Hello! It's Jane. I edited/re-wrote Jane's first meeting with Denethor because I found some of Jane's reactions a bit childish, since I wrote them when I was a lot younger. Now, since I am a bit closer (or, wow - past) the age of the characters, I (hope I ) know what a more appropriate reaction might be: J

Once the Wizard had pushed the massive doors open, they remained open by themselves. Jane stepped warily into the amazingly polished hall, lined with statues of the previous Kings of Gondor. It was a beautiful room, but the atmosphere was cold. It made her uneasy; she felt like she was entering a tomb.

Jane couldn't help but pause and look at one of the statues. He looked just like Aragorn, it was remarkable. A faint cough came from the end of the long room, in the shadows. Pippin turned around and motioned for Jane to get over here. She did, squinting into the faint light. There was a dark form of a man, hunched over in a smaller chair next to the magnificent throne.

"Hail Denethor," Gandalf spoke suddenly, "son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor."

The man was clad all in black, with long grey hair covering his sallow face. He had a miserable look about him, yet oddly she didn't feel pity. She felt uncomfortable and couldn't really explain why. He was clutching something in his hands.

"I come with tidings in this dark hour," Gandalf continued, "and with counsel."

Denethor did not respond but sat there, still as a statue, no sign of emotion present on his pale, lined face. Suddenly he spoke softly, "Perhaps you have come to explain this..." He held up two broken pieces of the horn of Gondor. Jane gasped softly.

"Perhaps you have come to tell me why my son is dead."

Jane's stomach did a somersault, and closed her eyes, trying to stop the forbidden image of Boromir's body appearing before her eyes. She didn't know what to say, so she stayed silent. It was best to let Gandalf do all of the talking. Instead, Pippin opened his mouth.

"Boromir died to save us; my kinsman and me," Pippin piped up, "He fell defending us from many foes."

For the first time, Denethor inexplicably glanced at her. She maintained his eye contact until he looked away from her, at Pippin.

"I offer you my service as it is." The hobbit said, bending down and kneeling to Denethor.

Jane took a deep breath. She had a bad feeling about this, but:

"As do I."

She stepped forward and bowed, "my Lord," she said, hoping her voice sounded a lot stronger then she felt, "I too was present when Boromir fell...I also have skill with a blade."

"And who are you?" The Steward asked coldly, his grey eyes looking her over.

She had a complete story already formed. "My name is Jane." She said confidently, putting on her best accent. "I am a girl of Rohan. I was taught by my father to wield a blade. I have been recently orphaned, so I have accompanied Gandalf and Pippin to Minus Tirith to aid Gondor in battle and avenge the deaths of my parents".

She looked at him, expressionless. There was no way he would forbid an orphaned girl from avenging her parent's murders, right?

Wrong.

He gave her a look Jane could only describe as loathsome. "You – a woman – expect to fight?"

It took everything in her power to not roll her eyes. Excellent.

"I can fight, your worship", she tried to keep her voice even. "Why is my sword any less important or useful than Pippin's?"

But it was like she hadn't spoken. He sat, thinking. "The hobbit may serve Gondor. The woman may not."

Pippin's face turned red and he looked away from Jane, seemingly embarrassed about his sex. Jane glanced at Gandalf, hoping for some kind of backup. He looked at her apologetically. "It would be best if you stepped outside, Jane." He spoke softly.

She tried to walk away, but she couldn't stand such injustice. Her face was burning. "The orcs would not have time to realize I was a woman before I killed them." She said quietly to the Steward, her jaw tight.

There was complete silence from Denethor. Gandalf looked at Jane sideways, saying nothing. She got the gist. Shaking her head, Jane walked out, her footsteps echoing off of the marble walls. As she closed the massive doors behind her, she made a mental note of finding out where exactly the armoury was located...

.l.l.

An- There you have it! Don't forget to review!