Eswen was awakened by the sound of trumpets and the warm sun on her skin. She quickly climbed to her feet and hurried through the city to look out over the plains. She saw that the men were returning, reduced in numbers and it seemed that many of them were hurt. The trumpets rang out again and Eswen returned to the houses as fast as she could.
The women had heard the trumpets and many came outside, waiting for the men. They did not wait for very long as the first of the injured to arrive. Quickly they ushered the men into the Houses of Healing and set about tending to them. Eswen had also stood outside the houses and she waited for any news, good or bad, about Boromir and her father.
She had not yet seen or heard of either when Ioreth came to her, asking for more water. Eswen nodded and hurried off to fetch some, clutching the ewer tightly. Her own thoughts were of not much comfort and she quickened her pace. As she returned to the houses however, a joyous sight met her eyes.
Boromir was standing outside in the sunlight, he looked tired and worn but she was overjoyed to see him. One of the women came out of the house and thanking her took the ewer. Boromir looked up and his heart rejoiced as he saw Eswen running towards him. They embraced each other in the middle of the street. Boromir looked down and saw that she had tears in her eyes but she was smiling.
Boromir gently brushed the tears from her face and smiled down at Eswen. He leaned down and they kissed, Eswen was overjoyed to see him once again. They stood for a moment with Eswen's head on his shoulder before she pulled back. A small frown creased her brow.
"Where is my father?"