His Queen

Chapter 49 - Alana

Once Alana was out of the doors she ran after Faramir's quickly retreating form. Alana sprinted down the stone corridor, her footsteps echoing loudly in the empty space. She caught up to Faramir just as he was about to descend the stairs leading to the courtyard.

"Faramir, wait!" she called out breathlessly, reaching for his arm.

He turned, surprised to see her. "Alana, what are you doing? You heard my father's orders."

"I don't care what he says," Alana replied fiercely, her grip tightening on his sleeve. "I'm not letting you ride off to Osgiliath alone. I'm coming with you."

Faramir's eyes softened as he gazed down at her determined face. "Alana, it's too dangerous."

"I don't care! I can't bear the thought of losing another person I love!" Alana lifted her chin defiantly. "I won't stand by and let you face this alone!"

Faramir was silent for a long moment, an internal war raging behind his gray eyes. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and turned to gaze at Alana.

"Alana," he said softly, his voice husky with feeling. "I have battled with my heart, but I can no longer deny what it yearns to confess." He took a step closer to her, gently taking her delicate hands in his. "From the moment I first beheld you, I was captivated. Your strength, your courage, your fierce beauty - they have ensnared me, body and soul."

"Faramir..." She breathed.

"Which is why I cannot allow you to follow me. My father is right, you need to stay here." Faramir continued.

Alana's emerald eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "How can you say that? After everything? After last night?"

"It is because of that I cannot bear the thought of any harm befalling you," Faramir insisted, his voice rough with emotion. "If anything happened to you, Alana... it would destroy me utterly."

"It can't destroy you if you are dead! That would destroy me!" Alana retorted, tears glistening on her lashes. "Faramir, please. Let me stand by your side!"

Faramir closed his eyes, his brow furrowed as if in pain. "Alana, I..."

But she silenced him by pressing a slender finger to his lips. "Do not make me defy you, my lord," she whispered. "For I will follow you, whether you permit it or not. I am yours, Faramir. In life and in death."

A shuddering sigh escaped him and he gathered her close, burying his face in her raven hair. What she didn't see was that he had signaled to the guards standing at the doors of the throne room.

Alana felt Faramir's strong arms encircle her, holding her tightly against his broad chest. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to be lost in his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent of leather and pine. But then she sensed movement behind her.

Before she could react, rough hands seized her arms, yanking her away from Faramir's hold. She cried out in shock and fury, struggling against the iron grip of the guards.

"Faramir!" she screamed, feeling a sense of betrayal slice through her heart. "What are you doing?""

Faramir's face was a mask of anguish as he watched the guards restrain her. "Forgive me," he said hoarsely. "But I will not have you follow me."

"Faramir, don't do this! I beg of you!" Alana raged, hot tears now streaming down her face. She kicked and thrashed with all her might, but the guards held her fast.

Faramir stepped forward, gently cupping her face in his hands. "I'm sorry." he murmured, his thumbs tenderly brushing away her tears.

Alana stared at him in disbelief, her heart shattering into a thousand pieces. How could he do this to her? After all they had been through together? "If you leave me behind, you will destroy me just the same," she choked out between sobs.