You Could Have Caught Me

By:

LiL Pippin Padfoot

Disclaimer: YEA! Officially into Return of the King! Finally. And I am also writing a sequel to "I Married Who?" Yup I'm a busy lil bee.

Chapter 23

Denethor and a Makeover

Turns out, that Gondor people won't let anyone in. First, I couldn't go in without Gandalf. Then Denethor wouldn't let me in until I looked and I quote "like a lady".

So I was thrown to lions, err I mean maids. I had a nice hot bath, much better than the Anduin, I must say. My hair was (shudder) braided yet again. Though I undid it immediately as they weren't looking. Then they hit my biggest peeve. They wanted me to wear a dress. A dress! My mother hasn't gotten me to wear a dress in about 9 years.

Then I was blackmailed by Gandalf of all people.

He told me I couldn't see Faramir unless I wore a dress.

Grrr.

Then, I was finally allowed in; I was scowling, but present.

I had missed all the good stuff. Except now, Denethor wanted to interrogate me now.

As if. I would so make a mockery of him.

"What happened to my son?"

"Which one, you have two."

"My eldest, Boromir."

"Jeez, he's not like you at all."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know, what does it?"

"Just tell me what happened."

"And what if I become grief-stricken and cannot continue?"

"We will deal with that when we come to it."

"All right." I gave in, I mean he had lost son.

When I got to the part about Boromir and me fighting, Denethor interrupted.

"A woman, fight? No, your memory is confused, Boromir was protecting you."

Okay, so when Eowyn fights, every one believes her, but when I fight, nooooooooo. No one believes me. Figures.

I rolled up the sleeve of my dress, and showed him my arm.

"Yes, I suppose I got this sitting down and stitching, yes?"

I think I proved my point.

Denethor's eyes were weird. I think it unnerved him I looked right in his eye, but he would only hold my gaze for seconds. Now, I know my stare has creeped out some people, considering that I have hazel eyes. They can be green or blue, most of the time they choose to be green. But when I'm angry they can turn a blue-ish.

I finished my tale.

"Very well, you are dismissed."

So, I left. I went out to find Pippin.

I saw him standing guard.

"Hullo." He said when he saw me.

"Hello." I said back. I didn't know if it was illegal or not, but I hopped up on a low wall, and swung my legs.

"Hey, you're wearing a dress!"

I sighed.

"Sadly yes, my other clothes were confiscated from me, and are being cleaned, and not thrown away, I hope."

"Oh," he smiled and then motioned to his Gondorian garb "Same here."

"These people of Gondor, strict dress codes huh?"

"Yea, I guess."

Just then Bergil walked up to us.

"A suitor for the Halfling?" he said raising his eyebrows at me.

"He wishes." I said. Hopping off the wall. "Uhhh, sorry, about sitting on the wall."

"No worries, miss."

I stuck my hand out. We shook hands.

"Your name, milady."

"Well, I've been named Anna."

"Bergil."

I nodded my head.

Bergil's father, Beregond came up behind them.

"I hope Master Halfling, that Bergil was not bothering you on guard duty?"

"Oh no, unless he was bothering Anna."

I felt I was being picked on.

"Not me."

"Shall I lead you two back to the citadel? It's getting dark, and your duty is up, Pippin."

We nodded, and were lead back to Gandalf.

I heard Gandalf ask himself a question, as the sun began to rise.

"When will Faramir return?"

I just sighed, and pulled the blankets over my head, I was sleeping a bed again, everything but sleep could wait.

By the time I was awake, Pippin had been gone, and it was almost 10:00, or so I assumed, because I wasn't hungry yet.

I walked down and around, until it was about 11:00, or so I judged.

I followed the line of people that had food. As I walked I found what they called the messes.

I walked in.

Bergil saw me.

"This is no place for ladies, miss."

I looked behind him; there were plenty of women and children in there.

"They don't seem to mind." I countered.

"Yes, well, they are used to it..."

"Used to what? You have never met my family."

"We don't normally see people of high class down here." He said

"High class?" I faltered, and then looked down at the dress I was wearing, that I had been forced to wear, when I found it in my room.

"Trust me; it's nothing I've never seen."

"Ah, Lady Anna." Said Beregond when he saw me.

"Hello Anna," said Pippin

I nodded, and then sat down on one of the benches next to them.

"How do you manage to find your way around this city?" I asked

Beregond laughed "you get used to it, after a while."

"It's as bad as Lansing turn-abouts."

"Well, it is time to get back to the posts." Said Pippin

"Can I come?" I begged

"Shouldn't you find some ladies to chat with?" suggested Beregond

Pippin laughed at this "Beregond," said Pippin "She is not like any lady you will ever meet. She is strong willed, fights, and even argues with Gandalf, not even I dare to do that."

"Very well." Said Beregond

So I followed them back to their posts, but not before I had taken a piece of bread to eat. I love home-made bread.

We had been at the posts for only a little while, when a screech filled the air.

Pippin covered his ears, but Beregond and I stood there, frozen.

"Look!" said Beregond "Fell beasts!"

We looked down, and saw little black figures.

"Faramir!" I cried "It's Faramir!"

I started to run, but Beregond, who was a bit taller, caught me.

"You cannot go down there. I won't let you."

I turned, but Gandalf was down there.

Okay, so now Faramir was here. Now what do I do?

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Thank you, all reviewers! All of you! You made me into what I am today!