Title: A matter of love

Summary: A misunderstanding is made in the gardens of the Houses of Healing (one sided Faramir/Eowyn).

Prompt: 13 "Maiden"

Word count: 376

'A fair maiden' was what Faramir had called her on the day of their meeting in the gardens. A woman lovelier than anything he had the pleasure of beholding. In the darkness of her mind, his words stirred a strange sense of hope inside of her, yet when she looked upon his face, all she saw was Boromir. Their almost identical looks were different by several defining features; where Faramir had obtained his mother's soft and kindly features, he had his father's blue eyes and ginger hair. Boromir gained only his mother's green eyes and fair hair, as to whom he took after in looks was anyone's guess.

Faramir was as graceful as Boromir described him. His way with words painted luminous pictures in her head, reinforced the idea that hope would one day become a reality and happiness would be hers once again, yet they gave her no pause until he declared his love for her. Taken aback she tried to regain her footing in the conversation. "You love me?" She asked, hair masking her expression as she turned away from him.

She could feel him smile as he said, "Yes, with all my heart," He replied. "And were you a queen, far beyond my grasp, I would still love you." He paused, his hand captured hers and squeezed gently. "Do you not feel the same?"

No, I do not. The words were on her tongue, dancing upon the edge where its tip and her lips met, yet she hesitated. Her heart gave pause in regard to the young man's feelings and therein laid her folly. "I do-" She turned to meet his hopeful expression. Her words caught in her throat upon catching the sound of a foot dragging across the ground behind Faramir. Her eyes tore themselves away from Faramir and focused on the entrance of the gardens. There she found him standing, mouth slightly agape in shock, his face marred by hurt. Boromir.

Faramir turned around in time to watch Boromir vanish back through the entrance like a ghost. "That was my brother," He murmured in pleasant surprise. He turned to meet Eowyn's blank expression with a small smile. "Have you met him?"

Eowyn could not speak.