Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Hey, did anyone catch my tribute to Arthur Miller's John Proctor in the last chapter?
"How can we feel so alike yet be so different?"
--Stellaluna
"His mother was a votress of my order
And for her sake do I rear up her boy
And for her sake I will not part with him."
--Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Emmithar: Disappointment? One of these days we must swap philosophies. Heh, yes Elladan is joking. He wouldn't skin his brother. Hope your Japan trip works out! Estel isn't in any better of a predicament than Feanor, I'm sorry to say. And Denethor does have something to do with Feanor, as this chapter says. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of Boromir either--I mean, he was an okay guy but he had n respect for the ring. I guess in contrast to Aragorn he really was kinda stupid. Will she ever look on Estel the same way again? Maybe, maybe not. Think Stellaluna.
Smeagol: Cliffie so hobbitses will read more, of course! And would you just go and get some dark chocolate? For Bob's sake, I'll get you some!! (Want me to? I might have access to some, tonight)
Belothien: Why were you surprised when Estel asked that? Denethor was surprised, too! Yes, of course more!
Jo March: I look forward to another review from you!
Seriously, reviews really do make me happy. Just knowing that my stuff's not so crap that no one will read makes me euphoric--and makes me want to write more!
*****
Feanor ran hard, and didn't stop until she reach her room--well, the room she had been occupying, anyway. She clutched the doorknob so tightly at first that she was unable to open the door. With some amount of trial and error, she managed to open the door and get inside. She shut the door behind her, and slid the latch into place.
Only the click of the latch made her finally relax. One hand open against the door, she managed to stay on her feet. She didn't think for a minute, just steadied her breathing. Then everything came flooding back to her.
And then the tears came.
Tears, hot and salty drops of sorrow, just like Estel's, dripped from her eyes. Like Estel's, they made her weak. The hand on the door trembled, then let up as she curled to the floor. Her hands naturally went up to her neck in a protective stance as ceaseless tears flowed. Like Estel's they wiped all thoughts from her head. Like Etel's tears that she did not know about.
After a time, Feanor's rational mind took over. Her hands flew up to her eyes to rid them of tears. She stood on shaking legs, as a new-born fawn might. Her tears stayed at bay while she did this.
And then the thoughts came.
Estel would hate her now, he had no reason to have anything to do with her. He had been the first person in years that she had really trusted, really liked. He had accepted her for who she was. He had looked out for her and protected her, and stood up for her. He had taught her to read and write, and wield a blade. Yet he was a king's son and, that king now dead, a king himself. He would have nothing to do with her.
But there were exceptions to every rule. Elrond, for example, had known all along what she was and hadn't once acted as though he thought less of her for it. But what about Arwen? Arwen, who was willing to save her life, then shut her out. Would Estel learn from Arwen? Oh, why bother, she thought, he probably already hates me.
But the tears that came she choked back. She would not cry over the loss of Estel's friendship, she would NOT. There was something far more important than tears, more important even than Estel--Faramir. For Faramir had recognized her that night, she knew he had. She had seen it in his eye. Now she had to leave, there was no choice. Faramir would make her go back.
But Faramir had always been kind to her. He had taken her to a healer many times, when she was so hurt she could not go herself. He had done everything in his power to make her life easier. But he had grown up in such society that he would never let her get away. She had to leave, she would not endure that life again. Having tasted freedom, she would not go back to being a bound soul. She had to leave. There were three closed options: Lothlorien, for Galadriel would send her to Elrond, Rivendell, for once Faramir told Elrond he would send her back to Gondor, and, of course, Gondor itself.
*****
Estel had also run right to his room. He had not locked the door, so sure that no one would come after him. After all, Feanor was upset--his fault-- and everyone else had no reason to care. Elrond wouldn't care, it wasn't like he was Estel's father, and he had lied to Estel all those years, and Elladan and Elrohir had lied, too. Arwen was just a generally cold person. Denethor and Boromir would probably laugh at him, and Faramir--who seemed pretty okay--would never move without his father's permission.
So sure of himself, Estel could still not stop the tears. He cried for the loss of Feanor, who would not accept him as a king. He cried because he now had no father, no brothers, and no home. He cried because he had lost everything. He cried because he had, in effect, taken up the post he swore to deny. He cried because he hated himself.
Finally, his tears stopped. He did nothing to any affectiveness, he just sat on his bed and stared off into space. His thoughts stopped, and he was as death. Cold with hatred.
*****
Faramir had known as soon as he saw Feanor who she was. All along, he had known that he knew her, that her name was not Feanor, but he couldn't figure out who she really was. Now he knew, she was not called Feanor but she was called Chandra.
As his father argued with Lord Elrond, Faramir tried to figure out how to speak with the girl. Denethor would demand an explanation, which Faramir was not willing to provide. Faramir could most likely slip away later, but Boromir would tell--he always did, stupid Boromir. Faramir wasn't sure how, but he had some conviction in him. He would see the girl that night.
*****
Elrond did not call out to Estel as Estel fled the room, much as he wanted to. Instead, he turned to Denethor, who was red with anger. Denethor, as Elrond had suspected he would, demanded to know if "that boy" really was Aragorn and what Elrond meant by concealing him.
"Yes, he is Aragorn. I was asked by his mother, in the event of his father's death, to raise the boy. I conceal him for his own protection. Surely you know of the faction against him?" It was true, for a time there was a faction in Gondor--headed by Denethor--against Aragorn. Denethor could neither admit to nor deny knowledge of its existence. He simply left. His sons followed him.
"How did Estel know?" Elrond asked Arwen, Elladan, and Elrohir. They were some of the only ones who knew. Elrond did not think one of them had actually told Estel, but he liked to be sure of things.
"I didn't tell him. I've hardly spoken to him," Arwen responded, as though it were obvious she hadn't spoken to him.
"I. . ." Elrohir began, then stopped. Elrond was surprised. He hadn't thought one of them honestly would've said anything. Well, maybe Arwen, but certainly not the boys. Elladan looked at Elrohir, then inclined his head slightly. "We didn't tell him," Elrohir said, "but I knew. He was different- -the way he walked and spoke, sort of. He had changed."
Elrond nodded, pleased to hear that no one had told Estel. But then if no one had told him, how did he know? While he was pondering this, Elladan spoke up. "That night, remember? The night before the girl came, he was in your study. He apologized for something."
It had to be so. There was no other explanation. Elrond went to talk to Estel--Eru only knew what conclusions the boy had drawn. When he knocked on Estel's door, it slid open. He did not take this to mean he could go in, he knew Estel better than that. "Estel?"
*****
Estel immediately stopped feeling angry. Instead, he felt sorry for all the angry things he had thought against Elrond. How could he have thought those things? Elrond had raised him, hadn't cared that he wasn't an elf. What had possessed him to think such hurtful things?
Now Estel knew what he had to do. It was time for him to grow up. He couldn't act like a child anymore. He couldn't run crying from a bad situation. He had to deal with it. He had to learn from the examples set by his father. What Arathorn had done in his time as king had greatly benefited Gondor. What Elrond had done had greatly benefited all of Middle- Earth. What was Estel to do? Something. He had to do something. "Come in," he called, sure he was ready to face anything.
*****
Faramir paused. Once his brother had fallen asleep, he had slipped away. Now, outside Chandra's door, he paused. Should he knock? Would it be right to talk to her after the way his family had treated her? He had done his best but had it been enough? Unsure, he lowered his hand--accidently knocking in the process.
"Chandra," he called softly. She heard. She was about to leave when she heard her name, spoken softly. For all the times he had been nice to her, she would stay. She would stay some extra minutes and talk to Faramir. Then she would run like the wind.
Hey, did anyone catch my tribute to Arthur Miller's John Proctor in the last chapter?
"How can we feel so alike yet be so different?"
--Stellaluna
"His mother was a votress of my order
And for her sake do I rear up her boy
And for her sake I will not part with him."
--Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Emmithar: Disappointment? One of these days we must swap philosophies. Heh, yes Elladan is joking. He wouldn't skin his brother. Hope your Japan trip works out! Estel isn't in any better of a predicament than Feanor, I'm sorry to say. And Denethor does have something to do with Feanor, as this chapter says. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of Boromir either--I mean, he was an okay guy but he had n respect for the ring. I guess in contrast to Aragorn he really was kinda stupid. Will she ever look on Estel the same way again? Maybe, maybe not. Think Stellaluna.
Smeagol: Cliffie so hobbitses will read more, of course! And would you just go and get some dark chocolate? For Bob's sake, I'll get you some!! (Want me to? I might have access to some, tonight)
Belothien: Why were you surprised when Estel asked that? Denethor was surprised, too! Yes, of course more!
Jo March: I look forward to another review from you!
Seriously, reviews really do make me happy. Just knowing that my stuff's not so crap that no one will read makes me euphoric--and makes me want to write more!
*****
Feanor ran hard, and didn't stop until she reach her room--well, the room she had been occupying, anyway. She clutched the doorknob so tightly at first that she was unable to open the door. With some amount of trial and error, she managed to open the door and get inside. She shut the door behind her, and slid the latch into place.
Only the click of the latch made her finally relax. One hand open against the door, she managed to stay on her feet. She didn't think for a minute, just steadied her breathing. Then everything came flooding back to her.
And then the tears came.
Tears, hot and salty drops of sorrow, just like Estel's, dripped from her eyes. Like Estel's, they made her weak. The hand on the door trembled, then let up as she curled to the floor. Her hands naturally went up to her neck in a protective stance as ceaseless tears flowed. Like Estel's they wiped all thoughts from her head. Like Etel's tears that she did not know about.
After a time, Feanor's rational mind took over. Her hands flew up to her eyes to rid them of tears. She stood on shaking legs, as a new-born fawn might. Her tears stayed at bay while she did this.
And then the thoughts came.
Estel would hate her now, he had no reason to have anything to do with her. He had been the first person in years that she had really trusted, really liked. He had accepted her for who she was. He had looked out for her and protected her, and stood up for her. He had taught her to read and write, and wield a blade. Yet he was a king's son and, that king now dead, a king himself. He would have nothing to do with her.
But there were exceptions to every rule. Elrond, for example, had known all along what she was and hadn't once acted as though he thought less of her for it. But what about Arwen? Arwen, who was willing to save her life, then shut her out. Would Estel learn from Arwen? Oh, why bother, she thought, he probably already hates me.
But the tears that came she choked back. She would not cry over the loss of Estel's friendship, she would NOT. There was something far more important than tears, more important even than Estel--Faramir. For Faramir had recognized her that night, she knew he had. She had seen it in his eye. Now she had to leave, there was no choice. Faramir would make her go back.
But Faramir had always been kind to her. He had taken her to a healer many times, when she was so hurt she could not go herself. He had done everything in his power to make her life easier. But he had grown up in such society that he would never let her get away. She had to leave, she would not endure that life again. Having tasted freedom, she would not go back to being a bound soul. She had to leave. There were three closed options: Lothlorien, for Galadriel would send her to Elrond, Rivendell, for once Faramir told Elrond he would send her back to Gondor, and, of course, Gondor itself.
*****
Estel had also run right to his room. He had not locked the door, so sure that no one would come after him. After all, Feanor was upset--his fault-- and everyone else had no reason to care. Elrond wouldn't care, it wasn't like he was Estel's father, and he had lied to Estel all those years, and Elladan and Elrohir had lied, too. Arwen was just a generally cold person. Denethor and Boromir would probably laugh at him, and Faramir--who seemed pretty okay--would never move without his father's permission.
So sure of himself, Estel could still not stop the tears. He cried for the loss of Feanor, who would not accept him as a king. He cried because he now had no father, no brothers, and no home. He cried because he had lost everything. He cried because he had, in effect, taken up the post he swore to deny. He cried because he hated himself.
Finally, his tears stopped. He did nothing to any affectiveness, he just sat on his bed and stared off into space. His thoughts stopped, and he was as death. Cold with hatred.
*****
Faramir had known as soon as he saw Feanor who she was. All along, he had known that he knew her, that her name was not Feanor, but he couldn't figure out who she really was. Now he knew, she was not called Feanor but she was called Chandra.
As his father argued with Lord Elrond, Faramir tried to figure out how to speak with the girl. Denethor would demand an explanation, which Faramir was not willing to provide. Faramir could most likely slip away later, but Boromir would tell--he always did, stupid Boromir. Faramir wasn't sure how, but he had some conviction in him. He would see the girl that night.
*****
Elrond did not call out to Estel as Estel fled the room, much as he wanted to. Instead, he turned to Denethor, who was red with anger. Denethor, as Elrond had suspected he would, demanded to know if "that boy" really was Aragorn and what Elrond meant by concealing him.
"Yes, he is Aragorn. I was asked by his mother, in the event of his father's death, to raise the boy. I conceal him for his own protection. Surely you know of the faction against him?" It was true, for a time there was a faction in Gondor--headed by Denethor--against Aragorn. Denethor could neither admit to nor deny knowledge of its existence. He simply left. His sons followed him.
"How did Estel know?" Elrond asked Arwen, Elladan, and Elrohir. They were some of the only ones who knew. Elrond did not think one of them had actually told Estel, but he liked to be sure of things.
"I didn't tell him. I've hardly spoken to him," Arwen responded, as though it were obvious she hadn't spoken to him.
"I. . ." Elrohir began, then stopped. Elrond was surprised. He hadn't thought one of them honestly would've said anything. Well, maybe Arwen, but certainly not the boys. Elladan looked at Elrohir, then inclined his head slightly. "We didn't tell him," Elrohir said, "but I knew. He was different- -the way he walked and spoke, sort of. He had changed."
Elrond nodded, pleased to hear that no one had told Estel. But then if no one had told him, how did he know? While he was pondering this, Elladan spoke up. "That night, remember? The night before the girl came, he was in your study. He apologized for something."
It had to be so. There was no other explanation. Elrond went to talk to Estel--Eru only knew what conclusions the boy had drawn. When he knocked on Estel's door, it slid open. He did not take this to mean he could go in, he knew Estel better than that. "Estel?"
*****
Estel immediately stopped feeling angry. Instead, he felt sorry for all the angry things he had thought against Elrond. How could he have thought those things? Elrond had raised him, hadn't cared that he wasn't an elf. What had possessed him to think such hurtful things?
Now Estel knew what he had to do. It was time for him to grow up. He couldn't act like a child anymore. He couldn't run crying from a bad situation. He had to deal with it. He had to learn from the examples set by his father. What Arathorn had done in his time as king had greatly benefited Gondor. What Elrond had done had greatly benefited all of Middle- Earth. What was Estel to do? Something. He had to do something. "Come in," he called, sure he was ready to face anything.
*****
Faramir paused. Once his brother had fallen asleep, he had slipped away. Now, outside Chandra's door, he paused. Should he knock? Would it be right to talk to her after the way his family had treated her? He had done his best but had it been enough? Unsure, he lowered his hand--accidently knocking in the process.
"Chandra," he called softly. She heard. She was about to leave when she heard her name, spoken softly. For all the times he had been nice to her, she would stay. She would stay some extra minutes and talk to Faramir. Then she would run like the wind.