Reminder:: It's not mine… -sniffle- And neither is the awesome name 'Mordred', although I'm not sure if that belongs to anybody, really. It's from the Arthurian legends if anyone is interested. It's one of the many versions of the name that was given to Arthur's illegitimate son. Horribly cool, right?

Do not fret! I have not forgotten this story! n_n Truthfully, I like this story very much, but reading over it, I've realized how insanely slow I've made this. This wasn't supposed to be a novel… So I'm speeding things up a couple of notches this chapter. I hope it doesn't crash and burn on me! Tell me how you guys like my change of pace. =3

Chapter Sixteen :: The Strange One

That night, I dined with the Steward Denethor again. Ioreth's suspicions melted away after I had come back 'home'. She was worried that something was wrong, but I didn't see the harm in a simple meal…

Again I ate with the Steward, and again and again and again. The only thing I found strange other than his apparent liking to me, was the kinds of questions he asked. At first, I was wary, but soon, I was answering all of his questions without being so completely vague. I told Denethor about Huan and Linius and Beleg. I purposely didn't use Pallando or Alatar's names when I was describing the camp I was at in the East in Rhun. What most interested Denethor was the field I woke up in. I felt there was something deeper in his questions – some sort of underlying suspicion. Don't ask me why, I'm just omniscient on occasion and I just felt it.

Soon, I was eating with him at least once a day. It became a strange sort of ritual. Every morning, Ioreth would wake me, I'd be strapped into a corset, ushered into the White Hall, eat, talk, and then go back to the Houses. What made today different was something rather simple: today I would be allowed to venture outdoors.

It took some string-pulling and Ioreth-bothering and even a little bit of begging, but before the winter would set in, Ioreth finally agreed to let me outside my room. She had to take it up with the Warden first, but he was very kind and easily allowed me access to the gardens.

It was late afternoon and I had already had dinner with Denethor. I was wearing my House frock and stepping out among the wilted plants. They were dying, feeling the beginning onset of winter, and falling asleep until muddy spring.

"No matter…" I said aloud to myself. At least I can be outside.

I spread my arms, letting the heavy wind rush through my sleeves. I giggled and ran up to the parapet. Throwing my arms across the top, I leaned over the side to stare out over the city. It was neat to see it from a different, lower angle.

Eventually, I grew bored. Was this really the garden? That's all that's here? Nothing to do and nothing else to see?

Feeling the kick start of rebellion, I mischievously looked around me, expecting Ioreth as a spy. I hurried to the door that led back into the Houses and pulled it open, shutting it as quietly as possible behind me.

Click, click, click.

Someone was approaching at a lazy pace down the hall. Their shoes made odd sounds against the stone… I waited for them to approach, holding the door knob, pretending I was just about to enter the garden.

Huan came sulking around the corner, letting his tongue hang out. His long nails clicked against the cobblestone floor under him.

"Good to see it's just you." I scratched his head. His tail swung back and forth and he sneezed. "Bless you! Come on, let's get out of here. Sh…!"

He loyally trailed behind me as I crept around the corners. It was useless though because he was so loud. I eventually got the chance to make it to the front. The Warden wasn't sitting where he normally was when he had a moment's peace, so it wasn't difficult to simply walk out the front door.

"Aren't you glad this place isn't so heavily guarded?" I asked Huan with a smirk. "I think it's high time we paid Alatar a visit, what do you think?"

"I don't know – depends on who Alatar is."

I jumped out of my skin. Turning to the masculine voice, I saw a guard dressed in black and silver wearing a matching silver helm.

"Are… you going to arrest me?" I asked warily.

"Arrest you? What have you done wrong? Besides walking out of the Houses in only a nightgown, I don't see any other reason to take you to the dungeons." The man replied casually. He took off his helm to reveal dark, long hair brought back into a ponytail and glittering brown eyes.

"You!" I accused. "You're one of the guards from the tower – I think you were the one playing with a sword."

His brow furrowed. "Whatever it is I was doing in a guard tower at some point in time is none of your concern. Besides – I never 'play' with swords."

"No, I remember you." I said more definitely. "I remember you and another man who was whittling and some other man eating something…" My accusations sounded rather ridiculous and thin. "I was the girl in the window."

"Ah! I do recognize you now, young maiden." He laughed. "You're the strange one. Whatever you are in the Houses for must have affected your mind."

I glared but couldn't help but chuckle. "Whatever reason you care why I'm in the Houses is really none of your concern. But I do believe it would surprise you that the Lord and Steward Denethor takes an interest in me and we often sup together."

"Was that supposed to impress me?"

I un-crossed my arms and looked away, feeling a little embarrassed. "Of course not. Now leave me be."

"I'm afraid I cannot do that. No matter how poor you think the security is of the Houses, I assure you it's not as loose as you think. I'm afraid I must ask you to peacefully return to your room, lady."

"My name is not 'Lady'." I shook my head, denying my old, vague name. "And all I want to do is see my horse. I haven't heard tell of him in weeks."

"Your horse? You have a horse, do you?" He asked suspiciously, probably thinking I was intent on stealing one.

"Yes, I have a horse. He is black and he has a blue ribbon knit into his mane. Or at least he did when I got here. He'll recognize me if I could only see him – just for a moment."

"Oh? And where are the stables?" He tested.

"How should I know?" I argued a little testily.

"…I… don't see the harm in a simple escort to the stables. If you behave, I'll show you to your horse, but you must promise to return to the Houses immediately afterwards without argument and tell no one of this minor crime."

"Crime? My, I'm flattered!" I sarcastically curtsied. "But thank you. That would be very kind of you. And I promise."

The soldier, Huan, and I walked quickly through the streets to make it to a different level where the horses were kept. I passed people easily enough, but I got a few curious stares because of my strange attire. I was half ready to turn around, but Alatar would be just around the next corner or two. I could wait.

The stables were neat and tidy, but they didn't have the heart of the stables back in Rohan. They were stony and cold. Horses, and I for one, enjoy grass and dirt and places to stretch. There was plenty of room and pasture outside the city for them to roam, but not nearly enough grass and space in my opinion.

"So where is your horse, lady?" The man asked once inside the main causeway. I peered down the aisle where a couple of servants passed through with buckets of water and bales of hay for the animals. I looked into each stable, sometimes having to poke my head through the bars to get a good look, but I didn't see Alatar until one of the middle stables.

"Here he is!" I said. I ran up to the bars and stuck my arm through. Alatar trotted over warily, sniffing my open palm. He nibbled on it in a friendly way and I smiled, trying to stroke his nose through the stable door.

"He is a mighty horse." The soldier complimented.

"A fine steed indeed." I nodded with a grin. "May I enter the stall?"

A passing caretaker heard me and nodded. "He's a friendly beast – of course you can! But always be careful, little missy. Don't spook'em. You know how horses are." He instructed, rummaging through a ring of keys until he found the correct one and unlatched the door.

"Thank you so much, sir." I nodded, pulling open the door. Huan followed in after me with a happy grin, ready to see an old friend and familiar face. I walked inside a little slowly and gave Alatar my hand again to make sure he was calm. Soon I was stroking and petting him like we had never been apart. I was given a brush, and Alatar was shining in a few minutes time.

"Is this the ribbon you spoke of?" The soldier – who had left his helm and gloves outside the stable – reached into Alatar's matted mane. He pulled on the knotted fabric and I nodded.

"Is there a brush for his mane so that I can fix that? Would you mind?" I asked, thinking of the time issue.

"Here." He went to a hanging tool bag and took the wire brush out himself. Alatar was suspicious of the newcomer at first, but the feel of the tangles in his hair finally being released calmed him. With my help, the fabric was completely removed from his mane and all the hair straightened out before I put it back in.

"What is his name again?"

Hm… Perhaps he wouldn't know Alatar. I didn't see any haunting side effects, so I said: "Alatar."

"Alatar, hm?"

"Yes…" I nodded, a little uneasy.

"That's a fine name." He nodded with a smile, patting Alatar's back.

Phew. Cleared that mine field.

"I'm afraid it's time to return to the Houses." The soldier announced.

I lingered for a moment, gave Alatar a hug, and stepped out of the stable. Huan was disappointed to leave all the good smells of the stables, but he followed the two of us willingly enough and we were soon back to the Houses.

"I hope no one has noticed my absence…" I fussed a little outside of the door.

"At least you kept your word."

"And you kept yours." I pointed out. "Thank you again, good sir. What is your name?"

He found the question a little odd for some reason. Maybe it was a little sudden or something? He put on his thick gloves and answered: "Mordred son of Malathed."

"That's a strange name." I commented a little absent-mindedly.

"Well, what is your name, strange lady?" He countered, relating back to the funny faces I made at the window.

I shrugged and opened to the door. "What's the fun in that?"

I shut the door behind Huan and me, rid of the soldier Mordred. I was grateful to see that the Warden was not around. Quickly, I jogged down the hall and up the staircase to my room. Huan was bored with me and decided to roam elsewhere.

When I opened the door to my room, I found Ioreth putting a clean dress back into the wardrobe.

"Where have you been?" She asked. For some reason, even after I told her that Denethor had dubbed me 'Finwen' she did not want to use my name. I admit she did try it out at first though before she dropped it. She always talked to me in an indirect fashion. She talked in an indirect fashion to everybody.

"The gardens." I easily lied. "Remember?"

"Ah. Actually, I did forget. It's getting late, so I was expecting you to be back by now. Not much to see in the gardens this time of year." She commented dryly and closed the wardrobe.

I shrugged it off. "I am rather tired."

"Then get to bed, get to bed!" She shooed me until I was under the covers.

She picked up the remains of dirty dishes and unwashed clothes and walked briskly out the door. "Pleasant dreams."

"Pleasant dreams!" I called back to her. The door was shut and the lights went out.