Author's note: Thanks so much for the reviews! They're so encouraging! I
hope this chapter's okay. The PG-13 theme's been stirred a bit. It's not
offensive, I hope, but if it is, just drop a review! The first chapter of
'Past and Remembered' has been posted. If you don't remember, that's
Faramir's point of view. Thanks for reading and stay for Chapter 9 and
beyond.
Discovery
I backed away from the door and stood away. Faramir opened the door and strode out. Turning to close the door, he noticed me. His lips parted in silent surprise. Swiftly, he shut the door and turned his full attention to me.
He approached me and I avoided him again. Faramir stopped mid-step and sighed. He put a hand on his forehead for a long moment.
Finally, "How much did you hear?"
My lips parted and closed again without speaking. I shook my head. The effort of containing all this and my state of recovery, made it difficult to think.
Faramir had the gift of reading a person's heart. He knew what I'd done. He knew that I'd heard everything.
"Shall we go back?" he asked softly.
I nodded.
He led the way back down the Citadel stairs and I followed. I stole a couple looks at him. His eyes were confused, afraid, in distress. A frown creased his brow.
We entered his chamber once again. He stopped near the desk and faced me. I kept my eyes downcast, afraid to speak.
"My lady, it is about time you returned to your chambers. I'm really sorry for this act of rashness, but it is truly inappropriate for you to be here with me." He said suddenly, becoming the stern and dutiful soldier of Gondor.
"Yes, I believe so, my lord." I said tartly and went to fetch my saddlebags.
He followed me. As I bent down to pick one up, he touched my hand.
"I'll do it." he said.
"No, it's perfectly fine, my lord. I can do this myself." I said obstinately.
His change of mood made me angry. I thought he was a kind and gentle person, not easily fooled by his father or brother. But I was wrong. He was no different from a common soldier. He fought and killed orcs and pleased young ladies.
He seemed taken aback, "I must insist, my lady." He said.
I slung the bag on my back and made a mental note to commend my steed for carry this luggage and I on his back for such a long journey. Faramir stopped me as I neared the door.
"With your condition, you won't make it very far." He stated.
I was no longer the pretty flower of the night before. "My lord, I am very capable of handling myself and my belongings." I edged closer to the door, the sack weighing heavily at my shoulder.
He frowned, "My lady, have I displeased you in some way?"
The room swirled and I backed up in dismay. My legs felt weak and my arms numb. Firm hands took the saddlebag off and caught me around the waist. I leaned into him as he lowered my weakened body. I sat on the floor, still dizzy.
"I told you." He murmured, and put two fingers near my temple. My vision cleared like the night before.
Quietly, he spoke a few words, making sure that I wouldn't faint for the time being. "Your healing wasn't finished. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."
"It's a-all right." I said shakily.
"You'll be fine for a short period of time. When you get back...you should rest."
"Thank you." I said.
I raised myself and stood. I reached for the bag but Faramir slung it cleverly onto himself.
He smiled a little at my frustration and stubbornness and a fluttering feeling tickled my throat. Faramir swung he door open and waited for me to go through. I did, and he shut the door.
"Here." He said, starting in one direction. I followed behind him. He looked back at me and said, "Come up here."
I did and we walked on in silence. The bag didn't seem heavy for him. But he was a man of war. I doubted that weapons were light, especially if they weren't elven-made.
We went down stairs and he asked, "Your room is in the fourth circle, is it not?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good." He sighed, and turned left. Finally, we reached my chambers.
He opened it and was a little shocked at who he found inside.
My father and brother.
"My lord." They said in unison.
Faramir nodded. "Please rise."
They did. I noticed that my father seemed relieved, and angry at the same time. My brother eyed me curiously.
"Well," Faramir said, "I guess I'll leave you here."
I nodded and curtseyed. He handed the bag to me and strode back down the hall. I went into the room and shut the door.
"What were you doing last night?" said Mariol, his voice edging upward slightly.
"I was..." I trailed off. What would I say? That I had shown him?
I couldn't, not to my father. He already hated me. What use was it to badger him some more?
"You were with the Steward's son, eh?"
"Yes, Father."
"Don't you know that he's Ithilien's Captain?"
"Yes, I do."
"Valar, girl, what is wrong with you." Mariol's temper soared.
I backed up, confused and afraid. What was going on? Why was he so angry? What did I do?
"I...was just-"
He cut me off, "You brother knows what you were doing. How dare you!"
"Father, what-"
"Don't you dare pretend you don't know what's going on!" he yelled.
"But I have no idea-"
"First, you insist on following me to the other men. Then you sneak off to be with the Steward's son! I didn't know you were like this. I didn't know. But now I do! You were planning this during our ride. You were so distraught, you had no idea what you were doing. But now I know why! How dare you? You are my daughter and I'll have to tell the Steward about this. Have you no idea what shame you have brought to our family?"
I was bewildered, "Father, what are you talking about?"
Mariol nearly exploded, "What did you do, you say? Were you drunk? Or was it just your dirty mind?" He advanced, coming towards me. I backed up, until the wall blocked my way.
"You still have no idea what's going on!" he bellowed, and I flinched, "You went off with the Steward's son, to his chambers! And you stayed there all night!"
Realization dawned upon me, Father thought the same of me as Boromir thought of his brother. He'd thought I slept with Faramir.
"I didn't, Father!" I protested.
"You disgusting girl! Filth!" he screeched. Tears started from my eyes. Tears of anger. I was angry at him. How dare he think I was brothel girl?
"You bring us all shame!" he hollered, and the tears turned into racking sobs. "I never want to see you again! You bring bad luck! First, your mother..." My sobs were uncontrollable at the mention of Mother.
"I-I..." I tried to speak through the tears.
"You kill her and hurt your brother. You brought us dishonor in Imladris. Will you do so again? Leave! I don't want to see your face again!"
With that, he swung the door open and stormed out. My brother looked at me for a long moment, sympathetically. But he was a soldier now. And a soldier had his duty. He followed Father out and shut the door gently.
Anger surged through me. I wept for a long while, unable to bring the tears to a halt. He blamed me for killing Mother. She had seen my secret and she had died during her appointed time. Brother had seen too, and he was still afraid of me. After Lord Elrond had found out what I could do, everyone in Rivendell avoided my family and I.
What would I do now? I didn't dare go to court. Stay here? No. The servants would be coming soon. They'd see me. Leave Minas Tirith? Father told me to leave, but did he mean it?
I was too angry and flustered to think of other things I could do instead. I scrambled to my forgotten saddlebags and rummaged through them. I was looking for the shirt and breeches I had taken from Imladris. I wasn't supposed to have them. No lady was. But if I was to leave disguised, this was how it would be. I changed quickly and tied up my dark hair in a modest bun. I covered it with a hat. I ventured into the bathroom and observed my boyish reflection.
"Good." I said to no one in particular, except myself. I took the dagger and belt knife from the bottom of the saddlebag and put them on the bed. I pulled out the belt and put it on. I put on some gloves and attached the knives to my belt. I put my gown into the saddlebag and slung it onto my back.
With one last look at my room, I strode outside. I rushed outside into the sunny afternoon. I looked around for someone to ask for directions. I went to one of the men standing on guard duty.
"Excuse me." I said, and he turned around. It was the soldier Boromir spoke to, the night before.
"Here to serve you, my lady." I gave him a small smile.
"How would I get to the stables?"
"I'll show you the shortcut." He pointed to a door with a golden horse carved into it. "Go down there and you'll be in the stables. It's the quickest route, but it's quite smelly. Is that all right? The long way will take a long time." I nodded.
"Thank you very much."
I went to the door and opened it. Quickly I slipped inside and was a little shocked at the pungent smell of manure. I went down the stairs. They never seemed to end. Down, down, down I went. And then straight forward, the corridor went.
I emerged into the stables of Minas Tirith.
Discovery
I backed away from the door and stood away. Faramir opened the door and strode out. Turning to close the door, he noticed me. His lips parted in silent surprise. Swiftly, he shut the door and turned his full attention to me.
He approached me and I avoided him again. Faramir stopped mid-step and sighed. He put a hand on his forehead for a long moment.
Finally, "How much did you hear?"
My lips parted and closed again without speaking. I shook my head. The effort of containing all this and my state of recovery, made it difficult to think.
Faramir had the gift of reading a person's heart. He knew what I'd done. He knew that I'd heard everything.
"Shall we go back?" he asked softly.
I nodded.
He led the way back down the Citadel stairs and I followed. I stole a couple looks at him. His eyes were confused, afraid, in distress. A frown creased his brow.
We entered his chamber once again. He stopped near the desk and faced me. I kept my eyes downcast, afraid to speak.
"My lady, it is about time you returned to your chambers. I'm really sorry for this act of rashness, but it is truly inappropriate for you to be here with me." He said suddenly, becoming the stern and dutiful soldier of Gondor.
"Yes, I believe so, my lord." I said tartly and went to fetch my saddlebags.
He followed me. As I bent down to pick one up, he touched my hand.
"I'll do it." he said.
"No, it's perfectly fine, my lord. I can do this myself." I said obstinately.
His change of mood made me angry. I thought he was a kind and gentle person, not easily fooled by his father or brother. But I was wrong. He was no different from a common soldier. He fought and killed orcs and pleased young ladies.
He seemed taken aback, "I must insist, my lady." He said.
I slung the bag on my back and made a mental note to commend my steed for carry this luggage and I on his back for such a long journey. Faramir stopped me as I neared the door.
"With your condition, you won't make it very far." He stated.
I was no longer the pretty flower of the night before. "My lord, I am very capable of handling myself and my belongings." I edged closer to the door, the sack weighing heavily at my shoulder.
He frowned, "My lady, have I displeased you in some way?"
The room swirled and I backed up in dismay. My legs felt weak and my arms numb. Firm hands took the saddlebag off and caught me around the waist. I leaned into him as he lowered my weakened body. I sat on the floor, still dizzy.
"I told you." He murmured, and put two fingers near my temple. My vision cleared like the night before.
Quietly, he spoke a few words, making sure that I wouldn't faint for the time being. "Your healing wasn't finished. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."
"It's a-all right." I said shakily.
"You'll be fine for a short period of time. When you get back...you should rest."
"Thank you." I said.
I raised myself and stood. I reached for the bag but Faramir slung it cleverly onto himself.
He smiled a little at my frustration and stubbornness and a fluttering feeling tickled my throat. Faramir swung he door open and waited for me to go through. I did, and he shut the door.
"Here." He said, starting in one direction. I followed behind him. He looked back at me and said, "Come up here."
I did and we walked on in silence. The bag didn't seem heavy for him. But he was a man of war. I doubted that weapons were light, especially if they weren't elven-made.
We went down stairs and he asked, "Your room is in the fourth circle, is it not?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good." He sighed, and turned left. Finally, we reached my chambers.
He opened it and was a little shocked at who he found inside.
My father and brother.
"My lord." They said in unison.
Faramir nodded. "Please rise."
They did. I noticed that my father seemed relieved, and angry at the same time. My brother eyed me curiously.
"Well," Faramir said, "I guess I'll leave you here."
I nodded and curtseyed. He handed the bag to me and strode back down the hall. I went into the room and shut the door.
"What were you doing last night?" said Mariol, his voice edging upward slightly.
"I was..." I trailed off. What would I say? That I had shown him?
I couldn't, not to my father. He already hated me. What use was it to badger him some more?
"You were with the Steward's son, eh?"
"Yes, Father."
"Don't you know that he's Ithilien's Captain?"
"Yes, I do."
"Valar, girl, what is wrong with you." Mariol's temper soared.
I backed up, confused and afraid. What was going on? Why was he so angry? What did I do?
"I...was just-"
He cut me off, "You brother knows what you were doing. How dare you!"
"Father, what-"
"Don't you dare pretend you don't know what's going on!" he yelled.
"But I have no idea-"
"First, you insist on following me to the other men. Then you sneak off to be with the Steward's son! I didn't know you were like this. I didn't know. But now I do! You were planning this during our ride. You were so distraught, you had no idea what you were doing. But now I know why! How dare you? You are my daughter and I'll have to tell the Steward about this. Have you no idea what shame you have brought to our family?"
I was bewildered, "Father, what are you talking about?"
Mariol nearly exploded, "What did you do, you say? Were you drunk? Or was it just your dirty mind?" He advanced, coming towards me. I backed up, until the wall blocked my way.
"You still have no idea what's going on!" he bellowed, and I flinched, "You went off with the Steward's son, to his chambers! And you stayed there all night!"
Realization dawned upon me, Father thought the same of me as Boromir thought of his brother. He'd thought I slept with Faramir.
"I didn't, Father!" I protested.
"You disgusting girl! Filth!" he screeched. Tears started from my eyes. Tears of anger. I was angry at him. How dare he think I was brothel girl?
"You bring us all shame!" he hollered, and the tears turned into racking sobs. "I never want to see you again! You bring bad luck! First, your mother..." My sobs were uncontrollable at the mention of Mother.
"I-I..." I tried to speak through the tears.
"You kill her and hurt your brother. You brought us dishonor in Imladris. Will you do so again? Leave! I don't want to see your face again!"
With that, he swung the door open and stormed out. My brother looked at me for a long moment, sympathetically. But he was a soldier now. And a soldier had his duty. He followed Father out and shut the door gently.
Anger surged through me. I wept for a long while, unable to bring the tears to a halt. He blamed me for killing Mother. She had seen my secret and she had died during her appointed time. Brother had seen too, and he was still afraid of me. After Lord Elrond had found out what I could do, everyone in Rivendell avoided my family and I.
What would I do now? I didn't dare go to court. Stay here? No. The servants would be coming soon. They'd see me. Leave Minas Tirith? Father told me to leave, but did he mean it?
I was too angry and flustered to think of other things I could do instead. I scrambled to my forgotten saddlebags and rummaged through them. I was looking for the shirt and breeches I had taken from Imladris. I wasn't supposed to have them. No lady was. But if I was to leave disguised, this was how it would be. I changed quickly and tied up my dark hair in a modest bun. I covered it with a hat. I ventured into the bathroom and observed my boyish reflection.
"Good." I said to no one in particular, except myself. I took the dagger and belt knife from the bottom of the saddlebag and put them on the bed. I pulled out the belt and put it on. I put on some gloves and attached the knives to my belt. I put my gown into the saddlebag and slung it onto my back.
With one last look at my room, I strode outside. I rushed outside into the sunny afternoon. I looked around for someone to ask for directions. I went to one of the men standing on guard duty.
"Excuse me." I said, and he turned around. It was the soldier Boromir spoke to, the night before.
"Here to serve you, my lady." I gave him a small smile.
"How would I get to the stables?"
"I'll show you the shortcut." He pointed to a door with a golden horse carved into it. "Go down there and you'll be in the stables. It's the quickest route, but it's quite smelly. Is that all right? The long way will take a long time." I nodded.
"Thank you very much."
I went to the door and opened it. Quickly I slipped inside and was a little shocked at the pungent smell of manure. I went down the stairs. They never seemed to end. Down, down, down I went. And then straight forward, the corridor went.
I emerged into the stables of Minas Tirith.