#Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings.

Summary: We've seen fan girls and Mary Sue's fall into middle earth. Now we experience something entirely new.


Chapter Thirteen

I awoke not long after dawn the next day to a loud knock on the door.

Thinking about Eomer and his letter had kept me up for most of the night, so my appearance was somewhat rumpled.

The knock turned out to be Boromir and Faramir, both of whom took one look at me, flushed red and quickly turned their backs.

I was admittedly puzzled. "What the…" I looked down at myself. I had failed to pack a nightgown when we left Edoras and had no intention of sleeping in my clothes, so I had gone to bed in my undergarments, which I had come from my own world. "Oh. Hold on for a moment." I looked in the bathroom for a robe, and quickly put it on. "All right, you can come in."

The both entered, still avoiding my eyes. There was a rather uncomfortable silence while they tried not to look at me. Finally I broke it. "You know what I never understood? Almost everywhere I go, it is perfectly acceptable for men to walk around half naked if the weather is too hot. On the other hand, if a woman shows too much skin, everyone acts like the world is ending. It really is quite foolish."

That broke the ice, and the two brothers relaxed somewhat. Gently shaking Bella awake and looking for some clothes that would fit her, I raised an eyebrow at them. "Anyway, I am sure that you didn't just come here for an idle chat. What happened now?"

It was Faramir who answered, "Father is sending me back to re-take Osgiliath. It has been over run by orcs and possibly a few of the Nazgul. We tried to tell him that it was a foolish idea, but he wouldn't listen."

Boromir continued, "After having a more detailed version of what happened with the Fellowship, our father is not planning on me going anywhere. Also, Pippin offered his service to Father, so don't be surprised if you see him wearing the uniform of a guard of the Citadel."

I helped Bella with her shoes. "Interesting news. I hope you return safe from Osgiliath, though. However, I can't see how I fit into this."

Boromir nodded. "As Father is not about to let me leave the city, I wondered if I might offer you and Bella a tour. Being cooped up with nothing to do all day is enough to drive one mad."

I smiled at that. Personally, I agreed. I turned to Faramir. "Faramir, when do you ride out? I think most of the city would be there to see your company off."

Faramir gave me a bitter smile. "As soon as we can be readied. The steward wishes to waste no time in retaking the city."

I nodded sadly, then took on a brisk tone. "Well, in that case I hope you gentlemen would wait outside while I change into something appropriate for walking around the city in."

Boromir grinned at me. "You don't want us to stay and help?"

I sent him a Death Glare. "I'm sure I can manage by myself. Besides, what kind of impression would that give the servants? Unless you want your father to think that we have a romantic interest in each other?" Both of them paled slightly at the idea of what gossip would spread. I flicked my fingers at them. "Out, if you please!"

They left.

Turning to the closet where I had hung up mine and Bella's clothing the night before, I selected the dress that Eowyn had given me, a muted shade of forest green. Using the mirror to do up the laces at the back, I quickly brushed my hair and pulled it into a high ponytail, securing it with a green scrunchie decorated with imitation oak leaves and acorns, then found a pair of shoes, collected Bella, and met the Brothers of Gondor outside.


I was right; half of Minas Tirith did turn out to farewell Faramir's company. They all seemed very sad, as though they knew that it was a suicide mission doomed to failure. They tossed small flowers onto the street that they rode down, almost like they were making a path for the warriors.

I looked at Boromir's face as he watched his brother ride to probable death. His face was made up of so many different emotions that it was impossible to tell one from the other. Grief. Anger. Helplessness. Something that was almost despair. A sorrow so deep that it boarded on physical pain. The worst of it was the knowledge that no one could do anything to help.

I may not have had any romantic interest in Boromir, but he was my friend and one of my only companions in this land. My heart went out to him, but I would not insult Boromir by pretending that I knew what it was like to watch a person that you loved ride out and not know if you would ever see them again.

We watched until the riders could no longer be seen, then Boromir turned away, obviously trying to tell himself that Faramir would be fine.

He offered me his arm, and we set off on the promised tour of Minas Tirith.


Despite both of our worries about Faramir, I did enjoy Boromir's company on the tour of the city.

He showed me the Houses of Healing, introducing me to some of the healers. We visited the Gardens and Parks of Minas Tirith, with Boromir naming the flowers and plants and where they originated. The best part, however, was when Boromir made the mistake of taking me to the market.

The place was a riot of colour and sound; adults talking, children playing underfoot, shopkeepers advertising and bargaining their goods, and oh, all the things that were on display! I felt very close to floating on air. I turned towards Boromir, who was watching me with a slightly apprehensive expression, obviously wondering what he had gotten himself into.

I freely admit it: while I am usually considered sensible under normal circumstances, take me shopping and I turn into an absolute peacock. Looking at the dresses, hair ornaments, books, children's toys, jewellery, drawing materials, shoes and such… well, let's say that Boromir had a good reason to be nervous.

Our first stop was the Bookstore, which took almost half an hour before we finished. I had no money at the time, but there was no harm in looking. After that was a variety of other shops, the potters, glassmakers, weavers etc. Boromir bought me some hair accessories; there is only so much you can do with a single hair scrunchie, after all. The real test of my willpower, however, came at the jewellers stand.

Boromir had just stated that he had had no idea that I possessed such an "obsession when it comes to pretty things."

I gave a very un-ladylike snort. "That is because you have never seen me when I had reason to get dressed up and had the materials to do so. I am obviously not about to go to work in my best clothing, but that doesn't mean I don't like to look pretty. I just don't go around wearing the kind of clothing that I know is going to be completely unsuitable for whatever I would be doing."

The jeweller smiled and gave Boromir a sympathetic look. "If it helps, My Lord, most women are like that. An exquisite sense of the appropriate, but give them an occasion to get dressed up, and there is no telling when they will be finished." He turned back to me. "Now then, is there anything that takes your fancy, My Lady?"

I looked over the display. I already had the Friendship bracelet that matched the one I gave Eowyn and the Jade necklace I was wearing: green and brown string woven together, with four jade beads on each side of a carved butterfly with four double-beaded threads hanging from the base. Since I had that set with me, I wasn't about to splurge, but the jeweller's work was amazing!

Suddenly, my eye was caught by a set of Green Amber. It consisted of a bracelet of oval-shaped stones, set in silver and linked together, and a necklace of three stones, the middle hanging vertical, flanked by a horizontal one on each side. The design was fairly simple, but somehow, that only made it seem more elegant.

The jeweller noticed my gaze. "Ah, Green Amber. Yes, I think it would suit you, My Lady. Silver would suit your complexion, and I think green is your best colour. This set would make you shine."

Boromir grinned. "I am sure Eomer would think so too. You should at least try it on."

I felt my face heat up as I shot him a glare. The jeweller smiled and directed a question at Boromir. "She is not your lady, then?"

I decided to ignore Boromir and answered the question, as Boromir had become completely incoherent. "Try 'Protective Older Brother'. No, I am not his Lady." I turned back to the set, "I would love to buy this, but there is no way I could afford it."

Boromir had recovered and looked curious, "What do you usually do if you know something is perfect but you can't afford it?"

I smiled faintly, feeling a pang of homesickness. "Wait until the next time I see my father, then ask if I can get it as a birthday or festival gift. If I don't ask for anything very often, then that means that when I do ask, chances are higher that I will get it, especially if I offer to pay for part of it myself."

Boromir smiled. "Try it on anyway. At least see how it looks."

I tried it on and looked in a mirror. The jeweller had been right: the jewellery did look wonderful, and would have been perfect with the dress that I was wearing, which would also be suitable for any big occasion.

I turned back just in time to see Boromir handing the Merchant some coins. Not that I was not grateful, I don't like owing people. I immediately protested.

Boromir cut me off. "You look stunning in it, and besides, I have spent a large part of my life trying to see Eomer of Rohan in a state of shock. I think this should work nicely."

I laughed, then noticed the time. It was starting to grow dark.

Boromir, Bella and I finished off the day at an Eating House, then headed back to the Citadel.


A/N – Chapter Thirteen finished! Next chapter should be up soon.

A huge thank you to all of my reviewers, both old and new!

To my most faithful reviewers: tongue in cheek scribe, Maiden-of-the-Dragon's-Zodiac, frodofreak88, Laer4572 – Thanks, your encouragement means a lot.

Maiden-of-the-Dragon's-Zodiac – Purple muffins of Doom? To hear is to obey,

Lindariel – If you do figure it out, could you please tell me so I can fix it?

Hobbitfeatures – Thanks. I absolutely agree with your assessment of most original characters. Yes, kids are great and life with them is never boring. Boromir will probably live but if I had to kill him he would die in battle.

Elros Tar-Minyatur – No, we just managed to get Winter Queen's Author Page up and running. I think that I have had something sarcastic and/or rude from you in every Lord of the Rings story I have ever written so how about this: You leave me alone and I won't say exactly what I think of your 'subtle humour' and MST's. My life is ordinary and I like it that way. Compare me to Samwise if you like. Although 'Life of dull drudgery' and 'working with children' is a contradiction in terms. Go annoy someone else.

No, we just managed to get Winter Queen's Author Page up and running. I think that I have had something sarcastic and/or rude from you in every Lord of the Rings story I have ever written so how about this: You leave me alone and I won't say what I think of your 'subtle humour' and MST's. My life is ordinary and I like it that way. Compare me to Samwise if you like. Although 'Life of dull drudgery' and 'working with children' is a contradiction in terms. Go annoy someone else.

Additional thanks go to: ObsessedWithHarryPotter, hotdogfish, Mizz Lee, The Cap'n and Pasha ToH.

Please tell me what you think of this Chapter.

Nathalia