The following morning she rises with the sun, which is bright and unveiled for the first time in her life. It is blinding and hurts her eyes, forcing her to look down at the stone floor beneath her feet. The light warms her, surpassing her flesh and putting life into her very blood. The air is sweet and the world relieved, a huge weight having been removed, as the Great Eye no longer glares from his high tower.
She walks outside, the fresh air clearing her mind and lightening her heart. Perhaps, she thinks, her life will not be so terrible in this new age and, as the Steward strays into her eyesight, so lonely as she once thought.
He comes to her and tells her softly that he has been given leave of the Houses. He must go and take up the title of Steward and make ready the city.
In that moment her pride falters. " You have your freedom now, my lord. Will you not grant me my own?"
"Nay Eowyn for my eyes see you wounded still."
Her heart hardens at his words and she hears not but the blood in her ears as she bids him farewell.
Stricken he looks as he bows his head and kisses her hand and she sees herself in days not yet lived, hollow, a cold creature alone in the dark.
But still she cannot bring herself to ask him to stay.