chelsey-pudgeVery well then, if you wish a romance then you shall have a romance! Thank you and keep reading! (Snodgrass blows you a kiss.)

faeriekittie306 animelover WOW! You have a long name! And we've never heard of you before! But you know that's okay because we love new reviewers! Keep reading!

LadyElenathAw, that was such a sweet review! Smooch, smooch! ( Winkle hands her a sterilized handkerchief so she can wipe off Snodgrass's kisses.)

AraelMoonchild : This will answer your question, and we have up dated so I hope you enjoy it. Wait a minute! You have to enjoy it, because we tell you too! HAHAHAH! Um…yeah. That's it, cut.

Primevera Took Ahhhhhhh! I love Rosie's cakes, I shall never be satisfied with any other kind! And swimming in the Brandywine was heaps and heaps of fun. Gandalf's fireworks were great! And I had no idea how lovely you were! I can see why Merry and Pippin watch over you so carefully, they don't want you marrying some fool Sackville-Baggins. Luv Snodgrass ( flips up collar Bilbo-style and sneaks away)

Slayer3 : I should have known that you would have seen it, too bad that it is going to have a sex scene in it. (Pouts) I am going to use one of the lines in that trailer in our story, you may guess and see if you can read my mind and guess which one it is.

AnnamariahYou must wait and see if you are right about Barbie and Emily. I cannot wait to see Emily and Faramir interact too! Poor old Denethor.

ZarzYou will of course be a very cool Swan Knight and thank you for correcting the typo's. We can't always catch it, and Legolas and Aragorn are Primo! And the word Sizzarinkdum is kind of like Supercalafragalisticachsbeealidoucious. Something to say when you have no idea what to say!

NolitariHere is chapter 23 and I hope you like it as well as the last one.

Elvin BlueEyesYes, Barbie isn't the brightest bulb in the pack if you get me.

Winkle : Sir you shouldn't say that because she'll come after you with her sword.

Snodgrass : What can she do? AAAHHHH! Here she comes! I am sorry I am sorry! You are a wonderful genius! (Snodgrass hides under couch.)

Winkle sniggles to himself and going over to the wall rolls up the films screen and pulls a reel of film out of the projector marked with the words "Barbie's fake attack" written on it. Winkle leaves thinking, Revenge is sweet!

Kamui Gaia 07My dear reviewer the reason it all fits so well is because it really happened! Emily and Barbara were meant to go back, now whether or not they stay there or return home is the subject of later chapters, so keep reading.

Indigo Moon : (Snodgrass is sitting trying to pull the cotton wool out of his wavy golden hair as he types) So sorry to have stopped your read, here's the next chapter, let us know what you think lovie! I'll try and not do it again, but if I do let me know!

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Chapter 23

The Three E's And Denethor.

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Emily's POV

What is like to gallop for a full day? Tiring. And my backside had never been more sore in my life! I know I shouldn't bring it up, but in real life riding like that hurts your bum! And Gandalf didn't want to stop for any reason other then to let the animals drink and to swallow some food from our packs, and in this case we got one bathroom break. So all in all, the first day was horrible.

Besides the fact that we were being followed by Nazgul, and yes we were being followed. It was like in the books, you never saw it but you would get the sensation of being watched and every one in a while the sunlight would flicker as something passed through it. Creepy! And I mean The-hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-stands-up kind of creepy!

Leaving Boromir and Barbara behind was very hard, especially since Boromir and I had a sort of tiff as I was packing. I would have hugged him god-bye but he won't have felt comfortable doing that in front of everyone. Unfortunately Boromir is not a demonstrative man, but for that one time we kissed when we found each other again in Fangorn. I thought that I knew more about this world then other people, I mean hey, I had read the books and gone through all the Lost Tales and everything, but I hadn't counted on this.

I hadn't counted on marrying into a family of such nobility and I never counted on coming to love the whole "milord, milady" formality and honor to everyone. It gave birth to a desire to be worthy, to reach and surpass all the standards that everyone strove for themselves. I loved it here.

But I had forgotten who I had married, as I rode I went over what I knew of Boromir and mentally kicked myself all the way to Gondor. I made a mental list of all the pros and cons of how I had treated my dear husband.

Cons

1.) I had punched him in the nose when I met him.

2.) I thought he was unjustly suspicious.

3.) I pretended that I didn't like him because he was 18 years my senior.

4.) I said that Haldir was very handsome and never said that I thought Boromir was.

5.) I had pretended that I didn't notice he disliked elves so Haldir would be the best man at our wedding.

6.)I told him to his face that I thought his father was creepy and that I was afraid of him

7.)And last, but not least I had pretty much told him that I didn't trust him.

I think I rate up there with the world's worst wife in the first two weeks of marriage. And it hadn't even been two weeks! What? Oh, yes the Pros, I almost forgot about those. (No rhyme intended.

PROS

1.)I had been fairly respectful to him even if he was rude to me at first.

2.)I had taken care of his hands.

3.)I had been friendly and open where we were tramping for the forests around the Cadras mountains.

4.)I married him, but I guess that was as much for me as for Boromir.

5.)According to him I am a very good kisser. (Tries to look humble but fails totally.)

So in the end I have fallen short of what my dear husband deserved and I had just said good-bye to him. I probably wouldn't see him for at least a week and a half and before that I had to meet his father and that was frightening enough.

As evening drew on we came to a small village and I was glad to see signs of the living. But wait, I didn't see anyone at all, the houses and cottages were closed up tight and not in little bit of lamplight could be seen.

"Gandalf, what's going on? Where is everyone?" I asked. He looked over head and urged Shadowfax on faster to a big empty house at the other end of the village.

"Do not speak until we find shelter, come!" and we rode on to the house and lead the horses in with us. As we did so a shadow flew over head and a cry thundered through the air. I ducked my head and felt my heart quiver with fear at the sound. It was a Nazgul.

The house was empty and our footsteps echoed through it in an eerie way. Pippin was sleeping in the saddle and we left him there as we fed and watered the horses. Shadowfax was fine, but Pigeon was tired and sweating with exhaustion.

Thankfully Gandalf offered to care for her if I would see to Pippin. I lifted the sleeping hobbit down and he snuggled his head on my shoulder like a little baby. Oh no! what would Boromir think!

Just joking.

But he was just like one of my little brothers or sisters, so I patted his back and made a bed on the floor for him out of Gandalf's voluminous cloak.

He curled up and slept, his weary frame showing that his strength was spent. Perhaps he was twenty-nine but hobbits are very childlike through most of their lives, and I don't wonder that Gandalf loved them.

All through the first watch of the night the Nazgul flew over head as if searching for us. With Pippin asleep I couldn't feel safe in the dark house alone. I went to where Gandalf was standing at the door, he leant on the door posts and smoked, the smell of the pipeweed had finally become a symbol of safety. The men never smoked when there was danger of any kind and so we must be pretty safe. I found out later that Gandalf smoked that night for the very reason, it wasn't really safe. But he wanted Pippin and I to feel secure enough to be able to sleep.

But with the overwhelming feeling of dread and fear I couldn't sleep very well anyway. I pulled my cloak around me and leaned on the opposite doorpost from Gandalf and looked around the dark countryside. The moon was dim, and looked as if it was tossed about on the stormy waves of clouds, and cast a ghostly light on the paths.

During the night Pippin snuggled into my arms and I held the little guy close wishing I was home.

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Barbie's POV.

I snuck around…think Gollum, without all the hissing, and muttering noises. I drew my somewhat raggedy cloak ( think Aragorn style without the dirt) around me, and flipped my cowl over my head ( think Legolas, only where he looks slightly foolish, I look completely idiotic). Now, I only have to

"Barbara, what are you doing with a cloak in the middle of the day?" I jumped about a mile in the air whenEomer's voice interrupted my sneaky thoughts. I blushed a little, because I assumed that anyone could've read this, but remembered with a jolt that he couldn't.

"Um…I…I'm just kind of cold." I stammered, trying to look innocent, but failing miserably. I have never been too great of an actor.

"What are you up to?" Eomer asked, looking at me in an "tell me all, and your father confessor shall have mercy upon you" sort of way.

"Not much." I said "I'm only up to about the middle of your chest."

"I didn't mean that." Eomer said exasperatedly "I mean, what are doing that makes you look so guilty."

"I'm planning to assassinate Lincoln, that's what. Honestly, what do you think I'm going to do?" I said, putting note of indignation into my tones.

"Well." Eomer began deliberately, stroking his chin thoughtfully "You could possibly be just being your usual self, and wearing a cloak in the afternoon could be one of the ways you are attempting to convince us all that you are mad…which by the way is completely unnecessary. Or------- and he leaned forward, bending down to meet my eyes "You could be planning to slip in amongst the men, and trying to follow them on the Dimholt road."

I tried to protest, but Eomer started to laugh in triumph.

"I knew it." he said "I just knew it. You idiotic girl, don't you realize the dangers that lie along that path?"

( Note. I didn't care when he called me an idiot, because I knew he didn't actually mean that I was an idiot…or at least I seriously hope so!)

"How did you." I sputtered "This is just not fair! I do know about it, a little anyway. Besides, I really, really want to go with them!"

"Well, I have some very bad news for you." Eomer said "I am much bigger than you, and I am not going to allow you to risk your life just because you have fallen in love with Lord Elrond's sons."

"I have not!" I said indignantly.

"Yes, you have."

"No, I haven't!"

Ignoring me, Eomer leaned against one of the pillars of the Golden Hall, and asked "Which one do you like best, Elladan or Elrohir?" He frowned. "Not that it makes much difference."

Oh, yeah, and you know what? It wasn't just Aragorn, Boromir ( thank Eru!) Legolas and Gimli venturing along the creepy Dimholt road it was also….

Perhaps I had better explain.

( instituting Flashback mode. By the way, I think anyone who has to put "flashback" in front of an obvious recollection of something that happened earlier is an absolute nimrod, but that's not the point here!)

It was a dark, and stormy night. While everyone is supposed to be peacefully settling down for a much deserved rest in the Rohirric camp, a mysterious stranger is lurking about the outer fringes. Unbeknownst to the stranger, he is also being followed…and unbeknownst to the follower, she is also being followed. What do these people think this is, Follow the Leader?

Anyway…man, these italics are giving me headaches!…anyway, the tall, mysterious figure, cloaked in mysterious black cloak/hoodie combo, tells one of the unfortunate mortals who are stuck with guard duty that he would like to see Lord Aragorn. Are you beginning to think what I am thinking? Yeah, me to.

So, the follower of the mysterious cloaked figure tiptoes closer as he disappears into Theoden's private tent…which, by the way, wasn't very fair, because I had to double up with Merry, I had wanted my own tent. But I suppose it's because he's a king.

And yes, if you are so dense that you haven't guessed it was me following Elrond…oops, I mean the mysterious cloaked strangers, it was me. But even though I prided myself upon "discovering" him, I still had no idea that I was being tracked as well.

I quietly slipped by all of those dozy guards, and, and slyly peeked through the side of the tent. And if I ever thought Hugo Weaving made a good Lord Elrond…I was absolutely right. The same, noble nose, the intense eyes, the entire aura of um, regal nobleness and ancient-elveness , it was all there. And there was this incredible sense of something that made him so freakin' cool!

Barbara looks to the right.

Barbara looks to the right.

Barbara looks to the ground in utter embarrassment.

Barbara distracts the crowd by throwing a poster of Legolas in the opposite direction.

Lord Elrond began to speak, and I moved closer, trying to catch every, single, hallowed word! I am disappointed when I realized he was only talking to Theoden, and asking if he can see Aragorn. How boring! Theoden's cool with that, so he sends another minion to go get the ranger…who is still not king yet.

Aragorn arrives, looking slightly ruffled about something…I wonder what. Exit Theoden, who realizes that he is in the way. In fact, he is always in the way, nobody likes him, nobody loves him, he's all alone and…sorry about that…that was just, um, my insanity.

I moved closer, closer, closer…wait, move back a few inches, you don't want to fall right into the tent girl…listened intently, wondering if this is going to go exactly like the movie, or if Elrond was just dropping by to "You stole my daughter, she's dying, and I hate your miserable Edain guts."

But before anything really happens, I am suddenly seized from behind…by two sets of hands! I struggled, and kicked, and would have screamed but whoever it was had wisely covered my mouth.

"Mhatooyoinyooin?" I muttered behind the hand, I was trying to say "What do you think you are doing?"

"We might ask you the same question little spy." one voice hissed, and I was unceremoniously dragged into the tent where Elrond and Aragorn were speaking!

They both whirled around, Aragorn automatically whipping up the long, beautiful sword he held in his hand…Narsil, Flame of the West and all that stuff.

"Elladan! Elrohir! What are you doing here?" Elrond demanded, glaring at us all "And what are you doing with that girl?"

"Let her go, that is a noble woman of Rohan not a spy." Aragorn said in exasperation.

I was reluctantly released, and I am sure my arms were permanently bruised. I looked to see who exactly had so rudely accosted me. At first, I thought I was seeing double, double of the same, rangerly looking elves, with the same, Aragorny haircut, and wearing the same, silver gray cloaks with the same gray eyes, same silver pin fastening the cloak…and then the two names clicked in my mind.

Elladan. Elrohir.

"Wait a minute!" I said, pointing at one "You have an earring!" And the twin on the right did, a small gold earring in his left ear!

The twins exchanged glances, and Elladan ( for I learned later that Elrohir was the one with the earring) said "Do you think she's mad?"

Interlacing my hands, I smiled up at them.

"Well." I said "I do try to give that impression."

"Oh God." Elladan said.

(End of flashback)

And now, when I was just trying to go with them all, to assist them on the quest, Eomer had to stick his nose into it.

"Stupid old codger." I muttered, and sulked.

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Gandalf's POV

"We really shouldn't have come." Emily states it is not a question, but a statement. I shrug my shoulders; there is no use to worry about it now.

"You presence is not entirely without use. Barbara may have saved the life of Meriadoc and Peregrin, as well as helping with the defense of Helm's Deep." I say.

Emily shuffles her feet as little and tugs on her cloak. She is afraid and nervous; unlike her sister Barbara, Emily is more sensitive to the spirit and atmosphere of the world around her. She feels everything deeply as the elves do, and does not hide her emotions very well. I have seen this seeming fault cause people to surround her with love and caring, people wish to protect her. She is fortunate in that.

"Will Barbara be safe with Théoden and Eomer? Because the King doesn't have..." she stops.

"What? Come tell me child, what is your concern?" I ask I am afraid of what she will say.

"Won't….well, I know that Théoden will die during the battle of Pelennor fields!" she burst out.

"I am not surprised; the knowledge must weigh heavily on you." I say calmly. She blinks and a frown tugs at the corners of her mouth.

"You know he's going to die? Did you…..does he know?" she asks now.

"He does, it was one of the things that Saruman revealed to him. It helped cause

Théoden's despair and doubt. It is unfortunate; he is a mighty king; brave and kindly."

"Rather like the uncle that everyone wishes they had. Mine always wanted to kiss me on the cheek, or give me presents they had obviously picked out on their own. Mine always told me where all the Easter eggs were hidden too." Emily volunteered, and then looked slightly embarrassed. "I liked him for as little as I knew him."

"Yes, Rohan will have lost a great king in him. It is a sad thing that we should see such days for the kingdoms of Middle Earth I feel worse for you, you have never known the peace of former days."

"Well, I wasn't here in former days either so I guess that's alright." She laughs a little and the sound makes a bright mood settle on his dark valley. Only one who did not understand the danger around us could have laughed at this time. Emily doesn't understand that mirth and merriment at a time like this is the most powerful weapon of all, it gives what no charm can…….it brings hope.

"Gandalf?"

"Yes, child."

"Why am I going to Gondor?"

"Because you are Boromir's wife, I hope that you may help in our councils with Denethor.

He will perhaps listen to the wife of his beloved son sooner then me and my words. He does not trust me, but we must have the ability to communicate." I look at the white faced girl before me; she looks so young and helpless.

"I hope your words will touch his heart, which is his only weak point. You know what the Lady Galadriel told you; now will be the time to use you power for good or ill."

"Um….Mithrandir I don't know what you heard, but I don't have any power at all. I know she thinks so but I don't have what she thought, I am very sorry to disappoint you."

"You do not disappoint me at all. Rather your doubt of you ability is what makes it so strong. Your insecurity gives you the power to wield an influence greater then mine. Denethor thinks me eager to rule and disregards everything I say." Emily shakes her head at this and yet a light of knowing lights her eyes.

"You come across as uncertain and yet speak the truth, so he is more likely to listen if he is not looking to you for influence." I finished, she wrinkles her brow and says, "It is rather inglorious to say that you one good point and strength is that your considered weak and unthreatening."

"Not weak Emily, for the power you wield goes unseen and yet can sway the hand of giants. "Many a kingdom has risen and just as many fallen at the influence of a woman. But come you must rest, we will not stop again to rest before we reach Gondor, sleep and hope for brighter days ahead."

The next day when we are stopped by men I speak to Ingold and he allows us passed. But I advised Emily to causally let her wedding band be seen by Ingold and his men. That way if any news reaches the city before us (and I know it will) then Denethor will know who she is. I heard the men gasping as they whispered the news that a young maiden wearing Boromir's ring. I am not prepared for what Ingold says next, "Mithrandir, is this Lord Boromir's widow?"

I search his eyes and see that he is earnest. "What news has come to you that Lord Boromir is no more?" I ask. Ingold's eyes widen and he leans close saying, "Lord Denethor was brought the shattered remains of Lord Boromir's horn and Captain Faramir has been disturbed by dreams of his brother's death. From these signs we have been told that he must have fallen. We have been mourning that in this our last task he is not at hand to lead us."

"The dark evil of the enemy has allowed this rumor to abound and flourish, for Boromir lives and is with Theoden King of Rohan readying aid for Gondor." I say and glance at Emily, her face is white, but she holds steady and does not cry. Good girl.

One of Ingold's men approaches Emily and after bowing asks cautiously, "My good Lady, please tell me, that is a strange ring you bear. It is marked with the symbol of Gondor and the Stewards house, how is it that you carry such a thing?"

Emily drew herself up to her greatest height (which next to seasoned warriors is not much) and said, "I bear the ring of marriage that my husband gave me on the day we exchanged vows. For though I hail from a land far removed from this, my husband is that Captain of Gondor, Boromir son of Denethor who I seek."

"Then go forth my Lady for he is greatly loved by my men and me, we are honored to see one such as you to grace our land. But are you not of Gondor? Surely your eyes are brown, but you countenance is like that of our people, perhaps your forefather's hail from Gondor?"

Emily smiles at this and says, "It may verily be, I know not but as long as Gondor stands my allegiance is to it. I must not tarry any longer, but go with Mithrandir to my husband's father and see what comfort I may give at this dark hour. Keep heart for in a few days time Boromir will come to you. I know he longs to lead you, but in his absence he trust your might to keep his homeland safe. Do what you can, be strong and fight for, you fail then the world will fall into shadow. If we die, we die, but let it never be said that we surrounded or bowed the knee to any such as the enemy. Be valiant and hope for help is coming."

The men bowed and kissed her hand. As we rode away I heard one of the men say that

"Her words were like the queens of old and she bore the sweet countenance of Finduilas."

Emily does not know of this resemblance, no one has told her, but it will help in the council with Denethor, for she is like Finduilas as no other I have seen since that great lady died.

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Reginald, a random guard of the Citadel's POV

Mithrandir and the Halfling Prince come through the gate and behind them walks a woman. She is young and cloaked in elvish grab, we have had news that she is Boromir's wife and that he is alive. I can't not see her very well as they walk toward us the cheek guards of my helm make my range of vision small; but as she passes I almost want to draw away, for she is like a ghost of the Lady Finduilas come to life once more.

Surely we are living in strange times.

"Lady Emily, you should wait here, I must speak with Denethor alone first. If he first sees you I fear his attention will not be upon the matters at hand. Please remain here, you will be quite safe, but speak to no man. Wait, as I say and I will call for you."

"Alright, but be careful, Gandalf." she says and even her voice sounds familiar to my ears. Yet her speech is slightly odd, surely she comes from a far land.

After the grey wizard and the Halfling disappear into the Citadel she wanders around the tree and looks at us guards and of course we do not make any eye contact at all. She came right up to me and stared at a me a few minutes before turning away saying, "You guys are too good."

She wanders over to the peak of the Citadel and looks down the rings of the city. I wonder what she sees….

Suddenly raised voices come from the main room and she turns and hurries back pressing her ear to the door. I hardly think this is very good behavior for a young woman. And then we hear a voice shouting,

"And to him there is no purpose higher in the world as it now stands than the good of Gondor; and the rule of Gondor, my lord, is mine and no other man's, unless the king should come again!"

Than the lady tapped her foot a few seconds and muttered, "I cannot wait out here any longer!"

And she went in!

Eru help us!

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