A/N: Thanks Sapphire for beta reading this!
I sat down at my brother's side again with Éowyn by my side. She had her arm wound around mine with our fingers intertwined. Had I not known that I probably would pass out from the pain, I would have done a back flip because I was so ecstatic. My brother was getting better before my eyes, and Éowyn loved me. She even proved it to me, and that made me all the happier. If I also knew that Aragorn, Frodo, Sam and the rest of the army is safe then I doubt that I should ever be sad again.
"Faramir..." Éowyn murmured in her soft melodic voice. I looked over at her fair face and raised my eyebrows in question. She smiled softly and gripped my hand a little tighter. "Would you tell me about your brother?" She asked shyly. I smiled to myself and turned my head back to my brother.
"What would you like to know beloved?"
"What is he like?" She said.
What was he like? I could talk for hours about what my brother was like. I reached over with my free hand and brushed his hair from his face, then grasped his limp hand in mine. "He is a fearless leader; his men would follow him to any battle, even a hopeless one-which most of them have done on more than one occasion. He is a brilliant fighter, capable of killing any monster the enemy can summon. He once even single handily killed a cave troll. He is a fiercely protective brother, who never let me get hurt while around. He's a great teacher, having taught me all my fighting skills and most of my 'life skills.' You know, things like how to swim, how to run really fast, how to climb trees without ruining your silk tunic, how to beguile people into doing things they really would rather not, how to dance, and how to avoid a fight. He loves a good story but can't stand to read. He hates politics; he'd rather fight a hundred Orcs than go to a council or diplomatic dinner. He's got a great sense of humor like no one else; he can always make me, and most everyone else laugh. One time he even got Gandalf to laugh so hard that he snorted. He's my big brother, and I couldn't have gotten a better one." I said, finishing with a long breath. Éowyn looked at me with a warm smile.
"I look forward to getting to know him – he sounds a lot like my own brother. He's really protective too." I laughed at that and she looked at me inquiringly.
I answered her question with a laugh. "I was just imagining your brothers face when I ask him for permission to court you."
She laughed gaily at that. "You shall be needing one of the life skills Boromir taught you when you ask Éomer." She said. I tilted my head and looked at her curiously.
"Which one?" I asked.
Éowyn looked like she could've burst. "The ability to run!" She said, and we broth broke down laughing. My laughter was stilled almost instantly though by a slight noise. Boromir's mouth had opened and his limp hand had just gripped mine. I scooted nearer to his seat tensely and tightened my grip on his cold hand. From the way that he battled that illness, I would've thought that he'd be warm in the least.
"Boromir" I said softly, calling him awake. He took a deep breath and his eyes fluttered open.
"Miri?" He questioned fearfully in a hoarse voice. That was unlike him, and I was surprised to see and hear him like this, in such sad, sad state. I got off the chair and knelt beside him.
"Shh, it's alright Boromir, you`re in the House of Healing." I told him while stroking his hair. "You've been asleep for quite awhile – you were badly wounded." Boromir tilted his head towards me and licked his dry lips. I felt Éowyn nudge something in my hand and looked to see what it was. A glass of water , whose cool liquid was tranquil within the cup. I smiled gratefully up at her and gently poured some down his throat while gently lifting his head so that he could swallow. "Is that better?" I asked softly.
He nodded and opened his mouth taking in another deep breath. "What happened?" He asked quietly. I was silent for a moment contemplating just what to say when I felt Éowyn move nearer to me.
"You were fighting on the lower level when it was sealed off. You got attacked by several Uruk-hai and became gravely injured. A soldier found you lying unconscious on top of six Uruk-hai, all of which you had sleighed. He took you away from the house of healing and you were brought to this house. You've been in a coma for the last eleven days." Her melodic voice was soft and soothing as she spoke to my brother. She had grasped his other hand and was stroking it in a motherly fashion. Boromir looked at her for a moment, and I realized he had no idea who Éowyn was.
I opened my mouth to introduce them but was interrupted by Boromir's hoarse voice. "You must be the Lady Éowyn." She blushed and nodded her head smiling softly. He laughed roughly and smiled. "You described her well brother, she is indeed beautiful." I smiled proudly as I looked at my beautiful love. She gave a blush, and acknowledged Boromir's gaze. "How did the battle end?" Boromir's worried voice drew me back to the room and away from Éowyn's beautiful gray eyes.
"We did indeed win the battle Boromir." I paused for a moment and then continued. "However, the army of both Gondor and Rohan has gone to Mordor to confront Sauron."
His reaction was not surprising, but it was instantaneous. "That's insanity!" He choked out.
I nodded sadly and continued my explanation. "They go to give Frodo a chance. They're to draw Sauron's gaze upon themselves, keeping him blind to all else. Giving Frodo the chance to destroy the Ring."
Éowyn whipped her head over to me and looked horrified. "You don't know?" She questioned disbelievingly.
"Know what?" Boromir and I said at together.
She took a breath and looked ashamed. "Aragorn won. The Ring has been destroyed." She said softly.
My heart stopped and I had to grip the bed. Never in my wildest dreams had I hoped for anything near as much. Frodo had succeeded - the Ring was destroyed? How had I not known! Why had no one told me?! Apparently my face showed my shock and disbelief because Éowyn quickly began to explain. "The afternoon we were attacked by that Uruk-hai we received the news that they had won. A great Eagle of Manwe's flew over the city an announced the victory. Forgive me," She said desperately, gripping my hand fiercely, "I had thought someone had told you – I know how close you were to all who went."
I know not what I would have said to her, for I never got a chance to reply. A flurry of emotions swelled from within me, both most distinctive were gladness and sadness. Had I known earlier…I would've…But suddenly Merry burst in the room in a terrible panic. His face was deathly pale and his cheeks tear stained. In his hand he clutched a wrinkled letter to his chest.
"Pippin's dying!" He cried out.
