Ghosts

[Bogwoppit]

Miriel knew where Faramir's first loyalties must lay, and not one part of her would blame him for it, but even so she felt a sharp pang of disappointment as his hand slid up to her shoulder before sliding away.

"I'm sorry. I have my duty."

She smiled softly and stepped away from him, even as he lifted her fingers to his lips.

"No need to apologize, my Lord," she lowered her gaze deferentially.

Watching him walk away beside his stockier older brother, Miriel suddenly felt a wave of guilt threaten to engulf her. She stifled a strangled sob, clamping her hand over her mouth as she tried to blink away the tears that threatened to blind her. How could she have done that? How could she have danced with another man, almost kissed another man, what had she been thinking?

Gathering her skirts with one hand, the other still over her mouth, she ran, through the crowds still dancing, oblivious to her private drama, throwing open a door out onto the courtyard and away, as fast as she could away from the revelry and finery, down through the city to her own level and her parents' modest house, where she slammed the door to her room and threw herself onto the bed, sobbing at last until her eyes could cry no more.

"Aldor," she whispered into the silence that finally surrounded her. "I'm sorry my love."

She could not see Faramir again, she would avoid him. She did not know what it was that had come over her in his presence, although she had felt soothed, her raw nerves comforted, but she did know that she could not allow herself to care for the quiet, thoughtful, sorrowful young lord. She did not recognise that she could fall in love with him, for her emotions were still too abraided, but she could already see something different about him, and it frightened her. One thing she did know was that he would not be like other men who had tried to win her heart, and it would only end in her being hurt all over again. Some small part of her acknowledged that the hurt would be all the worse, for he would hurt too, and all the time Denethor would be looking on and smiling that small, sinister smile.

[Bogwoppit]

"That wasn't what it looked like."

Boromir looked over at his brother in surprise as they strode from the hall, Haldir following closely. The quiet tone of Faramir's voice gave him pause, as he studied the younger man's serious countenance for several long seconds.

"Then I wish it was," he replied at last, hesitating before going on. "You need to live, little brother."

They walked on, following the guard who had been sent to fetch them, Boromir watching the ground in front of his feet rather than meeting the steady blue gaze of the man by his side.

"I would give everything I own to see you happy again," he went on gravely, "to see you smile again. And I would give everything I own to see that witch brought to her knees for what she has done to you."

He had ever been careful not to voice his true thoughts about Eowyn in front of Faramir, knowing that the younger man loved her for all her spiteful guiles. But too long had he watched those blue eyes dim with disappointment at yet another gibe or insult, too often had he seen the eager light leave the face of the one he loved most in the world. He could keep quiet no longer.

"Father is a spiteful, sad old man," he went on as they walked. "He has lost his love, and he has nothing left to live for but through us. Do not let him rob you of all the joy there yet is in this world brother."

He stopped suddenly and turned to Faramir, grasping his shoulders and shaking him once, firmly.

"Please, for me," he encouraged. "Please come back to me. Let me see you as you once were, before all this heartache clouded your eyes. Whoever she was, I am happy for you. She looked nice, and I hope with all my heart that it was what it looked like."

He smiled as he inspected his brother's face for a clue as to his feelings. He had sworn to himself at the tender age of five, when he had first held the tiny baby that had only been in the world for a day, to love him and protect him with his life, for all his life, and he had held to that oath ever since. They had been through many battles together, and many other tribulations, and ever they had stood as one, side by side. The only thing Boromir could not protect Faramir from was their father, and even so he had always tried his best to soften the blows. The only bone of contention they had ever faced had been Eowyn, and then for Faramir's sake he had held his tongue. He would not let the poison that had dripped from the Rohan bitch's mouth come between them any more.

[Pinkie]

Oh he was a handsome man there was no doubt - but Elendur was not interested in men for their looks. She gave Joe a curious frown as he stepped forward with that beaming smile on his face. It made her breathing stir a little faster but that was all for now. Grey-blue eyes flickered from Joe to the woman who fidgeted like a guilty thing.

Smooth Talkin' Joe said:

"Hi, My name is Joe, and these are my friends, DJ, Kawalsky and uhm... Eledhwen."

Elendur's nose wrinkled very slightly as he gestured to Eledhwen. That was certainly a name from Rohan, was it not? And what kind of names were Kawalsky and DJ? Elendur was becoming more and more suspicious, but also intrigued as the handsome man continued. She was quite aware of how the tall man, Kawalsky, was glowering at her btu did not bother to glower back. She was secure in her position and safety.

West said:

"We're peaceful travelers, from, uh... the North. We don't mean any harm, We sure could use a drink though, and maybe some food? And I know DJ here would love to have a closer look at some of your beautiful buildings."

Definitely a charmer.

Elendur listened attentively to him and then looked beyond him, casting a critical, invasive eye to the other men before raising an eyebrow to the woman of the company whose arm was being held by DJ. She considered her options and looked back at Joe, meeting his eyes without hesitation. She was not flirtatious but she could not deny feeling a little flattered by his obvious smiles and dazzling eyes meant for her.

Half turning her head, Elendur spoke to Eonan over her shoulder.

"Go find Boromir. I am taking them to the East Wing gallery." she informed the servant. Eonan blanced at the thoughts of approaching Boromir but she swallowed her uncertainty and nodded, curtsied and then moved forward like a graceful cat, moving around the visitors, giving each of them a quick look over before she was on her way to find the eldest son of the Steward.

Elendur lifted her chin higher as she gave Joe a cool look. She would prove not to be swayed by his dazzling smiles. Pursing her full lips, Elendur gestured for the guards to move forward and she stepped in beside Joe - a good foot apart from him of course, her hands folded in front of her and her chin lifted arrogantly. Her eyes looked to the side, examining him silently until she finally spoke --

"From the north? You mean Umbar?" she queried, delibrately leading the man wrongly to the south of Minis Tirith but knowing, deep in her heart, that he was not from Middle Earth at all. Her expression was still reserved, chilly almost - but curious. That was a genuine trait of her character - curiosity. She would be more interested in them if she did know the truth - though her father and brothers might be more cautious.

[Pinkie]

Boromir said:

"Then I wish it was, You need to live, little brother. I would give everything I own to see you happy again, to see you smile again. And I would give everything I own to see that witch brought to her knees for what she has done to you."

Faramir was touched by his brother's first words. He felt himself almost smile for it was typical of his brother's attitude to women - use them and leave them. Except for Faramir it could never be like that. He was rational, he lived off the beats of his heart not the throb of his loins like Boromir. If and when he bedded a woman it was because of affection.

He flinched, however, when Boromir spoke so frankly about the woman that Faramir did still love. He shut his blue eyes and shook his head, gritting his teeth somewhat. he wanted to voice up and defend Eowyn but it meant going head to head with his brother and he did not want that right now.

"Boromir - please." he whispered in a shaky voice, glancing over his shoulder to ensure none of the guards or servants in the area heard such calloused words from the Steward's favourite regarding his own sister-in-law. Besides, Eowyn had her reasons for hurting him. She loved another... how could anyone fault her when she just followed her heart? Faramir only hoped that he might someday change her mind.

Boromir said:

"Father is a spiteful, sad old man, He has lost his love, and he has nothing left to live for but through us. Do not let him rob you of all the joy there yet is in this world brother. Please, for me Please come back to me. Let me see you as you once were, before all this heartache clouded your eyes. Whoever she was, I am happy for you. She looked nice, and I hope with all my heart that it was what it looked like."

And again Faramir flinched to hear such honest, degrading words spoken of their bitter father. Oh they were words of truth and stark honesty but still, a man did not like to hear his father berated so. When he was hauled around in front of his big brother, Faramir found he could not meet his eyes. He kept his eyes cast to the side and downwards, his trouble in accepting Boromir's candid opinion obvious. He licked his lips and tensed his jaw. Goosebumps ran down the back of his neck and along his arms when Boromir pleaded with him, to come back to himself.

He swallowed hard and looked up at his big brother. He owed Boromir everything in his life. All the happiness he had ever experienced had been because Boromir had protected him. He knew what he did to buffer him from the worst of their father's scathing opinions.

However, there was not just himself to think about. There was Miriel. Dear, sweet Miriel. Her broken heart, her soft nature. It would be too easy to hurt her by persuing her while he was still in love with his wife. It was unfair and cruel and yet ... he felt a surge of excitement, righteous enthusiasm to restore to her the heart she had thought died with her husband.

Sighing, Faramir nodded his head to Boromir and reached a hand up to clasp his brothers large upper arm.

"I promise, brother. But please, let it be my way..." Faramir asked gently, frowning lightly as he requested this one condition from his brother. He could restore himself but he did not want to do it by chasing women the way Boromir would have him do it. "She is fragile, mourning. And I still a married man." he added with a rueful smile and a lift to his eyebrows. He breathed a laugh and patted Boromir's arm. The smile slid from his face and he took a deep breath, looking down at the ground between their close bodies.

"Please don't speak of her like that. I cannot hold your thoughts but ... she is still my wife. I still love her. Don't --" he let a sad laugh break the tension as he looked back up at Boromir, "Don't think me a fool for it, but she still holds my heart and until such times that she doesn't I would rather not hear her being called a witch." the Ranger asked with an apologetic, wry smile on his lips. No matter how hurt he was about Eowyn, Boromir made it seem a trivial matter, he made it look like it could be fixed somehow. He amde Faramir realise that the hurt wuold not be forever.

[Bogwoppit]

"Eh Sir? Please?"

Lake stopped hefting a bronze bust in his hands to feel the weight of it and turned to look at her, eyebrows raised above big blue eyes. He didn't trust her one little bit, and the little girl lost routine just didn't hack it with him. Still, she had asked nicely, and after all he had been going to untie her anyway... eventually.

Narrowing his eyes at her suspiciously he put down the bust and straightened up, looking her over from her messy blonde hair to her oversized boots and back again. It suddenly occurred to him that she had never once made a move on him, despite her apparent insatiable appetite for men, and he briefly wondered whether he should be offended. Looking her over once more, stormy blue gaze resting insolently on her high breasts for a long moment, he smirked. Nah, he couldn't be bothered to be offended, although if she did offer he probably wouldn't say no...

Raising his eyes to hers once more he reached out to grasp her shoulder, spinning her round to face away from him. The knots on her bindings seemed if anything to be even tighter than his had been, and it took him several minutes fiddling with the rope before she was free.

"There you go," he said at last, flipping the rope away from her and grinning as he threw it across the room.

[Bogwoppit]

Not the best welcome that West could have hoped for, but better than being thrown in jail or worse. Joe threw Elendur another smile as she stepped in beside him, and tried to appear relaxed as they began to walk through seemingly endless passageways.

"From the north? You mean Umbar?"

Not for nothing had West been made leader of one of the most elite SG teams; he was not easily led into revealing plans or strategies, nor did he ever speak without thinking, however innocent-sounding the question. Pursing his lips he looked over his shoulder at Eledhwen, who scowled and shook her head fiercely. West gave her a brief nod and turned his attention back to the woman by his side.

"Don't I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" he asked, neatly changing the subject. "I've told you mine, it's only fair you should tell me yours."

He smiled sweetly at her as they turned a corner into another corridor, flashing straight white teeth in the gloom. Why were these big old places always so damned dark?



Eledhwen didn't like Elendur. The woman was too smooth, too cool, and altogether too beautiful to be anything other than a bitch. The girl from Rohan had been beginning to regret leading these strangers here when the guards had 'escorted' them to the city. Captured more like, whatever fancy words they put on it. Now though Eledhwen was glad not to have arrived alone if this was the sort of reception she would have received. She wasn't sure what to make of the tall guy, Kawalsky, but West seemed ok, and DJ was actually quite nice, in an old sort of way. At least, he seemed genuinely interested in learning about her culture and history, a subject Eledhwen didn't mind in the least talking about. The Rohirrim were very proud of their history.

She glared at the back of the blonde woman's head as they began to walk, shrugging her arm away from one of the guards who tried to guide her around a chest which stood in the hall. When Elendur asked her question she sucked in a sharp breath, glad to thwart her attempt at trickery when West turned his head. That would teach her to look down her aristocratic nose at Eledhwen.

[Pinkie]

No - Lake was not her type. For a start he was too old. He was grouchy where she liked spunky. He was heavy where she liked light. He was fucking annoying too. She was also aware of his problem with booze and she would be damned if she could deal with an alcoholic and having to sacrifice her drinking so as not to encourage him. Definitely not her type. Thrace's type was more... more like West. Big, brawny, hunky and with a ready smile. Not that she fancied Westy of course... he was her CO and more like a brother, but he was more the type of man that she went for. Not Captain Nathan 'Misery guts' Lake.

The blonde barely kept her temper from overboiling as Lake hefted the bust about instead of untying her. She was close to tapping her foot but bided her time, giving him a bright, sarcastic smile when he feigned to notice her again.
And then he did something quite unexpected.

His eyes looked her up and down. Thrace cocked an eyebrow at his obvious looks and felt her muscles grow tight - unsure why he looked at her the way he did. Thrace narrowed her eyes at the Captain and then smirked when he settled his blue gaze on her breasts. Blowing out a half amused laugh, she rolled her eyes as he came forward and turned her abruptly.

And she waited ...

Lake said:

"There you go,"

Sounded quite pleased with himself. Thrace rubbed one wrist gently as she turned, head bowed, but once she had turned she lifted her head and punched Lake in the jaw. It wasn't a punishing punch - it was not soft either however, making his head flip to one side. The blonde gave a pleased smile and lifted her chin.

"I never back down on a threat or challenge ... Sir." she told him, leaning towards him slightly and then took a step back, ready for any retaliation he might throw her way though she didn't really expect him to be the type to hit 'girls'.


((ooc: wanted to let him react if you feel he should ;D ))

[Pinkie]

She may have been beautiful - but Elendur was not stupid. Her question had been precisely put and no amount of smiles would hem her in from finding the answer. The truth rather for she could not believe that these men were from the North - Rohan. If they were from Rohan then she was from the Shire! Pah!

Still, the man's company was rather pleasing - he was very attractive but Elendur lacked that which most other women had... romanticism. She did not seek partners nor love nor kisses and cuddles. She did not want a man to take care of her - she had her brothers and her father's love, that was all that mattered to her in life. So far.

West said:

"Don't I have the pleasure of knowing your name? I've told you mine, it's only fair you should tell me yours."

Elendur did not see the exchange between Eledhwen and West but she whipped her head around guardedly to look at the other woman, questionning eyes turning to West before she gave him an indulgent smile and batted her long eyelashes at him. Not conniving - hardly, but it suited her, the prettiness of the gesture suited her and what man would not see her beauty and be entranced by it?

A chiming laugh sounded on her lips at West's question and she lifted her eyebrows, sucking her bottom lip sensuously as they stopped at a room and she stood by the door as West was led inside the gallery followed by the woman and then the two men and two guards.
Elendur stepped into the doorway and swayed across the marble floor, the blue gown she wore trailing elegantly behind her until she came to a table. Turning, she hooshed herself up on the table looking rather playful and informal despite her attire.

"Joe - you do not know me?" she queried as if her name should have been on the very tip of his tongue at all times in life before and after he knew her. There was also a part of Elendur that felt rather put out that her name and status was not known. Perhaps, as a northman - if he truly was one - he just did not recognise her as being who she was. And so, with an ironic, challenging smile, she gestured to Eledhwen, knowing this girl would surely know her name if she knew her status.

"My dear, I am the daughter of Steward of Gondor. Half sister to Boromir and Faramir of Gondor." her blue-grey eyes turned back to Joe with an intense light, the sultry, teasing set to her lips still in place as she swung her feet, hooshing her shoulders upwards and creating a tempting swell of flesh above the neckline of her dress. Blonde hair, loose and shimmering, fell forward over her bosom, looking like the sun against the blue sky of her dress. "Do you still not know my name?" she queried delicately, smirking and tilting her head to the side, knowing she had stuck a knife in the weakest part of the lie he had told.

[Bogwoppit]

I'm back but I'm now going away for the week with the kids and my sister. I am sooooooooooo shattered! BUT... I rode with the American Civil War yesterday and it was cool!!! I'm going to be a roughrider

Be back sunday night

[Bogwoppit]

Lake was not ready for the punch, and so it took him by surprise, rocking him back slightly on his heels as her fist connected with his jaw. Her following words didn't register as he lifted an instinctive clenched fist to return the blow, only the smallest sense of right and wrong preventing him from sending her flying across the room. Instead he opened his hand at the last possible second, slapping her hard across the cheek.

"Fuck!" he exclaimed as he felt the stinging of his palm, more out of surprise than anything. "You stupid bitch."

He glared down at her, slowly lowering his hand back to his side as he struggled to control his flaring anger when all he wanted to do was wipe the remnants of the smug smirk from her face. Stepping forward he watched himself grasp her by the collar of her jacket, pushing her back against the wall. Part of him knew he shouldn't retaliate, but the more primitive part of his mind won as usual.

"Be careful Thrace," he growled, leaning his face close into hers, blue eyes like ice. "I'm not one of your pretty-boy soldiers that gets his kicks out of you playing rough. You start playing your games with a real man and you might find yourself getting hurt. Don't fuck with me."

He lowered his icy gaze to her mouth and frowned briefly as he fought the urge to kiss her. That was unusual... then again, he couldn't remember the last time he had been in a fight with a woman. He would be worried if he wanted to kiss the guys he punched. But even so, she was a smart-mouthed little bitch and he wasn't the slightest bit attracted to her... or to anyone for that matter, not for a long time. He hadn't a clue why he wanted to push himself up against her, crushing her against the wall, only that he wanted to punish her and that seemed as good a way as any of doing it. He looked back up into her eyes, shallow breathing through slightly parted lips, and briefly pressed his groin into her before stepping back away from her.

[Bogwoppit]

"She is fragile, mourning. And I still a married man."

The older man frowned as Faramir spoke, partly at the revelation about the woman he had been dancing with, and partly at the mention of his married state. What Boromir wouldn't do to have his little brother single still, if it meant he had never had to suffer the vicious tongue of his so-called wife. Boromir could perhaps be said to be careless with his own heart where women were concerned, but he could say with all honesty that he had never promised one of them anything he was not prepared to see through. He had indeed not promised anything to anyone of the fairer sex, knowing full well that he was not the marrying kind.

"Don't think me a fool for it, but she still holds my heart and until such times that she doesn't I would rather not hear her being called a witch."

Boromir huffed impatiently at this. His brother was too soft-hearted by far. He should want nothing more to do with the wi... woman, he should be pleased that she was gone, out of sight out of mind as far as the older heir of Gondor was concerned.

He chose not to reply to Faramir's request, instead turning away from him to walk towards the next heavy wooden door, locked with a huge iron key. He nodded at the guard, who turned to open the door, standing back to allow the brothers through first. The sight which met Boromir's eyes made him hesitate, a surprised frown passing over his face before he stepped into the room.

"Are we interrupting something?" he asked mildly, a slight smirk replacing the frown as he took in the compromising situation the strangers seemed to be in.

[Pinkie]

((ooc: welcome back!! ;D have fun? ))

Thrace was not expecting the slap so when it happened it made her head jerk to the side, followed by her shoulders on the momentum of the hit. She stared with wide open, hazel eyes at teh ground in disbelief and breathed an equally disbelieving laugh as she jutted her jaw out side to side experimentally. That had fucking hurt! IT sent blood coursing through her veins with heated energy and she gasped when collar was grabbed and she pushed back against the wall.

Lake said:

"Fuck! You stupid bitch. Be careful Thrace, I'm not one of your pretty-boy soldiers that gets his kicks out of you playing rough. You start playing your games with a real man and you might find yourself getting hurt. Don't fuck with me."

Forced against the hard wall with Lake's equally hard body in front of her, Thrace looked into his icy cold eyes with defiant smugness. The trickle of blood that had dried from her lip was welling wet again and she could not deny the swelling of excitement at his challenge. It burned in her and made her smile seem wild, unhinged - only broken when she breathed a wheezing laugh at his threat.
That laugh was cut short when he paused -- holding her still against the wal and his eyes dropped to her lips. Thrace frowned and remained very still -- waiting, wanting. Wanting for what she didn't know but something was ignited inside of her, something base and hot.

"Prove it -- " she whispered harshly at him in challenge just as he pushed his groin against hers. The movement caught her by surprise and she hissed in a breath, staring after him with disbelieving, confused eyes. Her breathing was still shallow and quick but any retaliation that she might have made was halted with the entrance of two tall, stately looking men.

Boromir said:

"Are we interrupting something?"

Thrace scowled at the sandy haired man and whirled away from them all, her back to the room. She lifted her hand to her bloody lip and cursed quietly before turning back to fix the two new men with dark glares. She walked to the side a little and flopped down into a chair, shoulders slumped, blonde hair mussed up, dust and dried blood darkening parts of her pale face -- but her hazel eyes burned from between dark lashes towards LAke.

"You're in charge, Sir. Why not try talk, threaten or treaty our way out of this one hmm? Or don't you have enough booze in your blood to be useful?" she asked in a sour tone of voice, turning her face away from him dismissively and lookign at the older of the two brothers. He was quite good looking in a medieval kind of way. He had broad shoulders and a hard jaw, a sharp nose and intense eyes.
"I don't suppose you guys smoke do you?" she asked with a roll of her eyes and shook her head, "nah - didn't think you would." Thrace muttered.

[Bogwoppit]

Brilliant thanks! Loads to tell ye when we chat!!

[Bogwoppit]

"My dear, I am the daughter of Steward of Gondor. Half sister to Boromir and Faramir of Gondor. Do you still not know my name?"

West knew he was being tested here, but still he kept the easy smile on his face as he leaned with studied casualness against a tall, dark wood dresser, looking the girl over appreciatively. She was certainly beautiful, if a little cold in her demeanor for Joe's liking. He liked girls who knew how to have a good time. But that wouldn't stop him from using his obvious charms to try to win her over, despite her so far impressive ability to keep to the subject at hand.

He shrugged, glancing once at Eledhwen, who stood sulkily by the door as though looking for the first chance of escape. Blinking slowly, West looked back at Elendur, the creamy swell of her breasts not escaping his measured gaze. She was clever, he would give her that.

"I've had a sheltered upbringing," he grinned, folding his arms over his broad chest and drawing himself up to his full height as he stepped away from the dresser towards her. "Maybe if we stay here a while you could teach us a thing or two..."

(Ooc: Where's Haldir gone? Can't remember!! Is he with Boromir and Faramir still?)

[Bogwoppit]

"Erm, Master?" Mouth ventured, poking his head round the door.

He had been knocking for a full five minutes and there had been no reply. As he entered his mouth dropped open and if he had eyes he would have stared in horror. Sauron was... singing... Yes, Mouth's heightened sense of his master's thoughts could definitely make out the faint sound of some sort of song. And... what was that curled up underneath the window, with Sauron gazing at it lovingly... a small, black, furry... kitten??!!

"Ahem..." Mouth cleared his throat loudly, and Sauron's eye widened.



Oh! Erm... thought the dark lord, and glared at the kitten, sending it flying out of the window with his thought waves.

"Meooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!" screeched the little black bundle, as Mouth gaped at the space where it had been.

Yes?! Sauron thought/snapped. What is it? I'm very busy you know!

"I just thought you would like to know," Mouth sneered, "I think I've managed to break that circle thingy. I took this out of the device which I think makes it work."

He held up a crystal, and Sauron's eye glinted evilly.

Good, good,[/b] he thought. That should stop anything... nasty interfering with my evil plan. Now go away, and send me a Hobbit to torture. I'm bored.

"Yes Master," Mouth bowed, and backed away out of the room.