Replies:

Silindro: Jeez, you have a dirty mind…Okay, people, if you want an extra end to chapter fifteen, go look at Silindro's Declarations of Love. It works perfectly well in the context.

Artemis-chan: Wow, I characterized them right! Actually, that's just how Boromir struck me in the books: a slightly suspicious guy who has a loving, playful relationship with his brother, who's basically one of the only people he really cares about. Anyway.

A/N: From here on out, it's total fluff, all for you people who have so patiently waited for me to finish with the angst. Enjoy!

Chapter Sixteen: Telling

I think I was more nervous then I'd ever been in my life. I had to walk straight into the middle of court and request general permission to marry from my king and permission to marry Éowyn specifically from Éomer. I was not looking forward to that last.

"Faramir!" Aragorn hailed me with a smile as I walked into the Golden Hall. "So you've stopped moping! What are you all dressed up for?"

Boromir turned away from flirting with a pretty Rohan maiden and burst into a fit of snickering. I shot him a glare, then turned to my king and queen. Arwen looked me up and down, twisted in her seat to glance at Éowyn, who was smiling encouragement at me, and settled again with a knowing smile. Aragorn gave her a questioning look, but she shook her head.

I swallowed hard. "My king," I said, in my most formal manner, "I would request a boon of you."

"Ask away." He was obviously amused at my formality, and so was I, a little, but this was too important to mess up. A deep breath and then the plunge...

"I wish to marry and I ask your permission to do so."

Excited chatter broke out immediately, and the entire court clustered into tiny groups, speculating, no doubt, on my choice of bride. I could only wonder what would have happened if this had taken place in Gondor.

Aragorn raised a dark eyebrow. "You have my permission. I suppose it's very bad form to ask who the lucky lady is."

"It is," I replied agreeably, then turned to Éomer. My heart started to pound, and I glanced up at Éowyn. She winked, and new hope rose. "My lord Éomer, I request permission to wed your sister."

Éomer glanced up at my lady and said something to her. A hush fell over the room just in time to catch her quiet but deadly reply: "Éomer, if you say no, I swear to all the Valar you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

"All right, all right! You may."

Dead silence, then the noise of many doors banging as the entire court made a rapid exit, no doubt to inform the rest of Edoras of their White Lady's fate.

I paid no attention anything else after that. My lady came down to me, and I kissed her hand formally, then pulled her into my arms and just held her for a moment. Éomer was grumbling and looking murderous by the time I was finished. Judging from his red face, my king was attempting to keep from bursting into laughter. Arwen was smiling softly, and my dear brother Boromir was rolling around on the floor, holding his sides and laughing himself sick.