A/N: Ok so this chapter will be from Astar's POV :D

After leaving Elsamir, I found my thoughts wandering into dangerous places. Talking with the young lady, of adventure and revenge, of travelling the wilds again. It brought back so many memories of battles and glory. But I was nothing more than a glorified guard to her now. Although Elsamir was and is a charming young lady, thoughtful and kind; I hated that all I could do was watch over her. I knew she was broken over High Warden Boromir's death and so she should. If she had been allowed, she'd have followed him anywhere, especially when she was younger.

My tales of adventure had inspired her to hold a sword, to learn and master it. Though she was far from a fully trained fighter, she showed potential. If she had been born another son to Denethor; I would have taken her right then and vowed we would find these men that had allowed her brother to fall. But alas, she wasn't. Yet the temptation to see if any knew of these men and where they might be was great. And I needed but to gently prod the maiden and she would go. The spark was there, I had fanned it with tales of adventure. It would take but promises and assurances to convince her to go in search of the men. But it was a fool's errand. She was a lady, she had not seen the outside of Gondor, she had never been further than Osgiliath.

I walked by the river that night, lost in my thoughts and found upon the shore the Horn of Gondor, cleaved in two. Lifting it, I looked around. I could see no one nearby that would see me take it. Part of me wondered if this was a sign, but I had long pushed such foolish thoughts aside. Things happened or they did not. But still I took it, I could fix it, well perhaps not to the quality that it had been, but it would be heard for miles around.

The next morning we set off for Minas Tirith. Lord Denethor had become more sullen than before. Even with Elsamir at his side, his mood did not change. Once back in the safety of the White City, I found myself looking for the councilmen. None could or would tell me what I needed to know. Although Hirluin, a councilman of a nervous disposition, told me that Boromir had been in the company of a Dwarf, a Ranger, an Elf and something called halflings, he could tell me no more.

I ventured down into the city and to The King's Quarters pub. It was the type of place that no Lord would visit and a place that I frequented for its lack of court politics. Beren the barkeeper nodded as I sat at the bar, passing me an ale.

"'Tis a shame about the Steward's son. The Lord Boromir was a great Warden." I nodded and raised my pint.

"Aye, that he was, one of the best. He was reckless and sought glory, but he knew what he was doing out there. Wouldn't have made a great Steward no less, his brother Faramir was always better suited to that, he has the patience for it." I had told Elsamir, that he would have made a good Steward as it was what she needed to hear, but the fact remained that Boromir would have ruined the city had he been made Steward; unless of course he would have listened to Faramir.

I was watching a group in the corner as Beren served someone else and couldn't help but hear what was being said. A thief, if I was not mistaken, was the main attraction, his voice rose the highest, Halbarad was his name.

"Oh yes, swiped it straight from the young lord's pocket; he never saw it coming; but the strangest thing, and I do not lie! was what I saw as I left. Of course I couldn't stay long, what with not being a native, they'd have known it was me!" He belched and carried on. "Strangest thing!"

"Well go on tell us!" One shouted.

"A man, one of them Rangers of the North, was riding into Edoras and with him was an Elf; tall and blonde he was; and if you'd but believe it a Dwarf! Short and bearded! Who'd have thought!"

"Sounds like a joke! What's the punch line?" Someone asked through the laughter. Halbarad didn't take to kindly to that and sat sulking after.

I waited until he made to leave and followed him through the streets. These had to be the men Boromir had been with. The Dwarves' and Elves' hatred for each other was renowned. Too much of a coincidence for it to be anyone but the men from the Council the Steward's son had attended and whom he had travelled with.

"Halbarad." He jumped as I called his name whipping round to face me dagger in hand.

"Ah, Captain Astar! What may I do for you?" He asked squirming and trying quickly to hide the dagger. It was good to know that still some quelled in fear of me and still had the proper respect. I pushed him to the wall and towered above him.

"The Ranger at Edoras, did you really see him? Was he with who you said or was it merely another lie?"

"No lie, sir, no lie at all. I tell you the truth or the gods strike me down! It was a Ranger, an Elf and a Dwarf. On horses headed to Edoras!" He gasped out, his words rushed. I released him.

"If these be lies you have told, I will hunt you down and skin you. Do you understand?"

"Of course, captain, wouldn't dream of lying." He said as he backed away and fled.

So these men were in Edoras, long had it been since I was last there. The journey to get there would be hard and perilous, fraught with danger and promise of adventure. I felt alive for the first time in years. And before I was aware of what I was doing my feet were carrying me back to my room. I had already started work on the Horn. There was no way I could return it to its former glory. I worked hard on it and by the time I had finished it the Horn would work well enough.

I sent for one of the servants and had them pack enough for a long journey then made for the stables. I would not be able to have a stable boy fix the horses without question, as Elsamir would want to ride Galeth. So I saddled both myself and tied them up ready to leave.

I knew what I was doing could very well end badly for me; but for the chance of one last adventure, a chance of glory, I was willing to manipulate Elsamir into travelling with me to Rohan. I slipped into her room and found her awake already.

"Astar? Is something wrong?" She asked fear flickering across her face. I realised a moment too late that she would think the worst and that Faramir must have died for me to pay such an early visit.

"Fear not, my lady, I have a proposal, if you would?" She looked lost, sat on her bed with only a flickering candle to light the room. Knowing all was well with her brother, she relaxed.

"A proposal of what kind?" For all she was, all that she didn't know, she was smart and her tone held suspicion.

"I thought long about what you said. About seeking out these men." The surprise on her face was slowly replaced with intrigue. "I found who your brother, Lord Boromir had travelled with and where we would find them, should we leave."

"Astar, you said it yourself; I am not capable of undertaking such a task."

"Yes, alone you are not capable, but you remember the tales I told. The shield maiden who sought revenge for her father's death? She wasn't alone, she had a soldier with her. He helped her, guided her and together they took their revenge." I could see her contemplating, considering. She often used to tell me that she would one day travel out to see the world beyond Gondor, make a name for herself and now was her chance. "I would be with you every step, I would guide and protect you until we reached these people and you could question them and bring them to justice should that be the appropriate."

"What about father?"

"Lord Denethor would never permit it. You know he has never allowed you further than Osgiliath. The choice is yours Elsamir. Stay and be known forever as the Steward's daughter or take the steps into becoming a true Shield Maiden of Gondor and set forth on your own adventure like Heruwyn." Heruwyn had been a maiden I had created to entertain Elsamir and featured in many tales I told her growing up. She looked at me and then to the corner of her room. And that is where I saw Lord Boromir's sword and shield.

A/N: And the next chapter we'll be back to Elsamir. Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in this story so far :D