The land of Middle Earth was quiet. The wind hissed through the ancient forests as ents read the messages in the wind. Their eyes grew tired and sad as they read the news of the unbeknownst shadow that would soon cover the land. It seemed as if only days since the last shadow that had tried to take over Middle Earth had been dissipated but now there was a new one.
"Are you sure that this idea will please Eowyn?" Arwen asked as she prepared for bed.
The handsome man beside her replied, "It is for the best Arwen, Eowyn needs a strong man to help support her. You know of her great sorrow. 'Tis because of me that she looks so pale. I have broken her heart."
"Nay 'tis not your fault, Aragorn." Arwen knew much of Aragorn's guilt. She was an elf and he a man. She was born immortal, while he was mortal. They should never have loved so deeply. They knew the pain of parting would be unbearable. Arwen was cruelly reminded that if she had gone, he would have married Eowyn. That had been Eowyn's hope and dream. But fate had twisted and here she was, Queen of Gondor. She loved Aragorn beyond life itself and she knew that Aragorn did as well, but still the guilt was there.
Climbing between the silk sheets, Arwen snuggled close to Aragorn's strength and began to drift off to sleep. The night was cool and peaceful all was quiet.
Éowyn looked out into the night sky. It was dark and glistening with bright stars, but Éowyn felt nothing for the serenity of the time. Éowyn's time as Shieldmaiden had ended. It was now back to feasts and faked smiles. Éomer would start looking for a husband for her, as was his duty. Duty. That was the word that Éowyn hated most. It bound men to their weapons and forced women to bend to their will. It was duty that led her to accept her position as Shieldmaiden of Rohan. Duty forced her to attend functions of state and wear uncomfortable gowns. Duty caged, the lady of Rohan and so she trembled. Once she had told Aragorn her fear of being in a cage and now she knew that even though the war was over she would still be treated as a women. Eomer would take the throne of Rohan and marry some damsel that pleased his eye. Eomer could do this, he was a man and as such was in charge of his own future. Not Eowyn though, her life would be guided by men.
Her cage barred her soul and spirit from ever breaking free. Its iron bars held her against her will. Suddenly the warm breeze became cold and harsh, and Eowyn crept back into bed.
Faramir, son of Denethor, now Steward of Gondor gazed also at the bright sky. Aragorn had said he was to be married in the coming new moon. As duty bound him to bend to his King's will, Faramir acceded and gratefully accepted Aragorn's advice. Since he had never seen the lady that Aragorn spoke of, he hope that she would be like the lady he had seen at the House of Healing. She had seemed so regal and sad. Wise beyond her age and fairer then any other women he had ever looked upon. Yet, his fate was not ruled by his whim. If Aragorn was pleased with his match then Faramir would not complain.
Faramir was a decent and honorable man. His goals and dreams were like those of his people, peace, prosperity, and happiness. He wanted at warm home and to leave the fighting to bolder men. Fighting was a job for a man such as his brother, Boromir, had been. If children arrived that was an added bonus. He made a vow, however, that when his children were being raised that they would be loved equally for themselves. The pain of his own childhood swamped him and the mad gleam of his father's eyes as he burned pierced his heart.
Feeling a rush of melancholy overcome his senses, Faramir crawled back into his bed and closed his eyes, hoping to shut out fate.