His Queen

Chapter 13 - Alana

She was one of the first people to enter the grand dinning hall, adorned with ornate tapestries and shimmering chandeliers. Merry and Pippin excitedly trailed behind her, their hungry voices echoing throughout the room. As she made her way to a table, she caught the curious glances of other guests, their eyes lingering on her elegant gown and delicate features. She sat among the men from Gondor, their noble bearing and polished armor a stark contrast to her rustic appearance.

Faramir greeted her with a warm smile and bid her good evening, causing a faint blush to rise to her cheeks. Though she appreciated the company of these strong and brave men, it also brought a twinge of sadness to her heart. It had been far too long since she had felt the touch or attention of a man. Since the tragic loss of her husband and child, she had thrown herself into self-improvement and training, pushing away any thoughts of love or companionship. But in this lavish hall, surrounded by lively chatter and laughter, she couldn't help but feel a longing for those simple joys once again.

Faramir's curiosity got the best of him as he leaned in closer to the Dunedain woman. "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? I've heard your people have longer lives than the average human."

She chuckled softly and took a sip of her wine before answering. "My dear Faramir, did no one ever tell you it's impolite to ask a lady for her age?" A mischievous glint sparkled in her eye. "But since you asked so nicely, I am fifty-three years young."

Faramir's jaw dropped in disbelief. "You certainly don't look a day over twenty-five."

"Thank you." She replied. She went to say more but was distracted as her cousin came walking in next to Aragorn, their hands intertwined.

Alana couldn't help but feel a twinge of disbelief as she watched her usually independent and strong-willed cousin, Kitra, standing beside a man. In their eighteen years of knowing each other, Alana had never seen Kitra show any interest in men other than her long-time crush, Aragorn. Yet, here they were together, seemingly happy and in love. But something felt off to Alana.

A sense of unease settled in her stomach as she observed Kitra's behavior around the Ring. The tension in the air was palpable, like a thick fog that refused to dissipate. Unlike Boromir, who had been visibly drawn to the Ring during the meeting, Kitra seemed to recoil from it, shrinking back in her seat as if trying to escape its grasp. She could see the struggle within Kitra, an internal battle between curiosity and fear. The very presence of the Ring seemed to agitate her, causing her to fidget and squirm uncomfortably. It was as if the weight of its power was physically weighing down on her.

Alana couldn't tear her gaze away from Kitra and Aragorn as they took their seats at the head table. Kitra's usual confidence seemed to falter, her shoulders tense and her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. Alana's brow furrowed with concern. Something was definitely amiss with her cousin.

As the feast progressed, Alana tried to engage in polite conversation with Faramir and Boromir, but her mind kept wandering back to Kitra. She noticed how Kitra barely touched her food, pushing it around her plate with a distant expression. Aragorn leaned in close, whispering something in Kitra's ear that made her smile weakly. But even that brief moment of levity couldn't mask the unease that seemed to radiate from her.

Faramir's voice broke through Alana's thoughts. "Your cousin seems troubled," he observed, his eyes filled with genuine concern. "Is she alright?"

Alana sighed, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her goblet. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "Kitra has always been a private person, but this is different. It's as if the very air around her is charged with tension."

Boromir leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "Could it have something to do with the Ring? I noticed her reaction during the meeting. It was...unsettling."