A/N: I know, I know, I take forever. No excuse. But wait no longer! Here's chapter 5 just for you. Special thanks to all of those who reviewed. You are the best! I've decided to add a little 'time elapsed' note at the start of the chapters so you can tell how much time is passing. I'll do my best but it gets a little confusing in the books, so I apologize if the timeline gets a little messed up. Also, I don't think I mentioned it before but story-wise I'll be pulling from the book or the movie depending on which version of events I like better. Now for a little Boromir introspection..
Chapter 5:
( 6 days since Boromir's "Death")
Boromir was not sure what to think. He was sure Laurel—Daphnaie—whoever, was some kind of spy. She had to be. She was just so completely unlike any spy he had ever heard of or encountered before. She had yet to question him with regards to the quest, she argued with him rather than "trust" his lead (how did she expect to win him over that way?) and she was so…afraid. Every time they ran into the least bit of trouble, she would freeze in terror. He suspected she was having nightmares also. It was bizarre. He did not understand why Saruman would send such a coward.
Perhaps she was not truly another minion of Saruman, but simply an innocent girl coerced by fear into doing Saruman's bidding. No. He silenced that thought quick as it had come. No one who agreed to work for Saruman could be anything but a monster, no matter what sort of well crafted front she put up. Still, he hated to admit even to himself that sometimes he forgot he could not trust her. Just for a moment when she flashed him one of those rare smiles, he would forget she was not truly his friend. He was ashamed of that. Was he so desperate for companionship that he would latch on to any that was presented to him?
"You are awfully quiet this morning," Daphnaie said, a smile in her voice though she kept it from her delicate features. "What could you possibly be thinking so hard about?" He peered over at her, trying to make his expression look annoyed. He did not want to give her the impression that this teasing was even remotely okay, though he did not truly mind.
"Just going through different scenarios of what might come to pass when we reach Edoras," he made up quickly. "I do not want to be taken by surprise." Her expression morphed into an overly exaggerated look of complete shock. She looked ridiculous. "What?"
"You surprise me Boromir. I did not think you had it in you."
"Have what in me? The ability to think and plan ahead?"
"Precisely." He laughed aloud. He knew he ought to be annoyed. Back in Gondor, if one of his men spoke to him this disrespectfully, he would have more than a few words for the soldier. But she was just so innocent. He did not mind letting her poke fun at him, in fact, he almost enjoyed the banter, though he would never own to it.
It was past noon when they finally arrived at the gate to Edoras. No one was guarding the entrance to the city, so the pair just walked right in.
"What is that large building?" Daphnaie pointed ahead of them, genuine curiosity shining in her eyes. "That one at the top of the rise?" It never failed to amaze him how many questions she had, how little she seemed to know. It was one of the reasons he had difficulty believing her Dryad story. How could one so old, know so very little? He had spent the last few days educating her on all he knew of the known races in the present age: Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Wizards, Orcs, Goblins, Uruk-Hai, and Man. Most of her questions centered on Rohan and Gondor. He spoke to her at length of Rohan's horses and of his own majestic city, Minas Tirith, but he made sure to steer clear of any information on either peoples' military defenses. Any sensitive information she passed along to Saruman about chinks in either nation's armor, she would not gain from him.
"That is the Golden Hall, where the king sits. That is where we are headed."
"Oh," she replied simply.
Boromir grew nervous as they walked through the city. It was so quiet. Where were the people? If the city had been raided like the villages of the west fold, the city would be in ruins, burned to the ground. But everything was still intact. Everything remained but the people.
"What happened here?" he whispered aloud, glancing around solemnly but with worried eyes. They made their way warily up the slope to the Golden Hall, but even as they reached the large building they were not approached by guards.
They walked slowly up the great stone steps and Boromir pushed open the enormous doors at the entrance of the Hall. Grand Tapestries lined the walls, proclaiming Rohan's history. The King's throne sat proudly at the end of the Hall, but the king himself was not present. A group of men armored and armed sat together at a small rectangular table with benches on either side to the far right of the hall. Their eyes widened and they stood gripping their swords when they saw the pair enter. They made no move forward, but one man called out to them.
"You are within the realm of Theoden King. Identify yourselves travelers!" Boromir stepped in front of Daphnaie like a shield. He had not brought her here to be struck down by his own allies.
"I am Boromir, son of Denethor, Captain of the White Tower, and friend to Rohan. Where is the king? Why do you sit in his hall in his stead?" Boromir called back to him, his voice confident and strong. The soldier who had spoken to them stepped forward and began walking towards them. He was tall, older than the rest, with a mop of scraggly strawberry blond hair, turning white at the crown, which fell about his shoulders. He looked almost familiar.
"Boromir?" he squinted his eyes a moment then his mouth turned up in a grin. "It is you!" It only took Boromir a moment to recognize the face then.
"Godwine! My old friend, it's been ages!" He stepped up and embraced the man who had become like family to him after Boromir's many visits to Rohan, his problems forgotten for a moment. As he stepped back though, he saw the weariness of the man and the worry lines etched on his face and remembered his mission again. "Godwine, where is everyone? Why is the city abandoned?"
"Theoden has taken the people to Helm's Deep. He hopes to find refuge behind its walls." He sighed. "Dinner will be ready soon. Why don't we go get you washed up? I will have some of the men bring you water. There is much to discuss."
"Yes. Very well, thank you." Boromir turned and spotted Daphnaie standing quietly, still at the entrance to the Hall. He'd forgotten her! Perhaps she had not noticed…He strode confidently over to her. A less-than-pleased expression marred her features.
"Remembered me have you?" He just grunted in acknowledgement and led her over to the soldiers. Most had gone back to conversing quietly around the table but Godwine stood waiting.
"Ah! And who is this fair maiden?" Godwine smiled suggestively at Boromir. Boromir answered with a look of annoyance.
"Her name is Daphnaie. She has been…assisting me. I'll explain more later. For now, I would ask you to fetch water for her as well, and if there are any spare clothes you could give us we would be much obliged.
"Of course, if you will follow me. Leofric!" One of the soldiers at the table looked up at the call. "Leofric, lead Lady Daphnaie to Eowyn's room and then fetch her some warm water from the kitchens.
"Yes, sir," came his quick reply. He appeared younger than most of the others, Boromir thought, at least ten years his junior. Golden locks were tied back from his pale face. Still, he looked tall and able. He was probably a fine soldier. He wore no gloves so Boromir could see the scars and scrapes that covered his hands. It would appear he's already seen battle. "This way." He nodded at Daphnaie to follow. She looked at Boromir, eyes wide. He nodded his head in encouragement, eyes locked with hers, trying to communicate 'you'll be fine' with a glance. Boromir kept his eyes on her as she turned slowly and followed Leofric down a nearby hallway. He felt a hand grip his shoulder. Beside him, Godwine said,
"Come along Boromir. Let's go get you some of Theodred's clothes." Boromir smiled at the mention of his friend.
"You are sure Theodred will not mind if I take some of his things?"
"Certainly not my Lord." The seriousness of Godwine's tone caught Boromir off guard. He stopped walking and stared over at Godwine. Godwine came to a stop a few more paces down the hall and sighed. He turned and faced Boromir, his eyes somber. "Theodred is….dead." Boromir's heart sunk. He and Theodred had never been especially close, but that is not to say they weren't friends. Boromir had known Theodred for years. He knew him well enough to see that he was an honorable and courageous man, and that he would make a great leader of Rohan one day—or rather he would have. It hurt him to his core to know that Rohan had been robbed of such a man.
"Dead? How? When?"
"He died of battle wounds, a death not worthy of him. He was laid to rest only yesterday." Godwine's sadness was evident in his voice. Boromir knew that Godwine had helped raise Theodred, often looking after him when Theoden's duties called him away. Theodred was like family to Godwine. Boromir did not know what to say. Comforting was not one of his strong suits.
"I—I'm sorry Godwine. I know you were—"
"It does not do to dwell," Godwine interrupted, much to Boromir's relief. He started down the hall again. "Besides, it gladdens my heart greatly to see you alive and well."
"What do you mean?" Boromir called after him, confused.
"The same day I watched Theodred buried, I heard report of your own death. I see now those reports were mistaken." Boromir's pulse quickened. He raced to catch up with Godwine.
"Who told you of my death? Speak quickly." Godwine looked shocked at Boromir's anxiousness, but answered him.
"Some travelers. They rode up on horseback yesterday morning. That's not the strange part though. The strange thing is they were our horses. It seems the King's nephew Eomer gave them the horses, a very strange act indeed." Boromir grew excited at this. It had to be them!
"Who were the travelers? Were they a man, an elf and a dwarf?"
"Yes, yes, and a wizard too. We owe them a debt of gratitude really, but Boromir please," he laughed then. "I will tell you all about them at dinner in great detail. I promise. Hurry and get changed." They had arrived at Theodred's room. "The water should be in there by now. Go on get in there." Boromir frowned but did as he was asked. The first sign he'd found of his friends and Godwine wanted him to wait till dinner to hear about them! He sighed. He supposed that another fifteen minutes was not going to make much of a difference. He was a Captain of Gondor for pity's sake! He could exercise a little patience. He shut the door and headed for the washroom to get cleaned up.
A/N: There you go chapter 5! Stay tuned, it's off to Helms deep next chapter. As always reviews are very very very much appreciated.