Summary: In the spring of 2012, four American children find themselves thrust into an unfamiliar world and part of an unexpected adventure.  This story is AU, and blends The Lord of the Rings book-verse and movie-verse.  This story also contains a lot of spiritual and religious content as a part of the AU elements.

Disclaimer: The world of Middle-earth and all its peoples belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien; the three films of The Lord of the Rings belong to New Line Cinema and to Peter Jackson.  This story is not for profit, but is a gift for the enjoyment of those who read it.

Citations: In most chapters, there will be some quotations directly from both the books and/or the movies.  Quotations from Tolkien's books are in italics, and quotations from the movies are underlined.  Occasional quotations from other sources as well as silent dialogue, words spoken in emphasis, and passages from the Bible will also be in italics, and those citations will be footnoted at the end of each chapter in which they occur. We will also footnote research sources and credit the ideas of other people.

Thanks: We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable help of our beta, Linda Hoyland, another well-known and prolific LotR fanwriter, whose many wonderful stories also grace this site.

A/N:  One of the things that KG asked me (DF), when we were going to partner in this story, was that we try to include my OC, Menelcar, who appears in my stories, "The Life of a Bard" and “Chance Encounter”.  I agreed.  Therefore, you may see bits of "Chance Encounter" quoted here and there in the next few chapters.  Those are from my own story, so be assured that if you see something you recognize, it is not plagiarized.  Thank you.  DF and KG.

1-5-25: Well, after our long hiatus, KathyG and Dreamflower are back.  We had hoped to post it over the holidays, but now, at long last, as of January, we have a new chapter for you.  To our readers, we thank you for your patience.  We hope now that 2025 has begun, all of you will have a happy year to come, and we will try to avoid any more lengthy delays.

3-6-25: This is our latest chapter!  KG.

Chapter 109: There Is a Lot of Work to Do

The next morning, the news of what had happened was all over the City, as had been predicted. Of course, that had come from good planning on the part of Menelcar and the Steward, Faramir.

While Menelcar had sent out several other bards and minstrels to tell his tale of the event, and authorized them to make up their own songs about it if they pleased, so long as they kept to the facts of the matter, Faramir had sent out an account of the attempted crime, and how it was foiled, to the printers of woodblock broadsheets to be authorized.  Heralds had also headed out to announce the trial of the charlatans and their sentences; in the investigation of Minastir's previous crimes, they had been able to search out many of his previous victims and question them, and so they included the swindlers’ crimes against the prior victims as well as their attempted crime against the hobbits in their tales.

In addition to the hard labour that the swindlers had been sentenced to, they had also been sentenced to be paraded through the city on their first day of hard labour.  Of course, this meant that anyone who wanted to would be free to jeer at them and make fun of them while they were on their way to "work".  Because this was a very new crime, and since it involved the hobbits, who were already beloved by the people of Minas Tirith, they expected the streets to be packed.

Boromir told Joey that he could certainly go among them if he wished.  "I am only sorry," the Captain-General said, "that I was unable to assist in their capture as well.  But my brother and the King handled it well, and so did your brother as well, from what I have heard."

Joey beamed with pride.  "Yeah, he told us all about it, and then there was Menelcar last night!"  He grinned.  "He was a lot funnier than Kevin."

Boromir ruffled his hair affectionately.  "He certainly was!  Especially the ending.  Well, you are free for this morning, but seek me out at noontide, for I will have duties for you then."

Joey nodded.  "Where will I find you?"

"I will be meeting in the King's Council Chamber with the King and my brother and the King's councillors and those who are working on the Faire.  Just tell the Guardsman at the door, and he will let you quietly slip in."  With a smile, Joey’s liege patted his shoulder.  "Go, find some friends to go with you, and have a good time.  I shall see you later."

Joey made a bow, and then he took off.  He ran down to the dormitory for the Houses of Healing to see if Bergil or Sador was there.  Both boys had already run a couple of errands—Bergil had taken some supplies from the apothecary for one of the Healers, and Sador had taken some messages down to the Fourth Level.  Dame Ioreth had already given them some free time until after lunch, so the three of them went on down to the streets.  As soon as Joey found them, the three boys hurried to the one of the streets on the route where the swindlers were going to be paraded.  The prisoners had yet to be brought out, so they were able to find some good places to stand.

Watchmen and Guardsmen had been sent out to line the streets along the route to the Gates, where the swindlers would join some other convicts to begin their work of helping to restore the Pelennor.

As the streets began to fill out, an enterprising costermonger* came by with a barrow full of rotten fruits and vegetables for a copper farthing.

"Oh," said Joey, grimacing.  "That's gross!  Who'd want rotten fruit?"

"To throw at them," said Sador.  He was fishing in his pocket to see if he had any change.

"Yuck!"  Rolling his eyes, Joey shook his head.  "You'd have to stand around holding that smelly stuff till they’d come by, and then the stink would still be on you."  Besides, Mom and Dad really wouldn’t approve of that, he thought.  

Bergil laughed.  "My father said not to throw anything.  The Guards won't stop anyone with the fruit or vegetables, but if you hit anyone except the prisoners, they will make you go home, and if you hit one of the guards, or you use a rock to throw with, you will get arrested."

Joey raised his eyebrows.  "Well, that settles that!  I’m sure not going to throw anything."

So, the three boys passed up the costermonger when he came by them and paused.  “Would you lads like to buy somethin' to throw at them tossers, when they come out?”

Bergil and Joey just shook their heads, and Sador added, "I do not have the money, anyway.  I only have a couple of chestnuts in my pocket."

The costermonger just went on.  There were many other customers lining the street, after all.

One of the Watchmen nearby had been listening, and he leaned forward.  "I see you lads are in Citadel livery; it is just as well that you have chosen not to be throwing at the scoundrels, no matter how much they deserve it.  I know that such behaviour would be quite frowned upon by Dame Ioreth, were she to hear of it."

Joey glanced at him.  "Thank you for telling us, sir."  Bergil and Sador nodded furiously in agreement, and Sador was blushing.

After the Watchman stood back, Sador whispered, "I am glad I do not have any money!"  Joey and Bergil laughed good-naturedly at their younger friend.

"I'm glad I decided not to bother with throwing stuff, even if they do deserve it," Joey added.  “I do have some money, but I’m not gonna waste it on anything rotten.”

"Oh!" Bergil said, leaning forward and peering up the street.  "I think they must be coming!"

Sure enough, up the street were the sounds of people jeering and shouting, and even some thuds as the costermonger's ammunition hit the street.  Joey took a step forward slightly, to see what was happening.

There were six Guardsmen flanking the three men as they trudged down the street on foot.  Joey saw that Kevin was among them. 

Each of the criminals had two boards—one in front of each swindler’s neck, and one behind it.  There was a hole in which their necks fitted, and fitted at each end was a chain and lock to hold the boards in place.  The three men had their heads bowed from the weight of their restraints.  Already, all of them showed signs of rotten fruit dripping down from their faces, and the boards looked as if they had been splattered with food-coloured paint.

"What are those things on their necks?" Joey asked.  He had seen pictures of things that looked similar in his history books at school and in his parents’ old 1980s World Book Encyclopedia, but he couldn't remember what they were called.  

"Those are pillories!" Bergil said.  "Sometimes if someone commits a crime that is not too bad, they will put them in the pillories and fasten them to a pole in the gaol yard for a few hours.  But if they have done something really bad, they get paraded through the City while they are wearing them.”

Just then, they came past the boys.  Joey called out, “Kevin!”

Kevin didn't say anything.  Joey had not expected him to, since he was on duty, but he did give his little brother a very brief glance and a very short nod.  Joey smiled back and raised a hand in greeting.  Kevin marched on past, accompanied by his fellow soldiers.

As they went on by, someone else threw a rock at the swindlers.  It wildly missed and shattered on the cobbles of the street, but the Watchman who had spoken to the boys went down to the front of the crowd a few feet away and took the man into custody, putting manacles on his wrists and handing him over to a nearby Guardsman, who took him away.

Those are handcuffs! Joey thought, staring at the Guardsmen and their prisoner in fascination.  Wonder how long that man’ll have to stay in jail?  He turned to Bergil questioningly, and so did Sador, who asked the question aloud.

Bergil said, "Well, Ada says when people do that, they just keep them in their shackles until the procession is over, and if they are not drunk, or are not already well-known for causing trouble in public, they let them go with a warning.  Otherwise, they will have to spend a few hours in the pillories themselves.”  Joey and Sador nodded.

A few minutes later, a large waggon came rolling by with a waggonload of rough-looking men, also in manacles.  They were surrounded by more guardsmen.  But the people in the crowds began to melt away.  These criminals had already been sentenced for other crimes and were merely being taken out to their day of hard labour.  They were no longer of interest to the people.

"It's not noon yet," said Joey, looking up at the sky to see how high the sun had risen and then turning to Bergil and Sador.  "Do we have time to do anything else?"

"I have a little bit of money," Bergil said.  "We could go over to the bakery and get some cakes and maybe share a mug of lemonade."  He pointed across the street a little way down.

Sador looked crestfallen.  Joey smiled at their younger friend.  "Don't worry.  We can treat you, right, Bergil?"

"Most surely, we will," Bergil replied, giving Sador a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you," Sador said, cheering up at his friends’ generosity.

"Come on," said Bergil.  "I can smell the cakes from here!  And besides, Joey needs to be back at the Citadel before the noon bells ring."  Joey nodded.  He really did, since Boromir would have some duties for him then.

With that, the three boys raced to the bakery before it could get too crowded.  Joey and his friends went up the street where the small bakery was open.  It was not busy, as the procession had already passed it by and were still following the criminals down the street to the Gate.

The boys went in, and both Joey and Bergil chipped in to buy three honeyrolls.  They decided that since Joey had to report to Boromir soon, they would take their treats with them and snack on them as they walked back up to the Citadel.  They paused briefly at a public fountain for a swallow of water, after they had finished their honeyrolls.

"I'm sorry, I have to go back to work now," said Joey.

Bergil shook his head.  "I have also errands to run this afternoon, and Sador does as well."

Sador nodded.  "Yes.  We will have to report to Dame Ioreth soon, anyway, even if she did not say noon."

The friends parted at the Gate to the sixth level, and Joey hurried up to the tower.  He paused at the steps briefly for the Guardsman on duty to wave him through.  Though Joey didn't know the man in person, all the Guardsmen knew that he was Lord Boromir's page.

Joey knew he was a little bit early, but he quickly hurried to the corridor where the big council room was.  One of the guards there was familiar. 

"Hi, Adrahil."

"Page Joey," the man replied, with a nod.

"Lord Boromir’s expecting me at noon.  I know I’m a little early."   

"You are not far off the time.  He told me you were expected.  Slip in quietly, though.  I do not believe the meeting is yet finished."

Joey did as bid as Adrahil pushed the door only wide enough for Joey to slip in.  He walked along the side of the wall, and saw his parents, but they didn't notice him.  In fact, the only ones who did see him come in were Boromir, Faramir, and the King; the others were all busy listening to Menelcar.  He quietly made his way along the wall to Boromir's side, but stood a little behind him.  His liege gave Joey a nod of approval.

-oo000oo-

Once all of the prisoners had been delivered through the Gates, Kevin and the other Guardsmen had been released from their duty.  The others decided they would go to a tavern on the Second Circle to have some ale and play some darts.  The darts sounded fun, but not the drinking, so Kevin declined.  He told them goodbye at the doors and continued his way upward, stopping briefly to purchase a meat pasty from a street vendor on the Fourth Circle.  He was trying to decide what to do.  Jennifer would probably be sleeping, since she’d had a night shift the previous night.  He knew Joey would be with Boromir.  His parents had a meeting, but he wasn't sure of the time it was over.  But Avorn had told him the day before that Mairen was taking his little sisters down to the orphanage to help make ribbons for the Faire.

It had been days since he had seen Kaylee and Megan for more than briefly.  And maybe he could be of help, as well.  After all, it was the family project, and his contributions had been small, so far.

He crossed the road and passed through the gate to the Sixth Circle and headed for the orphanage.  Who knows? he thought, with a grin.  lt might be fun to tie bows with the little rugrats.  He whistled a tune from the Shire that Pippin was fond of.  He was almost there when he heard his name called out from behind him.

"Kevin!"

It was his dad; he turned to see his parents closing in behind him. He stopped and waited for them to catch up.

"I thought you had a meeting today," he said.

“We did; it’s over now,” Steve said.  “Where are you going, son?”

Kevin shrugged.  “Well, I’ve got nothing else to do, so I thought I’d drop in on Kaylee and Megan and see how they’re coming along with the ribbons.  See if I can help as well.”

Gail smiled.  “I would like to check on that, myself.”

Steve laughed.  “I think we all would.  Why don’t we all go to the orphanage, then?”  With a smile, Kevin nodded, and they finished walked up the Sixth Circle to the orphanage.

Upon entering the orphanage, they found the two little girls sitting at a table in the front room. tying ribbons into bows.  Or, rather, Kaylee was doing the tying, while Megan put her finger on the ribbon to hold it in place.

“Mommy!  Daddy!  Kevin!” Kaylee squealed in evident delight, as she dropped the ribbon she had just started to tie and leaped to her feet.

Laughing, Steve picked her up and hugged her.  “And what have you and Megan been doing, hm?”  He looked from her to Megan as she spoke.

“Making bows!”  Kaylee giggled, as she pointed at the growing pile of bows that she had finished tying.

"And I helped!" said Megan.  "I almost made one by myself, but it didn't stay tied.  The ribbon's too skinny."

"We finished all the big ones for the grown-ups’ prizes," Kaylee said.  "Those were blue and red and yellow.  The little white ones are for all the children that do the games!"

"Oh, I see," said Steve. 

Just then Mairen came in, with a basket to put the bows in.  Jennifer was with her, with more white ribbon.  She stopped as she saw her parents and Kevin.

"Jen," said Kevin, before his parents could say anything.  "What are you doing here?  I thought you worked last night."

"I did."  She blushed.

"You worked all last night," said Gail.  "Shouldn't you be getting some sleep?"  Both she and Steve looked both puzzled and disapproving.  Jennifer didn't answer, but shrugged and hung her head, looking sheepish.

"Then why are you here?" Steve asked, trying not to sound cross.

Jennifer raised her head and looked her father in the face.  "Well, uh, I just thought I’d come and help.  This is supposed to be my part in our family project, and, well, it doesn't seem right not to be doing my part."

Gail's expression softened, and she hugged her daughter.  Then she stepped back, still holding Jennifer's shoulders.  She looked her in the eyes and noticed that they were a bit bloodshot.  Just then Jennifer yawned.

"How long have you been here?" Gail asked.

For the first time, Mairen spoke.  "She was here when I arrived this morning."

Now Gail looked upset again.  "Jennifer?"

She shrugged, and then she said, "I didn't feel sleepy.  So, I just changed my clothes and came on down here, where I could do something useful."

Gail turned to Steve.  "I think that I will walk Jennifer back to her dormitory."

Jennifer took a deep breath.  "Mooom!" she whined.

"None of that, young lady," said Steve, kindly but firmly.  "Go with your mother.  We know you are supposed to work again tonight, and you need to rest.  Remember what you told us happened when you were still across the River, when you were too tired?  I know you don't want that to happen again."

Jennifer looked at her father, stricken.  Once again, as she blushed, she hung her head as she followed her mother out of the room.

"I did not know she had worked last night," said Mairen.  "I would have sent her away, had I known."

"That's okay, Mairen.  She does know better."

"Daddy," asked Kaylee, as she tugged at his tunic.  "Is Jen in trouble?"

"No, not really.  But she needs to go take a nap because she worked all night."  He grinned and looked down.  "Do you suppose you can show me how to make a fancy bow like that?

He sat down between the two little girls as they guided their father in the task of bow tying.

Kevin looked over at Mairen.  "Is there anything I can do to help?  It's why I came."

"Yes, Sir Kevin," the Elf said.  "There is still work to do on this building.  If you listen carefully, you can follow the sound of hammers and saws."

Kevin smiled.  He could, indeed, hear those sounds.   He walked off, grinning as he listened to his dad pretending that he didn't know how to tie a bow.

-oo000oo-

*Costermonger: a person who sells goods, especially fruit and vegetables, from a handcart in the street.

-oo000oo-

A/N: For those of you who have read this far, we also have a little one-shot coming up soon.  It's a little Yule story about Kaylee in Rivendell very shortly after the Fellowship set out on its quest.  It was meant for Christmas or New Year's Day, but we didn't quite finish in time.  We hope you will enjoy it.  KG and DF.  (3-6-25.  NOTE: As of now, it’s since been posted!  The title is "Kaylee's Special Yule Holiday in Rivendell" [http://storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=7823].  Hope you enjoy it!  KG.)

3-6-25: As of today, this is our latest chapter, so far!  Any chapters that get posted after this, I will post after Dreamflower and I have finished them, and they've been made ready for public viewing.  KG.