Lairiel clenched her jaw. It was her fault for letting Holly's uncle get her! She would not allow anyone to take the blame bit her. After the healer left, she approached Faramir once more, whispering "Lord Faramir, word has most likely gotten out about Holly. Even of wedo not mention her your father is bound to find out. Is it possible for them to leave? I know Morohtar can take care of her, yet I fear if I do not remain your father will seek her out." her gave was determined. "You must realize that I cannot allow anything else to happen to her."

Faramir watched as Morohtar leaned over Holly. His posture was protective, but there seemed to be something more to it than that. Lairiel was right, Morohtar would look after Holly, till the day he died Faramir thought. His attention turned to Lairiel. "You hold yourself in so much blame Lairiel and it is not necessary. Holly is here, alive and safe. There must be a reason for that. You might not have been a help to her physically, but I am sure you helped her mentally. I do not believe Holly would have fought against evil if she did not have someone to fight for. I believe it was you and Morohtar. I think the blame you hold upon yourself is enough without facing my father. I shall face my father on my own. Even if word has reached him of Holly, I will not allow him to harm her. She has been through enough. You all shall leave in the morning. I will send you away with some of my trusted troops and they will take you somewhere safe so you can rest and plan out the rest of your journey. Forgive yourself Lairiel," he whispered softly.

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Forgive herself? How could he even say that? She turned her heel and stalked out of the room. Why is it that no one could see? Why? She was watching the floor, and bumped into someone. "Oh! I'm sor--" she gasped when she saw who it was. Her step father. She began to back away slowly as he approached with an evil grin. "Lairiel? Don't you remember me?" he said. She turned and was about to run when he grabbed her hair and yanked her back. "You're not going anywhere." her snarled.

"Don't leave Miss Lairiel. Please..." The door slammed in front of him. He grimaced deeply. "Should I go after her?" He asked Morohtar. Morohtar reluctantly pulled his eyes from Holly to meet Faramir's. "I would give her some time to herself. She has been through a lot. We all have." His expression was grim as he looked to Holly again. She looked so small on Lord Faramir's large sofa. How could someone so small be capable of causing so much destruction? Who was she? Morohtar never knew Holly's parents. He wasn't sure he had met anyone who did. From what he could gather they kept themselves to themselves, never venturing to get to know anyone. They must of had their reasons. Off course they did. Their reason was right in front of Morohtar. Did that mean they had similar powers? Morohtar's brow creased as he pondered Holly's history. Faramir watched the two of them silently as he returned to his desk. The work he had been doing was suddenly redundant. There was not much of Osgiliath left. His father was going to kill him when he found out. Faramir laid his head in his hands and released a heavy sigh.

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She struggled "Leave me be, Falgrin!" she snarled, then screamed as a blade was slid into her side. He had always meant to kill her. He let her fall to the floor, a triumphant smile on his face. He knelt down, and put his fingers in her wound, then smeared the blood onto her face, laughing.

Holly bolted upwards at the sound of an earsplitting scream. Morohtar made to restrain her, but she was out of his hands and was wrenching Faramir's door open in the next second. She scurried down the hall. She knew who had been hurt before she even found her. Holly dropped down to her knees beside her friend. "Lairiel?" she whimpered. "Lairiel!" Her eyes roamed Lairiel's body for the wound. Blood had seeped into the clothing on Lairiel's side and was trickling onto the floor. Holly tore the hem of her dress and bound it round Lairiel's waist to stem the flow of blood from her wound. "Somebody help me!" she yelled at the top of her longs. Her eyes darted around in a crazy fashion looking to see if her call had been answered. She recognised the face of the healer who had helped her before. His expression was grim as he looked down upon Lairiel. Nonetheless he dropped to his knees opposit Holly and began tending the deep wound.

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Her breathing had gone ragged, and she was about to speak when her step father stepped from the shadows. "I was doing all of Gondor a big favor." he knelt next to Holly. "Do you really think she didn't plan it? Getting wounded, having you go alone for herbs...she wanted you out of her life." he whispered to Holly. "And she didn't make it to you until it was too late, did she?" he paused as Lord Faramir walked up. "My lord, this woman has committed treason, I suggest you arrest her."

Holly turned on her heel and slapped the man. "You know nothing of this woman!" Holly hissed. Her eyes were wide, not recognising the woman she was becoming. The scene before her turned red as the anger she had been feeling for so long bubbled to the surface. "For all you know, Sir, is that you are costing Gondor a heroine! How dare you!" She turned from the man and watched as the healer stopped. "Keep going! Do not stop!" she shrieked to the healer. He nodded and busied himself with tending to Lairiel.

Faramir stared down at the scene before him. He was surprised at Holly's nature. Such a small person, but a large temper. His lips puckered as he addressed the stranger. "What is your evidence, sir?" He asked politely.

The healer glanced up momentarily. "My lord Faramir...This is not a conversation to be held in this place. I suggest somewhere private." He uttered, suddenly shy.

Faramir nodded. "Take Lairiel to the Houses of Healing. Holly go with them. I will come find you." He turned to the man, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Come and talk with me sir." He took note of the bloody blade in the stranger's hand and placed an uneasy hand on his sword.

Morohtar stood at the door. "What happened?" He demanded. Faramir raised a hand as a sign of peace. "Go to the Houses of Healing. Your friends will be there waiting for you." He winked to Morohtar slyly before walking into his study with the man and closing the door behind them.

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The man only chuckled. "I know plenty of her, she is my step daughter. He followed Faramir. "My lord, I know her well. I raised her for ten years, and she has always plotted. I doubt you need a confession, she saught to destroy Osgiliath, and she has. And did she not wish to speak to your father alone? She seeks ab assassination, I am sure." he smirked.

Lairiel hardly knew what was happening, the pain in her side was blinding. She muttered nonsense, her face white and her eyes closed. Inside she cursed herself for not being more careful.

Faramir frowned deeply. "Those are lofty accusations sir. I will need proof of this. I however know it was not your daughter who caused the fall of Osgiliath. I know that with great certainty." He sighed deeply. "You must tread carefully, sir. Without proof of your accusations you could face trial for attempted murder," he motioned to the blade before swiping it out of the mans hand. "I suggest you think this through, sir." He grimaced deeply, setting the blade out of the mans reach.

Holly held Lairiel's legs while the healer carried Lairiel's torse. "Easy, Lairiel. Try not to speak. Preserve your energy..." she frowned deeply as they laid her on a bed. The healer continued with his work again. His brow was furrowed deeply as he concentrated.

A few moments later Morohtar joined them. Holly looked to him, her eyes were wells of tears. Wordlessly, Morohtar opened his arms to Holly. She stepped into them and cried on his shoulder. "It'll be alright," was all Morohtar could say. The days events were wearing on him heavily.

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He shook his head. "I will not stand trial for attempted murder." he said, certain that she would die. "Do some research. Tell me what you find on her." he hoped to bluff him, he knew Lairiel had no record, but Faramir didn't.

Lairiel hissed in pain as the healer worked, and cursed outloud. How could she have been so stupid? Her head swam and she began to get lightheaded.

Faramir gazed at the man before him. He was one of his people why should he not trust him? Then again who attempts to kill his daughter, step daughter or not. Unless he had reason. But Faramir had spoke with Lairiel. There was nothing evil about her. Holly on the other hand...He frowned deeply. "What is your name? Who is Lairiel's mother? Can I speak with her?" Faramir asked in quick succession as though running away from his thoughts.

Morohtar disentangled himself from Holly and knealed down beside Lairiel. He took her hand in his. "Come on Lairiel. You can do this. You can fight this. Do it for yourself. Do it for Holly. We need you." Morohtar whispered softly so only Lairiel could hear. His voice trembled with fear and sorrow. He was not sure he could do it all on his own. There was so many questions about Holly and so few answers. He flashed Holly a look before returning his attention to Lairiel.

"Maybe I can try?" Holly squeaked, stepping forward unsure. The healer, raised his brow in surprise. "I wasn't under the impression that your were trained in being a healer." Holly grimaced. "I am blessed in other ways," she uttered as she dropped to her knees by Lairiel's side. Her hands hovered over her wound. With gritted teeth and eyes clenched shut, Holly began to concentrate on the wound. She imagined it healing under her hands, the wound closing and the blood cautirizing itself. She peeked to see if it had worked.

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"Lairiel's mother...died in a tragic accident two years ago." he smirked. He had killed her when he found her trying to run away. Everyone else thought it was a tragic riding accident. "My name is Falgrin Tharos, an upstanding citizen of Gondor." he said with a sweeping bow.

Lairiel barely heard Morohtar. She couldn't concentrate, on anything, except maybe killing Falgrin. She heard movements and shifting, then gritted her teeth as a blinding pain went through her. She hadn't the strength to cry out. She gasped as the pain faded away slowly.

Faramir regarded Falgrin cautiously. "Well Mister Tharos, your concerns have been noted and a full investigation shall be under way. I must leave now, but please rest in peace. This matter shall be resolved immediately." He fixed Falgrin with a smile before grabbing his coat and leaving his study. He dashed out of the building, over the cobbled courtyard to the Houses of Healing. He found Lairiel's room in no time. His eyes widened at Holly. "What are you doing?!" he exclaimed.

Holly could feel the pain radiating from Lairiel's wound. At first she thought it was not working, but suddenly she felt it starting to ebb. This urged her to force her magic further. She opened her eyes to see that the wound had closed. Then an angry voice interrupted her concentration. She squeaked with fright, backing away into the corner.

Morohtar stepped forward. "She was not hurting her, my lord Faramir. She was healing her." His voice was heavy with worry and fatigue. He massaged his temple with his thumb and forefinger.

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Lairiel's eyes snapped open, and, although weak, she stepped in front of Holly, protecting her. "My Lord, see for yourself, she was only helping me." she eyed Faramir closely, why had he reacted in anger? She then realized he thought Holly may be evil. "My Lord, you have to understand that what happened at Osgiliath was because Holly was frightened, and did what she had to in order to escape her uncle. As I have taught her, I am a ranger, and have been tutoring her. One rule is that you must do what you have to." she tried to catch her breath as she stood in front of Holly.

Faramir relaxed. "I am sorry. Forgive me. Understand alot has happened in one night. Alot of things I cannot even bring myself to understand yet." He continued to regard Holly cautiously. "As hard as it may be to believe, but Holly is the least of our worries." He fixed Lairiel with a meaningful look. "Your step father has laid some hefty accusations at your feet. He claims you have destroyed Osgiliath. He says that you long to kill my father. I know in my heart of hearts that this is not true, but these accusations will not disappear. I do not pretend to understand what is happening between you and your step father and nor do I want to try to. I think it best that you leave here as soon as you possibly can and do not return. I will deal with my father and your step father as best I can..." He grimaced deeply. What he would not do to have Boromir back. He would know what to do in this situation. He would have had it sorted by now.

Holly stepped forward. "I am not dangerous Lord Faramir. I regret what I have done, but it was the only way I could escape from Durion...I had no other option." Faramir raised a hand to silence Holly. "I do not want to hear of it. The less I know the better it is for my own survival." He stared at Holly, wondering how small a woman could have so much power running through her veins. In any other time he would have loved to sit with Holly and map out her family tree, find out where the power came from. Right now his only priority was to get the power as far away from Denethor as he possibly could. His father would be greedy and use Holly as a weapon, regardless of her wishes. Holly deserved a better life than that. However, he also could not risk her falling into the hands of Sauron. In his hands she would be a deadly weapon and probably the key to winning this war.

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