Bring me to life

Chapter 15

  When Kreshen saw him, her first reaction was to hide herself behind Boromir’s body, her breath quickening.

He had surely come to take her away. She could feel his beloved tense and clenched his fists. He was raged and angry just at the mere sight of his father.

On his part, Denethor looked much like the epitome of coolness. He took a few steps forward, folding his arms across the chest, and sighed.

"I must speak with the girl."

"Speak then" Boromir retorted promptly, "She won't leave my side."

"I need to speak with her alone."

"I don’t want to stay alone with you" Kreshen stated, peering from behind Boromir’s shoulder.

"I know what are you up to. And I know that if I come with you I’ll never see Boromir again…"

Denethor sighed again, shaking his head. "I have my morals, too. I would have come with my guards to take you away, was it my purpose. But we can speak here, if it suits you better. Boromir and Faramir will wait outside."

Still clinging to Boromir’s waist, the girl turned her head to look at her beloved, as if asking what to do.

That request scared her beyond any measure. Denethor was dangerous, and he had tried to ruin her life when he had bought her. He had hurt, abased, and treated her as an animal, menacing her of the worst things if she hadn’t obeyed his requests.

And now he was there, asking to have a word alone with her.

What was he trying to do?

Boromir seemed to think about it for a while. No matter what he was always his father, wasn't he? He had to trust him at least a little. He had to believe that he still had a heart.

"Fine" he eventually agreed, looking steadily at him. "But you won't lock the door, and we will stay right out of here. Armed."

"As you wish, son." Denethor nodded, "But there will be no need to use your sword, I mean no harm to her."

Kreshen looked as they left the room, her face showing great apprehension.

Once alone in the room with the old man, she tried to understand what he had in mind for her, but nothing in his eyes showed evil intentions.

"So, please, Lord Denethor. Speak".

The Steward seemed to study her for some moments, his grey eyes fixed steadily into hers, as if trying to probe her very mind. He then sat on one of the armchairs in front of the fireplace, and looked at Kreshen again. "I do not trust you." he stated bluntly, "And the last thing I want is to see my son unhappy for the rest of his life because of you. I want you to swear."

"The only person I have to swear to is Boromir, milord" she replied hastily, offended by his words.

Maybe she was wrong. That man meant evil.

"And if you want to speak of trust, I have to say that you are not a person to trust. You bought me as if I was an animal. You granted your permission to Boromir to escort me to the banquet just to show me up to sell me. You are the one that wants to decide about your son’s life. And you are the one that had almost caused his escape from his beloved Gondor!"

"You should consider carefully your words, since I'm here to give you both a chance." Denethor replied quietly, gesturing for her to sit down. "Please have a seat. And tell me in all honesty what is in your mind and heart."

Still suspicious, the girl sat on an armchair opposite him, sighing softly and trying to calm herself.

"I’m in love with him" she quietly murmured after a while.

"Maybe you think that… people that are not of the blood can’t be in love. But I am. I wasn’t supposed to love someone that had been harsh to me. But it happened. Faramir is a loving brother to me. And I’m as his little sister. Boromir is different. He loves me. I never asked him to give me money or dresses. I also… tried to… to escape, to avoid doom for both of us. He would find me wherever I would go. And I don’t mind it. For my life is nothing without Boromir".

Denethor nodded briefly, but still he didn't seem completely persuaded to accept such bond. He knew that the girl had been sincere with him, for he could read clearly in her eyes the love she bore for his son, but still there was something that worried him.

"Are you aware of all the responsabilities that would wait for you?" he asked, "Our allies wouldn't be pleased with your marriage, you would have to make them believe that you are worthy your task. And Boromir will need someone willing to support him no matter what, he would need your support."

"I’ll always be at his side" she answered bravely, her face showing great determination.

"He knows that I’ll always be there to support him, to help him to relax, and he also knows that I’ll never judge him. Boromir trusts me. But about your allies… I don’t know what to do. I just want to avoid wars. And I do not want to create troubles for Gondor".

Both her words and her resolute attitude stirred something in Denethor's heart. He was suddenly aware that no matter how hard he would object, Boromir and Kreshen were meant to be together. And the prospect to see them married, ruling Gondor together, was in fact less shattering than imagining them fleeing from their home to look for happiness somewhere else.

"Then stand and fight for you both." he said after a few moments, his proud grey eyes meeting hers again. "Let them see how much you do care for him and for the kingdom. I will be on your side."

"You will not sell me?" she asked then, looking at him with bewildered eyes."Thank you, Lord Denethor. You will not have to regret this decision" the girl smiled after a while, shifting her attention to the door, grinning when she thought that Faramir and Boromir were certainly nervously walking up and down the corridor.

"But now I think it’s better to give them the good news. I’m sure that Boromir is dying outside there. He hates to be driven out…"

Denethor nodded, standing up, and almost smiled. "That is why he'll make an honorable Steward." he said, glancing at the door and then walking to open it. "I expect to have you both with us for dinner this night."

"We will be there" the girl smiled again, glancing outside.

Faramir and Boromir looked at the old man who simply walked away, and Kreshen chuckled in response.

"Are you planning to stay outside there for the whole day?"

The two brothers exchanged a quick glance, obviously relieved to see her smiling. Once inside his bedroom, Faramir was the first to find the courage to ask.

"So? What did he say? Tell us!"

"He said.. Stand and fight for you both. I will be on your side" the girl smiled at him.

"We are invited to dine with him this evening. It seem that… that I’ve persuaded the Lord Denethor that I’m really in love with his son".

"Ain't it wonderful!" Faramir exulted while Boromir was crushing his beloved in a tight embrace, smiling helplessly with joy and relief. He would have embraced even his father in that moment, had he been there.

"I still can't believe it.." he said, retreating to look into her eyes. "Oh Valar, kiss me."

"Of course, my love" she smiled, looking longingly into his eyes and nearing his lips to kiss him with masterful tenderness and love.

It was all so unbelievable, even to her ears, Denethor’s words still seemed a dream. She was allowed to go out now. She was free to go wherever she wanted. But overall, she was allowed to show her love for Boromir.

While they were still kissing, a smiling Faramir silently exited the room in order to grant them some time alone. When he heard the door close Boromir drew back, a bit worried that his little brother could have felt left aside, and grinned. "Put a tunic and some leggings on. I think we should show our secret spot to Faramir, don't you agree?"

"Yes" she smiled, hurriedly dressing herself and putting on a pair of comfortable boots.