Library, Wednesday [1/12]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle, luckily, expected this sort of thing by now, so when she came into the library to find several volumes by Mark Twain jammed halfway into a cabinet at the collections desk, like they'd been caught in the act of trying to sneak in and hide, she just crouched down in front of the cabinet and tried to coax them out.

It didn't work; she thought she'd calmed them down somewhat, and went to reshelve them, but the next thing she knew they were back on the collections desk just as she was sitting down to try and read a little more of the Tao Te Ching. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you wanted me to keep you safe from something," Gabrielle told the books. Indulgently.

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Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

There was a tiny, tiny hint of bitterness in Gabrielle's answering chuckle, and even if she couldn't help it she felt guilty that it was there.

"More often than not, trouble finds us --" because she certainly wasn't innocent of inviting it herself, a good portion of the time -- "but sometimes she can't help going looking."

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"She is not unlike my brother then," Faramir noted gently, still studying Gabrielle. "Yet, I do not believe you would travel with her or trust her as much, if you did not believe that her intentions are right in their own manner. Or am I mistaken?"

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle ducked her head.

"She means well," she answered, her voice a little strained. "She wants to atone for some of the things she's done. I just don't know if . . . if the ends justify the means as often as she thinks they do."

No. Before you ask, they hadn't met Machiavelli.

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"There are more ways to solve a conflict beside the sword," Faramir agreed. "It is not always easy for them that were raised by it, to see them. Still, she has a wise travel companion to remind her. And a good friend."

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"Am I?" Gabrielle asked. "I tried to stop her from killing a man, because it was in revenge, and I couldn't just let her. He turned out to be a snake who tried to have her executed. And I -- I betrayed her. Is that a wise thing to do?"

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir leaned down, catching her eyes as he spoke gently. "It is a precious friend who protects one from themselves. Revenge is a bitter mistress, it only leaves a bad taste behind and hardens the heart. You did right by her. It was him who betrayed you, taking advantage of your compassion. Do not blame yourself for the actions of another when yours were pure."

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"I keep telling myself I shouldn't. And then I remember the look on her face." Gabrielle swallowed and shook her head, but held his gaze. "I'm just glad she's forgiven me for it; I'm still trying to figure out how to forgive myself."

She managed a smile, though. "Hearing it from someone else helps a little more, I think."

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Good," he returned the smile easily. "You misjudged his character, that was the sole mistake you made, Gabrielle. I could go on, but I would not want to bore you."

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"You don't bore me," Gabrielle assured him. "Do you know how refreshing it is to know more than one guy who's capable of stringing together sentences that aren't half noncommittal grunts? That's the ones who aren't busy posturing and giving grand speeches about their plans for despotic world domination. I mean, really."

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir laughed as he straightened up. "I have heard a similar complaint before, not including the grand speeches at least. It makes me wonder if Men in Middle-earth are so different then for I know plenty who are more eloquent than I shall ever be."

Even Boromir had his moments, though he preferred to keep them short.

Re: Talk to Gabrielle [1/12]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"I have to wonder if they are," Gabrielle told him, smiling more readily now. "Although there are a few in Fandom who surprise me just as much that way."