When daylight finally broke Faramir went to find Lord Elrond's coadjutants. Glorfindel seemed to understand and accept the fact that Faramir felt he needed to be gone again without delay. Erestor eventually accepted the fact, though that did not mean he had to be pleased with it. The haste with which Men conducted their lives was not at all comfortable to the highly efficient Elf.
To appease the discontented Erestor, Faramir promised he would give notice to the people himself of his departure. Much to Erestor's delight he asked that Glorfindel oversee the needs of the soldiers and let Erestor to the paperwork. Though the Steward had not a totally easy feeling about leaving his kingdom in the hands of the two oft bickering Elves, he felt that if they were good enough for Elrond, so too they were good enough for Gondor.
Finally by midday Faramir was able to be on his way, this time being very cautious of what sort of water supply he had. Again he set out for Stonewain valley, but not at quite the same pace as the last time. He allowed himself and his steed a few hours sleep each night before carrying on. On his fourth night out, Faramir slept in the Firien Wood and two days afterward he was in sight of Meduseld at the rising of the sun. Faramir decided to stay back and gather his thoughts until he saw some signs of life from the city.
It was another childhood habit of Faramir's that he was ill at ease to ever wake anyone from their sleep. It was understandable after Faramir had gone to Denethor's chamber one night shortly after his mother's death. Denethor had woken startled, pulling out a knife he mistrustfully kept under his pillow and frightening young Faramir, only to tell him callously to get back sleep.
The first stirrings Faramir saw was a long procession going out from the city. Faramir stayed where he was, rightly guessing this sight to be Theoden's burial march, something he would not interrupt with his unlooked for appearance. The young Steward took the time to rest and recover his strength as he stayed out of sight to all but a few of the more observant and inquisitive Elves. Only when after a long while did the gathered disperse again to the city did Faramir ride forth.
Faramir approached the city gates and spoke to the sentry there. Upon hearing the name of the Steward the guard immediately opened the gate to him and offered to take his horse for him. He recommended Faramir to see the guard at the palace door, who would in turn show him to the feast that was soon to take place.
In the hall Faramir first saw Aragorn speaking with Elrond, but as he began to approach his father he noticed through a multitude of Elves and soldiers Éowyn across the room. She looked as though she was trying to remain hidden and out of the way. Faramir sighed, pain striking his heart to see her looking so lonely and hopeless. She had not seen him and he went to her quietly, unsure of how his being there would be accepted.
"Lady Éowyn," he said genteelly as bowing.
She turned to see him, her heart racing, both startled by his unannounced approach and with a mixture of hope and dread of his intention. She hoped that he had come for her. She dreaded that he had come on dealings of the kingdom. The sincerity in his eyes did much to reassure her, though she still hesitated to respond to him.
"Éowyn... where might you and i talk together?" he asked, finally feeling ready to face the issue at hand.
Wordlessly she lead him to the library of Meduseld. It was a small, private room, but generally more comfortable than the rest of the place. Faramir could not help but wonder where all the other books were kept, thinking he probably had as many just in his study and here and there in his chambers. Most of the wall space wasn't even shelves but tapestries depicting Rohan's emblems.
Inside Faramir decided to throw away the majority of what he had planned to say to Éowyn. At this point explanations were less necessary than actions. Faramir knelt before her and reached for her hand. For one moment she was tempted to withdraw and refuse, but she remembered the world of the Elven White Lady that Faramir would support her, and she rested her hand in his.
Words were not needed for their exchange and Faramir rose to embrace her gently. "Éowyn...."
"Faramir, i do not act justly to give you my hand, and now given you may yet refuse to take it, but i must tell you." Éowyn spoke with resolution, sounding as though she was forcing herself to remain steady.
Faramir knew already what her words would be. He so wanted to stop her from speaking them and simply calm her, but he knew all too well the healing effect that confiding secret hurts held. Instead of telling her that he already knew what she would say, he held her close to him and let her rest her head on his shoulder. "You can tell me, Éowyn," he said softly.
At first she spoke with pride and a surprising decorum of the repeated improper advances of one of the newest captains promoted upon Éomer's return to Edoras. She told Faramir how she tried to simply ignore and avoid the lecherous soldier. He felt her trembling with rage and tension at the memory. She told him that she became afraid to be alone unless she was sure all doors were securely barred, and that suddenly she began to question the intent of every man who so much as nodded to her. She was no longer able to fight back her tears when she told Faramir of the morning she went to the stable to ride away for a while to get away from the prison the palace had become.
He found her saddling her horse and closed in on her when she was trapped there in the pen with the animal, which he sent running off at the flick of a lash. She had stood firm and fought against him with all her considerable rage, but she had no weapon for defense and in the end the strong man overpowered her and showed no mercy. He left her with a harsh warning that no word of his deed must ever reach the King's ears, lest there be much more for her to be fearful of.
It had taken her a long time to get through what she needed to say, Faramir quietly holding her up all the while. She wept bitterly against him, so grateful to have told someone and to feel compassion and comfort. He held on to her until every tear was spent and she was reduced to just trembling. Faramir walked her over to a comfortable settee and they sat together quietly for a while. He knew she did not need his sympathy, only his presence.
Faramir decided to keep his own rage in check until he was sure Éowyn would not think he was angry with her. Out in the hallway Éomer could be heard calling for his sister to come and join them in the Golden Hall.
"You do not have to, Éowyn. We can stay here if you prefer," he whispered.
She shook her head though. "No, Faramir. I will not hide in fear and shame as long as you are beside me."
"I am beside you," he confirmed solemnly, again taking up her hand.
Éowyn smiled brightly through her tears, having finally heard words that she had deemed beyond hope. "Thank you, Faramir..." she said, gripping his hand and rising.
As they went out from the library toward the hall, Éomer came rushing through, hardly noticing Faramir. "Come on, Éowyn, they want to get this meal- Lord Faramir! I did not expect to see you this day."
"No indeed, Éomer King," Faramir said with a gentlemanly bow. "I have come as a petitioner to you, good sir king."
Éomer looked questioningly at the Steward of Gondor, wondering what he could be getting at.
"I come to ask you for your dear sister's hand," Faramir said.
Éomer glanced between Éowyn and the Steward once or twice before a smile ever so slowly slipped over him. "It seems you give this by your will, Éowyn?" he asked without really needed to, her smile speaking for her.
"Yes i do, brother," she responded simply.
"Then it you shall have, Lord Faramir!" the King of Rohan pronounced gladly. "So this day shall end as joyfully as it began mournfully."
---
Did any of you cry at this like i did?
Well, since Doc Manager has actually been hitting more than missing, i guess that "self-review" should just be ignored.
There is more soon to come - i think i may take this story up to the birth... who knows. Hopefully our Steward has redeemed himself a little with some of you???
to AM: I love those two Elves... it is a definite possibility. Any premise ideas, etc?
to linda: What a loyal reviewer! Thanks! Hopefully this chapter answered your latest question.
