Author's note:

After 2 years, I have finally decided to continue Jacqueline's adventure in ME. *bow deeply* very sorry for this very late update. All of the fans who have supported me during the period that I wrote this story, thank you for all your reviews and undying support. If you read this update, I dedicate this next new chapter to you all.

Reviews and comments are greatly welcome.

Disclaimer: Toklein owes LOTR

Chapter 22 – A Surprise Entrance

One thing that I had to say when I saw the interiors of the library was… wow….

Huge tall white rows of shelves lining vertically on the intricately patterned marbled floor, books of all sizes and scrolls filled in them as far as I could see.

I held my breath, awed at the majestic view that was in front of me. Tapestries and banners hung at every pillar and empty walls an eye could see, detailing the story of Isildur and the defeat of Sauron.

As I walked down slowly, my sandals making soft squishing noises that I took unnoticed of, for I could not believe in my heart that currently I was standing at Gondor's finest library.

"It's… it's…"

"Amazing isn't it Jacqueline, for your mouth opened rather wide," Faramir gave a laugh as I turned to face him and Boromir who looked at me with amusement. The doors closed with a low thud as they walked towards me, pleased to see my reaction.

"Of course she should be amazed, my dear brother. Why this library is the biggest of all the libraries Minas Tirith, no Middle Earth has. Updated and good conditioned are the collections here." Boromir spoke with great pride as his eyes looked lovingly at the collection. Faramir grinned at his brother.

I nodded furiously at his comment. "But only at this moment in 2 years of my stay here that you actually brought me to your libraries," I said with a slight frown, looking at the two men who shifted uncomfortably.

Their reactions made me raised an eyebrow but I said nothing though my uneasiness grew. I coughed as I waved off the feeling.

"But Gandalf is not in this library I presumed?" I asked, seeing that the library was rather unused, for I remembered vaguely in the first movie, how Gandalf would make a mess while searching for clues of the Ring. Faramir walked towards me, took my right hand gently and led me further inside the library, with Boromir following closely behind.

"The collection kept here was overseen by my father. Lore and records of all of Middle Earth are within them, which I believed will be of much interest to you Jacqueline," Faramir said softly, looking at me with a smile, "but what Gandalf seeks, is not kept in the public libraries that you see here. He should be in the underground vault, where war records and diaries are kept. Only those with special permission by the Steward, my father can enter the vault."

"I see," I trailed off as my mind popped up the scene of Gandalf in a musty vault filled with scrolls and books. "I pray he is eating well despite his passion in finding his answers there. Knowing that old man, he will not eat anything except his pipeweed and ale," I gagged upon that diet. In my mind, I noted to self, I had to make Gandalf eat a full course meal when he returned to get back his lost nutrients. I did not care if he was a wizard, a Maia or whatever holy being he was, proper meal should be eaten.

Faramir laughed heartily at that and nodded in agreement. "It is as you say. I have seen the vault keeper bringing cups of ale to the vault every single day."

My eyes widened at the confirmation and sighed.

Boromir ruffled Faramir's hair from behind, causing the younger to frown slightly, "Faramir here was closer to Gandalf than any other men in Minas Tirith, one might think he would become a wizard within a few years time."

"Father is the only one who thinks such a way, besides, Gandalf and I only discuss much about history of Middle Earth and stuff, my dear Brother. Besides, Father he… doesn't speak or discuss things with me related about battles or strategies that frequently unlike you…" Faramir trailed and the two of them fell into an uncomfortable silence.

I looked at the two of them and thought back of my own mother, who always liked to compare me and my brothers with others who are better than us, and complained why we were not like those children who do much better despite their poorer backgrounds. The three of us never liked it whenever my mother did that.

"Hey," The two men looked up at me, their previous thoughts and emotions pushed aside, "do you think this library has any picture books or art books that I can read? Since I'm here, better make full use of it then." I grinned and the two, with a laugh started recommending books and putting them in my hands.

In my mind, upon seeing all the thick books that I was trying to support thought, this would be a long day.

The sun had set from the few windows that were built in the library, the orange hue reflected against the city, making Minas Tirith glow literally. Further down, was Mordor, with its jagged menacing mountains and black clouds looming above, as though the sun's rays couldn't tainted their colours on it. I looked away from the view from my comfortable seat as I laid my tenth book done on the marbled table.

The three of us managed to find a rather large table, with its length eight times of a typical 100m desk that I once had in my own room. Heck even Bilbo's study desk was smaller than my own desk. Books that Faramir and Boromir had recommended me were all over my area and luckily, the seat that I had chosen was near the window with a landscape view of the plains and Mordor. I shivered at the sight of Mordor, wondering if being this close would my presence be sensed by Sauron from the distance.

Maybe… maybe I should not stay in Minas Tirith for too long… I wonder if Gandalf had found what he was looking for after 2 years stuck in that vault..

"Jacqueline? You looked pale. Do you wish to go back to your inn for a rest?" Faramir asked with concern as he placed down his book of ancient lore.

I laughed and shook my head, glad that my head was freed from the confines of my hood during this period of time.

"Nah, its nothing, I wish to look through this book before I return back, if you two do not mind."

Boromir looked up and looked outside the window.

"Hmm… I believe Dinner will be serving soon and Father might send servants searching for us," he said, closing his book of war strategy theories. Faramir, upon hearing "dinner" gave a sigh and too closed his book.

"Then you better leave Brother, if not Father will question on your lateness. I shall stay here with Jacqueline til she leaves and have a servant to serve dinner in my room later," Faramir smiled and looked at me.

I looked back with silence, wondering why his father, Lord Denethor should be grounding him to such an extent of forbidding him for meals at the dining hall.

"You know you can't keep on eating dinner in your own room Faramir," Boromir gave a slight frown, "come down to the dining hall and eat with me and Father. I'm sure Father's anger has been dispersed after many weeks. Come and eat with us Faramir," Boromir pleaded but Faramir refused to look at him.

"A no is a no, Brother. Besides, if I attend dinner without his approval, I fear his displeasure to me will only be multiplied…"

"Faramir…"

I gave a sigh and closed my book, causing the two men to look at me in alarm.

"I apologise Jacqueline, for hearing such a conversation at your stay in the library," Boromir exclaimed, causing me to jump up in surprise, "please forgive my inconsideration."

I laughed and shook my head. "You don't need my forgiveness Boromir. Besides, you two men are my closest friends in Minas Tirith. Such a thing is alright in my presence. We're friends right? We should be open to each other of our emotions and thoughts. Enough with the formality once and for all! Or with me being a female still forbid me friendship with the sons of the Steward of Gondor?"

Faramir and Boromir looked at me with raised eyebrows and their laughter echoed throughout the huge library. I looked at them and too grinned, glad to hear their laugh after that uncomfortable moment.

"Hahahaha…. Of course not my dear friend, why you have become like a dear sister to us already Jacqueline," Boromir grinned widely and patted my head.

"Indeed, only you, Jacqueline will be the only female us brothers will acknowledge as sister and friend of Gondor," Faramir added and laughed again before becoming silent, his mind preoccupied with a thought that I knew quite well.

"You know Faramir, no parent will ever be angry with their children for too long. Why, no matter how bad the quarrel my own mother and I had, we always managed to reconcile in the end. So I'm sure you and your father will too. Maybe you can make the first step by going for the dinner like Boromir suggest and see how it goes?" I said softly and Faramir looked up at me.

"The first step?" Faramir questioned.

"Yup! Why, if your father never says anything during dinner, I believe this means your father's displeasure has tone down somehow. It's to see how your father reacts around you. From there, I'm sure you will know how to handle the situation," I answered, "and besides, I'm sure dear Boromir here will figure out someway of your father's displeasure."

Boromir looked at me with a grateful smile and back to Faramir who remained quiet.

"To take the first step… " he whispered at last after a moment of silence, "I guess, I shall do just that… besides, I do not wish this to last any longer…" he smiled at me,

"And with that, do you wish to join us Milady for dinner? I believe our father is quite interested of your presence here in Minas Tirith, we have told him much about you." Boromir looked at me too, interested at my answer.

"Wait, you two told your father about me?!" I squeaked.

"Why yes, though we didn't state about your relationship with Gandalf. You know how my father detests the old wizard. We told him that you are a travelling artist who is sightseeing Minas Tirith for the first time that we befriended during our walk," Boromir said, his eyebrows rose by my reaction.

"When he heard you are an artist, he expressed his interest in meeting you and seeing your works. You see, my father too has an interest in art, though only Faramir inherit that trait from him."

Faramir laughed, "Well as for you brother, inherited our dear father's wits and personality." Boromir hit Faramir at the shoulder.

"You too inherit his wits younger brother, just that Father does not see it," he smiled fondly. "So Milady, will you join us for dinner?" He gave a deep bow and looked at me with expectation, causing me to be flustered at his actions.

"I… I don't know Boromir… is just that… you know of my looks and Gandalf said I should make my presence as little known as possible… I believe that includes your father…" I whispered in caution, remembering my promise to Gandalf and the words of that voice that I heard when I first arrived to ME.

I raised my hood back up to cover my face in its darkness. "I'm afraid I shall refuse your invitation. I'm sorry Faramir, Boromir…"

"But, my father is a trustable and honourable man Jacqueline. I'm sure he will keep your identity secret and ensure of your safety from Sauron and Mordor." Boromir said with his voice rose slightly.

"I know Boromir, I know… but, I'm sorry. Not without permission from Gandalf. I'm sorry…"

The two men looked at me and shook their heads. Boromir smiled sadly and gave a pat on my shoulder. "It's alright my friend, I understand. So do not apologise."

Faramir took my left hand and Boromir took my right hand led me to the entrance of the library, silence overcame us, each within our thoughts. As we reached the entrance, I let go of their hands and gave them a grin.

"You too, even if I cannot join you guys for dinner today, but I can see if Gandalf might allow me to eat in the presence of your father. If he agrees, I will rush with Aurin to your castle and knock at your gates for dinner, of course, with my drawings at hand," I grinned wider and the three of us laughed again.

In my mind as I see the two of them, memories of the movies and their fates went past my mind. Boromir's death, and Faramir's fate… and their father's.

These happy moments… they would not last forever… Soon… I have to leave Minas Tirith right?

"Jacqueline? What's the matter?" Faramir asked and I jerked at his touch on my shoulder. I gave a strained smile.

"It's nothing Faramir. I believe I should be returning to the inn for my meal. You better not keep your dear father waiting, my two men. Use this chance well Faramir," With a smile, I pulled open the door and walked right into a large 'wall'.

"OOF!"

I fell backwards but luckily the two brothers supported me from behind. "There isn't a wall at the entrance when we first entered right?" I exclaimed as I looked up to see who was blocking the entrance.

My heart stopped.

"F… Father…"

There in front of me, the steward of Gondor, Lord Denethor looking down at me, his chilled, steel eyes bore at mine. I could feel the two men's hands tightened at my shoulders.

One thing that crossed my mind,

Now I know why I feel so uneasy, question solved.