Boromir watched Caran walk away, his mind entirely focused on her. He hardly even heard his brother speak. "Huh? Oh! Yes. It indeed shall..." he paused, thinking a minute as he turned to head back to the fortress. "What do you think of the one called Caran?" he asked innocently.

Lona was beet red. "Thank you, so much, my lady!" she exclaimed. To her horror and embarrassment, she actually sounded breathless. Once in her room, she sank against the wall. "Dear Gods.." she muttered. Then another thought entered her head as she slipped on the simple white and gold dress. She smiled wickedly. Once she had washed her hair, letting it dry in white blonde waves down her back (her hair now reached the tops of her thighs), she softly left her room and knocked on Caran's door.

Caran took the dress, silently, her head bowing thankfully. Once in the sanctuary of her room she exhaled deeply. "Oh my..." she sighed, finally catching her breath. Caran bathed herself meticulously, before dawning the rather elegant and far from simple, green and gold trim dress. Scrutinizing her appearance in the mirror, she picked at her cheeks to give a slight blush. Her red hair which had grown further down her back than she had noticed was drying into delicate curls. There was a knock at her door. "Come in," she trilled, barely able to keep the excitement from her tone.

Faramir smirked as he maneuvered his brother over to a table in the corner. "It will be polite to wait for them, don't you think?" He said, deliberately avoiding the question to tease his brother. Finally he gave in, sensing his brother's impatience. "I find Caran to be a fair and intelligent woman. Much like Lona...wouldn't you say?" He asked, suddenly avoiding his brother's gaze.

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Lona slipped inside. "My, aren't you positively glowing." Lona teased. "Do I dare say you actually blushed arous Lord Boromir?" Lona glanced at her simple dress, feeling comly next to Caran.

Boromir cleared his throat. "No offense, brother, but Lona seems to be more man than woman. I would be careful of that one."

Caran blushed brightly at Lona's light teasing, or was it the mention of his name? "You were no better Miss Stutter," she chuckled faintly. "Ready to go downstairs...or do you need a moment to compose yourself?" She continued. "We are strong women of Rohan, not to be easily swayed by the talent of men..." she chuckled again and threw her face into her hands. "If only I could control this damn blush!"

"Brother...you have no comprehension of how difficult it is for a woman to enter into the guard. If you were in Lona's or Caran's position would you not do the same?" Faramir glanced at his brother. "You could toast a marshmallow on the cheek of that Caran...the way you make her blush!" He nudged his brother playfully. "I think we'll both be in for a surprise when they come back down."

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"Control your blush? At least your's is more subtle with your hair." She grumbled quietly. She considered chafing back into her other clothes, but gulped and followed Caran downstairs before she could act on it.

"Caran isn't man-ish...she seems quite the lady." Boromir said, then laughed. "I don't doubt my abilities to make a woman blush. It would be particularly easy to make the comely blonde blush though."

Caran glided down the stairs, aware of how the dress clung to her hips and how it swished around her ankles. She shot a glance at the barmaid, who simply chuckled. Caran shook her head dismissively. Once at the bottom of the stairs, she scanned the room for Lord Boromir and Lord Faramir. They weren't difficult to find. Steadying and composing herself she walked over to them.

Faramir's mouth opened to retaliate, but froze as he caught sight of the women descending the stairs. His eyes were drawn to Lona immediately. It didn't matter what Boromir thought, to Faramir this woman, this goddess was astonishing. Simply beautiful.

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Boromir's mouth went dry instantly, and he had to swallow several times to find words as he looked only at Caran. "My lady..you..." he cleared his throat. "May I buy you a drink, for a refreshment before we go?"

Lona's eyes were glued to The backs of Caran's heels as they walked. Nothing made her feel uncomfortable, nothing made her lose her normal fire and attitude. But feeling Faramir's eyes on her made her lose her normally cool demeanor. She felt hot. And antsy. She caught herself several times twisting her fingers into the side of her dress, and forced her fingers to be still. She risked a glance around, her clear, icy blue eyes intelligent as they made a quick sweep of the common's room. They landed on Faramir, then instantly dropped.

Boromir ordered Caran a glass of cold water without her agreeing, only knowing that he wanted to prolog her stay and to stall her from leaving just yet. "Would you like something else as well?"

Lona's eyes spotted two men, whispering as they looked at Caran. Lona didn't like the the way their eyes scraped over her friend's body like hungry wolves. Forgetting Faramir, Boromir, and Caran; she squares her shoulders, scowled, and began stalking across the room toward the men. Gods! Men disgusted her...

Catania smiled warmly to Boromir. "Thank you for your hospitality. A drink will do just fine." She stopped by the table and took a seat gracefully. She was only too aware of the stares that were pointed in her direction. She turned to talk to Lona only to fund she was gone. "Where did she go?" Her warm green eyes scanned the room, a small gasp escaped her lips. "What is she doing? What's going on?" she whispered to no one in particular. Her hand reached out and clasped Boromir's hand. "Excuse me," she frowned deeply, walking over to Lona's side. "What's going on here?" she asked, looking from the men to Lona.

Faramir watched the entire confrontation. He took stock of the men Lona was talking heatedly with. They were tall and wide, nearly three times the size of Lona. That thought terrified him. He stood and awkwardly made his way over to the small gathering.

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Grr...damn iPhone. I obviously meant Caran*** Although Catania isn't a bad name haha x

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Boromir tugged Caran back. "This is not your concern." he whispered, keeping his hand firmly on hers.

She had insulted them, she realized. One of them stood, trying to be threatening, but she just laughed. Then it got angry. And to her, it WAS and 'it'. It barreled toward her, fists swinging at her. She neatly grabbed one of those meaty hands, twirled behind him, then leapt and planted her foot in a jump kick into the center of his back. "I suggest," she hissed, "You and your pig friends leave now."

Caran's eyes widened at Boromir's touch. "They could hurt her," she protested, thinking of pulling her hand away. Her attempt would have been feeble. Boromir was much stronger than she was. She cast her eyes from Boromir to the scene that unravelled before her. One of the men charged Lona. Caran gasped, instinctively turning in to Boromir. Finally she gathered the courage to look again. The man had been floored. Caran let out a sigh of relief.

Faramir reached for Lona's arm and tugged her in the direction of their table. Once her back was turned he crouched down beside the disgusting man. "If I catch you even looking in her direction again, you'll be sorry. Don't you ever lay a finger on her again." he straightened and marched over to the table.

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Boromir looked at Lona with slight disdain. "Since when do women go around causing bar fights? It's not your place." he cocked an eyebrow. His arm had instinctively reached around Caran's waist, holding her to him. He didn't let go.

Lona blinked at Boromir's words, and her eyes darkened. She turned to leave, irritated. She had had enough of men. And yet...her arm was scorching where Faramir's hand had been only moments before.

"Lona!" Caran reached out her hand to her. "Please don't leave. I am sure Borimir was just worried about your safety." Her attention turned to Borimir. "You needn't worry, Lona can hold her own better than I certainly can. In fact she put many men in our troop to shame." Caran smiled proudly at Lona. "She has saved my life, many a time."

Faramir's heart jumped at the notion of Lona leaving his company so soon. "Lona was not in justified in her handling of those men. They were certainly not giving Caran the respect that she deserved. Any man that could dare attack a woman holds no place with the rest of us brother." His hand reached out and successfully took Lona's hand. "Come now, let's not ruin what was going to be a pleasant meeting. Do not forget you have business here." Faramir glanced at the clock on the wall and continued. "Business you would be best to carry out now, while it is more likely for our father to be in better spirits. Let my brother and I take you to him, please." He smiled genuinely at Lona. In fact his eyes had barely strayed from hers.

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Boromir grudgingly nodded, though was pleased that Caran had stood up for her friend. "Faramir is right. We should take you to him." his hand slid down to grip Caran's hand, feeling a warmth he hadn't ever felt in years.

Lona swallowed, meeting Faramir's gaze. "Alright, let's see to it...we won't be interrupting anything, will we?" she could hardly think, the question coming out sounding feeble in her attempt to ignore his hand holding hers.

Caran's eyes dropped to her hand. She was surprised to find Boromir's hand there. Only now could she feel the heat that traced from her waist to her hand. The warmth spread throughout her. She enjoyed the safety that Boromir's presence brought. His presence stirred feelings within her that she did not fully comprehend. She had never felt this way before.

Faramir smiled warmly, glad that Lona was to remain with him a little while longer. "We will arrive just in time to see him finishing his lunch. The perfect time to give him such news, I would say." With that, they left the tavern and began the ascent to the citadel. Faramir's hand, still gently holding Lona's.

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Boromir tugged Caran along beside him, reveling in the stares they got. my warrior maiden. I found her first. his mind chimed. His hand on hers tightened. His.

Lona stole glances up at Faramir, feeling pleased that he was holding her hand. silly girl. He is only being hospitable, and don't you forget it. she chided herself. But something was flaring up inside her, and she didn't know how to deal with it.