeze played with her mahogany tresses, an aura of ancient magicka blooming into life all around her as rosebuds would blossom into scarlet symbols of nature’s purest beauty.

By the sun and the earth and the flames of your love…

Delilah’s heart began to rise, as though an ethereal hand were lifting her and cradling her in its soft palm. Don’t let this be the end. She still felt the phantom trails of his calloused fingers, the soft impressions of his lips across her skin – upon her own in the truest of kisses. How many times had he told her never to fear the dark night? He would always be with her. No matter what may come, nor even if he were to perish on the morrow…

May your wish upon my Star…

Boromir would never stop loving her.

Be granted.

The sounds all around her began to fade, as though a leaden blanket was being draped around her. Birds’ trills, wind’s caress… The beat of her lover’s heart still reached her, the gentle rhythm of his breath…

Daughter of the Seventh Age…The voice began to fade from her mind, the warmth of the enchanted breeze swirling in a last caress across her cheek.

Welcome home.

Delilah’s jade eyes flew open, her head rising upward, swift as drawing her sword from its sheath. Her heart pounded beneath her breast, hot tears blurring her vision and falling down her cheeks. Oh… my gosh! Her misty gaze roved around warily, taking in a long unseen sight.

It was her bedroom, exactly as she had left it, though nothing had ever happened. Is this a dream? The room was dim, and the neon green numbers on her clock caught her eye. It was two fifteen in the morning? It suddenly occurred to her that she had returned to the Seventh Age at nearly the same moment she first left – and apparently, the same exact place: her bed. But there was one thing in the room that hadn’t been there before – and he was lying serenely beside her.

Boromir of Gondor. Had her one foolish prayer actually been answered?!

Delilah barely managed to stifle a squeal of shock, jade eyes wide. She looked down at herself, having remembered that she had been wounded in her flight to save him. Not a single scratch marred her body, save for a fully healed scar across her right side from the Orc blade in Moria. It was then that she also noticed that no arrows pierced Boromir’s body, his chest rising and falling in a light slumber.

So Middle-earth wasn’t a dream, she thought, bending and carefully checking him over for any other wounds. He’s really here with me. This is…It hit her like she’d run face first into a brick wall. Oh no… What am I going to do?! He’s here, in my room, and I…!

A soft knock startled her out of her thoughts – she almost hadn’t noticed it, but thanks to Aragorn’s training, her hearing had become sharper than before. A very familiar voice whispered, “Lilah? I can’t sleep…”

Her vision blurred for a moment as tears threatened to spill over. Elle!Delilah had never found her sister’s voice so beautiful as it sounded now, after so many months of not constantly hearing it. But as happy as she was to be reunited with her sibling – there was a much bigger problem at hand. She was about to walk in on a distinctly different big sister, not to mention a full-grown man in what appeared to be a very authentic Renaissance Faire costume. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck prickled in apprehension as the door to her room slowly opened…

Noelle appeared in the doorway, clothed in a pair of blue-and-green plaid pajama pants and a black tank top, holding her favorite little stuffed bear under one arm. Her hair lay in slightly disheveled chestnut locks around her shoulders, framing her lovely freckle-dusted features and eyes akin to blue crystals – which suddenly widened in alarm. Her mouth fell open, the bear falling from her grasp, taking a small step backward.

An index finger flew to Delilah’s lips, hurriedly trying to keep Noelle quiet and reassure her that everything was all right. “It’s me!” she mouthed, beckoning her sister forward. “Close the door, and I’ll explain everything, I promise,” she whispered, a hand unconsciously placing itself protectively on Boromir’s chest.

Noelle stood still, eyes still wide as saucers. “What the hell is going on?!” she mouthed at her sister, eyes flashing a little.

Delilah bit her lip. “Elle, I want to explain it to you,” she whispered, beckoning her forward again, “and I will explain it if you close the door first.” She glanced down at Boromir. “He won’t hurt you or me. He’s a friend.”

One of Noelle’s eyebrows rose skeptically, but she did as her sister wanted. She very carefully closed the door, bending to pick up her bear again before cautiously taking a few steps toward the bed. “What in the hell happened to you? And where did you get those clothes? Hair can’t grow that long in a matter of hours. And just who in the hell is this guy?”

Delilah blinked, surprised that she could whisper all that so fast. She took it one question at a time – she owed her sister that much. “It’ll take a long time to tell you what happened to me and where I got these clothes,” she said truthfully. “And as for who this is…” she paused, conflicted for a moment before deciding that the truth was better. “Elle, I know you’re not going to believe me – but meet the real Boromir of Gondor, son of Denethor, brother of Faramir.”

Noelle’s other eyebrow rose to meet the first, her lip twitching.

But before she could say a word, Boromir began to stir. Both sisters turned to stare at him, Noelle clutching her bear close on instinct. Delilah bent over him, a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Boromir…” she whispered, choosing her words carefully. “Are you all right?”

The Gondorian’s eyes slowly fluttered open, the gray orbs unfocused and groggy. They caught sight of Delilah above him, and his gloved hand rose to gently brush her cheek. “Lilah…” he murmured.

She offered him a gentle smile. “Yes, I’m here.”

Boromir’s eyes suddenly flew wide, sitting bolt upright and looking wildly around the room – thoroughly startling Noelle in the process. Delilah clamped a hand over Boromir’s mouth just in time to stifle a loud gasp of alarm, her sister barely managing to muffle her own yelp of shock. His eyes continued to rove around the room, his expression clearly showing his bewilderment and shock.

“Shh! It’s all right, Boromir!” Delilah tried to reassure him, turning his head so she was gazing directly at him. “I have no idea how it happened – but I’m back home in the Seventh Age, and I’ve… I’ve taken you with me.”

Comprehension dawned over his bearded face, nodding once. She removed her hand to let him speak. “Is – this place is the Seventh Age?” he said quietly. He suddenly seemed to remember something. “Holy Valar… this is – this is the same bedchamber I saw in my dream of you.”

Noelle blinked, speaking up at this. “Dream?” She looked to her older sibling. “He had a dream about you?”

Boromir raised an eyebrow slightly, studying the younger girl. Even in the dim light, he could see a resemblance to Delilah – namely their remarkably similar eyes. He made a guess as to whom she was. “Are you possibly Lady Noelle? Your sister has spoken most highly of you.”

Noelle could only nod, edging forward to the foot of the bed, still clutching her bear. “N-Nice to meet you,” she said softly, tentatively extending a hand toward Boromir.

The Gondorian offered her a warm smile, very gently taking her hand and kissing the back of it gentlemanly. “It is an honor to meet you as well,” he replied, nodding once.

Delilah couldn’t help but grin as Noelle blushed and stifled a small giggle. “What a gentleman,” Noelle complimented, though a moment later she bit her lip in thought. “If he really is Boromir… then logic would say that you went to Middle-earth, which is impossible… isn’t it?”

The Gondorian and Seventh Age girl looked at each other, then back at Noelle, their expressions slightly guilty. “Uhm… That’s why I said it would take a very long time to explain what happened to me,” Delilah said. She took a deep breath. “I don’t know how it happened – but I did go to Middle-earth, Elle.”

“But Middle-earth’s just – !” Noelle began to protest, but Delilah frantically shook her head, mouthing “NO!” at her with enough desperation in her face to make her sister stop cold. She seemed to come to a realization, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking directly into her sister’s eyes. “He’s the real thing, isn’t he?” she said quietly. “You actually brought him out of his world?”

Boromir looked between the two sisters, his Gondorian heart knowing that there was something more to these two than met the eye. “Might you indulge me for a moment, and tell me what in name of the Valar is going on?” he queried, one dark eyebrow rising.

Delilah bit her lip, thinking fast. She brightened. “Do you remember when I told you that here in the Seventh Age, we pretty much thought the storyteller’s tale was just that: a story?” Boromir nodded, and she noticed Noelle was taking mental notes. Good ol’ Elle… “Well, going back to the Third Age means that it’s a true story, right, Elle? He’s right here in front of us!”

Noelle shifted a little, still seeming to be a little wary of the Gondorian. “I don’t know, Lilah…” she said hesitantly. “How can you prove he’s really Boromir? I mean, really…” she paused for a moment, meeting his eyes briefly. “He’s – he’s from a place that we thought didn’t even exist. What can you do to prove he’s the real deal?”

Delilah suddenly face-palmed. Oh bejeebus, I’m so stupid. Why didn’t I think of this earlier? “Gwen.”

Boromir and Noelle blinked, both giving her incredulous looks. “Gwen?” both asked at the same time, Boromir adding ‘Lady’ before her name. Noelle started a little. “You told him about Gwen?”

Delilah suppressed a giggle. “Yes, and who better than Gwen to put your doubts to rest? She knows more about Tolkien than everyone we know combined!” She paused, then added for Boromir’s benefit, “Tolkien was the storyteller who told the legend of the One Ring.”

Boromir nodded once. “Lord Tolkien must have been a very wise man,” he said quietly. “I would have liked to have met him.”

Noelle and Delilah exchanged a knowing look. If Boromir appeared in front of Tolkien, the poor man would have dropped dead of heart failure due to complete and utter shock. “But getting back to Gwen,” Delilah said, keeping the other two on track.

“We need to get Boromir out of here,” Noelle interrupted, biting her lip in worry. “If Mom and Dad find out about him, then we’re in some deep shit, girlie. There’d be too many questions that we just can’t answer right now.”

“We can take him to Gwen’s,” Delilah suggested, giving the Gondorian a little smile. “She’d know what to do. But we’re not going to be able to come back to the house until after school, so we’d better get our bags and get some clothes.”

Noelle nodded. “Agreed.” She offered her sister a wry grin. “You know I have to come with you now. You’ve got me mixed up in this mess, and as your sister, I just can’t sit by and not help you.”

Delilah smiled, getting up and going around to the end of the bed. She just gazed at Noelle for a moment, before reaching forward and pulling her sister into a tight hug. “I missed you so much, Elle,” she whispered hoarsely, fighting back tears as she felt her sister return the embrace gently, patting her back reassuringly.

“You’re so silly, Lilah,” the younger girl said softly, giving her sibling a light squeeze. “You know I love you.” She pulled back a little and winked. “Come on – let’s get moving before Mom and Dad wake up and find us out.”

Ten minutes later, the two girls had quietly pattered around their rooms, gathering their school supplies and a set of clothes into two black canvas tote bags. They had told Boromir to stay put and not touch anything, and he kept his word, just seeming to be in awe at the completely different world of the “Seventh Age” he found himself in.

They met back in Delilah’s room to figure out how to get out unnoticed. Noelle suggested the window, and the other two agreed, quietly opening the latch and sliding the window to the side. Delilah pushed the screen outward and it fell with a muffled clatter to the grass below. Noelle went first, given a supporting hand by Boromir. Delilah moved her computer chair over to the window and helped the Gondorian through, followed by the two bags and herself. She easily replaced the screen, and they padded around the side of the house, out the back gate, and into the street.

“Everyone ready?” Noelle asked the other two in a whisper.

“Yep,” said Delilah, readjusting the tote bag slung over her shoulder.

“Aye,” replied Boromir, nodding once. “On to Lady Gwen’s.”

A faint skittering sound broke the black stillness of the room, followed by a groan and the squeaking of a mattress. A hand flailed aimlessly across part of the bed, snatching at a pillow and stuffing it over the owner’s head.

Damn raccoon. I bet he’s back for more. In the morning I’m gonna –

The noise repeated once more, followed by a dull thud against the opposite wall. The restless girl immediately sat up in bed, recognizing the signal. It was the familiar sound of a pebble hitting her window, to let her know she was needed. Groggily she clambered off the top of her bunk bed, blindly bumping into her desk as she went across the room. She clumsily opened her window, and bent her head over the sill, looking at the patio two stories below.

The dim orange light from the nearby streetlamps illuminated the shadowy figures of two people.

“Delilah?” she asked uncertainly. “Noelle?”

Ever since Delilah had met Gwenyver, the two had felt a certain connection to each other that was more than just friends. When Noelle had met the girl, she had said that she felt more like a second sister than anything else – and the Korr sisters had officially adopted her as their ‘sister at heart’. When things got a bit on the rough side at home, one or both of the sisters would sneak out and go to Gwen’s. She was their safe haven, as her mom worked nights and often spent most of her time off out and about. The ‘signal’ was a way for the Korrs to let her know they needed her – and a place to stay – for a little while.

“It’s us!” Delilah’s familiar voice floated up to her through the cool night air. “Can we come in?”

"Of course, I'll be down in a sec," she said, a little worried. What happened this time?

Sighing heavily, she backed away from the sill and fumbled for a few lights. She swore as she bumped into her dresser, her knee throbbing painfully in response. She frustratedly grabbed a hoodie and threw open the bedroom door.

As Gwen entered the hallway and descended the stairs, she found herself reminiscing about the other times the sisters had visited her at this late an hour. The instances were occasional, but when they happened, it usually meant that something particularly big had gone on. There had been several times when they had come over after particularly nasty arguments with their parents, and Gwen had been there to comfort them both. After the embarrassing incident with Robert, Delilah had been unable to sleep, and had gone to see her and talk about it.

The kitchen light flickered as she hit the switch and trudged to the back door, barely able to see where she was going. Carefully she undid the locks and slid it open, whispering her friends’ names. She turned on the porch light, illuminating the two girls as they climbed the step.

Suddenly, another tall figure came out of the darkness behind them, the orange light falling on a bearded man's face. Gwen screamed loudly, making all of them jump in surprise. Automatically she snatched a broom next to the door, and lunged in his direction.

Delilah launched herself in front of the man, arms outspread protectively. "WAIT! He's with us, Gwen!"

Missing her by an inch, Gwen skidded to a halt. Her heart racing, she looked at the other girl warily. "Who is this? What is going on?"

The man placed a gloved hand gently on Delilah's shoulder, and the girl looked up at him briefly before moving out of the way. He bent himself in a polite bow, dark hair falling softly around his face. "My deepest apologies for frightening you, Lady Gwen – ”

"Nevermind," she said quickly. She tugged gently on Noelle's sleeve, peering out into the yard. "Get inside first. My neighbors are probably up now. I don't need trouble when mom gets home later." She moved from the door and put on another light, turning to study the stranger when he came through the entry. Her eyes widened, as she took note of his sword and clothes, then Delilah herself. "He... you're..."

Delilah glanced down at herself, then at the man -- and although she tried to suppress it, a small grin crossed her face. Oh boy, here we go. She stepped between him and Gwen, gesturing at him. "Gwenyver Ròis, meet the one and only Lord Boromir of Gondor... and no, I'm not kidding." She smiled at the utterly shocked and bewildered look she received from her friend. "Boromir, this is Gwen, the scholar friend I told you about."

Boromir stepped forward, extending his hand politely. "I am very honored to meet you at last, Lady Gwenyver," he said sincerely, giving her a warm smile. "And I truly do apologize for frightening you a few moments ago."

As Gwen shook out of her dumb trance and tentatively lifted her hand, Delilah felt herself smile. Gwen hadn’t changed a bit since she last saw her – but that was only expected, as she had come back to nearly the precise moment she had left for Middle-earth. She was built tall and with some curve, but thanks to being involved in track at school, she was leanly muscled as well. Her naturally fiery hair fell to nearly her elbows, pulled back in a ponytail. A few loose strands framed her fair-skinned, freckle-dusted face, a pink tinge blooming in her cheeks as Boromir kissed the back of her hand in a gentlemanly fashion. She was clothed in a pair of black gym shorts, a white tank top, and a green hoodie – her usual set of eveningwear whenever the sisters had visited her late at night.

Gwen’s cerulean eyes dared to hold a sparkle of awe as she gazed at the Gondorian, tucking a stray strand of hair behind an ear. She awkwardly cleared her throat and grinned at Delilah. "This is real? I haven't lost my mind?"

Delilah giggled and shook her head. "No, you haven't lost your mind, and yes, this is real." She thought for a moment, then added, "Ask him something only the real Boromir would know, if you need to be absolutely sure."

Gwen seemed to debate with herself for a moment, lowering her head in thought. After careful consideration, she spoke, looking directly into the Gondorian’s gray eyes. “Ammen agorech aníral Sauron mîren?”

The trio blinked: Delilah and Noelle in curious bewilderment, and Boromir in surprise. He paused for a moment, considering Gwen’s question with obvious care. “I sought the strength to defend my people,” he said quietly, the sisters realizing what their friend had asked. “Chance brought to light the fabled Ring of Power, and I believed it to be the salvation of my lands, for its power was indeed mighty.” He sighed, lowering his gray gaze from Gwen’s softening cerulean. “But I fear my arrogance led to my corruption by the foul thing. I tried to take the Ring from Frodo, and only when he fled me and the spell upon me broke did I come to realize my fatal error.” He lifted his face again, eyes meeting the girl’s. “Does that satisfy you, Lady Gwen?”

A small grin crossed Gwen's face as she glanced from Boromir to her friends. "I'm sold."

Delilah and Boromir smiled, relief written all over their faces. Noelle, on the other hand, looked completely stunned by this news. “Are you sure, Gwen?!” she asked, incredulous. “I mean – I’ll believe it if you say it, but are you really, really sure this is the Boromir?”

Gwen laughed, eyes sparkling. “I almost can’t believe it myself, but no one other than Boromir himself could have given that exact answer. He’s the real thing all right.”

Delilah saw right through Noelle’s little nod of acceptance. She wasn’t convinced, but seemed to let it go for the time being. A small pause followed Gwen’s statement, no one knowing quite what to say next.

Gwen took the initiative and spoke up, looking Delilah in the eyes. “You obviously went to Middle-earth, came back, and somehow brought Boromir with you,” she began, crossing her arms thoughtfully. “But now that you’re back…” she bit her lip, “I just thought of something that could complicate this even more.”

Delilah blinked, giving her friend a quizzical look. “And what would that be?”

Gwen sighed heavily, her expression one of slight worry. “One word: Robert.”

Delilah’s face fell, anxiety twisting her heart. Boromir uttered a curse under his breath, his arm circling her waist protectively. She now remembered what she had decided before she found herself in Middle-earth: she was going to break it off with Robert at school on Monday – which was only hours away. She was a different person now, having had an experience that many had only ever known in the most fanciful of daydreams.

Boromir, however, spoke before she could. “That piece of filth pitied enough to be called human?” he growled quietly, surprising even Delilah with the menace in his tone. “How could he still be entangled in all this?”

Gwen blinked, eyebrows raised in surprise. “So you told him about Robert, huh?” She sighed quietly. “How much of the story does he know?”

“We shared a nightmare about him, apparently,” Delilah explained, giving Boromir’s hand at her waist a reassuring squeeze. “And it was after I went back to sleep after the nightmare that I woke up in the Third Age of Middle-earth.” She bit her lip in thought for a moment. “He knows about Robert breaking up Everett and I, to answer your question.”

Gwen frowned, obviously disapproving of this. “Then he needs to know the whole story, as Robert is no doubt going to be at school today, and you’ll need to be prepared for anything when you tell him it’s over.” She turned, beckoning everyone to follow. “It’ll take some time, so come on up to my room. We can talk more there.”

The other three agreed and followed her lead – back through the kitchen and up the stairs, heading straight into her room from the top landing. Gwen’s room was a welcoming sight to Delilah, with its familiar green walls decorated with many photographs her friend had taken, ranging from animals to forestry to people. Photography had been one of Gwen’s hobbies for years, and it clearly showed, a sleek, silver digital camera sitting on a small pile of books on her computer desk. Posters of foreign countries, horses, and Lord of the Rings were scattered about the walls, a particular one of Faramir even taped to the ceiling above her bunk bed.

Noelle wove around the dresser as Gwen flicked on the lights, plopping into the soccer ball beanbag chair, setting her and her sister’s bags beside it. Delilah and Boromir took places on the bottom bunk of the bed, which was currently folded into it’s futon position, while Gwen pulled her armchair from her computer and faced into the center of the room, seating herself with a serious expression.

“All right,” she said, nodding once. She turned to face Boromir and Delilah. “Now that we’re settled in, it’s time our Gondorian friend learned the whole truth about Robert.”

Delilah shifted uncomfortably, but nodded. He was bound to find out the whole story sooner or later. Better to tell him sooner. She turned toward the Gondorian a little, taking both his hands in hers. “What I told you about Robert was true: he did break up Everett and I, and in a way, I really did flee him in fear for my life.” She laughed mirthlessly. “I went to the Third Age, for goodness sakes.”

Noelle picked up the story here. “I think I can tell Robert’s story a bit better than she can, as I was the first one to be subjected to his so-called ‘affections’,” she said, face twisting in disgust at the mere mention of the boy. “At first, he seemed to be a nice guy, as I used to chat with him while waiting for Dad to pick me up after school. But then, I started noticing him following me around during breaks, and I really don’t like being stalked like I’m a damn rodent.” She paused.

Boromir spoke up, his voice low and tone hard. “You best pray this boy never enters my sight,” he growled, his hold on Delilah tightening somewhat. “I would shatter his every bone, one by one, until he pleaded for mercy from the Valar themselves…”

“Whoa, whoa! Hold it, Boromir.” Gwen put up her hands, trying to pacify Boromir’s apparent anger. “All three of us have thought of doing things to him that are quite similar to yours, but we know that it would only cause more trouble than it’s worth. Violence can’t – and won’t – be the answer here.”

Noelle nodded. “Agreed. But getting back to my story.” Boromir quieted, though she could still see the smoldering fury pent up behind his stormy gray gaze. “I finally confronted Robert, and suffice it to say that he left me the hell alone after that. It all happened to me four years ago – a year before he started to lust after my sister.” She looked to her sibling, who understood and continued the tale.

“I met Robert three years ago, when my relationship with Everett was just beginning to bloom.” Delilah paused for a split second. Wow, I’ve gotten so… poetic, she mused, laughing inwardly. Middle-earth had even more effect on me than I thought. “Everett and I invited him to join my group of friends at lunchtime, and before we knew it, he was one of us. Though, it didn’t take him long to start trying to catch my eye. I was naïve back then, and didn’t realize my childish mistakes until it was way too late.” She bit her lower lip, losing her train of thought for a few moments.

Noelle got up and sat back down at Delilah’s feet, giving her sister’s leg a reassuring squeeze as she turned her crystal gaze to Boromir. “She did what any friend would do, and as you might well know, she is very fond of touch in any form. She would joke with him as she would Gwen, myself, or any of her other friends, including silly hugs every now and then. Robert took her friendly gestures as something much more, and thought she was telling him that she liked him better than Everett.” She glanced at her sister, but knew by her expression that she wanted Noelle to continue. “Gwen and I told her about what Robert was thinking. She was horrified and felt really bad for unintentionally leading him on, so she asked us to help her tell him that his assumptions were all wrong.”

“It was a disaster, to say the least,” Gwen sighed, shaking her head. “The freak broke down and cried like a five-year-old that had just had his favorite toy taken away. It was rather pathetic, actually. He then went through the very, very angry phase of rejection, and would give all of us a glare that could have killed every time he saw us.” She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and arms. “Delilah and I met a year after she had met Robert and Everett, and I had seen enough of him to help her in that fiasco. I’ll never forgive that stupid bastard for being a stubborn dumbass numbskull and not accepting that she didn’t return his adoration for her.”

“But I made the first of the two the biggest mistakes of all a few months ago,” Delilah said quietly, “which I think partially caused my trip to Middle-earth.” Boromir was listening intently now, his interest piqued. She lowered her eyes to her lap, sighing heavily. “It might be ridiculous of me to think that people are inherently good by nature, but I really do believe it. That said, I tried to make peace with Rob… but he again misunderstood me, and thought I had reconsidered him as a potential boyfriend.” She shook her head, still not meeting anyone’s gaze. “Again, it went through the whole phase of trying to keep him at bay, but it had already damaged Everett and I beyond repair – though I refused to see it. It was on a Saturday morning a couple weeks ago that Everett broke off our relationship, and then I did something so incredibly stupid another week later.” She looked up at Boromir, but couldn’t say it. Her words lodged in her throat, unable to admit her biggest mistake.

So Noelle said it for her. “Boromir, don’t think any less of Lilah for this,” she began, squeezing her sister’s leg again in reassurance. “She has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and I admire her for really trying to see the good in everyone…” She sighed and frowned a little. “But in this case, it was a bad call. She gave in to Robert – and agreed to go out with him.”

Boromir understood the modern terminology enough to realize what his Delilah had done. “This means that you are still his woman as of now, yes?” Delilah nodded mutely, her anxiety apparent in her expression. He paused for a few moments, the three girls all keeping quiet to let him take in the information they’d given him. He gazed into Delilah’s jade eyes, his own gray orbs thoughtful – and she did not look away from him. “I take it then,” he began softly, “that you were fearful and did not wish to be his any longer when you confessed your love to me?”

Gwen answered that question for her friend. “She was going to end it today anyway, actually. Damn bastard proved every horrible rumor about his stalker nature true in the space of less than two days.”

Boromir blinked, looking to Delilah for confirmation. She nodded once. “It’s true. The moment he confessed – however inadvertently – that he broke up Everett and I on purpose, that was it. Robert is immature and a backstabber, and doesn’t deserve me, much less any girl.”

The Gondorian nodded, their answers appearing to satisfy him.

“Aaaand, now that we’ve got that out of the way…” Gwen said, not so subtly changing the subject. “I have to know, Lilah.” She grinned, clutching one of her throw pillows excitedly. “What was Middle-earth like!? The Council? Moria? Oh, and Lórien!”

At the mention of Lothlórien, Delilah and Boromir exchanged a knowing grin and deep blush, their hands twining unconsciously.

The look did not go unnoticed, Noelle’s blue eyes narrowing on the two suspiciously. “Sis, I’ve kept quiet about this until now – but is there something you’re not telling us?” She pointed at their enfolded hands.

Gwen caught on immediately, cerulean orbs widening as a huge grin fought to not spread across her face. “Oh my gosh… You lucky, luckygirl,” she giggled, laughing outright when the couple both blushed as one. “You fell for Boromir? Well I can’t say I’m surprised.” She sighed wistfully at the poster of Faramir over her bed, causing the other two girls to giggle as well.

Boromir’s head tilted to the side slightly, and he craned his neck around to look up at the poster. He studied it for a moment, before raising an eyebrow in confusion. “That cannot be…” he said quietly, almost to himself. “Faramir?” He shook his head a moment later, sitting back again. “That’s impossible… I know his eyes, and those are not my brother’s.”

Delilah saw Gwen blink at him in disbelief, but thankfully didn’t say anything. She knew that according to Tolkien, Gondorians had darker hair than was portrayed in the films, and no one could possibly reproduce a good enough copy of his brother to fool the real Boromir of Gondor.

A small pause followed his little observation, before Gwen apparently caught her train of thought again, and started a barrage of questions at the slightly startled Gondorian. She asked him everything from what he liked to eat to the family history of his mother, Finduilas of Dol Amroth. They talked and joked and questioned and filled each other in until the sun was nearly up, and Gwen’s alarm clock let her know it was time for them to get ready for school – and also that her mother was going to be coming home soon.

“Mom’s not around much, so we don’t have to worry about her for too long,” Gwen explained to Boromir. “But we’ve got to get ready for school.” She paled a little. “We’re going to have a lot to handle when we get there, what with Robert and all.”

Delilah sighed, pulling off her boots and getting up to stretch. “We’re as prepared as we can be, Gwen,” she said, resigned to what was going to happen in a few hours time. “Robert isn’t going to take this well, but it has to be done. I can’t keep avoiding him.”

Boromir nodded grimly. “Well spoken, love,” he said.

Delilah gazed out the window at the slowly rising sun. She was beginning to think that her foolish prayer had indeed been answered… but she wasn’t sure how big of a price she’d paid for her one little miracle. Her stomach flipped over as she pondered her next move, her sister, friend, and Gondorian lover preparing for the day ahead all around her.

Ending Notes: The song lyrics used throughout the story are from “The Last Night” by Skillet. Hope you stay tuned for future chapters. Reviews are most welcome and encouraged. :D