NolitariSnodgrass hereYes, we got the longest review! We got the longest review! And yes poor Emily having to continually hear how Boromir's dead. If you think about it that would be a sneaky weapon that the enemy could use. Throw all of Gondor into mourning and sadness over something that never happened! Glad you liked the chapter, you're so sweet! Here's another one for being so good!.

Ty-Kwan-DoNO! NO! NO! NO! Emily did NOT think that Denethor was hot! That's disgusting! She noticed that he was good looking for an old man! That is not the same thing as having the hots for someone. You have a horrible mind Shame, Shame! Hope you like this chapter!

Slayer3 : Yeah, I would say that you and Barbie are two of a kind! Keep reading!

faeriekittie306 animeloverWinkle is always making silly mistakes like that, that's why he doesn't do the reviewer responses. In any case, she has no idea what anime is anyway. Here we have up dated! And whether you love animals or not is okay because I don't care for the things myself. Grins!

crazyroninchicFinals are going wonderfully well, I also have five tutoring students that I'm helping for our history final. That's harder then taking the test myself. And parting is so sad! I felt just horrible when I read that too. Sniff, Sniff

bunnychica9Here's another chapter! You needn't beg dear child1 Here go and read and be happy. Also I want you to review when you're done! Okay? Love you.

Siriusly Sirius Lily BlackShame on you for swearing! Bad girl! But yes Denethor is a jerk, and by my standards not a very good dresser. (Snodgrass surveys his orange suit in the mirror happily.) And here is Boromir and Faramir in this chapter, let me know what you think! Kisses!

chelseypudgeThank you dearest1 We love it when you love our story. We try hard just for you! Keep reading darling and reviewing!

Pancake : Of course George Bush needs a hug! He not only has the world's hardest job but also gets all kinds of crap for being president. I would give him a new suit if I thought he liked the color lime green. And you may see in this chapter just how long Emily can live with the treatment of Denethor. And Barbie was a dear to hug Theoden, we all want to do that since we all know that he will die soon. Sniff, sniff!

Primevera TookYes, now my holidays are only a week away! (Laughs evilly) and thanks for the cake! Winkle is in bed now with a tummy ache because he ate more then half the package last night before I got home and stopped him, the pig. Poor Emily And Barbie having to deal with some really interesting people. I always love seeing how they will deal with them. And Pippin did hide under Merry's bed? Teeheehee!

AnnamariahYes, I have one week till I am home free for the next three glorious months! I have only two more finals and I may kick up my feet (Snodgrass puts his long legs on the desk and moves his laptop to his lap and continues writing) and do what I please!

I refuse to say anything more about the family situation with Faramir and Denethor. You must read on to see what happens, then you can judge for yourself to see what should be done! Keep reviewing!

ImaNewReviewer : Hello and welcome my dear new reveiwer1 We love having new people!. Although we don't wish to have you up so late that you can't function properly the net day. Do take care of yourself dear! The girls really are rather marvelous aren't they? And so much fun!

Elvin BlueEyesYes, having to continually hear that your husband is dead isn't a good thing. The poor dear child…er… woman. Hahahahah I have to do finals but I have only one week left and two finals to finish and I am done for the summer so blah! (Blows a raspberry) Sorry that wasn't exactly mature, glad your luving the story. Keep loving it.

theycallmemaryYou command and we obey! Read on Mary! And I hope no one calls you Mary-Sue.

AraelMoonchildI like the maid as well, she's just like mine. Like Gollum? Well, I can't say that I really think so, but oh well. She is a canonical character too, if you read the books she's in there. And I was furious with Winkle when he told me that he had killed you off! I could have killed him! That is why he is not longer allowed to write readers responses. The idiot, opps I'm beginning to sound like Elrohir. Darn.

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Barb's POV.

On a lighter note, I made a classic James Bond getaway; clean, fast, and about as subtle as a herd of stampeding elephants. After I finished my soggy farewell to Theoden King, I decided that I would just have to ride my way through camp. So, in my "graceful as a one legged emu" style, I swung up onto my horse, and slowly began to make my way to where I figured the guys had gone.

Incredibly, no one bothered me like earlier. It's like being on horseback conferred some kind of official status upon me. I even relaxed enough to dispense royal waves of my hand, like the pope dispensing blessings upon the wicked masses. I was nearing the edge of the camp, and turned to see if there was anyone I could ask for directions.

There was, and it had to have been the dirtiest man I have ever seen in my life. He was sitting outside of a tent, sharpening an axe.

"Hey, you." I said "Where'd our Dimholt adventurers go?"

The man continued sharpening his axe, and then stared at the pitted edge for a minute. Then he tested it on one, yellowed fingernail. I watched, fascinated, as it fluttered to the ground.

"Who?" he said slowly, looking me up and down.

"The head honchos? Quest lovers? Sierra club frequenters?" The man seemed to show no visible response to any of these hurried queries.

"Aragorn? Legolas? Gimli, fat little guy with an axe like yours?"

"Oh!" the man said "That dwarf! Yes, I saw them. They went left at least…they left awhile back."

"And they went where exactly?" I could barely keep the impatience out of my voice. The man proceeded to trim a few more hangnails before he answered.

"They went." he lowered his voice, and glanced furtively around "to the Paths of the Dead!"

Another blast of icy wind came out of nowhere, and swept through the camp. The DOM (dirty ol' man) looked scared, and clutched his axe tighter, knuckles growing white under the grime ingrained into his skin. Somewhere, a dog howled, and I think I recognized Regent's mournful tones.

"Does it always do that?" I inquired with interest. Without waiting for him to reply, I yelled out "I'm going on the Paths of the Dead!"

The wind blew harder, and the dog trailed off in a yelpy whine.

"Quiet." DOM hissed "Do you wish the spirits of those traitors to venture forth again to haunt our people?"

"Hey, with you around, I don't think anyone has to worry about being haunted, the post is already filled. Anyhow, I know they went on the…Paths of the psychologically disturbed undead. Where exactly is that?"

"Uh…over there." the man pointed to the exact opposite direction from which I had just come.

"ARGH!" Wheeling my horse around, I kicked it in the sides "Bye Dom!" I yelled, and charged away, going around the camp so I wouldn't trample anyone.

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Emily's POV

Neither Denethor or I ate much of anything. I sipped water from a heavy metal cup and nervously watched him from through my eyelashes. I was a little afraid of him because not only was he physically intimidating but he also didn't like my name. In fact he never used, calling me "my dear" or "dear child" even "daughter", but never Emily. He wasn't really looking at me or perhaps I should say he wasn't seeing me. No, he was sitting there staring at me and seeing Finduilas, and he was undoubtedly thinking of Boromir.

I know this because

A.) I am perfect and all knowing anyway

B.) Denethor told me

C.) Denethor had the same habit of stroking his chin as Boromir did when he was thinking.

If you picked C you win the prize! Because Denethor and Boromir both have the same absentminded habit of stroking their chin when deep in thought, plus he (Denethor) kept looking at my ring.

"Lovely evening for March, perhaps a bit too warm." I said, my voice sounding thin and tinny in the vast dinning room. Denethor nodded and stroked his chin.

I looked around the room and at the servants who hovered by the doors, they stand staring straight ahead and of coarse not listening to anything Denethor and I might say to each other.

I poked at the grapes on my plate and watched them roll around leaving little damp trails behind them. Finally I speared them with my fork and ate them one by one.

"Do you always do that?" Denethor suddenly asked. He sat forward now and actually began eating.

"What?" I asked.

"The way you ate those grapes, do you always do it that way?"

I looked at my fork and down at the plate, I could see that this was going to be a session of "How much is my daughter-in-law like my dear departed wife?"

"Well, no I don't. I usually eat them with my fingers but that seemed a little too…informal for the occasion." I laughed a bit and immediately stopped because my dearest father looked happier.

"Oh, I wondered because my wife always ate them with her fingers too. You needn't feel that you must stand upon ceremony here." Denethor sighed, "I want you to be at home in Gondor for however long it stands.'

"I have a feeling that we'll be okay, we have to hope for the best." I said trying to sound cheerful.

"Hope left Gondor when Boromir died; we haven't a chance what with Mithrandir sending the weapon right into the enemies realm." Denethor said as he delicately ate a cherry tomato.

"But Boromir isn't…" I stopped, the voice of my Psychology teacher Mr. Santer echoed through my head,

"Never try to take away the delusion of a mentally unstable person, this will only make them turn against you."

"I choose to hope for the best." I said, "Rohan will come, Theoden is an honorable man."

Denethor smiled bitterly, but said nothing. Just then Pippin was announced and by was I glad to see him. After spending so much time with My father-in-law I was beginning to forget that we actually won the war.

Even Denethor brightened up at the sight of the hobbit in his splendid black and silver livery.

"Well, Master hobbit, how do you find the city and your new responsibilities?" asked Denethor waving a servant to bring a chair for the short hobbit.

"A bit overwhelming, but I find the people very kind and generous." Pippin said sending me a small smile and wink down the table.

"Yes, the people of Gondor are noble. They sent Beregond to you, how did you find him?" was the next question. I leant forward at this because Beregond had always been one of my favorite Gondorians. Even if I had seen him that wasn't the same thing as knowing him a little.

"He was very good to me and explained everything very clearly, and he showed me how loyal the men of this city are to it's Lord." Pippin said attacking a plate of apple pie and cheese.

"Good, good. I am pleased that you find the city to your liking. You will spend the rest of the evening with Lady Emily, (again the grimace at my name, what was wrong with it?) and myself. The arrival of some many nobles is not common to my people."

"Nor to mine, I have never seen so many worthy men in my life! And the Swan Knights!" Pippin whistled a little.

"I missed their arrival? I wanted to see them so much, were they singing?" I asked as I listened, "Do they really look like they have elven heritage?" (Opps bad move, I wasn't supposed to know that,)

"I think they must because they look something like the fair folk we saw in Lothlorien." answered Pippin, munching away.

Denethor had leant back in his chair and now spoke, "What do you know of these people my dear? According to you the lands and people of Middle Earth are not greatly known to your own kin."

"Well, I read a lot and ….word came of them for their beauty and lovely voices." I said and quickly stuffed something into my mouth to hold back anymore stupid slipups. He knows that I have more knowledge then I will admit too not I am not going to bring it up. He smiles in a slightly creepy way and his eyes gleam with fire. (I'm going to suck your blood! Mwahahahahahah!)

He turned to Pippin and says, "Have you seen Gandalf today?"

Here Pippin looked nervous and I intervened saying, "I saw him riding through the lower ring around noon today." This was a lie but I hoped that Denethor wouldn't catch it, from his expression he didn't. All the Steward's attention was on the poor hobbit.

"N-no, I didn't but I guess I will tonight, did you need him for something?"

"Indeed not, I did wish to know if he was still in the city."

"Well of course he's in the city. Where else would he be?" asked Pippin confusedly.

Denethor shrugged his narrow shoulders and said, "I thought he may have found it prudent to leave while he still could."

"That's a disgraceful thing to say!" I said and stood, sending Denethor and Pippin to their feet in seconds (they're so polite.)

"Gandalf came to help you and all you can do is whine about the fact that other people trust him and depend on him for guidance." I paused and hit home, "Boromir trusted him."

A gasp came from the until now silent guards (Aha! Score one for me!) and then dead silence reigned in the dinning room. Pippin stared at me with wide eyes and trembled slightly, Denethor stood and said in a quiet yet threatening tone, "You are not yourself, you must take some rest."

He clapped his hands and a servant came forward who he instructed to send for the woman whose name proved to be Ioreth. She bustled in and bowed.

"Please show Lady….my daughter to her room, she is fatigued and must rest." he then swept from the room the servants following close at his kneels.

We all stood there in the silence a moment, I stamped my foot, "Crap!"

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Barbie's POV

The grandsons of Earendil.

The great, great grandsons of Beren and Luthien.

I wanted to reach out and touch them.

They were hallowed beings.

"They're not hallowed beings, they're just Elladan and Elrohir." Legolas scoffed "Besides, what sort of hallowed being has an earring?"

"Or a tattoo." Elrohir volunteered, as he slouched in his saddle. What a minute? Hallowed beings don't slouch! And they certainly don't have a…

"What did you say?" I said sharply, smoothing out Jackie Chan's ( my horse) mane.

"A tattoo." Elrohir repeated, earning a deathly glare from his twin "Elladan has a sunflower right on his neck."

"It's on my shoulder you idiot.' Elladan growled, turning a charming pink color.

I'm sorry. But this was striking me as an extremely weird conversation to be having on the Dimholt road. Sunflower tattoos? On a son of Elrond?

"Does your dad know about that?" I asked, trying to see that if I stared hard enough, I might be able to burn a hole through Elladan's cloak to see that unholy, unelven flower there.

"Of course he does, don't be an idiot." Elladan said "Sorry."

"You have a bad habit of calling people idiots don't you?" I shook my head in mock mourning "Tsk, tsk."

"At least I'm forthright and upfront about things.' Elladan reached back, and flipped up his collar, as if…well, he probably was reading my thoughts, that nasty princeling. "I don't go sneaking around camps, stealing other people's swords." I flushed, and felt mildly guilty for a minute.

"Now that's just stupid." Boromir interjected "Naturally, she had to have stolen someone else's sword, it's not like she could have stolen her own."

Someone in the back tittered…no, it wasn't me, I promise. It was…Legolas. That's right. Legolas. But then, Gimli, being the buttinsky that he is ( it means someone who interrupts way too often, think of your Aunt Amelia at those family reunions) had to say something.

"Now, Barbara wouldn't do that, she's a nice, sensible girl." he began "But it wouldn't surprise me if elves would do that sort of low down, crazy thing."

"Oh honest to Eru!" Boromir exploded "Why must you two always make this an elves against the dwarves issue? Why can't you just kiss and make up?"

As both Legolas and Gimli made sounds of complete revulsion, Boromir kicked his poor horse in the sides, and joined Aragorn at the front of the column we had formed as we rode through the gnarled Dimholt forest.

"He has to be missing Emily if he's thinking about kissing." I said, and smiled. That seemed so sweet! Who's a big, lonely Gondorian. Yeah, you are!

"That's revolting!" Legolas said, still gagging a little, I think Gimli has having a kind of epileptic fit, clutching at his throat, and wheezing like a stuffed wombat that someone has squeezed too hard around the neck.

"Your sister is married to Boromir of Gondor?"

"How did that happen?"

The twins, who dropped back to flank me on either side looked at me encouragingly, bright grey eyes sparkling in that "maiden, thou shalt fall as many before you" way, waiting for an answer.

"Uh, which one should I answer first?" I said, looking from one to the other in considerable confusion. (Hey, you ever have an elf look at you that way? Sure they just wanted to gossip, but they were cute!)

"His." they said simultaneously, which was creepy.

"No, his." Elrohir said politely.

"No, I insist you answer his first." Elladan insisted.

"Ok, ok, timeout you two. Now, yes, my older sister is married to our charming, handsome, valiant Boromir.' I raised my voice, and yelled "Isn't she Boromir?"

"Yes, quite." Boromir muttered absently. "What?"

"And I have to admit, I have no idea how they ever fell in love, because Emily gave him a bloody nose after taking one look at him. She told me later she thought he was a biker or kidnapper."

"Hahaha." Gimli had apparently recovered from his temporary spasm, and was laughing a kind of gurgling way "I'll wager he doesn't know that!"

"No, he doesn't." I said "And if you ever tell him, I will wring your fat, dwarven neck."

"Oooh, someone's on a vendetta." Legolas crowed "Now we have to figure out what's set her off this time."

What was that supposed to mean "What's set her off this time"? What did he think I was, a firecracker?

"Would you stop your petty arguments!" Boromir was apparently suffering from Severe Withdrawal. "We are on an important mission! We are traveling on the Dimholt road!"

A blast of icy wind roared through the woods, plastering my eyebrows tightly to my forehead.

"And why does that always happen!" he yelled furiously.

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Emily's POV

I was pacing the walls in frustration. I had finally managed to get passed the guards and out into the fresh air. The wind was strong and whipped my hair into my eyes and mouth in quite an annoying way. I had found that the city was beautiful and had been walking through the different gardens that belonged to the Steward's household and the ones probably reserved for the King.

As I walked through the well tended little flower plots I couldn't help but try and see Aragorn and Arwen walking through them. In a matter of months they would be reigning no matter what Denethor said or did.

You may think it was creepy to wander through the great empty halls and gardens alone. But I really found the silence comforting, in a strange sort of People-once-lived-here-and-were-happy way. I had found my way into Boromir's room and had the delight of seeing the things that he treasured. I found a portrait of his parents when they were newly married and I really do look like Finduilas! It looked like a younger Denethor and me in the picture, now I wonder why Boromir never told me that I looked like her?

Maybe he didn't want me to think he was marrying me because I reminded him of his mother. In any case, I found a portrait of Faramir as well, it was smaller and I saw a handsome man who was smaller in frame and height then Boromir and eerily like Denethor. But Faramir's eyes were gentle and his stance was relaxed, at ease. I couldn't wait to meet him.

After going through all the rooms that I thought I was allowed I had fund myself out along the wall. So I walked them now watching the activity of the soldiers. Banners of every color and shape snapped and flapped in the breeze. It was hard to imagine that in a few short hours the city would be aflame and surrounded by enemies. Certainly a heavy sense of fear and drear ruled the population, but Minas Tirith was so strong that I couldn't see it falling.

The wind suddenly grew cold and as the sunlight shuddered the scream that I had grown to fear split the air with a fell shriek. I fell to my knees without realizing that I had until my knees hit the stone parapet. You cannot know what it is to be afraid of the Nazgul, certainly I had helped fight them before but as Sauron had grown stronger so had he ability to spread fear and despair. Even though I knew we would win I was terrified! Then I remembered that Faramir would be among those that were being attacked by the Nazgul!

So I jumped up and looked far below where the fell beasts were dipping and swooping down on the poor men. They would grab up two or three men at a time and kill them. It was a horrible sight and I cried as I watched for Gandalf to appear. One of the leaders in the group was someone (Faramir, with long black hair.)

I found myself shouting and cheering them on toward the gate. Just as one of the creature swooped to take out the black haired rider Gandalf shot out of nowhere and did the whole shiny stick and light trick. I felt such relief wash over me that I had to sit, I was becoming a woman of the world I was living in, that and plus the dress was snug around the lungs. Teehee.

I stayed where I was as the men came tramping up in an exhausted group to the citadel. No one saw me from where I was and I had the chance to get a good look at my brother-in-law before he was gone.

He was tall and lean kind of like Legolas, but black-haired and pale, he was also covered in sweat. Gross.

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Elrohir's POV

How Aragorn and the Fellowship have gotten this far in the company of this…this insanely hilarious girl is beyond my mind to comprehend. When she is not jesting, she is singing very strange songs, or leaning over her horse, brooding in the most disturbing manner. There is something entirely…in all events, Barbara is certainly a strange person. But I like her anyway.

"Like her Elrohir?"

"Yes, but of course not in that way. How old could she be?"

"In all the love stories you've ever read, did they writers ever worry about age differences?"

"I do not read romances like that ridiculous Lindir does. That sort of thing is extremely bad for your brain."

"In your case of course, a brain wouldn't really matter now would it?"

"Go away Elladan. You are being quite annoying."

"You are avoiding the question brother mine. You like her. Actually, I think Atar would like her too."

"That's…probably true. But that still means nothing."

"Ha, ha, ha."

"Stop laughing, or I'll tell Barbara about your other tattoo."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, wouldn't I?"

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Emily's POV

I have spent the last hour pacing (I seem to do a lot of this lately) in my ridiculous dress in front of the main war room where everyone is. They have been talking in heated tones for the last age and I personally was tired of waiting for them to make an appearance. Just as I was about to give up on them come out Faramir stumbled out and nearly fell into my arms.

"Forgive me my Lady. I am not well." he mumbled and tried to steady himself.

"Look just lean on me and I can help you, what are sisters for anyway?" I said as he leaned on my shoulder.

"Sisters? I wouldn't know dear lady I never had a sister." he said and he tried to focus his bleary eyes on me.

"But you do have a sister-in-law. Now come on you weigh a lot and I don't think that I will make a very good cane for make longer."

"Oh? Of course." he said placidly and a bit sleepily.

"I don't think you're really quite awake right now are you Faramir?" I asked.

"Probably not, I don't know you do I?" he asked as we trekked through the garden.

"You will, lets just get you somewhere to sleep." I said, this guy was heavy even if he was lean and elf-like. What are these Gondorian men made of anyway, brick?

"Yes, sleep. I haven't slept in weeks…not since Boromir went away…he's dead now." slurred Faramir as he fell into bed. I swung his feet up on the bed and patted his hand.

"Whatever you say, now go to sleep and try to rest. You have one heck of a task ahead of you."

I closed the door as he muttered, "Night Mum."

Oh brother! I hate looking like Finduilas, I mean I am sure she was great, but I want to be me! Here I felt like breaking into the song of the same title, but I didn't. Denethor would probably think I was clean off my nut in grief and have me locked in the tower.

That would be a peach wouldn't it?