Eowyn was at the door and opening it, ready to leave when he asks her for one thing. "What, Love?" she asks with a smile. At his request she nods, but does raise a brow wondering why it was that he wanted jam and bread. When he answers she gives him a look as if to say 'if that helps you, then by all means...' but doesn't say anything else as she starts to walk out, only to be have him ask for wine as well. She huffs and turns slowly, both brows going up slowly as she stares at him. "Will there be anything else?" she asks really slowly. When he says no and goes to the bed she waits, wanting to make sure that that was indeed everything. As he starts to put on his boots she stands there, very slowly closing the door and looking in at the same time. She keeps watching him as she closes the door, her eyes always peeking through the crack until she grins and finally closes it. With a sigh she heads away from his room.
Walking into the kitchen she sees a tray with two plates, both filled with food, Theresa having gotten their dinners ready. "Theresa?" she calls out, not seeing the old woman anywhere.
There is no answer so she shrugs and checks what is on the plates before looking around the kitchen for some jam. She didn't know if there was any jam and she wasn't sure where it was kept if they did.
"Can I help you, Dearie?" Theresa's soft voice comes from behind her, causing her to jump. "Oh my! I did not mean to scare you." She walks over to where Eowyn was standing. "Now, you tell me what you are looking for and I will do my best to find it."
"Hello, Theresa. It is okay, I just didn't expect anyone. I was looking for some jam. Faramir is finally ready to eat his dinner and he asked if we have any." But she wasn't even done asking and a little pot was put on the tray, the smell of peaches coming from it. "Why thank you, Theresa. I had hoped you would have some." Suddenly tears spring to her eyes and she has to blink to rid herself of them.
"Now now, Little One." It was her pet name for Eowyn, it had been since the child had come from her parents to be taken care of by her Uncle. Theresa had dubbed her that because indeed she had been little for her age. She had been so tiny when Theresa first met her, but so full of spirit. She would stand up to anyone and everyone not matter their size, and most the time she would win. She hated being called little too, by anyone that is except for Theresa. The old woman had become the grandma she didn't have and if anyone dared say one bad thing about her, Eowyn would go into battle for her. Though when she was little it was more that Theresa was defending Eowyn.
They had grown close over the years and Theresa had yet another child under her care. Between Theoden, Eomer, Eowyn, and Monica, she did not miss her daughter as much. And they definitely kept her busy. Now, hugging Eowyn close to her she rubs her back gently. "Do not cry, it can not be that bad. I heard that your sweet young man was doing better and sleeping. And if he is eating now, is that not good?"
Eowyn shakes her head, wiping at her eyes. "Oh Theresa, it isn't that. I mean it is, but it isn't. I have to tell my brother that I am leaving in the morning and I know that he will not take it well. I have decided to go with Faramir and Boromir to Rivendell. To see Lord Elrond in hopes that he can heal Faramir." She sighs, resting her forehead against the old woman's shoulder, feeling comfortable in her arms as she holds her near.
"Monica told me that they were going to Gondor," Theresa says with a frown, pulling back a little to look at the woman. Did she dare say what was going on? Well Eowyn had a right to know, and coming from her would be much better then coming from anyone else, would it not? "My Lady, please, I must ask you something, but you must promise to not say anything to anyone. Can you promise me this?" She looks at her worriedly, fear for her young charge clear on her face.
Eowyn wonders what could cause such a fear on the old woman and wants nothing more then to take that fear away. "Anything, Theresa. I will not tell a soul. If I know the answer, then I will tell you." Telling the truth to those that asked had taken on a new meaning for her as of late, thanks to Faramir.
She takes the young lady's hands, her eyes still imploring her to make things clear. "Lady Eowyn, Monica came to me tonight. She was rather excited because... because Lord Boromir asked her to accompany him to Gondor." That was true, without giving away too much. "Does he not know that the travel plans have changed? Or did he tell her a tale?" Please do not let this be a lie, that he drew her into some sort of tale, a lie to get her away from her home without really telling her where they were going.
She smiles, patting the old woman's hands that she held clutched. "Oh Theresa, I am sorry that you were worried. That was not my intention. No, Boromir has not been told about the change of plans. We are to go to Rivendell, we will be telling him in the morning. Or if we see him tonight, then tonight. But since it seems there is another involved, Faramir and I will both tell them of the change of plans."
Faramir finishes pulling on his boots and then gets up off the bed. He pulls on his ranger cloak and leather tunic, before he grabs a thin blanket and leaves the room. He head out of the room, stopping by the room that Beregond was stationed in. He knocks on the door, then smiles when it opens. "Hello Beregond. I just wanted to say thank you, and goodnight. Did you get some...is there for your son?" He sees the little practice sword in Beregond's hands and smiles.
Beregond had found this old sword in a shop in town and knew his son would like it. It would be magnificent when he was finished sharpening it and polishing it. And the old man who sold it to him did so gladly, once he realized he was talking to the Steward's guard. He had also managed to purchase a horse for his son. And for his wife some nice dresses and jewelry. "Yes my Lord. I am going to sharpen it and polish it and present it to him in a few weeks when he enters the Academy. I have also purchased a horse for him. Will we be leaving tomorrow?"
Faramir nods. "But not for Gondor just yet. It is decided, Beregond. I will be going to Rivendell with Eowyn and Gandalf, and my brother. I will......face my fears." He sighs, then smiles when Beregond says he has faith he will face them and win. "Thank you my friend. Now, I will leave you for the night." He nods his head, then walks away, heading out to the gardens. He stands at the entrance to them, watching and waiting for Eowyn.
"I think that you should tell her soon," the old lady says with a smile. "Tonight, do not wait for tomorrow. They may not wish to go to Rivendell." Because they planned on marrying and if they went, they could not marry so soon. She frowns, the thought that if Lord Boromir were in that much of a hurry to marry Monica, then would they marry before leaving?
"I will tell them tonight, then, Theresa. After I have fed Faramir, I will find them, at least Monica, and tell them." She makes sure that everything that was needed was on the tray double checking for what else they might need. "Oh, I need a carafe of wine as well. He wishes something to warm his belly." She blushes slightly, though she doesn't know exactly why, so she pushes it aside.
Theresa places a carafe on the tray with two goblets, then she puts another with tea, along with a small envelope. "Dump these herbs into his tea at the beginning of the meal. It will help him to relax as well as help his digestion." She picks up the tray and hands it to the young woman. "Do you need any help with that?" When Eowyn shakes her head she holds the door open for her. "Remember, Eowyn, Dear. Talk to Boromir and Monica tonight. It is important that they know of this change of plans before the night is out."
Eowyn nods, wondering why it was so important. But she had the feeling that Theresa wasn't about ready to tell her. Once again she thinks about what Faramir said about Monica being smitten with Boromir and wonders if that has anything to do with the fact that she was going to go with them.
She leaves the room though without asking any more. She would have to talk to Monica if she wanted any more. Theresa was not about to tell tales on her 'daughter'. She knew how much the two cared for each other, so she also knew that it must be something very very important that Monica would leave the old woman and move away. Was she moving? Or had she just decided to take the trip? As Eowyn's handmaiden she would normally have gone on a long trip, if anyone was needed. However she had not planned on taking one with her, it was supposed to be a short trip. Besides the guards that would come, it was a personal trip as well. This trip was to make Faramir and Boromir healthy again. To give them both a new hold on their lives. They did not need a huge party to go with them. Though they did need enough guards to keep them safe, that did not warrant a ton of help besides that. She hoped they would not even have to take a cart, but merely an extra horse or two for provisions.
Finally walking out the back she smiles as she sees Faramir at the entrance to the gardens. "Faramir!" she calls to him, carrying the tray out to where he stood. "I am sorry it took so long. I was talking to the cook about something. I will fill you in when we are seated." She motions to the table and chairs set up, walking over and setting the tray down.
He looks at Eowyn as she comes out, smiling at her. He walks over to the table and takes a seat, setting the blanket he was holding down beside him. "Do not worry, Love. I could wait." He sees the fresh bread and instantly grabs a piece. He then smiles as she set a jar of jam in front of him. "Ah you remembered." He takes a knife and dips it into the jam, then spreads some on the fresh bread. He takes a bite and sighs at the taste. It was perfect. Just what he wanted.
She takes the things off of the tray, setting them around the table, glancing up and smiling at his excitement. "I take it you like Monica's bread?" She settles into her seat, putting some jam on a piece of the bread. "She does not normally cook, but she makes the bread for Theresa because her hands are getting old, even if she doesn't want to admit it. So Monica makes the bread 3 times a week." She frowns at that thought. "I will have to find someone to help Theresa now." She sighs, taking a bite and instantly knowing why he was smiling. "Very good." She eats a little bit in silence with him and then finally starts to talk. "Well here is the news. It would seem that you were right about Boromir, because he has asked Monica to come along with us. I think that I just lost a handmaiden tonight." Then she laughs. "Well actually I KNOW that I did, because she is just taking off. Oh do not get me wrong, I am sure that she will tell me before she leaves, that isn't the point. The point is... she is leaving and Boromir asked her." She takes a drink of her wine, looking at him curiously. "Would Boromir take a mistress? I mean has he before?" It wouldn't be unheard of, but she just didn't see Boromir as the type to take a mistress. But if he had in the past he may be now. However she thought that Monica was coming for another reason, she just couldn't tell yet.
He looks up at her as he finishes the piece of bread and takes a sip of his wine. He frowns slightly, then shrugs. "He has had many women friends. But he is always good to them. Why? Do you think he is not being truthful with her?" He starts to eat his dinner, smiling slightly. He always felt hungry after being sick.
She shakes her head, tilting her head it slightly as she looks over him. "It isn't that, Faramir. It is just, well, it is something that Theresa said about Monica. I think that there is a LOT more going on here. Theresa made me promise to talk to Monica TONIGHT." She points her fork at him. "It seems serious."
He nods, drinking down some of the tea she had put in front of him. "Well when dinner is finished I will go see my brother, and you shall go and speak with Monica. Then you can return to my room and we will discuss what we learn. I...." He stops and holds his head for a moment, frowning. He couldn't remember why his jaw hurt or why the back of his head hurt as well. With a deep sigh he straightens again and looks over at her. He could see her concerned look. "Do not worry. It is just the last of the headache."
She shakes her head. "That wasn't just the last of the headache, that was something more. Is it hurting more?" She pushes the tea closer to him. "Drink it all, Honey. You need to get those herbs down you as they have a soothing effect." She reaches out and caresses his cheek, running her thumb over his bottom lip as she does, dusting off a crumb. "It will be okay, Honey. I know in my heart, it will be okay."
He looks at her and smiles. "I hope so." He kisses her thumb gently, then picks up the cup of tea and drinks the rest down, sighing softly. "Eowyn, you do know how far away Rivendell is, do you not?" He glances at her as he begins to eat again, smiling slightly when she shakes her head. "Well very far. It is near The Shire....."
She frowns at that. "That is over a four month journey to the Shire!" she exclaims, her hand going over her mouth, she really hadn't understood how far it was to Rivendell. "Is there not another place closer that they can meet us? I do not want to wait FOUR months! I would have it done tomorrow if it were within my grasp. "She was extremely worried, not just because SHE wanted him to have it sooner but because she didn't know that he could last out 4 full months of this without breaking. There had to be another way.
He looks at her suddenly, a look of shock on his face. "There is but one other place close enough. But to look upon it is said to fall into a dream." He sighs and shakes his head. "Lothlorien is halfway between here and Rivendell. But I do not know if they would allow us there. It has been said it is forbidden."
"We will talk to Gandalf and find out what can be done. I believe he mentioned it to me before, when we were speaking about this, now that I come to think about it." She runs her fingers through her hair, resting her forehead on the palm of her hand, her elbow on the table as she sighs. "I wanted to have a lovely dinner, not to think of things that hurt my brain. We can do it, I will make it happen. Because," she gets up and walks over to him, sitting down in his lap and taking his face in her hands, kissing each eye lid tenderly. "I love you, Faramir. And it doesn't matter what it takes, if it means fighting Orcs to get to Lothlorien, but I will do it. When you finish, lets go find Gandalf and see what he has to add to this talk."
When she sits in his lap he wraps his arms around her waist and smiles. He loved it when she did that. "I love you as well, Darling Eowyn. But I do not think there will be any Orcs in Lorien. The elves keep them out of the forest." He picks up his fork and gets a little food on it, then he holds it out to her, smiling when she lets him feed her.
She takes a bite and then smiles as he feeds her, not sure why he wanted to do it, but not stopping him. "It was an exaggeration, Dear." She takes another bite, talking around it. "It was only meant to show you what I would go through for you. I think that Lorien is the answer. I wish there was a faster way to get there." She lays her head on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck and leaving hot little kisses on it. "Baby?" she takes his hand and intertwines her fingers with his. "Do you see how strong your hand is?" She was suddenly thinking about all kinds of things, not just what they were going to go through, but what they would have to go through in the future. "I am trusting my heart to this hand, please be careful and don't break it." She takes a deep breath, then letting it out slowly she smiles into his eyes. "What do you think of a double wedding?" She had a fear deep in her gut that she could still loose him and she wanted to make sure that one way or another they would be together. So why not have a double wedding with Eomer and Lothiriel? Before we leave...? We would have to wait around here a little longer, go back to the original plan sort of. Get her brothers and father and her family here. Any of your family here, and have a huge double ceremony? Then we rode off for Lorien, we would be married and I could," she leans forward, "sleep with my own husband on our many nights to come. We would not have a single lonely one, for it would be blessed." She leans back, smiling brightly. She thought it was the perfect idea.
"My only family is Lothiriel's and Boromir. You know that." He smiles at her. "If we do this, then you must be prepared for a second wedding. Or to at least have King Elessar bless our wedding. So that we are recognized as married in Gondor as well." He chuckles. "And who is to marry us? Your brother will be getting married as well. Gandalf could I suppose. Or even Boromir. Though he only has authority in Gondor." He feeds her a little more from his plate, then eats some himself. "It does sound tempting. To finally be able to have you by my side at night without having to worry how it looks to others."
She can't help but laugh. "Two weddings, just to make sure huh? One for your family in Gondor and one for mine here in Rohan?" She could see a wedding going on and on and on, with no real end.
He smiles. "Well if we are to be married here with your brother and my cousin, then my family will already see it. If we also have a wedding in Gondor, it will merely be for the people's benefit." He feeds her a little more, then finishes the last little bit of food on his plate himself. He pushes the plate away, then reaches across the table and grabs her plate, pulling it over in front of him. "Eowyn....even though I do know how it feels to make love to you, I still find myself unable to wait for our wedding night." He smiles and eats the piece of bread she offers him, swallowing before he speaks again. "I believe it is because then we will finally be husband and wife and it will be all the more better."
She blushes slightly, nodding as she takes the fork from his hand. She starts to feed him some of the vegetables off of her plate, turning just enough in her chair so that she can feed her fiancé playfully. "I know what you mean, Faramir," she says softly. "I feel like I have butterflies in my stomach when I think about it. The whole wedding seems to be unreal. As if there is no way something this beautiful could thrive through something this totally destructive." She meant the war they had all just been through, but she knew she probably didn't have to explain that part, it was clear for both of them to see.
He smiles, loving how she was feeding him. No one had ever done anything like this for him before. Unless he was sick. But he wasn't sick now. And Eowyn was sitting on his lap so it just made it seem all the more fun. "Yes. That is very true, Love." He leans in and gives her a kiss, keeping his arms wrapped around her waist. When he pulls back he smiles. "May I ask you a question?" He waits for her nod. "Would you...call me your husband again? I very much like how that sounds."
She wonders what it could be that he wants when she nods, her confusion turning to recognition. "You want me to call you my husband?" At his nod she leans in closer, her lips near his as she holds a grape as an incitement in front of his lips, lightly rubbing the fruit across his bottom him. "I wish to be married so that I can spend the long nights on the way to Lorien in the arms of my husband, which is you my dear sweet husssssssband." She takes a bite of the grape, then passes the remainder through his lips for him to eat.
He smiles, loving the sound of that word coming from her lips. He eats the offered piece of fruit, then leans in and kisses her deeply for a moment before pulling back. "Hmmmm yes. That word is heaven from your lips, Darling. And I can see no other way of travelling than to have you with me. As you know I do not sleep well without you, my wife, in my arms."
She shivers the instant he says 'wife', closing her eyes and moaning softly. "Mmmm I see what you mean," she says as she opens her eyes and smiles at him. "On your lips it sounds different then I have ever heard it before." She picks up a piece of pear, the sticky juice getting on her fingers and she holds it up to his lips. "But then I like a lot of things on your lips." She leans in and bites into the other half as he bites into half, chewing on it before kissing him, licking her lips as she pulls away. "Delicious."
He grins a little, taking a bite out of the pear when she does, then he returns her kiss. When she pulls back he too licks his own lips, nodding to her word. "Very. I must say, you do make eating dinner interesting, Eowyn. I can promise you, if this is what I am to expect once we are married....I will never miss a meal."
She winks at him, feeding him the last bite of pear before placing the empty dish on the table in front of them. "I don't know about EVERY meal. This one is special. We are celebrating." At his questioning look she goes on. "We are celebrating you choosing life over death. Even more importantly, me over your fear." She leers at him. "And the night is not over yet."
He grins slightly, keeping his arms around her waist, though one hand was tugging absentmindedly at one of the lace bows at the back of her dress. "So then it would have been in my best interest to have told you sooner and chose this last resort sooner as well?"
"Yes, it would have. Maybe you would have been almost done with all of this. Faramir, you have no idea what it means to me that you will do this for me. I know that you will get through it and then we will work on a family." She wiggles her eyebrows at him. "Want to practice now?" She slides her free hand inside his tunic, then getting an idea, she moves it down a little across his chest till her fingertips are running along the inside of his pants.
He smiles at her, that hand that had been tugging on one of the bows that kept her dress closed, finally managing to get it undone. He slips his hand inside the opening, lightly caressing the small of her back with the tips of his fingers. He shivers as he feels her hand running across his skin. He loved it when she touched him like that. "Hmmmmmm now as in right here?" He gives her a wicked little smile, all thoughts of painful headaches, or pain at all, gone from his mind. Thus was the power of Eowyn over him. She could take his mind off anything and put it onto another with just a mere touch.
She looks around where they were outside and then back at him. "Of course here. It is secluded, and no one knows we are out here. Would you rather go inside?" She shivers at his touch along her back. "Though I think that we may have to wait just a little longer, just till we are certain that no one else will come to check on you. When they find you missing from inside they may check out here and there really isn't a place for me to hide." She looks at the table, then back at him. "Are you done eating, my Love?" She was playing with his hair, pulling it back into a little ponytail at the nape of his neck before twisting it around her fingers and letting it go to do it all over again. She was vastly enjoying the feel of it sliding through her fingers as she looks lovingly into his face. She could stare into his eyes forever, there was no fear in them at the moment, not even pain. Right now all she could see was love, a love she knew he held for her and only her. She leans her forehead against his, her dress falling forward off her shoulders slightly to expose the tops of her breasts. "I think you have some desert there."
He smiles, watching her closely as she plays with his hair. He loved it when she did that. He didn't know anything so simple could feel so good. But he was learning. "Ah so we once again see just what Eowyn, Lady of Rohan, will do." He grins and kisses her softly. "Ah yes. Another thing I love about you." Which showed in his eyes, his love for her. His love and desire for her. When she leans his forehead against his and says she thinks he had some dessert left he can't help but grin. "I believe you are correct. Let me have a taste. " He pulls back and looks like he is going to reach for the dessert, but instead he takes hold of the back of her head and tilts it back. He then leans down and places soft kisses against her neck and the tops of her breasts.
She returns his kiss with as much passion, a moan escaping her throat as she can't help but press herself against him. She loved this man so much, she would give him anything he wanted, all he had to do was ask.
He pulls back from the kiss and again moves his mouth to her neck and the tops of her breasts, kissing trails across them. He moves his hand up and slips her dress further off her shoulders, in turn exposing more of her breasts to him. He grins and pulls back for a moment. "I think if we are going to do this out here, that we should at least cover up a little." He grabs the blanket and wraps it around them, letting her hold it closed behind him.
She holds the blanket closed behind him and kisses his neck. "As if this doesn't make us look even more guilty," she laughs, whispering in his ear. "I love you, Faramir. Tomorrow morning we leave for Lorien. This may be the last time before we are wed before we get to make love together. Maybe we should have the wedding there?" But she realizes that that wasn't possible. "No no, we can't ask both kings from the area to go 2 months journey away from each other." She sighs deeply. "Well then," she kisses his neck again. "Let's make the most of tonight."
Lothiriel looks over her shoulder at him in shock. "WELL! I should hope so!" She keeps eyes serious as long as she can and then she grins at him. "I would hope that you don't start picturing Orcs in dresses while you are busy with something serious." She takes his hand under the cloak and threads her fingers through his, her hand laying on top of his and his hand now laying on her belly. "I love you too, Eomer. I never thought that I would find a man like you. I am so lucky." She gives the back of his hand a squeeze before once more resting it on the back of his. She snuggles back against him.
He smiles, loving how they were sitting. Yes, he could see this marriage thing wouldn't be bad at all. Not with Lothiriel anyways. He truly loved her. And she him. He leans down and kisses the top of her head. "As am I. Lucky to have a sister who wants to marry your cousin. For I would never have met you if not for my sister and your cousin."
She shakes her head. "Actually, I do not believe that. I honestly believe that we are all meant to be with a certain person. I believe that you may love more then one, but in the end, you will find the person you will love all your life, no matter what. It was not just fate that I came with him that time, nor that I returned this time. Though this time it was love." She smiles over her shoulder at him. "I do believe," she says as she rubs her thumb over the back of his hand on her belly, "that if I had not come with him that first time, then there would have been another time. If you had been married by then, or I had, it would not have made a difference. Because we still would have fallen in love. Only then, we would have had to love each other in silence. We have been lucky. We found each other when we were single and able to love each other openly." Yes, very lucky, she thinks. Because she had had men chased off, there had been plenty of times her brothers could have given the okay. Now if they would just give the okay this time, all would work out perfectly.
He smiles at her, holding her close as they ride through the gates and up towards the stables. "Hmmm yes. I think that would have happened. Though I would have been miserable in my marriage. As I see only happiness with you and no one else." He rides into the stables and then smiles and helps her down off the horse. He follows and then leads his horse into the stable. After removing the saddle and bridle, he gets a brush and starts to brush his horse down. He always did love this part of the job. And even though he was King now, he was still going to do it.
She gets off the horse and stands there, watching him for a little while. Then she walks over to him as he starts to brush the horse. "Eomer?" She places a hand on his arm, waiting till he turns to look at her. "I am going to check on Faramir before heading to bed. If you would like to say goodnight, I am going to get some tea in the kitchen before heading to my room. You can meet me there." She rubs his arm absently, waiting for his answer.
He looks at his future wife and smiles, nodding. "Alright, Lothiriel. I will finish up here and then I will join you in the kitchen for a cup of tea. Or did you mean your room?" He continues to brush down his horse, nodding to a stable boy who brings water and feed over for the horse. He thanks the boy before he looks back at Lothiriel.
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "In the kitchen, Eomer. In the kitchen." She laughs softly, turning and walking away from him and out of the stables. She knew she was safe with him in her room, but that didn't matter. She still wanted to remain as proper as they should be. And all this sneaking from room to room just wasn't right.
He smiles and nods to Lothiriel. "Alright. I will meet you in the kitchens." He watches her go, then gets back to brushing down his horse. He smiles as he comes around the front and gets knocked forward by his horse pushing at him with his nose. He laughs and shakes his head, turning around. "I see you are taking note of how Faramir's horse treats him. Now hold still. I am almost finished. I just have your other side and then your hooves to clean and you may rest." He moves around to the horses other side and starts brushing him down, smiling to himself as he thinks of Lothiriel.
Walking into the kitchen she sees a tray with two plates, both filled with food, Theresa having gotten their dinners ready. "Theresa?" she calls out, not seeing the old woman anywhere.
There is no answer so she shrugs and checks what is on the plates before looking around the kitchen for some jam. She didn't know if there was any jam and she wasn't sure where it was kept if they did.
"Can I help you, Dearie?" Theresa's soft voice comes from behind her, causing her to jump. "Oh my! I did not mean to scare you." She walks over to where Eowyn was standing. "Now, you tell me what you are looking for and I will do my best to find it."
"Hello, Theresa. It is okay, I just didn't expect anyone. I was looking for some jam. Faramir is finally ready to eat his dinner and he asked if we have any." But she wasn't even done asking and a little pot was put on the tray, the smell of peaches coming from it. "Why thank you, Theresa. I had hoped you would have some." Suddenly tears spring to her eyes and she has to blink to rid herself of them.
"Now now, Little One." It was her pet name for Eowyn, it had been since the child had come from her parents to be taken care of by her Uncle. Theresa had dubbed her that because indeed she had been little for her age. She had been so tiny when Theresa first met her, but so full of spirit. She would stand up to anyone and everyone not matter their size, and most the time she would win. She hated being called little too, by anyone that is except for Theresa. The old woman had become the grandma she didn't have and if anyone dared say one bad thing about her, Eowyn would go into battle for her. Though when she was little it was more that Theresa was defending Eowyn.
They had grown close over the years and Theresa had yet another child under her care. Between Theoden, Eomer, Eowyn, and Monica, she did not miss her daughter as much. And they definitely kept her busy. Now, hugging Eowyn close to her she rubs her back gently. "Do not cry, it can not be that bad. I heard that your sweet young man was doing better and sleeping. And if he is eating now, is that not good?"
Eowyn shakes her head, wiping at her eyes. "Oh Theresa, it isn't that. I mean it is, but it isn't. I have to tell my brother that I am leaving in the morning and I know that he will not take it well. I have decided to go with Faramir and Boromir to Rivendell. To see Lord Elrond in hopes that he can heal Faramir." She sighs, resting her forehead against the old woman's shoulder, feeling comfortable in her arms as she holds her near.
"Monica told me that they were going to Gondor," Theresa says with a frown, pulling back a little to look at the woman. Did she dare say what was going on? Well Eowyn had a right to know, and coming from her would be much better then coming from anyone else, would it not? "My Lady, please, I must ask you something, but you must promise to not say anything to anyone. Can you promise me this?" She looks at her worriedly, fear for her young charge clear on her face.
Eowyn wonders what could cause such a fear on the old woman and wants nothing more then to take that fear away. "Anything, Theresa. I will not tell a soul. If I know the answer, then I will tell you." Telling the truth to those that asked had taken on a new meaning for her as of late, thanks to Faramir.
She takes the young lady's hands, her eyes still imploring her to make things clear. "Lady Eowyn, Monica came to me tonight. She was rather excited because... because Lord Boromir asked her to accompany him to Gondor." That was true, without giving away too much. "Does he not know that the travel plans have changed? Or did he tell her a tale?" Please do not let this be a lie, that he drew her into some sort of tale, a lie to get her away from her home without really telling her where they were going.
She smiles, patting the old woman's hands that she held clutched. "Oh Theresa, I am sorry that you were worried. That was not my intention. No, Boromir has not been told about the change of plans. We are to go to Rivendell, we will be telling him in the morning. Or if we see him tonight, then tonight. But since it seems there is another involved, Faramir and I will both tell them of the change of plans."
Faramir finishes pulling on his boots and then gets up off the bed. He pulls on his ranger cloak and leather tunic, before he grabs a thin blanket and leaves the room. He head out of the room, stopping by the room that Beregond was stationed in. He knocks on the door, then smiles when it opens. "Hello Beregond. I just wanted to say thank you, and goodnight. Did you get some...is there for your son?" He sees the little practice sword in Beregond's hands and smiles.
Beregond had found this old sword in a shop in town and knew his son would like it. It would be magnificent when he was finished sharpening it and polishing it. And the old man who sold it to him did so gladly, once he realized he was talking to the Steward's guard. He had also managed to purchase a horse for his son. And for his wife some nice dresses and jewelry. "Yes my Lord. I am going to sharpen it and polish it and present it to him in a few weeks when he enters the Academy. I have also purchased a horse for him. Will we be leaving tomorrow?"
Faramir nods. "But not for Gondor just yet. It is decided, Beregond. I will be going to Rivendell with Eowyn and Gandalf, and my brother. I will......face my fears." He sighs, then smiles when Beregond says he has faith he will face them and win. "Thank you my friend. Now, I will leave you for the night." He nods his head, then walks away, heading out to the gardens. He stands at the entrance to them, watching and waiting for Eowyn.
"I think that you should tell her soon," the old lady says with a smile. "Tonight, do not wait for tomorrow. They may not wish to go to Rivendell." Because they planned on marrying and if they went, they could not marry so soon. She frowns, the thought that if Lord Boromir were in that much of a hurry to marry Monica, then would they marry before leaving?
"I will tell them tonight, then, Theresa. After I have fed Faramir, I will find them, at least Monica, and tell them." She makes sure that everything that was needed was on the tray double checking for what else they might need. "Oh, I need a carafe of wine as well. He wishes something to warm his belly." She blushes slightly, though she doesn't know exactly why, so she pushes it aside.
Theresa places a carafe on the tray with two goblets, then she puts another with tea, along with a small envelope. "Dump these herbs into his tea at the beginning of the meal. It will help him to relax as well as help his digestion." She picks up the tray and hands it to the young woman. "Do you need any help with that?" When Eowyn shakes her head she holds the door open for her. "Remember, Eowyn, Dear. Talk to Boromir and Monica tonight. It is important that they know of this change of plans before the night is out."
Eowyn nods, wondering why it was so important. But she had the feeling that Theresa wasn't about ready to tell her. Once again she thinks about what Faramir said about Monica being smitten with Boromir and wonders if that has anything to do with the fact that she was going to go with them.
She leaves the room though without asking any more. She would have to talk to Monica if she wanted any more. Theresa was not about to tell tales on her 'daughter'. She knew how much the two cared for each other, so she also knew that it must be something very very important that Monica would leave the old woman and move away. Was she moving? Or had she just decided to take the trip? As Eowyn's handmaiden she would normally have gone on a long trip, if anyone was needed. However she had not planned on taking one with her, it was supposed to be a short trip. Besides the guards that would come, it was a personal trip as well. This trip was to make Faramir and Boromir healthy again. To give them both a new hold on their lives. They did not need a huge party to go with them. Though they did need enough guards to keep them safe, that did not warrant a ton of help besides that. She hoped they would not even have to take a cart, but merely an extra horse or two for provisions.
Finally walking out the back she smiles as she sees Faramir at the entrance to the gardens. "Faramir!" she calls to him, carrying the tray out to where he stood. "I am sorry it took so long. I was talking to the cook about something. I will fill you in when we are seated." She motions to the table and chairs set up, walking over and setting the tray down.
He looks at Eowyn as she comes out, smiling at her. He walks over to the table and takes a seat, setting the blanket he was holding down beside him. "Do not worry, Love. I could wait." He sees the fresh bread and instantly grabs a piece. He then smiles as she set a jar of jam in front of him. "Ah you remembered." He takes a knife and dips it into the jam, then spreads some on the fresh bread. He takes a bite and sighs at the taste. It was perfect. Just what he wanted.
She takes the things off of the tray, setting them around the table, glancing up and smiling at his excitement. "I take it you like Monica's bread?" She settles into her seat, putting some jam on a piece of the bread. "She does not normally cook, but she makes the bread for Theresa because her hands are getting old, even if she doesn't want to admit it. So Monica makes the bread 3 times a week." She frowns at that thought. "I will have to find someone to help Theresa now." She sighs, taking a bite and instantly knowing why he was smiling. "Very good." She eats a little bit in silence with him and then finally starts to talk. "Well here is the news. It would seem that you were right about Boromir, because he has asked Monica to come along with us. I think that I just lost a handmaiden tonight." Then she laughs. "Well actually I KNOW that I did, because she is just taking off. Oh do not get me wrong, I am sure that she will tell me before she leaves, that isn't the point. The point is... she is leaving and Boromir asked her." She takes a drink of her wine, looking at him curiously. "Would Boromir take a mistress? I mean has he before?" It wouldn't be unheard of, but she just didn't see Boromir as the type to take a mistress. But if he had in the past he may be now. However she thought that Monica was coming for another reason, she just couldn't tell yet.
He looks up at her as he finishes the piece of bread and takes a sip of his wine. He frowns slightly, then shrugs. "He has had many women friends. But he is always good to them. Why? Do you think he is not being truthful with her?" He starts to eat his dinner, smiling slightly. He always felt hungry after being sick.
She shakes her head, tilting her head it slightly as she looks over him. "It isn't that, Faramir. It is just, well, it is something that Theresa said about Monica. I think that there is a LOT more going on here. Theresa made me promise to talk to Monica TONIGHT." She points her fork at him. "It seems serious."
He nods, drinking down some of the tea she had put in front of him. "Well when dinner is finished I will go see my brother, and you shall go and speak with Monica. Then you can return to my room and we will discuss what we learn. I...." He stops and holds his head for a moment, frowning. He couldn't remember why his jaw hurt or why the back of his head hurt as well. With a deep sigh he straightens again and looks over at her. He could see her concerned look. "Do not worry. It is just the last of the headache."
She shakes her head. "That wasn't just the last of the headache, that was something more. Is it hurting more?" She pushes the tea closer to him. "Drink it all, Honey. You need to get those herbs down you as they have a soothing effect." She reaches out and caresses his cheek, running her thumb over his bottom lip as she does, dusting off a crumb. "It will be okay, Honey. I know in my heart, it will be okay."
He looks at her and smiles. "I hope so." He kisses her thumb gently, then picks up the cup of tea and drinks the rest down, sighing softly. "Eowyn, you do know how far away Rivendell is, do you not?" He glances at her as he begins to eat again, smiling slightly when she shakes her head. "Well very far. It is near The Shire....."
She frowns at that. "That is over a four month journey to the Shire!" she exclaims, her hand going over her mouth, she really hadn't understood how far it was to Rivendell. "Is there not another place closer that they can meet us? I do not want to wait FOUR months! I would have it done tomorrow if it were within my grasp. "She was extremely worried, not just because SHE wanted him to have it sooner but because she didn't know that he could last out 4 full months of this without breaking. There had to be another way.
He looks at her suddenly, a look of shock on his face. "There is but one other place close enough. But to look upon it is said to fall into a dream." He sighs and shakes his head. "Lothlorien is halfway between here and Rivendell. But I do not know if they would allow us there. It has been said it is forbidden."
"We will talk to Gandalf and find out what can be done. I believe he mentioned it to me before, when we were speaking about this, now that I come to think about it." She runs her fingers through her hair, resting her forehead on the palm of her hand, her elbow on the table as she sighs. "I wanted to have a lovely dinner, not to think of things that hurt my brain. We can do it, I will make it happen. Because," she gets up and walks over to him, sitting down in his lap and taking his face in her hands, kissing each eye lid tenderly. "I love you, Faramir. And it doesn't matter what it takes, if it means fighting Orcs to get to Lothlorien, but I will do it. When you finish, lets go find Gandalf and see what he has to add to this talk."
When she sits in his lap he wraps his arms around her waist and smiles. He loved it when she did that. "I love you as well, Darling Eowyn. But I do not think there will be any Orcs in Lorien. The elves keep them out of the forest." He picks up his fork and gets a little food on it, then he holds it out to her, smiling when she lets him feed her.
She takes a bite and then smiles as he feeds her, not sure why he wanted to do it, but not stopping him. "It was an exaggeration, Dear." She takes another bite, talking around it. "It was only meant to show you what I would go through for you. I think that Lorien is the answer. I wish there was a faster way to get there." She lays her head on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck and leaving hot little kisses on it. "Baby?" she takes his hand and intertwines her fingers with his. "Do you see how strong your hand is?" She was suddenly thinking about all kinds of things, not just what they were going to go through, but what they would have to go through in the future. "I am trusting my heart to this hand, please be careful and don't break it." She takes a deep breath, then letting it out slowly she smiles into his eyes. "What do you think of a double wedding?" She had a fear deep in her gut that she could still loose him and she wanted to make sure that one way or another they would be together. So why not have a double wedding with Eomer and Lothiriel? Before we leave...? We would have to wait around here a little longer, go back to the original plan sort of. Get her brothers and father and her family here. Any of your family here, and have a huge double ceremony? Then we rode off for Lorien, we would be married and I could," she leans forward, "sleep with my own husband on our many nights to come. We would not have a single lonely one, for it would be blessed." She leans back, smiling brightly. She thought it was the perfect idea.
"My only family is Lothiriel's and Boromir. You know that." He smiles at her. "If we do this, then you must be prepared for a second wedding. Or to at least have King Elessar bless our wedding. So that we are recognized as married in Gondor as well." He chuckles. "And who is to marry us? Your brother will be getting married as well. Gandalf could I suppose. Or even Boromir. Though he only has authority in Gondor." He feeds her a little more from his plate, then eats some himself. "It does sound tempting. To finally be able to have you by my side at night without having to worry how it looks to others."
She can't help but laugh. "Two weddings, just to make sure huh? One for your family in Gondor and one for mine here in Rohan?" She could see a wedding going on and on and on, with no real end.
He smiles. "Well if we are to be married here with your brother and my cousin, then my family will already see it. If we also have a wedding in Gondor, it will merely be for the people's benefit." He feeds her a little more, then finishes the last little bit of food on his plate himself. He pushes the plate away, then reaches across the table and grabs her plate, pulling it over in front of him. "Eowyn....even though I do know how it feels to make love to you, I still find myself unable to wait for our wedding night." He smiles and eats the piece of bread she offers him, swallowing before he speaks again. "I believe it is because then we will finally be husband and wife and it will be all the more better."
She blushes slightly, nodding as she takes the fork from his hand. She starts to feed him some of the vegetables off of her plate, turning just enough in her chair so that she can feed her fiancé playfully. "I know what you mean, Faramir," she says softly. "I feel like I have butterflies in my stomach when I think about it. The whole wedding seems to be unreal. As if there is no way something this beautiful could thrive through something this totally destructive." She meant the war they had all just been through, but she knew she probably didn't have to explain that part, it was clear for both of them to see.
He smiles, loving how she was feeding him. No one had ever done anything like this for him before. Unless he was sick. But he wasn't sick now. And Eowyn was sitting on his lap so it just made it seem all the more fun. "Yes. That is very true, Love." He leans in and gives her a kiss, keeping his arms wrapped around her waist. When he pulls back he smiles. "May I ask you a question?" He waits for her nod. "Would you...call me your husband again? I very much like how that sounds."
She wonders what it could be that he wants when she nods, her confusion turning to recognition. "You want me to call you my husband?" At his nod she leans in closer, her lips near his as she holds a grape as an incitement in front of his lips, lightly rubbing the fruit across his bottom him. "I wish to be married so that I can spend the long nights on the way to Lorien in the arms of my husband, which is you my dear sweet husssssssband." She takes a bite of the grape, then passes the remainder through his lips for him to eat.
He smiles, loving the sound of that word coming from her lips. He eats the offered piece of fruit, then leans in and kisses her deeply for a moment before pulling back. "Hmmmm yes. That word is heaven from your lips, Darling. And I can see no other way of travelling than to have you with me. As you know I do not sleep well without you, my wife, in my arms."
She shivers the instant he says 'wife', closing her eyes and moaning softly. "Mmmm I see what you mean," she says as she opens her eyes and smiles at him. "On your lips it sounds different then I have ever heard it before." She picks up a piece of pear, the sticky juice getting on her fingers and she holds it up to his lips. "But then I like a lot of things on your lips." She leans in and bites into the other half as he bites into half, chewing on it before kissing him, licking her lips as she pulls away. "Delicious."
He grins a little, taking a bite out of the pear when she does, then he returns her kiss. When she pulls back he too licks his own lips, nodding to her word. "Very. I must say, you do make eating dinner interesting, Eowyn. I can promise you, if this is what I am to expect once we are married....I will never miss a meal."
She winks at him, feeding him the last bite of pear before placing the empty dish on the table in front of them. "I don't know about EVERY meal. This one is special. We are celebrating." At his questioning look she goes on. "We are celebrating you choosing life over death. Even more importantly, me over your fear." She leers at him. "And the night is not over yet."
He grins slightly, keeping his arms around her waist, though one hand was tugging absentmindedly at one of the lace bows at the back of her dress. "So then it would have been in my best interest to have told you sooner and chose this last resort sooner as well?"
"Yes, it would have. Maybe you would have been almost done with all of this. Faramir, you have no idea what it means to me that you will do this for me. I know that you will get through it and then we will work on a family." She wiggles her eyebrows at him. "Want to practice now?" She slides her free hand inside his tunic, then getting an idea, she moves it down a little across his chest till her fingertips are running along the inside of his pants.
He smiles at her, that hand that had been tugging on one of the bows that kept her dress closed, finally managing to get it undone. He slips his hand inside the opening, lightly caressing the small of her back with the tips of his fingers. He shivers as he feels her hand running across his skin. He loved it when she touched him like that. "Hmmmmmm now as in right here?" He gives her a wicked little smile, all thoughts of painful headaches, or pain at all, gone from his mind. Thus was the power of Eowyn over him. She could take his mind off anything and put it onto another with just a mere touch.
She looks around where they were outside and then back at him. "Of course here. It is secluded, and no one knows we are out here. Would you rather go inside?" She shivers at his touch along her back. "Though I think that we may have to wait just a little longer, just till we are certain that no one else will come to check on you. When they find you missing from inside they may check out here and there really isn't a place for me to hide." She looks at the table, then back at him. "Are you done eating, my Love?" She was playing with his hair, pulling it back into a little ponytail at the nape of his neck before twisting it around her fingers and letting it go to do it all over again. She was vastly enjoying the feel of it sliding through her fingers as she looks lovingly into his face. She could stare into his eyes forever, there was no fear in them at the moment, not even pain. Right now all she could see was love, a love she knew he held for her and only her. She leans her forehead against his, her dress falling forward off her shoulders slightly to expose the tops of her breasts. "I think you have some desert there."
He smiles, watching her closely as she plays with his hair. He loved it when she did that. He didn't know anything so simple could feel so good. But he was learning. "Ah so we once again see just what Eowyn, Lady of Rohan, will do." He grins and kisses her softly. "Ah yes. Another thing I love about you." Which showed in his eyes, his love for her. His love and desire for her. When she leans his forehead against his and says she thinks he had some dessert left he can't help but grin. "I believe you are correct. Let me have a taste. " He pulls back and looks like he is going to reach for the dessert, but instead he takes hold of the back of her head and tilts it back. He then leans down and places soft kisses against her neck and the tops of her breasts.
She returns his kiss with as much passion, a moan escaping her throat as she can't help but press herself against him. She loved this man so much, she would give him anything he wanted, all he had to do was ask.
He pulls back from the kiss and again moves his mouth to her neck and the tops of her breasts, kissing trails across them. He moves his hand up and slips her dress further off her shoulders, in turn exposing more of her breasts to him. He grins and pulls back for a moment. "I think if we are going to do this out here, that we should at least cover up a little." He grabs the blanket and wraps it around them, letting her hold it closed behind him.
She holds the blanket closed behind him and kisses his neck. "As if this doesn't make us look even more guilty," she laughs, whispering in his ear. "I love you, Faramir. Tomorrow morning we leave for Lorien. This may be the last time before we are wed before we get to make love together. Maybe we should have the wedding there?" But she realizes that that wasn't possible. "No no, we can't ask both kings from the area to go 2 months journey away from each other." She sighs deeply. "Well then," she kisses his neck again. "Let's make the most of tonight."
Lothiriel looks over her shoulder at him in shock. "WELL! I should hope so!" She keeps eyes serious as long as she can and then she grins at him. "I would hope that you don't start picturing Orcs in dresses while you are busy with something serious." She takes his hand under the cloak and threads her fingers through his, her hand laying on top of his and his hand now laying on her belly. "I love you too, Eomer. I never thought that I would find a man like you. I am so lucky." She gives the back of his hand a squeeze before once more resting it on the back of his. She snuggles back against him.
He smiles, loving how they were sitting. Yes, he could see this marriage thing wouldn't be bad at all. Not with Lothiriel anyways. He truly loved her. And she him. He leans down and kisses the top of her head. "As am I. Lucky to have a sister who wants to marry your cousin. For I would never have met you if not for my sister and your cousin."
She shakes her head. "Actually, I do not believe that. I honestly believe that we are all meant to be with a certain person. I believe that you may love more then one, but in the end, you will find the person you will love all your life, no matter what. It was not just fate that I came with him that time, nor that I returned this time. Though this time it was love." She smiles over her shoulder at him. "I do believe," she says as she rubs her thumb over the back of his hand on her belly, "that if I had not come with him that first time, then there would have been another time. If you had been married by then, or I had, it would not have made a difference. Because we still would have fallen in love. Only then, we would have had to love each other in silence. We have been lucky. We found each other when we were single and able to love each other openly." Yes, very lucky, she thinks. Because she had had men chased off, there had been plenty of times her brothers could have given the okay. Now if they would just give the okay this time, all would work out perfectly.
He smiles at her, holding her close as they ride through the gates and up towards the stables. "Hmmm yes. I think that would have happened. Though I would have been miserable in my marriage. As I see only happiness with you and no one else." He rides into the stables and then smiles and helps her down off the horse. He follows and then leads his horse into the stable. After removing the saddle and bridle, he gets a brush and starts to brush his horse down. He always did love this part of the job. And even though he was King now, he was still going to do it.
She gets off the horse and stands there, watching him for a little while. Then she walks over to him as he starts to brush the horse. "Eomer?" She places a hand on his arm, waiting till he turns to look at her. "I am going to check on Faramir before heading to bed. If you would like to say goodnight, I am going to get some tea in the kitchen before heading to my room. You can meet me there." She rubs his arm absently, waiting for his answer.
He looks at his future wife and smiles, nodding. "Alright, Lothiriel. I will finish up here and then I will join you in the kitchen for a cup of tea. Or did you mean your room?" He continues to brush down his horse, nodding to a stable boy who brings water and feed over for the horse. He thanks the boy before he looks back at Lothiriel.
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "In the kitchen, Eomer. In the kitchen." She laughs softly, turning and walking away from him and out of the stables. She knew she was safe with him in her room, but that didn't matter. She still wanted to remain as proper as they should be. And all this sneaking from room to room just wasn't right.
He smiles and nods to Lothiriel. "Alright. I will meet you in the kitchens." He watches her go, then gets back to brushing down his horse. He smiles as he comes around the front and gets knocked forward by his horse pushing at him with his nose. He laughs and shakes his head, turning around. "I see you are taking note of how Faramir's horse treats him. Now hold still. I am almost finished. I just have your other side and then your hooves to clean and you may rest." He moves around to the horses other side and starts brushing him down, smiling to himself as he thinks of Lothiriel.