CHAPTER FOUR - POLITICS
"Chrissie, for God's sake wake up. Someone's coming." Chrissie opened her eyes slowly and tried to turn her head to look around. It felt like she had something driven through her head and as she tried to move, little Elijahs ran in front of her eyes. Squinting closer, they disappeared.
Chrissie managed to drag herself back against the wall, but standing up was really out of the question. The door creaked open, revealing what looked like David Wenham, only more creepy and mean looking in a Grima Wormtongue kinda way.
"What are you doing here? Why would you think that you could steal from the Stewards of Gondor?"
Fred's eyes widened. She hadn't meant to steal the dagger, it had just happened. Perhaps she had been hanging around with Kelly too much.
"We actually came to talk to you about.your brother." Fred said impulsively. She had almost said the Fellowship, but since he wouldn't know what that was, it was pointless.
Faramir raised an eyebrow. "What do you know of my brother?"
Fred thought quickly. "We were sent by.Lady Galadriel to summon help from Gondor. Boromir will leave on a quest in little over a moon, but he does not know the danger waiting for him. He will die if you do not help him."
Faramir's eyes widened.
"Tell me what you know and I will go to him."
Fred tried to shrink back. "Well that's the problem, you can't go."
"WHAT? You just told me my brother's going to die and now you say I can't go?" Faramir fumed for a few moments, waiting for them to say something. No one did.
"Maybe a few days in this cell will soften up your tongue." He yelled behind him as he stormed out.
Chrissie looked up, still half in a daze. "Did we win?"
Fred smiled at Chrissie's ignorance. No doubt Chrissie would be wrathful at the mess Fred had gotten them into when she regained some comprehension of the world around her, but for now she would indulge her.
"Yes, Chrissie. We won." Chrissie smiled slightly and went back to the world where little Elijahs ran around in circles.
***
Fred stared at the bowl in front of her. It looked like a mix between runny eggs and lumpy porridge. And it was stone cold with bits of dirt in it. Chrissie looked in horror at her own.
Chrissie dipped a finger into it and closing her eyes, licked the tiniest bit. She spat it out across the room.
"Tastes like salt water."
Fred grimaced and tried a bit of her own. Unfortunately, it was the same. Trying to dismiss their growling stomachs, they pushed the bowls as far away from them as possible.
"So what are we going to tell Faramir when he comes back?" Chrissie said lightly. She had not been happy about Fred blurting out things about Boromir. Everyone knew that was his touchy subject.
"Dunno. I don't think he's going to help us though." Fred answered glumly. Over the last few hours she'd been constantly rubbing her hands, as if savouring what they felt like.
"Do you think Mark is alright?" Chrissie asked slowly.
"Chrissie, it hasn't even been twenty-four hours yet. I'm sure Mark can look after himself and a couple of horses." Fred said, sounding a lot calmer than she felt.
Chrissie sighed and looked up to the high window. The sun was fading fast.
"I suppose we should try and get some rest." She said absently, only half hearing what she said.
"Yeah." Fred answered, her mind on the inevitability of Faramir returning tomorrow. What if he began torturing them or something? She liked her hands.
***
Kelly sneaked in through the gates of Minas Tirith and made towards the nearest tavern. After four days of hard riding, she was in no mood to sleep outdoors. And she could use a drink anyway.
Checking what small change she had, she organised a bed in one of the haylofts above a stable and laid out her cloak. There hadn't been much money lying around in Ordon's house, but there was no point in just leaving it there if she could make use of it.
She walked casually downstairs and asked for some stew. She wasn't expecting a great deal of quality, and would have given everything she owned for a steaming hot pizza and chips. But alas, all she ended up with was some thick brown sludge and a chunk of bread. She eyed the ale suspiciously, but downed it anyway, despite the various lumps floating in it.
Kelly was just thinking on the best way to approach the sect in this town to find the one called 'Canetha' when someone's voice rose above the rest.
"And she's so confidant from sneaking around like a common thief in the front room, that she runs smack into me."
The room erupted in drunken laughter, but Kelly leaned forward slightly.
"And then not a moment later, Gan comes out with a lass slung over his shoulder and I have to take her down there as well! Imagine that, two thieves in one day. The next day when I and Captain Faramir went down to question them, they almost wet themselves from the sight of my sword."
The large man began talking about some other woman he'd laid the other night. Kelly stopped eating and tried to think. Two girls trying to infiltrate the Steward's home in one day? Even two girls doing anything naughty was almost unheard of, and she should know. Therefore, there was no doubt in her mind as to who these girls were.
Chrissie and Fred were being held in the Steward's home.
She put her head in her hands. This was a complication she didn't need. Pushing the rest of the broth aside, she walked quickly out of the bar. She turned right and followed the line of houses until she came to what looked like a small broken cellar window. But Kelly knew better. This was the door to the sect of Minas Tirith.
***
Kelly knew almost as soon as she hit the floor that eyes were watching her. The hairs on the back of her neck bristled and she thought for a moment she'd made the wrong decision.
"What do you want?" A voice echoed from the darkness.
Kelly squinted and saw the vague outline of the speaker.
"You can call off your friends trying to get themselves behind me, I mean you no harm. I am here.to ask for aid."
"What right have you to ask us of aid?" The voice answered.
Kelly untied the leather strip from her wrist and slowly revealed it to anybody who might be watching from the shadows.
The figure from the shadows stepped forward to reveal a middle-aged man with fiery red hair. "You are welcome here sister. Now come and let us eat, and hear of your call for aid."
Kelly shivered mentally as he put his arm around her shoulder to lead her further into the bowels of Minas Tirith. She tried to look outwardly calm, but she was a ball of nerves inside. What if they found out that she not only no longer served Ordon, but had also killed him?
She'd had many dreams about that night, most of them ending in her burning in that fire as well. She wondered if it was to do with the palantir she carried, or whether it was just her sub-conscious playing tricks on her.
Kelly sat down with the others and prepared to fabricate some ball of lies to get them to help rescue Chrissie and Fred, and perhaps in the process reveal the identity of Canetha. She told them two girls had been captured, that they had not yet been initiated, but Ordon had deemed them special in some way and irreplaceable. They were essential to the fate of Middle Earth and therefore, she had been sent here to work out their release.
The others around her sat and listened quietly, not really in decision about whether they should risk themselves for two uninitiated girls. They all knew how touchy Faramir could be and they told her so.
"Kelly, we have prior orders from Ordon. We are to start north in eight days time, so we cannot risk capture this close to our departure. Canetha told us that this mission we go on is more important that any other."
The man with fiery hair, who she now knew as Lee, laid his hand over hers.
"I am quite sure you are capable of freeing them yourself if it is that important. From what the tales say, you were quite a fireball even before you were initiated. If you meet resistance before we leave, send word to us and we will aid you in any way we can."
"Who is this 'Canetha?" She asked, hoping she didn't seem too eager.
"The leader of our sect. He is young, but wise in our ways. He will meet up with us at Cair Andras to give us the details of our mission. You are welcome to accompany us if you wish."
Kelly stood up as everyone else at the table did as well. It was obvious she would find no help here. She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.
"I will talk with Faramir, then I think that I will meet you there." She added.
Lee smiled.
"Kelly, you are well known in these parts. Many of the guards are still after your blood and many others suspect you are one of us. It would not do for them to capture you before you talked with Faramir." They shared a glance and Kelly smiled. It was time for a bit of camouflage.
***
Kelly flew through the corridors of the palace in a whirlwind of fury. None of the guards had challenged her, well one had but he was now dreaming. She'd slept only a few hours the previous night, and it had made her extremely irritable. After hiding the palantir in one of the stables at dawn, she'd come straight to the Steward's house. She turned the corner, remembering the layout roughly from her previous time there.
She was almost glad she'd heard somewhat of her friend's treatment from some of the guard's causal conversation, as it let her become furious once again, and with it came the thrill of the adrenaline rush.
She kicked open the door to Faramir's private study and smiled at the sound of a lock clanging to the floor. Faramir looked up, slightly startled, but upon seeing her automatically reached for his sword belt.
"Don't even think about it, pal."
Kelly grabbed him by the throat and pushed him against the wall, instantly having a dagger in her other hand.
"What have you done with them? Tell me now!" Kelly was mad now and his hesitation only fuelled her anger.
"Who the hell are you? Oh it's you! They're in the dungeon. My guards will have heard the racket and will be closing in. You should let me go." He eyed her suspiciously, wondering how and why she'd changed her hair colour and appearance.
He gave her a cocky smile and she backhanded him across the jaw. Almost growling, she threw him against the far wall and reached for her own sword.
"Your guards are enjoying a little nap." Kelly smiled at his irritation.
Faramir leapt up, obviously drawing on years of training and grabbed his sword from the floor.
"If you leave now and bother no one else, I will forget about this little 'episode.'" He said, smiling smugly, obviously believing himself to have the upper hand. He remembered the crazy little girl who wanted to be a solider; a lot had changed since then.
Kelly raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm threatened by that little knife? I don't think so some how. I'll tell you what, I've heard all about your gambling habits, so let's have a little bet. We'll have a little sword fight out in the yard. If I win, you let us all go. If you win, well I wouldn't count on that, but I will tell you anything you want to know. I may even indulge you in finishing our conversation about your brother." She smiled innocently, hoping he would buy it.
Faramir raised an eyebrow. "Anything? How do I know you have anything useful?"
"Well let's just say I could tell you about that place you call the 'Forbidden Pool' in Ithilien and list all your commanders, and how you always try to get your father to notice you above his prodigal son, Boromir. I could give you a heads up on where to expect orcs if you're interested."
Faramir seemed to consider it. "How do you know about that?"
Kelly took a sarcastic bow. "Tricks of the trade, Captain Faramir. So are we agreed or not?"
Faramir nodded reluctantly, not wanting to be beaten by a girl.
"Fine, I'll see you out in the yard at noon. Bring the girls." When Faramir seemed to be about to argue about her choice of location, she silenced him with a wave of her hand.
"Are you afraid to let your guards see you being beaten by a girl? I think you'll win, Captain Faramir; do you remember how unskilled I was last time you saw me fight?" Kelly said in her most sweet and innocent voice.
***
Faramir stalked down the stairs to the basement and ordered the guards to bring the prisoners up to the courtyard. He also had the Master of Arms draw out a combat grid, although he personally had no worries about fighting her.
She was a pathetic excuse for a combat partner, he would hold to his agreement for the honour of the thing, even when she begged for him to yield. He never had been able to turn down a bet.
***
lil kawaii doom: Sorry for the delay, hope you like it!
Chrissie: Well I had to get Mark in somehow and although I kinda doubted he'd enjoy being an errand boy, I did it anyway. Perhaps Mr Evans threatened him sexually or something.
Freddie loves Frodo: You definitely should be shaking, there are bad things to come.
Chrissie: Well I suppose that's a good thing, but don't worry, you never sound stupid.
Tbiris: Well you have to have sad bits in order for the happy bits to be appreciated. Mark was the fourth person to be transported and as you've probably read by now, he was lucky enough to spend his time in Lothlorien.
Hannah: Well I could tell you it gets better, but that would be a lie. But I can tell you that after all their work is done, they are happy.
Freddie loves Frodo: Well she's very impulsive so she might just go running off someplace. You are so much better at tact and negotiation than Chrissie. You're an English student.
Hobbit-Eyes: I know, well he'll come to his sense sooner or later. Men!
Hobbit-Eyes: Well I could give you cryptic hints as to what comes next, but would you really want that? And how do Chrissie and Fred usually get out of trouble? Think obvious here.
Freddie loves Frodo: We have talked about your dagger, Fred and I thought you'd understand my reasons for changing it. Never mind. Chrissie was pathetic as a seductress, but maybe she was thinking of Duin-Shiel at the time?
Chrissie: You just love the fact you got to kick some ass don't you? Well, Fred is rather attracted by shiny jewels, rather like a magpie really.
Tbiris: Well technically Fred did break in and steal the dagger, even though she wasn't planning on doing it. Chrissie just kinda got put in as an accomplice. Kelly is on the side of the good and righteous you'll be glad to know, although she still ends up having to do the dirty work as usual. She may be on the 'good' side now, but she can't change what she is. More to come on that, so don't worry too much if you're confused. (
"Chrissie, for God's sake wake up. Someone's coming." Chrissie opened her eyes slowly and tried to turn her head to look around. It felt like she had something driven through her head and as she tried to move, little Elijahs ran in front of her eyes. Squinting closer, they disappeared.
Chrissie managed to drag herself back against the wall, but standing up was really out of the question. The door creaked open, revealing what looked like David Wenham, only more creepy and mean looking in a Grima Wormtongue kinda way.
"What are you doing here? Why would you think that you could steal from the Stewards of Gondor?"
Fred's eyes widened. She hadn't meant to steal the dagger, it had just happened. Perhaps she had been hanging around with Kelly too much.
"We actually came to talk to you about.your brother." Fred said impulsively. She had almost said the Fellowship, but since he wouldn't know what that was, it was pointless.
Faramir raised an eyebrow. "What do you know of my brother?"
Fred thought quickly. "We were sent by.Lady Galadriel to summon help from Gondor. Boromir will leave on a quest in little over a moon, but he does not know the danger waiting for him. He will die if you do not help him."
Faramir's eyes widened.
"Tell me what you know and I will go to him."
Fred tried to shrink back. "Well that's the problem, you can't go."
"WHAT? You just told me my brother's going to die and now you say I can't go?" Faramir fumed for a few moments, waiting for them to say something. No one did.
"Maybe a few days in this cell will soften up your tongue." He yelled behind him as he stormed out.
Chrissie looked up, still half in a daze. "Did we win?"
Fred smiled at Chrissie's ignorance. No doubt Chrissie would be wrathful at the mess Fred had gotten them into when she regained some comprehension of the world around her, but for now she would indulge her.
"Yes, Chrissie. We won." Chrissie smiled slightly and went back to the world where little Elijahs ran around in circles.
***
Fred stared at the bowl in front of her. It looked like a mix between runny eggs and lumpy porridge. And it was stone cold with bits of dirt in it. Chrissie looked in horror at her own.
Chrissie dipped a finger into it and closing her eyes, licked the tiniest bit. She spat it out across the room.
"Tastes like salt water."
Fred grimaced and tried a bit of her own. Unfortunately, it was the same. Trying to dismiss their growling stomachs, they pushed the bowls as far away from them as possible.
"So what are we going to tell Faramir when he comes back?" Chrissie said lightly. She had not been happy about Fred blurting out things about Boromir. Everyone knew that was his touchy subject.
"Dunno. I don't think he's going to help us though." Fred answered glumly. Over the last few hours she'd been constantly rubbing her hands, as if savouring what they felt like.
"Do you think Mark is alright?" Chrissie asked slowly.
"Chrissie, it hasn't even been twenty-four hours yet. I'm sure Mark can look after himself and a couple of horses." Fred said, sounding a lot calmer than she felt.
Chrissie sighed and looked up to the high window. The sun was fading fast.
"I suppose we should try and get some rest." She said absently, only half hearing what she said.
"Yeah." Fred answered, her mind on the inevitability of Faramir returning tomorrow. What if he began torturing them or something? She liked her hands.
***
Kelly sneaked in through the gates of Minas Tirith and made towards the nearest tavern. After four days of hard riding, she was in no mood to sleep outdoors. And she could use a drink anyway.
Checking what small change she had, she organised a bed in one of the haylofts above a stable and laid out her cloak. There hadn't been much money lying around in Ordon's house, but there was no point in just leaving it there if she could make use of it.
She walked casually downstairs and asked for some stew. She wasn't expecting a great deal of quality, and would have given everything she owned for a steaming hot pizza and chips. But alas, all she ended up with was some thick brown sludge and a chunk of bread. She eyed the ale suspiciously, but downed it anyway, despite the various lumps floating in it.
Kelly was just thinking on the best way to approach the sect in this town to find the one called 'Canetha' when someone's voice rose above the rest.
"And she's so confidant from sneaking around like a common thief in the front room, that she runs smack into me."
The room erupted in drunken laughter, but Kelly leaned forward slightly.
"And then not a moment later, Gan comes out with a lass slung over his shoulder and I have to take her down there as well! Imagine that, two thieves in one day. The next day when I and Captain Faramir went down to question them, they almost wet themselves from the sight of my sword."
The large man began talking about some other woman he'd laid the other night. Kelly stopped eating and tried to think. Two girls trying to infiltrate the Steward's home in one day? Even two girls doing anything naughty was almost unheard of, and she should know. Therefore, there was no doubt in her mind as to who these girls were.
Chrissie and Fred were being held in the Steward's home.
She put her head in her hands. This was a complication she didn't need. Pushing the rest of the broth aside, she walked quickly out of the bar. She turned right and followed the line of houses until she came to what looked like a small broken cellar window. But Kelly knew better. This was the door to the sect of Minas Tirith.
***
Kelly knew almost as soon as she hit the floor that eyes were watching her. The hairs on the back of her neck bristled and she thought for a moment she'd made the wrong decision.
"What do you want?" A voice echoed from the darkness.
Kelly squinted and saw the vague outline of the speaker.
"You can call off your friends trying to get themselves behind me, I mean you no harm. I am here.to ask for aid."
"What right have you to ask us of aid?" The voice answered.
Kelly untied the leather strip from her wrist and slowly revealed it to anybody who might be watching from the shadows.
The figure from the shadows stepped forward to reveal a middle-aged man with fiery red hair. "You are welcome here sister. Now come and let us eat, and hear of your call for aid."
Kelly shivered mentally as he put his arm around her shoulder to lead her further into the bowels of Minas Tirith. She tried to look outwardly calm, but she was a ball of nerves inside. What if they found out that she not only no longer served Ordon, but had also killed him?
She'd had many dreams about that night, most of them ending in her burning in that fire as well. She wondered if it was to do with the palantir she carried, or whether it was just her sub-conscious playing tricks on her.
Kelly sat down with the others and prepared to fabricate some ball of lies to get them to help rescue Chrissie and Fred, and perhaps in the process reveal the identity of Canetha. She told them two girls had been captured, that they had not yet been initiated, but Ordon had deemed them special in some way and irreplaceable. They were essential to the fate of Middle Earth and therefore, she had been sent here to work out their release.
The others around her sat and listened quietly, not really in decision about whether they should risk themselves for two uninitiated girls. They all knew how touchy Faramir could be and they told her so.
"Kelly, we have prior orders from Ordon. We are to start north in eight days time, so we cannot risk capture this close to our departure. Canetha told us that this mission we go on is more important that any other."
The man with fiery hair, who she now knew as Lee, laid his hand over hers.
"I am quite sure you are capable of freeing them yourself if it is that important. From what the tales say, you were quite a fireball even before you were initiated. If you meet resistance before we leave, send word to us and we will aid you in any way we can."
"Who is this 'Canetha?" She asked, hoping she didn't seem too eager.
"The leader of our sect. He is young, but wise in our ways. He will meet up with us at Cair Andras to give us the details of our mission. You are welcome to accompany us if you wish."
Kelly stood up as everyone else at the table did as well. It was obvious she would find no help here. She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.
"I will talk with Faramir, then I think that I will meet you there." She added.
Lee smiled.
"Kelly, you are well known in these parts. Many of the guards are still after your blood and many others suspect you are one of us. It would not do for them to capture you before you talked with Faramir." They shared a glance and Kelly smiled. It was time for a bit of camouflage.
***
Kelly flew through the corridors of the palace in a whirlwind of fury. None of the guards had challenged her, well one had but he was now dreaming. She'd slept only a few hours the previous night, and it had made her extremely irritable. After hiding the palantir in one of the stables at dawn, she'd come straight to the Steward's house. She turned the corner, remembering the layout roughly from her previous time there.
She was almost glad she'd heard somewhat of her friend's treatment from some of the guard's causal conversation, as it let her become furious once again, and with it came the thrill of the adrenaline rush.
She kicked open the door to Faramir's private study and smiled at the sound of a lock clanging to the floor. Faramir looked up, slightly startled, but upon seeing her automatically reached for his sword belt.
"Don't even think about it, pal."
Kelly grabbed him by the throat and pushed him against the wall, instantly having a dagger in her other hand.
"What have you done with them? Tell me now!" Kelly was mad now and his hesitation only fuelled her anger.
"Who the hell are you? Oh it's you! They're in the dungeon. My guards will have heard the racket and will be closing in. You should let me go." He eyed her suspiciously, wondering how and why she'd changed her hair colour and appearance.
He gave her a cocky smile and she backhanded him across the jaw. Almost growling, she threw him against the far wall and reached for her own sword.
"Your guards are enjoying a little nap." Kelly smiled at his irritation.
Faramir leapt up, obviously drawing on years of training and grabbed his sword from the floor.
"If you leave now and bother no one else, I will forget about this little 'episode.'" He said, smiling smugly, obviously believing himself to have the upper hand. He remembered the crazy little girl who wanted to be a solider; a lot had changed since then.
Kelly raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm threatened by that little knife? I don't think so some how. I'll tell you what, I've heard all about your gambling habits, so let's have a little bet. We'll have a little sword fight out in the yard. If I win, you let us all go. If you win, well I wouldn't count on that, but I will tell you anything you want to know. I may even indulge you in finishing our conversation about your brother." She smiled innocently, hoping he would buy it.
Faramir raised an eyebrow. "Anything? How do I know you have anything useful?"
"Well let's just say I could tell you about that place you call the 'Forbidden Pool' in Ithilien and list all your commanders, and how you always try to get your father to notice you above his prodigal son, Boromir. I could give you a heads up on where to expect orcs if you're interested."
Faramir seemed to consider it. "How do you know about that?"
Kelly took a sarcastic bow. "Tricks of the trade, Captain Faramir. So are we agreed or not?"
Faramir nodded reluctantly, not wanting to be beaten by a girl.
"Fine, I'll see you out in the yard at noon. Bring the girls." When Faramir seemed to be about to argue about her choice of location, she silenced him with a wave of her hand.
"Are you afraid to let your guards see you being beaten by a girl? I think you'll win, Captain Faramir; do you remember how unskilled I was last time you saw me fight?" Kelly said in her most sweet and innocent voice.
***
Faramir stalked down the stairs to the basement and ordered the guards to bring the prisoners up to the courtyard. He also had the Master of Arms draw out a combat grid, although he personally had no worries about fighting her.
She was a pathetic excuse for a combat partner, he would hold to his agreement for the honour of the thing, even when she begged for him to yield. He never had been able to turn down a bet.
***
lil kawaii doom: Sorry for the delay, hope you like it!
Chrissie: Well I had to get Mark in somehow and although I kinda doubted he'd enjoy being an errand boy, I did it anyway. Perhaps Mr Evans threatened him sexually or something.
Freddie loves Frodo: You definitely should be shaking, there are bad things to come.
Chrissie: Well I suppose that's a good thing, but don't worry, you never sound stupid.
Tbiris: Well you have to have sad bits in order for the happy bits to be appreciated. Mark was the fourth person to be transported and as you've probably read by now, he was lucky enough to spend his time in Lothlorien.
Hannah: Well I could tell you it gets better, but that would be a lie. But I can tell you that after all their work is done, they are happy.
Freddie loves Frodo: Well she's very impulsive so she might just go running off someplace. You are so much better at tact and negotiation than Chrissie. You're an English student.
Hobbit-Eyes: I know, well he'll come to his sense sooner or later. Men!
Hobbit-Eyes: Well I could give you cryptic hints as to what comes next, but would you really want that? And how do Chrissie and Fred usually get out of trouble? Think obvious here.
Freddie loves Frodo: We have talked about your dagger, Fred and I thought you'd understand my reasons for changing it. Never mind. Chrissie was pathetic as a seductress, but maybe she was thinking of Duin-Shiel at the time?
Chrissie: You just love the fact you got to kick some ass don't you? Well, Fred is rather attracted by shiny jewels, rather like a magpie really.
Tbiris: Well technically Fred did break in and steal the dagger, even though she wasn't planning on doing it. Chrissie just kinda got put in as an accomplice. Kelly is on the side of the good and righteous you'll be glad to know, although she still ends up having to do the dirty work as usual. She may be on the 'good' side now, but she can't change what she is. More to come on that, so don't worry too much if you're confused. (