A/N: This chapter sets up the climax of the story, which is ::gasp:: almost coming to an end! I estimate about 2-3 more chapters! But who knows, I may go on and on and on... Reviews are ALWAYS welcome! I am in need of songs right now, so if anyone knows of any songs that they find suitable to the story, from anyone's perspective, even Denethor, if you shall, please send them to me. My email is in my profile. If you don't have the lyrics, please tell me the song name and artist and I'll find it! Thanks! Review!!!

The one little song is from Moulin Rouge, but I altered it a bit so it's not too recognizable and fits the story better.

Thanks to all the reviewers! Jazmin, I'm working on the happy story, though this one is my priority right now.

Susan—you are awesome!! Thanks for always helping me out with little questions and blocks I have had! Shameless advertising: people! Check out her stories! Her sn is Roisin Dubh.

Chapter 19: It is done

"The first one to the City gate," Elentari challenged.
"As you wish, my Lady," Theodred bowed on his horse.
"One, two, three go!" Talcalina and Brego thundered down the hills neck in neck. Elentari urged her horse in the tongue of those beyond the Sea, while Theodred leaned into his horse and murmured into his ear. The white and brown raced against the very wind, until, when they had bounded down the hill, and had reached the plains, Talcalina stumbled, and Brego seized the moment and forged ahead. He ended up winning by a considerate length, but Talcalina had put up a grand fight.
"That is a fine horse," Theodred complimented, "Not many in Edoras can keep up with Brego, and we devote our lives to them."
"He's beautiful," she stroked his dark mane.
"Talcalina reminds me of Snowmane, my father's horse," Theodred compared, his eyes dreamy as he thought of home, "I would say that Talcalina is in better shape than Snowmane though, for Father never rides anymore," at this his eyes grew darker. They trotted back to the woods and Theodred told her tales of his homeland, of his dear cousins, of life on the open plains, of battles and of his eored. She listened, drinking in every word and letting her imagination run. She in turn, told him of life within the walls of Minas Tirith, and of her brothers, though she was careful when she spoke of Faramir.
She spent most of the days with Theodred, which utterly confused Faramir, for she addressed him courteously, yet ceremoniously in public, and they never really saw each other privately. Faramir suspected that she was avoiding him for a purpose, but did not want to believe it.
Yet he was right. She avoided him for a reason, quite against her own will, yet she forced herself to. She knew, as everyone did, except Faramir for he refused to accept it, that she would marry Theodred, whether she willed it or not, and she would leave Minas Tirith, leave Gondor, and dwell in Rohan. She would probably seldom see Gondor, if ever again, which meant she would almost never see Faramir again. With an inevitable farewell looming, she wanted to make it as painless as possible, though she knew it would be impossible.
"Do you love Minas Tirith?" Theodred asked her.
She thought about it for a moment, sighing, "It is home."
"Would you make your home elsewhere?" Theodred asked.
"I would miss those I love," Elentari answered, thinking of Faramir, "But yes."
"And those are?"
"My father, Denethor, Boromir," she said, knowing he was watching her closely, looking for a sign, "and Faramir."
She looked so calm when she spoke of him, yet Theodred could not dismiss Faramir as merely being her brother, no matter what she said.
"Where would you make your home?" Theodred asked.
She sighed and had a mind to answer, where Faramir is, but bit her tongue back, knowing she could not say so, "By the Sea."
"What say you of the grassy plains of Rohan?" he asked, carefully watching her expression.
"They are free," her eyes dreamy, and she meant it. She was tired, weary of the confines of Minas Tirith. He nodded in acknowledgement.
As they entered the Citadel, he kept his eyes fixed on hers. Who did she look to first? Faramir was standing to the side, Boromir with his father. Ever since the incident, Theodred had tested her, watching her. However, Elentari kept her eyes lowered as she entered the Citadel, not raising them until Denethor called her to be seated. She instinctly moved for her usual seat, across from Boromir, and as she placed a hand upon it, she touched something that sent tingles up her spine.
"Oh, my apologies," Faramir murmured, moving away from the seat. Both Denethor and Theodred narrowed their eyes, noting the longing in Faramir's eyes, and the way Elentari's hand trembled when he touched her, though her stare was blank. As they devoured their mid-day meal, Faramir's eyes lingered upon her face, though she refused to meet his, as she knew that it was not just he that was watching her.
After regarding her and testing her for days, Theodred finally decided to trust her word, that Faramir was merely her brother, nothing else. It was after a meal, when Denethor cleared his throat, and said, "Prince Theodred came to me this morning, and asked me a question, that which I had no answer for him, but told him to proclaim. So, Theodred."
At this, Theodred rose, and knelt by Elentari's feet. She swallowed and tensed, knowing what was coming, "For the last month, I have enjoyed the welcome of your home, and the pleasure of your company, my Lady. Now I wish to show you the freedom of my home, as my bride. Would you have me, my Lady?"
Elentari felt the words weigh down upon her, and she struggled to find voice to answer it. Out of the corner of her eye, as she dared not look directly at him, she saw Faramir with a look of apprehension and trepidation upon his face, gazing at her fearfully.
Theodred was also looking at her, expectantly and with a hint of a smile behind his fair features, and she answered, "It would be a delight, for my part, yet I would like more time to consider this, my Lord, if you would grant it, for this is a big decision affecting many."
Theodred smiled and said, "Of course, my Lady. I will await your decision." He bowed and left.
Before the great doors of the Citadel even came to a complete close, the argument arose.
"Elentari! Are you really going to marry him?" Boromir barked. She did not answer him, but asked Denethor, looking him straight in the eye, "You blessed the union?" Faramir began to clamor, but Elentari silenced him, "Do not involve yourself Faramir! This concerns you not!" Faramir looked at her, pain streaking through his heart. She did not want him to become involved, for she knew that Denethor would be even more set in his ways if Faramir were to intervene.
"I have always approved of this union," Denethor said steadily.
"Father, I do not love him," she said, exasperation coloring her voice.
"This is a wonderful match. It is better than most maidens could ever hope for," Denethor said, just as exasperated as she, "Why do you not accept?"
"I do not wish to marry someone I do not love!" she almost screamed.
"You are a child, Elentari! You know naught of what love is!" Denethor roared.
She was silent for a moment, but then raised her proud head, and said in a deadly voice, "If I do not know love, I most certainly do know hatred. I know I hate this match. I know that I hate this city. I know that I hate that you are using me to obtain an alliance!"
"Dare you speak to me in that way!" Denethor erupted, to his feet at once, "I gave you ample opportunity to reject this match, yet you said nothing! Now, when it is too late, when your groom has come to the doorstep, you balk! You will marry Theodred!"
Elentari had tears in her eyes when Boromir interceded, "Father, it is her marriage, she should decide."
"And I am her father," Denethor barked. By now, Elentari was trembling as Faramir stood behind her, touching her arm to show her support. Feeling him there, she was grateful, and she leaned back into him, his body supporting hers.
Denethor was disgusted, "Is this where would you have your love take you? To be a mistress to your brother?"
"She is not my mistress," Faramir could not hold back any longer.
"Ha," his was a dry laugh, "What would you have her be? You cannot wed her."
"I will not wed then," Faramir said.
"Do not sicken me with your childish folly," Denethor was revolted, "You two shall shame Gondor forever."
Faramir was about to retaliate when she pressed a finger to his lips, "Father. If you would have me wed Theodred, you would deliver to him only my body. My spirit lies elsewhere."
"That would be enough for him," Denethor said. After seeing the macabre look upon her face, he sighed and softened a bit, "Listen to me Elentari. You are my only daughter, and I promised both Finduilas and Ariethel that I would take care of you. This is the best match for you." Hearing no response from her, he continued, "Would I hurt you, meliel?" Denethor asked. meliel-dearest daughter
When she looked at him, her gaze was that of one who had journeyed to Mandos, "Sometimes it is those who love us that hurt us the most," gazing back to Faramir at these words. With this, she left the room, leaving Denethor fuming. Faramir made to follow her, but Denethor barked, "Where are you off to? To make love to your mistress?" Faramir shot him a look of pure loathing before exiting.
"Isilmë!" he called. She stopped running at the end of the hall, right before the room Denethor had shared with Finduilas in days long past. He approached her and she threw herself into his welcoming arms and sobbed as he stroked her dark hair.
When she regained herself, she shook her head, "Faramir, it's over."
"What is?" he asked.
"Do you think that I shall not marry Theodred? It is all a plan. Everything has gone where it should be, every piece fallen into place, it was planned out. They call it my life, yet I hold not the strings to control it." At this, she sighed, tears brimming; she raised her voice in lament:
I was a fool to believe
A fool wrapped up in a dream
It ends today
It all ends—today
Today is the day when dreaming ends

"I love you Faramir," she whispered, tears soaking his shirt, "But that is not enough. They will tear us apart."
"We will not let them," Faramir's voice was hopeful.
She smiled wistfully through her tears, "You are so naïve Faramir."
"Mother said that," Faramir said, "When I was five."
"You haven't changed," her smile was poignant, "I miss her, though I do not remember her as well as I wished."
"I wish she were here," he said longingly, "She would aid us."
"Yet she is not Faramir," Elentari whispered, "We cannot wish for what cannot be."
"That was her room," he pointed straight.
"I have not been there since her passing," she shivered.
"I have seen Father frequent it, staying there for hours at a time."
"He misses her," she said simply.
"If he can miss anyone."
Elentari sighed and shook her head, "I must go Faramir. Maybe tomorrow morn I shall awaken and discover this has all been a bad dream."

Yet when she awoke, it was not the morn. Lady Varda's stars were still up, shining as brightly as ever. Yet it was not that which had awoken her. She went to her window and looked upon the Tower, at the secret room near the summit. She saw a pale light that gleamed and flickered from the narrow windows for a while, and as she stood transfixed, wondering what it was, it flashed and went out.
Not many hours later, when rosy dawn had brought light to the world, when she saw Denethor, she wondered what that light had been, for the Steward alone held the keys to the deeps of the Tower. The Steward buried his head in his hands, as if suffering from a heavy headache, and the lines etched upon his face seemed heavier and clearer. He frowned and glared at everyone who did not do his will. She had seen him like this before, but had dismissed it as a passing pain, and indeed, Denethor usually recovered by the evening. But now, she could not help but think that there was something deeper and more sinister than a fleeting ailment.
"Elentari!" he barked.
"Yes Father," was the prompt response.
"Prince Theodred is expecting an answer," he said, "Do you have one ready?"
"An answer you would approve, my Lord or just an answer?"
Denethor scowled and said in a deadly whisper, "You know very well which answer you should have ready."
"My Lord," she was ready to test his temper, "Why do you ask me for an answer when you already have one prepared for me?"
"I will not tolerate such insolence from you foolish girl!" Denethor exploded, his roar echoing through the cold halls. He was at his feet, towering over the girl.
Elentari would not relent. "Nay, it is not insolence, my Lord. I am merely questioning what concerns me."
Denethor was not in the mood for negotiation nor anything that did not go along with his will.
"Elentari!" he silenced her, "You know what is expected of you. I will leave this to you. When Theodred arrives for the mid-day meal shortly, you will be requested to answer his proposal, and you will answer it correctly."
She blinked back tears as Denethor went on with his duties. When Theodred inevitably arrived, she put on a welcoming, cheerful face, and greeted him warmly. When Denethor signaled for attention, she raised her proud head once more, bit back her tears, and said in a perfectly controlled voice, "My Lord. Yesterday at this time, you asked me a question," if she didn't look at Faramir, she would not cry, "And today, I would like to give you an answer."
"Yes, my Lady?"
She withheld a sigh and glanced at Boromir, who looked at her sorrowfully, though he offered her a weak smile. She dared not let her eyes move any more left of Boromir, for his younger brother was seated there, a look of despair marring his fine features, "It would be my honor to, to, to accept the kind proposal you offered me yesterday." How could she do this?
Theodred burst into a radiant grin, which made Elentari regretful and joyous at the same time. His enthusiasm was infectious, though her heart rued her words. Faramir had left the room, slamming the door behind him, which caused a line of frown to move across Theodred's face, but quickly transformed into a smile when he looked upon his betrothed.
"Good," Denethor said, "Now that that is settled, we must discuss the details of the wedding."
Elentari squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe this was all a dream. It had to be one of her horrid dreams that seemed so real. When she opened her eyes, she would see her bedroom. Yet when she did open them, Denethor was there, displaying what she saw as a leer.
"I would like to hold the actual ceremony in Edoras, as is tradition, but if you wish to hold another here in Minas Tirith, I would be most happy to help arrange it."
"I shall need time to prepare her dowry, of which I have already spoken to you," Denethor said, and Elentari wondered what Denethor could spare in his precious treasure hordes for her, "And I feel that my people would want to witness the marriage of their Lady, or at least, a betrothal ceremony."
Right when Elentari felt that she would burst from frustration caused by the two of them discussing HER wedding like she wasn't even there, Theodred addressed her, "What do you think of the matter, my Lady?"
She flashed him a grateful smile and said, "If I must leave my people, then I would most like the actual ceremony to be in Rohan. As for a betrothal ceremony, I see no reason why we cannot have one here in Minas Tirith also, just to officiate the matter, so the people do not go wild with gossip and burn with curiousity."
Theodred nodded, and Denethor announced, "Then it is settled. Prince Theodred, I trust that you will provide the wedding ceremony and preparations in Rohan. Meanwhile, I shall order preparations made for our little feast. How about this? A betrothal ceremony and departure feast. You two shall be officially betrothed and then you shall depart for Rohan." She played the part so well, as if it were genuine, that she really was eager for her marriage. It worried him, as much as this was going his way, for the Steward could only guess what lie behind that serene façade. Theodred nodded in assent and Denethor said, "Elentari, you may withdraw."
She nodded and left.
Theodred stood in thought for a moment and then, carefully selecting his words, said, "My Lord. I do not wish to bind a woman who does not love me."
"Do not worry, my dear prince, she does," Denethor lied, hiding his insecurity behind a smile.
"If you are sure of it," Theodred murmured. He then bowed and said, "I shall now deliver the news to my men and begin the preparations. Thank you, my Lord."

Between the Great Hall and the living quarters of the Citadel, there is a long hallway, with many rooms, nooks, and crannies between. As soon as Elentari left the Great Hall, Boromir and Faramir sprung on her.
"What was that?" Boromir asked fiercely.
"You said you wouldn't," Faramir added.
Her gaze was blank, and she stood there, expressionless, pale-faced, listening to Boromir and Faramir throw out bewildered questions and resentful remarks. Finally, noticing her aloofness, they both fell silent and waited for her to speak.
She gazed at them both for a long moment, and then moved to Faramir, beheld him sorrowfully, and then kissed his cheek chastely, "I have done my duty." With that, she was gone.