She was simply a maiden of the Steward, Therassa served him most loyally. A position she resented, it was her only comfort to assume that she would remain safe in the halls of Gondor, under the command of Denethor II. She did as he wished, and although she would've liked nothing more than to be a respected woman of the court, she seemed to only be viewed as the property of Gondors bitter, lonely ruler.
Therassa preferred the time she was able to gain alone, where she could wander and observe the land she lived in. She was grateful for all the privileges that she had in her status but unfortunately she could not forget there were the true emotions that she longed to feel for another.
Her master had two brave and heroic sons, Boromir and Faramir of whom she was rarely able to speak with. Truly, she was often forbidden to be in their presence; Denethor did not want her associating closely with his family. Those two lives were separated for some unknown reason. However, he was not able to stop her from conversing with them during the extravagant dinners that they were sometimes able to attend nor the banquets held in honour of their glorious triumphs. It was on one of these occasions that she finally realised that she was most unhappy with the circumstance she had found herself in.
She was so tired of her place.
Faramir, the younger of the two was a gentle being. He was thoughtful and kind to her and would not see anything wrong in talking to a maiden openly let alone his father's mistress. She passed through the crowds of merry soldiers, approaching the man without concern of her masters disapproving eye.
"My lord, I wish to congratulate you on your victory." Her silky blonde locks framed her pale face as she smiled fondly.
"Thank you, Lady Therassa. I believe that my father is overjoyed with our success; Boromir was a brave and inspirational leader." The fair-haired man took a gulp of his ale, searching the crowd for his father. Spotting Denethor, watching his brother proudly, he dropped his gaze and turned to the woman. He tried to shield his pain after, once again, he observed a look that he had never received from his father. "May I ask how you have been?"
"I have been well." she laughed at being asked. She was never asked. "We are all relieved you and Boromir have returned safely.
At saying his name a second time, a flutter in her heart surprised her. Glancing over at him as he sung with a group of others, she suddenly felt very exposed, as though all could read her thoughts. Not shifting her gaze, Faramir began to speak to her.
"We are also. I believe this merriment will continue for many hours to come. I will need more ale before I am able to rejoice as my brother does."
"Yes," Therassa nodded, slowly removing her stare from the Captain of the White Tower, to a man she could consider a friend, "I agree with you, I don't know if I should stay for much longer." Glancing over again, she could not find his face in the crowd. No distinctive features that resembled closely to his brother, no fine brown hair or handsome grey eyes. He seemed to have gone exploring the party. Or so she thought.
Unexpectedly, a firm arm flung itself about the shoulders of Faramir who stumbled slightly at his brothers' affectionate embrace.
"Brother, is this not a wonderful banquet? Nothing is more enjoyable than music and laughter." His deep voice and great physical stature never failed to intimidate Therassa as she observed the brothers. She'd always acknowledged that the two men were handsome and she was younger than them, her imagination would lead her to picture herself in courtship with them regularly. Perhaps this could have been true had she not become their fathers' property.
"My lady," she was disturbed from her thought as Boromir addressed her, stepping away from his brother and taking her hand. Perhaps it was the ale that had him kiss it gently before going on to say, "I will leave you and my brother alone, you must behave yourself Faramir." And with a booming laugh he strode off into the crowd, the rich cloth of his attire billowing behind him. Feeling belittled, Therassa turned her face from him and disheartened, sighed to Faramir, "I believe I will retire for the evening. Goodnight and congratulations. I will see you soon."
"Goodnight, my lady." He bowed his head slightly and she curtsied before leaving the hall and returning to her sleeping quarters that she did not share. She was granted her privacy to that extent, unless called upon.
She'd never responded so unusually to the man and it took her some minutes of thinking to understand that she wanted them to respect her. Of course the younger did but Boromir was not so inclined and it was his approval she would've liked most. This frustrated her greatly as she paced about her chambers in her elegant cream bed gown, running her fingers through her hair as she thought.
It was time to change things for herself. Women in Gondor, especially ones like her, were not being treated right. She had heard that elsewhere; there were women who were rulers equally with men, such as Galadriel of Lothlórien, the Lady of Light.
Maybe she would not be a ruler but she needed to be understood, but she did not know how to tell anyone of her wishes.
OOOoOOO
A couple of days after, she was at Denethor's side, as he spoke to her, "I would like to speak with you, tonight after dinner we shall."
She swallowed her concern, contorted her stomach, "Yes, of course." Shifting uncomfortably, she stepped back from him, and tried to keep her composure.
With an echoing boom, Boromir burst through the heavy, large doors, marching towards his father authoritivly.
"Father, what is this I hear? That you have not once congratulated Faramir who, without him at my side, we would've failed in our battle? What quells you from showing respect to your son?" The anger on his face was present, his eyes burned down on his father as he came to a halt before him. Denethor sat nonchalantly, observing the sudden outburst.
"Oh my boy," he waved a hand to excuse Therassa and the guards from the room.
"No!" Boromir barked, holding his arms up to command all to stay, not shifting his gaze from his father, "Why should this be a private matter when all present know of your lack of regard for the matter? They shall remain and hear your excuse."
This angered the Steward, who pushed himself up from his chair, closing in on his son who looked upon him in disbelief, "You cannot order my people in my court! I am in Stewardship and I have no reason why they should know of what you and I discuss. Everyone leave. Now!"
His voice thundered through the hall, she covered her ears as the sounds rung uncomfortably. The guards made their way to the door first. Therassa walked, trying to maintain her composure, past the two men only to be stopped by a large, rough hand grasping her wrist. Looking around, she saw Boromir holding her; he did not look away from his father.
"Why should she not know? She is closer to you than anyone in this room. Perhaps it is her business? Do you know that she is friends with Faramir?" Denethors mouth twisted at this and his eyes flicked to her before returning to his son, growing ever more angered, "We know of his greatness, it is you who chooses to ignore it! Am I not right, lady Therassa?"
Blinking in disbelief, she gave Boromir a hard stare before tearing her arm from his hold. "Faramir is a good man, but it is not my place to intrude in your business." She spoke softly to him and tried desperately to disregard the furious eyes on her.
Leaving, Boromir could not explain the disappointment and pain. It did seem as though he was the only one willing to fight for his brothers' wellbeing.
OOOoOOO
Standing before the White Tree, a dread claimed Therassa's mind, knowing that her master would still want to talk to her and now the subject would be a greater distress to her. And it was not long that she discovered the Steward would be unable to wait until after dinner to speak with her. His fast, heavy footsteps approached and she turned as he seized her fore arm, leading her along to the very edge of the walk way that overlooked all of Minas Tirith and the threatening landscape beyond.
"I allowed you to speak to my sons, I allowed that! But to associate in friendship… and who do you think you are educating me on my family? You are just my mistress and you will always be just a mistress!" he spat, scornfully not relieving his grip on her arm.
Crying out in pain, she tried to shake her arm loose but he grabbed the other with his free hand, holding them to her sides, trapping her, "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"My Lord," she cried, "I never intended to 'educate' you. I also meant no disrespect in befriending Faramir, but it is no more than an acquaintance. You cannot deny me socialising with others."
"They are my sons, I do not wish for you to socialise with them!" he shoved her back and turned on his heel abruptly before coming to a sudden stop, "Oh, and I intended to tell you earlier that I had important matters to attend to for a couple of days and that you will be excused from my presence in that time. However, after this revelation that time may be extended for you." He continued on as she watched him, hugging herself, feeling the bruises he had just left on her skin.
He hadn't always been like this, once he was a good ruler, before she was born he was a happy married man. He was wise and valiant but after the death of his wife, Faramir only five years of age, he slipped into a bitter state of mind. Praising Boromir, his elder son and dismissing his younger, he also became short-tempered and on some occasions cruel. Therassa was there to amuse him, in his old age, something he would never have dreamed of doing when he was a younger Steward.
Yes, Denethor was a changed man, for the worse and the young woman had only known this part of him. Therefore she feared him. She seeked safety with the sons for she knew they were not so similar in temper to him. Faramir was like his father but they never had seen eye to eye, and Boromir… he was the strong and brave man of the family. She respected the sons of the Steward for allowing her security.
However, she doubted that her position would remain much longer, and if she was cast out from the walls of Minas Tirith, it would be a long and treacherous path to other cities. There was a small chance she would survive alone and that was the only thing that held her back from fleeing Gondor in search of a new life, a new title, to help the battle against evil and most of all be free of his control.