The Warm Rain
Faramir stood, saying goodbye to his beloved, for what seemed the umpteenth time. He did not regret doing his duty to his King, or the effort required to rebuild Ithilien, but he wished that it did not take so much from his time with his betrothed. She had been in Minas Tirith for nigh on four months, and in that time he had spent barely five weeks with her - two weeks in the beginning, and then days snatched when they could be.
She had never asked him to stay with her, or expressed any pain at his absence - for she was a creature shaped by duty, as he was, and would not make it harder for him. Yet every time he returned, she ran to him and embraced him - and in those few breathless moments when they could touch (for they were still bound by etiquette) he could feel her need for him, and knew that she missed him as much as he did her.
She did not complain, and seemed reasonably content - and yet he feared for her. She was almost alone in the stone city, for aside from the King and Queen, she knew almost no one. He hated to leave her in such company, for though since Edoras relations between herself and the Queen had been more cordial they still spoke little.
She seemed to have reached some kind of understanding with the King, for now they spoke often, more commonly in jest than not, but with an undercurrent of true affection that had not been apparent before. Aragorn teased her often, and now showed no qualms about reaching out to caress her - though Faramir felt no fear on that score, for it was in a brotherly manner only. He had a suspicion that Arwen was not entirely comfortable with Éowyn and Aragorn's newfound friendship, but since she had said nothing, it flourished unimpeded.
In truth he would have been happier leaving her now than he had been before - save for one thing. A message had come from the Shire - written by the Ringbearer - telling of the final battles of the War of the Ring, and informing Aragorn of the deaths of Saruman, and Grima.
They were sitting in the Queen's favourite parlour when Aragorn read the letter aloud. When he mentioned Grima, Éowyn had said sharply, and yet with a tremor in her voice, "You are sure? You are sure he is dead?". Aragorn had looked at her gently, and Arwen's cool gaze had rested upon her, and suddenly she had stood and walked from the room.
Faramir knew why - she could not have withstood their observation at that moment - and he had followed her. They stood upon the White Tower, and he had held her for a long moment. He heard her take a long deep sigh, and had tightened his arms around her reflexively. She had clung to him for a moment, and then had drawn back. That night they had dined with the King and Queen, and feeling their eyes upon her Éowyn had performed beautifully. A shiver had run up his spine as he watched her - he wondered how she had learned to hide her inner turmoil behind a mask so effectively. She had not fooled them - but only because they knew her well enough now to watch for the performance.
Even today she seemed more subdued. And Faramir did not want to leave her alone when she seemed, not unhappy, but certainly disturbed. Yet he had no choice, it would be many weeks before he would return to Minas Tirith, and still longer before she could visit Ithilien.
They were standing very close together now, and he could see everything, the delicate shadow of her eyelashes, the sweet curve of her lip. He caressed her cheek, and she clung to his hand. She smiled up at him and said, "Be careful. I do not yet know enough to cure you of anything serious my lord". He smiled, "I shall obey your commands my lady. And what shall you do while I am gone?"
"Oh have more polite conversations with Arwen, when we are each affeared we will offend the other. Read more about Ithilien and its history, for I would be your equal in that Faramir", her smile quivered, "It will not be long".
He ran a finger along her jawline, saying, "You will take care my wild Shieldmaiden?". She laughed lightly, "Aye my lord. And watch that you do the same." They smiled and touched foreheads. Faramir heard his captain calling him, and knew he must leave. She looked up at him, and said softly but clearly, "I love thee"
"I love thee too", and he kissed her, with a hunger that surprised even him. But she responded with equal fervour, and they held each other for a brief moment, each clinging to the others warmth. Then he drew back, and kissed her forehead, and walked away.
When he mounted his horse he looked back and waved to her. She, true to her name, glowed in white, and she kissed her hand to him. He saved that image on his heart till they should meet again.
* * *
She found a secluded corner in the library and wept her heart out. It seemed so silly to her - she was happy now, in love and without fear - a short separation should not make her weep. But the news of Grima's death had brought old feelings, which she had thought gone forever, to the surface, and that coupled with Faramir's departure, made her want to indulge in tears.
She was not to be allowed to indulge for long however, for Aragorn soon found her. He took her by the elbow, walked her to a more comfortable chair, and gave her a handkerchief. Sitting by in understanding silence, she could feel him urging her to talk. Finally she managed a sentence, "I must seem so stupid."
"No my lady. You love him."
"But it's not as if he'll be gone for long - I bet the Queen doesn't act like this when you leave for a few weeks.", she sniffed in irritation with herself.
"You'd be surprised", he said dryly.
"Oh I didn't mean.."
"I know"
"It's just, I always miss him. It seems like we're apart more than together, and I know it is necessary, I just wish" she wiped away a few errant tears.
Aragorn squeezed her shoulder, and she knew he understood and was comforted despite herself. And they sat by the window, and looked at the greyed sky - for a spring rain was dousing all of Gondor - and spoke of all the subjects they could think of. With Aragorn there was now no restraint, she could speak to him of almost anything (some things she would never mention to a man, no matter how good a friend he be). And she looked at him, and no longer chided herself for the confused feelings she had once had for him. For though he was not Faramir, and never could have engendered the same love in her as she now realised, looking at his lounging figure and handsome face, she could not fault herself for clinging to him in her despair and confusion.
Author's Note
Just to clarify - Éowyn's fear of Grima is going to come up again in the next few chapters. Partly because things like that don't just vanish over night. More importantly the problem falling in love with Faramir healed was a kind of forced personality split - between the heartbroken woman Éowyn truly was, and the ice-cold symbol she was required and expected to be (at least that's how I see it). Even Aragorn saw her as a symbol (in a way), which is why no relationship between them could have worked. Hence his granting her an office, shows that he has progressed to seeing her properly. Grima was another problem all together. I won't say anything more now, for fear I'll give things away.
I'm rushing to get this finished, because next week I'm going away for a month, so fingers crossed I'll get it done.
Magpie Poet : The reason Éowyn didn't figure it out before was because, although she suspected, Aragorn never showed any sign of recognition or of remembrance of their meeting - hence she assumed she was wrong.
Faramir stood, saying goodbye to his beloved, for what seemed the umpteenth time. He did not regret doing his duty to his King, or the effort required to rebuild Ithilien, but he wished that it did not take so much from his time with his betrothed. She had been in Minas Tirith for nigh on four months, and in that time he had spent barely five weeks with her - two weeks in the beginning, and then days snatched when they could be.
She had never asked him to stay with her, or expressed any pain at his absence - for she was a creature shaped by duty, as he was, and would not make it harder for him. Yet every time he returned, she ran to him and embraced him - and in those few breathless moments when they could touch (for they were still bound by etiquette) he could feel her need for him, and knew that she missed him as much as he did her.
She did not complain, and seemed reasonably content - and yet he feared for her. She was almost alone in the stone city, for aside from the King and Queen, she knew almost no one. He hated to leave her in such company, for though since Edoras relations between herself and the Queen had been more cordial they still spoke little.
She seemed to have reached some kind of understanding with the King, for now they spoke often, more commonly in jest than not, but with an undercurrent of true affection that had not been apparent before. Aragorn teased her often, and now showed no qualms about reaching out to caress her - though Faramir felt no fear on that score, for it was in a brotherly manner only. He had a suspicion that Arwen was not entirely comfortable with Éowyn and Aragorn's newfound friendship, but since she had said nothing, it flourished unimpeded.
In truth he would have been happier leaving her now than he had been before - save for one thing. A message had come from the Shire - written by the Ringbearer - telling of the final battles of the War of the Ring, and informing Aragorn of the deaths of Saruman, and Grima.
They were sitting in the Queen's favourite parlour when Aragorn read the letter aloud. When he mentioned Grima, Éowyn had said sharply, and yet with a tremor in her voice, "You are sure? You are sure he is dead?". Aragorn had looked at her gently, and Arwen's cool gaze had rested upon her, and suddenly she had stood and walked from the room.
Faramir knew why - she could not have withstood their observation at that moment - and he had followed her. They stood upon the White Tower, and he had held her for a long moment. He heard her take a long deep sigh, and had tightened his arms around her reflexively. She had clung to him for a moment, and then had drawn back. That night they had dined with the King and Queen, and feeling their eyes upon her Éowyn had performed beautifully. A shiver had run up his spine as he watched her - he wondered how she had learned to hide her inner turmoil behind a mask so effectively. She had not fooled them - but only because they knew her well enough now to watch for the performance.
Even today she seemed more subdued. And Faramir did not want to leave her alone when she seemed, not unhappy, but certainly disturbed. Yet he had no choice, it would be many weeks before he would return to Minas Tirith, and still longer before she could visit Ithilien.
They were standing very close together now, and he could see everything, the delicate shadow of her eyelashes, the sweet curve of her lip. He caressed her cheek, and she clung to his hand. She smiled up at him and said, "Be careful. I do not yet know enough to cure you of anything serious my lord". He smiled, "I shall obey your commands my lady. And what shall you do while I am gone?"
"Oh have more polite conversations with Arwen, when we are each affeared we will offend the other. Read more about Ithilien and its history, for I would be your equal in that Faramir", her smile quivered, "It will not be long".
He ran a finger along her jawline, saying, "You will take care my wild Shieldmaiden?". She laughed lightly, "Aye my lord. And watch that you do the same." They smiled and touched foreheads. Faramir heard his captain calling him, and knew he must leave. She looked up at him, and said softly but clearly, "I love thee"
"I love thee too", and he kissed her, with a hunger that surprised even him. But she responded with equal fervour, and they held each other for a brief moment, each clinging to the others warmth. Then he drew back, and kissed her forehead, and walked away.
When he mounted his horse he looked back and waved to her. She, true to her name, glowed in white, and she kissed her hand to him. He saved that image on his heart till they should meet again.
* * *
She found a secluded corner in the library and wept her heart out. It seemed so silly to her - she was happy now, in love and without fear - a short separation should not make her weep. But the news of Grima's death had brought old feelings, which she had thought gone forever, to the surface, and that coupled with Faramir's departure, made her want to indulge in tears.
She was not to be allowed to indulge for long however, for Aragorn soon found her. He took her by the elbow, walked her to a more comfortable chair, and gave her a handkerchief. Sitting by in understanding silence, she could feel him urging her to talk. Finally she managed a sentence, "I must seem so stupid."
"No my lady. You love him."
"But it's not as if he'll be gone for long - I bet the Queen doesn't act like this when you leave for a few weeks.", she sniffed in irritation with herself.
"You'd be surprised", he said dryly.
"Oh I didn't mean.."
"I know"
"It's just, I always miss him. It seems like we're apart more than together, and I know it is necessary, I just wish" she wiped away a few errant tears.
Aragorn squeezed her shoulder, and she knew he understood and was comforted despite herself. And they sat by the window, and looked at the greyed sky - for a spring rain was dousing all of Gondor - and spoke of all the subjects they could think of. With Aragorn there was now no restraint, she could speak to him of almost anything (some things she would never mention to a man, no matter how good a friend he be). And she looked at him, and no longer chided herself for the confused feelings she had once had for him. For though he was not Faramir, and never could have engendered the same love in her as she now realised, looking at his lounging figure and handsome face, she could not fault herself for clinging to him in her despair and confusion.
Author's Note
Just to clarify - Éowyn's fear of Grima is going to come up again in the next few chapters. Partly because things like that don't just vanish over night. More importantly the problem falling in love with Faramir healed was a kind of forced personality split - between the heartbroken woman Éowyn truly was, and the ice-cold symbol she was required and expected to be (at least that's how I see it). Even Aragorn saw her as a symbol (in a way), which is why no relationship between them could have worked. Hence his granting her an office, shows that he has progressed to seeing her properly. Grima was another problem all together. I won't say anything more now, for fear I'll give things away.
I'm rushing to get this finished, because next week I'm going away for a month, so fingers crossed I'll get it done.
Magpie Poet : The reason Éowyn didn't figure it out before was because, although she suspected, Aragorn never showed any sign of recognition or of remembrance of their meeting - hence she assumed she was wrong.