III – Never Leave Me Alone
It only took him a few moments to realize where Eowyn was going. She was going to ride. Faramir stood up from his seat and bowed to Eomer, hoping to seem casual enough.
"My lord, May I retire also? I wish to unpack my things," he said.
"Certainly. Thank you for bringing Eowyn home safe and sound," Eomer replied.
"Actually, we had an attack. A small band of wargs had somehow surrounded us. But we came here safe and unharmed," Faramir said quietly, looking straight into Eomer's eyes. Before Eomer could reply, however, Faramir walked out of the hall swiftly and raced to the stables, only to find a horse already gone. So she has already left. Always was a fast one. He chose a dark brown horse and rode out. Eowyn needed someone to comfort her, not simply herself.
It didn't take her long to find her hideaway. The widespread, almost empty plains of Rohan were a favorite of hers. She could spend hours upon hours gazing out into the sunset, or the sunrise. It was here that she felt so… peaceful and serene. Gods I love this place.
She had hoped nobody knew where to find her. What she really wanted was to be alone for now. Though, I would never mind it if Faramir wished to be with me. Eowyn jumped off of her horse and let her wander a bit, knowing that Isil would not leave. She walked a bit to the top of one of the small hills, overlooking the eastward sunset, a mixture of gold and purple and pink. The Rohirrim sunset never ceases to amaze me.
Nearly an hour passed until Faramir finally caught a glimpse of a figure. It was not hard for him to track Eowyn, for he was skilled in the art of the hunt, and Eowyn took little care to hide her tracks. He slowed his horse to a stop and gazed at the scene before him.
There she was, standing atop a hill, facing the sunset. Her honey blonde hair was undone and blowing in different directions with the wind, standing still in a pure white dress. What an angel indeed. Thought he could only see her back, she knew that her arms were crossed in front of her, embracing herself. To Faramir, she looked fairer than Tinuviel, the most beautiful elf maiden to ever walk the lands of Middle Earth.
He quietly jumped off of his horse and began to walk up the hill to her, but stopped. Should I have followed her? Does she really wish to be alone? His thoughts, however, were suddenly broken by a fair voice, as light as a feather, yet as strong as a warrior.
"Spying on your betrothed, are you?" Eowyn called without turning around, smiling to herself. Faramir didn't answer, only walked over to her. He noticed her horse was wandering around, as if giving them space. Faramir stood behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, intertwining her hands into his.
"What troubles you, Eowyn?" he asked carefully, not wanting to push her into saying anything. He could hear her sobbing ever so quietly, and he felt a tear fall onto his hand.
"I… I miss them," she whispered, looking straight ahead into the sunset.
"Your uncle?" asked Faramir gently. She nodded without saying a word.
"And my mother and father. They both died when I was very young, so my uncle told me. My father was attacked by an army of orcs (A/N: is that right?), and my mother died of grief from his death. I wish they could have lived to see us like this, with Middle Earth safe at last and everyone happy," she sighed, sniffling.
"Well," Faramir began. "I cannot fill in the place for these three people, nor do I want to. But let me say this, Eowyn, White Lady of Rohan! Although you heart may be empty in places I cannot reach, know that I will do anything to help take the pain away, for I cannot see you in such utter despair!"
Eowyn turned around and faced Faramir, stroking his cheek gently. Her blue eyes were gazing into his orbs of silver, tears streaming down her face. He gently wiped them away with his thumb. Her face is so cold, so cold. Eowyn's face turned hard for a moment, and her great voice broke out.
"Nay, Faramir. Say naught, for you are wrong! My heart is your heart; you may take all of it. It is you who hold it in your grasp. If it were not for you, my dear Faramir, I do not think I would have lasted so long in this world. You fill all of my heart, no matter the gaps in them. My heart is forever yours."
Faramir stood there in awe. Eowyn had never spoken so openly and so deeply to him or anyone for that matter.
"Eowyn…" he muttered. But before he could say more, she pressed her soft fingertips against his lips. Eowyn smiled at him, tears gone, eyes left glassy.
"Say nothing, my Faramir. Just hold me for now and let us have these few precious moments in silence," she murmured, breathing in deeply. He held her to him tightly, breathing her in, trying to forever remember the smell of lavender, and, oddly enough, horse.
As the sun was setting lower, the two stood smiling happily, Eowyn's tears gone. She could have stayed in Faramir's arms forever. She felt so safe with him, laying her head on her chest, sighing.
"It's so beautiful," she murmured. She felt Faramir smile as he kissed her hair.
"Yes, you are beautiful," he said slyly. Eowyn turned around to face him in mock surprise.
"Now really, my lord, I was speaking of the sunset!" Faramir began to laugh.
"Ah, but so was I, my lady! Her golden hair is glistening in the dusk, the warmth spreading all over the land, and her blue skies fill the world with color. She is beautiful. The most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes upon."
Then he cupped her cool cheeks with his warm hands, putting his forehead against hers. They were so close that they could feel each other's breaths. Eowyn could feel Faramir coming close, coming to kiss her. He did. She closed her eyes and embraced it. His kiss was soft and gentle, and would have lasted longer if Eomer had not intervened!
"FARAMIR! EOWYN!" he exclaimed. Immediately they both pulled away. "Explain yourselves," Eomer said sternly. He is so old-fashioned! The two thought at the same time.
Faramir decided it was best if he spoke. What a bad idea.
"Well, my lord, you see, we were ah..." Eomer snorted.
"You were ah… and what exactly do you mean by 'ah'?"
"He was comforting me!" Eowyn cut in, who was becoming more than a little annoyed at her over protective brother.
"Comforting you? It looked like it was a little more than comforting you," Eomer retorted rather rudely.
"I was upset, so I left to go here and think, and Faramir followed me. We talked, he helped me, and it was just a simple kiss!" she replied. A few seconds passed. Eomer blushed, obviously embarrassed at not trusting his little sister.
"Oh. Ah, alright then," he stuttered. Eowyn nodded at him, and then looked at Faramir.
"Come. It is time we go back home." She began to walk over to her horse, but stopped. Her horse was nowhere to be seen. There were only Eomer and Faramir's horses left. Eowyn turned and faced the two gentlemen.
"Erm, my horse seems to have gone," she said, blushing. Before she could say more, Eomer spoke.
"Fine. Eowyn, ride with Faramir. Faramir, help her on the horse." Eowyn stood still, bewildered.
"Are, are you sure Eomer?" she asked, her anger slowly evaporating.
"Yes. Go."
Eowyn looked at Faramir, who merely shrugged. She walked over to the horse, trying to get herself saddled. Damn this stupid dress! My battle outfit was so much easier. Suddenly, she felt two strong arms lift her up onto the horse. She turned and smiled down at Faramir. He smiled back, and jumped onto the horse right behind her, cradling her in his arms.
We quickly rode back, with Eomer right next to us. As we started to ride, Faramir slipped his hand without the reins into mine, and I closed my eyes and leaned back against him, head lying against chest. Everything felt so perfect.
Eomer rode quietly next to Faramir and Eowyn. As he rode, he turned to look at the two. When he saw Eowyn lie against Faramir so easily and the way Faramir rested his chin on the top of her golden head, something in him changed. So it seems that I was wrong. They do love each other more than I could ever imagine. I am giving my sister into good hands. Eomer smiled to himself and rode on, thinking of wedding plans and food.
STILL DEDICATING THE CHAPTER TO... THE PENGUINS...
And now, onto the author's notes (oh joy!) :
1. Keep reviewing! (remember, more reviews, faster updates!)
2. Go Stick Your Head In a Toilet : erm, nice review.. thanks! lol
3. I am trying to make the chapters longer and more.. in tune with the story.. although, in the later chapters, this fic may not follow Tolkien's story... sorry!
4. Voldie on Varsity Track (Christie, right?) : thank you soo much for emailing and helping me!!
5. THANK YOU ALL!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!! KEEP UP THE REVIEWS!! (do i repeat myself or what?)
FIN