And now what you really want to read…

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When the Strong Soften

Chapter 1: We meet again

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*Three years later*

"You will do as you are told! You are but a woman and that will get you nothing in this city." Norinths's words rang through the chamber. He was the second highest man in Minas Tirith. But that would not keep him from greedily taking power to raise his stature.

The girl that sat in front of him was no more than nineteen years old. A controlled look of hate was spread across the face. However strong it was, Norinths took no notice. He was blind to emotion especially those of the girl before him.

"Now leave!"

Slowly the girl turned around and walked to the doors. But once the doors closed behind her, she picked up the end of her dress and ran to the door. She stopped but a pace from the door and let the skirt fall with a rustle back to the floor. Running a hand through her dark red hair, she brought the other to the doorknob. She stepped out on the street and began to walk.

The people milling about the square turned to look as she passed by. She held herself with a great pose. The tilt of her chin showed her position in the community. Yet, they knew if she ever dropped that small angle they would see the pain in her eyes. Tragedy had visited that house twice in the last two decades. And both had struck a blow to the woman who walked down the street. They had seen her act very differently on most occasions; she could be a very carefree person. But the inhabitants of the street had not seen that girl for quiet a while, not since her father had begun his search for a man for her to marry.

She walked towards the palace, towards the gardens. The sweet smell was blown towards her, surrounding her with the light breath of the wind. A heavy sigh escaped her full lips. The gardens were her refuge they had been for many years now.

"Lady Chastity?"

The head of dark red hair turned slightly to see who called her. There a few step behind her stood a guard of the city. She did not falter her step but simply continued on her way. "How are you Thorongil?" She questioned.

"Well, how are you fairing?"

"All right I guess. Norinths is trying once more to set up a marriage."

"I guessed perhaps that it had ended for I have not been called to get you for a few months now."

"I hoped the same, but I am restricted in this place because I am a woman. Much like, you are held back because you share a name with a man Denethor loathed."

Thorongil was a guard of the city, but Denethor did not respect him. Denethor had not liked the man of the same name that had served under his father. And because of the simple fact that they shared the name, Thorongil was given no respect. He was used for odd jobs of no worth. He was never trusted with anything of any sort of importance.

"I'm sorry Thorongil, I did not mean to bring it up. You should leave here go to Rohan like I have said many times. You would be welcomed there."

"Chastity you know I cannot leave with Pa still living, but maybe…"

The two had reached the palace and went inside. Thorongil continued to speak but Chastity paid him no heed, she had heard this many times before on the countless occasions when she had tried to persuade him to leave the city. As they walked through the hall, a man came out of one of the doors. Chastity turned towards the man and halted. He had brown eyes. Brown eyes that she remembered.

*****

A sixteen-year-old Chastity opened the door looking for her brother. That was all she wished, to see him. But she was not met with his violet eyes. Instead, there were brown eyes, sad brown eyes.

*****

"Chastity."

She ripped her gaze from the brown eyes and looked at Thorongil.

"We must be going."

"Excuse me, but where are you taking this lady?" It was the owner of the brown eyes.

"Denethor has called her to his chamber."

"Norinths is with him."

"Yes, I am aware."

The man with the brown eyes nodded his head and gave an encouraging smile to Chastity. Then, he left.

Chastity shrugged off the feeling that had consumed her. She had felt that he had looked into her heart. But that could not be.

"Faramir is often concerned with those who I bring to see Denethor."

She gave a little start. Faramir. Suspicions had come to her over the years but she could never have been sure. Yet, Eldacar had never mentioned his friends. She only knew that he served with the Steward's son. But why would he come to tell her that her brother had died if he was not a friend of Eldacar.

"Good luck." Thorongil whispered.

The doors to the throne room opened and two men inside were revealed. Carefully, Chastity walked into the room with her head held high.

"Stop there." Norinths commanded.

For once Chastity did as her father obliged. If she made a fuss now she would get a hefty punishment. As she stood, Denethor and Norinths went over her. The fist locked in her skirt was the only thing she could do from erupting in anger.

"Well built, pretty face not beautiful but suitable, unique hair color, good eyes. I will see, there is much more to discuss with my son."

"Yes Denethor."

"Leave me, I must think."

"Yes Lord."

Norinths placed a hand around Chastity's arm and lead her from the room. But once out of Denethor's sight he squeezed her arm causing her to struggle from both anger and pain. This only made Norinths angrier so he squeezed harder.

"Don't ever make me have the Steward get a guard to find you! Tomorrow at dinner he wishes to see us, do not be late!"

Norinths let go of Chastity and composing himself walked down the hall. On the other hand, Chastity ran the opposite way of the man. She had been brought to the palace enough times to know where the entrances to the gardens were from the inside. The gentle breeze greeted her warmly as she stepped on to soil. Once inside the garden she went to the wall and looked out at the land.

"Eldacar…why did you have to leave? Norinths will never quit, you saw him in there. It sounded as if I was at the market except I am for sale. I told you I'd fight. But why, if I only go around in circles?"

Chastity heard the rustling of clothing as the wind blew the words from her. She whipped around to see the brown eyes. Faramir.

"Pardon me. I was on the other side of the garden when I heard voice. I am sorry."

"I should be the one begging my pardon. I should not even be here." Chastity began to move from the wall.

"Please do not go because I have disturbed you."

"It's not that it's…."

"Because I have heard you."

Chastity nodded.

"Well to tell you the truth Eldacar would hang me if he knew I had not visited you since that day."

"Excuse me?" Chastity looked at Faramir full of question.

"He told me before we went into battle that day that if he did not come back that I had to look after his mother's gift."

Chastity gave a small sad smile.

"It took me until now to realize that that was you. He told me to watch you. I am sorry I do not think we have been properly introduced. I am Faramir."

He put his hand out in the air. Chastity took it. But instead of kissing it as costume ordered, he shook her hand.

"I am Chastity or as Eldacar would call me mother's gift."

"He…" A bell rang from inside the palace. "I am sorry I must go." He then quickly departed.

Chastity watched him, in her own time turned, and slowly walked through the garden to the street. The sun was retreating and the light dimming. The plants became slightly blurred as the sun began to fall. Shops on the street were closing and children were entering houses. The streets of Minas Tirith readied for the nights rest as she watched from the sidelines.

"He said he would not let Norinths marry me off against my will. Let's see if he keeps his word." And she disappeared in her house.

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