Disclaimer: I, of course, did not create and do not own these characters and have no intention to profit from borrowing them for a while.
Two days after Eomer returned to Minas Tirith he sought out the steward. He was already reasonably sure that he would give his blessing for his sister to marry the Gondorian lord, but there were one or two doubts that still needed to be settled in his mind. Gimli had given him the name of a reputable tavern on the sixth level of the city, and before long the steward and the king were seated at a small table, each with a tankard of ale./span/p
After the ale had been served, Eomer simply sat back in his chair, arms crossed as he considered the man across from him. Faramir merely sipped his ale and waited, returning the younger man's guarded study with one of his own. After some minutes Eomer suddenly leaned forward, leaned his elbows on the table and wrapped his hands around his yet untouched tankard. "So… shall we dispense with the formalities, my lord? I call you Faramir, you call me Eomer and we will commence negotiations for my sister."
Faramir gave a short laugh. "I believe the lady would protest your choice of wording, but I agree to your suggestion that we not stand on ceremony." He then leaned forward himself, mirroring Eomer's pose. "I love her, Eomer, and I have been clear in my intentions to wed her. I spoke to you of these intentions as soon as could be after your return to Minas Tirith from Cormallen, and they have not changed. I know that you have spoken to my uncle about me, and to Beregond and others of my men. What more do you need to know? Ask whatever you will, and I will answer. Name any condition and, if I can with good conscience, I will meet it."
After a moment of silence, Eomer nodded once, lifted his tankard and drank. "I have made inquiries about you, Gondorian, even before returning to Minas Tirith. Aye, I had word of what was happening while still at Cormallen, and would have ridden back immediately had your uncle not spoken well of you, and had my reports not indicated that it seemed you were acting honorably enough towards her." He paused, and took a sip of ale. "Though you were over bold in asking for her hand before speaking to me."
Faramir nodded in concession. "That I was, but I will not apologize for it. If a man finds something beautiful and precious in days of uncertainty he will do all that he can to secure it before it is lost to him. Eomer... " He stopped, and took a drink before he continued. "I failed her after the defeat of the nameless one, and I will never forgive myself for it. I was so busy preparing for the king's return that I did not take the time to see her at the houses of healing, and she fell under the shadow again while I was not watching. It was not until the warden sent to word to me, expressing his concern for her, that I came back to seek her. She stated she had no desire to play at riddles so I spoke to her frankly, as we do here. And when she accepted my proffered love, I pressed my advantage and secured her agreement to wed. I would dare any man to do otherwise, when he had nearly lost that which he holds most dear."
Eomer leaned back again as Faramir spoke, and was silent for some time before he sighed. "I failed her, also, in Edoras. The shadow first fell on her there, and I was also too busy to see it. It took the coming of Gandalf and his companions to make me see it at all, and then I took no time to speak with her of it. When I saw her on the fields of Pelennor, lying next to my uncle…" He drained his tankard, then put it down with perhaps more force than was necessary. He looked directly at the steward. "None can deny that she has been happy since she met you, and you have my gratitude for that, if for naught else. She wishes still to come to Ithilien, and to make a life with you there."
Faramir's grin was wide and bright before he hid it by taking another drink from his tankard, but it was not missed.
Eomer was silent for a few minutes, considering. "I would that I had seen you in battle, Faramir. I find that to be the best way to judge a man, for you can learn how his mind works, his instincts, and how he handles himself under pressure. I have heard that your men hold you in highest respect as a captain, and that was it not for you Minas Tirith would have fallen ere we arrived, but I cannot judge for myself…" He fell silent once again for a moment, and did not speak as two new tankards were brought to the table. Then, having made his decision, he leaned forward again. "In three days I will bear my uncle back to Edoras. Come with me, and I will make my final decision ere his funeral feast be completed. If a betrothal is to be announced, and that is still to be decided, that would be an appropriate time, for my Uncle loved my sister and would see her happy.
Faramir answered simply, "I will come." Eomer nodded, and reached for his tankard. "Good! Now…." He reached for his tankard, smiling brightly. "I have several tests in mind, to help me make my decision. First…" He lifted his tankard and drank deeply. "Let us see how you hold your ale!" Faramir laughed, and drained his first tankard before reaching for the second, which he lifted in a silent toast to his future brother in law before drinking deeply.
A/N: Many thanks to Qoheleth for letting me know my first attempt at posting this had gone wrong. I appreciate your helping the new comer!