As before, any flames will be used to burn my English 4 book or make marshmallows. This is a Faramir/Eowyn fic, for those who want to know. And I do not own LOTR, although I would really like to own David Wenham. Thanks to Malethwen for reading and reviewing.
Eomer was concerned. He had received one letter from his sister in the days that she had been in the House of Healing, and its tone was a dark one. He wondered if she was going to be all right. Finally deciding not to wait any longer, he went up into the city and asked to be led to the houses.
Once there, he sought Ioreth and asked her where he might find his sister. The healer chuckled to herself. "Oh, she'll be off with young Faramir." She cackled. "Faramir? As in the Steward of Gondor?" Eomer asked, feeling his jaw begin a downward descent. "Yes, my Lord. They have grown quite to close to one another of late. Even kissed on the wall in front of everyone!"
The man was torn between relief that Aragorn's words to her had not completely wounded her, and concern that she might be throwing herself into this dalliance with the Steward in order to get back at Elessar. "Where are they? I wish to see her as soon as I can." He asked. "They're out in the garden, as usual."
Faramir and Eowyn were talking of many things, when she turned and saw her brother approach. She laughed with great joy and ran to him. Embracing her tightly, he asked, "How do you fair, my sister?" "Very well, my brother. Will you not come and meet my intended?" she asked. Eomer seemed taken aback by these words, but allowed her to lead him over to where Faramir stood.
Recalling his proud upbringing, Faramir bowed low to Eomer. "It is a honor to meet you, Eomer, Lord of the Mark. Your sister has told me much of you." He said. "It is also an honor on my part to meet you as well, Faramir, Steward of Gondor. It appears that I must congratulate you..."
The couple looked at one another and groaned. "Has Ioreth been talking again?" Eowyn asked plantively. "Who else would be talking about us?" Faramir added resignedly. "Yes, it was she who told me about the public display on the wall, if that is what you are referring to." Eomer replied. "Well, by tomorrow all of Gondor will know." She commented. "Knowing Ioreth, it will most likely be heard in every part of Middle Earth before sundown!" Faramir quipped.
The King of Rohan chuckled. "I must admit, Lord Steward, that I like you more than I thought I would." "Were you prepared to utterly detest me, my Lord?" Faramir said facetiously. Eomer smiled ruefully. "Actually, I was." Faramir inclined his head slightly. "You would dislike me only out of affection for your younger sister. I would expect nothing less of a loving elder brother since I too was under the charge of one." "You are a wise man, Steward."
Faramir winced slightly. "Please, my Lord, call me Faramir. I prefer my own name far above any of the titles I have been bestowed with." Eomer bowed to him slightly. "As you wish, Faramir, if you will call me Eomer. I suspect that if my sister has her way, we shall be brothers soon." "Ah, but your sister is not the only one whose ways are seeking that."
"Indeed? I see that there will have to be a wedding on the horizon..." Eomer said teasingly, looking at his sister. Her face was lit as though from within. I have never seen her this happy...whatever she and Faramir have together must be doing her well. he thought to himself.
Facing Faramir, Eomer extended his hand and said, "Faramir, Lord Steward of Gondor, and Son of Denethor, I shall give you my sister to be your bride if you will but pledge one thing to me." "Name it, my soon-to-be brother, and I will do it." "You must promise that no matter what happens in your union, that you will remain honorable to my sister." "Eomer!" Eowyn protested. "I so swear, and if I hurt the White Lady, may the vengeance of her kindred be upon my head and all the heirs of my body." Faramir answered, in the Rohirric tradition.
"How is it that you know our ways so well, Faramir?" Eomer asked, slightly shocked that he had made correct response. "I read much as a child, and still do. Mithrandir always brought me a book for my birthday each year, and he gave me a book about Rohan, and its customs and ways. I have taken to reading it again, for I hope that Eowyn and I can teach our children to have pride and respect for both heritages that they will possess." "That is a praiseworthy goal. I see my sister has chosen her companion well."
Just then, Ioreth came walking out as quickly as she could go. "King! Steward! King Elessar is coming!" Faramir felt a tightening in his stomach before he firmly banished it. He knew that Eowyn loved him and he was not going to begin his self-doubting again.
"Eomer! I see you have found the two lovebirds!" Aragorn said, walking up with a smile. "Indeed I have. Did you know that your Steward already knows how to give response to a brother's warning?" Aragorn looked at Faramir, and pride was evident on his face. "We have a Steward who loves wisdom and seeks it always. Gondor will be better for Faramir, Son of Denethor, being the Steward of the land."
The others were amused to see Faramir turning bright red. "He does so when he is complimented. I have told him I will continue to do so until he can merely say thank you and not turn the color of a tomato!" "It's embarrassing!" the man in question muttered.
"I have to ask a question of you Faramir, and Eowyn also. Arwen was wondering if you would allow her to throw a ball in honor of your engagement." "I would like that. Faramir?" He looked at his love. "Whatever you want is fine with me. Besides, I like music."
"Then that is settled. I will go inform her. Take care." As he left, Eomer turned to Eowyn. "I will be taking our uncle to his resting place in Rohan. Will you come with me to see him laid next to Theodred?"
"It will be difficult to leave, but I will go with you brother." She replied softly. "I owe him too much, and I will not dishonor him by not being present. Tell me when, and I shall be prepared to leave."
"We leave tomorrow, and I know that Elessar will come to my coronation ceremony. Will you come also, Faramir? We can trothplight you in the custom of my people then." "For Eowyn, I would go anywhere." The Steward replied. "Then we shall look for your coming. Farewell, Faramir. Good-bye till the morrow, my sister."