By Adri
Category Romance/Angst/Alternate Universe
Pairing Faramir/Eowyn
Disclaimer Please refer to previous chapters. I own nothing but the computer I'm typing on
Notes/Questions Hey! Look who came back! What's it been, four months ;? At any rate, I just want to let you know I am not abandoning this story and I am so sorry it took so long to update. I do confess to my obsession with Faramir/Eowyn waning slightly, but it's back! So here we are. Thank you for being so patient and thank you for the continuing nice reviews, they continue to be a great inspiration. Oh and Arahiril thanks for the plot bunnies! I now label you my official muse! And to address the whole Samwise in Minas Tirith then suddenly appearing in Mordor…I wanted to stay as close to the story as possible. I would rather mess with the timing rather than the plot (which I'm sure Tolkien's rolling around in his grave anyway). Just blame it on the Alternate Universe. Ha. And for other plot concerns, yes the Witch King battle is coming! How could it not ? Anyway…enjoy and please bear in mind I'm tired and sick when writing this :/
Chapter 7 along the White Mountains in RohanRain fell softly all around her, soaking her and chilling her to the bone, adding to the misery that already plagued her.
Not that she really noticed.
Eowyn made her way along the White Mountains, slowly home…towards Rohan. Well…somewhat home. It had been nearly a year since she left Edoras to dwell with Faramir in Gondor. Ever since then, she had felt like Ithilien was her home…Edoras was just…there. Not that she didn't love her uncle, brother, and cousin…but she longed for the beautiful greens and blues of Ithilien.
She longed for Faramir.
Beginning to sob, Eowyn stopped her horse and dismounted. It was almost nightfall,
and between the rain and her tears, she couldn't see. Pulling the starry mantle tightly around her, she slumped up against a rock and began to cry. She had barely begun to stop crying and fall into sleep when she heard a small rustling in the trees beyond. Disregarding it as some harmless wild animal, she closed her eyes again. And heard a sound that had her heart sinking.
Orc chatter.
Eowyn quickly ran for her sword. She'd slit her own throat before she went back to Mordor. 'Did they come for me?! No…I won't go back!'
Facing her enemy like a true shieldmaiden, she stood waiting until the Orcs appeared. When the emerged, the leader smiled.
"Well look who we have here boys." The Orcs smiled. "You'll come quietly now if you want to live. Lord Sauron's orders."
"I will not go back!" She screamed. "Even if it means death."
"So be it."
Bracing herself, she lifted her sword as the lead Orc charged. She began to swing…but never had the chance to plant her sword in the beast.
A single spear had pierced the Orc's head.
And not far behind was a war cry, the most beautiful sound in the world to Eowyn at the moment.
And there she saw her savior.
Theodred.
"Cousin!" Eowyn shouted as she ran toward him and the Rohirrim.
"Eowyn, run!" But Eowyn continued towards him.
"Please Eowyn, you must go, go to Edoras!"
"I won't leave you!" Eowyn picked up her sword. 'I will lose no one else I love.'
"Now Eowyn! That is an order!" He shouted while fending off the Orcs. She turned reluctantly, knowing Theodred was watching her, making sure she obeyed. But not a second later, from the corner of her eye, she saw.
There lay Theodred, stricken and motionless. Eowyn suddenly felt very cold, and nausea began rising in her throat. Not being able to look anymore, Eowyn ran…ran from the guilt.
She had cost someone else she loved their life.
Mounting her horse and not looking back, she ran. For the first time in her life, she ran.
In Osgiliath
Faramir lie bloody and barely conscious in the dark fields between Osgiliath and Minas Tirith. How long had he been lying there? Days? Weeks? He couldn't recall. He slipped in and out of consciousness every so often, only to find it raining. And every time, his thoughts turned to Eowyn, the guilt and shame at leaving her in Mordor. He could only hope she died quickly and painlessly. But what did it matter? He would be dead soon. And they would be together again.
But in the distance, he saw a moving figure that caught his eye. It was a maiden…a golden haired maiden wrapped in a mantle of royal blue and silver. And he was almost sure… "Eowyn…" He weakly called out. But the figure was to far away to hear. A tear fell from his eye. It couldn't be her. She was dead. As he would be soon.
At the gates of Edoras
Eowyn stood silently at the gates of her homeland. 'This must be how a run away feels after finally coming home.'
Slowly she climbed the city, once again getting the looks of pity she hated. But she was too sad to notice. When she came to the golden steps of her former home, she saw her uncle standing there. When she saw her uncle's sympathetic eyes, her eyes welled up with tears and he took her into his embrace. "My dear Eowyn…please do not weep. Though the night may be long and dark, the sun must always rise."
She said nothing, but continued to cry, even as Theoden led her to her chamber. As she walked by she saw the stunned surprise of Aragorn and Eomer who were clearly torn between sympathy and anger. But she turned away and lowered herself in to bed. And heard the voices discussing the upcoming war. 'So that's it then. I will not live broken and caged. I will fight…and in death I will find Faramir again. I will ride with them. To war…to…Gondor?'
"Excuse me, my lady."
Eowyn looked up at the small figure, carrying a tray of food and wine. "Your uncle asked me to deliver these."
Eowyn nodded silently, too sad for speaking. "Why do you look so sad my lady?" Eowyn looked at the small figure kindly. For some reason, she felt comforted by the small creature's presence. "Because…my wings have been clipped. I am no more than a bird in a cage…a love bird whose mate has died…and waits for nothing but death."
"Do not be sad my lady…"
"Eowyn."
"Eowyn. A beautiful name. I am Meriadoc Brandybuck. But you can call me Merry." He smiled and walked toward the maiden, tripping on the rug in the process. Eowyn giggled slightly, a foreign sound as of late. "Are you alright Master Merry?"
"Just fine thank you!" He smiled. "Why you should see me and my friends after a round of drink at the Green Dragon! Why if you could see the silliness!" Eowyn had to laugh, but it quickly died when she saw him look away, looking sad at the mention of his friends.
"You…are lost as well?" She spoke softly.
"Yes…I am. We shire folk…we never journey outside our borders. Don't feel the need. But we got separated on this mad journey…I don't know where they are."
Eowyn recalled Aragorn's words in the Houses of Healing. "Are any of your friends named Frodo and Samwise by any chance?"
Merry looked up quickly. "Yes they are! You've seen them?!"
Eowyn nodded. "Yes…and they saved my life. I was a captive in Mordor…and they rescued me. I believe they went back." Eowyn suppressed a shudder at the thought of returning to that place. "Please…if you ever see them…tell them they have my gratitude."
Merry smiled. "I will my lady." Then, in a quick and surprising movement, the hobbit jumped up on the bed with her and hugged her.
Eowyn had to smile…after the initial shock. At last she'd found someone who understood what it was to be lost in these confusing times. A friend. "Night my lady."
"Night Master Merry." And for once not crying herself to sleep, she let herself drift. Tomorrow, they would ride, permitted or not. They would ride for Gondor…and the dawnless day.
Hang in there…next up…the Witch King fight! Any reviews and constructive criticism welcomed! Feel free to email me at . All emails will be answered. Thanks for reading, I'll update as soon as I can!