Leila awoke early the next morning with troubled thoughts. She carefully manuvered herself out of Boromir's embrace and tiptoed away from camp. She climbed a hill that overlooked much of Rohan and sat down on a large rock, pulling her knees to her chin and wrapping her arms around them. The sun was coming up in the east, casting hues of pink and yellow across the sky, clouds tinting purple in the light. Leila blinked and allowed herself to watch the slight wind lull her into a state of half-awareness as she watched the sun rise slowly on the horizon. She hoped that everything would be all right from here on out, but she knew it wouldn't be, especially if the story continued on remotely like the books had. She supposed that even if she did she wouldn't really be expecting it, but it did not comfort her at all. She was sad, and yet she was filled with sorrow, not really knowing why.
She closed her eyes and tried to sort through her muddled thoughts. There was the situation of the quest, Boromir and Jairah. She knew that she had most likely lost the elf's friendship because of her selfishness, and Boromir was living, and he was trying, but he really didn't understand. The quest was really standing on the edge of a knife, and Leila had tipped it ever so slightly.
"Leila?"
She looked up into the amber eyes of Jairah, "Jairah..."
Jairah sat down next to her and gazed over at the sunrise, "You blame yourself for everything that has happened?"
"Yes." Leila said, "How can I not? I got you hurt, nearly killed. I ruined the quest, I was selfish..."
"Yes, you were many of those things," Jairah said softly, "But that is not your fault. Destiny plays a part in all of our lives Leila. You were not thrown into the quest on accident, you were meant to be here. You have some role yet to play in the battle of good versus evil, and though you have hurt, and confused a lot of people, all of what you have done has been for a cause. Love makes people do really stupid things, but it's all worth it in the end."
"You're not mad at me?" Leial asked, "After what I did?"
"No. I can't be. Through you I have gained a good friend, one who may have put me in danger, but only did so because I went along with it. I could have refused to help you save Boromir's life, but I did not."
"But everything that happened - "
"No." Jairah raised a hand to silence the human woman, "No. The Valar chooses those who are capable of finishing what they begin. Someone else could have very well been chosen for the quest, but you were, not someone else. You are needed, by Boromir, by Merry, by Pippin, by all of us in some way."
"I don't understand?"
"No, you don't. None of us truly understand anything."
"I'm sorry Jairah, for everything that's happened."
"I know you are." Jairah said, "But let us speak of other matters. Gandalf has decided to send you and Boromir ahead of him to Minas Tirith."
Leila's eyes widened, "Uh... Oh, nonononon..."
"What is it?"
"I don't want to be there."
"There is more that you know?"
"I don't want to meet Boromir's father! That's guy is nuts!"
"Leila what are you talking about!"
Leila stared at her, eyes wide, "I - I shouldn't tell you! Not after everything that's happened!"
Jairah stared, "Does it have to do with me or Legolas?"
"No." Leila replied, "It has nothing to do with the fellowship really, but a lot ot do with Boromir's father."
"What? What is it that would make you say that the Lord Denethor is carzy?"
"He's gonna commit suicide." Leila's eyes went wide and she clamped a hand over her mouth with a whimper.
Jairah raised an eyebrow, "Leila? If it makes you feel better I won't tell anyone."
Leila nodded vigourously and bounded down the hill as her own way of getting out of the conversation.
~ * ~
"Uhm... Do I get my own horse?"
"Yes Leila." Gandalf stared hard at Leila before handing her a leather bag, "Here, change into these clothes. They will make you less noticeable."
"Okay."
Leila dissapeared for a moment before reappearing dressed in soft doeskin. She wore light brown breeches and boots, a white undertunic anda brown vest. She shifted slightly, "I feel like a freaky version of She-ra."
"Who?"
She looked over at Merry, "Nevermind."
"I think you look fine Leila." Boromir said as he appeared leading his dar bay and a palomino mare.
Leila giggled, "That could be taken a couple different ways. But I think I'll stick with the one you mean."
"uh huh. All right, off the two of you go." Gandalf spoke.
Leila turned and hugged Merry and Pippin. She turned and recieved a slight embrace from Aragorn before she hugged Jairah tightly. She clasped Legolas' hand in a friendly shake and hugged Gandalf like she would her father, which startled the Maiar. She walked over to the Palomino and Boromir spoke, "Do you know how to ride Leila?"
She gave him a look, "Hun, I was born in Scotland, of course I can ride."
To emphasise her point the mounted the mare with ease. Boromir chuckled and mounted his stallion before leading them away from camp and toward Gondor.
~ * ~
Leila sighed to herself and shifted her wieght in the saddle as she rode along behind Boromir. They had been riding for two days now, and spent two nights on the road as well. She was hoping it would all be over soon. She allowed the mare (whom she had decided to name Glory) to trot up a gentle slope and come to a stop next to Boromir. Her breath caught in her throat as the early morning light glistened off the white tower of Ecthalion and the rooftops of Minas Tirith. Plennor Fields lay below them, spread for somedistance that they could see. Leila looked over at Boromir, whose face was lit with a smile as he gazed down upon his home. She smiled softly and met his eyes, nodding and nudging Glory into a canter. Boromir followed, his stallion's linger legs causeing him to take the lead again. They rode down the slope out onto the fields and they raced toward the city among the tall green grass and spring flowers. Trumpets blared like silver in the distance as the guard spotted them riding toward the gate. Boromir urged his mount into a gallop and Leila followed, racing along next to him with a smile on her features, his happiness contagious. A call was taken up along the walls, the steward's son was home. The gates opened and Boromir slowed his horse, Leila following his lead as the cantered through the tall gates and into the courtyard below. The horses came to a stop and two stable hands rushed forward to take them as the pair dismounted. Boromir met with Beregond in the center of the courtyard, clasping forearms with his friend (AN: If you don't know who Beregond is, I suggest you read the third book.). Leila smiled and Boromir turned, indicating her foreward.
"Beregond, this is the Lady Leila of Scotland. Leila, my good friend Beregond."
Leila smiled at Beregond, and shook his hand when he reached for her's to kiss it, "Nice to meet you."
Beregond looked confused, but Boromir explained, "The customs of her people are slightly different from ours."
"Ah. Well, may i suggest heading up to the palace? Your father will want to see you."
"Of course." Boromir replied, "Shall we M'Lady?"
Leila laughed and took Boromir's arm, "We shall."