1CHAPTER 10

I stayed by Faramir's side, not wanting to face Eomer. I had hurt him so much by saying that I loved Faramir. I did love Faramir just not the way I loved Eomer. I knew I had to tell him that, I just didn't know how. So taking care of Faramir helped me hide.

Aragorn came back with the kingsfoil brought to him by Bergil. He took two of the leaves laid them on his hands and breathed on them, and then he crushed them and straightway a living freshness filled the room as if the air itself awoke and tingled, sparkling with joy. Then he cast the leaves into the bowls of steaming water that were brought to him. Aragorn stood and held a bowl before Faramir's dreaming face. Suddenly Faramir stirred and he opened his eyes and looked on Aragorn.

He spoke softly, "My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?"

"Walk no more in the shadows, but awake!" Said Aragorn. "You are weary. Rest a while, and take food, and be ready when I return."

"I will, lord," Faramir said. "For who would lie idle when the king has returned?"

"Farewell then for a while!" Aragorn said.

He turned to me kissing my forehead. "I must go to the others who need me." He walked out the door.

I sighed a sigh of relief. Was it really all over? Faramir was going to live. I had heard him speak. I walked over to his side brushing the damp hair from his face. His color was returning, for that I was grateful. Any sign of hope was better than the last agonizing days.

"He will be ok if you would like to get some rest." Ioreth said kindly. "It will not do him or you any good to wind up in the bed next to him now would it? "

I smiled at her kindness. "I think I will at least stretch my legs." I spoke softly. "Will you please send someone for me when he awakens?"

"Yes I will, now go rest." Ioreth said shooing me out the door. "I will be right here with him."

I walked out of the room with hope, but yet heavy heart. I knew what I must do. I had to find Eomer.

* * * * * *

My heart beat fast. How could I face such sorrow again on his face as I had seen the day he heard me tell Aragorn I loved Faramir. I must be strong I told myself. I loved Eomer and could not bear to lose him again. But this time the decision would be his. Could I face him sending me away? I had to try.

I slowly made my way down the hall to Eowyn's room. I knew that is where he would be. Just as I arrived at the door Aragorn was coming out.

"Aragorn, how is she?" I questioned searching his eyes for answers.

"She has awoken from the Black Shadows that plagued her, but she is very weak." He smiled.

I sighed with releif.

"There is new hope all around today, my sister." He took my hand. "Eomer is inside. Go, be strong and speak to him. He suffers too."

I kissed him on the cheek and took a deep breath and opened the door.

Eomer sat silently watching Eowyn as if making sure she was still breathing. I closed the door quietly. He did not look up. How I longed to run into his arms, and kiss him deeply. He looked just as handsome as the last time I had seen him. But there was one difference. There was sadness in his eyes and on his face. I knew I was probably the reason for that sadness. I had to make it stop.

I cleared my throat. He looked up. His jaw locked and his hands clenched into fists. I knew this was not going to be easy.

"How is Eowyn?" I asked softly "Aragorn said that she had awakened."

"Yes she woke only briefly." He spat coldly. " Why are you here. Don't you have someone else to attend to."

I gritted my teeth. " I wanted to see Eowyn." I said calmly

"She is no longer your concern." Eomer said bitterly. "You made your choice."

"I made my choice?" I snapped. "What choice was that? The one where I was drug clear across two countries in the middle of the night to be thrown into a dungeon like some criminal. Because a deranged lunatic thought my brother was going to take over his thrown and I was his best weapon of defense."

Eomer paused looking up at me with confused eyes.

I continued. I figured since I had his attention I might as well tell him everything.

"I never wrote any letter saying I was choosing Gondor over Rohan. Grimma did. Then he made a trade with Denethor for me. Denethor threw me into his dungeon were I almost died, until Faramir went against his father's orders and rescued me. Saving my life. All the time I thought you were dead.." I began to cry. "That was Grimma's final gift. To tell me you were dead, and that no one would come to save me. Well guess what. He was right."

Eomer sat looking at me in disbelief. I stood there crying not able to move.

He stood walking toward me then stopping himself. "I did not know any of this or I would have come for you." he spoke softly.

Then his face darkened and he turned from me. "But even if I had what would have been the point. You would have been in love with someone else by then."

His body was rigid and his fist tightened even more.

I closed my eyes. How could I make him understand. All he would ever hear is my own admission to loving Faramir. "Eomer," I walk to him placing my hand upon his back. He quickly jerked away.

"Stop!" He cried. "I do not want to do this. Not here, not now. I have to focus on Eowyn and the next battle that needs to be fought."

"Fine!" I shouted. Angry at him once again choosing a battle over me, but mostly because he was being so stubborn.

"Choose your stupid battle, once again." I screamed at him as he winced. "Just remember this. I am not the one who left. You are." I turned and walked out the door.

I made it just down the hall before the sobs started to come uncontrollably. I stopped and sank down into the floor. How could I have lost my temper. I was not helping anything by getting so angry. I realized he needed time to process everything I had just told him. But just seeing him so angry and stubborn, hurt so much.

"Hello my lady" I heard someone whisper.

It was Pippin standing beside me.

"Are you alright?" He questioned. "I had heard Lord Faramir was doing better."

"Oh, yes he is." I said quickly wiping my tears away.

He looked puzzled. "Then why all the tears. If I may ask?" He spoke kindly.

"I was trying to explain to Eomer what had happened." I said sadly "But he didn't want to hear any of it."

"I am very sorry." Pippin said. "I'm sure that with time he will see the truth."

"Yes perhaps." I shrugged. "Oh look at me. How frightfully thoughtless I have been. How is your friend. Merry right?

Pippin smiled seeming please that someone had at least remembered about his friend.

"He is resting, but he is better." Pippin said.

"Wonderful. I would love to meet him as soon as he is up to it then" I said with a smile."please come and get me when he is ready."

"Thank you my lady." Pippin smiled.

"Please Pippin, call me Ariella. " I said. "After all we are friends."

He smile. "Ok Ariella. I must go now. Are you sure you will be alright here?"

"Yes, I will be fine." I said. And somehow I did feel a little better. Amazing at how these small creatures could make everything seem ok.

Pippin turned to go. I stood and decided to take Ioreth's advise and get some rest. Suddenly I was very tired.