Promise Me

Chapter Sixteen

The next few days crept by for Gabriella. Even the evening crowd, which seemed to grow larger with each passing night, did little to distract her. Every time the door opened, she looked up, her heart leaping into her throat as she thought maybe it would be Boromir.

It never was, but that didn't stop the momentary elation, followed by the dull thud of returning to earth, every single time the blasted door opened and everyone but Boromir came into the tavern.

She found no peace in her alone time, either, as her thoughts tortured her regardless of whether she was in the tavern or in her flat above it. And to make matters worse, it seemed her parents would not be returning, her father having purchased another tavern, this one in the village where they'd fled to prior to the armies of Sauron invading Minas Tirith. Apparently, it was far more successful than the one they'd left behind, according to the letter she'd receive from her father that morning:

"We know we have left the Half Moon Tavern in good hands, Gabby. So, I say with the utmost confidence that we have made a wise decision. You will be fine. You've a good head on your shoulders, a wise business acumen, and will have the backing of the Steward's son and by extension, the Steward himself."

Her eyes stung at those words. They had no idea that Denethor had died and that Boromir was now the steward. They also didn't know that she and Boromir had gone their separate ways.

"What're you looking at?"

She jumped at Dory's unexpected question, which was followed by Dory leaning her head against Gabriella's arm. "A letter. From my father."

"Oh, are they planning to return soon, then?"

"Just the opposite, really," Gabriella replied with a cheerfulness she did not feel. Refolding the letter to tuck into her trouser pocket, she added, "It seems they are not coming back at all."

"What?"

"They've made a new life for themselves. So, it looks as if the Half Moon is mine."

"Do they know about you and Boromir?"

"There is no me and Boromir," Gabriella managed to reply, despite the sudden tightness in her throat. "And no, they did not know about us."

"Gab," Dory hedged, moving to stand on the opposite side of the bar, "can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Are you so absolutely dead set against having children? I mean," she held up a hand as Gabriella stiffened at the question, "just listen, all right? There is no reason why you cannot have them and still work here. I doubt Boromir would stop you.

"And he's the steward now. It is expected of him to have children—preferably a son, I'd imagine—and if I'm being completely honest? I think you two would have the most beautiful babies imaginable!" She cocked her head slightly to one side. "So, why are you so against that?"

"I... I don't even know if I can explain it, Dory. I simply never gave it much thought until he sprung it on me the other night."

"Sprung it on you? Gab, if you don't mind my saying, you've been sleeping with the man for the last few weeks. Surely the thought of becoming pregnant by him must have crossed your mind at some point."

Gabriella sank onto a stool. The tavern had closed for the night not quite an hour ago when Dory stopped by just before she locked the doors. At first, she 'd been thankful for Dory's presence, for any distraction was a good one.

But now, she looked over at her friend and sighed softly. "I keep track of the dates, so yes, the thought had crossed my mind and it would have been a terrible thing to happen, with us not being married."