I was roused by the cook in the early hours of the morning it seemed. Dawn hadn't come yet and as the he explained wouldn't .
I was confused , why? Dragging myself from the warm sheets, I rubbed my eyes and straightened my dress. The flower crown was hanging on a hook which I pulled on. A glass of milk and pancakes were set before me. The man was already puttering about the kitchen. I dove into the pancakes , I hadn't eaten that well for days. Polishing off the glass of milk , I turned to ask the man a question.
"What's your name?"
"Jerome , but everyone round here calls me Jerry."
" Jerry , why am I awake so early ?"
"Lord Denethor wants to see you in the hall."
With that Jerry shooed me away and directed me to Denethor.
Denethor was sitting almost exactly like he had when I had left him. You could tell by his eyes he was in a nasty mood. Pippin came through the great doors with Gandalf. Pippin again looked nervous and cleared his throat.
" What would you do in my service ?"
"I thought , sir , that you would tell me my duties."
Denethor went on to explain of his esquire asking leave , and the duties of one , including singing (!). Pippin was almost asked to sing , a humiliating experiance for anyone , but was not. I was getting fidgety and my feet hurt. The Steward bade Pippin to be outfitted in the uniform of the guard. And I was ordered out by him with nothing to do.
I sat in one of the deep windows looking down at the city . Soldiers were running about and once I thought I saw a child like figure dart among them. I played Truth or Dare with myself I was so bored. I had flashed the city twice and told what colour of underwear I had. Suddenly , a long screeching cry filled my ears. Shivering, I ran from the hall to seek others. I didn't want to be alone with a Nazgul about in the air. Entering the courtyard I sprinted to the closest guard tower. Skidding straight into a random guard.
"S..ss..sorry. N...nnn..Nazgul."
The man nodded and stepped aside to reveal my hobbit friend cowering in horror. Four more of the horrid demons swooped overhead. I sucked up my courage and looked over the wall. A group of men were running towards the gate , but one went back for the horses. One of the Nazgul was stooping over him , and it seemed like he was lost. At that moment a flash of white came riding out and the black shadow was aware of him. Good old Gandalf . A shot of white chased the Nazgul off. They came towards the city and the shout of Mithrandir and Faramir went up.
Hurrying toward the gate with Pippin still shaking , I wondered if it was the same Faramir Denethor had talked about. A crowd pressed forward than flattened us against a wall as Faramir passed through. It seemed like Boromir had been reincarnated and was staring me in the face . I stifled a cry and Pippin took up the call. Faramir's head turned to look for the strange voice in the mob.
" Whence came you? A halfling and in the livery of the Tower ! Whence........?"
He looked rather confused , but Gandalf explained who we were and had us come with him (again *sigh*). We went back to the tower for the billionith time and were seated before Denethor (again). Once Faramir had eaten , he gave us news of Frodo and Sam who were progressing through Ithilien at the time. Gandalf seemed distressed that they were heading towards a place called Morgul Vale and Cirith Ungol. Sure they were ugly names but that was no reason to get upset.
Tension was building between Faramir and Denethor , and mounting. It was obvious to anybody they did not get along. The anger reached its peak with:
"Do you wish then , our places had been exchanged?" Faramir asked.
"Yes , I wish that indeed. " Denethor stated. Ouch. Unexplained rage built in my chest until it exploded.
" You can't even be happy with the one son you are blessed enough to have left !" My voice rang through the hall . Silence fell over everybody and I blushed.
" Remember , girl , that it is not your place to say. I bid you leave this room and go to the kitchens until I send for you."
I stormed out , throwing open the doors in the process. My face flushed and my hair going everywhere , I entered the kitchen and plunked myself down at the table. Jerry was immediatly aware of me.
" Why , what's got yer fur rubbed the wrong way?"
" Denethor , stupid git , doesn't even show a bit of concern for his son who nearly died. Can't love the last thing left to him. "
"Well that 's a bit harsh eh Little Maiden? E' loves 'im , just hides it. "
I growled. Jerry laughed.
" Let's make ye some tea that hasn't any spoilt milk in it."
Tea , people and their tea. A steaming cup was put in front of me and I sipped it.
" Lil' Maiden, what brings ye with all these strange folk?"
I decided to tell him , but I knew he wouldn't believe what had happened. Jerry nodded.
" Tis a good story an'no mistake . But it don't ring true , no offense."
I sighed and shrugged. The dim light faded in the kitchen and helped Jerry with desserts until candles had to be lit. Having eaten supper and 'sampling' the main course , I stumbled over to the alcove and crawled into bed. Listening to the clatter of plates and yelling , I fell asleep.
I was confused , why? Dragging myself from the warm sheets, I rubbed my eyes and straightened my dress. The flower crown was hanging on a hook which I pulled on. A glass of milk and pancakes were set before me. The man was already puttering about the kitchen. I dove into the pancakes , I hadn't eaten that well for days. Polishing off the glass of milk , I turned to ask the man a question.
"What's your name?"
"Jerome , but everyone round here calls me Jerry."
" Jerry , why am I awake so early ?"
"Lord Denethor wants to see you in the hall."
With that Jerry shooed me away and directed me to Denethor.
Denethor was sitting almost exactly like he had when I had left him. You could tell by his eyes he was in a nasty mood. Pippin came through the great doors with Gandalf. Pippin again looked nervous and cleared his throat.
" What would you do in my service ?"
"I thought , sir , that you would tell me my duties."
Denethor went on to explain of his esquire asking leave , and the duties of one , including singing (!). Pippin was almost asked to sing , a humiliating experiance for anyone , but was not. I was getting fidgety and my feet hurt. The Steward bade Pippin to be outfitted in the uniform of the guard. And I was ordered out by him with nothing to do.
I sat in one of the deep windows looking down at the city . Soldiers were running about and once I thought I saw a child like figure dart among them. I played Truth or Dare with myself I was so bored. I had flashed the city twice and told what colour of underwear I had. Suddenly , a long screeching cry filled my ears. Shivering, I ran from the hall to seek others. I didn't want to be alone with a Nazgul about in the air. Entering the courtyard I sprinted to the closest guard tower. Skidding straight into a random guard.
"S..ss..sorry. N...nnn..Nazgul."
The man nodded and stepped aside to reveal my hobbit friend cowering in horror. Four more of the horrid demons swooped overhead. I sucked up my courage and looked over the wall. A group of men were running towards the gate , but one went back for the horses. One of the Nazgul was stooping over him , and it seemed like he was lost. At that moment a flash of white came riding out and the black shadow was aware of him. Good old Gandalf . A shot of white chased the Nazgul off. They came towards the city and the shout of Mithrandir and Faramir went up.
Hurrying toward the gate with Pippin still shaking , I wondered if it was the same Faramir Denethor had talked about. A crowd pressed forward than flattened us against a wall as Faramir passed through. It seemed like Boromir had been reincarnated and was staring me in the face . I stifled a cry and Pippin took up the call. Faramir's head turned to look for the strange voice in the mob.
" Whence came you? A halfling and in the livery of the Tower ! Whence........?"
He looked rather confused , but Gandalf explained who we were and had us come with him (again *sigh*). We went back to the tower for the billionith time and were seated before Denethor (again). Once Faramir had eaten , he gave us news of Frodo and Sam who were progressing through Ithilien at the time. Gandalf seemed distressed that they were heading towards a place called Morgul Vale and Cirith Ungol. Sure they were ugly names but that was no reason to get upset.
Tension was building between Faramir and Denethor , and mounting. It was obvious to anybody they did not get along. The anger reached its peak with:
"Do you wish then , our places had been exchanged?" Faramir asked.
"Yes , I wish that indeed. " Denethor stated. Ouch. Unexplained rage built in my chest until it exploded.
" You can't even be happy with the one son you are blessed enough to have left !" My voice rang through the hall . Silence fell over everybody and I blushed.
" Remember , girl , that it is not your place to say. I bid you leave this room and go to the kitchens until I send for you."
I stormed out , throwing open the doors in the process. My face flushed and my hair going everywhere , I entered the kitchen and plunked myself down at the table. Jerry was immediatly aware of me.
" Why , what's got yer fur rubbed the wrong way?"
" Denethor , stupid git , doesn't even show a bit of concern for his son who nearly died. Can't love the last thing left to him. "
"Well that 's a bit harsh eh Little Maiden? E' loves 'im , just hides it. "
I growled. Jerry laughed.
" Let's make ye some tea that hasn't any spoilt milk in it."
Tea , people and their tea. A steaming cup was put in front of me and I sipped it.
" Lil' Maiden, what brings ye with all these strange folk?"
I decided to tell him , but I knew he wouldn't believe what had happened. Jerry nodded.
" Tis a good story an'no mistake . But it don't ring true , no offense."
I sighed and shrugged. The dim light faded in the kitchen and helped Jerry with desserts until candles had to be lit. Having eaten supper and 'sampling' the main course , I stumbled over to the alcove and crawled into bed. Listening to the clatter of plates and yelling , I fell asleep.