Hello to readers and reviewers…
Alassea: don't you worry, this is not a Boromir romance. He and Victoria will be very close and he'll feel very protective toward her because she's so young and she's a girl, but that's all. I knew that the last chapter could cause some misunderstandings, all my beta readers told me so, but I didn't know how to change it so in the end it's only my fault. Anyway, thanks for your advices, I liked your argumentations. Hope to hear from you again and that you'll like this chapter.
CHAPTER VI: THE COUNCIL OF ELROND
Just a few minutes were left before the beginning of the council summoned by Lord Elrond. Almost all the convoked were present and only four chairs were still empty. One of them belonged to the Lord of Rivendell. Preceded by the ticking of her heels against the stone floor, Victoria came out from the main corridor and crossed the circle, sitting down on one of the empty chairs. As she walked by, she was followed by everyone's puzzled looks. The men were astonished by the presence of a woman – a girl – in a meeting so important and by the clothes she wore. Only Strider had already seen them before. Victoria had decided to wear her school uniform without the gray pullover.
The girl let her gaze wander among the people there. She saw Boromir and Strider, some Dwarfs, and other Elves… Her eyes were lazily running along the line of the Elves from Mirkwood, when suddenly they grew wide with astonishment, her heart started pounding in her chest while a myriad of images crowded her mind.
Oh mio Dio… Non è possibile… [Oh my God…It's impossible…] she murmured in Italian, staring at one of the Elves, who was speaking with his companions.
Maybe feeling her gaze on himself, the Elf turned and met her eyes. Victoria sighed with relief. The Elf's eyes were blue, not gray as she had feared, and there were other wrong details, like the dark eyebrows instead of blonde ones and the lighter hair and the face… Victoria lowered her eyes, staring at the floor without really seeing it. The resemblance was minimum, almost imperceptible, and yet for a moment… She shook her head.
"Don't be stupid, Torey," she scolded herself mentally, using unconsciously the nickname he always used…
Right in that moment, luckily for her, arrived Lord Elrond, Gandalf, and Frodo, who sat down next to her. Elrond stood in front of the high bench and Gandalf took the last untaken seat at Frodo's left.
The Council had started.
Victoria leaned against the back of the chair and crossed her legs, resolute not to miss a single word.
Lord Elrond looked at the circle of chairs, watching briefly all the people who had answered his call, and finally broke that silence full of expectations.
Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you have been summoned here to answer the treat of Mordor. Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction, none can escape it.
Victoria saw Strider and the Elf that had caught her gaze exchanging a brief glance, but she turned back to the Lord of Rivendell immediately.
You will unite, or you will fall! Each race is bound to this fate, to this one doom. He turned to the Hobbit who sat by her side. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo. he requested, waving toward a stone table that stood in the middle of the circle. The Hobbit, slightly nervous, did what he had asked and then came back to his seat.
Immediately a wave of whispers and murmurs broke out. Victoria looked at the men commenting among themselves and turned to watch the ring.
"All this mess for a ring?" she couldn't help but thinking, but suddenly the image in front of her eyes changed. Instead of the Ring on the half-column, she saw an obelisk standing on a pedestal, with an iron globe on its top. Yes, there was no doubt. The evil presence was the same, but at the same time it was different. She brought a hand to her chest and forced herself to breathe slowly. Frodo looked at her with worry, but, with a brief nod, she told him that everything was fine.
…a gift to the foes of Mordor! Boromir's voice brought her back to reality. Why use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay! By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy! Let us use it against him!
Strider spoke up: You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.
And what would a Ranger know of this matter? Boromir shot back, irritated.
The blonde Elf sprang on his feet, furious. This is no mere Ranger! he said vehemently. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.
Victoria raised her eyebrows. Definitely, she didn't understand a lot.
Aragorn? Boromir repeated, his voice a mixture of incredulity and troubled spirit. This is Isildur's heir?
And heir to the throne of Gondor, the Elf specified coldly.
//Sit down, Legolas// Aragorn murmured as conciliatory move.
Boromir watched one, than the other. Gondor has no king…Gondor needs no king.
The Elf glared at him, but before they could go on – and eventually come to blows – Gandalf intervened: Aragorn is right. We cannot use it.
You have only one choice. Elrond backed him up. The Ring must be destroyed.
Then what are we waiting for! grunted a Dwarf jumping on his feet and hitting it with his axe. The blade of the weapon literally exploded when it touched the Ring and an evil voice spread into the air.
Victoria felt like a bell's clapper, her head throbbed unnaturally and she felt something (or rather somebody) struggling inside of her.
Suddenly, she realized that Frodo had slumped down on his seat, almost in tears.
Are you all right? she whispered to him, bending down a little bit.
Frodo only nodded, because Gandalf hushed them nodding toward Elrond. The Elvish king had stood up and was speaking again.
…the Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there it can be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this. at those word, the assemble became deadly silent.
Each in turn, please, Victoria muttered acidly.
One does not simply walk into Mordor… Boromir murmured, a hand on his forehead. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs…There is evil there that does not sleep. The Great Eye is ever-watchful…It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume…Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!
That description fit Hell… and Boromir's eyes where the eyes of someone who has seen that Hell very well.
Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? the same Elf spoke up. The Ring must be destroyed!
And I suppose you think you are the one to do it! Gimli growled angrily.
And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron gets back what is his? Boromir added, furious.
I well be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!
Gimli's words angered Legolas' companions. In a couple of seconds, the Council had become a brawl. The "noble guests" where almost coming to blows.
Yet, among all those shouts and those angry voices, Victoria heard another one with sinister clearness. She had heard it just once in her life, but it had been enough. She had heard it at Amon Sul, shortly before Frodo was wounded, and now it was there again, in her head… It was a sensation familiar and different at the same time. Inside herself there was a stormy sea, she felt the waves of the soul – of the souls – smashing against each other, streams and maelstroms mixing incessantly, tearing her apart. She shut her eyes and covered her hears, trying not to see those imagines storming in her mind, trying not to hear a thing, nor the men's voices, nor the Ring's voice. All those faces, all that pain, all those screams… She was about to succumb when, suddenly, from that gale of memories, emerged something the Ring hadn't expected: the fragment of a lesson of Defense Against Dark Arts of three years ago…Three simple words: Imperius Curse and Dementors. That was why that feeling was so familiar! It was trying to use her regrets against herself, but now that she knew what to do, she wouldn't let it. She gathered all her strength and clung to those memories that were the enemy's weapon. Nor the men caught up in their quarrel, nor Frodo who sat by her side, tormented by the same voice, realized what was going on. Victoria opened her eyes again, but this time they were rolled backward and lit by a green light, while her body was wrapped up in a faint silvery aura.
Suddenly, the light went out, her eyes returned to normal. She was breathing heavily, but she still had her strength. Around her, they were still fighting. To her it had been centuries, but to the others a few seconds.
The voice was still in the air. Victoria turned to Frodo and understood that the Ring had changed its target…and yet she was sure it was doing to him the same thing it had done to her. She grasped his hand and tried to whisper his name: nothing.
Suddenly, the Hobbit rose, freeing himself from her hold, and shouted: I will take it.
"NO!" Victoria thought, but he spoke louder to be heard by the others. I will take it!
The Council fell silent. Everybody turned to look at him.
I will take the Ring to Mordor… Thought, I do not know the way, he repeated, nervous but not hesitant.
Gandalf sighed with sadness. I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear.
And after Gandalf, one by one, the others also came forth.
The first one was Aragorn: If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword.
Then came Legolas: And you have my bow.
Third, Gimli: And my axe.
Fourth came Boromir: You carry the fate of us all, little one…If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done.
Behind a bush appeared Sam and last to arrive were Merry and Pippin.
Victoria watched them, astonished, thousand of thoughts ran through her mind like meteors. What should she do?
"I can't let them go alone…Frodo… that Ring is so strong, he doesn't know what awaits him… But why should I give a damn about this, I'm a Slytherin, one of those 'heartless bastards', Gryffindors are the heroes…but I can't stand by and do nothing… oh my God, what should I do? Draco…"
Thinking that name was enough to carry her away, back in time, along the paths of memory… Other names came to her lips and suddenly she understood. She rose as Elrond pronounced the fatidic words: …You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring.
Just a moment! Victoria spoke up. The tenth member is missing.
The… tenth one? And who would that be? Elrond asked, puzzled.
It's right in front of you, the girl replied.
One of the Elves that had come with Legolas laughed. The young witch froze him with a glare.
Lady Victoria… Boromir intervened. I don't think it would be wise for you to come with us.
I think that one more wand could be useful.
Impossible! You would be just… Aragorn started, but he never managed to end.
Just what? Just a nuisance? A dead weight? Or maybe you don't trust me, eh?
We didn't say so… Aragorn muttered.
Victoria laughed in his face a forced, unpleasant laughter. Listen, you, just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I'm stupid! Tell me, do you think I'm such an idiot? I understood it, what do you think, what do you all think? she corrected, staring at Merry, Pippin and Sam, who couldn't met her eyes. If you don't trust me, have at least the…courage to say so!
Milady… Legolas tried to calm her. …I don't think you realize the gravity of this situation…
Why, they do? she replied nodding to the Hobbits. They're young, reckless, naïve and totally incapable of fighting, and yet I don't hear anyone trying the dissuade them. And by the way, I had realized that we were in shit…
Mind your language Aragorn intervened.
Enchantress or not, you're always a woman, and women are not meant for battle! Gimli spoke up We're great warriors and…
Victoria looked at him raising her eyebrows. Oh, yeah? Truth to be told, for being a "great warrior", you look quite small
Legolas had to use all his willpower not to burst out laughing while Gimli almost choked with anger. Let to men men's business and return to stitch socks and…
He didn't have time to end his sentence: Victoria seized him by his collar and lift him ten centimeters in the air until they were face to face.
Keep on going like this and you will be the one who has to be stitched… she growled a few centimeters away from the Dwarf's face.
All the people were astonished. They had never thought that a girl would talk in such a manner.
Put him down, Victoria. Now, Gandalf ordered, taking a step forward.
Do I have to? the girl replied, casting him a brief glance. As an answer, the Wizard looked at her sternly.
Okay, okay, I'll let him go. She outstretched her arms and then let him fall on the ground.
Victoria! Aragorn cried out, and the witch turned to him.
What? I did let him go, didn't I?
There's no way to convince you to forego, Lady Victoria? Boromir asked.
Let me tell a thing…Old Adrian always said that when I got something on my mind, the only way to make me change my mind was breaking my skull, then Draco replied that even that wouldn't be enough…Well, he was right. Somebody tried to break my skull, but it didn't exactly work.
You're but a harmless maiden… said Legolas Whether or not you want, I nor the others will let you come.
Harmless maiden your mother… And I really want to see how you think to stop me. I haven't laughed in a long time.
The Elf who had giggled before rose on his feet. That was a clear want of respect to the prince and his people. He came near Victoria and seized her by the arm.
Enough, woman. You have done soiling this Council. Who can assure us that you're not a spy of Sauron or Saruman? And even if you weren't, you would do nothing but put in danger the mission and our lives. Go back from where you came and learn manners before coming back, he said, shaking her violently.
Keep your hands off of her… Boromir growled, taking a step forward to defend the girl, but she stopped him with a glance.
Stay out of this. I can find a way out on my own, she turned to the Elf. So, mister, what's your problem? Apart from lack of intelligence, I mean…
The Elf blushed deeply. I won't tell you anymore, woman: go away. We don't want people like yourself. You shouldn't even attend this council, never mind speaking! I can't understand why it was allowed for a stranger, a beggar and, above else, a female to set foot here!
And I wonder where the Hell did you hide when God distributed brains!
That was quite though. The Elf hit her with the back of his hand. Boromir was about to hurl himself at him, but there was no need of it. Before the Elf could end his nth remark on "learning-about-staying-in-her-place", Victoria broke his nose with a punch and then kneed him, catching off guard not only her opponent, but the whole Council as well. The Elf drop on the ground in pain.
Victoria turned to Legolas. Excuse me, who was the harmless maiden?
The Prince of Mirkwood moved to help his companion and threw her a dirty look, but before he could speak, Elrond intervened. He dismissed the others and left the Fellowship to discuss with Victoria the decision of whether they would "take her abroad" or not.
While the others left and the beaten Elf was taken to the healers, Legolas tuned to the young witch, glaring at her. That was a dirty trick and an unfair blow.
It may be a dirty trick, but it got me out of trouble more than once. She cast a disgusted glance to the Elf that was going away. At Hogwarts he wouldn't last 24 hours…
You can't knee the Orcs, milady, Legolas replied.
Ask him how I got away with the Black Knights in Amon Sul… she said, pointing to Aragorn.
Your magic is surely strong, but you were particularly lucky in your first battle.
Something changed on Victoria's face. Who told you it was the first one?
What do you mean, Victoria? Frodo asked.
That wasn't my first battle…but maybe calling "battle" what happened that night is a little bit imprecise. "Ambush" would be better, "ABOMINABLE MURDERER" better still!
What are you talking about, lass? Gandalf asked. Explain yourself.
Victoria sighed and came back to her seat. In Hogwarts, there were four Houses, one for every school founder: Ravenclaw the studious ones, Hufflepuff the loyal ones, Gryffindor the "brave" ones…and the Lost House of Slytherin. My House. I've always called it so 'cause nobody gives a damn about us. From our House came a higher number of Dark Wizards than from the others, so everybody hates us and disdains us. They think we're all ready to take the path of Evil. After being kicked for all your life, it's obvious that somebody has enough and tries to get revenge.
It isn't logic at all! Aragorn interrupted her.
For you, maybe, Victoria replied. I don't expect you to understand. It's all so easy in your world… Good is white, evil is black and there's no gray. Well, in my world it doesn't work like this. No one is born evil, not even us… But if everybody tells you that you're a bastard villain Dark Wizard for too long… then you end up believing it. We've been hearing it for ages, I don't think you know what I mean. Her eyes where far away. We're the Lost House… A whole House of lost souls. Gryffindors are the heroes, but while they fight tooth and nails for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, but they won't risk anything for us. We're alone to fight against the others and against ourselves… and it's a battle that many of us lose. When we start falling in the dark, no one's there to catch us.
This is the battle you were talking about? Boromir asked.
I wish it was. No, I was talking about a real battle… I remember how it was… it was…
It was April 30th. In Slytherin, the atmosphere was tense, everyone was on edge. A few days before, on April 25th, there had been the terrible Overthrow of York, in which Dumbledore's army had suffered huge losses. There was no one in the school who hadn't lost a relative, a friend, or just a mere acquaintance in that battle. Also the Slytherins had, but as usual the students from the other Houses disregarded this little detail. Of two hundred, only thirty were left. The others had passed directly to the Dark Side or were simply afraid to come back. A well-founded fear…
On the night of April 30th, after dinner, they captured Bernard Clover, a First-Year, on the way to the Common Room and forced him to open the passage, then they cut his throat. He was the first to fall. In the Common Room they found about fifteen students. The first of the attackers threw a Smokey-Bomb that allowed them to slide inside, covered by the veil of smoke. From the bathroom emerged the Quidditch Team, unarmed and half-dressed. They had just come back from a training session and had discovered that, strangely, the showers down in the locker room didn't work.
Only when the smoke dispersed did the Slytherins see the enemy, and some of them had already fallen. The attackers hunted their pre-established targets. They started killing the most dangerous adversaries, the three Seventh-Years and then they went to the students of the lower years.
The Slytherins, caught by surprise and confused, reacted too late, and even then they didn't know exactly what to do. Hell broke lose. On one part there were the Slytherins who cast spells as quickly as they could or tried to run; on the other, there were the attackers with their face covereds, that killed them using simple Muggle knives. They didn't use wands because they knew that they would risk being identified.
The Common Room was full of screams, voices, moans, confusion… And suddenly, on the dorm stairs, appeared a sixteen-year-old girl, frozen by horror and unable to move.
She was Victoria Cross.
Wherever she looked, she saw wands, knives, people fighting, students falling on the ground covered in blood, all Slytherins. Eunice Jenkins, Fifth Year. Kevin Wolf, First. Lorelei Morgan, Fourth. Claire Ross and Alyssa Carlton, Second. Shaun Hillray, the new Seeker, Third Year. Catherine Dwan, Sixth Year, her roommate. She let out a scream and threw herself into battle, casting spells against all the hooded students, hitting them with her hands and feet when she was near them, trying to wrench them away from their victims… She didn't even realize that she was fighting alone. As she fought one of them, a second one took her in the rear, smashing a chair on her back.
Victoria Cross fell on the ground like dead. In the Slytherin Common Room stood only twenty-five guys with white hoods now red with blood.
Maybe they thought they had broken my head… Victoria murmured, staring at floor without seeing it. She raised her eyes and tried a half-smile. But we Crosses have a very thick skull.
No one answered. The men of the Fellowship of the Ring stared at her, shocked. They couldn't believe that some men… some boys could have done such a thing. To their schoolmates!
Aragorn was the first to speak. Those hooded boys…did they catch them?
I'm not sure that they even looked for them, Victoria replied Remember what I said? We Slytherins are…were the villains, possible Dark Wizards, potential sustainers of the enemy. Her eyes filled with tears and she clenched her white-and-green striped scarf in her hands. A few days before this happened, there had been a discussion in the Common Room… Of the thirty Slytherins who stayed in Hogwarts, twenty-nine were ready to fight for Dumbledore, just one wasn't sure…
Who was? Legolas asked, even if he suspected what the answer would be.
Victoria raised her face. Me. I didn't think that they would have accepted us as their ally… And then, I had my reasons to be unsure.
What reasons? To fight Evil… Gimli started arrogantly, but Victoria glared at him.
That's none of your business! I knew you wouldn't understand! And then, you see, I hadn't forgotten that it hadn't been for Adrian and Marcus and Draco and some things that happened… maybe under the black cloak and the mask of a Death Eater there would be me as well. I don't forget what dear Gryffindors and company did to Draco, nor what they did to me!
What… Frodo started, worried, but she didn't let him go on.
It's too long to explain and I don't feel like talking about it, she sighed. Even if they chose wrong, I don't forget that Death Eaters are Slytherins, my brothers… I can't approve them, but in the end I understand them…And I really can't condemn them, nor to raise a hand against them. Well, as long as they don't attack me first. Her gaze stopped again on the Fellowship That April night I decided I wouldn't fight for one side, nor for the other.
And yet you would fight for us… said Aragorn, watching her. Why? That was your war, not this one!
Victoria got on her feet slowly. Now, listen to me carefully, Strider, or Aragorn, or whatever… Don't tell me this is not my war 'cause I'm not from around here. My war is every war I decide to fight in. Every war against evil is my war! And you won't stop me from fighting.
Why don't you understand that it won't be an easy task? It will be a hard journey, what will you do when you'll be too tired to walk?
I never thought it was a picnic! And when I'll be too tired to walk, then I will crawl! she replied, folding her arms. You like it or not, I'm with you. I've spent too much time watching people falling into the dark, unable to do anything!
Do you think you'll be so strong? You're but a girl! Legolas said.
Yeah, I'm a girl. I didn't even graduate. Maybe I can't do anything about it, but I can always try!
Well, we've discussed enough. Gandalf intervened.
His clear eyes fell on the young witch. Lady Victoria…
You told me that maybe I'm here for a reason… She cut him off, looking at him in the eye. … if it is so, certainly it's not to stand by and watch you!
The wizard sighed tiredly. All right. You're with us.
At those words, Frodo felt torn in two. He was happy because Victoria was going to stay with them, but he was also scared that something could happen to her. He didn't know if he should be happy or worried. Merry and Pippin complained that they were hungry and finally they all headed to the dining room.
Merry… the younger Hobbit started as they walked in the corridor About this mission…quest… thing! Anyway, about this…Where are we going?
Frodo buried his face in his hands and Victoria turned to Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gandalf. No comment…
Later, around sunset, Boromir of Gondor strolled alone in the gardens of Rivendell. Many thoughts ran through his mind and made him restless. He thought about his people, about his far away land, about his father and his brother Faramir… Part of him was glad it had been him, and not Faramir, to go for that journey. If it had been his younger brother… He didn't even want to think about it.
Boromir was a warrior proud and strong, but the love he felt for Faramir was stronger, not to mention the love he felt for his country and his people.
He sat on a bench and closed his eyes, letting a gentle breeze caressing his face. Suddenly, he heard somebody approaching and sitting down beside him. He opened his eyes and turned around, looking at the young witch's face.
I'll give you a penny if you tell me.
What? he asked, confused.
What you're thinking about. "A penny for your thoughts," it's said quite common in my parts.
I see.
So, are you going to tell me or not?
Boromir turned to look at the horizon.
I was thinking about this quest and about my home. If we fail, Gondor will be the first to fall… and nothing assures us that we will fulfill our task before Gondor falls anyway. And then there's Aragorn… he stopped.
Come on, spit it out. Victoria spurred him .It's no good keeping it all inside… You can trust me. Whatever you say, it certainly won't be me the one to report it to Mr. Whatever-his-name-is.
Boromir sighed. When Faramir and I where children, our mother told us the ancient legends and the history of our land, which she knew well… She told us that one day the King would come back and Gondor would live again. And we really believed it… I remember that when things got particularly bad, Faramir and I prayed to the Valar to make the king come back. We all have waited him for such a long time…
And at a certain point you stopped believing it, the girl ended his sentence for him.
Exactly. Faramir still believes it and he's not the only one, but… in spite of everything, I can't trust him. Can you understand it?
Perfectly, I can assure you.
I know… Boromir murmured. I know you've had your part of Hell as well… But don't you think you've seen enough of it?
The girl looked at him sideways. Boromir, you're trying to convince me to stay here, it doesn't work.
Please, rei, consider what you're doing… He started, but the girl cut him off, looking at him with confusion.
Rei?
It means "child" in the local speech of Gondor. Forgive me, but sometimes I speak in my own mother tongue.
It happens to me, too, Victoria reassured him. I think it's a kind of way to feel closer to home.
You're very far away from yours… Don't you wish to return there? he asked her, hoping to convince her.
Victoria turned her gaze to the horizon. It's not like I have a true home to come back to… she murmured. My mother was killed by a Death Eater on August 31st and I buried my father two weeks ago…Not that there had been much left to be buried.
Is it possible that you have no one in the world? Don't you have friends to seek refuge?
Victoria's eyes filled with tears. I had them once… But now they're all dead.
Even that Draco of whom you talked me about?
He was the first, she whispered.
You said two other names…Adrian and Marcus?
They're dead, too. I saw them for the last time at Draco's funeral… Adrian wrote me a week later to tell me he had become a Death Eater. They found him dead on March 4th last year. Marcus fell in the battle of York, fighting for Dumbledore… She turned to him …My schoolmates from Slytherin are all dead. There's no one else. I'm alone.
Boromir put an arm around her shoulders, holding her close and murmuring in her hair four simple words: You are not alone.
Victoria clung to him, but she didn't shed a tear. After a few minutes, she pulled herself together.
You're not alone as well, Boromir, she said, raising her head.
The Man of Gondor looked at her closely. You're a brave girl, Victoria… Really you are not afraid of death?
After all I went through, death doesn't scare me. For the rest, whatever will be, will be.
Finally Boromir gave up. As you wish, then. You're a girl pretty stubborn!
I know, she replied with a vague smile.
They fell silent for a few minutes.
Boromir… she said suddenly. Would you teach me how to fight with a sword? My wand could not be enough.
Of course I will, but not tonight for it's too late. We will stay here for four days still. We shall meet tomorrow morning.
Thanks! she cried out, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him quickly.
When she stepped back, she took her purse and started ramming through it.
What are you doing? Boromir asked her, puzzled.
We said "a penny for your thoughts," didn't we? I'm looking for it…
There's no need to…
Yes, it is.
She kept searching for a quarter of hour and finally she gave in: she took a small coin and handed it to him.
I don't have one penny… Five lire1 are the same?
I've already told you that…
Here, take them.
She grabbed his hand and slipped the coin in his palm, closing his fingers around it. She walked away among the trees and Boromir watched her go.
Slowly, he opened his right hand and watched curiously the rounded coin Victoria gave him. It was small, just as big as a nail, mat and light, so light that he wondered, puzzled, of which metal it could be made of. Under a strange symbol there was carved a dolphin and on the other side there was the rudder of a boat, surrounded by strange symbols he couldn't decipher.
He raised his gaze and looked at the place where Victoria had disappeared. In that moment, he decided that he wouldn't only teach the girl to defend herself, but he wouldn't let anybody hurt her. She had suffered enough.
1 five lire: "lire" is the plural form for "Lira", the old Italian currency before Euro. The five lire coin hasn't been used anymore since the sixties
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