Ch. 9: The Deep Breath before the Plunge
Kylie spent the majority of the next day inside. Gandalf was insistent that she stay low key after the last several days, and honestly she was not too keen to go against Gandalf's warning. At first it wasn't too bad. The cupboards had been filled, so Kylie and Pippin were able to entertain themselves most of the day by creating dishes neither had even heard of. But after the second day, the young human was getting bored.
"Really, this isn't too bad," said Pippin. "We stay here, feast like kings…."
"But I'm tired of eating Pippin!" she cried exasperated. The hobbit stared open-eyed, but Kylie just shook her head. She was still full from yesterday; even looking at food made her sick. To make matters worse, there were no games in their rooms except chess, which neither understood. Gandalf tried to teach them the first night, but neither Kylie nor Pippin had the interest or patience.
On the third day there was a knock at the door. Kylie opened it to see Faramir standing just outside.
"Are you and Master Took prepared?" he asked.
"Prepared for…" started Kylie.
"Come. Mithrandir told me to bring the both of you to the wall. There is something you need to see."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kylie thought she had seen a lot of orcs at Helm's Deep. But here, in the city of Kings, she saw more orcs than she had seen in all her time in Middle Earth. "We're dead," she said.
Faramir looked grim. "They are not attacking yet. Sauron wants to weaken our spirit before the kill."
"Is there any hope?" asked Kylie.
Faramir shrugged. "Perhaps if Rohan arrives." He didn't sound too hopeful.
"Well we have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something," piped up the Pippin.
Faramir gave him a sad smile. "If only we had the numbers behind him. Calavir, can you give us a status report?" asked Faramir.
Calavir approached and gave Kylie a nod of acknowledgement. She noticed how his eyes brightened when he saw her, but had no idea why. "They are out of range for our archers. They have hardly moved in the last hour."
"Good."
"Perhaps not. They have us locked in, my Lord. We have no escape," the older man said sadly.
Faramir nodded. "We knew they would happen when they took Osgiliath. Calavir, acquaint Master Took and Ms. Kylie to our situation. Show them the wall. Also I need a small contingent of men."
"What for, my Lord?"
Faramir looked very solemn. "I need to evacuate the women and children. The lower levels of the city will not be safe."
"Yes, my Lord." He motioned for three men to come over and ordered them to follow Faramir. When Faramir left, Calavir turned to Kylie. "I have a special place where I need you. Come."
"Wait, special place?" she asked, following him.
"Yes. Lord Faramir told me what you did when we fled Osgiliath. I have a rather bold plan, and it involves you." The Commander's voice was calm, but Kylie could see the fire of hope in his eyes.
"Oh no, no, no… no… no… you don't think…."
"We have no hope of winning this day if the Riders are in the sky," said Calavir simply.
"But I can't," she insisted. It was terrifying enough the first time, and Gandalf had told her to lie low. She shivered slightly as she remembered how they threatened to take her to Mordor only days ago.
"Then we lose the day, along with our city," said Calavir, oblivious to Kylie's turmoil.
Kylie grew silent as they walked over to the very center of the wall, which must have been directly above the main gate.
"You ought to be able to see far from here," Calavir continued. "When they come in the sky, shoot at them. Not their steeds, but the riders."
"What about the orcs?" Kylie asked desperately. "They got into Helm's Deep." She was eternally grateful that she never actually had to fight on the wall.
Calavir shook his head. "You just worry about the Nazgǔl."
Kylie swallowed and looked out to the approaching orcs. She couldn't see any Black Riders, but they could easily approach in the blackened sky. And, according to Calavir, they were all her responsibility. Her stomach started to flip.
"Soon we won't be able to see them," said Pippin.
Kylie looked out towards the orcs, which were themselves becoming more and more difficult to see. "Pippin, what the hell'd I get myself into?" she moaned. Could it get any worse?
"Sir, Lord Denethor has asked to see the girl," said a voice. Kylie turned around to see three soldiers behind them.
"What for?" she asked, surprised.
The soldier shrugged. "He did not say."
Calavir looked confused, but nodded. "Very well I shall come too. We have much to discuss as far as strategy."
Kylie sighed and kept herself close to Pippin. Calavir tried to talk with her the entire walk there, but she barely responded. Sure, she wanted to help Gondor… but his plan scared her. It almost seemed like she was the center of his strategy, and Kylie did not like it. In truth, she wanted nothing to do with it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Both Kylie and Pippin knew something was wrong the minute the doors closed behind them. Denethor was seated on his throne staring blankly ahead, much paler than when they last saw him. When his eyes made contact with Kylie's, he stared at her with such intense loathing that she turned her eyes and took a small step backward.
"Why?" said Denethor quietly.
Kylie looked at him, trying to make eye contact, but she could feel the sweat building up at the back of her neck. "What do you mean?" she asked slowly, trying not to completely betray her fear.
Denethor's eyes stormed. "How long did you think you could hide it from me?"
"My Lord, I have nothing to hide," she said slowly.
"Lord…" Pippin started, but he shut up the moment Denethor's ferocious gaze turned towards him.
"Nothing?" he snarled. "Nothing? You call the murder of my son nothing?"
Kylie's face lost all its color and every eye in the room turned toward her. "What? WHAT? What are you talking about?"
Denethor pointed her. "Guards, arrest her."
"WHAT?" screamed Kylie. She was shaking her head so violently that it could have easily flown off. "I never would… Boromir was my…."
"Do not mention my son's name!" shouted Denethor, finally standing up. "Guards, arrest her!"
The soldiers hesitated, but Kylie soon felt a strong hand grasp her shoulder. She looked back to see the soldiers surrounding her, ready to take her away, but hesitant. They were clearly confused by the accusations and their orders.
Calavir spoke on her behalf. "Lord, I rode with her from Rohan. I do not believe she could have done this!"
"Do not challenge me! I saw her arrow pierce my son's…!" Denethor was shaking by now. "Take her to the dungeons now!"
"What? No! I didn't!" Kylie struggled as the soldiers started to grab her. "I swear… stop! Lord Denethor you've got to believe me!"
"Get her out of my sight!" he shouted. The soldiers, now impatient, lifted her and carried her away.
"No! I didn't do it!"
A/N: This isn't as random as it seems. Anybody who has read the book (and maybe other readers) can guess what's going on here.
PS: Thank God for a snow day which means I don't feel bad working on this story even though I do have homework :). As always, feedback is appreciated.
