...
"You know what I am," a voice said, unlike anything Faramir could ever describe. "And you know what I want."
"What?!?" Faramir screamed. "What do you want???"
Something unbelievably cold touched his spine, sending uncontrollable shivers all over him.
"I want Eowyn."
NO!" Faramir shouted, jerking awake and sitting up in Èowyn's arms. He was still shivering from the coldness along his spine.
Èowyn woke at once from a doze herself. "Faramir?" she soothed, putting her arms back around her husband, "It was just a dream; there's no reason to be frightened."
For some reason the chills would not stop, and Faramir continued to shake. "No, no!" he moaned. "He was coming to take you away, Èowyn! He wants you, but I won't let him have you, no!" He tried to focus his eyes on Èowyn's face, but for some reason that too was giving him difficulty.
Èowyn was terrified. She'd never seen her husband like this before. He was trembling like a leaf, practically hysterical, and besides all that he felt hot to the touch. Come on, think! she screamed inside, What to do? What on earth should I Do???
Deep, gasping breaths were beginning to come from her husband, so she stroked his head gently. "Faramir, there is no one coming. And look! It's not dark, the horses are still grazing quietly, and I'm here with you. We're only a few miles from our house, love!"
Faramir shook his head. "It is dark, Èowyn! And it's getting so cold out here!" he licked his lips and closed his eyes, trying to steady himself. "I should get you back, before we freeze."
Now Èowyn was really scared. She twisted her head to look at Faramir's wound and sucked in her breath. Was he thrashing around while I slept? she wondered. How long has it been bleeding again? Well, that would explain the fever.
"Faramir, do me a favor, sweetheart," Èowyn said softly, trying hard to hold onto sanity. "Lie down here, and wait just one moment. Alright? Just one."
Faramir tried to protest, but the buzzing in his ears grew too loud so he complied. As he lay down, the last thing that he remembered was saying, "Alright, but I'm watching for him."
Èowyn stood rapidly and crested the hilltop. She had allowed herself to fall asleep. How stupid could she be?!? It had been, oh, around noon when they had begun their duel. And from the looks of the sun now, it appeared to be around five o' clock. Yes, she had let him sleep for about an hour before she dozed off. But really! As a shieldmaiden you should have more control over your body, Èowyn. I'm ashamed!
Well, all was not lost. Faramir had lost a lot of blood, and he seemed to be suffering the affects of that, but he would be fine once they got home. And really, it was only a few miles. Her only real trial would be putting Faramir on a horse and getting him to stay there.
This is all because of you, a tiny voice said at the back of her mind.
Èowyn shook her head as if to rid herself of the thought. She knew that very well; she needn't think of that at the moment. It really wasn't her fault after all, was it?
How could you have done that to Faramir? Look at him!
Èowyn turned and looked. Then she turned back around. I did my best to stop the bleeding, she countered. I am no healer!
If it wasn't for your stupidity he wouldn't be lying there. You wouldn't be wondering what to do as the sun sinks lower and lower with your new born babe at home in his crib.
Èowyn put her hands to either side of her head. "STOP IT!" She shrieked out loud.
STOP IT!
Stop it!
Stop it...
The hills echoed and she closed her eyes. This was no time to panic. She needed to think clearly and logically if she was going to get Faramir and herself home before dark. She knew how dangerous it was after dusk in the newly-settled-and-still-frightening Ithilien.
With an effort, she took a deep breath and walked back over the hill into the little glen where Faramir lay breathing hard. Upon inspection, Èowyn found that the new bandages she had applied seemed to be doing the trick and the bleeding had stopped. She could only hope that it would clot now, and she sent a silent prayer to Eru to watch over her husband. Then she walked a little way out and gave a sharp whistle.
Immediately her horse came, trotting through the trees with a welcoming whinny. Èowyn felt a bit of hope return as she saw the delicate creature jingle her bells and jump over some logs. Faramir's horse, Laurëa, followed directly behind Silivren. Èowyn held out her hands and Silivren nuzzled against them.
"Thank goodness for you, sweet," Èowyn murmured. She took hold of Laurëa's reigns too and stood on tip-toe to look into the brown horse's eyes. "I don't know if this will mean anything to you, Laurëa," she said firmly, "But they say the elvish language does strange and wondrous things with horses. So listen to me now: Cheb Faramirnin man, Laurëa lisse. Úmet lanta." (Keep my Faramir safe, Laurëa sweet. Don't let him fall.)
With that, Èowyn led the horse over to her husband. The mare stopped next to him as Èowyn gently roused him. "My love," she whispered, "We must go now. We must get back to the house before it gets dark."
Faramir nodded weakly and, with Èowyn's help, got to his feet. He was still shaking, but it seemed more under control now. Èowyn was glad he had not had anymore strange dreams. As they approached Laurëa, Èowyn said firmly, " Laurëa, ndu." (Down) Immediately the horse obeyed, and Èowyn helped Faramir mount the horse. Then she stepped back and commanded, "Cel!" (Rise)
Laurëa rose with just a little difficulty, as Èowyn made sure Faramir didn't fall. Then Èowyn gathered up both swords and the discarded dress (which was half gone anyway) and mounted Silivren. "Are you alright, my love?" she asked gently, reaching over and touching Faramir's hand. He was slumped over the horse's neck, still shivering the tiniest bit, but he nodded.
"Fine," he whispered. Èowyn frowned as she saw sweat beading on his forehead, but didn't really give it much thought. It was just a small fever from losing too much blood. Her main concern right now was to get the two of them home. So with another prayer, she reached over and took Laurëa's reigns.
It was just a short ride to the top of the hill and down into the valley, but by that time Èowyn was fully aware that the sun was getting very low in the sky. But she had at least an hour yet, ample time to find their house, of course. She rode on, slowly, for a long time, letting her fears flee. Everything was going to be fine! They were well on their way home now, and before she knew it they would be coming in sight of the grounds. Of course, it would be a terrible shock to the servants to see their master in such a state, but there was no real harm in his fever. He would be fine in a few days...a week tops. She had seen this many times! No, there was nothing to fear.
That was when she realized she had no idea where she was.
Had she taken a wrong turn? She hadn't really been paying attention, actually. But she was getting to know Ithilien fairly well, and she could figure this out.
I've never seen those twin trees in my life, she thought. A sudden panic swept over her, but she fought for control. Now is NOT the time. I must stay cool and collected!
If only Faramir were conscious, he would know! He knew everything there was to know about Ithilien; he had not spent twenty years here for nothing. I'll just retrace my steps, Èowyn decided.
But which way? East, she should go east. The sun was setting that way, so that was the way she would go. Èowyn gulped a few times and then nudged Silivren onward.
Did that waterfall look familiar? Why did that stump with the wild lilies growing on it not ring a bell? And that ditch in the rode...anything could be hiding in it!
"Èowyn!" she said out loud, "Stop being an idiot. Scaring yourself will do no good AT ALL."
Suddenly, a flock of birds broke out of a tree and flew directly overhead. Èowyn screamed, then covered her mouth. Silivren shied to one side and snorted uncomfortably.
Èowyn was breathing deeply now, but she patted her horse consolingly. "Sorry, precious. I was just a little scared, that's all. Nothing to be frightened of!" She glanced back at Faramir and his mount. He was pale, but seemed to be holding up well. There was a streak of blood down one white cheek, and she wondered idly how that had got there.
"Alright Èowyn," she began talking again, out loud for comfort. "This is simple. You know the house is to the East of you, and you know you took the wrong turn." Her voice gained in shrillness, but she pushed it down again. "So all you have to do is go East, and you're bound to find it eventually. What is most important is NOT TO PANIC."
With a gulp, she set out again. She would not think about how dark it had gotten. She would not think about how lost she was. She would not think about what she would do if...
No. The only thought that she let cross her brain was : East, east, east.
East.
East.
East.
It was only when the sun sank and she found herself in a thicket of wild apple trees that she stopped and ceased thinking about the East.
Because she was lost, and there was no hope of getting back tonight.
None.
Stop being morbid, she told herself as she dismounted. You still have the horses, and you can make shelter for yourself and Faramir until the morning. His wound has stopped bleeding, hasn't it now?
I am out in the middle of Ithilien, lost, with a wounded man who is disoriented and weak from blood loss, and two horses.
And then, just as Èowyn was taking the cloaks from the horses to make a bed for her husband and herself, it happened.
It began to rain.
Laurëa-Golden
Silivren-Glittering white
A/N: NOW REVIEW! (Only if you want more, of course;-)