The following day was a busy one, full of ceremony as Theoden was laid in state in the hall of Meduseld and the guests were shown to their accommodations and settled. Faramir hardly saw Eowyn all day, and they had no time to share more than a few words before the evening meal. Even then, they were separated by Eomer, Aragorn and Arwen, so there was little hope of talking. Once the meal was completed Eomer stood and addressed his guests.
"Fair lords and ladies, I welcome you all to Edoras, and thank you for coming to honor our fallen king. In keeping with our customs, he will be laid in state for 2 days more, so that all of his people who wish to pay their respects may do so. Tomorrow there will be games in celebration of the king's military poweress, if you care to watch them. Some of you," he glanced quickly over to Faramir, " may even choose to participate, and you would be most welcome." At this he heard a gasp from Eowyn, followed by chuckles from Aragorn and Arwen and finally a sigh from Faramir, and he laughed inwardly himself. "May you rest in peace and comfort this night."
Sitting again, he turned to smile pleasantly at Faramir. "I did say that I believe the best way to judge a man is by his skill with a sword. You would not object to a sparring match tomorrow, would you, Lord Prince?" Faramir returned the smile with a polite one of his own, but his eyes moved to Eowyn as he answered "Anything, Lord Eomer." Seeing the look, Aragorn laughed, reaching around his own bride to clap a hand to Faramir's shoulder. "I lay odds on my steward."
The morning dawned bright and clear, with a bright blue sky and just enough breeze to keep the August heat at bay. By mid morning the games were in full swing, with contests in archery, spear and sword as well a horsemanship. Those guests that chose to observe, mostly the soldiers of the Tower and the knights of Dol Amroth, were seated in pavilions or walked about between the various matches, and some did indeed choose to participate. When the time appointed for Eomer's match with Faramir, the seats were full with lords and ladies, including the king and queen of Gondor, and the circle was surrounded by riders, guards and knights. Eowyn was sitting at the front of the pavilion, between Arwen and Faramir's cousin, Lothiriel. When the contestants stood forward many were surprised that while the king had stipped off his shirt, as was custom when sparring, Faramir still wore his. In answer to Eomer's question as to why, he replied "As I am being judged to see if I am worthy of your sister, who is in attendance, I will take no chance of your accusing me of... inappropriate behaviour, my lord."
At this Eomer raised a brow as he considered the position Faramir had put him in. After a moment he laughed, but shook his head. "Nay, Gondorian, I would not have any say that I had any unfair advantage in my victory." Faramir grinned wickedly, knowing he had won the point, then bowed as he spread his hand in acquiescence. "As you command, my lord" and he removed his shirt. He then called to Eomer. "My lord, may I ask the lady for a token of her favor?" Eomer sighed theatrically, but then nodded his assent before turning his attention to selecting a practice sword from the racks, once again looking to Eothain before casting his eyes to the heavens.
Faramir came to stand before Eowyn, who had a faint stain of colour on her cheeks. "My lady, do I have your favor?"
She smiled and answered clearly, "You do, my lord."
"Then may I have a token of that favor to wear into combat?"
Laughing, she reached up and untied the white ribbon that had bound back her golden hair, and she tied it around his left arm. And if she took longer about the process than might have been strictly necessary, fingers lingering against warm skin, none blamed her.
As she tied the ribbon he asked in a low voice, "Would you kiss me, lady, if I win?" And she looked up at him and returned his grin with one of her own. "Aye." Faramir stepped back, saluted her with his sword, and turned to her brother.
Then the match began. After circling for a moment, Eomer made the first move, a quick feint and thrust, which Faramir dismissed with the simplest of parries. Eomer nodded approval, and the circling continued. Eomer attacked again, and was again blocked easily, and now the light of battle kindled in the young king's eyes, and he grinned. The steward grinned back, and the fight was now on in earnest. Each took the offense at times, and each also was put on defense. They were well matched, and the sparring went on far longer than previous contests had, much to the approval of the crowd. In the end, Eowyn's initial judgement of Faramir, that he was a man no rider would defeat in battle, was proven to be true. Eomer eventually grew reckless and overstepped, allowing Faramir to disarm him. With his wooden sword poised inches from the king's throat Faramir demanded, "Have you made your decision, my lord?" Eomer stood for a moment before reaching up and brushing the sword away. "Aye, I have." The sword was lowered. "And that decision is?"
"If she will have you, you have my blessing." Eomer laughed. "And may Eorl help you, brother!"
The men surrounding the field cheered loudly, and Faramir looked over to Eowyn who smiled warmly at him. He asked Eomer a question, unheard over the noise of the crowd, and was given a waved consent as Eomer went to retrieve his sword. The crowd hushed slightly as Faramir approached the pavilion, standing again in front of Eowyn. He rested the point of his sword on the ground, then knelt on one knee. "What say you, White Lady of Rohan? Will you have me?"
Eowyn lifted a brow and looked at him, as though considering his worth, but then grinned and answered "I will, Man of Gondor."
He stood, and stepped forward to put his left arm around her waist, grinning at her. "You promised you would kiss me if I won, my lady." She returned the grin with a small smile as color once again touched her cheeks. "So I did, my lord." He simply stood, looking into her eyes until she pressed her lips to his, light and quick. He raised a brow and gave a very small shake of his head. She flushed slightly, and hesitated a moment before kissing him again, this time more fully and for a longer time. He smiled, but he shook his head once more. She looked into his eyes for a moment, then reached up her hand to touch his cheek before she kissed him a third time. This kiss had the hand that had rested gently at the small of her her back first tightly into her gown, and his arm tightened, pulling her closer. The wooden sword, which had not shifted in his grip throughout the match, now slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground. Another great cheer went up from the spectators, especially the men of the White Guard. When Eomer at last called over the din of cheers and laughter from all who watched "Enough, sister! You are not married yet…"
It was another moment before the couple separated, and when they did they simply stared at each other as if stunned. Eowyn then blushed, and hid her face against him while he laughed and kissed the top of her head. He put his other arm about her and whispered for her ears only "There is my wild shieldmaiden." She looked up at him again, and shook back her bright hair before she grinned, touched his cheek once more then stepped away as propriety demanded.