"Are you pulling in reinforcements to suitably flay my hide?"

The Prince of Ithilien stood just inside doorway to Emyn Arnen's kitchen, frozen fingers tucked under his armpits to warm, His cheeks and nose were reddened from the cold; dark raven hair windblown. He eyed the knot of women by the large oak table a little warily. Eowyn was there. He tried to guess her mood from the set of her shoulders and her hips. She did not look too very stiff; perhaps, just perhaps he would not be sleeping in the stableblock after all.

Their plump and feisty cook Gwinlith bobbed a quick curtsey while his wife and housekeeper tossed identical guilty looks across their shoulders. Eowyn's fair skin blushed a little pinker as her nose tilted up. Gods but she was beautiful when she was annoyed.

"I would not need reinforcements just for that." Her derisive snort made Gwinlith bark a staccato laugh and cover her mouth with one floured hand. "And is it sporting to sneak up on us?"

"Perhaps not." he allowed. Belatedly, Faramir realized that if he wanted to be noticed in his own home he would need to cultivate a noisy walk. Not so easy an accomplishment when one has spent twenty years keeping one's head intact by stealth. But then again, sneaking up on people could be quite informative.

"Then am I to assume there is another reason for this conclave?" Eyebrow raised and catching each woman's gaze in turn, he tried (and failed spectacularly) to keep his tone disinterested. What else would they be discussing in quiet whispers, huddled together like nervous councillors before a vote? He may have been raised with mostly men but even the most oblivious husband could guess what an angry wife would be rounding on right then. Him.

"In point of fact there is." One fine black eyebrow raised a little higher and he dropped his hands to his hips. Faramir could practically hear the wheels turning in his wife's agile mind, looking for some quick excuse. In this instance it was Nera who quicker off the mark.

"Forgive my Lord, I wished to know my Lady's opinion on the midday meal. The original plans did not work out."

Gwinlith sputtered in indignation, opening her mouth to protest. Menus were set days before and the suggestion that their accomplished cook could have spoiled anything was tantamount to insult. Nera placed a gentle hand on the ample, barely quivering forearm. "A mistake of mine, my Lord. In the ordering. It is settled now."

Nera's perfectly correct, helpful smile was turned upon him. "Prince Faramir you look quite chilled. Could I bring you some warmed wine and soup to the sitting room?"

After a second or two of brief teeth grinding (he could not break an absurdly proud Nera from the formal title habit) the idea was tempting. His hike up through the woods behind the estate had been theraputic but his fingers had caught the nip of cold. Faramir had always found he thought best when his body was on the move: it was a fine strategy, except for when one has stormed out and forgot warm clothes. So much for Ranger training and survival skills.

"That would suit very well indeed, thank you Nera." he replied, head inclined respectfully. .

Three sets of shoulders visibly relaxed. Clearly they were not going to be more forthcoming. He decided to try his luck. Eowyn did not look quite so furious as she had scant hours before.

"My Lady, will you join me?" He held a wind-reddened hand out. Eowyn paused a moment, but then nodded and placed her hand in his. Her fingers were wonderfully warm and the thought occurred they would be welcome other places that were chilled. First things first, he reminded himself. Establishing that they would not be taking a dagger to his guts would be quite helpful.

Much relieved by the faint smile that graced her lips, he tucked Eowyn's arm through his and turned for the door. They did not get far before her delicately shod foot slipped. The snow on his boots had been melting all the while into ever wider puddles on the dark slate floor. Quickly he grabbed for her wrist and held her tight. She did not fall but her flank and hip pressed warm and soft against his side. He did not let go even as they passed the worst of the wet.

"Some ploy."

Eowyn's grumble this time was pitched low and just for him. The housekeeper's was most certainly not.

None of them failed to notice the loss of honoriffic.

"Faramir! Your winter boots are supposed to stay by the front door!"

No further mishaps were encountered on the brief journey to the front sitting room. As Faramir shook off his damp coat and threw it across a chair he mulled over how to begin. They had never fought before, not like this, and he felt nervous; tense; not sure what words to expect from her next. Eowyn settled herself beside the fire and wring the edge of her skirt that had got a little soaked. He belatedly bent down and unlaced his boots.

The delivery of the food was a welcome break and for several long minutes there was no need to acknowledge the morning's ballast. The wine settled low into his belly and began to chase the chill and worry both away. After several awkward minutes watching his wife over the rim of his soup spoon he decided a full frontal assault was the best strategy after all.

"I am an idiot."

Eowyn's loud snort was followed by a cough. A little of the soup went down the wrong way and for a longer minute she coughed hard, waving away his offer of a thump upon her back.

"If you want me to disagree I will not." The eventual tart reply was worrying; the wry smile that followed was a balm

Faramir shook his head quickly. "I did not expect you to. We can agree that I have been unhelpfully wound within myself. Can you forgive me?" He reached out and took her face in his hands, ran thumbs across her cheeks. This was the Eowyn he knew and loved. Quick to forgive so long as it was just. The light in her eyes and next quiet words made the last of the anxiety melt away.

" Yes." Her smile was hesitant. "I am prepared to apologize for my unfortunate choice of words and tone."

"And I, dear heart, for not thinking beyond myself." Suddenly he could not stand the six inches of space between them. Faramir laid aside his bowl and opened his arms, threw caution to the wind. The thrill when she nestled against his chest was made his blood pound hard.

'What I want to know is why you never said."

A feather of a kiss was dropped to the golden crown of her head and he squeezed her tight. An explanation was owed but how could he explain when he did not know himself? Two hours in the snow had not brought him any closer to the truth.

"I do not know my love. Sometimes it is just much easier not to think. I was too little to understand then and now: now the one who held the memories is gone." Would it have been worse to have a father who did not love his mother quite so much? Sometimes he wondered. Would it have been harder to have a father who was indifferent to losing her. He thought so. A least under all there was a reason for Denethor's un-ending winter.

Eowyn's warm sigh caressed his neck. Her lips fluttered against his neck. They distracted but he forced himself to focus on her words. "But surely you spent some of the holidays in Dol Amroth."

Faramir nodded. "Yes, a few years. But never with Father. It always felt exotic….more like someone else's family if you understand my drift. Distinct from Minas Tirith." He stroked a hand down her soft hair, let his fingers card through the ends. It was soothing for them both.

"Uncle invited us to Dol Amroth. Perhaps we should have gone. But with all the fuss of setting the house to rights this seemed the best."

Eowyn looked quickly up. " I agree. To stay here was the right decision. I am truthfully tired. No more travelling for a while."

"I think I can promise you that." There were indeed faint dark shadows under her eyes. When had those appeared? She had worked long hours to get the garden started before the worst of the cold arrived. Taken charge of the harvest and the village supplies with equal vigor. "I am sorry love. I promise to be more forthcoming. To share more of myself." And make sure you get more rest, he thought, but kept it to himself.

"Is there any thing else you need to share with me?" This time her voice was teasing. "Hidden mistresses? Children I need to succor. Your past life of thievery?

He laughed. "Only the time I purloined oranges from a stall in the second circle market."

"Do tell."

"Nera and the merchant nearly died with laughter. I spent at least a quarter candlemark choosing the one to take." He felt her smile against his chest. The world felt right and warm again. A log on fire spat out a spark. There was no where else he wished to be: dry and sated with his gorgeous wife happy and in his arms.

"Wyn I am sorry I did react how you expected. I can learn to be excited. "

His beautiful wild shieldmaiden swiftly glanced down. Her wicked grin when she caught his gaze sent a jolt of pure fire to his loins.

"That is a skill parts of you already seem to have…"

He chuckled and pulled her mouth in for a slow, languid kiss. "How not when I have you? " His hands were finally warm as they tangled in her hair.

The carpet was thick and there was no where else they had to be.

They became lost in each other for a rather longer while.