First the disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, places, events, etc. It's all the Professor's wonderful ideas that I'm borrowing for a while.

Standing high above the green fields on the wide porch of the golden hall of Meduseld, I was among the first to see the cloud of dust on the horizon that indicated my brother's return with my uncle's body. And our guests. I knew not if I should feel joy at seeing by beloved Faramir again or the heavy sorrow of never seeing Theoden again. I closed my eyes for a long moment as I struggled. I still missed the man who had raised me as his own daughter, and would have given almost anything to see him once more. He was always so good to me, and I would always miss him, but I knew that he was a peace now, sitting in the halls of his fathers, reunited with his wife and son.

Eomer had become a fine king, and the people respected him greatly. He had seen to it that many things were restored in the few months since we had returned from Minas Tirith together, and the summer's crops were growing well. Our people would survive the winter and rebuild all that was destroyed, as they had in the past. It was our way to mourn for those that were lost, but to push ahead and do what must be done.

So it would be for my uncle.

I opened my eyes again, and already I could see the tiny figures on horseback approaching, spears and helms glinting in the sun. It was an honor to see how many had come to honor the fallen, and I had to smile in pride. Now that I could actually see the riders, my sorrow was suddenly pushed aside by apprehension.

What if Faramir had changed his mind in the months we were apart? What if he thought what we shared in Minas Tirith was but a fleeting emotion, brought about by troubled times? Had he even come? I scanned the column anxiously, even though they were still much too far off to see individual riders.

Slowly they advanced, and passed through the gates of the city. There were no calls of welcome, though every citizen who could had come to pay their respects to the fallen. It was a solemn procession. Finally the golden bier came to stop at the foot of the steps leading up to the hall, and gently Theoden was lifted and carried inside. Eomer took my hand briefly in passing, and squeezed it gently before following through the doors. I remained on the porch, and quietly greeted the many guests that had come, making sure that each had an attendant to show them to the rooms that were prepared for them. The last to climb the steps was Faramir.

Of course, I had seen him in the procession, and knew that he and his uncle had both come, but I had not allowed myself to dwell on his presence while there were other matters to see to. But now... Almost hesitantly I raised my eyes to his as he crossed the few feet that separated us, and I almost wept from the love and respect I saw there. Gently he took my hand and lifted it to his lips, and for a long moment we simply stood there, my hand still in his. Finally a whispered, "It eases my heart to see you again, my lord." He simply smiled that wonderful smile I had dreamed about each night and replied just as softly, "And mine, my lady". We turned then, and walked into the shade of the great hall, where refreshments were being made available to any who desired them. Most had already gone to their rooms to wash away the dust of traveling and to rest before the fest that evening.

He stayed near me, and I was glad of his presence. Just knowing he was there, and that he still loved me, gave me strength. Having been raised in the court of Gondor, he knew that there were duties to be done before personal matters could be addressed. When we were finally able to turn to each other again, I led him out into the gardens, which I had tended personally each day since I had returned, and which were now in full bloom. We walked there together for a long while as he spoke of the repairs being made in his city and I told him of our work here.

Eventually, we rested together in the shade of an oak tree, my back leaning against the trunk as he stretched out on the green grass and laid his head on my lap. He held my left hand in his right, and both rested on his chest while I smoothed his hair idly with my free hand. It was peaceful here, and quiet, and eventually we both slept, content to know the other was near.