White Lotus: I'm SOOOO glad that it follows the cannon (even though it is really AU) I'm really glad that you think I'm doing a good job.
crazycari: I read your story (Moving On) it was great! I'm glad you are enjoying this.
Lirenel: Omg, I received a review from you! You are one of my all time favorite authors! I love your stuff! Everybody should read it all!!!!! :-)
Ashley: I'm so glad you are so into this story!!! Don't die! I need you as a reviewer! It made me really happy to read your review.
Telhyandowen: I'm afraid you will be a little disappointed in this chapter. You see, the point of this story is, how can I drag Faramir and Eowyn's romance out to a point that all my reviewers kill me? I'm far from done! :-) Keep reviewing! You won't believe the excitement that you reviews cause in my house! :-)
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Chapter Ten
Eowyn gulped. Faramir was right behind her. How was she going to face him? It had been so long since they had last spoken. What if he had changed his mind about her on that last day? What if he saw her for what she really was? What if he saw her as a spoiled, selfish, annoying bitch? What if...that was the end of those thoughts. She wouldn't let herself get like that. She would hold to her regular pride.
Eowyn turned slowly to face him. She was breathing heavily. She couldn't think of a time that she had been more nervous. Well, maybe on her Naming Day, when she was so scared of what Eomer would think of her name, and what she would think of her name. But no, she didn't think now that she had been that scared.
Faramir was as handsome as he had ever been. If it was remotely possible, he was more handsome than he had ever been. He smiled at her. Eowyn relaxed. She knew she was safe from him. She didn't need to be frightened. Besides, it wasn't like she was going to blurt it out right here in the Halls of the Steward, right in front of Natalie.
"What were you saying about me?" Faramir asked innocently. Eowyn looked at him hard to determine whether he had really heard her, and if he had, why he was pretending he hadn't. No. He hadn't heard it all at least.
"I was simply expressing my fear about your absence in the Houses. 'Twas nothing really. It just gave me a fright when I entered and you weren't laying there like you normally were."
"You were there when I was ill?" Faramir asked, surprised. Eowyn was shocked. Surely he knew that she was there; she had been there so many times. True, they had never spoken; it was possible that Natalie just hadn't told him yet.
"Aye, I was there everyday. I only left your side when Beregond, Natalie, or the healers made me. I would have been there the whole time otherwise. I swear! I was truly worried about you," She said, hoping that he would believe that she truly cared. If he didn't, then he would think that she was just trying to find a replacement for Aragorn.
Oh no. What if that was what he thought? Surely it would be. He was not the kind of person who would believe immediately that someone loved them. And if it was someone who had been obviously in love with someone else, it was even less likely.
Faramir nodded his head, an elated grin passing across his features. Eowyn's heart skipped a beat; he was happy to know that she had come. He loved her still. And she would convince him that she loved him. She just had to do it slyly.
"Natalie, Eowyn, were there any other people there that I didn't hear about?" Faramir asked with a teasing grin.
Natalie blushed, and then frowned. "I saw your father naught if that is what you mean, but I would not doubt if Beregond told me he was there. Beregond is the one you should ask though."
Faramir shook his head. "Nay, I meant only to jest. I did not expect..." He glanced over at Eowyn, "Father was probably quite busy with others. There were so many wounded, and I was in a better case than many others. I'm sure that there were a lot of broken families at the time."
Natalie's snort told Eowyn that Denethor was doing nothing of that sort, but neither woman said anything. Eowyn understood wanting to keep family pains to oneself, and Natalie had known Faramir since he was seven. She knew what he was like.
Faramir was grateful for their silence. He knew they both knew the truth, just as he did, but he didn't want to admit it. Especially in front of Eowyn.
"And how are you feeling Milord?" Eowyn asked, breaking the crushing silence in which all three were thinking about Denethor and his son's relationship.
"I feel perfectly well, thank you. I am glad to be up. 'Twas tiresome after a while to lie abed with the healers fawning over me."
Eowyn smiled at him. "Now you know how I felt when we met."
"Nay Milady. I fear I do not. For, as much as I dislike it, I see value in the healer's fawning. You would not stand it. Even if there was value."
Eowyn laughed. It was true. She had refused to let the healers tend her, even though she knew they could help.
It was here that Natalie interjected. "He may be well enough to walk around, but the healers said that he could do no more than sit, walk, and lay down. No activities for a week. And no great exerting, like fencing, archery, or anything of that sort, for a month."
"And what of riding Silivren?" Eowyn asked.
"One week. But not for very long," was the response.
"Well then. In one week it is." Eowyn declared.
"What is?" Faramir and Natalie asked together. Eowyn's heart nearly broke when they spoke together. They think so much akin to each other. She thought. Then she shook those thoughts away. It was Aragorn who had first taught her to doubt herself. Now she was over him. She did not need to doubt.
"You will ride with me to Emyn Arnen early in the morning, you will show me your shortcut, we will visit the town, eat supper and rest, walk around a little more, and then I will race you back to the citadel ere dinner.
Faramir laughed. "Agreed."
Natalie shook her head. "No. I think that is more than what the healers meant. I don't think you can do that".
"Well the healers won't be watching me, will they?" Faramir asked with a mischievous grin.
"They will if I tell them your plans!"
"Then you can't tell them our plans. Come. Don't tell me you aren't eager to get out!"
Natalie blushed. "Well, ok. I'll keep quiet. But if you are worse off from this, don't blame me!"
Eowyn shook her head and quietly slipped away. She didn't want to be in the conversation anymore. What had given Faramir the idea that Natalie was coming? To be honest, Eowyn hadn't even thought about Natalie. There had been but one goal in her mind. To spend time alone with Faramir was all she wanted.
But it was true. It would have been rude to not invite Natalie. But she still didn't know why.
(new scene)
"What time Eowyn?" Faramir asked as he turned to look at the lady.
She wasn't there. She had slipped off while he was joking with Natalie. Faramir cursed at himself. Why hadn't he been more careful? Now she was probably angry with him.
But it was strange. Suddenly, she seemed to care more. He actually seemed to matter to her as more than just a companion to make up for the lack of others. If he didn't know better by now, Faramir might have even thought her in love with him! But he did know better. He knew that Eowyn did not love him and that she never would.
But then there was the strange issue of going to Ithilien. Why hadn't she mentioned Natalie's name before? She almost made it sound like she wanted to spend the day with him alone. But he knew that wasn't the case. That was ridiculous. What would possess her to feel that way? Surely she thought everyone knew that Natalie was going, since she had gone before. Or maybe she just hadn't mentioned her yet, but she was going to before Natalie interrupted. She just started with Faramir because they hadn't talked for so long.
It was strange to think that she had been there all those days. She had been there, just at the wrong times. Faramir frowned. He wondered if she knew how bad the fever got. Beregond had seemed somewhat uncomfortable on the subject of Eowyn, so Faramir guessed that she did not.
Good. Things were better that way. At least now she wouldn't think of him as a crazy fool. That would ruin him. If she thought of him like she thought of his father...He didn't think he would live. It was better to keep things the way they were.
He wondered if she had thought about their fight. He had, but he didn't want to mention it, just in case she had forgotten. If she had... He could only hope that she had.
Suddenly, he realized that he was in front of the library door. He had walked all this way without realizing it!
He peeked in, and saw Aragorn sitting there. No. He didn't want to talk to Aragorn at the moment. He would go to his room. Besides, his lyre and fiddle needed to be tuned.
(new scene)
Exactly one week later, the sun found Silivren trotting down a path through Ithilien, with Windfola and Bereth, Natalie's mare, following close behind.
All three of the human companions smiled gaily at one another. It had been a long time since any of them had gotten much fresh air. It was good to be out and about.
They neared the city at around ten o'clock. Allowing a few hours for exploring the city. Eowyn marveled at everything. Emyn Arnen was so beautiful. It was more regal than Edoras's humble city, yet more modest than Minas Tirith's boastful landscape.
Finally, the trio stopped to eat. They talked and laughed the entire time, though Natalie seemed to not be feeling well as the meal progressed. After supper was eaten, she asked to return early, saying she felt sick, and that she was terribly sorry to leave so soon.
It was very hard for Eowyn to hide her relief at this. She was having a hard time dealing with Natalie's closeness with Faramir. It stood a chance of driving her mad.
But it was even harder when Natalie was gone. She didn't know whether to tell him, or whether to keep her mouth shut and see what happened. She didn't want to ruin her chance by saying something too early, but she could barely suppress herself. She wanted to talk to him so badly.
Ultimately, she decided to not say anything.
Which made her more silent than usual because she didn't want to blurt it out. When Faramir asked if she was ok, she just nodded, and that was the end.
Finally, Faramir wearily suggested they ride home. Eowyn agreed, and the two rode back to the path. The shortcut.
Suddenly, in a burst of speed, Eowyn darted down the pathway, soon leaving Faramir in shock far behind. She smiled to herself. She had a good head start.
Yet, despite her wonderful head start, when she reached the stables, Faramir was already dismounting.
"How did you do it?" She demanded.
Faramir smiled up at her and offered his hand. Eowyn dismounted, regardless of the offered hand.
"You commanded me to show you the shortcut, you never said which shortcut you wanted to see. Besides, we did ride right past it."
"Are you determined never to let me see that shortcut?" Eowyn snapped.
"Not at all Milady. I intend fully to show it to you. Someday."
Eowyn glared in response. Faramir rolled his eyes and looked at the great clock. His face went white.
"What is it?" Eowyn asked, also looking to the clock.
"Dinner is supposed to start in ten minutes," Faramir replied.
"So?"
"So have you ever been late to a meal when my father's present?"
"Oh. Oh dear."
"Oh dear indeed," Faramir responded grimly. "Oh dear indeed."