CHAPTER 6 : That Moment
*&*
"You be careful now."
"I will, Mother, don't you worry about me," Aislin whispered back, giving her mother another hug. At first her mother had been shocked at her decision to move away, but then her father had intervened and decided that it would be a good thing for Aislin. To that, her mother had nothing to say.
"You mind yourself in the Steward's hall, all right?" her father instructed. "I wouldn't have my daughter making a mess."
Aislin smiled. "Yes, Father, I'll watch myself." She gave her father a hug as well, and then she was off.
*&*
A middle-aged lady was waiting for her when she arrived at the servant's quarters. She introduced herself as Marian. "Come along now, Aislin, I'll show you your quarters. Then you'll need to learn of your duties around here."
Aislin followed obediently behind as Marian walked briskly ahead, telling her about some of the rules and expectations. She tried her best to listen attentively, and to remember everything. Faramir had helped her, and she was not about to let her down.
*&*
Two hours later, Aislin found herself in the kitchens, doing a greater amount of work than she had ever done. Yet it felt strangely good, because she knew that she was really earning her own keep now. She knew that she was doing this work of her own free will, and that seemed to make the work a lot more enjoyable than it had been with her mother breathing down her neck.
"Aislin, perhaps you would like to serve the Steward and his sons at their dinner?" Marian said, sticking her head into the kitchen. "Go, change into something new, and then you may go and ready the hall."
Aislin nodded, and hurried back to her rooms to change out of her dirty work dress. She combed her hair and made sure that she looked all right. This was going to be the first time she was to see the Steward of Gondor, and she wanted to make sure that she made a good impression.
*&*
Faramir sat opposite his brother at the dining table, hoping that the dinner would be over and done with as soon as possible. It was not that he hated eating with his family, but it seemed such a chore at times, with his father never satisfied with anything he did. At times he thought that he would explode, that he could bear it no longer, but still he would take a deep breath and count to ten, and continue to try to please his father. And he knew that this dinner would be no exception.
He stared at his empty plate as the food was being brought out. He heard Boromir clearing his throat, and looked up to see Aislin standing behind Boromir. She flashed him a quick smile, and went to stand by the wall in case there was anything they needed. She seemed so meek and obedient, completely unlike the Aislin he was used to. Yet it was a strange comfort, knowing that she was there.
"Boromir, perhaps you should go to Osgiliath, and check on the state of things there," Denethor was saying. Faramir forced himself to pay attention, just in case his father had something to say to him.
"Yes, Father," Boromir replied. "I had been thinking about asking your approval to be going to Osgiliath."
"Faramir, stop playing with your food, you are no longer a child," Denethor snapped.
"Yes, Father," Faramir said meekly. Then he looked over to Aislin. She raised an eyebrow, but kept silent. Wise choice, she would not last long if she spoke her mind in Denethor's presence, Faramir thought.
*&*
Aislin walked back slowly to her small room. Marian had said that after serving the dinner, she could call it a day. And she really did look forward to calling it a day. Enjoyable and liberating it might be, but the work was still very tiring.
"Aislin!"
She turned to see Boromir coming towards her. Was she just really tired, or did her heart skip a beat? She stopped, waiting for him to come up to her, then grinned and curtsied. "Can I help you, my lord?"
He laughed. "Don't call me that, Aislin. It makes me feel uncomfortable, coming from you." He cleared his throat. "So… how are you fitting in? Is the work too hard?"
"I've only been here less than a day, Boromir. Yes, the work is harder than what I get at home, but it's all right with me. It's probably good for me, as well. And I like the thought of earning my own keep."
"Yes, yes it's good," Boromir agreed. "Please, don't hesitate to ask Faramir or I if you need any help."
"Do you really think I'd hesitate if I needed help?" Aislin laughed. "You should know me better than that." Then she looked down at the ground, suddenly unsure of herself and what she was about to say. "Are you really going to Osgiliath? I'd miss you, you know."
For a moment Boromir softened, relaxed like he had not done for a very long time. He looked into her eyes, but did not speak. Aislin held her breath, hoping that the moment would last forever and always.
"Aislin!"
Faramir's call snapped the two out of their reverie, and they both turned to see him jogging towards them with a grin on his face. He obviously had no idea what he had just interrupted. Boromir sighed, as if disappointed over something. Aislin almost wanted to join him as well, but smiled when Faramir approached. "Hello, Faramir," she said pleasantly.
"I didn't expect you see you serving us in the hall," Faramir said, patting her on the shoulder.
"Well I was, whether you liked it or not," Aislin shot back, grinning at her best friend.
He gave her a quick hug. "I was glad you were there," he told her. "Made it easier to tolerate my father's comments."
They spoke for a while longer, then Faramir left to get some sleep before his guard duty. Aislin turned back, wanting to continue speaking with Boromir, but realised that he had slipped away while she had been speaking with his brother.