YES! This is what you hope it is!
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO OF FRONTLINEEEEEEE!
Chapter 22: Twenty-Three
The ground disappeared beneath Shadowfax's thundering hoofs at a speed that made Tess dizzy. She sat behind Gandalf, Pippin sitting in front of the wizard, and held on for her life as they race across plains, through forests and over hills. They did not stop or slow in all the times that her eyes were open and she wondered exactly how far they'd gotten. Shadowfax plowed through a shallow river and Tess was granted an answer as Gandalf yelled over the wind.
"We have just passed into the Realm of Gondor!"
A sigh of relief passed through Tess' lips and she smiled slightly.
Naomi's knuckles lightly rapped against the wooden door. There was the soft crash of something falling over before a gruff voice called her in. Carefully she pushed open the door and peeped in to see Aragorn steadying a ceramic jug whilst trying to hold a new bandage to his arm. He looked up when he heard the door open and quickly reached for his shirt.
"Oh forgive me, Naomi, I thought you to be Legolas-," The man said, reaching forward quickly to stop the jug as it pitched forward again.
"It's okay…do you need some help?" She asked moving over and shifting the jug to a more stable position, almost completely unfazed that he wasn't wearing a shirt. She turned to look at the wound on his arm, it had stopped bleeding a while ago but the bandages still needed to be changed. There was a large purple bruise in the center of it and as she wrapped a new bandage around it she couldn't help but wince.
"…Aragorn?" She asked hesitantly as she tied the finishing knot.
"Hm?"
"I…well I…," She stuttered trying to find words to voice her thoughts whilst Aragorn pulled a new shirt on.
"Did you know, my lady, that you have one strong fist?" He interrupted her mumbling and Naomi couldn't help but chuckle slightly.
"That's what years of Martial Arts does for you," The blonde said clenching and flexing her hands. The Ranger was about to ask how art helped one punch when Naomi looked up again, this time a different emotion in her eyes.
"What about Arwen?" The blonde almost winced at how desperate she sounded, but she needed to know.
"She is sailing to-,"
"No no I know all that stuff, I heard you talking to Eowyn…it's just I'm not sure if I believe she would leave that easily! I mean you both love each other!" Naomi blurted out with a motor mouth. Aragorn visible flinched away from her words.
"It's not that simple-,"
"Yes it is! There's nothing sto-,"
"I AM MORTAL!" Aragorn's voice rose above Naomi's rebutting with force and she blinked away tears that formed in her eyes.
"So?" Her defense was weak but it was all she could think of.
"Arwen would be-is better off leaving with her people, I will not live as long as her and I do not want her to suffer for it," He explained, but Naomi could see that he was trying to convince himself as much as her.
"Aragorn…I am even more mortal than you and I don't want Legolas to suffer when I die…but I think he would suffer more knowing he could not love me," she said weakly as she sat back in the chair. Silence filled the room as the two distanced themselves to their own thoughts.
"I want you to be sure if you're going to go after Eowyn, Aragorn," Naomi said at last, standing and looking him in the eyes.
"I will not see her hurt by this…but neither do I wish to see you hurt," she added softly at the end, taking his rough hands in her own. Neither of them talked for a long time, simply drawing strength from each other.
"Thank you for your counsel, Naomi my dear friend,"
"No problem, now come! My wound has healed and it's about time I got back to training, I will NOT stand for being left out of the battles to come," She told him stubbornly, walking to the door and opening it.
"I will see you in twenty minutes or I'll be hunting you down!" The blonde's head disappeared from sight and Aragorn sighed.
He needed to reconsider the women he let into his life.
Naomi stalked the halls looking for her second sword, a new wave of anger starting to course through her veins as time wore on and she was unable to find it.
"Ugh! Goddamnit Tess! I am going to kill you!" she snarled, startling several maids passing her by. With a sheepish apology she left the Golden Hall with the intention of finding the training ground and throttling the nearest object there, she was mildly surprised to find someone had already occupied the grounds; though in a manner completely unlike what Naomi was used to from him. Éomer stood still in the centre, his head bowed and his sword tip buried in the sand. With a grunt Naomi pulled herself over the fence, her blue dress a bit of a hindrance in her endeavor. A tearing sound made her scowl, the hem had caught and ripped slightly.
'Because nothing can ever be easy,' She thought bitterly as she blew a piece of hair out of her face. Éomer still stood motionless, completely unsuspecting of his visitor until she was right beside him.
"I don't get it…what's so interesting about the dirt?" The horselord's head whipped up so fast Naomi half expected him to have whiplash.
"My Lady, beg your pardon I heard not your approach," He apologized, taking a step back to bow to her.
"It's okay, that's good! It means i'm getting better at sneaking up on people," She said good-naturedly. Both fell into silence that Naomi decided was a bit awkward.
"So…whacha doing out here?"
"I was thinking about your friend," That startled her; she hadn't thought the gruff man would share his thoughts with her at all, let alone give her exactly what he was thinking.
"Oh…well, friend might be stretching it a little," She said bitterly, crossing her arms over her chest as a frown fell onto her eyes.
"She's stubborn and idiot, it's amazing anyone likes her at all," She saw Éomer smile out of the corner of vision making her roll her eyes.
"Tch, can't believe she just up and left with the intention of en-," Naomi clamped down on her tongue to avoid spilling Tess' true motive.
"Of en-engaging in…combat…without me," She finished lamely, thought Éomer didn't seem to notice.
"Perhaps that is because you are so important to her…we were speaking the other night and she expressed her concern for you, that perhaps your courtship with the Elf would not go as smoothly as you hope,"
"Yeah I know, I heard you two when I was walking pass…ed," The two immediately looked at each other, Naomi with a slight wince and Éomer with a full out grimace.
"I believe you would know then of what transpired after we…uh,"
"Yuuuup," Naomi drew out, subtly saying that she'd seen and heard everything. Silently the two tried to avoid looking at each other.
Awkward.
"Oh, it appears you have found someone to replace me? And here I stood believing I was to have the honor of training such a delightful student," The sound of Aragorn's voice made both jump and spin. The ranger was casually leaning against the fence, sword tightly secured around his waist.
"Is that sarcasm I hear you old geezer! You know I can beat it out of you anytime!" Naomi hollered back, shaking her fist slightly. Aragorn threw back his head and laughed, easily jumping the fence and making his way over to the pair.
"She certainly is frightful, I may need your help Éomer," The ranger said turning to the horselord as he unsheathed his sword. The other male smiled and pulled his sword up in front of him.
"Certainly,"
Naomi looked back and forth between the two before rolling her eyes.
"Ganging up on a woman? Deeeespicable," With a smirk Naomi put her sword on the ground and pulled her dress up over her head; leaving her in her breeches and her floaty blue shirt. Éomer was stunned while Aragorn settled into a stance, completely used to seeing Naomi in pants and a shirt.
"Watch her legs my friend, if she seems to be losing she does not hesitate to use lower tactics," Aragorn advised, Éomer nodded and watched Naomi carefully as she readjusted her belt before unsheathing her own sword.
"Let's do this,"
Tess felt her breath leave her lungs as they finally set sight on the colossal white city that seemed to grow out from the mountain set behind it.
"Minas Tirith; City of Kings," Gandalf told them as Shadowfax came to a momentary standstill.
"It's beautiful," she whispered to the wind, her eyes raking ever inch of the city.
"Shadowfax, onwards," Gandalf encourage the horse, which immediately sped up to a gallop again. Tess' stomach lurched into her throat at the speed, her arms tightening around Gandalf again. It took half the time she thought it would take for them to reach the gates, though neither she nor Pippin had much time to observe the beautifully crafted entrance. Soldiers that had seen them coming bowed before Shadowfax whizzed past them. Gandalf navigated the streets with easy, slipping around carts and vendors so close that Tess suspected if she threw her hand out she'd be able to touch them. They curved up constantly, the wizard relentlessly aiming for the very top of the city. When she turned her head back for a moment Tess could see young boys and soldiers chasing after them, smiles on their faces and every so often she could hear happy or confused calls as they streaked past with ungodly speed. The view was absolutely breath taking and the higher they got the more beautiful it seemed. At last they reached the top of the city and Tess set eyes on some of the greenest grass she had ever seen, circling a white tree in the very middle of the large courtyard. Shadowfax came to a slow halt, panting only slightly as Gandalf dismounted. The wizard rubbed the horse's nose, whispering in words Tess couldn't understand. She took that moment to look around more and a soft gasp left her lips when she looked across the plains before her. The plains themselves were not all that impressive, but the black mountain range behind them were simply terrifying. She winced when a sharp pain shot through the side of her head and she was forced to look away.
"Come now, we must continue," Gandalf said as he hastily helped Pippin to the ground. As he helped Tess to the ground he gave her a grim look but didn't explain anything, instead he turned and led the way to the large white hall that stood before them. Tess let out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding as she followed after Gandalf and Pippin.
"It's the tree…Gandalf…Gandalf!" Pippin exclaimed as they walked around a shallow pool, a sickly looking white tree leaning over it. Tess looked at the four guards in glinting armor stood around the white stone circle, watching the paths that led to it from other buildings.
"Yes, the white tree of Gondor, the tree of the King," The wizard said not stopping as he strode towards the Main Halls double doors.
"Lord Denethor, however, is not the King," Tess listened in at the name of Boromir's father and the angry man she had seen in her dream.
"He is a Steward only, a caretaker of the throne," As the trio mounted the stairs Gandalf paused and turned to Pippin.
"We must be careful, Lord Denethor is Boromir's father, to give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise," he stressed, Pippin nodding with understanding,
"And do not mention Frodo…or the Ring," Pippin nodded again and Gandalf turned to go in before looking back again.
"And say nothing of Aragorn," Gandalf turned, paused and looked back yet again.
"In fact, it would be better if you didn't speak at all Peregrin Took," Pippin nodded in agreement and the two continued up the stairs.
"I wonder how long that will last…," Tess mumbled as she followed them with a tiny grin.
The guards on either side of the doors swung them open and the three walked silently into the hall. Tess felt sick as she strode on Gandalf's left down the hall, everything so eerily familiar. The marble eyes watching as they walked down the cold hall to where Lord Denethor sat slumped in the Steward's chair. The three stopped a few meters in front of the crumpled man, Gandalf proclaiming the traditional version of 'hello'.
"Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, lord and steward of Gondor," Denethor did not look up and did not say anything in return.
"I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel," Gandalf finished with kindness in his voice.
"Perhaps you come to explain this…," With shaky hands the man raised something from his lap. Tess felt her heart thrown across her ribcage as she stared at Boromir's horn, which was split cleanly in two. Denethor finally looked up slowly, his dark eyes boring into Gandalf, and Tess felt something throb within her at the shattered look on the pale man's face. She was confused…this was the same man that is going to send his other son on a suicide mission…wasn't it?
"Perhaps you come to tell my why my son is dead," Denethor's voice cracked slightly as he held back tears. Looking from the corner of her eye she could see Gandalf stiffen and sigh ever so softly. Beyond him stood Pippin, a look of absolute horror on his face as he remembered Boromir's final moments. Tess felt a lump settle into the back of her throat and she resorted to staring at the ground.
"Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me…and Tess," The woman stiffened at her own name but did not look up.
"He fell defending us from many foes," Pippin's bare feet slapped against the stone floor as he walked forward to kneel before Denethor.
"Pippin," Gandalf warned. Tess sighed as she looked up slightly, things were not going as the wizard had hoped that was for sure. After a moment of silence Pippin looked up at Denethor.
"I offer you my service, such as it is…in payment of this debt," The Hobbit offered, Tess looked to Denethor and felt her angry rise and the man's grieving manner all but disappeared.
"This is my first command to you; how did you escape and my son did not, so mighty a man as he was?"
"The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow, and Boromir was pierced by many," Pippin said honestly. Denethor's face yet again crumpled into grief as Gandalf whacked Pippin and told him to get up.
"My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir but it is not now," The wizard said, getting straight to the point. Denethor said nothing.
"War is coming," Still the Steward said nothing and Tess could tell Gandalf was getting impatient by the now firm tone he used.
"The enemy is on your doorstep, as Steward you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies?" Finally Denethor looked up and watched with what Tess would call a glare and Gandalf continued on.
"You still have friends; you are not alone in this fight, send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the beacons," Tess swiveled her head to see what Denethor would say next and was not disappointed when she suspected that Denethor wouldn't be happy.
"You think you are wise, Mithrandir; yet for all your subtleties, you have not wisdom," Brown eyes widened as Tess registered the insult to Gandalf. Here was the man she had seen in her sleep.
"Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know," Even an idiot would be able to see that this meeting was going downhill fast.
"With you left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor and with you right you would seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan, oh yes!" The man was smiling darkly at Gandalf now and Tess knew three of the four things Gandalf had hoped not to come to the surface had.
"Word has reached my ears of this…Aragorn, son of Arathorn and I tell you know, I will not bow to this Ranger from the North, last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship,"
Tess bit her tongue hard to keep back the venomous words she wanted to scream out and was relieved when Gandalf finally spoke back.
"Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, Steward," The wizard said, patronizing Denethor to the point where the man stood up.
"The rule of Gondor is MINE and no other's!" There was absolute silence as everyone stood still, Pippin and Tess both turned to Gandalf to see what he would do next. The dark part of Tess mind hoped Gandalf would zap Denethor into oblivion. But he didn't, instead he turned and told them to follow as he strode down to leave the hall.
"Stop," Denethor's voice rang to meet them and Tess felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. All three of them stopped and turned to see what final thing the Steward could possibly say.
"I wish to speak with the foreigner you have in your company, Mithrandir,"
Gandalf and Pippin both turned to Tess, who quickly smoothed her features into nothing. With a curt nod she assured them she would be okay; her two companions turned and left the hall, the doors creaking closed behind them.
Slowly Tess turned to face the Steward, forcing her feet to move she walked the length of the hall yet again, her footsteps echoing in her ears. She came to a stop before Denethor as Gandalf had done previously and with no idea what else to do she bent at the waist and bowed.
"My Lord," Her voice was harder than it usually was and she did her best to show nothing as she straightened again.
"You are unlike any woman I have ever met, you wear the sword and clothes of a man yet you have the face of a woman; from where do you hail?" Denethor asked as he watched her face, his voice still held a sharp edge but it was no longer filled with anger; only curiosity now. Tess straightened her spine even further and stared him in the eye.
"I come from a land you will not have heard of; it lies far across the ocean to the West,"
"I see…and what is your name?"
"My name is Tess," She could see the glint of recognition in the Steward's eyes as he recalled the name that Pippin had said earlier.
"How long have you been travelling with Mithrandir?" Denethor asked; his voice light as he stared at her.
"I don't know, sire," It was the truth. She didn't know what the date was or how many days she had traveled with the Fellowship.
"And do you know anything about a ring?" Tess clenched her gloved hand into a fist.
"I do not…sire,"
"Hm…pity," Denethor rose from his seat and summoned a servant from the shadows of the hall.
"I would very much like to speak with you more and ask that you join me for dinner," Idly Tess realized she didn't have much of a choice.
"Of course, my lord,"
"See to it that she is fit to eat at my table," Denethor told the servant woman curtly before turning and leaving the hall.
"Follow me please, my lady," The servant woman asked in a timid voice; she was thinner and younger than Tess with such pale skin and hair Tess was reminded of Eowyn.
"Oh good god, not this again," The brunette groaned, throwing her head back with despair. The young woman in front of her flinched and bowed her head.
"It's just Tess okay? No My Lady okay?" The young woman blinked like a doe before nodding her head.
"Very well Miss Tess," She then turned on her heels and walked out of the hall, Tess following with a sigh.
"HYAH!" Naomi screamed louder than a banshee as she sliced down at Aragorn, all her pent up frustration and sadness coming out; and the Ranger knew it too. Her attacks were stronger but sloppy and her footwork made him want to cringe. But he let her go, taunting her to get it all out now before she blew up at someone innocent.
Éomer stood off to the side feigning a hurt wrist, which was partial true; his hand throbbed after a particularly harsh blow from the emotional woman, and let Aragorn work with her instead. It was clear to him now that they brave front Naomi had been putting up was a very convincing lie, she was now obviously distressed with her friend leaving. After a particularly harsh blow Naomi screamed and drew back.
"UGH! I hate her! Why would she do this to me! WHY!" The woman kicked every rock she saw, raising dust and sand in a whirlwind of rage. Several minutes later she hurled her sword as hard as she could, giving a cry so full of emotion it cracked half way through and turned into a sob. Her sword landed with a loud thunk several meters away from her, near Éomer who stood by the fence quietly. Her legs gave out and Naomi sank to her knees, loose hair falling into her face as she sobbed. Aragorn slowly approached her and knelt in front of her, placing a hand on Naomi's shoulder. She lurched forward and dropped her head onto the man's shoulder, screaming so long and hard she was seeing spots when she stopped and opened her eyes again.
"…I don't want her to die," Naomi slowly opened her hands to find blood smeared across both from blisters she had gained over the past hours.
"Aragorn, she can't really die yet…can she?" She looked to the Ranger, tears dripping off her chin and landing on her already sweat soaked shirt. Aragorn rubbed her shoulder gently but said nothing to her. Instead it was Éomer that spoke up, kneeling beside the two with Naomi's sword in his hands.
"I have not known your friend for long, but the night that my Éored and I saved her from the Orcs she was terrified…yet she held no sign of giving up in her eyes," Éomer looked to Naomi, who had paused in her sobbing to listen to him.
"She is not the kind of person to give up that easily,"
Naomi suddenly remembered the night when she and Tess sat in her friend's apartment playing 'Go Fish'. It was the last day they had spent in their world and for a good hour before the hail stones broke through the window Tess insisted they keep playing so that she could beat Naomi. Twenty-three games they went through and Naomi didn't like to think about how many more they might have had to play if Tess hadn't won soon.
Numbly the blonde nodded, her tears still trailing slowly.
"I think…you're right Éomer…I think you're right,"
Author's Babbling:
Tadaaaaaa! Finally what we've all been waiting for! A new chapter!
Sorry it's been so long…I lost my mojo for a while there, and it's still on the fritz, but hopefully I can wrangle it back in and get Chapter 23 done sometime before we all die of old age….
Much love to everyone!
AxM
P.S. This part of the story:
With a smirk Naomi put her sword on the ground and pulled her dress up over her head; leaving her in her breeches and her floaty blue shirt. Éomer was stunned while Aragorn settled into a stance, completely used to seeing Naomi in pants and a shirt.
Was originally going to be
Éomer was stunned while Aragorn settled into a stance, completely used to seeing Naomi take off her clothes.
I realized the implications and changed it whilst laughing my head off, I'm sharing it with you all cos I think you'll probably laugh too ^^