Alone, the brothers again smoked by their hearth. Silence reigned until Faramir spoke. "At least we cannot say that we did not leave anything unsaid."
"Diplomacy, brother," Boromir replied, stirring. "Not as Father would, I realize, but I saw no need to draw things out."
Faramir nodded thoughtfully. "Right you may be, for at least we will settle the question quickly and I may return to the east."
Boromir raised his eyebrows, "So eager are you to leave?"
"Not leave you, brother, but to protect Gondor. If our efforts here would not be successful, then I would that we move on."
Boromir's face softened, "Indeed. The work of Gondor troubles me as well."
Presently the brothers were summoned to the evening meal. This time there were only the brothers of Gondor and the cousins of Rohan.
"We have taken council," Theodred told them, with no preamble, "and would let you know that while we forbid nothing, we promise nothing either."
Eomer added, "No permission will be given for courtship, but I will allow you to make my sister's acquaintance."
Boromir smiled at his brother before turning that expression on the cousins. "That is all we ask." The men shook hands, and Boromir added, "For now."
*
An hour later Faramir sat idly staring into the fire as Theodred and Boromir began a game of chess. Presently the latter remarked on Faramir's love of learning to which Theodred answered that Meduseld had a library. Excusing himself, Faramir gratefully sought it out.
Since the library was dark, he lit a lone candle and was startled to see the room occupied. The tear-stained face of Eowyn was before him. Faramir hastily muttered an apology and backed out of the room.
Awkwardly he stood in the hallway, wondering whether to join the increasingly loud chess game, or to wait for the lady. He did not have long to deliberate as she came out quickly and Faramir went to her. When she stopped and turned to him, he said, "I must ask your apologies if this afternoon's conversation has distressed you."
Stony eyes met his, "Indeed not, my lord. Your coming has brought no new concerns into my thoughts. Pray do not distress yourself."
Then she walked away while he watched her deep in thought.
Presently Faramir entered the great hall again where the chess game was continuing, yet not very skillfully as pieces would be knocked over as ale consumption increased. By midnight, the game was abandoned and the men took to telling stories of their alleged courage, finally dissolving into the singing of songs. The night only ended when they stumbled to their bedchambers as Eomer and Boromir with tears in their eyes embraced and declared an undying devotion and friendship that only death would part.
"Diplomacy, brother," Boromir replied, stirring. "Not as Father would, I realize, but I saw no need to draw things out."
Faramir nodded thoughtfully. "Right you may be, for at least we will settle the question quickly and I may return to the east."
Boromir raised his eyebrows, "So eager are you to leave?"
"Not leave you, brother, but to protect Gondor. If our efforts here would not be successful, then I would that we move on."
Boromir's face softened, "Indeed. The work of Gondor troubles me as well."
Presently the brothers were summoned to the evening meal. This time there were only the brothers of Gondor and the cousins of Rohan.
"We have taken council," Theodred told them, with no preamble, "and would let you know that while we forbid nothing, we promise nothing either."
Eomer added, "No permission will be given for courtship, but I will allow you to make my sister's acquaintance."
Boromir smiled at his brother before turning that expression on the cousins. "That is all we ask." The men shook hands, and Boromir added, "For now."
*
An hour later Faramir sat idly staring into the fire as Theodred and Boromir began a game of chess. Presently the latter remarked on Faramir's love of learning to which Theodred answered that Meduseld had a library. Excusing himself, Faramir gratefully sought it out.
Since the library was dark, he lit a lone candle and was startled to see the room occupied. The tear-stained face of Eowyn was before him. Faramir hastily muttered an apology and backed out of the room.
Awkwardly he stood in the hallway, wondering whether to join the increasingly loud chess game, or to wait for the lady. He did not have long to deliberate as she came out quickly and Faramir went to her. When she stopped and turned to him, he said, "I must ask your apologies if this afternoon's conversation has distressed you."
Stony eyes met his, "Indeed not, my lord. Your coming has brought no new concerns into my thoughts. Pray do not distress yourself."
Then she walked away while he watched her deep in thought.
Presently Faramir entered the great hall again where the chess game was continuing, yet not very skillfully as pieces would be knocked over as ale consumption increased. By midnight, the game was abandoned and the men took to telling stories of their alleged courage, finally dissolving into the singing of songs. The night only ended when they stumbled to their bedchambers as Eomer and Boromir with tears in their eyes embraced and declared an undying devotion and friendship that only death would part.