Author's Note: Yea, this was originally going to be a kind of long one-poster, but I decided to break it up a bit into chapters. So keep coming back, because I'll hopefully finish this story up in a few chapters …. it shouldn't be that long, but you never know! =)
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters - they belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Background: Éowyn and Faramir meet in the Houses and Healing (like in the book), but although Faramir falls in love with her, she obviously doesn't return the feeling. Faramir hides his feelings for her, and Éowyn only sees him as a friend. She returns to Rohan, still a bit depressed and still in love with Aragorn (even after he marries Arwen). Faramir visits her often, and his love for her never ceases, but never is made known. My story begins a few years after the events in LOTR, and when Faramir arrives in Edoras to visit Éowyn.
Chapter 1: He Comes with a Wishful Heart
The golden hall of Edoras glistened in the sunlight as Faramir rode up the hill. He never tired of the sight of the beautiful city, or of the sight of the fair maiden he had traveled so far to see.
The watchman at the city gates graciously let Faramir enter. Faramir rode towards Meduseld, greeting many of the pedestrians on the lane as he passed. He had become quite a popular visitor to Edoras in the past years since he had come so frequently. Of course, rumors spread like wildfire that Faramir came so often only to visit Éowyn, and the possibility that he may even be courting her.
"He comes with a wishful heart, he does," whispered one woman to another has Faramir passed. "If you ask me, he is in love with the Lady Éowyn, but I hear she is in love with the King of Gondor, and wishes not to be loved by any other."
"Ah, and King Elessar is already wed," the other woman said. "Tis a pity to see our beautiful Lady in such anguish. Yet I do think she and Faramir would make a smart match."
The two woman watched Faramir approach the steps of Meduseld and give his horse to the care of the stable keeper. He then made his way up the steps and was greeted by Éomer.
"Good morning, my friend!" said Éomer. "It has been sometime since your last visit, for it seemed that before you would come every other week!"
"True, so it has," replied Faramir. "Gondor has been a busy place of late, and it was hard to find time to make another visit to Edoras."
"That is well," said Éomer has he led Faramir inside. "I do suppose you'll be wanting to see Éowyn soon," he continued, giving a knowing grin.
Faramir blushed slightly and replied, "Yes, if all is well with her."
"She is well, but is sleeping now. Perhaps you would settle for a drink and some food instead?"
"Thank you, that would be much appreciated." Éomer ordered for some wine and bread to be brought to them, but Faramir only thought of Éowyn. He hoped that he would not have to wait long to be in her presence.
"Well, then, Faramir," Éomer said as servants brought some wine and bread to the table. "How is Minas Tirith and the King Elessar?"
"Both are well and blessed. And how is -" Faramir answered but was cut short for his breath had just been taken away. Éowyn had entered the room, and the sudden sight of her swept Faramir off his feet. Her golden hair lay perfectly on her head, and her blue eyes sparkling like the crystal waters of Ithilien. Slowly, he got up from his chair and went to her and kissed her hand. "Éowyn, it has been too long since our last meeting."
"It has," Éowyn said as she smiled at him. "Yet you are here now, and I am overjoyed at this unexpected coming! How has life been for you?"
"Same as usual," he replied, suddenly at a loss of eloquent words. "Though my thoughts have often wandered from Ithilien to Edoras."
"As mine have wandered to Minas Tirith," Éowyn said, a sad tone in her voice. Faramir was slightly struck down by this, noticing how she said Minas Tirith instead of Ithilien, and how it must be referring to Aragorn.
After an uneasy silence, Éomer rose from he seat and said, "Well, I must be off, for another visitor is here in Edoras. Lothíriel, daughter of Prince Imrahil. I shall see you both at dinner, then." And then he left the two alone in the hall.
Éowyn laughed. "Éomer, I think, is in love with Lothíriel, and I do believe that the feeling is mutual."
"Perhaps, then, on one of my future visits I shall be greeted by the King and Queen of Rohan."
"Perhaps." Éowyn smiled at him and touched his face in a friendly way and said, "I'm glad you're here again, Faramir."
A/N: I hope you like it so far! It'll get better and more dramatic, but this was more of an opening/prologue chapter. Please review! Constructive criticism would be good … pretty please, no flames! And thanks for reading!