Was it truly fair that she should be so happy? Her brother and dear friends faced were facing a deadly foe yet she had smiled more in the past four days than she had in the past four months. So much of this was due to Elena, the younger girl had become like a sister to her. Every morning they walked the gardens together not speaking, each content to simply be in the other's company. Occasionally, Faramir joined them. A shiver of pleasure ran down her spine as she thought of the steward who had become as dear to her as his sister. Her feelings for him confused her. It was nothing like what she had felt for Aragorn. She had thought herself in love with the King, but she realized now that the feelings she had had for him were nothing like what she felt for Faramir. Aragorn had been this wild untamable creature, like a mustang that she could not help gaze at but know you could never keep for your own. Though she would always respect and admire him, she knew that it was not real love that she felt for him. With Faramir it was different. With Faramir she had found a kind of spiritual equal. She had been slightly intimidated by his scholarly knowledge, but Faramir said he found her very intelligent. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with someone who appreciated it. While so many men frowned at her abilities with the sword, he admired it. He'd caught Elena and her in the garden's the other day, practicing their sparring with sticks, in lieu of swords. She'd been afraid he would scold her, but instead he had applauded her skill. She supposed he had learned to appreciate spirited women from growing up with his sister. She sensed that Elena knew her feelings for her brother. She saw a delighted twinkle in the girl's eye whenever Faramir joined them in the garden. Elena often "suddenly remembered" something she needed to do and would hastily excuse herself leaving Eowyn alone with Faramir. Elena had become their messenger, bearing messages between them when they could not be in each other's presence. "Good morning dear lady," he greeted her as he joined her in the garden. Her heart warmed at the sight of him. As he drew closer she saw that he carried a lady's mantle. It was deep blue with silver stars sewn into the fabric. He wrapped it around her shoulders to ward of the chill.
"Tis a lovely garment," she said.
"It belonged to my mother," he said. "I wish for you to have it. It will keep you warm and compliment your beauty." Eowyn was astonished and flattered.
"I am honored my lord, but shouldn't a garment of your mother's be passed onto Elena?" Faramir released a sad sigh.
"Elena has never wanted anything of our mother's. On her eighteenth birthday she was given the pearl necklace that mother wore on her wedding day. She refused to wear it to the celebration. When we asked her about it she simply burst into tears and would not speak. I have never understood it. Boromir thought that being reminded of mother was simply too painful for her, but I have always sensed it was more than that. Speaking of Elena, why is she not with you?" Eowyn had been thinking deeply about what Faramir had told her of Elena's refusal of her mother's things. She agreed with Faramir that it was deeper than Boromir suspected. Elena rarely spoke of her mother, and when she did there always seemed to be a hint of anger. Coupled with what she had said about her father, it made her wonder. She shook away those thoughts to answer Faramir's question.
"I went by her room, but she was sound asleep. I thought it better not to wake her"
"Indeed," Faramir said. "Poor thing has hardly slept at all lately. Wearing herself thin taking care of the wounded soldiers and trying to keep the people's hopes alive." Eowyn pursed her lips. She knew the real reason why her friend had not been sleeping. Elena had confided in her the other day that she had difficulty sleeping because she was plagued by nightmares. Eowyn could understand this, having had quite a few nightmares herself as of late. In her dreams the Witch King haunted her. Elena would not tell her the content of her nightmares which worried Eowyn. It seemed as though Elena was afraid to reveal what worried her.
"I am glad the two of you have become so close," Faramir said. "I have not seen my sister in such high spirits since before our mother died." Eowyn smiled.
"Elena is a very sweet girl. Her friendship has meant so much to me, in this dark time as I wait for the stroke of doom." As she spoke her gaze turned toward the Black Gate. She felt Faramir come behind her and gently lay his hand on her shoulders. She found herself leaning back into him, comforted by his embrace. "This darkness shall not endure. Our enemy underestimates us. That is his weakness and it will be his downfall." Eowyn could see the reason in that. How hopeless had their fates seemed at Helms Deep, how hopeless had it seemed when they marched on Pellenor? And yet it seemed Aragorn was always there to bring them back to the light. Surely, the King could prevail once more.
"All our hopes rest on Frodo's shoulders," Faramir whispered. "I feel I should have done more for him"
"Do not trouble yourself so. In the short time I have been familiar with hobbits, I have come to learn one thing. They are stronger than they appear. I am sure that Frodo still lives"
"I pray that it is so." They stood together wrapped in each others embrace as the dark mist rolled in. As lightning split the sky and the earth trembled Faramir cupped her chin and tilted her face towards him. Her head swam and her heart raced as he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. As they parted the sun came out and birds began to sing. Eowyn's breath caught in her throat.
"Faramir," she whispered hardly daring to believe it.
"Can it be possible?" Faramir whispered. Suddenly over the hills an eagle soared singing out his song of joy.
"It is true!" Eowyn exclaimed. "We've won!" She threw her arms around Faramir. "I can hardly believe it," Faramir said. "But it must be. By god, it is over. Sauron is destroyed. She laughed as Faramir swooped her up in his arms and swung her around. He put her down and she seized his hand.
"We must tell Elena," Eowyn said turning to run to her friends room and tell her the good news.
"Wait," Faramir said holding tightly to her hand. "I love you." Of all the things he could say to her, she certainly wasn't expecting that.
"Faramir," she gasped in astonishment.
"I've been in love with you since the first time I saw you. I know it has only been a few days, but if I have learned anything in these dark years, it is that life is short. We never know how much time we have left. We have to seize every moment that there is. Eowyn, will you marry me?" Eowyn knew that if her heart got any fuller it with burst.
"Oh Faramir," she gasped throwing her arms around him. "I love you as well. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife." He kissed her and this time it was no gentle touch. His mouth plundered hers and she responded with all the love and passion she felt fot him. A need for air froced them to part.
"We must go to Elena," Eowyn said.
"Eowyn," Faramir said. "May I ask you to keep our engagement a secret for the moment. I would like to speak to Elena privately before we make the announcement."
"Of course, my love," she said. "Now come, if we keep the news of our victory from her any longer, she will never forgive us." Faramir laughed. Hand in hand they rushed down to Elena's room. Eowyn dropped his hand and ran to the bed.
"Elena wake up," she said pouncing on the sleeping girl. Elena shot up in bed a look of terror on her face.
"Oh Eowyn," Elena said holding her hand to her heart. "You frightened me." She looked up and saw her brother standing beside the bed.
"What is it?" she said fearfully. "Are we under attack"
"No," Eowyn said happily. "It's over Elena. We've won." Elena stared at her in disbelief. She turned to Faramir looking for the truth.
"Faramir?" she asked him tentatively. He nodded. Elena buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
"Oh sweetheart," Eowyn said pulling her into a hug.
"I can't believe this day has finally come," Elena gasped into Eowyn's shoulder. Faramir sat down on the bed and wrapped both women in a warm hug.