I definitely will be trying to make this chapter longer than the last one… I hope! For all those who follow the book really closely, you'd probably find that I'm no longer really very accurate to the book. In fact, I'm kind of having a cross between the movie and the book. So forgive me if you don't like that, but that's the way I'm writing it!

*&*

CHAPTER 22 : This Is Your Night

*&*

"The battle is over! The battle is won!" Aislin threw herself into her father's arms, tears of relief streaming down her face.

"Yes, my daughter," her father told her, returning her hug. "The captains will be returning soon. Your troubles are over now." But still he sighed.

Aislin wiped away her tears, watching from the guards' post on the wall. "You don't think it's over, do you, Father? You think that there will be more trouble to come."

"Of course I do, Aislin. Things can't be that simple. Mordor will strike again." Her father shook himself, and laughed. "But we will be ready for them when they do. Don't worry too much now, daughter, these things are not of your concern. The men will soon return, and I'm sure you want to be ready for them. Go now, child, I'm supposed to be on duty, not chatting with my daughter. And isn't it time for you to put Liana in bed?"

*&*

The sun dawned bright and clear over Minas Tirith, and people were crowding around the open gates, watching as soldiers came riding back. Aislin heaved a sigh of relief, and Liana gave a cry of joy; at the head of the men rode Faramir and Boromir, sitting tall in their saddles. Denethor stood before all the people, he was logically the first person the brothers would speak to.

The brothers dismounted amid the joyous cries of the people, glad to see that the sons of the Steward were safe and victorious. They approached Denethor, and Aislin could see the sudden flash of unease that appeared on Faramir's face for just that split second. She knew that he was bracing himself for an inevitable talking to; his father thought of Osgiliath as Faramir's responsibility, and the fact that it had got attacked was enough to get Faramir in trouble, not to mention that fact that Faramir had retreated to seek help from his brother.

Denethor smiled and exchanged words with Boromir, finally embracing his son. Then he turned to Faramir. Though she could not hear what was being said, Aislin noticed his face hardening as he spoke with his younger son. She noticed Faramir's death grip on his sword hilt. Usually people mistook it as an action of intimidation, but Aislin knew Faramir well; that was what he did whenever he felt intimidated.

Finally Denethor stepped back, and Aislin noticed Boromir looking about the crowd. His eyes fell on her, and he smiled. She stepped forward, holding Liana by the hand. Faramir picked Liana up immediately, and swung her around, just the way she liked it. Boromir drew Aislin into his arms, kissing her forehead. "It's good to see you again," he whispered to her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Aislin could see Denethor looking on, his face like stone. He would never accept her. But she didn't care, didn't care about what he thought. Boromir was much more important to her than the need for anyone's approval. "You can't possibly imagine how happy I am to see you again." She pulled away from him reluctantly, allowing him to pick Liana up and give her a kiss. Faramir came forward to give her a hug, and she grinned at him. "Good to have you back, friend," she told him sincerely. He nodded.

Denethor cleared his throat. "Our soldiers have done us proud," he began. "Now we should let them have some rest, and tonight we will have a feast to reward them for what they have done." The people cheered, glad to have a reason to celebrate like they had not done for such a long time.

*&*

Faramir walked among the celebrating people, smiling and thanking them for their well wishes and congratulations. He felt uncomfortable in this happy group, out of place, somehow. He faced the direction in which Osgiliath lay, and thought of the soldiers that had lost their lives, and the soldiers that were still there, guarding the city. There was no chance of another attack tonight, or even tomorrow, but somehow he felt that those men should be in Minas Tirith as well. They had played an important role in the battle, they should be here celebrating, not him. His father was right; he had been entrusted with Osgiliath, and he had let the people down with the initial defeat. What was once a city he loved and lived in was now little more than a dead city, a necessary fortress for his country. It was no longer a home, and it was all his fault.

"Why the long face, Captain?" Aislin fell into step next to him. "This is your night."

"This is not my night, I don't deserve it."

Aislin touched his arm. "Don't you believe in yourself, after so many years? Listen to me: this battle was not of your making, neither was the retreat your fault. You did well, and we are proud of you." She looked towards Denethor, smiling and speaking with some soldiers. "He does not show it, but I am sure he is proud of you too. Your father cannot be as cold as he seems."

"Don't you hate him, for dismissing you and not allowing you to see Boromir anymore?"

Aislin shook her head and smiled. "I cannot forgive him, but I don't hate him. He dismissed me, but I still live a happy life back with my parents. He did not allow me to see Boromir, but we see each other all the same. Your father's actions have changed little, and it would not be easy for him to do more. He has to understand that, and it cannot possibly be easy. Anyway, one has to think from the viewpoint of a parent. You know how much Boromir means to him. It must be difficult to accept that he's in love with a serving maid like me instead of some lady of high birth."

Faramir was impressed. "You've grown up, Aislin."

"We all have to someday, don't you think?" Aislin laughed as the musicians began to play again. "Come, enough talk about serious issues. It's your night regardless of what you say, and you're going to dance with me."