Hi everybody, reader and reviewers alike!
Alassea: they're quite hard with her because they aren't sure if they can trust her yet. After all, she's a stranger who came literally out of nowhere: for all they know, she could be working for Sauron. Anyway, in this chapter she's going to gain a new ally.
Kurleyhawk: don't you worry, I won't quit it halfway…also because the Italian version is already complete, so I don't risk any "author's block"
So, here's a brand new chapter. Finally, Boromir comes into the picture…
CHAPTER V: MEETINGS AND EXPLANATIONS
Are you all right? Frodo asked, noticing that Victoria's features had suddenly darkened.
Yes and no, she replied. I'm glad you're awake, but…well…
But?
But I would have liked it better if somebody had told me, that's all!
Frodo stopped suddenly. They…they didn't tell you? Victoria shook her head and he frowned. I'll have to speak with them…
Drop it, it's not worth the trouble. I should be used to it by now…
No way! the Hobbit replied firmly. I mean, you saved my life. Gandalf told me that if we had been a few hours later, they couldn't do anything. I'm in great debt to you.
Victoria looked at him with her violet eyes and suddenly she smiled. No, you don't owe me anything.
Yes, I do. I met Bilbo…he told me you waited for me to wake up outside the Last Homely House's door, all this time. They had no right of leaving you outside or not telling you of my awakening.
He tried to meet her eyes, but he couldn't, because she had bowed her head.
Are you all right? he asked, apprehensible. Did…did I say something wrong?
No, no…I…I don't know how…
You don't have to tell me anything. He cut her off gently.
The kept on walking, then Frodo asked her a certain question. Tell me…is it true that you carried me here flying on a broomstick?
Yes, I did. Why?
Oh no! I flew in the sky and I don't remember anything! he muttered, frowning. But maybe we could…
Victoria shook her head. No, I'm sorry. My Stardust is definitely broken. It wasn't meant to fly so fast and for such a long time.
Oh, I'm really sorry! Frodo said, mortified by the idea of causing her damage. Can you fix it?
Victoria shook her head. No, I don't know anything about magic brooms… Suddenly, a shadow fell on her face, her eyes became distant. Mark…Mark did know a lot about magic brooms, not me…and now he's not here anymore.
Noticing her sorrow, Frodo tried desperately to change the subject: Oh, look! he said, running on a balcony that opened on to Rivendell. Isn't it wonderful? He turned around and saw that Victoria had stayed back on the balcony's limit. He motioned for her to come near. Come and see! There's a beautiful view from here.
Victoria shook her head fiercely, stepping back. No, I… I've already seen the…the view and I think… I think I'll stay here.
Frodo watched her closely. She looked almost… scared. Before he could understand what was wrong, an Elf appeared. Lady Victoria Cross, Lord Elrond wishes to speak with you privately. Pray follow me.
Victoria sighed. See ya later… She waved at him, following the Elf.
Frodo stood there, alone, watching her going away. He felt terribly saddened. He had just make another mistake.
Victoria didn't know, but he had been disappointed when he had awoken and, asking for her news, Sam had answered him, Oh, well…she's not here now. When he had asked the others where she was, he had received only vague answers. Mah...boh…well…around here…it's been a while since we last saw her. He had felt a great, inexplicable sadness, but he had been so happy when Bilbo had told him that Victoria had spent all those days outside his room, never leaving her place. Then, when his uncle had told him what exactly she said to those who had tried to drive her away and had described him the Elves' faces, he had laughed so hard that he almost cried. He pulled himself together and decided to look for his three friends. He was going to rebuke them severely
At the same time, Victoria sat in Elrond's study, in front of the Lord of Rivendell himself and Gandalf the Gray. The two wise men had explained to her where she was and how things were going in Middle Earth (well, except for the whole One Ring part), and now they waited patiently for her reaction. The girl was silent for a long time, until Gandalf decided to break the silence: Now can you explain to us how you got here?
Victoria answered slowly, almost weighting her words. I have some theories about it, but no certainness. You see, when I was in my world, I was using the Floo Powder, it's a kind of magic powder that allows us to travel via chimneys. Right when I was saying my destination, I thought that I'd prefer being in any other place…and then I was here.
Is this Floo Powder so powerful? the wizard asked again.
The girl shook her head. No, not at all. Maybe I accidentally passed though a portal that took me in a Parallel Universe, I don't know.
Aye, Elrond nodded This seems quite plausible. But you haven't answered the most important question yet. He looked at her with his piercing gaze. Who or what are you exactly? Beware, the Man you call Strider has already told us what happened in Amon Sul.
I told you. I'm human… she took a deep breath. …and a witch.
A witch? So young? Lord Elrond asked doubtfully.
I don't know how it works around here, but in my world wizards and witches are human like the others, they're not like your Istari.
I see. Gandalf murmured Well, young witch, now tell us something about you.
Victoria lowered her eyes. What do you want to know? My name is Victoria Cross. I was born seventeen years ago in a city named Turin, in a country named Italy. And before you ask me on which side I am, if yours or those dark wizards you call Sauron and Saruman's one, let me tell you something. In my world, they're fighting against a Dark Lord as well. The war broke out almost four years ago, when I was thirteen. My parents worked to fight that Dark Lord and now they're both dead. Many people I used to know died because of that slimy worm. For reasons too long to explain, many people think I'm on his side… She raised her voice and looked at them with pride. …but I'm not and I'll never be! I'd rather be eaten by a dragon!
Calm down, girl. I'll try to find a way to send you back… Elrond started, but he was cut off.
Send me back? Victoria cried out, clenching the chair she sat on. No, never. Throw me down a tower, hang me, cut me into pieces, throw me in jail, bury me alive if you want, but don't send me back to Hogwarts!
Hogwarts? Gandalf asked. Strider told us it's your school and the place where you were going. You'd rather stay here in danger, instead within safe walls?
Victoria threw him a dirty look. Hogwarts' walls are called safe in my world as well, but to me, they're everything but safe. I hate that place.
Elrond sighed tiredly. Would you explain yourself better?
No. The reasons why I don't wanna go there are only mine and I don't wanna talk about them. She rose from the chair. I'm only asking you to let me stay here. I won't be nuisance and I can earn my living by working…
You're a witch… Gandalf spoke up. Maybe your arrival here isn't so casual as you believe. Maybe you can help us.
A girl can't possibly compete with the traitor's arts, Gandalf, Lord Elrond said.
No, of course, but I think that…
Hey, listen, Victoria interrupted them, quite annoyed. If it's about kicking some Dark-Wizard-my-foot's ass, then you can count on my wand. I'd rather fight here with you than come back home, where I couldn't do it. You just have to let me stay here.
The angles of Lord Elrond's mouth curled downward: We shall talk about this later. Now, Lady Victoria, would you let us alone, please? We have many things to discuss.
Victoria nodded and left wordlessly, closing the door behind her.
//Did you see the ring she wore on her finger?// Lord Elrond asked, turning to the wizard.
The other nodded slowly. //Yes, I saw it. And I think exactly the same as you do.//
//So, the Last Ring has come back to Middle Earth…// Elrond murmured //Salazar kept his promise. The Slytherins come back to our aid.//
//Yet this girl doesn't know of the ring, nor of his power…// Gandalf noted.
//This is true, but she doesn't seem too anxious to come back to her world.// Elrond reminded him.
//We can't force her to fight, she's just a girl. But…//
//But?// The Lord of Rivendell asked.
//She hides inside herself many tears and a bitter past…but also a great power. I think she'll play quite an important part, especially in the life of young Frodo Baggins// Gandalf the Grey murmured deep in thought.
Victoria went downstairs quickly and came out in the central court when she heard horses approaching. She raised her gaze and she saw some Men coming in on horseback from one of the lateral entrances. Standing under the arcades, she watched them closely. One of them especially caught her attention. He must have been between thirty and forty years old, dressed in dark and heavy clothes, his dark blonde hair reached his shoulders and, with a fierce demeanor, he looked around amazingly and diffidently. Maybe feeling her eyes on him, he turned toward her and their eyes met. Not knowing what to do, Victoria waved at him and he nodded to her. He dismounted and, after leaving his horse to a stable boy's care, he exchanged some words with another Elf, who was there to show him and the other Men the way. But, as he walked away, he cast her another quick glance over his shoulder. Victoria briefly nodded to him and then headed toward the gardens. She didn't hope to find Frodo there, but she just wished to spend a little time on her own there. After wandering around for a while, she sat on a bench under an unknown tree and closed her eyes, drowning in the peace and the bird's songs. For the first time, she felt again almost fine. Not fine, just almost.
The girl was not aware that at the same time the thought of her occupied not only Frodo's mind – who was trying to come to terms to her departure – but also the mind of the Man she saw in the court, even if in a very different way. The man in the courtyard was Boromir, son of Steward of Gondor, come to Rivendell because of a dream. Right in that moment, he was pacing the room they had given him, restless and worried. Many cares ran through his mind and the thoughts of his people, who fought, suffered and died in Gondor, didn't leave him any rest. He was forty-one and he couldn't remember a single day of peace. Finally, he sat at the table to write a letter to his brother Faramir, who stayed in Minas Tirith. He wrote him first of the Council that would be held the next day and he was going to attend with the other Men who had come with him from Minas Tirith. Then he described to him the beautiful Elven city.
"It seems that the war hasn't reached yet this place of the world," he wrote "Yet, I can't stop thinking about Gondor, about my people. They are always in my heart and on my mind." He stopped for a moment, thoughtful, then he went on. "Arriving, I had a strange meeting, if you can call it so. When I arrived into the courtyard, I felt a pair of eyes watching me and, turning around, I saw a girl under the arcades openly staring at me. I watched her back and she didn't lowered her eyes, nor ran away. Instead, she waved at me. She wasn't one of the Immortals, but a human girl, even if I would have never guessed by the clothes she wore. I've never seen clothes stranger than hers, she even wore a pair of trousers! She was little more than a girl, around twenty, quite tall, with dark brown hair and violet eyes. It was her eyes that attracted my attention. They reminded me of the eyes of my people, not because of their color but for their look. It was the typical look of who has seen and lived many cruelties, of who has seen Evil more than once." He sighed sadly, remembering all those similar looks he had seen. "No one so young should have that look, and yet in our beloved Country it can be find even in children's eyes. But that girl is not from our Country… I wonder where is her home and what happened to her. I asked questions about her and they told me she's an Enchantress with a sharp tongue, who doesn't care about anyone's rank. I hope to talk to her and get to know her better, because I'm not sure that the girl I saw fits the description they made of her. In her eyes, beyond sadness, I read strength and pride, maybe also a certain impertinence. It's true, but I want to know more about her."
He finished his letter in a few minutes and sealed it. He would send it later. He left his room and started wandering in the city. At the same time, Victoria rose from the bench underneath the lumbering tree and decided to go back to her own room. Sometimes, when she was alone in an open space, she felt again that anguish, that indefinable fear that drove her to seek refuge between four solid walls. Even the strength and the magic that filled the Elvish city's atmosphere weren't enough to cure the wounds of her soul. She managed to control her pace for a few meters, but, as soon as she was outside the garden, she started running.Boromir descended slowly one of the numerous stairs. He was lost in his thoughts, but part of his mind registered the sound of footsteps approaching nonetheless. It must be somebody who belonged to the race of Men, because everybody knew that Elves walked without producing the faintest rustle. Suddenly, the mysterious Enchantress appeared from out of a corner and ran upstairs, taking two steps at once, her head bowed. Just a couple of steps separated them when she stumbled on a step and started falling. Instinctively, Boromir caught her by the shoulder, supporting her and not letting her fall. The girl raised her head toward him, whispered her thanks and ran away. The son of the Steward of Gondor followed with his eyes. He could almost swear he had seen tears in her eyes…tears, and something else he couldn't identify. The girl's footsteps faded into the passages and the Man of Gondor walked away.
Many hours later, Victoria was in her room, standing in front of her open trunk. She ran her hands through her hair and sighed nervously. The feast in Frodo's honor would start in a few minutes and she didn't know what to wear. It was really frustrating! Had it depended on her, she would have worn one of her usual skirts, maybe a miniskirt, or simply a pair of elegant trousers…but obviously she couldn't. Biting down on a nail nervously, she turned toward the brown package. She revised mentally all her other possibilities, but finally she surrendered. There was no choice, she had to open it.
A few minutes later, Victoria entered the great hall where the banquet would be held. She knew that this time she couldn't simply sit down at the first free seat she found, so her eyes roamed through the Hall in search of the Hobbits. She saw Sam, Merry and Pippin but unfortunately Frodo wasn't with them. As soon as they saw her, they threw her the dirtiest looks they could muster. She looked for Frodo and saw him sitting at one of the long tables, near the Wizard. He was staring at her and she waved at him. The Hobbit pulled himself together and cast her an apologetic look, unfortunately it didn't depend on him. Victoria was starting to feel like a perfect idiot standing there in the doorway like a statue, waiting for God-knows-what, when someone tapped softly on her shoulder. She turned around and found herself face to face with the Man she had seen in the courtyard that morning and who hadn't let her fall on the stairs.
May I have the honor to escort you, milady? he asked her, giving her his arm. There's a free seat at our table.
Victoria cast a brief glance toward the Hobbits, who were still glaring at her, and answered. With pleasure, thank you. she said, taking his arm and letting him guide her to the table.
The man pulled out a chair to her and then sat down by her side.
Victoria smiled at him. This is the second time you help me today, yet I still don't know who you are or what your name is…
I'm the son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor.
This doesn't answer my question.
My name is Boromir. May I have the pleasure to know yours?
Victoria Cross of the Lost House of Slytherin, she answered instinctively. As soon as she realized what she had said, she'd have bitten down on her own tongue, but then she thought that to him it was just a meaningless title. And then it was what she was, no?
They told me you're an Enchantress… Boromir said, forcing her to come back to reality.
Victoria shrugged her shoulders. I don't feel like talking about it right now…
Then I shall not question you, he replied before changing the subject Some water?
From Lord Elrond's table, Frodo's eyes never left them. When Victoria had come into the hall, he couldn't have helped but staring at her. She wore a dark green dress, like the grass in certain lawns, with a belt made of silvery diamonds at her waist. To him, she looked more beautiful than the Evenstar herself…as soon as he saw her, his heart had started pumping in his chest and he had felt strange, especially when she had met his eyes and waved at him. He hadn't miss the glares his friends were casting her, nor the lost expression she had had for a moment on her face. He had felt terribly angry, but it had been worse when a Man had approached her and escorted her to his table. In that moment, he had felt like he was literally burning inside, like an evil fire, whose exact name he didn't know or didn't wish to say, was consuming him. While he watched them chatting whole-heartedly, he tried to understand why he felt so bad and which strange feeling had invaded his soul. Truth to be told, the answer was very simple and it was right under his eyes, but he refused to see it. He was jealous. He often cast Victoria some brief glances. Suddenly, he saw her face with an expression he had never seen before…something that told of a pain deep as the sea and infinite as the sky, that was almost impossible to measure. He frowned: what did that Man say to her? If he had offended her, then… He looked at Victoria again. Everything looked normal…and yet, from that moment, he never tore his eyes away from her. He couldn't help but wondering what had happened…
It had all started causally, from an observation he had made about the dress she wore when he had told her – answering her question – that those girls where looking at her that way because they had never seen a dress like that. He had added that she must not worry because it suited her very well. Victoria's face had changed. It was like she had suddenly drifted away from that hall, from that table, to find herself in a distant memory… or maybe not so distant. She had ran her hand on the fabric, murmuring in a low voice.
My mother… my mother was really keen that I had a pretty dress. I remember that she took me to the tailor when I came back home for the Summer holidays… It was one of the last things we did together. I remember that we fought over the color of the fabric. She wanted it to be lilac, like the old one… But I wanted it to be green. Green or silver: my House color. She lowered her eyes on the skirt, sighing. I should wear it at the end of the school year, at the Seventh Year Prom…but I don't think I will be able to go.
I'm sorry. Boromir whispered, covering her left hand with his own, big and calloused from wielding a sword.
Victoria raised her gaze on him. You mustn't. Many people will be glad that I'm not there… She realized she had said too much and hurriedly changed the subject. But let's not talk about these sad things! Do you think we'll hear the Elves singing tonight? During our journey, Sam never stopped talking about it. They started chatting, but in spite of the tranquility she showed, Boromir noticed perfectly that hint of sorrow that still shone in her eyes.
At the end of the feast, they went into another great hall nearby and singing and dancing began.
Victoria sat in a corner on her own, staring at the couples that glided on the floor and unconsciously keeping the beat with her foot.
Boromir, who was speaking with some of his men, couldn't help but watch her. He could read on her face that she wanted to dance… and there was something else, something less clear. He knew that not having someone who invited her to dance was a terrible shame for every kind of girl, but he was sure that this wasn't Victoria's case. She looked caught up in a distant memory again. He excused himself from the others and walked across the hall. While the musicians played a new, faster song, he stopped in front of Victoria, holding his hand out to her.
May I have the honor of this dance, Lady Victoria of Slytherin?
Victoria looked at him like she couldn't believe it was true and then, hesitantly, took his hand.
I don't know if it's a good idea, Boromir… she said doubtfully as he led her to the dance floor. I mean… I don't know how you dance around here…and the last time I danced…
Do you want to do it? he cut her off.
Yeah, but…
Then there is no excuse.
He put an arm around her waist and took her hand into his own, leading her between the fast notes. In half a second, Victoria was completely lost in the dance. It had always been like that. She loved dancing and it took really a short time before she let everything go and flew away, forgetting the rest. It was easy, very easy. The music reminded her of those Irish dances she had tried to dance to so many times in her room, her eyes closed and holding in her arms an invisible partner. The new couple had caught the attention of Frodo and Strider. Their eyes were fixed on Victoria's face, that now looked very different. The umbrageous, dark girl had vanished, replaced by a happy, bright girl. Especially to Frodo's eyes, in that moment Victoria was but a shining being made of light. If only it had been him to make her dance like that, to make her twirl in his arms… Victoria and Boromir danced another three songs and then, when a slower one started, they both left the dance floor.
Thanks! Thanks a lot! Victoria said enthusiastically, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him twice on his cheeks. Then, to her disgrace, she added a sentence she had better keep for herself. You saved my life. She stepped back Now… I have to go…
Are you already tired with dancing?
No, I mean, yeah….well, it's just that… I gotta go. She turned around and walked away quickly, disappearing in the crowd.
Boromir followed her. Apart from that sentence, the look he had seen in her eyes had caught his attention. He saw her in the garden, standing under the moonlight and watching the sky above. He tried to approach her as soundlessly as he could, but she heard him nonetheless.
I don't want to bother you… he told her when she turned. I just want to be sure that you're fine.
More or less, Victoria murmured, raising her eyes to sky again.
Boromir sat down on the border of a fountain near her, without stopping to watch her. After a few minutes, the girl spoke again.
You know… I was thinking about my first ball, she said. The Yule Ball… when I was a Third-year. Theoretically, I shouldn't have been there because it was for students from the Fourth Year up, but Draco convinced Adrian to let me slip in, pretending I was his lady. She shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. Unbelievable but true, they fell for it. I'd never bet that they would. Her smile faded. Tonight it was like coming back to four years ago…when I sat in a corner, waiting for Draco to ask me for a dance… She stopped and Boromir couldn't help but asking her.
And he came?
Victoria nodded. Yeah…he came. Her voice was strange, and sad. And in spite of the beginning…not very enjoyable, that was one of the most beautiful evenings of my life.
I can't understand… Boromir murmured. Judging from what you said, it seems a beautiful memory, and yet it makes you sad…Why?
Victoria turned slowly to look at him. Her gaze was lost, sorrowful, and yet there were no tears in her eyes. She answered in a broken voice.
Sometimes it is the most beautiful memories that hurt you the most.
They were silent, both caught up in their own thoughts, until Victoria pulled herself together and moved as to go away, but the future Steward of Gondor's voice stopped her.
Where are you going?
To sleep.
He got on his feet and came near her. Allow me to escort you to your rooms.
There's no need off it, really…I've already…bothered you enough.
Not at all. I insist.
Victoria sighed. As you wish.
They walked silently in the passages. Victoria kept casting brief glances to her escort. Finally, in front of her door, Boromir asked her. May I ask you a personal question?
Victoria looked at him sideways. Yeah, but I avail myself of the faculty of not to answer.
Why did you keep looking at me? It almost seemed like you are not used to being escorted…
Well…More or less. I remember… At those words, Boromir wondered if he had touched a nerve. …when I was in my First Year, there was a horrible monster in my school. It could kill people with a simple glance and even if they didn't looked at him directly in his eyes, they were petrified. Theoretically, I had nothing to be afraid of, 'cause my parents were a Wizard and a Witch, both pureblood, and the monster was after M… students born from normal human parents and half-breeds. Yet, Draco came to wait for me after every class and escorted me to the next one. She smiled. I tried to persuade him that he didn't have to do it, but once he got something in mind…
I hope I didn't cause you any more sorrow…
No, don't you worry. Sorry if I annoyed you with my memories, I…
He didn't let her finish. Lady Victoria, I know you're a strong girl… But you're also far away from home and alone. If you ever need anything…Remember that I'll always be there for you.
Victoria smiled at him. Thanks. I appreciate a lot what you're saying.
Boromir caressed softly her head. Now go to sleep, a long day shall await you if you are attending the Council tomorrow.
So, good night.
Sleep well.
Victoria smiled at him and disappeared into her room. Boromir walked away in the passage toward his room, thinking about that strange girl and trying to recompose all the pieces of the mosaic she was.
He was certain about one thing only: he would not let her be alone.