Author's note:

SORRY!!!!! This month has been a really busy month. I apologise for the extremely late update. Enjoy. I apologise if the story is getting draggy, but i promise it will get more interesting later on.

Thanks to the daily readers and reviewers.

Disclaimer: LOTR is own by Tolkien.

Chapter 20 – An uneasy feeling

"Hello Aurin old' boy," I grinned as I patted at the horse's head gently.

Aurin neighed and nuzzled my face with his as I laughed at his affection. "I am sorry for not visiting you for such a long time. Two months in fact? Sorry. Do the people here treat you well in the stables?"

The horse bobbed his head as though nodding and I grinned.

"Well, I have to say, you are still one smart horse I have ever met. No doubt the horse of Gandalf the grey." I comb my hands through his mane, enjoying the feel. "I am sorry, but you must have felt lonely by yourself here… just like me…"

"Jacqueline?"

I twirled behind to find Boromir standing in front of me, his clear brown eyes looking at me with amusement. He was wearing common Gondorian attire, instead of his usual richer clothes that showed his status as the son of the Steward of Gondor. He was unarmed and his face bore a gentle smile.

"Hey Boromir! What's bringing you here in the stables?" I greeted, seeing Boromir walking towards me slowly, taking a look around the stables. Aurin nuzzled at my neck protectively and I patted his cheeks assuringly.

"I see that your horse is quite protective of you. He's quite a good and sturdy looking horse," Boromir complimented as he slowly reached out and too patted Aurin. I smiled gently.

"He is… he's a good horse, but you still haven't told me what brings you here?" I said, narrowing my eyes towards him. Boromir coughed before looking sheepishly at me, "well… do you wish to go riding?"

"Eh?"

"Alright, then you just lean forward and let your weight balance with the horse," Boromir said beside me as I tried to ride Aurin comfortably and steadily, "that's good. You are doing well Milady."

"You call this well?! I am nearly falling off! Aurin! Stop playing around and let me sit properly will you!" I screamed as Aurin neighed.

I swear that horse was laughing at me. I grimaced as I tried not to lose my butt to the ground. Boromir stifled a laugh and I glared at him before sighing in defeat.

"We shall have a break my lady, to spare you from this if you wish."

"Thank God!" I cried as I successfully pulled Aurin to a stop and ungracefully embark down the horse. I sank to the ground and rested my sore butt in relief.

Aurin went ahead and ran around the field, enjoying the freedom he had. Boromir got down and too let his horse, a grey one with black mane, roam the field with Aurin before sitting beside me.

I breathed in the air and looked at the surroundings around me, where there were vast fields as far as I could see. The clear blue sky was filled white fluffy clouds as the spring breeze blew past me. I lay on the ground fully, letting my hood revealed some parts of my face as I gave a relaxed sigh.

It's been a long time, since I need not care for anything in the world… no need to study as hard as I should have been in my schooling years, worrying of my results… now… my life here was all about survival… to live. Things learned in theories had mostly gone to smoke, only experiences and memories survived to keep us living, that I realized.

"You seem to be in deep thoughts Jacqueline," Boromir said softly and I turned to look at him, only to find concerned eyes staring back at mine.

"Do you still dream of the Dark Lord?"

I gave a laugh and shook my head. "Nah, just thinking about myself… about how my life has change when I dropped here."

"Your world is really unlike ours. Instead of worrying about wars and open battles, your people worry more on wealth and careers and health instead. How different…"

I said nothing as I admired the golden plains before us. "Say Boromir, do you have anything you wish to tell me? I can see you are troubled."

Boromir lay down on the grass and remained silent. I looked at him patiently as the wind take speed. "Boromir?"

"… Jacqueline, you told me you have two brothers right?"

"Yeah… so?"

"Does your father… dislike any of you?" He said the last few words quite softly but I managed to strain my ears to hear it. So… I guess Denethor has pushed Faramir too much for Boromir to ask me such a question…

I thought back of my life in my world, my family… it's been three years… and the memories of them were fading and blurring. I could still remember… my dad's smile… and somehow together with his advices on my life, but his face… becomes something like a jigsaw puzzle… all my family and friends' faces formed a huge jigsaw puzzle…

"If you don't wish to say it, then its ok…" Boromir continued and I shook my head.

"Nah… just that your question makes me think," I grinned before thinking thoughtfully.

"I don't know actually all I can remember now is that my father is a fair and honest man. He is quite optimistic, totally opposite from my mother, always encouraging all of us to work hard and all in life. He can be… demanding at times but all in all, I think he's quite alright with the three of us kids."

"I see. Your father must be a wonderful father to bring up a daughter like you," Boromir smiled warmly and I blushed slightly at his comment. "What's the matter Boromir, it's unlike you to… behave so sentimental. What have you done to the real Boromir?" I punched his shoulder lightly and Boromir laughed.

"Well," Boromir said, giving a slight frown, " you… you know of my father right?" I nodded.

"Father he does not like Gandalf a lot… he believes that… Gandalf is trying to use our people for his own purposes…"

I narrowed my eyes at Boromir, who caught my look. "But, Gandalf isn't like that…" I said softly and Boromir sighed as he looked to the sky.

"I know… Faramir loves his presence in Minas Tirith a lot… and I chat with him a few times… but Father never approves of Gandalf being here. Just recently, my father caught Faramir taking to Gandalf outside the library and he was punished severely. Grounded to his room with guards outside his door… even I cannot pass them to even talk to my younger brother…"

I widened my eyes at the new information. He is punishing Faramir so badly just because he talked to Gandalf?! This is absurd!

"Faramir looked strained and weary lately, why is that so Boromir?" I asked, my heart going out to Faramir.

"He… well… he has been trying his very best to seek my father's approval… going to missions, hunts as my father requested, but to no avail…"

My eyes saddened as Boromir's eyes were filled with troubled. "I have told Father to treat Faramir equally as me… for he is of the same level in skills and intelligence as me or even higher who knows, but… he ignores it… saying that only I should have the best of everything…"

There was silence after that. The cool breeze blew across us as I could see some birds flying across the sky.

"Then… do you treat your brother the same way as your father did?"

"Of course not! He is my dearest younger brother! I will die to protect him from enemies in battles," Boromir defended, his eyes burning.

I stared at Boromir before giving a hearty laugh at his reaction.

"Then stay that way," I ended, "If your father continued his way, continue protecting your brother from his unfair treatments as you always does, as your equal. I am sure your father loves Faramir a lot… but… he just did not realize that in his heart…"

Boromir looked at me softly. "If only… my mother was alive… I am sure father would have treated Faramir differently…"

"Perhaps… but the past cannot be reversed… one can dream though…" Just like what I am doing now... dreaming of my home...

Suddenly Boromir raised his hand to the rim of my hood and I held his hand back instinctively.

"What… what are you doing?"

Boromir blushed and he let down his hand. "Sorry but, it's just that, it's been a long time since I have last saw your face… Can I see your face once again?" I looked at him curiously before giving a slight nod.

After all, I am sick of hiding my face for the whole time. I put down my hood and I felt the wind playing with my long black fringe. I let Boromir studied my face, which was I admit, uncomfortable. After all, to have the Captain of Gondor staring at your face real hard, its scary.

Boromir noticed my tenseness and quickly apologized of his action. I laughed nervously and shook my head.

"It's been a real long time to reveal my face outside literally," I laughed as I let the sunlight hit my face and smell the warm air. My now long waist length hair was tucked in the cloak, preventing it from flying around too much.

Boromir continued to stare at me before giving a warm smile and pat my head. "You have grown into a woman my dear friend… though still the same plump looking lady I first saw. I hope to be able to see you in a dress though… ..."

I stuck out my tongue. "No way, I hate dresses. I can't move around in those long skirts. Besides, I am planning to cut my hair soon, when I get hold of a knife, or a scissors!"

Boromir laughed. "I suggest you should keep your hair. I believe Faramir will too agree. You look much better now." I snorted.

Suddenly an image of Bilbo lecturing me of being a lady and my dear four hobbits appeared in my mind and I smiled... If only Bilbo and Frodo could see me now...

The two of us continued to joke around under the sun, uncaring of the matters that we were currently facing.

A few days later, Boromir came and visited me again, this time, with an invitation.

"What?! You want to bring me to Gondor's libraries?" I said in shock.

Boromir laughed at my reaction. "Yes. Well, its quite rude of the two of us to not bring you to our city's largest libraries. I believe I can get permission from Father to allow you in."

"Do I need to see him?"

"Nay, you need not. Father will be quite busy in the city's affairs in the time I allocate for you. You need not worry my friend."

"Then what about Faramir? Is he coming to join us?" I asked. Boromir shook his head.

"I am afraid not… father he… is still furious… but, if you are lucky enough, perhaps I might be able to sneak him out to meet us." Boromir whispered and gave a wink.

"But we won't get him into trouble because of this right?"

"Do not worry. As long as I am around, father will understand. After all, Faramir has been punished enough. He should be let out once."

Boromir looked out of the window over looking the fields and out to the open sky. "I pray though… that Faramir will get father's recognition in time to come… then, I can be beside him without guilt of father's love for me…"

I looked towards the elder son of Denethor and smiled. One thing I was sure that, Faramir knew how much his brother loves him… and how much he loves his brother…

"So what are we waiting for?" I asked and Boromir turned towards me and grinned.

With a grab of my hand, he pulled me out of the inn after saying his goodbyes to Marthia and Valento and to the Gondor libraries by riding his horse.

Within a few minutes, we reached the top of the city where the tower greeted us with its majestic view. Boromir brought me down from the horse before leading me in.

I nervously pulled my hood down to cover my face as I saw Boromir talking to a guard up front before he continued leading me inside the tower.

It was the first I stepped inside, white marbled walls stood high and intimidating, statues of past great kings of Gondor stood majestically at the sides as they led the eye to the Seat of the King of Gondor, which I was amazed to find it currently empty.

Boromir caught my look of surprise but said nothing as he continued to lead me quickly to a maze of corridors on the right. My clothed shoes made quiet noises against the marbled dark tiled floor as my heart thumped faster at each step. Despite my nervousness, I could not help but look around at the intriguing Gondorian designs and marble carvings on the walls and pillars.

"Glad to see you find our architecture interesting," Boromir smiled towards me, not stopping his pace. "I apologize for not explaining you the situation just now… its best if we reach the libraries as fast as we can to avoid any person and… father. Luckily, father is in his room doing his reading in his private library at this time. So you need not worry of meeting him."

"I see…" But somehow… I have an uneasy feeling that something is going to happen…

Then two large doors came to view and surprisingly, a familiar person was there leaning against the wall in front of us.

"Faramir!!" I cried in relief as Faramir gave a gentle smile upon noticing me.

"Long time no see Milady."

"Indeed my dear friend," I gave a hug to the younger man who laughed.

"I believe my brother must have not been a good host for you to be so relieved to see me," he teased, looking towards Boromir who stuck a tongue out in playfulness.

"I can't possibly give a tour around the tower. It's too risky and he said that…" Boromir trailed off and Faramir seemed to understand what his elder brother was saying and gave a grim nod, sliencing the elder. I looked to the two brothers in doubt, for I could sense that they were hiding something from me.

"Boromir? Faramir? What's wrong?" I asked and the two brothers just gave a reassuring grin before each grabbed a hand of mine and opened the enormous doors.

"Welcome Lady Jacqueline, to the libraries of Gondor."