AH yes, yes, yes, yes! This is so much better than what I had before, chapter twenty one and twenty two are just amazing! Sorry, that's some real bragging, I'm just insanely happy with it and where I'm going with it now... :D Smiles all round, hope you guys enjoy and I will keep saying this now, please keep reviewing, it means you get Hannah love and this story will be so much better. Plus MN I will read your story asap, but I've had an insanely busy week recently, so hopefully I shall read it this week. Thanks xx

Chapter Twenty

I found my legs could no longer carry me, they were shaking too badly and I felt sick to my stomach. Boromir was now pulling me through corridors; his hand firmly held over mine, but when he turned back to see my pale face and the shakes that ran up and down my body he gently lifted me up and carried me. Mithrandir seemed to pay no heed, but marched down the corridors. I was surprised when we walked past my room and continued onwards. Mithrandir opened a small wooden door into a room. It had a large oak bed, the dark green coverlet intricately designed with pale white swirls, in one corner was a small chest and on the opposite side a desk with a wooden chair. Sitting on the chair, kicking his legs to and fro was another familiar face.
"Melusida!" Pippen instantly ran over to us and Boromir motioned him to pull the bed cover back. Pippen did so, but stood there for a while gaping. Boromir laid me in the bed and I knew I was not far from sleep, my body ached and my very bones felt weary.

"Seems there is not only one who can pull such a trick as being reborn." Boromir cast a look at Mithrandir, who busied himself lighting a pipe, but gave a small smile and nod.
"HOW?" exclaimed Pippen.
I shook my head, "I cannot tell you. I hardly know what happened."
"Try to put it in some words." Mithrandir said.
I tried to remember the strange, foggy feeling, of both being half awake and dreaming, "I know when I was in the boat I dreamt my mother and all the women belonging to my house force me under the water, they drowned me…. I saw Her, my family's Goddess, Melusine, she pushed me back into the boat."
"Did she speak to you?" Mithrandir asked, exhaling the smoke, the scent of it warm and comforting, reminding me of my father's own pipe weed.
"Yes, she said, 'Neither immortal nor mortal, human, elf or witch. I give you life, my daughter.' Then she kissed my forehead and all the pain and hurt I had once felt vanished."

Mithrandir nodded, but said nothing, merely sucked on his pipe for a few moments. After what felt like a very long pause, where I could feel my eyes drifting closed, he said,
"Interesting."
"How can this be possible, Gandalf?" Boromir asked him.
"Gandalf?" I asked, confused by Cobryn's naming of him as Mithrandir and Boromir's of Gandalf.
Gandalf smiled, "One of my many names, call me what you wish. But I believe you too hold several names, Lady Nyneve." He chuckled softly and both Boromir and Pippen looked bemused.
"I had forgotten who I was and so gave myself a new name, though it was not really new at all. It is another name for the Lady of the Lake. If I may call you Gandalf, I would prefer to use my real name." I said.

Gandalf nodded and then turned back to Boromir, "Would that I could answer your question, but alas even the wise do not know everything. The Legend of Melusine, the Stewards, King Isildur is so strange and varied it is hard to tell what is truth and what stems from the creation of myth."
"You know of me? You know of all of this?" I asked, sitting up and regretting it when my head felt dizzy.
"Aye, I know. I was well acquainted with your mother and saw your father now and then."
"But what of Melusine? What of my gifts?"
Gandalf carefully removed his pipe from his mouth, "You see them as gifts?"
I opened my mouth to say 'Yes' then reconsidered, half the time I had to hide what I did and the rest I loathed the sights I saw. I gazed down at the bed, gripping the fabric between my fingers, only looking up when I felt Boromir's hand squeeze my shoulder.

"There is some power within you, descended from the Elves and what became of Calaeriel, the blood of your father is of the Dúnedain, your mother's heritage can be traced to the early Stewards of Gondor…your fore-father, is the evil which resides beyond the mountain and is more powerful than any of those mentioned before." Gandalf gaze remained far off and he did not look upon me, I felt a sickness grow in my stomach at the mention of Him. Pippen brought me a mug of cool water; his hand gently patted my own.
"Evil is not measured by the quality of our blood, but the nobleness of our spirit." Boromir said and I saw a faint smile grow on Gandalf's lips, Boromir suddenly looked away and I recognised he bore the same expression as he had when I found him in Amon Hen. His shame.
"Indeed, any choice you make now should, and will be, your own." Gandalf said to me. "It is vital that you must believe you have a choice over your powers, both those for the darkness and those meant for good."

My mind was buzzing with questions and thoughts, but my body was too weary for such things and I could not resist lying back on the soft pillows and closing my eyes. I had believed it would be only for a short time, but when I opened them the room was empty, apart from Laredith sleeping by my bed, the pale grey light of morn near hidden by the thick curtains across the balcony. I carefully got up and placed a heavy cloak around my shoulders, I vaguely wondered if it belonged to Boromir and where he was. I opened the door a crack and saw that opposite on a low bench, Cobryn slept, his chin resting on his chest. I wondered how long he had been there, or whether Boromir or Gandalf had guarded the door. I cursed them for leaving, even if it was seemly, I had too many questions.

"Nyneve?" Laredith's sleepy voice murmured across the room and I turned back to her. I crouched by her bed.
"Laredith, what happened? Where is everyone?"
"Boromir and Gandalf ordered Cobryn and I to guard you. It is well known now that Boromir has returned, but the Steward…" she blushed and nervously chewed her lip.
"What?"
"He insists Gandalf is…that Gandalf taunts him with visions of his son, urging him to release the role of Steward and usurp his power. The Council are driving themselves mad, some say the Steward has lost all power because of his depravity, others say he still has his wits to rule…and Boromir is attempting to gain his father's recognition, he cannot have the Seat of Office if he believes his father can regain his sanity."

Frankly, I thought such an event unlikely, but I pushed the thought aside.
"And Gandalf and Pippen, where are they?"
"Urging the Council to name Boromir as Steward, for the safety of the City. There are those who say that these times are too troublesome for the passing of Office…Boromir has already ordered his men to remove citizens from the lower levels and to reinforce the Guard already there. He does not seek his father's blessing in that respect."
"And the Palantír?" I asked, but Laredith only looked confused.
"I have heard of such things in stories, but I thought them all lost or destroyed."
I sighed and stretched my back, despite my long sleep I still felt weary, I got up and went to the chest where a hairbrush, comb and some clothes of mine had been laid out. After I had washed, Laredith got up and helped me remove my old clothes from yesterday and helped me into an underskirt and then the overlaying dress. I swiftly brushed back my hair, ignoring Laredith's shocked tone and her insistence that the Ladies of Court did not wear their hair down, unless very young. I waited for Laredith to dress and then marched from the room, her on my heels.

Cobryn blinked his eyes open on seeing my appearance and he stiffly got up.
"Cobryn…I…" It suddenly felt painful, knowing that I had once known this boy, that he had kissed me…It felt strange, as though I had purposely lied to him.
He gave a swift bow, "My Lady."
I shifted my eyes away from his accusatory gaze, "Have you broken your fast?"
"Nay, I was given my duties." he sneered, "To remain here until you woke. Now that you have," Cobryn turned to leave, but I grabbed hold of his sleeve.
"Please. I never meant to hurt you."
He glared down at his feet, the scowl deepening the lines on his face, "How could you not know me?"
"I could not remember anything, but you did not know me either. It was only last night I woke and saw the light of that place, saw it crack the sky…I knew. But I cannot understand how I knew not, nor why. Why did you not recognise me?" I retorted.
"I did, at least I thought I did. But my mind convinced me you were dead, I had heard tale of orcs attacking a village near Rivendell, of everyone who had perished. I either could not or would not believe you were alive…and you did not look like the girl I had known."
Well of course I would not, four years had passed and more besides, but I was still unsure by this cold, heavy hearted man. Cobryn seemed quieter and reserved, though whether this was down to his life as a soldier or something else I could not tell.
"Come, we should eat something and discuss this." I said, Cobryn said nothing, merely bowed his assent. Laredith mutely followed us again.

We ate breakfast in silence for the most part, for all my questions on the whereabouts of Gandalf, Pippen and Boromir or even Boromir's father I received few satisfactory answers. After a while I looked towards Cobryn, still deeply absorbed with his plate. Did he desire no answers to my appearance, to how I survived or even where my brothers were?
"Do you not have more questions to ask me?" I said.
He sat a while in thought, "Many, yes. But I do not know what good they will do if I find out the answers."
"I would rather you tell me…"
Cobryn glared at me and his voice was akin to shards of ice, "If Gandalf does not hold the answers, why would you?"

Laredith looked up nervously at us both, then down to her bowl. I bit my bottom lip to hold back my anger, I did not know why I was so furious with Cobryn – I had full right to be – yet my anger felt strangely hot and potent. A peculiar lingering desire filled me to smash his head into the table, yet I quelled it as soon as it bubbled under my skin. The idea sickened me, yet I could not deny the satisfaction I would have felt if I had.
"I know myself." I muttered angrily.
He snorted with contempt, "So you say, yet you forgot yourself and recognised no one here…not even someone who had served in your household and had once…" he looked ashamed and tailed off.
"I am sorry for that, but trust me, it was not my intention to forget…" the words tasted false and bitter in my mouth, but I forced myself to say them.
"Ha! Do you really expect me to believe this nonsense of rebirth and forgetfulness…?"
"You found me!" I bellowed, slamming my spoon down on the plate and rising to my feet. Cobryn swiftly followed my example.

"That proves nothing. You claimed Boromir was dead, yet he is here, alive and well…and I damned that I ever kissed your mouth…" he drew ragged breaths in and glared at me, "There is something foul about you, something rotten…When we found you the men all believed you to be a spirit of some kind. I recognised your features, but not you. You had been dead to me a long time and I was not about to believe you could possibly be alive…and Faramir was right, you are not entirely here. You are not a woman of the Earth. There is something about you that no man can govern, no man can control. Something beyond the nature of this Earth."
"I have no desire to be controlled by any man, least of all you!" I shouted, I had tightened my hands into fists, the nails pricking my skin. Cobryn looked as though he would greatly enjoy slamming my head against the table; Laredith was practically cowering under it.

"I see that all is not well this morning?" Boromir's voice said quietly behind me. I turned to look at him come into the room, while Cobryn gave a swift bow. I nearly gasped on seeing the white tree emblazoned upon his chest against the dark tunic, his stance and face showing his pride of his city. He watched us both, hands clasp behind his back, the black of his breeches and dark blue of his tunic in vivid contrast to the white stone behind him. His eyes rested on mine for a moment and I saw why Faramir loved his brother so and why the men followed him. I had an aching desire to plunge myself into Boromir's arms and have him comfort me, but his watchful expression seem to show little sympathy towards the current situation.
"Cobryn, get some rest and then join the guards on the Eastern Wall."
"Yes sir." Cobryn gave another bow and marched off, his eyes icily glaring into mine.
"Mistress Laredith, will you remove the Lady Melusida's belongings and place them in another room? Away from my father."
Laredith looked a little pink and gave a very quick curtsey before running off. Boromir turned to look at me, his eyes both kindly and reproachful.

"What was that all about?" he said, picking up an apple and looking as though he couldn't quite decide whether to eat it or not.
"Nothing…" I muttered.
He walked round the table again and calmly placed a hand under my chin, forcing me to look up at him. My stomach clenched in anticipation and my head felt dizzyingly hopeful. I remembered the dream I had the night before. But when I glanced up at him I felt a blush creep to my cheeks and I hurriedly look away, even though I believed it would be stupid if he even knew or cared about the dream I had.
"And now the truth?" he said.
"Cobryn is just angry I did not know him, he thinks I am lying and that…that there is something wrong with me."

I bit the inside of my cheek, but still felt foolish tears well up. I was tired of fear and hatred, and finding people who I could trust was overwhelming. I furiously rubbed my eyes and once more looked back up at him. He gently held my arm, bringing me nearer to him. It calmed my anger and tears certainly, yet there was that odd swooping feeling when I felt the warmth of his hand through my sleeve.
"My apologies on behalf of my father, you have not had an easy time here. Things will be better now."
I sniffed and smiled, "Don't lie; I know you have been preparing the troops you have here and throughout Gondor in preparation for battle."
He smiled regretfully at that, "Aye, that is true. Now sit, we need to talk." He guided me back to the bench and wooden table, sitting opposite me and clasping his hands.

"Firstly, your brothers, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Merry are all well."
I silently thanked the Valar for protecting my family and the Fellowship.
"But of course they all believe you to be dead. I will not play false with you, your brothers have taken your death very badly and we will not be able to send a messenger through in time to reach them. We must hope they join Rohan when we call upon them."
"Will Rohan answer us?" I asked.
"We must pray to the Valar that they do. I have already attempted to persuade my father for the beacons to be lit, but whether he consents or whether we do so through trickery is unimportant; we must have Rohan by our side…" Here he was a soldier, a furrowed line upon his brow as his mind wandered from the placement of guards to his father's wellbeing. The purpose made him look better; his movements easier and clearer, his face hid no malice. He gave me a smile.

"What do you think of?" he said.
"You look better, than when last I saw you."
"You were dying when last you saw me. I'm not surprised I look better." He chuckled and swung his leg over the bench, pulling me down beside him. Avoiding his eyes I folded my hand over his, resting on the table top. I felt him tense beneath my touch.
"I didn't mean that." I muttered, remembering that wild gleam in his eyes, the poison that had seeped into his spirit. His attack on Frodo and the fear in his eyes. He picked my hands up in his, making me look up at him. His expression down cast, but not overly shamed face. His grey eyes focused intently upon my hands.
"Gandalf spoke to me about that, he said guilt and temptation make us human. To feel them was enough torment for my punishment. I knew there were times when your brothers, Dòmhnall especially, blamed me for your death…in many ways rightly so."
"They shouldn't have done that," I said, "No one was to blame, but the orcs we fought."
Boromir gave a small smile, "I am grateful for your forgiveness and I hope I will see Frodo again to beg for his. "

We sat in silence for a moment; it felt strange to have his warm, large hands holding mine. My dreams had been vivid, but never like this. Warm flesh, heat emanating from his body. I had to stop myself from reaching out and touching his neck, feeling the steady pulse beneath skin. I bit my lip and looked away from his gaze again, his hands suddenly feeling too heavy in my hold. Even when he had first took hold of them I knew what I felt, the hot rush of blood and a dizzying light headedness, I wanted him. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment at how strong a hold he had over me. I needed to think of something else.
"Melusida?" he put his hand under my chin and lifted it, so my eyes were captivated by his again. I could feel my eyes drawn to his lips, the terrifying wonder of what it would be like to be kissed by him. Perhaps he recognised my look from other women or felt something himself, but he put my hands firmly back on the table and stiffly got up.

"I am not someone you should want, Melusida."
I curse myself for letting my eyes fill with tears and fiercely blink them away before looking up at him. His eyes grow gentler and he kneels by my side.
"Who are you to say what I want?" I muttered angrily and Boromir gives a soft chuckle.
"Firstly, I am a battle-hardened man, not someone who would delight your ears with poetry or flowery words of love…"
"I do not need poetry or flowery words."
"Secondly, I saw what I became and I am ashamed of it. I would not be fitting of the kindness and affection you could give me." he says, his face become a little more grim and his eyes glance away from my own.
"That was in the past, everyone was tempted by the Ring and I know you were more than others, but there is still hope. I have told you, I forgave you for that."
"Which is good of you, more than good. But I cannot forgive myself, not just yet Melusida. I am not a man who finds it easy to forget his faults, which have led to the downfall of others. Besides, I am a man twice your age. You deserve someone younger, someone less…bitter and cold."

He gets up again and goes to the door, "I must see to the men, if I see Pippen I will tell him to attend to you and…"
"I'm sure Pippen can be put to better use than 'attending' me." I said reasonably, I did not need a guard or an escort around me.
Boromir shrugged, "Gandalf's orders."
"Gandalf's orders?" I frowned.
"It is meant only for your safeguarding…"
I went over to him, "What is?"
Boromir nervously licked his lips, "He believes you must be guarded, that Sauron may try to harm you or us in some way, he may send you false visions or torment you. It will be done for your safety."
"Boromir, He has never done such a thing and the guarding of the city is more important than my own comfort."
It was easy to tell my words spoke greatly to him, Boromir must have sacrificed his own comfort a hundred times over for the safety of this city. He smiled somewhat and offered me his arm, I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow.
"I will take you back to your room, wait for Pippen there. We may find you some employment if you believe that would ease your spirit."