She walks up to his door, her heart pounding, as if she were going to see something new, start something new, and she wondered what it was. But she knew who was on the other side of the door, so why did she suddenly feel like she didn't. She actually has to talk a few deep breaths before knocking and waiting for him to answer her. While she waits, she looks out a nearby window in the hall, out at the gardens beyond. She missed her lovely Rohan, and now that the time to return had come she was so ready for it. The Hobbits would be coming with them that far, before continuing on to their own homes. They were even going to stay for the funeral at her insistence, giving them time to rest till they finish their journey. She wondered if their coming had caused some of the odd feelings going on in her mind or if they were all to be accounted for by Faramir. Yet it had to be something more to cause these types of thoughts to go through her, right? More then just a man....?

He was just finishing getting dressed, his mind easing as he pulls his leather tunic on over his shirt. He was dressed, as he had been when he led his band of rangers. He wore it now as a form of comfort. He felt more confident as the Captain of Gondor, as a ranger. Finished getting dressed he walks to the door and opens it, jumping slightly as he sees Eowyn standing there. He smiles and nods to her. "Good day, Eowyn. You are looking lovely."

She notices the slight movement and a brow arches. "Am I early?" She motions back down the hall she had just come up. "Should I go and come back later? I didn't mean to catch you unawares." She smiles at him, her eyes trying to go and up and down, taking in his physique, while trying to look casual.

He smiles and shakes his head. "No no. That is fine. I just thought we would meet in the gardens. No need to worry." He steps out of his room, offering her his arm. His other arm was out of its sling but his shoulder still was sore. Plus he still walked with a slight limp. "I have good news for you, Eowyn."

She takes his arm, placing one hand under his elbow as she lets him lead her away from his room. "Yes, well I was in the gardens and when you didn't show I thought I would come and find you." She puts up her other hand to stop him from speaking. "No, no, it was not because you were late, I was the one that was early. Hence why I came. It kept me busy." She pauses as they go through some doors to another hall. "What is your good news?"

He is about to explain why he was late when she stops him. He smiles at her and nods. "Fair enough." He stops and opens the door to the next hall, waiting for her to go through before he does. Once they are to the outer hall that leads to the gardens he finally answers her. "The healers have said I may accompany you and the others to Rohan. But I still must take my medicine." He makes a face at that.

She smiles softly at him, shaking her head slightly. "I know that you hate the medicine, but I am glad that they have it and that you are taking it. It has saved your life. And there are many who would be greatly saddened if you weren't there." I for one, Dear Faramir. Once again she doesn't voice all of that she thinks. The mere thought alone rocked her foundation at times.

He smiles at her, feeling very happy with her response. He opens the door to the gardens and again lets her go through the doors first before he follows her. He lets her take his elbow again as he starts walking with her through the gardens. "I think it only helped though." He looks at her when she asks him what did. "The medicine. I think it only helped to bring me back from death. I heard a voice. It told me I was not yet done with my life."

She glances at him questioningly again. "What is it that you think that was?" When he doesn't say anything, she stops walking a moment. "What is it that you think the voice was? Or should I say whom? Who do you think it was?" She knows he wouldn't pick his father, so whom did he think would speak to him like that?

He stops when she does. But he doesn't turn towards her. Instead he stares off into the distance, thinking about whom it could have been speaking to him. "I...don't really know." He turns to look at her. "It was not my brother. I would know Boromir's voice. It was a man's voice though." He shrugs, wincing a little as pain shoots through his shoulder. It wasn't very much. Just enough to make him not want to shrug again. Not yet anyway. "It could all have just been a dream though."

She frowns when she sees him wince again, worried. "Faramir, are you sure about coming? It is not that I can massage it away for you, it is not that kind of soreness. I just want to make sure you will be okay." She couldn't tell him why she was so very worried, she wasn't sure herself. But she had felt the need to vocalize her worries when he showed pain.

He looks at her and smiles, nodding. "Quite sure, Eowyn. It is nothing that won't go away with time." He notices a strand of her hair had fallen into her face, so he pulls off his glove and reaches up to gently move her hair behind her ear. At her look he just smiles and offers her his elbow again. "Shall we continue on?"

She doesn't pull away when he tucks the stray tendril behind her ear, a shy smile touching her lips, a question clear in her eyes. When he doesn't answer that question, she just nods and takes his elbow. "That one never does like to stay put," she finally says as she starts walking again with him.

Looking around she takes a right down the path, towards the sun on the slightly rise. "One could get really used to living around here." She meant because of the surrounds, the flowers were especially lovely the time of year. She pauses by some roses, leaning down to smell the sweet fragrance. "I love these. Which is probably why my Uncle used to have so many around his house. He loved all of his kids to get to know some of the nicer things in life. And that included an extensive knowledge of his gardens." She didn't know why she was telling him all this, it was probably her new need for him to know so much about her that he would never be afraid to steal a kiss.

His leg was starting to hurt so he takes advantage of the nearby stone bench and sits down on it, smiling as he watches her. "Hmmmmm they are nice this time of year." He looks around at the trees and flowers and can't help thinking he had almost not looked on them again. He smiles once again glad for his luck in life. He listens to her as she speaks of the flowers, turning his attention back to her. "Your Uncle was a great man. A great King." He looks saddened for a moment, wondering why his own father could not have been like that. If not for Gandalf....well he didn't want to think of such things. Gandalf was more a father to him than his own. He smiles again, then looks at Eowyn when she comes to sit beside him. "May I ask you a question?" He waits for her nod then continues. "Who taught you to use a sword? Was it your Uncle? Or your father? Perhaps your brother?" He was curious about her, as he always was now. He wanted to know everything about her.

Her eyes get a distant took to them at his question and when she smiles, there is a hint of sadness to it. "My father started my training, along with my brother's, then when he passed away my Uncle finished both our training. Though then as time passed, others have also helped in my training. It all did start with my father." She smiles at him, thinking about those others and what that training had given her. Confidence was one thing. The confidence to sit here in his presence and speak of sparing. "Remember the match you asked me about before? I have been thinking about it, and I think that we could get it together after we return to Rohan. We really don't have a lot of time to spar before I have to go. So if you would like to do it after we return to Rohan, I can have it arranged easier. At least I will not have to worry about anyone thinking that you really going after me." She isn't sure how that sounded, if she liked it or not. Though the innuendo was there, and it surely made her blush deeply. The thoughts that suddenly pop into her mind were worst though, they were the ones she would never vocalize. Like wondering what it would feel like to have his arms around her. But then the one thing she longed for was someone like him. Or was it really just him? Had she had these feelings for Aragorn? She was certain she used to think him the love of her life, but she had given up on that when his real love had been shown. The thing she did not want to do was use Faramir as a substitute for him. He deserved to be loved for whom he was alone.

He smiles at her, nodding and listening. When she is finished and asks her question he smiles and nods. "That is fine." He looks around, then laughs softly again. "My father was the one who started my training. Boromir finished it. Father got tired of my....wish to learn from books rather than him. Frustrated really. So Boromir taught me how to fight with a sword. My mother taught me how to use a bow and arrow. She enjoyed target practice. Boromir says I have more her blood than my father's as I was much better with the bow than with the sword." He was speaking now without really knowing he was. He was lost in memories about his brother and mother. "My father blamed me for her death. I had been sick, and after I was born, she had become weak against sicknesses. I was five when I became sick with fever. She nursed me back to health, against my father's orders. Against the healers orders. She died a week later of the same fever." He sighs softly, shaking his head. "I am sorry, Eowyn. I did not intend to make you upset or uncomfortable." He had tears in his eyes but he was being strong. As he had been taught to be by his brother, who knew if he shed a tear their father would punish him. It was so ingrained in him now that it was just habit.

She takes his hands, facing him, the light coming behind her and causing a soft halo to appear, her blond tresses highlighted by the sun and causing that effect. But her eyes were dark, a storm brewing in them as she looks upon his face. "You did not upset me, Faramir. You know that I only worry about you." She didn't know why she did, but she did. "I do not wish you to worry that you might say something that will upset me. Please, speak freely around me. I would have it no other way." She squeezes his hands lightly. "I do know one thing, you can not blame yourself for your mother's death. It was her choice to take care of you, because she loved you that much that she needed to make sure her little boy was taken care of in every possible way. Do not belittle her love by blaming yourself for her death. Celebrate the fact she accomplished that which she set out to do. She nursed her baby boy back to health so that he could live a long life. I would do the same of my own child. And I have a feeling you would too. Would you wish them to forever think it was their fault? Or would you rather they take that time that they do think about you and think about the love that was there?" She hoped she got through to him, she had a feeling that it was an old wound not easily healed.

He listens to her, frowning a little at what she says. She was right. But his father had always blamed him for his mother's death. He sighs and shakes his head. "You are right. I know this. It is just hard to forget the hatred my father held for me after that time. He blamed me. Therefore I was nothing to him. A failure. I don't believe I am. I would have if not for Boromir. No. I know I'm not to blame for her death. That is my father speaking. And I apologize for that. For having him speak for me." He turns away from her, a bitter look on his face, though his eyes betrayed the deep pain he felt whenever he thought of his father. "I wish he had died instead of her."

She reaches up and places her hand on his shoulder, staring at his back, feeling his pain yet unable to do anything about it. "Faramir," she says softly. "You can not wish death on anybody, regardless of your feelings for them, because it will only eat at your very soul. He is dead, let him rest in peace. Your mother, you need to remember, was a loving person, I can only assume from what you have spoken about her, and she would not wish you to have this sort of hate taint your soul." She gives his shoulder a tiny squeeze. "I wish it not to taint you."

He looks down at his hands. "I don't wish him dead. I did love him. I just wished he could have once, just once, told me he loved me. Gandalf was wrong. He never once uttered those words to me." He sighs deeply, looking defeated. "I could not hate him, no matter how much I tried. I lied. I do not wish he were dead. Even now, even after what he tried to do to me, I still don't wish it. But it is so. Even after all the pain....I find myself missing him. Though not as much as Boromir, or my mother." He looks at her. "Is that strange? To love someone who hated you?"

She shakes her head slowly. "No, it is not. Because we do not choose whom we fall in love with. It just happens. And when it does, it never goes away. Sometimes it may seem as if it did, but it does not. It will be there in some way or another. I truly believe that." She didn't know if she was talking about his father or him anymore, nor whom was falling in love with whom and where or when. But she pushes it all aside and drops her hand from his shoulder. "All we can do is love, Faramir. And hope that it all works out for the best."

He smiles at her, liking that she didn't ridicule him or make him feel stupid. Not many could make him feel stupid, as he usually knew more than most. He reaches up and gently touches her cheek, unable to help himself. He noticed how soft her skin felt. Just as he had expected it to.

She reaches up and takes his hand, holding it there a moment before gently taking it from her cheek and threading her fingers through his to turn and start walking again, never once letting his hand go. She doesn't know why she had done that, for a split second all she could think about was if he would kiss her. But it was too soon and she didn't like how they could be walked in on at any moment out there. She didn't know if he would kiss her, but for that moment she had hoped he would. She would have to think about it later, right now the thought of him kissing her made her heart skip a beat. "We will be leaving early in the morning."

He walks along beside her, holding her hand and smiling. That is until she says what she does. He would be going too, that wasn't why he had lost the smile. No, he wanted to do something before they left. And he wanted her to come with him. "Eowyn...could you....would you please accompany me to see my father?" He sees her look and shrugs, wincing again as pain shoots through his shoulder, yet again reminding him NOT to do that. He smiles a little. "I just want to pay my respects to him."

She raises a brow at his request. "That is a personal thing, Faramir. Are you sure that you wish me to accompany you? Wouldn't you rather do this with someone closer to you? A family member?" It wasn't that she wasn't truly honored as she didn't know it was her place to be there with him. After all, what was she to him? A friend, yes. But not family, not close and wouldn't he rather have someone close do that?

"I am the last of my family. Save for an uncle who lives in another town." He frowns slightly. He wanted her to come with him. She made him feel comfortable. "Please come. I would not have asked if I did not think it appropriate." He watches her, waiting for her answer.

She pauses, looking sideways at him, then at the roses she had stopped at. "You know, it never ceases to amaze me how every spring, no matter the hard winter, the rose will always return. It takes but a bit of love for it to return, and even sometimes not even that." She glances at him with tenderness in her eyes. "I will go with you, if you so wish it, Faramir."

He smiles and takes her hand, then bends down to kiss the back of her hand gently, nodding when he straightens. "Thank you, Eowyn. I do wish it. Shall we go now then?" He offers her his arm, smiling at her and waiting for her to take it.

She indeed does take it, leaning in slightly towards him as she walks, making the walk a slight bit more intimate. If anyone where to come across them, they would think that indeed they were lovers. She doesn't wish to disrupt the sounds of peace around them so when she speaks it is quietly. "And when is it that you wish to do this? Tonight or in the morning before we depart?" She looks up at him questioning, since she was closer to him now, it seemed even more an intimate gesture. Though all was unintentional, it was her body reacting to her heart, it was still signals that he could clearly get.

He smiles as she leans towards him while they walk. He liked that about her. She was showing him more and more that he had a chance with her. "I was thinking right now. But first I want to show you something." He leads her off into the garden, down a path that looks like it hadn't been used in a long time. He brings her into a clearing and smiles as he stops at the edge of a cliff over-looking the city below. It was hard to find unless one knew where to look, and he knew where to look. "Boromir and I used to come here when we needed a secret place to practice away from prying eyes. It's one of my favorite spots to go when I have time to myself."

She walks along with him, comfortable with their standing, and finding comfort from the easy way that they spoke to one another. She nods when he asks about showing her something, wondering where it is that he is taking her. When they get to it her eyes open wide. "Oh, Faramir! To think that there is a place like this! The sight before me is so spectacular, reminding me of my sweet Rohan." She could feel her voice caught in her throat as she stops speaking, afraid to go on any further until she can calm herself. Finally she looks up at him, smiling tenderly. "Thank you for sharing this with me, your special place. It means a lot to me that you would trust me with such a place. I am honored."

He smiles at her, watching her for her reaction. He is not disappointed. When she turns and looks at him again he smiles again and nods. "You are more than welcome, Eowyn. I am glad you like it. There is another place I would like to show you. But that will have to wait, as it is a days ride from here at a slow pace."

She grips his hand briefly, nodding. "Then we will have to wait till another day and another time. There is always tomorrow as long as we do not waste today. Now come, we must return. If you wish to visit your father, should we not do so before the darkness comes?"

He nods as if remembering. With a smile he offers his hand to her again and then when she takes it he leads her back down the unused path and out to the main area of the garden. He leads her away to the place where all the nobles were buried, unaware that they had been seen by three people who were speaking on the other side of the garden, the King, his Queen, and Eomer.

She walks with him through the trails. She hadn't seen her brother or the others when they left, there fore she continues to walk in an intimate manner, leaning towards him slightly. Though it made it look as if they were in a quiet conversation, the reality of it was that they weren't talking much at all. They were trying to get through it all. As they near the place where all the nobles were buried, her steps are firm, never wavering from the path he was leading her on. She remains silent, wanting him to start, as she wasn't sure if she was supposed to speak at all, it seemed too quiet to her.

He walks along with her and stops in front of one stone pillar. He lets go of her hand and steps up to it, moving his fingers over the name. "This is where my mother is." As he always does he kisses his fingers and then gently touches the name carved into the stone. He says in his own language, "I will forever hold you in my heart, there you shall always live." Then he turns to her. He gestures to the next pillar, which was erected by his father. "That is for Boromir. He would be buried there if his body was not lost." He does the same little ritual to the name on that pillar, repeating the words he spoke to his mother's pillar, then he moves on to the last one, it looked new compared to the other two, though Boromir's still looked new as well. He stares at the pillar for a moment, thinking, wondering if this was the right thing to do. After another few moments he finally takes a step towards it, once again speaking in the language of his people. But this time he says something different. "I do not know what to say to you father, but as always I will honor you and speak the truth. I do not understand your anger towards me, for I believe I always did my best to please you. But still you would not see that. Your anger hurts me still, Father. But I can no more hate you now in death than I did in life, no matter how I try. I love you, Father. I will also hold you in my heart, and hope that someday we shall meet again and I will know your love." When he is done he kisses his fingers and touches the name, then steps back and looks at her, he had forgotten that she probably knew his language, as it wasn't that much different from Rohan's native language. Plus because she was royalty she would probably have had to learn the languages of different races like he had.

She stands there, clasping her hands in front of her and staying back the whole time that he speaks. She gives him the respect that he deserves by staying silent while he says what he needed to. Yes, she knew what he was saying, but she didn't want to interfere with his speech. So she doesn't say anything that would imply if she knew it or not. By leaving that information out, he could feel safe should he need to, thinking his words has been just between them. Not that she wouldn't answer him if asked, just that she wouldn't force her opinion on him. She does say one thing though when he comes over, a saying that could be taken either way, "That sounded lovely, Faramir. Your language has such a play with words that it can sometime seem to dance on the wind."

He smiles at her, moving over next to her again. "I am glad you liked it. You know Gondorian speech? I was not sure, though you are of noble blood, therefore I assumed you would be taught like I was about other languages." He smiles and offers his hand to her. "I hoped you would be able to know what I was saying."

She takes his hand, linking her fingers through his, her eyes first on their linked hand before lifting them to his face. "Why was it, Faramir? Why did you wish I to know what you were saying?" She tilts her head to the side slightly, a questioning look replacing her smile.

He smiles at her, shrugging and then wincing again as yet again pain shoots through his shoulder. With a sheepish smile he answers her. "I should not do that, I know." He could tell by the look on her face that she had been about to tell him to stop that. "To answer your question, I wanted you to hear because I do not wish to hide my words or feelings from you. And I had not anything to hide."

She gives his hand a squeeze. "If you, Dear Faramir, continue to do that, I will be very upset with you. And you know how I can get when I am upset with you." She chides him, tsking at him under her breath. "What good lady would want to be in the presence of someone that repeatedly hurts themselves, just because they forgot about that pain for a moment. I would have thought that would be enough to keep you on your toes." She pulls her hand from his, turning to look at the graves. "I do not know what to say." Not just about the men in the graves, but the man standing next to her. She would never truly know what the feeling in her guts was... or would he be able to tell her what was causing those butterflies.

"Oh it is. The pain is there. Shrugging however is a habit." He smiles at her, then turns towards the graves again, standing beside her silently. "You do not need to say anything, Eowyn. Your presence is more than enough." He looks at her again. "Shall I walk you back to your room? The light is starting to dim."

She nods, looking back at the stones before moving away from him. "One moment." She felt a need to show her own respects, leaving now just seemed .... wrong. She movies first in front of his mother's and gets down on one knee. Once there she speaks softly, her accent perfect as she speaks as if she had been using his language since the day she was born. At each stone she takes a knee to once again speak in soft, almost musical tones. She gives her respects to his mom, telling her she would be proud of both her boys that she had birthed. Then she softly speaks to his brother, telling him of Faramir's brave fight to keep the city from being overthrown, that she know he would be proud of Faramir had he been there. Then at his father's she doesn't hesitate, she tells him that he would be proud of BOTH his sons if he let himself. Then when she is done, she stands, silent for what seemed the longest time as she looks sadly at his father's stone. Then she turns and lifts misty eyes to his. "I am ready now." And holds out her hand to him.

He looks at her, stunned a little. He hadn't thought she would be that fluent in his language. But none the less it makes him smile at what she says. When she stands and turns to him he takes her hand and nods, leading her from the place and back to the gardens. They would have to pass through them to get back to the doors that would lead to where she was staying. "You speak my country's language quite well, Eowyn. Maybe I shall have you read to me so I may hear your musical voice once again speaking my language."

She holds his hand gently, once more leaning slightly towards him as she speaks. "I might have to at that, I might at yet." She laughs softly to hide her embarrassment. She wondered suddenly if it had been wise to let him in on how fluent she was. "It is no secret that our two countries used to be aligned. And it was back then that I was taught your language. I loved it, almost as much as my own, to the point that I continued to speak it. I had a handmaid that was from here and we would talk into the wee hours of the morning. It kept me up on the speech and I never forgot that which I had been taught. It would be a sin to loose that knowledge that is for sure. No matter the problems our countries then ran into. So much was ruined because of that. So much tainted by the forces at work here." She shakes her head sadly, her face fallen and obviously touched with the sadness of the situation. "Maybe I will indeed have to read to you, is can be done I am sure."

He walks along with her, smiling as he listens to her speak. "Ah but I think you could make any language sound beautiful." He smiles down at her. "Maybe I should bring along a book on our trip." He would do that too, bring a book with him, just so they could read it together. That way he could be sure they would spend some time together and not look suspicious about it.

She nods, smiling up at him through her lashes. "I would like that, Faramir. Though I do not know why you wish me to read it." He had paid her the compliment of saying it was because he wished to hear her voice, and that caused her cheeks to flush as if she had just gotten done running some distance, her breath catching again in her chest. "Surely it would not be just for me," she says almost in a whisper this time as she once more looks up at him through her lashes. She reaches down between them and shyly slides her hand into his, a tender gesture as they walk together, looking for all the world like two lovers out for an evening stroll.

He smiles at her, holding her hand tight, yet not tight enough to hurt or be uncomfortable. "No. It would be for me as well, as I would enjoy hearing you read one of my favorite stories. I am not sure if what books you have read from Gondor, so I am anxious to hear what you may think of one that is my favorite." He stops as they reach the doors to the inside. He didn't want to end their time together, not yet anyway. Looking down at her again he smiles. "Would you like to stay in the gardens a little longer, Eowyn?"

She looks around, it was getting dark, that was for sure. Then she looks back up at him, his hold on her hand telling her he didn't want to let her go, as did the look in his eyes. "What is happening?" she whispers so softly as to think it was a thought. But she blinks, realizing she said it out loud and blushes, looking away. "We should get our rest, Faramir. We will have time on the morrow to speak again. And I will read to you during our journey." She looks back up at him, not releasing his hand. "I would like to know that which is your favorite."

He hears what she says, almost missing it because she said it so quietly. But he hears it none the less. With a smile on his face he nods and reaches out to open the door, this time ignoring the pain, noticing it wasn't as bad as before. "Then I shall walk you to your chambers then retire to mine. If you would like that?"

She nods, smiling softly. "I would like that, Faramir. Very much so." She hoped that they would not run into Eomer, he had already questioned her earlier as to why Faramir was coming, he didn't see the need, feeling he could protect her himself. She had tried to explain that had nothing to do with it, it was to do with respect for their Uncle. That had finally settled his questions. She didn't know why she wanted to keep this from her brother, there was nothing wrong with it. It wasn't as if they were acting indecently. So why was it that she wanted to keep it between them? Maybe because it was too new. Too new and too fragile, whatever it was. And she didn't want it broken before it could grow strong roots.

He smiles and waits for her to walk inside before he follows her, closing the door behind them, then walking down the hall with her again. "Where are we to meet tomorrow morning? I will need to be up earlier as I will have to see to my horse in the stable."

She walks with him as they head towards her rooms, knowing that soon they would have to part and feeling that anticipation in her chest. "We can meet at the main road out. I will have everything that I need." Except for you, she thinks. "And I will have provisions. I am not allowing a cart for me, I will be riding on my horse, much to my brother's dismay. So you won't be able to miss us, the group up there waiting to leave and return home. There will be 12 horses and men, as well as my brother and I and then the cart with our Uncle and the horses with the provisions. I will have what is needed for all." She stops outside her room, turning to smile shyly up at him. "You need only to show your face and you will be taken care of."

He smiles down at her, nodding. "Ah well then. I shall meet you there tomorrow morning. It will be nice to get out of the city again." He leans down and kisses her hand gently, then straightens. "I shall be counting the minutes till then, Eowyn." He watches as she turns and opens the doors to her rooms, smiling when she turns back around. "Goodnight." He wouldn't leave until she closed the door. Then he would know for sure that she was safe and sound.

She smiles as he kisses her hand again, his lips seeming so soft against her skin. How it would feel to be kissed by those lips, for her own lips to replace the tender skin of her hand. Who would it feel it he were to kiss with a passion, a passion she would bet that would be as wild as the man behind it. Yet so far he had shown her his tenderness, at every turn, not ashamed nor afraid to share it with her. She cherished that and the time they were able to spend together. And before she can stop herself, she tells him so. "Good night, Faramir. I will be counting the minutes until we may meet in the morning, where we can start our new journey together. I look forward to it, as I value your time with me, and wish you to never let that slip your mind." She squeezes his hands then letting them go, she boldly blows him a kiss before slipping quickly through her door, closing it just as quickly to lean back against it, her heart pounding in her chest, her face alight as if someone had set off fireworks. She clasps her hand to her chest, her eyes alight with some of the same fire that lit her face. Was it too much to think she was falling in love? Was it too much to hope that he saw more in her then just a friend? Because she wished nothing more in the entire world then to have one kiss from those firm lips, and she would die a happy maiden.

When the door is closed he stands there a moment, smiling to himself before he turns and starts back down the hall to the doors they came in. He would have to go back out and through the garden to get to the healers. He had one last appointment with them before he was allowed to return to his own rooms. Something he was looking forward to doing. His bed was much nicer than the one in the House of Healing. As he is walking towards the healers he can't help but think of Eowyn. She was always on his mind these days. Had she truly meant what she said? Of course she had. He could see it in her eyes. And such lovely eyes they are too. He smiles to himself, looking happier than he had in a very very long time.

When he is gone she sighs, only leaving the door when she can no longer hear his footsteps. Oh boy, she had better be careful. "You are falling in love with him, Eowyn, and this isn't good." She walks over to her window, looking out of it but seeing nothing but the stars. She stares up at them, half-leaning out the window to see them all better. "The stars aren't as nearly as bright as his smile," she says softly. Then she giggles, thinking her comment silly and childlike. Quickly she ducks back into the room and starts to get ready for bed. Tomorrow would come fast enough.

Eomer walks up to her doors and knocks on them, having been standing down the hall and waiting for her. Thus he had a perfect view of the two of them together. He had even heard their last words to each other. He shakes his head. She always was one to not think before she jumped into something. Always wanting to prove herself. When she opens the door to her room he gives her a skeptical look before he walks inside. "Hello Eowyn."

She hears the door and wonders if it could be Faramir. Maybe he forgot something. Maybe he forgot a kiss, she thinks, a devilish glint in her eyes when she opens the door. So she is slightly shocked when it isn't Faramir at all, but her brother. She tries not to let her smile falter, flashing him just as big of one. "Well hello, Dear Eomer. What brings you to my rooms tonight? Are you ready for tomorrow? We want to get an early start." She goes back towards her dresser, checking the things on it and around it, putting a few more things into the cloth bag on the chair by it. It held her toiletries and the sort, and she would stick the last minute things into it. She looks back over her shoulder at him, waiting for his answer, almost holding her breath and not realizing it.

He moves over to the window and looks out of it, then he turns and looks back at her. No use in tiptoeing around it. "Faramir of Gondor, Eowyn? May I ask why him?" When she tries to convince him it was nothing he snorts and rolls his eyes. "Please. My dear sister, you were seen with him in the gardens. By not only myself, but the King and Queen as well. They seemed much more at ease with it than I but I do not understand it. You hardly know him, Eowyn."

She starts protesting when he first asks her why, shaking her head repeatedly. But then when she can see that he isn't going to listen to her, she moves over to the bed and sits on it, looking at him, as he seems to assess her. "Yes, I hardly know him, Brother. And that is why I plan on getting to know him on this trip. He is the one that wishes to come with us. I think it is noble of him to come pay his respects, all things considered. There has been a great animosity between Gondor and Rohan, do you not think it wise that now we keep the channels of communication open? I am not hurting anyone. He is not promised to another. Nor am I." Though she still had her doubts about her feelings for Aragorn, she felt that this would be a good way to get through those feelings and find out what it really was that was going on. "I am not forcing myself on him, Eomer, if that is what you are thinking." She looks at him in shock as the idea hits her and she has to voice it. She hoped he didn't think that she was trying to walk all over the man. It was wrong.

"I do not believe that, Eowyn. I am your brother, I do know something about you." He smiles at her and comes to sit down beside her. "I don't know why but I must remind you. You loved Aragorn, perhaps you still do. What I am saying is, do you still love him? Even though he is with another. And do you truly know Faramir is not promised to another? I do not wish to see your heart broken again, Sister."

"I shall always love Aragorn, Eomer. In my own way, I will always love him. As he will love me. We have spoken of this, and," she shrugs. "I can not compete with her now can I?" She shakes her head again, letting her breath out in a long sigh. "You are asking me questions when I have yet to figure out the answers for myself." She reaches out and takes her brother's hand, threading her fingers through his as she holds it close, caressing it in a gentle gesture. "You need your nails done," she says as if off in another conversation totally. But it was just an observation that hits her as she tries to make sense of things. "I know, I know, off the subject. Eomer, I do not know if I will get hurt again. My heart seems to be bound to be broken on a regular basis." She laughs, but it is obviously one without much humor.

He looks at her and smiles, shaking his head when she mentions his nails. "They are fine." He sighs and squeezes her hand lightly when she speaks of getting her heart constantly broken. "I would ask you why then do you persue Lord Faramir, but then you would not be able to give me an answer so I shall not ask for one. I will give you time, Eowyn, to figure out your love for him. But if in that time, or after, he hurts you, I will have words with him." He would have words with Faramir anyway, as he was planning on taking the man aside sometime and asking him just what he was doing with Eowyn.

She leans in and kisses his cheek. "Thank you, kind Eomer. You are a sweet brother who worries needlessly." She shakes her head a few times, sighing deeply. "You are right about one thing, Brother. You could ask me why I persue Lord Faramir, as I do have an answer to that one, you were wrong. I do not pursue him, I do not pursue anyone. That is what has me wondering what it is that is happening in my life." She leans in and kisses her brother cheek again. "Oh Eomer, sweet Eomer. Do not worry so much about me. I have plenty of time"

He smiles at his sister. "Yes you do. But for now you must get your rest, as we leave early tomorrow for home." He leans in and kisses her forehead lightly, then stands up. "I will trust you, Eowyn. But remember I am here for you. As I always am." He smiles at her and kisses her hand gently, in a more brotherly fashion, before he pats it and heads towards the door. "I will come for you at daybreak. Be ready."

She rolls her eyes, unable to stop herself as he turns back towards the door, then smiles when he turns around. "I will see you then, Eomer. Do not worry, I will be ready. I have everything else in order," she gets up and walks up behind him, holding the door for him. "Sleep well. And hopefully Aragorn will understand."

He looks at her and smiles, nodding before he leaves. "Sleep well, Dear Eowyn." He touches her shoulder before leaving the room and heading back towards his.

She closes the door behind him, once more leaning on it and sighing. This time because of her brother. Well, now she knew that she was being watched she would have to be more careful. That brings a smile to her lips. More careful of what? She didn't know, but she knew she would have to be in general.