Author: Wow, it's been awhile! Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things and not disappoint myself. Between school and work, I've been having trouble finding free time. Oh, and by the way: you all need to see Love, Actually. Such a sweet movie! Thank you reviewers, you're the best.

Hold on

When you feel like letting go

Hold on

It gets better than you know.

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March 25

Praise be to all the powers that lie beyond this world!

Out of our darkest despair salvation has come! Hope was not In vain these past black days, for Sauron is vanquished at last. How did this happen? I do not yet know the full story. Eomer will no doubt tell me when he returns…he will return! My heart leaps in my chest at the thought of my brother coming home.

Aragorn will return. Why now does this seem of little importance? Never mind…I shall tell today's tale.

The sun did not wake me this morning, for it was hidden behind thick gray clouds There was something oppressive in the air that set me on edge, filled with nervous energy. I went to the far Northern wall, for something drew me to look out towards Mordor. I tried to study a book of herbs but could not concentrate, and soon I was shivering. Twas an unusually cold day, and the North wind was blowing furiously.

Faramir joined me after some time. He was carrying a large box. He looked amused about something.

"Despite the frigid wind, I knew you would still come here. I hope you will not think ill of me if I offer you a gift." He opened the box and drew forth a long, midnight blue robe. I gasped, for I could see it was of superior craftsmanship, and quite rich. He bade me to turn, and I felt him wrap the mantle about my shoulders and smooth its folds down the back. I was instantly warmed from standing nearer to Faramir and being covered with the thick embroidered velvet. White gems and silver stars were sewn about the throat.

"It is beautiful, my Lord, and warm. I thank you." I bowed formally. "But wherever did you get such a lovely gift on short notice?"

Faramir's eyes grew soft, but I could see it was not with sadness, but with a treasured memory.

"The mantle was made for my mother, Finduilas, before she died. Your constant shivering recalled it to mind." A strange, almost nervous feeling twisted my stomach.

"Your mother? My Lord, I…I do not know if I can…"

He waved my protests aside. "'Twould be a shame to leave such fine work tucked away gathering dust."

"Thank you." I said again, quietly, but this time it was not for etiquette's sake. Breaking away from his gray gaze, I went to the wall and looked out Northwards again.

Faramir came up beside me. "What do you look for, Eowyn?" He asked.

"Does not the Black Gate lie yonder? And must he not now be come thither? It is seven days since he rode away." I missed my brother dearly.

A flash of something, almost disappointment or sadness, crossed Faramir's face, but as usual he quickly hid it.

"Seven days," he said. "But think not ill of me, if I say to you: they have brought me both a joy and a pain that I never thought to know. Joy to see you; but pain, because now the fear and doubt of this evil time are grown dark indeed. Eowyn, I would not have this world end now, or lose so soon what I have found."

I was curious. "Lose what you have found, lord? I know not what in these days you have found that you could lose. But come, my friend, let us not speak of it! Let us not speak at all! I stand upon some dreadful brink, and it is utterly dark in the abyss before my feet, but whether there is any light behind me I cannot tell. For I cannot turn yet. I wait for some stroke of doom." I recalled my dream, and suddenly it seemed to me that I was physically at the edge of the pit again, waiting desperately for something. But Faramir was beside me, and I was not afraid.

"Yes, we wait for the stroke of doom." He said quietly, and was silent.

In that moment it seemed to me that what light came through the clouds was dimmed, and the wind dwindled away to nothing. No sound came from the Houses, or from the streets below, and the whole city watched and waited. There was nothing in the world, not even time. There was only Faramir and I and the black mountains in the distance.

Suddenly another mountain grew. A mountain of shadow, of utter darkness reached up towards the sky, and lightning flashed to the earth. The ground shuddered, and I think I felt the very walls of the City shake But as quickly as it had come, the shadow blew away in the wind, and the world jerked back to life.

"It reminds me of Numenor." Faramir murmured. I turned to him and realized that my hand was clutching his, but he made no move to release me. I asked him what he meant.

"The land of Westernesse that foundered, and of the great dark wave climbing over the green lands and above the hills, and coming on, darkness unescapable. I often dream of it." His eyes were far away, and I felt alone.

"Then you think that the Darkness is coming? Darkness Unescapable?" To my shame, my voice quavered, and I pulled closer to him. Then Faramir looked at me and light filled his eyes and he smiled.

"No. It was but a picture in the mind. I do not know what is happening. The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny. Eowyn, Eowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!"

Then he bent and kissed my forehead softly.

I stared at him, meaning to ask why, but the words would not reach my lips. I wonder, now, what would have happened if at the moment a great Eagle had not flown over head with the wind and brought news:

The Realm of Sauron is ended forever

And the Dark Tower is thrown down.

Then my heart was filled with true joy for the first time since…well, it has been too long. I could not make the smile leave my face, and tears of happiness fell from my eyes. Faramir took my arm and ran with me out into the City, where the people sang in the streets. The sun shone, and the wind became gentle, but somewhere in the crowd I lost sight of the Lord Steward.

I know not how long we rejoiced in the streets, but now the sun has fallen and I am here in my chamber in the Houses of Healing. The life that I long despaired of has been given back to me, and to us all, but what am I to do with it? Perhaps I will ask Faramir his opinion when I see him again.

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Whew! Now, I just have to while away some more days before she meets Faramir and they have their little chat. Shouldn't be too hard…*snert* REVIEW please!