Chapter 3 - Osgiliath

As we entered the city, crowds began the cheer. I leaned forward, towards Faromir.

'What's happened?'

'Victory. Our city is safe - for now.'

'From who?'

Faromir only smiled. I sat up straight.

'Faromir!'

Another man walked up and hugged Faromir. They looked very much alike - this must have been Boromir. He handed Faromir a mug of beer.

'Drink up! This day is for celebrating!'

He looked up at me. And smiled.

'I didn't know we were to take captives.'

He chuckled.

'Where did you find this pretty one?'

As Faromir replied, I began to feel disgruntled. I didn't like this man; I didn't like the way he look at or talked about me. But, I had been wrong about people. Again Boromir turned to me.

'Welcome to Gondor… and to our city.'

I smiled slightly.

'Thank you.'

Faromir looked up and saw my discomfort, then started to lead me away.

'She's hurt, brother. I'll take her to the women. Wait for me.'

Boromir nodded to his brother, then to me. I turned by back.

Faromir had left me with a number of women, who tended to my needs, then left me to myself. The room I was in was large and open. The balcony outside looked over the boisterous, happy crowd of men. I walked out onto it, my head having cleared some time before. I noticed many women were greeting their husbands, sons, brothers, and sweethearts.

My hair was starting to blow like crazy when Faromir entered the room behind me. I turned and went back inside.

'Do you want to come back down? You may be here a while. I thought you'd want to make some friends.'

'Sure… I guess.'

I followed him downstairs and out a side door. Once again, we met up with Boromir. Smiling, he handed me a glass of wine.

'I thought you'd like this better than beer.'

'I like beer but… this will do for now.'

Faromir look shocked.

'You like beer?'

'I was raised on that stuff.'

Boromir smiled again and, as I drained my glass, handed me a mug of beer. This time, I returned his smile. Looking around, I saw some of the women that had tended to me earlier. They also were drinking beer. Bravely, I left Faromir's side and greeted them.

The festives lasted long into the night. The next afternoon, there was talk of Boromir going to Rivendell. Denethor, despite Boromir's pleas to have Faromir go in his stead, was determined to have his older son go.

As the three argued, I sat nearby, seemingly deeply interested in a book of poetry. Instead, I was making plans to go to Rivendell. Denethor, who had taken some small liking to me despite his grouchiness, had ordered me taught to rise, and had made a gift of a black mare named Shinah. If I was able to keep hidden, I could easily rise her and follow Boromir's tracks. I knew she would follow Boromir so long as he was riding Shinah's mate.

And so it happened. Shinah's mate - a chestnut stallion named Lorn - was saddled early the next morning. I had snuck out the night before to pack food, and had already saddled my horse. Shinah and I were ready. Soon before sunrise, I set out for Rivendell.