Our third evening upon the road found us just outside the northernmost gates of the city of Pelargir about half an hour before sunset, and I explained to Éowyn that if we were to enter the old city, we would have to hide our true identities from everyone inside lest we be forced into an unwanted visit with the steward of the city, who would not allow any visiting dignitaries to avoid his hospitality for fear that he would look like a poor host otherwise. She seemed rather amused by this concept of playacting and offered to suffer being thought of as less than a daughter of kings for one night if only to be able to take a hot bath in a warm inn with her husband. Unable to argue with her logic, I agreed, and after Éowyn drew her cloak more closely about herself to hide her mannish clothing from curious eyes, we passed through the gates, keeping the horses very close together until we crossed over the canal into the Guild Quarter, where the city conditions greatly improved. Éowyn seemed nearly overwhelmed by the crush of people found within Pelargir's ancient stone walls, and she concentrated upon keeping Windfola well under control as we made our way through the filthy streets. Eventually we found a suitable inn called the Mermaid's Scales near the area where the goldsmiths and bookbinders kept their trades, and though my wife required no aid, I held Windfola as she dismounted before we gathered what we would need for the night from the pack on Seregon's back, leaving the horses in the care of a well-mannered stableboy.
As we entered the well-kept building, the man who proved to be the innkeeper, red-faced and jovial, rushed to us with a smile plastered upon his face, and I told him that my new bride and I were in need of a room for the night. He was quite nosy as many innkeepers tend to be, inquiring after my business in Pelargir. With a quick smile toward Éowyn that was just as quickly returned, I explained to him that I was a timber broker on my way to Linhir from Minas Tirith, having brought my bride along on this journey so she might learn what the business entailed and to learn her new responsibilities as the new wife of a respected merchant.
The innkeeper nodded sagely, accepting my story without any further question, obviously expecting a bit of extra coin from a wealthy merchant staying at his establishment. My lady wife and I were shown upstairs to a cozy but very clean room warmed and lit by a crackling fire, with a comfortable bed and a small window that overlooked the street. Éowyn remained silent as I ordered a hot meal to be brought to our room and a hot bath for the lady, slipping the man a gold coin. As the ever-smiling innkeeper promised our food would be delivered immediately, he departed the room, and I turned to find my wife, pale and shaking, staring through the window into the growing dimness.
"Éowyn?" I crossed the room in two strides and gently grasped her arms. She did not seem to see me at first, coming back to herself as I led her to the bed, seating her upon the edge of the mattress. "What is it? Are you well?" I asked as I knelt before her.
She nodded somewhat absently, her eyes distant. "I am just weary, husband," she murmured. Without further comment, I reached down and removed her boots before unbuckling her sword belt, removing it as well and sliding it beneath the bed.
"Lie back against the pillows, my lady," I bade her, and she complied without argument. When she appeared more comfortable, I said, "Forgive me, Éowyn. I knew that I should not have pushed so hard for us to be at Pelargir so early this day. This is to be a time of leisure for you. . . ."
"Faramir, please, do not berate yourself. It is naught that you did. I shall be fine after I rest." There was a knock at the door, and I rose and opened it, taking the tray from the waiting kitchen boy, quickly slipping him a silver before closing the door. "Will you eat, my love?"
"A little," she said, pushing herself up a bit in the bed as I set the tray upon the bedside table. There were two bowls of steaming stew and a small loaf of fresh brown bread with butter along with two tankards of thick, dark ale. I watched worriedly as Éowyn shakily lifted one of the tankards to her lips and drained it dry.
Faramir was obviously troubled by my behavior, but he remained quiet as I downed my share of the ale, before I tore a piece of bread from the loaf and chewed upon it disinterestedly. How could I tell him of my fears if I was uncertain that they were warranted?
As I had gazed through the window onto the busy street, I had caught a glimpse of a dark-haired man dressed all in black. His face was pasty against such an austere background, and for a moment, I thought that I had recognized him. All the blood had left my head, and I am certain that had Faramir not reached me when he did, I should have fallen. And now I felt ridiculous, thinking that I had seen him in the street below, far from Edoras. For what purpose would he come to this place?
"Éowyn, are you certain that you are well?" Faramir's voice again brought me to myself. Setting the bread aside, I sighed.
"Would you be very wroth with me if tonight . . . if we did not . . . ?"
"Oh, Éowyn, I insist that we do not, for it is obvious that you are not faring well! What can I do for you, my dear?"
"I am certain that I shall feel much better after taking a hot bath," I said. I jumped nervously and sat up as there was another knock upon the door, but Faramir opened it again, allowing a pair of kitchen boys to carry in a good-sized metal bathtub which they set before the fireplace. They were followed by several men and women carrying buckets of water, taking several trips back and forth between our room and the kitchen before they had filled the tub about two-thirds full. As my husband closed the door behind them, I bade him to assure that it was securely locked. He looked somewhat surprised by my request, but he obeyed.
"Pelargir is the busiest and most crowded of any of the cities that we shall pass through on our way to Dol Amroth, Éowyn," he offered as he returned to my side, obviously thinking that the bustling crowds had rattled me. I nodded wearily, reaching up to unfasten my shirt. "May I?" he asked, and I smiled softly and nodded, glad for his attention.
Closing my eyes, I let the sensation of his calloused fingers brushing against my bare skin fill my mind, and had he asked, I would have allowed him to do with me as he wished that night. But he remained steadfast, simply undressing me with adoring hands and then kneading the tension from my shoulders and back with a firm but gentle touch. When I thought that I might fall asleep, he stopped his ministrations, and I opened my eyes to find him stripping to his skin as well. Without a word, but with a loving expression upon his handsome features, he lifted me in his strong arms, carrying me to the bath, and setting me upon my feet next to the tub. After checking the water to be certain that it had cooled sufficiently, he stepped in and sat down before offering me his hand so I might climb in as well, sitting and leaning back against his powerful chest, sighing in complete bliss as I let go of my old memories, letting these new ones wash over me.