See part one for disclaimers and such.
Chapter 9
Erin rose from the steps and wiped her face with her hands, her tears finally spent. She felt oddly empty inside, as if she had poured out more than tears when she had given into her grief. She hesitated outside of the door, not wanting Éowyn to see her this way. Her friend had enough to deal with at the moment, with Elladan leaving and all, without Erin adding her own emotional distress.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. No one paid her much attention as she passed through the house of healing and made her way to the room where Éowyn and Merry were kept.
She pushed the curtain aside and plastered a happy smile on her face.
"Erin," Éowyn greeted her, giving her a weak smile. "I am glad to see you."
"How are you?" Erin took a seat on the edge of the bed and glanced over in surprise at the empty bed next to Éowyn's. "Where are Merry and Pippin?"
Éowyn managed a more convincing smile. "They left not too long before Elladan came to see me. Merry has healed enough that he was released – he has gone with Pippin to join the forces that will go to Mordor. He would not be left behind."
Erin sighed, and reached for her friend's uninjured hand. "You wish you could go too, don't you?"
"Yes," Éowyn answered bitterly. "To know that he goes while I remain behind…" Unshed tears gleamed in her blue eyes. "Forgive me, I am more tired than I realized."
Erin shook her head. "No, don't say that. You're worried, and you wish you could go. I don't blame you. I kind of wish I could go too, but I know that I'd be more of a hindrance than a help." She smiled briefly. "My days of riding as a warrior are definitely over."
Éowyn managed a soft laugh. "I think you are not unhappy to see them pass."
Erin grinned. "After the scolding I got from Rúmil and Orophin, what with the threatening of tying me up in a tree and leaving me there, what makes you think that?"
"They care about you, Erin," Éowyn said quietly. "They worried for you, as did I."
"Thank you," Erin answered softly. "And yes, they care about me. I care about them as well – for a lot of reasons. They've been very good to me." Her cheeks warmed slightly in memory of just how good they had been to her.
Éowyn lifted an eyebrow. "Are you in love with one of them?"
Erin shook her head. "No. I like them both a lot – and we've had our moments together…but my love for them isn't that all encompassing, head-over-heels, I'm going to die if we're not together kind of love. They're more than friends, but it would never work." She sighed softly. "I don't think I'm ever going to find that kind of love. I've pretty much given up on the whole idea anyway." She managed a half-hearted smile. "I'll just have to live vicariously through you and Elladan."
Her friend squeezed her hand tightly for a moment. "It will come, Erin. You will see. When you least expect it, the right one will come and you will know."
"If you say so," Erin replied, shaking her head. "Right now, I'll just be happy to see everyone come back from Mordor in one piece."
Éowyn nodded, squeezing her hand again. "What will you do? Afterwards? Will you return to Edoras?"
Erin sighed. "No, I do not think so. I don't know what I'm going to do, honestly. I haven't thought things out that far. I'll take each day as it comes."
Éowyn had fallen asleep, wearier than she had wanted to admit to, and Erin rose quietly from her bedside after tucking the corner of the blanket around her friend's shoulders.
She was turning to go, when she heard a low moan from the occupant of the bed on the other side of the curtain. Moving as quietly as she could, she stepped around the curtain.
Faramir moved restlessly beneath the thin sheet that covered him, his reddish blonde hair plastered to his forehead in sweat. His eyes were closed, his brow furrowed as he struggled with some inner demon. He cried out softly, his handsome face contorting in pain and grief, and Erin found herself moving to his side without realizing it.
She touched his forehead gently, stroking the wild strands of hair back from his face, and his eyes opened. They were dark, and filled with the remnants of whatever nightmare he had been having before he had woke.
"It's okay," she said quietly. "You were having a bad dream."
His eyes gradually focused on her, and he looked up at her, puzzled. "Who are you, lady?" His voice was soft, cultured, the voice of a nobleman. "I do not know you, do I?"
Erin shook her head. "My name is Erin Smith. We have not met before, though Gandalf told me who you were." She realized she was still stroking his forehead, and she pulled her hand away hastily. "I'm sorry to have disturbed you, but you weren't having a very good time sleeping. You sounded like you were having a nightmare."
Faramir nodded, studying her closely. "You are not from Gondor," he said with a slight frown. His eyes lingered on her clipped hair for a moment, before returning to her face. "Who are you?" he asked again. "Where are you from?"
"It is a long story," she said, glancing away from his curious gaze. "I should probably go and let you rest." She started to rise, when he touched her arm, bringing her gaze back to his.
"Please, lady," he said quietly. "I do not wish to sleep, and I would appreciate the company. Unless there is someone waiting for you to return to them?" He raised a reddish brown eyebrow slightly.
Erin shook her head. She felt strangely shy, for some reason, and uncertain if it would be right for her to stay or not. "No, there isn't anyone expecting me. I'm pretty much on my own, at the moment."
"Then stay," he requested softly. "And tell me your tale. Give me something to think about besides my own misery." He glanced away for a moment, his jaw tightening as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
She sat carefully on the edge of the bed, wishing there was something helpful she could do or say. Finally, she took a deep breath, and began to tell him everything.
Faramir did not interrupt or ask questions during her story. He merely listened, his expression wavering from polite interest to disbelief, then surprise and sympathy. She told him all of it, leaving out only the more private details of her relationship between Rúmil and Orophin. When she finished, he was shaking his head slowly.
"A more fantastic tale I have never heard," he said finally. "I do not know whether to believe it or not."
She shrugged. Honestly, she really hadn't expected him to believe it, and she didn't blame him for his doubt. He didn't know her at all, and taken from a complete stranger, it was a bit big to swallow.
Faramir smiled then. "Thank you, lady, for sharing your tale with me and keeping me company. I will rest now."
Erin rose from the bed, resisting the urge to tuck him in as she had Éowyn. "You're welcome. I hope your dreams are better."
He looked up at her for a moment without speaking, and Erin felt her cheeks warm under his regard. "What?"
Faramir smiled again. "Will you visit me again?" he asked softly.
She glanced at her feet, fighting not to smile like an idiot. "Sure," she said, looking back up at him. "If you want." She turned to go and paused, looking over her shoulder at him and giving him a smile. "Sweet dreams, Faramir."
"Thank you, lady," he replied, closing his eyes.
Minas Tirith was city of movement. Repairs were being made to the walls and buildings that had been damaged during the attack. Everywhere Erin looked, people – older men, women and even young children, cleaned, lifted, sorted, and disposed of the rubble that cluttered the cobbled streets in the lower level of the city.
It was no difficult thing to offer to help these people – after all, if she were going to stay in Minas Tirith, it would be her home too. The leader of the work crew she had approached had looked at her strangely for a moment – not that Erin blamed him, she supposed she was worth an odd look or two with her short hair and masculine clothes – but accepted her offer with a nod, sending her with another group that was busy clearing the smaller pieces of masonry that had crumbled from a shattered building.
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and lifted yet another heavy chunk of stone, carrying it across to where a cart already half-filled with similar bits of rubble waited. She set it carefully on the edge of the cart and gave it a push, watching it tumble into the cart and break into smaller bits with satisfaction. It felt good to be doing something useful, something positive.
Erin turned to make her way back to where she had been working when a hand fell on her shoulder, startling her.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Legolas asked, lifting an eyebrow at her sweaty, dirty, and disheveled state.
She couldn't help but grin. "Actually, yeah. I am. What are you doing here?" She wiped her face with the bottom of her tunic, grimacing at the grit that scratched her skin.
"Gandalf sent me to find you," he replied. "He is waiting for us at the Three Hens with Elladan."
"Let me tell Eldenthor that I am leaving," she said, heading to where the man supervising the cleanup crews was working. "And ask him if I can help tomorrow."
Legolas lifted both eyebrows in surprise at this, but followed her without comment.
Eldenthor finished laying a piece of rockwork on top of a half-finished wall and turned at her approach.
"I finished with the courtyard," Erin said. "It is all clear now for the repairmen to come in and do their work."
"That is good," the man said with a brief flash of a smile. "You are a hard worker, Erin. Thank you for your help today."
"I was wondering if you would need me tomorrow. I have a few things to deal with in the morning, but I think my afternoon will be free."
Eldenthor nodded, wiping his dusty hands on his tunic and glancing curiously at the tall elf beside her. "Your help is appreciated," he said honestly. "I expect we will be over there, by the fountain after midday. Come and find me, and I will put you to work."
Erin smiled. "See you tomorrow, then." She turned and glanced at Legolas. "Shall we?"
They walked side by side through the busy street, following the gentle rise and curve towards the level where the Three Hens lay.
"I am surprised to see you working," Legolas commented, his normally long strides greatly shortened to keep pace with hers.
Erin shrugged and gave him a brief grin. "I had to find something to do to keep me busy. I don't embroider or paint or do any of those fluffy woman-type things. I was bored, and they needed all the help they could get. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty."
The elf chuckled. "I did not think you were. It is good that you are willing to help these people rebuild their city."
"If I stay here, it'll be my city too, Legolas," Erin replied seriously. "So I have a vested interest in keeping the streets rubble-free."
"Is that what you have decided to do?" he asked curiously.
She shrugged again. "I don't know for sure," she said. "But possibly. Éowyn said they have a library here, and that it is a city of learning. Maybe I can find something scholarly to do for a living."
He nodded, taking the steps that led to the door of the Three Hens in two graceful bounds. He opened the door and gestured for her to enter.
Erin crinkled her nose and laughed at his courtly gesture, stepping into the warmth of the Inn.
Gandalf and Elladan looked up from their conversation to nod a greeting at the two as they made their way to the long table where the wizard and half-elf sat.
"How is Elrohir?" Erin asked, sliding onto the bench beside Gandalf. Legolas took the spot across from her next to Elladan.
"Sleeping, at the moment," Elladan replied, smiling briefly. "He is doing much better, Erin, thank you. Tomorrow he should be able to get up and move about on his own, though he will still be too weak to do much beyond taking care of his basic needs."
Erin nodded with relief. "Good. I'm so glad he's getting better."
"What have you been up to, young woman?" Gandalf asked, noticing the dust and grime on her face and clothing.
"I found her working with those who are clearing the city of debris," Legolas said, accepting the glass of water Elrohir offered him. "She seemed to be enjoying herself."
Erin accepted the other glass and took a long drink, not realizing how thirsty she was until the water touched her lips. "I know I'm filthy," she said ruefully, setting the glass down. "But it was good to do something helpful."
Wise blue eyes studied her for a moment, and Gandalf smiled gently at her. "You do not enjoy being idle, do you?" he said quietly. "I can see that you do not."
She shook her head, taking another long drink of water. "I'm not used to sitting around and not doing anything," she replied. "This is the first time since I was in Edoras that I haven't had something to do or somewhere to go."
He nodded. "Then perhaps I have a solution to both our problems," he said. He reached out and took one of her hands in his, turning it over and studying the scrapes and dirt imbedded beneath her nails. "These hands were not made to do physical labor, Erin." He glanced up at her and smiled. "These are hands meant to hold a pen or book. Upon our return, I will have to speak with Aragorn about finding you suitable work, that is, if you truly mean to stay."
Erin nodded, slightly confused. "What problem is it you're having?" she asked, pulling her hand away from his and reaching for her water.
"Faramir," he replied, watching her closely. "I spoke with him briefly today. He said he had met you this morning, when you came to visit Éowyn." A single bushy eyebrow rose as he regarded her. "He said you told him some fantastic tale of sorcery and magic that he could not quite believe. He asked me if you were telling the truth."
For some reason, her heart seemed to beat just a little faster than normal. "And?" Erin asked.
The wizard chuckled. "I told him he should decide that for himself." His smile faded and he looked searchingly at Erin. "He is hurt, deep inside, where Aragorn's healing cannot touch him," Gandalf said quietly. "I worry that if left alone, his grief and pain will be too much for him, and he will not fully heal." He sighed quietly, shaking his head. "I cannot stay behind to watch over him until this shadow passes from him, yet I would not leave him alone."
"What is it you want me to do, Gandalf?" Erin asked quietly. "How can I help?"
Gandalf smiled at her question. "Be his friend," he answered simply. "When you visit Éowyn, include him as well. Let him relearn his own worth."
"Take Elrohir with you when he is able to go," Elladan said. "I think he would enjoy that."
Erin nodded and smiled faintly. "I can do that. Where did you put him, anyway?"
Elrohir grinned teasingly. "In your room."
"What?" Erin nearly choked on the mouthful of water she had just taken.
"There is a shortage of rooms at the moment, with many of the other inns and houses haven taken damage during the war," Gandalf explained. "We put him in your room – since you have a door that can separate the sleeping area from the main area, it seemed the best, rather than putting him in with someone he did not know."
"Nobody is going to think I'm a woman of ill repute or anything, are they?" Erin said, frowning at them. "Having a male elf in the same room? I'm not worried about my virtue, such as it is, but I don't want people looking at me weird. Not if I'm going to stay here."
Legolas covered his mouth with his hand and looked at the painting above the fireplace as if it was immensely interesting. Elladan simply chuckled.
Gandalf cleared his throat gently. "We told the innkeeper that Elrohir is your husband. It was the simplest explanation that would protect you both from any unwanted attention."
"Though he did ask about the two other elves who had been here earlier," Elladan said, grinning.
Erin groaned, covering her face with her hands. "What did you tell him?"
"That they were your brothers-in-law," Elladan replied. "He seemed satisfied with that."
"Oh." Erin raised her head. "Well, that's good then," she said weakly.
Legolas leaned forward and whispered in her ear, before leaning back once more. His eyes gleamed with humor at the expression on her face.
Elladan glanced from Erin to Legolas. "What did you say to her, cousin?" he whispered.
"I just informed her that if Orophin and Rúmil are her brothers, that makes Haldir her brother as well," the Mirkwood Prince said with a grin.
"Ha ha," Erin groused. "You're quite the wit." She turned, pointedly ignoring Legolas and fixed her attention on Elladan. "Is there anything special I need to do for Elrohir while he's healing?"
Elladan thought for a moment. "Make sure he eats," he said finally. "And that he gets plenty of rest for the next day or so."
She nodded. "All right. Sounds easy enough."
The half-elf gave her a faint smile. "I am glad he has someone familiar to keep him company while I am gone," he said softly.
It was hard to watch them leave, not knowing if they were going to return, so she did not go with them to the gate. Legolas told her that it would probably be at least two or three weeks before they would return, possibly longer. It was hard to let go of him when she hugged him.
The innkeeper was more than happy to let her take her and Elrohir's meal on a tray back to her room. She had no idea how any of this was being paid for, but figured Gandalf had worked something out with the man since he was the one who had originally arranged for her to stay here.
Balancing the tray carefully against her body, she pushed her door open and stepped inside. She placed the food on the table and poked her head into the bedroom to check on Elrohir.
The elf was awake, and managed a faint smile when he saw her.
"Hi," Erin said, pushing the door all the way open and stepping inside. "Are you hungry?"
He nodded, and licked his lips. "Is there water?" he asked weakly.
"All you can drink," she replied with forced cheerfulness. "Be right back."
She left before he could see how much his condition had shocked her. She knew he had been badly hurt, but hadn't really considered how he might look. His skin was nearly as white as the sheets he laid on. His eyes were dull and flat, and the shadows beneath them looked like bruises. Even his hair seemed limp and lifeless against the pillow.
Erin poured a cup of water from the pitcher and carried them both back to the room. She set the pitcher on the small table beside the bed and bit her lip. "Can you hold it, or do you need me to help you?" she asked.
"I believe I can manage," he replied, taking the cup from her. When he finished, he handed it back. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Feel up to eating something?" Erin asked.
"They have left already, has they not?" Elrohir asked quietly.
Erin nodded slowly. "Yes. They're gone."
The elf sighed, picking listlessly at the stitching of the blanket that covered him. "I told him no goodbyes between us," he said softly. "Yet now I wish…" He sighed quietly.
"It'll be okay," Erin said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and patting his leg awkwardly though the blankets. "I know it will." Actually, if things continued to follow the course of the books, she knew there was a happy ending in sight. Of course, she realized belatedly, it didn't mean that Elladan or Melaphríl wouldn't get hurt, or worse yet, killed. And since she was here, there was no guarantee that things would follow the book any more.
Shaking her head, she pushed her gloomy thoughts aside. "It will be okay." As he lifted his head and gave her a hopeful smile, Erin hoped with all her heart that she was right.
She hated leaving Elrohir alone in the inn, but she needed to visit Éowyn and Faramir and he was not yet strong enough to walk the distance.
"Go," the elf waved at her, frowning. "I do not need you hovering over me like a mother bird. You have been fussing over me for three days now without a break for yourself. I will rest while you are away and do nothing strenuous, I promise."
"I don't hover," Erin frowned back at him, tucking the covers around his slender shoulders. "I don't fuss." His soft chuckle made her look at him. "What?"
"Yes, meldis, you do," he replied, pulling his arms out from under the covers she had so painstakingly tucked to prove his point.
She stared at him in consternation for a moment, before dropping a kiss on his forehead. "Fine," she said. "I'll go visit Éowyn and give you a few hover-free hours. Happy?"
He sighed softly and gave her a faint smile. "Yes."
"Ungrateful elf," she muttered, making sure the pitcher of water and cup were within easy reach, as well as the tray of fruit and bread in case he grew hungry. There was no strength to her grousing, however. She was simply glad he was feeling well enough to protest her fussing.
She grabbed her cloak and twirled it over her shoulders, casting one last glance at the elf lying in the bed. He looked so much better than he had three days ago. His color had slowly returned to normal, and the light was back in his eyes. His strength was returning as well, for he was able to walk short distances without any signs of weakness, though he tired quickly. Erin wished Elladan or Gandalf were here to tell her if this was normal for elves or not. She couldn't help but wonder if Elrohir's slow recovery was due to his lover's absence.
Truthfully, she was grateful for the excuse to leave the inn. Three days of being cooped up with only Elrohir's for company had begun to wear on her nerves. She liked the gray-eyed elf immensely, but she found herself longing for human and female companionship.
Let's be totally honest, shall we, her inner voice said slyly. You're also wondering how the very handsome Faramir is doing, aren't you? She couldn't help but check her appearance briefly before she left. Yes, she admitted silently, she was looking forward to seeing Faramir again too.
Her steps were light as she climbed the stairs to the house of healing, her pulse quickening with eagerness as she made her way through the hall to where Éowyn and Faramir were roomed. She pushed open the door with a smile and greeted her friend cheerfully.
"Erin!" Éowyn smiled happily up at her from the bed. "Where have you been?"
The curtain between Faramir and Éowyn's bed was drawn back, but the man himself was absent. Struggling to hide her disappointment from her friend, Erin sat on the edge of Éowyn's bed and grinned.
"I'm sorry I haven't visited for a couple of days," Erin said. "You remember Elrohir?" she asked impishly. "Looks just like Elladan?"
Éowyn nodded, and Erin was surprised to see her friend blush faintly. "Yes, I remember him."
Wondering what it was about the elf that had embarrassed her friend, Erin shook her head and continued. "He was injured pretty badly during the battle and couldn't go to Mordor with the army. Elladan asked me to look after him while he was gone. That's where I've been these past days."
"Oh," Éowyn said, her color fading back to normal. "How is he?"
"Much better. He pretty much kicked me out of the room and told me to get lost for a few hours. He accused me of hovering and fussing over him like a mother hen." Erin crossed her arms and scowled briefly. "There's thanks for you."
Éowyn laughed, reaching out and grasping Erin's hand. "I missed you, my friend. I am glad he made you come."
Erin smiled, relaxing her pose. "Me too. I think by tomorrow he'll be well enough to walk here with me, if you'd like me to bring him. I think he'd enjoy talking to someone else besides me for a change."
The lady nodded. "He would be welcome to visit. There is little to do, bedridden as I am, but stare at the wall and wish for time to pass more quickly."
"What happened to Faramir?" Erin glanced at the empty bed. "I would've thought he'd have kept you company, at least. He seemed like a decent fellow."
"He is kind and well spoken," Éowyn agreed with an impish grin. "If I were not already spoken for, I think I would like him a great deal." She laughed softly. "As for where he has gone, I believe he is out in the gardens, for the healers have pronounced him well enough for such things." This last was said with a rueful sigh.
"Six more days, Éowyn," Erin promised. "Then you can get up and move around. In the meantime," Erin grinned, reaching into her tunic pocket and pulling out the deck of cards that Rúmil and Orophin had left behind. "Let me teach you how to play cards."
Elvish cards were quite a bit different from the standard Bicycle deck she was familiar with, but with a few twists in the rules, she'd found a way to adapt them to games she knew: gin rummy, poker, and solitaire. There were a couple of cards that just didn't quite fit in, so she set them aside and managed quite well without them. Over the course of a few hours, she managed to teach Éowyn the basics of solitaire and gin. While they played, Erin couldn't help but ask her friend about Faramir. Her questions were completely innocent, polite, and impersonal, but it did not take Éowyn long to figure things out.
"You like him!" she exclaimed, ignoring the fact that it was her turn to draw a card. "You only spoke to him the once."
Erin nodded, blushing. "I do, though I don't know what it is. There's something about him, Éowyn – maybe it's because of all he's been through. Or maybe it's just because he's handsome and was kind to me. All I know is that I'd like to get to know him. Gandalf asked me to kind of look out for him while he was away, and I said I would, but honestly, even if he hadn't, I think I would have anyway."
Éowyn grinned at her. "He is very well educated, you know. He is not simply a warrior, but a scholar. You have common ground there, and I think he would respect the fact that you are an educated woman."
Erin sighed, glancing down at herself with a frown. "I just wish I was more feminine and delicate, you know? I wish my hair wasn't all chopped off and that I had something to make me look pretty. I don't feel pretty at all. How could he even be interested in someone like me anyway?"
"He will see you for who you are first," Éowyn replied shrewdly, taking a card and placing it on the discard pile with a frown. "He will not be drawn by your looks alone, but rather who you are on the inside, which is more important." She glanced up at her friend and smiled. "That way when you are old and gray he will still love you."
"Éowyn!" Erin laughed, shaking her head. "He does not even know me yet!"
Her friend nodded, looking wise and mirthful at the same time. "You will see," she said solemnly, her blue eyes twinkling with humor. "He will fall madly in love with you and you will have many, many, many children."
Erin covered her mouth, laughing and shaking her head. "No, no. Not that many children. Heaven forbid!"
"Oh yes," Éowyn laughed. "Six or seven at least."
Both women were still laughing when Faramir returned from his walk. They managed to compose themselves somewhat by the time he greeted them, though Erin had to concentrate very hard on her cards not to giggle.
"Good afternoon, ladies," he said politely as he passed them and made his way to his bed.
"Good afternoon," Erin managed to reply. She could not help but glance up at him as he passed. He looked tired, but his face had regained some of its color. "How are you?"
He sat on the edge of his bed and rested his hands on his knees. "I am feeling better, lady. I thank you for asking." His dark eyes rested a moment on hers and he gave her a smile that made her heart skip a beat. "How fare you ladies this good day?"
Though the question was for both of them, Éowyn noticed that he had not even glanced at her. She also noticed that Erin's color was a little brighter than normal. Hiding her smile, she folded the cards she held in her hand and feigned a yawn. "I am better, my lord Faramir," she replied. "Though Erin has tired me out with all this card playing. I must beg you to excuse my rudeness, but I believe it is time for me to rest."
Éowyn's comment brought Erin's attention away from Faramir and she frowned. "I'm sorry, Éowyn," she said quietly, gathering the cards into a pile and stacking them neatly. "I didn't mean to wear you out."
"Nonsense," Éowyn replied, smiling at her flustered friend. "I have not enjoyed myself this much in a long while. You should teach the good Captain there how to play cards, for I think a man of his wit and caliber would be a better challenge to your skill than my own."
Erin glanced suspiciously up at Éowyn, but her friend's face was guileless. She gathered the cards into her hand and rose from her seat on the bed.
"Surely we would make too much noise for you to rest, lady," Faramir said, though his eyes betrayed his interest in the idea.
Éowyn shook her head. "No. It will not bother me," she assured him. "I am so weary I could sleep through a battle."
Erin rolled her eyes and stifled the urge to laugh. She sincerely doubted her friend was anywhere near as tired as she claimed to be – especially the way she had been laughing earlier. Still, she couldn't help but appreciate Éowyn's efforts on her behalf.
"Would you like me to teach you to play cards?" Erin asked, glancing at Faramir.
He nodded and rose from the bed. A small table and two chairs sat beneath the window across from his bed. "I think this would be more appropriate," he said quietly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile.
"Yes," Erin agreed. She hadn't even considered that sitting on the same bed with him might be considered inappropriate. She glanced back at Éowyn, and her friend gave her an encouraging smile. "Should I draw the curtain?" she asked softly.
Éowyn nodded and pulled the blankets up, laying her head against the pillow and closing her eyes.
Erin bent down and gave her friend a swift kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, if you're asleep when I leave," she whispered. She drew the curtain across the room, giving Éowyn the semblance of privacy so she could rest, and made her way to where Faramir sat at the table.
She took the other chair and glanced up at Faramir, feeling suddenly rather shy without Éowyn's presence. She shuffled the cards to fill the silence, and she could feel his curious gaze on her.
"Mithrandir speaks well of you," Faramir said quietly, startling her. She looked up at him briefly before dealing the cards.
"Does he?" she asked, trying to sound casual. She dealt them each seven cards and placed the deck in the middle, taking the topmost card and turning it face up beside the deck. "Well, he's been very kind to me."
Faramir took the cards she had dealt him and gave her an amused smile. "Tell me, lady. When were you planning on explaining how to play this game?"
Erin blushed and managed faint grin. "Right now," she answered. "I thought it would be easier if we played a few practice hands while I explain the rules."
"Ah," he replied, still smiling.
Her heart did a series of flip-flops, making it difficult for her to concentrate on explaining the rules. Somehow, she managed, however, and they began to play.
They were playing their fourth hand of cards when Erin realized it was getting dark outside.
"Oh!"
Faramir looked up from his cards. "What is it, lady?" he asked, puzzled by her expression of dismay.
"I didn't know it was getting this late," Erin said ruefully. "Elrohir probably thinks I've abandoned him." She rose from the table, sweeping the cards together into a messy pile. "I'm sorry, Faramir, but I've got to go."
He frowned, handing his cards to her. "I apologize if I have kept you late. I did not know you had someone waiting for you." He rose stiffly from the table.
"Well he's not waiting for me," Erin hastened to explain, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "I mean, he is, but he isn't. He's not mine, I'm just taking care of him for someone." Her face was hot as she realized she was babbling. "If he's well enough, I'll bring him tomorrow to visit."
Faramir's eyebrows rose slightly at her explanation, but he managed a faint nod. "I look forward to it." He did not sound entirely convinced.
Erin shook her head, inwardly sighing. "Thank you for a lovely afternoon," she managed. "I enjoyed playing with you." Her cheeks flushed hotter as she realized that came out sounding entirely wrong. "Goodnight!" She fled before she could put her foot in any further.
Elrohir was making his way across the main room when she entered, and he glanced up at her in surprise.
"I was beginning to get worried," he grumbled, taking a seat at the table. He took a look at her face and frowned. "What is it?"
Erin took the seat across from him and dropped into it like a sack of potatoes. "I'm an idiot, Elrohir."
A dark eyebrow swept upwards as he regarded her. "Why do you say that?"
She sighed, leaning her chin on her hand. "Never mind. I'm sorry I'm late. I lost track of the time."
"I take it you had a pleasant afternoon?" he asked, smiling faintly.
Erin nodded and managed a grin. "Yeah. I did. Until the very end." She sighed again.
He folded his arms and fixed her with a look that told her she had best tell him everything.
So she did, ending with, "And now he probably thinks I'm either a liar or a complete idiot."
Elrohir shook his head, hiding his smile. "I am certain the good captain thinks neither of these things, meldis. When I meet him tomorrow, I will ensure that he knows that you are my friend, and nothing more."
"Don't do that," Erin protested. "Then he'll know that I like him."
The elf frowned. "I do not understand. Why is it you do not wish for him to know that you like him?" He shook his head. "That does not make any sense."
"But what if he doesn't like me that way? If he thinks I like him like that, and he doesn't like me like that, I'll be humiliated."
Elrohir shook his head again. "Why? He does not seem to be a man without honor. You do not think he would misuse you, do you? Even if he does not share your interest, he would be honored that you would consider him in such a way. Where is the shame in that?"
Erin looked at the elf in surprise. "You know," she said slowly. "You're right. I'm being silly and childish, aren't I?" She frowned at him. "You don't have to answer that."
His lips twitched briefly. "I was not going to, meldis. I think you worry what others may think more than you should. If there is something between you, it will happen on its own. If not, you will know soon enough. There is nothing more to it than that."
She smiled. "You're awfully smart, for an elf."
Elrohir tried to look offended and failed, chuckling instead. "I am over three thousand years old, meldis. I would certainly hope I had learned something over that length of time."
"Good to know all those years haven't been wasted chasing orcs," she teased, rising from the table. "Are you hungry?"
He tactfully ignored her jibe. "Yes, I am hungry."
Erin chuckled and left to go find them some food.
Read Chapter 10
