My Hope, Returned

Author's note:

All the usual LOTR disclaimers apply and I do not own any of the characters or scenes from the ROTK EE.

This story was written out of my anger and frustration that Peter Jackson & Co gave the Eowyn/Faramir relationship so little screen time in the ROTK EE. However, after writing the fan fic, I nowconclude that Peter Jackson's treatment adequately captured the spirit of the Eowyn/Faramir relationship. I now regard it as a short cut of flim that needs to be unfolded and distilled by analysis. This story is best read following the sequence of events from the movie-verse (I noticed the sequences of events in the EE does not following the book strictly). Also it is an attempt to relate the movie scenes to the book. The final chapter represent a possible extra scene I would have wish to see on the EE.

This is my first fan fiction and I hope it will not be the last. Reviews are welcomed.

To all Eowyn and Faramir shippers who wanted more from the EE – This is is for you!

Chapter 1: A Window to Hope

(Eowyn's POV)

It was dark.

I hear voices. His voice called unto me first. Then Eomer's.

I sensed a dampness on my forehead and a sweet fragrance in the air. I opened my eyes and saw him next to me.

Or was it Eomer?

I cannot remember now. I need sleep.

When I woke up, it was already morning. I realized that I had been dreaming again. It was Eomer's face I saw but in my dreams it was always him.

I got up and walked toward the window.

My window looked east – where my hope lies. It is now the third day since he had gone. He left to give hope to another – and to face an uncertain death which already took me. But it was his hand that drew me back… even after he left me void of my hope at Dunharrow.

The first light of the morning touched me but I still felt cold and dark. My arm was bandaged. They won't let me go and fight.

Then I looked out the window and saw him.

Another kind man who gave me this room facing east. He looked at me with a certain grave tenderness and also in anticipation, a hope of something more. He told me that I could ease his care and asked me to keep him company. I told him I had no desire for speech of the living. Was he listening when I told him not to look to me for healing? How can I give him what I don't have.

But I did not look away.

(Faramir's POV)

She came near the window, all in white and gleaming in the sun.

I could still remember yesterday when I first saw her. She was in despair and wanted to ride away to death. I was moved by her sorrow and unrest. Yet it was her loveliness that pierced me.

Her desire to die made her hard and strong but I spoke gently. And then a tear sprang in her eye. She softened and said her window did not look east. A wave of hope came upon me and I smiled amid my pity. Here's a chance to show my quality.

I arranged for her to stay in this house where she could look east. Unfortunately I was carried away (with her) and she caught me with my words. I could not hide and told her what was on my heart. She responded with a frosty bitterness and doubted that she could ease my care.

I think it is because the Shadow lies on her still. Would she ever know the seed of hope she planted?

She thanked me and left for the house while I resumed my walk. Yet my eye strayed constantly to this house.

How could I forget her? I found myself searching her life the rest of the day and hoping to see her last evening. She did not appear.

I will not be disappointed again and returned to this house before dawn.

Seeing her gives me a hope to live

And finally, she looked out of the window to the east. Our eyes meetbut she did not look away. She looked so lovely yet so sorrowful; cold and aloof but not unkind.

All I could do was to smile tenderly.

My hope has grown a little more.