Away from the pain (Miroesa)

[Boromir]

A few days ago, Minas Tirith received a terrible news: pirates attack the port city of Belfalas. Dol Amroth was not touched but another member of the royal family was: lady Dreawiel. Minas Tirith being so focused on Mordor and the Anduin river, they did not think one second the threat could come from the see that far south of the kingdom. Hopefully, the pirates were drawn back and no more tragedy occurred. Boromir did not doubt that the king of Dol Amroth, residing in the region of Belfalas as well though more in the north of it compared to the Bay where all happened, already sent some men to help with the damages. But both kings asked Minas Tirith to take care of the young princess from the port city, the young Miroesa. They said in the letter she was deeply wounded for she had seen her mother die - and that she nearly died as well. Boromir, who was back from Osgiliath at the time Minas Tirith received the news, proposed to go bring her back himself with two or three more men.

Waving the banner of Minas Tirith in the wind, the men rode fast to Belfalas. Arrived, Boromir asked more details about what had happened. He was told the story in all and finally appeased the king's heart be accepting to bring the princess back to the capital.

When he saw his young cousin Miroesa, Boromir was shocked by the transformation in her nature. She remained quiet. Quite a change for he remembered the time he was trying to get rid of her, tired of having her by her side all the time. After all, there was quite a gap in age between the two and Boromir had never been very good with the cheerful attitude of the girl. But no smile, no sparkling eyes, just plain silence.

Boromir stayed only one day at Belfalas. In the morning, he went to the stables to prepare his horse for the journey back.

[Princess Miroesa]

Miroesa wasn’t in the mood today. In fact, it was worrying to see the young girl as unhopeful as she used to be. She sighed and kept it as quiet as possible, sounding even mute, which people around the place thought that she lost her voice for forever. She wasn’t in the mood to talk, and wasn’t in the mood for anything to say the least. Her eyes had been red and puffy, but the make up the maids had put on her face, hide every imperfection she was having. She was wearing a navy blue dress. Her hair were pulled up in some kind of sophisticated ponytail and her servants prepared her, the white horse she had received as a gift from Mineas Tirith that she had named Moonlight.

She was sitting down on a chair, now looking down wanting to cry but too stubborn to do so. She waited for Boromir to arrive. If people said that being a princess was joyful well they didn’t know how hard it was to be one. Even she thought she wasn’t made to be one and after what happened, she didn’t want to be one anymore.

It didn’t took long before he would show up and she slowly looked up to see him. He was questioning others to know what had happened. People had tried to ask her more details but she refused to talk in any possible ways. Keeping her mouth shut and head back down, playing with her hands wishing that her father would be alright, when she would have to leave.

It was early in the morning, and Miroesa was already prepared; she hadn’t slept of the night, suffering now of insomnia. Although, she wasn’t in the castle and was at the stable as well, caressing silently her horse, whispering to it occasionally.

[Boromir]

As he arrived in the stables, Boromir saw her. And he knew she saw him as well. He sighed. perhaps he should have asked for Faramir to pick her up. But Faramir was in Ithilien and he couldn't simply abandon his men to bring a princess to the city. So Boromir was the one in charge of bringing her. Oh he wished right now to have the orator skills of his brother, just to help her somehow. But he didn't have such skills. And so he felt helpless.

He prepared his horse in silence, glancing at his cousin every now and then. One the saddle was placed and the horse ready for the journey, Boromir walked to Miroesa. He thought hearing her whisper to her horse. he said nothing. Most people were talking to their horse to calm them before a fight or a long journey. It was not uncommon to Boromir. Although he doubted that was what she was telling her horse at the moment.

For a second, he felt he was interrupting an intimate moment, a private conversation. He thought about leaving but his feet refused to make a move. He cleared his throat to make sure she knew he was there by her side. "I am terribly sorry for the loss of your mother Miroesa." he said to her softly.

[Princess Miroesa]

Hearing footsteps coming towards her, Miroesa quickly shut her mouth, not wanting to talk. Of course, you could say that she had been close to Boromir, teasing her in the past and acting childishly around him, bugging him at times and just having fun following. But now, after what had happened, she had changed, she wasn’t the same. She knew that very well, but for now, it was hard for her to smile and be as cheerful and talkative as she used to be before.

She stared at him as he walked towards her, keeping a blank expression, it was for the better and looked down, continuing to pet her horse. She didn’t mind his company, in fact, she was relived that it was him and not some random people she didn’t know of who showed up. She thought that he had came here for his horse, but he looked like he didn’t make a move, and she arched an eyebrow, wondering about what the heck he wanted to do.

That is until she heard him clearing his throat and listened to what he had to say. "I am terribly sorry for the loss of your mother Miroesa." She drifted off at his words, her eyes watering up again. It wasn’t his fault if she would began crying again. The loss of her mother was still fresh in her mind and it would take her time to forget about it. She knew it, everyone kept telling her that but she thought she would never forget about what would happen and never find her smile back again.

She nodded letting him know that it was fine but of course she wasn’t. She didn’t say it thought and it was rather obvious to see that she wasn’t alright. She just thought it was better for anyone if she just shut her mouth, without complaining about whatever bad had happened to her; after all, wasn’t she had been thought that to be a respectful woman not to be complaining and such? So that’s what she was doing.

[Boromir]

Of course, even without the talent of his sibling, Boromir could tell she was deeply hurt. He could barely see her face from the angle he was but he knew she was about to cry. Maybe she had some pride in herself that made her unable to show it or perhaps she simply cried so much lately no tears could come down anymore. She looked so weak and frail like this, almost about to break down into pieces. In fact, Boromir knew inside she was.

Understanding he had to say something, but unable to find the right words for such a young, delicate person, Boromir simply placed a hand on her shoulder. He thought the gesture would be warming and protecting to her and so she could feel slightly better. "You are quite strong to be standing up right now." he had no idea if what he had just said might help her. He was used to say that kind of thing to his men after a loss. To stand up proudly to show the dead that we will avenge them. This usually worked well.

He heard behind them people starting to prepare the horses for the ride. Boromir didn't bother and simply let his hand on Miroesa's shoulder, watching her and ready to speak and do whatever she'd ask of him to help her. Soon though the men told him they were ready to leave. Boromir watched his cousin one more time and nodded at her before turning around and say they should go.

[Princess Miroesa]

Miroesa continued sobbing, unable to stop of doing so and mentally schooling herself for showing such a weakness to her cousin. After all, had she always been the one who wanted to be as strong as them and try to spar with swords? Wasn’t she the though little princess who could careless about what the others said about her sneaking out? Maybe she still was, but this side of Miroesa was sleeping deep somewhere she wouldn’t want to wake up for now.

She raised her head as he placed a hand onto her shoulder, feeling a bit of comfort with him. She knew that being back to Minas Tirith would bring her comfort since she knew most of the people that were there due to her many visits to this famous town. She didn’t want to leave, but at the same time, she wanted. She didn’t know what she wanted to do anymore yet.

"You are quite strong to be standing up right now." She nodded at him, whipping a few of her tears away, and tried to give him a small smile, but she just couldn’t, feeling too down at the right moment. People started to prepare the horses, and she almost felt like giving a big hug to her cousin Bobo but she restrained herself, for the first time of her life- for she would usually enjoy annoying him by tackling him and doing inappropriate things for a princess of doing.

She began calming down and climbed onto her horse, ready for the adventure that awaited for them, traveling in a road she knew very well and hopefully, they would arrive to the other town fast and safe. She put the hood of her navy matching blue hood onto her head and waited for the others to be ready to go.

[Boromir]

Boromir got on his horse and started the ride that would bring them all back to Minas Tirith. The men were all ready, everything needed was packed. Boromir and the others started galloping quickly. But as he looked around, Boromir noticed Miroesa behind. He made the pace a little slower and rode alongside her. She was still pretty shaken by what happened it was clear.

Boromir did not speak with her. He was, anyway, at a loss of words. He never really had to announce to a widow the death of her husband. The only time he was to comfort people after a loss was his men after a hard battle. And then the usual they fought bravely to save this kingdom. From the heavens they are watching upon us. Let's show them we're as brave was working perfectly. But he couldn't say such things to her. Oh, why has it been him and not Faramir who came?

Soon, the sun set. Hopefully they had traveled a very good portion of the distance. So they stopped in a town and rode straight to the lord's residence for the night. There, their horses were allowed to rest and they received a good meal before Boromir and Miroesa were directed to their respective chambers.

There, after a bath, Boromir felt he had to go and speak with his cousin. She was so frail and fragile, the death of her mother affected her greatly. He put on something and walked to her room. Then, he knocked at the door, waiting for her to open him.

[Princess Miroesa]

Soon they would begin to head to the famous town named Minas Tirith. She had been there a few times and it had been fun but this time, she was going out there not really at will. She had no choices but to leave her father back at Belfalas and she was worrying about him. She knew that the guards would take a good care of him, but after what had happened, she feared that she might have to loose him too and she didn’t want that to happen at all.

Getting lost into her thoughts, the blonde princess slowed on her pace, not realizing it though. She just followed them, aware that Boromir was going at the same pace as she was and it as completely normal. He had to protect her if anything happened. She sighed trying to hold back tears, which she had done all the time she had been traveling with him and the guards. She had too much pride to cry in front of all of them and would wait and hold them back until they would rest during night time-it would be less shameful for her.

It didn’t take long before the sun was beginning to set and they entered in a close by town. She knew that some people were staring at them and whispering things, but she didn’t care, it was probably Boromir who was getting all of the attention… or at least, she hoped he was the one.

The meal had been good enough and soon after that, she went up to her room, closing the door behind her, she let herself falling onto the bed, laying on her stomach and sobbed the tears she had held back but stopped, hearing knocks on the door. Who could that be? Bobo? She blinked and quickly whipped her tears, before heading to the door and opening it, it was him. She wondered about what he wanted and let him enter while taking off her cloak and placing it onto a chair. She remained silent though, her expression still not joyful at all. She stared at him and waited for him to tell her something, wondering about whatever it could be.

[Boromir]

Boromir could hear the light footsteps of his cousin as she walked to open him. She seemed a little surprised. He noticed her eyes were red. She cried. He wondered when it would happen. During the journey, he felt on a few occasions that she was about to break in tears. This was rather painful to him as well. He never met that face of hers. She was always so cheerful. Of course, he saw her cry, but when he or his brother didn't want her around and she was making a scene, or when she was falling and hurt herself. Usual reasons a young girl would have. Common, banal reasons. But her reason now was far from banal. She was in pain for the loss of her mother.

He entered as she moved to let him come in. He didn't look at her just yet. He was trying to think what could his brother say to her. He knew he should be saying something comforting to her, this was the main reason he knocked at her door. He cleared his throat. He should be frank, nice, and patient. And comforting. Frank, he was, patient, he could. But comforting was another story. He was a comfort by how he was standing still, high and proud no matter the situation. But a young girl didn't need that kind of courage, she was no soldier after all. He sighed then took a deep breath.

"What happened to your mother was terrible. It's a shame that a lady as young as you has to be parted from her mother that soon in her life." he started. He, on a certain way, knew what he was talking about. His mother had died as well, though it was long ago. He turned around to face her. "It was you or her. Your mother was certainly glad to make such sacrifice to protect her daughter." he said. He felt he'd make her cry with such words but those were the only one he could find to comfort her. "She wouldn't want you to grieve forever. As for you father, he is well protected and he can defend himself." he added. Sure, Miroesa learned a bit of fencing and archery, mostly while watching him and Faramir training. But her father was a real fighter. He had proved his valor already. Boromir was no worried about his life one bit.

[Princess Miroesa]

Miroesa stared at Boromir once he had come in and she closed her door behind him, not wanting others to appear in and ramble to her about her mother’s death. She had had enough to deal with now that she didn’t want anyone beside her cousins and related family to talk to her about that. She would listen to whatever he had to tell her but for some reasons, the silence that reigned between the two was kind of awkward. Was he looking for words to tell her? She knew he wasn’t used to this kind of situation anyway; besides, who was?

She sighed softly but it wasn’t because of him and she still tried not to cry in front of him, before doing that so, she would simply wait a little. "What happened to your mother was terrible. It's a shame that a lady as young as you has to be parted from her mother that soon in her life." She nodded her head slowly and awkwardly as tears began to fill up into her eyes once again, no one was allowed to fall down her cheeks until he would be done talking.

"She wouldn't want you to grieve forever. As for you father, he is well protected and he can defend himself." She nodded once again, her lips trembled as she fought hard not to cry, but ended up failing at attempting to do so and flew her arms around Boromir’s waist. She didn’t bother herself to ask him the permission-anyways, when she was cheerful she always did that kind of stuff to him; it was always funny to see the reactions he would end up having because of her. She closed her eyes tightly, unable anymore to hold back those tears who were running down her cheeks like a river.

[Boromir]

Boromir expected it when she ran to him and threw her arms around his waist to cry on against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her frail body. He knew that was the thing to do, he didn't need to think about it. His words were hurting her in her state but she needed it. She needed to cry out all the tears so that she could move on. And as her cousin and - at least for now - protector, it was his responsibility to help her.

He did not rub her back, he seemed unable to do so, but he stayed in that position, holding her, for a couple of minutes. She had stopped trembling but Boromir could still feel her tears falling. He said not a word. Even if he should have said any, he couldn't find a single one worth saying. No word could express the pain she was going through or the desire Boromir could have for his cousin to feel better.

It was only after a few more minutes that Boromir felt a certain discomfort. She was so young and he was a man, in her room. Yes, they were cousins, but it didn't change the fact she should be with a chaperon. For the first time since they traveled he noticed she had none and found it somewhat strange. He cleared his throat, making a step backward. She had stopped trembling, the worst part was gone. He held her chin delicately, forcing her to look up into his eyes. "The pain will eventually fade away." he promised her on a soft tone. He sighed, taking off his hand. He looked down for a moment, passing that same hand on his face. "I will let you rest. Tomorrow will be long." he said before walking to the door.