Hi guys! Finally decided to update. Since I feel like writing I think I'll respond to viewers.
Susan: Patience is a virtue. Or something like that. Don't worry I'm about as patient as Pippin waiting for dinner.
the evil witch queen: If you think poor Faramir now, just wait until the last story of this series. *tries to whistle innocently. Gives up cuz can't whistle.* And you'll see about Éowyn.
Yaya: Ack, Arwen! Sorry, I like her better when I write her, but not that much.
Pernauriel: thank you!
Iavala: Like I said, you'll see!
Dark Aura016: Bwaahhaaahhaa! (sorry, couldn't resist.)
Kathryn Angelle: Uh-oh, better get this up fast! Hey can I join the Faramir-is-Swoon-Worthy club too?
char: says who? =D
LeeAn: Posting. . . now!
Reba: Yes Evil Skittle is very annoying. She keeps making me drink Mountain Dew and other hyper-inducing sugar-filled things that make me want to leave cliffies. And to placate your worries, know that there are at least two more stories planned after this. Though that doesn't mean he is alive through all of them. (hehe)
Ok, that's done. A special thanks to my Uncle Steve and than Kathryn Angelle, both of who suggested how to get italics. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Struggle
The company from Minas Tirith had to stop for the night, for the hard pace had exhausted the horses. Éowyn could not sleep, not when Faramir was injured, dying. Always her heart screamed at her for her harsh words to him. ** I don't care if you even come back. I don't care if you even come back. I don't care if you even come back.** //NO! I do care, I want him back, I WANT HIM BACK! Why did I say that to him? What if he believed it, what if he dies believing I don't love him?//
Éowyn let out a soft sob, barely audible to human ears. But Arwen heard, and she walked over to where the woman sat with her knees curled to her chest. "Éowyn." The elf wanted to say more, but did not know how to comfort one whose beloved faced death.
"Arwen, I can't lose him, I can't! I haven't said good-bye, I haven't told him that I love him." Tears clouded Éowyn's ice blue eyes. "Valar, the last words I spoke to him were in anger. I was upset that he wouldn't let me fight with them and I told him. . . I told him that I didn't care if he returned or not! Arwen, I practically told him that I wished he died! I did not mean it, I regretted it the moment the words left my mouth, but because of my foolish pride I did not apologize. And now he is dying and he thinks I hate him!"
The Queen of Gondor hugged her friend as Éowyn continued to cry. "Faramir knows you love him, Éowyn."
"But. . . "
Arwen held up her hand to silence the White Lady of Rohan. "Please, Éowyn. Yes, he was most likely hurt by your words, I will not say he wasn't. But do not dishonor him by saying that he hates you for rash words. Arguments will arise, feelings may be hurt, but that does not change the fact that you will always, always love each other."
"But he is still dying."
"Look at me." Éowyn looked into Arwen's piercing eyes. "There is always hope."
Arwen watched as Éowyn fell asleep, wearied from her tears. The Queen of Gondor looked up at the stars sparkling against the night sky. //Please Valar, let there be hope.//
~*~
"Your Highness, look." Aragorn glanced over to where one of his soldiers was pointing. A cloud of dust signaled the arrival of horses. Looking closely, Aragorn recognized the banner as that of the Queen of Gondor. He breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Arwen was accompanying Éowyn. //She will need her friend.//
Éowyn and Arwen rode up to where Aragorn stood outside a tent, a black one usually used to hold bodies, but now used to keep passer-bys from seeing in. The King of Gondor looked horrible, as if he hadn't slept since leaving Minas Tirith. Beside him stood two Gondorian soldiers as well as Éomer. The King of Rohan helped his sister dismount her horse while Aragorn helped Arwen. Éowyn wasted no time with greetings. "Where is he? Where's Faramir?" Aragorn motioned to the dark tent and Éowyn ran towards it. Éomer went after her and grabbed her by the arm. She struggled to escape his hold, to get to Faramir. "Let go of me, Éomer."
"Éowyn, listen to me. Listen to me!" Surprise by the grave tone of her brother's voice, Éowyn stopped fighting and looked at him. "Éowyn, it's bad. It is really bad. I do not want you going in there without knowing how serious it is. His wound is poisoned, and from what Aragorn has told me and from what I have seen, it is a terrible poison." Éowyn again tried to get away, not wanting to hear what Éomer had to say, but her brother held her firm. "His fever is high, but he shivers as if chilled. He is having trouble breathing, Aragorn says it is because the poison is slowly paralyzing his lungs." Éowyn felt tears falling again and Éomer's heart broke seeing how his words hurt his sister.
"Let me go, Éomer." The White Lady of Rohan turned from her brother and he released her, watching as she walked into the small tent.
Éowyn quietly entered the tent and approached the makeshift bed on which Faramir slept. But it was obvious that his sleep was not peaceful, for fever-dreams held him in their grasp as he struggled and fought for each breath he took. Sweat poured down his face, yet still Faramir shivered beneath the warm blankets. Despair overtook Éowyn and she collapsed to her knees at his side. "Faramir," she whispered. "Faramir, it is me. I'm here, love. Please, come back to me, Faramir." Her throat tightened so that she could not speak anymore. Clutching Faramir's clammy hand, Éowyn wept, struggling to maintain hope. //Aragorn will save him. He has to.//
~*~
Faramir struggled against the strange force that tried to pull him under the icy waves. His whole body trembled from the cold as he desperately stroved to stay afloat in the dark sea. The frigid water continually covered him, he couldn't breathe! The pain in his side hindered his ability to stay afloat. //Someone, anyone, help me!//
Faramir.
The Steward saw a soft light in the distance, amongst the stormy clouds. //What?//
Faramir, it is me.
The voice sounded familiar. It was warm, comforting, yet sad. But Faramir's fatigue confused his mind, and he couldn't place the lovely voice to a person.
I'm here, love.
In a flash of comprehension, Faramir recognized the voice. //Éowyn!// The name of his beloved gave him new strength. //Éowyn, Éowyn, Éowyn!// Frantically, Faramir fought against the dark waters, fighting to reach her.
Please come back to me, Faramir.
But try as he might, he couldn't reach her. Hopelessness overcame him and he stopped struggling against the water. //I can't. I can't come back. I'm sorry.// And he fell back into the dark hold of his nightmare, the waves crashing about him as he floated in the murky sea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alright, I know I'm evil (well, Evil Skittle is). So I decided to post another chapter today.