Beginnings and secrets

Pippin was woken by a light during the night. He opened his eyes to see Gandalf pacing back and forth in their room. Candles flickered in the background and parchment rustled in the soft breeze.

"You're back. I was beginning to wonder if you would return. The day has been most long." The hobbit said.

"Indeed, but the night will be too short. Sleep while you can, Master Peregrin. I have come back here for peace and to be alone in my thoughts. There are many things I must consider. At the summons we shall go and see Lord Denethor. The darkness has begun…there will be no dawn…" Gandalf replied, and he continued pacing.

Pippin laid himself back down on the bed and soon fell asleep once again.


Boromir rushed into Demi's room early that morning, shaking her awake. He noticed the jewel in her hand and saw it glowing.

"What in the name of Gondor?" he questioned.

Demi's eyes opened bright and clear that grim morning. She had felt more refreshed than ever, as though she had taken some of the potion Galadriel had given her, save that there was none left.

"Hurry and dress yourself Demi, things are in motion now, so dark that I will have you ready." Boromir said, handing her a uniform of Gondor, fit for a young teenage boy.

"Thanks, but what do you mean?" she asked.

"The skies have darkened, our allies are now within our walls but the enemy is on the move. I will wait for you outside. Change quickly!" he said, leaving the room.

Demi reluctantly got out of bed and stripped herself from her gown, then put on the uniform. She was now wearing silver breeches, and black tunic with the silver tree of Gondor on it. She put her belt on with her sword attached and put her knife in her boot then pulled her back into a tight bun, leaving the room also to find Boromir, while putting her necklace back on. He waited for her then together they marched into Denethor's hall.

The Steward of Gondor had just ordered Pippin to go to the armouries when Boromir and Demi walked in.

"Ah, my son, LadyVairarista." Denethor said, clapping his hands together. "Come, dine with me."

Denethor gestured to two seats next to him.

"I would have you sit by me, fair lady." He said. Demi was revolted at the thought but did as she was asked. "An odd treasure you are. Here you ride with men to certain death and obvious war. But why is another question I must ask."

"All have their own purpose Lord. Mine was to travel with your son hither. War is just a mark point in the path." Demi said as graciously as possible.

"Said with much wisdom and conviction." Denethor laughed. Boromir faked a smile. He knew something was wrong with his father. He had changed greatly, like madness was consuming him. "A rare gift. You are of nobility?"

"For my own people, which I am…" Demi said, not entirely sure.

"I thought as much, for no other woman could answer the question the same. Eat!" Denethor urged.

Demi and Boromir picked at the food on their plate. Now was not the time for feasting. The black hour was upon them. When Gandalf retuned with the Prince Imrahil and the many other lords who had ridden to the city in the hour of its need, Demi took her leave and went to find Pippin. She found him speaking with a tall man of the tower guard.

"Pippin." She said as she approached him. "Suilad!"

"Good morning Vaira." Pippin said. "I do not believe you have met my friend here Beregond, This is the Lady Vairarista of the golden wood. Vaira, this is Beregond, guard of the tower."

"Mae govannen." Demi said with a curtsy.

"My lady. Tis an honour." Beregond said bowing.

Demi, Pippin and Beregond spoke for some time, mainly on the darkening of the world that was coming and the threat on Gondor. While they spoke, a high pitched scream was heard. Demi covered her ears as best she could. She thought they would burst in pain. She looked up and joined Beregond, who stood in fear at the wall. Below on the Pelennor were five winged creatures like a hybrid of a dragon and bat. Black, cunning and cruel. It was the Nazgûl.

"They're back." Demi whispered to herself.

She peered over the edge, seeing the dark riders chasing men on foot and horse to the gate of the city. A trumpet called at a high pitched note.

"Faramir, the lord Faramir has returned!" Beregond called. "Will no one go out to them?"

"I will." Demi said. She tore away, and stole Brytta from the stables then rode to the main gate with all speed. She had no idea what she was going to do, but she would do anything to help those men. People paved out of her way on the city streets as she tore through them quickly. The gate of the city was barely open and she passed through it out on the plane.

"Tincya en' russe tuulo' moriloomir!" she shouted, raising her right hand to the sky while trying to steady her horse with her left hand.

Lightning ran in chains across the sky, attempting to strike the Nazgûl. They screeched in fear, but chased the riders still. Demi repeated the spell again and the Nazgûl laid off slightly, but chased the riders still. Demi was running out of ideas. What could stop them?

Suddenly a blinding white light was emitted from behind her as Demi met some of the riders. There was a man running on foot so she pulled him up behind her on her horse and rode back towards the city. Beside her rode a man who seemed to be their captain. He offered her a nod of thanks and rode hard towards the city. They entered the gates and slowed down. Demi pulled Brytta to a holt and praised him.

"Nice work boy. Thank you." She said into the horse's ear.

"Vairarista!" cried an angry voice Demi recognised as Gandalf's. "What do you think you were doing out there?"

"Helping those men out, I was trying to stop the Nazgûl!" Demi countered breathlessly.

"You cannot do such things in your weakened state!" the old wizard said, his voice full of concern.

"I'm not a doll, I can look after myself." Demi said, her voice becoming bolder.

"I know…" Gandalf admitted in frustration.

Pippin ran up to Gandalf and Demi. The man who had ridden next to Demi came over to her to thank her but was caught in awe at the sight of Pippin.

"When did you arrive here, a Halfling, in the livery of the tower? Whence?" he asked.

"He came with me, your brother and Vairarista here." Gandalf said. "Let us not tarry here, for you are weary, yet there is still much more to be done."

Gandalf led Faramir, Demi and Pippin to the private chamber of Denethor, but Demi was excused by the lord and sent back to her quarters to rest.


"God damn him!" she shouted in spite of herself. She was frustrated by the male dominated society. She was no mere woman. She was a witch! An elf! AN elf witch! Surely that would count for something. At least amongst the elves it did.

"Who does he think he is?" she asked herself.

"The rightful lord of Gondor." A voice said, coming through the door frame. "Do not take it to heart, fair maiden of the elven kindred."

It was Faramir. He looked stressed, tired and upset about something.

"I will try not to in the future, my lord." Demi said.

"May I seek council with you? I hear that you are a powerful being." Faramir asked.

Demi gestured for him to take a seat on her bed and she sat next to him.

"What shall I do, my lady? My father takes choice of my brother and shows me no love. I am a burden he does no longer wish to lay his eyes upon. His bane. The cause of so many problems." Faramir said. Demi found this rather unexpected.

"Then take your own advice and do not take it to heart. He is corrupted by madness, he cares for nothing now. As the dark shadows closes over us all, he runs in fear. He sees that all is lost. He forgets hope. Hope will see us through. All is not lost, Faramir. He does love you, but, he is obviously not very good at showing his emotions." Demi said.

"He shows anger rather well." Faramir said, his eyes cast down to the floor.

"Because he cares. He does not want you to be hurt. Taken by the dark powers and tortured. It is a fate worse than death."

"I will take your words and carry them with me, my lady. Thank you." Faramir said, standing up and walking out of the room, but he stopped in the doorway. "Perhaps you would like to join me for a walk in the gardens later? I would be honoured to get to know you more."

Demi smiled. "I would love to." She said.


That night Demi and Faramir walked through the citadel under the starlight. Faramir was so different from Boromir. He preferred literature over war and was very good at expressing himself. Obviously a true romantic also.

When Faramir led Demi back to her room, he bid her goodnight and they shared a friendly hug.

"Thank you for you company, Vaira. I truly appreciate it." He said, with a charming smile.

"It was my pleasure." Demi said.

With that Faramir turned on his heel and headed towards his quarters when he was met in the hall by Boromir.

"Brother!" Boromir said.

"What is it Boromir?" Faramir asked.

"What were you doing with Lady Vaira? She is to be married, did you know that?" Boromir asked.

"It was only a friendly walk brother. I do not see her in the same light you do." Faramir said with a smirk and he kept walking.

"And what is that meant to mean?" Boromir asked.

"You know as well as I do. I am surprised you yourself have not asked for her hand. I see the way you look at her, the look in your eye. I know you would give your life and the world for her." Faramir said. "Do not deny it, you have done so for too long, I can tell."

"Speak none of this." Boromir said pleadingly.

"Of course not brother! I would never do such a thing. I would never dishonour you like that. I would not be so afraid of your feelings also…you may be not alone." Faramir said, leaving his brother in the hallway to contemplate what had conversed.


AE: Heya. So, what's up? Boromir finally knows that they know that he likes her. Kinda confusing isn't it? Well, I wonder how long it will be kept from Demi. Chapter six will continue on with Rhia and her part of the story. I hope you enjoy it.

Levanna: Thanks a million for the review as always. Nah…I'm not going to uni this year, I have to find out yet what courses to take. But I'll get there…eventually. I'm content for now to keep writing!

Oh and one last thing…and mind you I really hate doing this but…PLEASE REVIEW! It helps me so much with writing this fic and also helps me to grow as a writer. I can't do that without your help and that means that you may not enjoy the story as much. Thank you, that is all…