A/N: LONG chapter! Reviews are ALWAYS welcome, especially with suggestions on what you wish to see in the next few chapters. I have an ending in mind, but right now, I need the stuff to get there, so suggestions are very welcome. R/R! Thanks to all the reviewers.

Thanks to Unicorn!! She gave me the lyrics to the song I use in here "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. Thanks so much!

Chapter 18: Balances

The Horn of Gondor was heard in the distance, approaching from the hills. Boromir has returned! Yet when the guards were busy opening the great gate, they heard another horn, one that was not familiar. After standing, mystified by this mysterious, yet pleasant sound, an older guard exclaimed, "That is the Horn of Eorl. Long has it been since it was heard in these lands." A group of horsemen were approaching, lead by one on a magnificent chestnut stallion.
"The Rohirrim! The Rohirrim have come!" the cry ran through the City, till it reached the ears of the Steward, still embracing his elder son. Upon hearing the news, Elentari flew to the walls, looking down upon her fate.
The Gate was open, and the Riders dismounted, greeted warmly by the Steward and his son. The leader removed his helmet, revealing the strong, fair features of the Prince of the Rohirrim, Theodred.
"We have been expecting you," Denethor greeted. The two younger men, Boromir and Theodred embraced briefly. Elentari stood at a modest distance behind Denethor, waiting to be addressed, as was formality.
After the men had greeted each other fully, Theodred looked behind Denethor, and offered her a smile, which she returned, though lowered her eyes, as was custom. Denethor beckoned for her, and she came forth. She curtsied deeply and smiled, "It brings joy to my heart to see thee."
"My eyes have not delighted in sight since I left," he returned. She smiled, knowing his flattery.
"How long shall you be staying with us this time?" Boromir asked.
"For as long as I am welcome, and my people do not need me," Theodred said.
"If it were only the first, you should not look on your return," Elentari said, cheeks flushing.
"Come. Your men must be tired and ravenous. Let us refresh ourselves," Denethor beckoned them all into the Citadel. As the Rohirrim were eating, Boromir murmured to Elentari, "How fares the City while I'm gone?"
"It goes on, though we miss you, dear brother."
"How fare thee?" Boromir asked.
Elentari looked down, fumbling with the hem of her dress, "Adequate."
"Somehow, I recall the last time you said that word, you were twelve and you and Faramir had just lost Father's scepter, and were looking forward to a harsh scolding."
"I would not say lost, merely misplaced," she corrected, recalling the childhood memory.
"Oh yes. You found it again. How many years later?" Boromir teased, feigning memory loss.
"It was eleven months, barely a year!" she corrected, grinning, yet it faded when she asked, "How fares Faramir?"
"Adequate," Boromir echoed.
"Please tell me, brother," she begged.
Boromir sighed and said flatly, "He misses you."
A hollow laugh came from her, but he pressed on, "He does. He dreams of you at night, calling your name in his sleep. I've heard him singing songs you shared. I've even caught him crying, cursing himself for his harsh words."
"Yet he does not admit it."
"He shall."
"Yet he does not now," she returned.
"Faramir knows his folly," Boromir stated.
"Yet is too proud to overcome it."
Boromir was quiet for a moment, "But why do you not go to him?"
A dry, thin smile creased her lips, "Pride is bred in the House of the Steward."
Boromir shook his head, "If you both desire each other, and recognize your folly, why do you press on? Why do you not reconcile? Be happy again, both of you."
"It's not that simple Boromir," she sighed.
"Fine. Then tell me how it is not as simple as my uncomplicated mind believes."
Elentari sighed again, her eyes heavy, "The world is so simple to you, isn't it Boromir? You have seen so much; yet let so little reach you. Is there nothing other than arms to you in this world? Even if Faramir and I overcame our pride, it would never become of anything. It is better this way."
"How?"
"Because this way, we will not bid each other farewell painfully," Elentari forced herself to say.
"Why must you bid farewell?"
"Don't be so naïve Boromir. Look at those men. They have only one purpose here, to escort me back to their home with them. Faramir is the only obstacle in their course. I will not have him place himself in the way."
"But he loves you! And you love him," Boromir protested.
"More the reason to keep him away," Elentari said.
"You should not do this. You should not have to do this."
"Yet I must."
"Look, Elentari," Boromir said flatly, "Sooner or later, word will reach Theodred, and he shall hear of you and Faramir."
"Yes, and if nothing exists, it is all the better."
"But something did exist, still does!"
"It does not. It is gone Boromir," though she but whispered the words, the look in her eyes showed that it was final.

"What does my Lord wish to do?" Elentari asked.
"What does Gondor have to offer?" Theodred inquired.
"The best wine and food. The best mortal craftsman and loremasters," she said.
"And the fairest maidens," Theodred added. Elentari blushed, smiling, and turned away a bit. "Does my Lady wish to ride?"
"Very much so," Elentari said, a smile appearing, "I have not gone out since the last winter rains."
"Now the summer sun shines down upon us. Let us go," Theodred summoned and they made their way to the stables, "Besides. You promised me you would race me."
"I was hoping you would forget," Elentari said, saddling restless Talcalina.
"Beautiful horse," Theodred breathed, his ancestral instinct appearing. He stroked the mare, who tossed her mane back, but did not draw away from his touch. He spoke to her softly a few times, and then offered her an oat, which she accepted.
"She likes you," Elentari said.
"Does her rider?" Theodred asked.
"That shall be seen," Elentari said, kicking off immediately on Talcalina, leaving Theodred behind. He quickly mounted Brego and chased after her. He caught up to her right beyond the City gate, riding hard on the Pelennor.
"Where are we going?" Theodred asked, pulling up beside her.
"Into the hills," she motioned. Talcalina rambled up the hills eagerly, with Brego closely following. Isilmë guided her horse past trees and bushes, then more and more, until behind the final cluster, there revealed was a lush clearing, with a glistening stream trickling through. She dismounted, and Theodred followed her in suit. She sighed contently, feasting her eyes on the beloved site.
"Tis a beautiful place," Theodred said admiringly.
Elentari nodded, "We used to come here whenever we had free time. We would lay in the sun and count the clouds."
"We?"
She hesitated for a moment, pain jabbing through her, "Yes. My brother and I."
"Boromir?"
"Nay, Faramir," she whispered, the blissful memories causing her eyes to water as she thought of days long past. They would never be the same again. They would never share those times again.
"Oh. The younger," Theodred said, "It never occurred to me that Boromir of Gondor would be one for leisurely cloud-gazing."
She smiled, though turning away to hide her eyes glistening with tears, "Boromir has his peaceful times." From her satchel, she removed a batch of food.
"Are you hungry, my Lord?"
"Very much so," Theodred admitted. They settled down and began eating. Brego came over and nudged Theodred, who fed him a carrot. Brego snorted and nuzzled his master's head.
"Ai Brego," he murmured stroking his horse lovingly.
"His name is kingly," Elentari whispered, "He is a fine horse."
"Yes. The best horse a man could have," Theodred praised, "We found him as a young foal, running wild outside Edoras. I took him in. He is a gift from the Lady Epona herself."
"Is not Epona the lady of horses?" Elentari questioned.
"Yes. In old Rohirric myths; her birds are said to lull the living to sleep and awaken the dead," Theodred explained.
"I have read of such, a long time ago," Elentari said.
"You are well read my lady."
"Father did not approve of Faramir and I constantly spending our days in the library reading tales of old. Of Aman, of Westernessë, of the old days of evil. I picked up a few Rohirric myths along the way."
"You are so different from her," Theodred murmured.
"From who?"
"My cousin, Eowyn. You are so different, yet so alike. She lost her mother early also and grew up in our household. Yet she has a brother, Eomer, a few years her senior. She has the blood and spirit of a shieldmaiden of old. Even at her young age, it is evident that she would rather ride in an eored and battle Orcs all day than read of Numenor," Theodred said.
"I love riding, but not battle. If it were my way, the world would be rid of metal and war," she said.
"Alas it is not so," Theodred sighed.
"Tell me more about her," Elentari was interested.
"She is fair. Some people call her the White Lady, with her pale ivory skin and golden hair."
"Much like you," Elentari said.
"She is fairer than I. Eowyn is lovely, yet cold, yet she is not to blame for that. She hates the confines of Meduseld and would sooner be riding with my eored." These words reminded Elentari of herself. Somehow, her heart told her that she would one day be tied, in some way to this Eowyn of Rohan. Yet it was not through marriage to Theodred and she shuddered, as a cold shadow crept upon her.
Just then, the horns echoing from the City broke her dark thoughts. She was immediately to her feet, as she saw a group of thirty or so riders approach the City, bearing the flag of the White Tree. She instantaneously recognized Faramir riding in the front, though she was at such a distance that even the Elven archers would have had difficulty.
"Faramir," she breathed, a touch of longing in her voice that Theodred picked up. Talcalina was by her side in an instant, "We must return to the City." Theodred mounted Brego and followed her.
As they entered the City gate, Faramir and his men were just ahead. She cried out, against her will, "Faramir!" He turned, with his helmet just removed, and upon seeing her; his eyes were filled with surprise upon seeing her, yet intense longing. His eyes clearly told her, "I've missed you. Please come back to me." Yet a moment later, he regained himself, and turned away. She stood practically transfixed, her eyes following him as he walked away, until she felt Theodred by her side, who followed her eyes onto Faramir.
She tore her gaze off of Faramir, and taking an alternate route, led Theodred back to the Citadel. There, he left the family together to greet the returning younger son, and saw to his men.
Upon his entrance, the noisy room immediately became silent. This startled Theodred, for his men had always held him for one of them, never withholding anything from him that they shared.
"Why such silence upon my arrival?" he questioned, glancing at his men.
"Tis nothing, my Lord," one named Halas mumbled, averting his gaze from Theodred's piercing stare.
"I would not have my men hiding anything from me," Theodred said, "Speak." The men gazed at each other, and finally, Halas spoke.
"Naturally my Lord, we have been out and about in this City, and we have heard much of the talk circulating in it."
"Continue," Theodred ordered.
"Much of the talk has been about you, my Lord, and the fair Lady."
"Yes," Theodred said, expecting more.
"They have told many tales. Most of them say that you plan to wed her, which we all know."
"Then what is the problem?" Theodred asked.
"Yet there has been much argument and debate over your marriage. It seems that the Lady does not wish to marry you, but the Steward pushes her towards it. The women say that before our presence last year, the Lady was passionately in love with her brother, the younger son of the Steward, Faramir, I believe his name to be."
Theodred's eyes narrowed shrewdly. As much as he did not wish to believe such talk, it did make sense to him. Elentari's eyes alighted when she spoke of this beloved brother of hers, and she did speak of him much more than she did of anyone else, even Boromir. Many things she had said alluded that she and Faramir had grown up together, sharing much. And when they had entered the City, she had called to him and her gaze had lingered upon him.
Halas's voice broke through his thoughts as he continued, "They also say that this passionate affair was broken at our arrival. They are said to have fought, for the Lord Faramir was driven mad by jealousy of you, my Lord. He demanded her to stay away from you, but she refused, which led to them exchanging fierce words. Now they simply ignore each other, though the Lady is said to have tears in her eyes whenever he is around, and he likewise, though not as evident." That is why he turned away when she called to him earlier, Theodred realized. Everything fit, and there was too much evidence to plainly dismiss it as gossip. Yet he did not want to make assumptions or wrong Elentari before he knew anything for certain. It could simply all be old wives' tales.
"Thank you Halas, but I would trust that you men will not assume or believe anything that you do not completely know as true," Theodred cautioned.
"Of course not, my Lord," one said, "They are merely possibilities."
"Thank you for informing me," Theodred said. He left the room and made way for the Citadel, meaning to speak to Boromir. Instead, he crossed upon Faramir, sitting upon the steps of the Citadel. Theodred greeted him, but received only a cool nod as acknowledgement.
"If you are looking for Isilmë, she is inside, with Father," Faramir said coolly, without looking up.
"Pardon, Isilmë?" Theodred looked puzzled.
"Oh," Faramir said, realizing Theodred's confusion, "I meant Elentari."
"Who is Isilmë?" Theodred questioned.
"Someone of the past," Faramir stammered, a film across his eyes. Theodred left him, as he clearly did not wish to converse any longer, and searched for Boromir.

Someone of the past--Isilmë. She was gone, banished from his heart, yet as he recollected all their memories together, that sweet voice that often lulled him to sleep and soothed his hurts drifted out of the stone once more, in lament.
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed of a love that would never die
I dreamed of that god would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid,
And dreams were made and used and wasted,
There was no ransom to be paid, no duty.
No song un-song, no wine un-tasted.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dreams to shame.

He slept a summer by my side.
He filled my days with endless wonder.
He took my childhood in his stride.
But he was gone when autumn came.

And still I dreamed he would come to me.
That we would live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather.

I had a dream my life would be
So different from that I'm living
So different now from what it seemed

Now life had killed the dream I dreamed.

Did she not know how much I have missed her? That I still love her? She does not know for you will not let her know. You push her away and you make it seem to her that you hate her. Will you not go to her? Will you not beg for forgiveness? Will you not take her into your embrace as you have longed to? She will not take me back that easily, and besides, I will not crawl at her feet.

"Boromir!" Theodred called, seeing Boromir at the end of the hall. Boromir stopped and offered a wide grin.
"May I have a moment with you, please?" Theodred asked.
"Yes, of course. I trust this is important then."
"Yes, it is," Theodred said, "Tell me. Have you reason to believe talk about Lady Elentari and your brother, Faramir?"
The grin on Boromir's face faded, "That would depend on what is being said. Please be frank Theodred."
"If you will it," Theodred replied, "It is said that Elentari and Faramir are lovers."
Boromir's face was grave, "I am afraid, I cannot answer that. If you truly wish to know the answer, you must ask Faramir yourself. My apologies. I cannot answer a question of such a nature for it concerns more than I control." He nodded once, a bit coolly, and walked away, attending to his business.
The only sign of frustration Theodred betrayed was pressing his lips together. He passed a guard and asked for where he could find Faramir, and was pointed towards the archery course.

Faramir indeed had made his way down to the archery course. It had been a long day and her song had brought back things that he had worked for months to block from his mind. He had intended to shoot a quiver of arrows and be done with it, but as he received his bow and quiver, there was already someone on the course. He had half a mind to turn and walk back, but her voice called out to him, though it was little more than a whisper, "Why do you walk away?"
He did not answer her, but halted his footsteps.
"Why do you turn away from me?" it was a low whisper.
"Why should I not?" he finally replied, and he heard her sigh behind him.
"Because the things we said were out of anger," she whispered, and traipsed under an awning of a hallway that led towards the Citadel. Though he had half a mind not to, he followed her, though standing a respectable distance behind her.
"Things said in anger are said in a moment in which control is lost, but it is also a moment where we say what we really feel," he snapped.
She sighed and was at a loss for words, "Faramir."
"Do not address me in that tone of voice! I have had enough. For twenty long years now, I have abided by your side, sharing everything with you. I have barely a memory that you were not included in. Even in Ithilien, your face would appear to me in everything I saw," Faramir barked, his voice trembling, "I would hear your voice in the wind, feel your touch as it swept through my hair. You were everything to me. Yet it meant nothing to you, did it? It is gone now, Isilmë," that name had not been used for seasons, as no one but Faramir called her by it, "It can never return."
She closed her eyes for a long moment. If she kept them sealed, then no tears could leak through, yet one stubborn droplet seemed to separate itself from all the rest and trickled down. She sniffled and then whispered, "So, this is what a score of years will finally lead us to, hating one another? Do twenty years mean nothing to you?"

Faramir opened his mouth to refute, to offer some contest to her sorrowful words, but could find none. Yet her words resonated in the air and in his mind, did she mean nothing to him? He knew it was not true, that she meant everything in all of Arda to him, but her words had stung, and could not be erased.

She tried as hard as she could, but those obstinate tears would not relent. They were an unrelenting wave threatening to sweep her anchorless ship up and away, away from the safe harbor, away from all that she worked for, her control. They started trickling, one by one, down her pale cheeks, and her staggered breathing made it evident.

He turned to face her, and with a finger instinctively brushed away her tears, and his hand lingered upon her cheek, caressing it. He could not see her cry and live with himself if he did nothing. Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his, and for the first time in many months, they were not filled with the intense fire of wounded jealousy, but with what she had known and longed for, love and tender care. Looking into those sorrowful sea eyes, he forgot all anger and hostility that boiled inside of him. He breathed her name and then, pressed his lips against hers gently. She leaned into him basking in his familiarity and warmth.

Yet while their hearts were reuniting, overcoming their long sunder, basking in bliss and elation, there was one other that stood, a distance away, whose heart was shattering. He had come to confront Faramir about what he had heard, but now, witnessing this heart-rending scene, he needed no words to explain to him. He took a few steps to approach them, but then, decided against it and turned back. Yet he tripped and fell over a great big root, which caused Isilmë to glance up and when she saw him, terror mixed with sorrow filled her features, "No. No. Theodred." He fled from sight and she ran towards the Citadel, "Father will have our heads for this."

Faramir ran after her, "You need not tell him."

"Do you think Theodred will not?" Isilmë stopped, staring at Faramir, "And even if he didn't, word will reach Father somehow." She shook her head, "Rumor spreads quicker than wildfire through this City." She continued to weave her way back up to the Citadel, with Faramir trailing her. However, by the sixth level, she quickly stopped, sighing, "It's best if you do not come with me, toronya."

When he looked at her puzzled, "It will make it even more obvious, and Father will be more enraged at you than at me." Faramir hesitated at her words, as they stung, though he knew that Denethor would be more gentle and forgiving with her than with him. He did not want her to face their father's wrath alone, yet he knew that if he went along, it would only be worse for the both of them, and besides, his anger had not completely subsided yet, both at her and Denethor, and he knew he would wreak havoc if aroused. Slowly, he nodded, and she offered a supporting smile, before she dashed off to the Citadel.

Theodred felt that the world was swirling and crumbling around him at the same time. Could it be a misunderstanding? He had not heard what they had been saying, only saw them embracing. What could he do? He had to do something. He could not live without knowing the truth. He did not wish to confront her, but she had seen him, and had looked at him in terror. He could not leave for that would show hostility and disrespect to the Steward. With this in mind, he headed to the Citadel.
He found Boromir, and confronted him, "I needed not to question your brother. I witnessed enough evidence with my eyes," Theodred sneered bitterly.
"What?" Boromir was shocked and troubled.
"I found your brother Faramir, and Elentari engaging in a passionate embrace," Theodred said, "Can you explain that?"
Boromir was at a loss for words, but he needed none, for a cold voice said, "No, he cannot, but we can find the answer."
"Father," Boromir breathed, horrified for he knew that trouble was looming.
"Elentari," the Steward barked, as the frightened girl scampered in.
"Yes," her voice quivered.
"Might you know of what Theodred speaks of?" Denethor asked too sweetly.
"What does he speak of?" she forced the question out, knowing the answer and dreading her response.
"Prince Theodred claims to have seen you and Faramir engaging in a passionate embrace," Denethor spelled out, his icy eyes flashing, "Might you verify and explain this?"
Elentari swallowed, and kept her eyes fixated on the carved stone.
"No?" Denethor said, "Well then, let us summon one who can." He called to one of the guards, "Bring me Faramir."
Before the guard could go, Elentari snapped, "No!" and after a few seconds of hesitation, pressured by Denethor's gaze, she stammered, "We have been fighting for the past few months, as you may recall, Father, and today, we finally resolved it, down at the archery course. We embraced out of exaltation. I trust that in Rohan also, it is proper for sister and brother to embrace," Though this situation was dire, Boromir wanted to smile. So they finally reconciled. Denethor's eyes narrowed shrewdly, his lips pressed together into a thin line, but he kept them sealed.
"My Lord Theodred," Elentari said, turning to face him, "I hope this unfortunate incident does not inhibit your stay with us here. Your presence is most welcome and enjoyed."
Theodred met her eyes, and said, "Of course not, my Lady. I merely wished to know the explanation to such an event." He bowed and said, "I will see you at supper. May I take my leave now, my Lady?"
"You may," she granted.
He smiled, a radiant smile, and left. Her eyes followed him, and when she finally turned, an irate Denethor bulled down on her.
"I trust such an occurrence shall never happen again," his voice was a deadly whisper.
"He was not meant to witness such an event," she said.
"Such an event should not have occurred in the first place," Denethor bellowed, "I thought you and Faramir had ridded of your adolescent folly."
"It is not folly," her voice was barely audible and her eyes fixed on the ground.
"Elentari," Denethor's voice was as firm as steel, "Perhaps I need to reemphasize to you why Theodred of Rohan is here and why this is important to us."
"Us?"
"Yes, us. It is most important to you. It is significant to me and your brothers, and it is critical to Gondor," Denethor said. She prayed he would not use the word 'duty'.
"Elentari. When I asked you if you objected to this match, you would not speak, and now, when he is here, intending to ask for your hand, you hesitate and engage in unholy and immoral activities," Denethor sounded exasperated, "Just, just be gone. Do not let such an event occur again in these Halls."
When Elentari was gone, he turned to his elder son, "Send for Faramir."
"I do not think that to be wise, Father," Boromir advised.
"Do it," his tone was final. Within minutes, Faramir stood before his father, where Elentari had previously.
"I have just heard a most interesting story," his voice was poisonous, "Elentari used her gifts of eloquence and charm to squeeze through, and you are lucky she did."
"What are you speaking of, my Lord?" Faramir questioned.
"How would you describe the relationship between you and Elentari at this very moment?" Denethor asked.
Faramir thought about it for a moment, and then answered sincerely, "Odd." Denethor scoffed, "For all your study of words and lore, you can give me only this?"
"It is a scale. The balance has just been regained, but is not stable. It can be easily tipped," Faramir said.
"Do not speak in riddles to your father," Denethor ordered.
"We have reconciled," Faramir finally stated simply, though his heart was still in turmoil.
"May I remind you, that Elentari is due to be wed and you yourself are courting a fine lady?" Denethor bellowed.
"From my last recollection, I believe that Theodred of Rohan, nor has any other suitor proposed to our dear Elentari, so therefore, I do not believe her to be betrothed," Faramir said coolly, "As for my courtship, I have not asked the permission to court any lady from her father, so I have not courted any officially."
Denethor's eyes were fixed on his younger son. He had thought Faramir gentle, easy to mold and manipulate, but this man standing before him was not the same younger son he had scolded on many an occasion. He was hard as steel, reminding Denethor almost of himself, though he would not admit it.
He finally said icily and firmly, "Elentari will wed Theodred."
"Why?" Faramir never broke his father's gaze, "Why must you force her into a marriage that she does not desire?"
"If she did not desire it, she would have told me," Denethor said, his anger rising with every word.
"She does not wish to anger you, nor disappoint you. Elentari will face the scorch of death for you, Father. Do not push her too far," Faramir warned.
"She will wed him," Denethor was firm.
Faramir's patience finally broke, and he screamed, "Do you wish to kill her as you did mother???"
Denethor froze. His gaze softened and neither Faramir nor Boromir had ever seen their father like this. He looked—vulnerable. However, that was gone in a fleeting moment, as Denethor's eyes became slits, his voice a deadly whisper, as if among the awakened dead, "You will not speak to me of her ever again," and he left.

A/N: With Theodred and Elentari picnic thing, Theodred mentions Brego being a gift from Lady Epona. I read this in a Celtic mythology book and Epona is said to be the Goddess of Horses, and since the Rohirrim have a very strong Celtic feel, I felt it might be appropriate. Reviews!!!!