Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings, just my own characters.
The Ring of Stars by Shelly
CHAPTER SIX
Lillisandra rose early the next morning still sore from the past two days and decided to soak for a while in the basins provided for them. Once finished, she dressed herself in a green silk gown, managing her waist length hair as best she could by braiding it into a single rope that hung down her back. No sooner had she finished than she heard someone knock on the front door, and she hurried to answer it, thinking it was Boromir. But when she opened it, she was surprised to see Faramir standing there holding a large basket in his arms.
She stepped back into the suite, allowing him room to bring his burden inside. "Lord Faramir, I am surprised to see you."
He set the basket on the table. "My brother would've come but my father caught him early this morning and still speaks with him even now. Rarely does he get any time to himself."
She smiled. "Yes, I noticed that. But with times being as they are it is to be expected."
He smiled also, thinking it was impossible that someone so lovely could be even more beautiful the next time he saw her. "I agree, but I have been given leave to escort you around our city at least until tonight when the feasting will begin. I have brought you and the others some food to break your fast with in the meantime."
"How considerate of you, my lord," she said as her way of thanking him.
"It is the least I can do for you, my lady. If you wish to take what you like and follow me I will show you a sight that will surely amaze you."
She looked through the basket and pulled out a ripe red apple then followed him outside as he led her past a large rectangular building which he told her was called the Merethrond or the Hall of Feasts where they would dine tonight. They passed the Place of the Fountain where the White Tree once thrived. "My lord, if I may ask the significance of the tree here?"
"Please, feel free to call me by my name."
She nodded. "And you may have the same privilege with me."
He smiled as they continued walking out towards the flat top of the outcropping she had seen upon her arrival. "The tree was first planted here by Isildur back when Minas Tirith was known as Minas Anor in memory of his brother, Anarion, who was slain during the seige of Barad-Dur. It first died when King Telemnar and his sons died from the plague that swept through Gondor. His nephew Tarondor replanted the seedling, and it grew until the twenty-first Ruling Steward, Belecthor II, died. After that no seedling could be found to replant, and the tree has remained there ever since."
"Why was the city's name changed?" she asked.
He sighed. "One thing I should warn you about is that Gondor has a long history, particularly this area. You are welcome to visit our library and learn more about Gondor if you wish, but you can stay there for the rest of your life and still not learn everything.
"During the rule of King Earnil, the tower known as Minas Ithil was besieged by the evil from Mordor and after two years finally captured it. It was soon renamed Minas Morgul, and when Earnur became king the Lord of that tower challenged him to combat, but his steward, Mardil, kept him from accepting. Soon after Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith. Seven years later, the Lord issued his challenge once more and this time Earnur accepted but was never seen again. Mardil became the first Ruling Steward of Gondor."
Soon they reached the embrasure that overlooked the Great Gate, and she gazed in awe at the distance she could see around her. Faramir stepped near her and pointed to the northeast. "There's Osgiliath, which was once a city before our enemies destroyed it. However, we took it back when Denethor the First was Steward and still hold it as a fortress against Mordor."
Her eyes became sad. "So much war so many have lived through."
He looked down at her. "Please forgive me! My purpose in bringing you here was not to depress you!"
She smiled. "Of course you didn't, Faramir. I do not mean to be so melancholy. It is just that this is my first time in a new land, and your fair city fascinates me so that it pains me to see the hardship it has seen."
He gazed at her in wonder. "You've never been away from your home?"
She shook her head, closing her eyes as the wind brushed across her face. "No, I haven't. There has been no need for me to leave until now, although I had often dreamed of leaving someday and seeing something of the world."
"What has brought you here?" he asked, once again reminded of how remarkable she really was.
She wasn't sure how much she was allowed to say, but decided to tell only part of the truth. "I am going to Lorien. It was my father's wish that someone from this city accompany me this far."
He sighed and reluctantly gazed towards the northwest. "Ah, Lorien," he breathed. "Laurelindorenan it was called long ago, a place I would very much like to see one day." Then he turned his eyes back to her. "Then your journey lies shortly ahead of you."
She walked up to the wall and leaned against it, her thoughts turning towards Boromir, and she wondered if she would see him again before she left Minas Tirith. Faramir was the very soul of courtesy and pleasant to be around, but she longed to be at his brother's side instead, a feeling that surprised her since he was the last person she had expected to feel this way toward. But she would soon have to continue on without him as Minas Tirith needed him more than she did, a thought that brought with it a great pain inside her heart.
Seeking a means to ease the sudden sadness that had overcome her, he led her next through a tour of the city itself, taking her into various shops and generally letting her set the pace. They soon had to return to the Citadel as evening drew near, and he was sad to end their time together as he had become fond of her company. He escorted her back to her room and informed her he would return to take her and her escort to the feast in an hour.
In the meantime she changed into a more suitable gown made out of a fabric that changed colors with every move she made. She also attempted to style her hair differently to suit the occasion but only ended up leaving it flowing long and loose behind her except for a braid above each ear that joined together as one in the back.
True to his word, Faramir returned and was stunned at her transformation. "My lady, never have I seen a more beautiful sight in all the world."
She smiled, embarrassed at such praise and at the same time flattered. "Thank you, my lord," she replied.
Soon Aldarion and Tarcil appeared and together they walked underneath the night sky to the Hall of Feasts. Upon entering, she saw that the hall was near to bursting with guests and servants, and the noise of conversation and music assailed her ears. The herald attending the door announced their presence, and silence descended upon her, making her uncomfortable, but she refused to show it and walked smoothly behind Faramir as he led her to the head table where his father and brother sat. Her eyes soon locked onto a pair of familiar blue ones, and she was struck speechless to see him dressed in clothing of a midnight blue so deep it was almost black, as befitting one of his station. Her eyes never left his as he rose to greet her, taking her hand in his and lightly kissing the back of it.
She managed to hide her happiness at seeing she was to sit beside him, and she wondered if he had had any choice in the seating arrangements as Faramir sat to her left and Aldarion and Tarcil beside him.
"I am afraid, my lady, that I have found myself missing your presence today," she heard him whisper in her ear, his words bringing a smile to her lips.
"Do you find yourself growing bored, my lord?" she asked.
He laughed. "Bored? Never. But I believe that you have changed me in some way as I no longer look upon my duties with the same enthusiam as I used to. As I spoke with my father, I listened to little of what he said as I thought of nothing but your lovely face all day."
She found herself staring into his eyes and was astonished to see that he had meant what he had said. She tore her gaze from his and focused on her food instead. "I apologize as that was not my intent," she answered. "But I, too, have found myself wishing for your company today."
He raised an eyebrow in response. "My brother wasn't good company to you?"
"Well enough," she assured him. "But I fear that he is not you."
A smile appeared on his lips and he reached for her hand to pull it between them, holding it there for a moment as it was the first time they had touched since the night they had spent by the Sirith River.
Soon Denethor began questioning her about her father, asking how he was and speaking of other matters of courtesy between two neighboring lands. Then he turned his attention towards Boromir, and try as they might, they were unable to speak again to each other during the remainder of the feast. Faramir instead pointed out the different people that attended, telling her their names and other useless bits of information that were used to fill the time.
She soon became tired and expressed her desire to retire for the night as she raised from her seat, Boromir noticing and doing the same as did his father and brother. She thanked them for the wonderful food and companionship, and glanced at Boromir, asking him to escort her back with her eyes, and he would have if not for his father that continued to keep him there. Burying her disappointment, she accepted Faramir's offer instead, ending up returning alone with him as Aldarion and Tarcil wished to stay a bit longer.
She tilted her head back to gaze at the star-filled sky around her, cursing her fortune that Boromir was not here with her now. "Faramir, please do not take this wrongly, but somehow I get the feeling that your father sees me as a danger to you and your brother, Boromir most of all."
He sighed and when he spoke she detected a faint sound of bitterness in his voice. "Boromir has always been most favored by him. He believes that my brother will continue on after him and become a great leader, although he already is thought of highly amongst many. So it would be only natural of him to see you in such a way as you would only be a distraction to him.
"As for me, I have forever been an irritation to him as I do not think the same way he does. He believes I have been influenced heavily by Gandalf, and perhaps I have, but I see nothing wrong in it. He is a very wise man and a veritable fountain of information, and I always look forward to his visits. But he has not been here for many a year now."
"Still I do not see where his wariness of me comes from," she continued.
"My guess is it has something to do with our mother. She died when I was four years old and perhaps my father misses her still as others have spoken to me of his great love for her. And yet they have also said that she was sad and missed her homeland of Dol Amroth very much and that the evil that dwells in the east filled her with fear. Maybe my father is merely trying to protect you from the same fate."
She glanced at him questioningly. "He acts as if I am here for a betrothal ceremony." When she received no answer, she stopped him and turned him to face her. "Faramir, what aren't you telling me?"
******************
Hmm, what secret is he hiding? Next chapter: Lilli discovers something which has her wishing she had never come to Minas Tirith.
The Ring of Stars by Shelly
CHAPTER SIX
Lillisandra rose early the next morning still sore from the past two days and decided to soak for a while in the basins provided for them. Once finished, she dressed herself in a green silk gown, managing her waist length hair as best she could by braiding it into a single rope that hung down her back. No sooner had she finished than she heard someone knock on the front door, and she hurried to answer it, thinking it was Boromir. But when she opened it, she was surprised to see Faramir standing there holding a large basket in his arms.
She stepped back into the suite, allowing him room to bring his burden inside. "Lord Faramir, I am surprised to see you."
He set the basket on the table. "My brother would've come but my father caught him early this morning and still speaks with him even now. Rarely does he get any time to himself."
She smiled. "Yes, I noticed that. But with times being as they are it is to be expected."
He smiled also, thinking it was impossible that someone so lovely could be even more beautiful the next time he saw her. "I agree, but I have been given leave to escort you around our city at least until tonight when the feasting will begin. I have brought you and the others some food to break your fast with in the meantime."
"How considerate of you, my lord," she said as her way of thanking him.
"It is the least I can do for you, my lady. If you wish to take what you like and follow me I will show you a sight that will surely amaze you."
She looked through the basket and pulled out a ripe red apple then followed him outside as he led her past a large rectangular building which he told her was called the Merethrond or the Hall of Feasts where they would dine tonight. They passed the Place of the Fountain where the White Tree once thrived. "My lord, if I may ask the significance of the tree here?"
"Please, feel free to call me by my name."
She nodded. "And you may have the same privilege with me."
He smiled as they continued walking out towards the flat top of the outcropping she had seen upon her arrival. "The tree was first planted here by Isildur back when Minas Tirith was known as Minas Anor in memory of his brother, Anarion, who was slain during the seige of Barad-Dur. It first died when King Telemnar and his sons died from the plague that swept through Gondor. His nephew Tarondor replanted the seedling, and it grew until the twenty-first Ruling Steward, Belecthor II, died. After that no seedling could be found to replant, and the tree has remained there ever since."
"Why was the city's name changed?" she asked.
He sighed. "One thing I should warn you about is that Gondor has a long history, particularly this area. You are welcome to visit our library and learn more about Gondor if you wish, but you can stay there for the rest of your life and still not learn everything.
"During the rule of King Earnil, the tower known as Minas Ithil was besieged by the evil from Mordor and after two years finally captured it. It was soon renamed Minas Morgul, and when Earnur became king the Lord of that tower challenged him to combat, but his steward, Mardil, kept him from accepting. Soon after Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith. Seven years later, the Lord issued his challenge once more and this time Earnur accepted but was never seen again. Mardil became the first Ruling Steward of Gondor."
Soon they reached the embrasure that overlooked the Great Gate, and she gazed in awe at the distance she could see around her. Faramir stepped near her and pointed to the northeast. "There's Osgiliath, which was once a city before our enemies destroyed it. However, we took it back when Denethor the First was Steward and still hold it as a fortress against Mordor."
Her eyes became sad. "So much war so many have lived through."
He looked down at her. "Please forgive me! My purpose in bringing you here was not to depress you!"
She smiled. "Of course you didn't, Faramir. I do not mean to be so melancholy. It is just that this is my first time in a new land, and your fair city fascinates me so that it pains me to see the hardship it has seen."
He gazed at her in wonder. "You've never been away from your home?"
She shook her head, closing her eyes as the wind brushed across her face. "No, I haven't. There has been no need for me to leave until now, although I had often dreamed of leaving someday and seeing something of the world."
"What has brought you here?" he asked, once again reminded of how remarkable she really was.
She wasn't sure how much she was allowed to say, but decided to tell only part of the truth. "I am going to Lorien. It was my father's wish that someone from this city accompany me this far."
He sighed and reluctantly gazed towards the northwest. "Ah, Lorien," he breathed. "Laurelindorenan it was called long ago, a place I would very much like to see one day." Then he turned his eyes back to her. "Then your journey lies shortly ahead of you."
She walked up to the wall and leaned against it, her thoughts turning towards Boromir, and she wondered if she would see him again before she left Minas Tirith. Faramir was the very soul of courtesy and pleasant to be around, but she longed to be at his brother's side instead, a feeling that surprised her since he was the last person she had expected to feel this way toward. But she would soon have to continue on without him as Minas Tirith needed him more than she did, a thought that brought with it a great pain inside her heart.
Seeking a means to ease the sudden sadness that had overcome her, he led her next through a tour of the city itself, taking her into various shops and generally letting her set the pace. They soon had to return to the Citadel as evening drew near, and he was sad to end their time together as he had become fond of her company. He escorted her back to her room and informed her he would return to take her and her escort to the feast in an hour.
In the meantime she changed into a more suitable gown made out of a fabric that changed colors with every move she made. She also attempted to style her hair differently to suit the occasion but only ended up leaving it flowing long and loose behind her except for a braid above each ear that joined together as one in the back.
True to his word, Faramir returned and was stunned at her transformation. "My lady, never have I seen a more beautiful sight in all the world."
She smiled, embarrassed at such praise and at the same time flattered. "Thank you, my lord," she replied.
Soon Aldarion and Tarcil appeared and together they walked underneath the night sky to the Hall of Feasts. Upon entering, she saw that the hall was near to bursting with guests and servants, and the noise of conversation and music assailed her ears. The herald attending the door announced their presence, and silence descended upon her, making her uncomfortable, but she refused to show it and walked smoothly behind Faramir as he led her to the head table where his father and brother sat. Her eyes soon locked onto a pair of familiar blue ones, and she was struck speechless to see him dressed in clothing of a midnight blue so deep it was almost black, as befitting one of his station. Her eyes never left his as he rose to greet her, taking her hand in his and lightly kissing the back of it.
She managed to hide her happiness at seeing she was to sit beside him, and she wondered if he had had any choice in the seating arrangements as Faramir sat to her left and Aldarion and Tarcil beside him.
"I am afraid, my lady, that I have found myself missing your presence today," she heard him whisper in her ear, his words bringing a smile to her lips.
"Do you find yourself growing bored, my lord?" she asked.
He laughed. "Bored? Never. But I believe that you have changed me in some way as I no longer look upon my duties with the same enthusiam as I used to. As I spoke with my father, I listened to little of what he said as I thought of nothing but your lovely face all day."
She found herself staring into his eyes and was astonished to see that he had meant what he had said. She tore her gaze from his and focused on her food instead. "I apologize as that was not my intent," she answered. "But I, too, have found myself wishing for your company today."
He raised an eyebrow in response. "My brother wasn't good company to you?"
"Well enough," she assured him. "But I fear that he is not you."
A smile appeared on his lips and he reached for her hand to pull it between them, holding it there for a moment as it was the first time they had touched since the night they had spent by the Sirith River.
Soon Denethor began questioning her about her father, asking how he was and speaking of other matters of courtesy between two neighboring lands. Then he turned his attention towards Boromir, and try as they might, they were unable to speak again to each other during the remainder of the feast. Faramir instead pointed out the different people that attended, telling her their names and other useless bits of information that were used to fill the time.
She soon became tired and expressed her desire to retire for the night as she raised from her seat, Boromir noticing and doing the same as did his father and brother. She thanked them for the wonderful food and companionship, and glanced at Boromir, asking him to escort her back with her eyes, and he would have if not for his father that continued to keep him there. Burying her disappointment, she accepted Faramir's offer instead, ending up returning alone with him as Aldarion and Tarcil wished to stay a bit longer.
She tilted her head back to gaze at the star-filled sky around her, cursing her fortune that Boromir was not here with her now. "Faramir, please do not take this wrongly, but somehow I get the feeling that your father sees me as a danger to you and your brother, Boromir most of all."
He sighed and when he spoke she detected a faint sound of bitterness in his voice. "Boromir has always been most favored by him. He believes that my brother will continue on after him and become a great leader, although he already is thought of highly amongst many. So it would be only natural of him to see you in such a way as you would only be a distraction to him.
"As for me, I have forever been an irritation to him as I do not think the same way he does. He believes I have been influenced heavily by Gandalf, and perhaps I have, but I see nothing wrong in it. He is a very wise man and a veritable fountain of information, and I always look forward to his visits. But he has not been here for many a year now."
"Still I do not see where his wariness of me comes from," she continued.
"My guess is it has something to do with our mother. She died when I was four years old and perhaps my father misses her still as others have spoken to me of his great love for her. And yet they have also said that she was sad and missed her homeland of Dol Amroth very much and that the evil that dwells in the east filled her with fear. Maybe my father is merely trying to protect you from the same fate."
She glanced at him questioningly. "He acts as if I am here for a betrothal ceremony." When she received no answer, she stopped him and turned him to face her. "Faramir, what aren't you telling me?"
******************
Hmm, what secret is he hiding? Next chapter: Lilli discovers something which has her wishing she had never come to Minas Tirith.
