Chapter 24: Not The Type

The silence was suffocating.

And the corset wrapped tightly around Tess' ribs did nothing to help.

She stood by herself in the Great Hall, watching the servants quietly coming and going as they placed large platters of food along the table.

Lord Denethor had yet to make an appearance.

'Why am I doing this again?' she silently asked herself as she refolded her hands again. A massive creak interrupted her thoughts and she jumped. In strode Lord Denethor, a bright smile stretched across his grey face, his arms open wide.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting! You look lovely," Tess inwardly shuddered but pulled a smile on her lips anyway. After a long bath and an even longer time sitting in a chair while knots were combed out of her hair; the small maid from before had helped Tess dress in a soft, baby blue dress. It was an off-the-shoulder dress that hugged her torso tightly and flared out at the waist. It was flattering and she hated it, along with the heeled slippers her feet were stuffed into and the gold circlet on her forehead. The maid had struggled for several minutes as to what to do with Tess' short hair, and in the end she just decided to pull her bangs away from her face and pinned them to the back of her head.

"Thank you,"

"It must be a strange change from your normal attire?" Denethor asked pleasantly as he offered her his arm. With an inward sigh Tess placed her hand lightly on his elbow.

"Indeed, I've not had the…pleasure of wearing a dress for many months,"

Denethor led her over to the table where servants helped them both to sit. In awkward silence their plates and glasses were filled and then they were alone. Denethor raised his glass in a silent toast, to which Tess copied. What was in the cup she didn't know, but it smelled like spices and tasted sweet. They were several long minutes into the meal before Denethor spoke again.

"So tell me, my dear, how is it that a young woman such as yourself has ended up in the company of a Wizard and a Halfling?" Tess swallowed deeply before answering.

"I travelled with them from Rohan, sire, on a mission that is my own," She had hoped that would end his questions, but it did not.

"You did not come here to supplant me as the Wizard thinks to?" Tess bit back venom.

"No sire, it was your son, Boromir, that told me of how beautiful Minas Tirith is," A slight lump formed in her throat at the memory of the Gondorian soldier.

"He also told me of you, of your strength as the current ruler of Gondor," This perked Denethor's interest as he paused in his eating crusade for a moment.

"I see, and are my eldest's words correct?"

"Boromir's words were impressive indeed, but I believe they do not do you justice, my lord," She pulled a dazzling smile as she lied through her teeth. Something in Denethor's eyes shifted as he smiled and resumed eating.

Tess took another large sip of her drink.

It was an hour or so later when Denethor told her he had to get back to his work and with a sigh of relief Tess left the Great Hall. The crisp night air chilled her bare shoulders as she walked down the open corridors in the direction of her room. The torches hanging on the walls lit up her path well, but there was no warmth to them. Or was there? Tess didn't stop by one of them long enough to find out. Something was about to happen, she could almost taste it as her stomach tightened. There was a distant rumbling of thunder across the plains of Pelennor, where Mordor hid behind dark mountains. Another cool breeze brushed against her and Tess realized she had stopped walking, with a shudder she also noticed that all the torches had been blown out.

'That's a little creepy…'

She was just about to turn away when a bright flash lit up the hall, illuminating everything in painful clarity. Brown eyes swiveled over to the window, a gasp leaving her pink lips.

"Wh-what?" It was a straight column of green, grey light that pierced the clouds above. But it was much more than just light; it was energy. It was raw power that signaled the beginning of the end. Tess could hear the yells of surprise from the city below, the anxiety in their voices crawling into her ears, echoing through her head.

'Time is running out,'

Swiftly she turned from the open window and continued walking down the dark corridor, her heart striking against her ribcage in a steady beat.

'Time is running out…'

Naomi sighed for the thirteenth time.

Yes, she was counting.

"What troubles you?" The sweet voice of Eowyn reached her ears from where she lay sprawled on one of the many benches in the Golden Hall.

"Boreeeed," She whined gently, tossing an arm over her eyes. Aragorn had told the blonde woman that today she would not be training, that she needed to rest her body and train her mind instead.

"I did not think you would find needlepoint work enjoyable," Her friend laughed from across the table, not lifting her eyes from her own work. With a colossal groan Naomi heaved herself into an upright position.

"It's not that…it just gets repetitive after a while," With a sigh she lifted the handkerchief to show the Shield Maiden, who let out a laugh at what she saw. Every square inch of the cloth was covered in 'L's and 'N's. Éowyn's laugh was contagious and soon Naomi was chuckling as well.

"Too much?"

"Not at all," An arm appeared from nowhere to snatch the cloth from Naomi's hands. A dark blush spread across Naomi's cheeks as Legolas studied her work, his thumbs gently sliding over the letters.

"Vanima," He raised his eyes to hers and suddenly Naomi found her breath gone from her chest. For some reason, Aragorn's words from earlier in the week trickled into her mind, making her heart quiver.

"I AM MORTAL! Arwen is better off leaving…I will not live as long as she and I do not want her to suffer for it."

Legolas must have seen something in her eyes change, for his brow suddenly crinkled with worry.

"What is it?"

"I-," Naomi couldn't finish however as Aragorn burst through the doors of the Golden Hall like a man on fire.

"The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit!" He called as he sprinted down the hall to where King Théoden and his advisers had been talking. The Ranger came to a panting standstill in front of Théoden, everyone in the hall watching anxiously.

"Gondor calls for aid," There was silence as the situation dawned on the King, his eyes falling to the floor as he thought. Eowyn and Naomi silently stood drew closer to hear what Théoden's decision would be.

"And Rohan will answer," He said in a clear, strong voice. Naomi felt her heart flutter with excitement, her hand unconsciously grasping Éowyn's.

"Muster the Rohirrim!" Several men clad in armor, including Éomer, nodded a bow to their King before moving out of the hall to prepare. Everything that happened next was a blur of people and horses. All the while a large bell was being struck by a hammer, the sound calling across the whole of Edoras to summon the horsemen to arms. Servants rushed around the halls, preparing food, tents and everything else necessary for the trip to Dunharrow.

'And then on to Minas Tirith,' Naomi thought idly as she opened the door to her room.

Tess' empty bed was made neatly, as it had been since the woman had left a week ago.

"I'm going to Minas Tirith…because it's how I'm going to get home,"

Naomi shook her head stubbornly and moved to the trunk at the end of her own bed. All her belongings were packed in neatly, within five seconds they were on Naomi's bed.

'This is everything I own…,' the embers in the fireplace crackled, startling her from her thoughts.

"What am I doing?" She muttered with a sad smile as she rubbed her eyes gently. With a shake of her head she reached into a secret pocket in her arrow's quiver and pulled out her Elven comb, the silver glinting in the light as she raised it to her head and started combing her hair back. Her bangs fell messily over her face but she didn't mind, instead she moved on to braiding her long blonde hair tying the end off with thin twine.

"So long…" She mumbled, tossing the end over her shoulder where it bounced off her lower back before settling. After putting the comb back securely she moved on to her tunic, the dark blue fabric sliding over her head easily and settling into place. Her belt and sword were next, but as she reached for the worn leather she discovered how worn it really was.

"Damn it…don't have time for this," She said with a frown as she fingered the fraying edges.

"It is a good thing I am here then, is it not?" Eowyn walked in with a smile of her face.

"Eowyn?" The woman was dressed in a green riding dress, a brown cape covering her shoulders.

"Here, I have a gift," In her arms was a chunky leather belt which she handed to Naomi.

"I—You shouldn't have! I-I have nothing for you!" She stuttered as she gripped the belt tightly.

"Your friendship is gift enough; I've not laughed as much as I have around you for many years it feels sometimes," She said with a soft smile as she took Naomi's hand.

"Seeing you fight for what you believe in and the strength that you have to protect it, makes me want to do more for my people, to bring them joy as you have brought to me with your company," Eowyn finished by smiling at Naomi with such a glow that Naomi couldn't help but pull the woman in for a tight hug.

"Eowyn…thank you," Naomi's mind shifted as she pulled the chunky new belt snuggly around her midsection.

'It doesn't matter how much I own…because everything I have someone gave to me with the belief that I am a good person,'

Boots from Rivendell, cloak from Lothlòrien, belt from Rohan.

'Let's go see what I'll get in Gondor,' she laughed to herself as she left the Golden Hall for the stables.

She was panting by the time she reached the City's outer wall. Gandalf and Pippin were just a white blur on Shadowfax as they raced towards the company of soldiers and rangers.

"Come on come on come ooon," She murmured under her breath, gripping the stone wall tightly. Nazgûl on Fell Beasts were sweeping through the men like a bowling ball through pins. They were fleeing from Osgiliath, even Tess knew the city was a waste of time now.

"It's Mithrandir!" Someone in the crowd said from behind her.

"It's the White Rider!" Someone else called. Citizens and Soldiers watched anxiously as Gandalf raised his staff, white light shining off in bright beams to deter the Nazgûl. It worked, the three Fell Beasts and their riders turned away from the company to return to Osgiliath. Shadowfax turned in a wide circle to join the company as they continued to race for Minas Tirith. The massive gates opened with a load groan, horses spilling through into the court. Tess turned from the wall and found the nearest staircase, her lungs still screaming from her race down the hill.

"You've seen Frodo and Sam?" Her feet stopped then and there.

"Where? When?" Gandalf's voice was full of hope, she could see from where she stood the smile that threatened to show.

"In Ithilien, not two days ago," Slowly she turned to look at who Pippin and Gandalf were talking to. His strawberry blonde hair fell in shaggy waves around his face, blue eyes as piercing as what she had seen in her dream.

'Faramir,'

He was speaking as fast as he could between breaths; Tess missed what he said as a group of people walked in front of her, but as she looked again she knew something wasn't right. Before she had a chance to call out however the two horses turned and started walking away, towards the main path that lead back up to the top of the City.

"Ah!" Quickly she ran ahead, taking a short cut before tearing out in front of them. Faramir paused in whatever he was saying, blinking in surprise as she jumped out before them, arms spread wide, face flushed.

"No way in hell am I walking all the way back up!" Gandalf sighed and rolled his eyes whilst Faramir quirked an eyebrow.

"Mithrandir do you…?"

"Faramir, might I introduce to you our travelling companion-,"

"I'm Tess, pleased to meet you Faramir," With a smile she jumped onto a nearby crate and held out her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine," The man said with a small smile as he took Tess' hand, which she used to balance herself as she threw her leg over the back of his horse.

"Now, back to business, what was this I heard about you meeting Frodo and Sam?"

"That was just what Faramir was getting to, when you interrupted," Gandalf said, his patience was wearing thin. Wincing slightly at the Wizard's tone Tess mumbled an apology.

"Please, by all means, continue," With her settled comfortably behind him, Faramir spurred his horse forward, Gandalf following on Shadowfax.

"It all started when we ambushed a troop of Haradrim…,"

Hooves thundered like a storm behind her as Naomi rode up front, just behind Théoden next to Éomer and Eowyn. Edoras was only a glittering spot far behind them now, fading back into the mountains. Turning her head back to the front she witnessed King Théoden's hand sign to Éomer, who then raised his own hand to signal his Éored to move out. Naomi watched as the man and his company left the convoy of horses, heading in an easterly direction. Earlier before they had left the Golden Hall Naomi had heard Théoden talk to Gamling about heading out to the North to find men to come to arms, she'd also seen him talking to a thin man on a small horse just as the scouts were about to leave before the convoy about heading to the south east, she presumed Éomer was in charge of the east and they would all come together at Dunharrow. A blur of white caught her vision and Naomi smiled to see Merry on his speeding pony; an Esquire of Rohan, Théoden had named him and it was easy to see how thrilled the Hobbit was with his new title. A little laugh left Naomi's throat as she turned to look forward again, the wind whistling through her bangs and making her sigh.

As she watched the horizon Naomi knew that what was to come would not be easy. They were heading to what could be their end, yet again.

"It feels as if it should be normal by now? Don't it? Headin' off to these battles? Knowin' that ye migh' not come back…," Merry's voice rang above everything else, his little head bobbing up and down near Naomi's knee. He looked up at her with a smile, his curls bouncing against his forehead.

"But it's good to know that we'll see Pip n' Tess n' Frodo n' Sam when it's all over," Naomi had to look away for a moment before speaking.

"How do you know?" Merry looked forward for a moment as well before answering with a little grin.

"Don't think were really the type to give up,"

AUTHOR'S BABBLING:

Hey guuuuys hope you enjoyed this little chapter (at least I think its little?)

I don't know….let me know if you'd like longer chapters ^^

Oh em geeee, so close to the end! So amaaaaazing!

Reviews are loved 3

Thankyou to everyone still reading

LOVE TO YOU ALL!

AxM

=D