Well, this was originally going to be a one shot, but seems how I seem to have a few people who want me to continue… here is the second chapter.

Remember I don't own it, etc, etc. And this is an AU fic. Mostly inspired by the fact that the Houses of Healing scenes were left out of ROTK for the theatrical release, and I couldn't wait.

I do not pretend to write a better romance than what Tolkien did. This is just for general amusement purposes.

SO, you could call this a "movie" based fic with strong influences from the book.

Seems how this is supposed to be more movie based, Merry is not in the Houses of Healing as, if I recall correctly, he was with Aragorn and the others at the black gate.

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Eowyn glared at the rising sun. She closed her eyes tightly then opened them. Again, she saw the sun. It was hopeless. She was not dead, and she would wager a great deal on the fact that neither was Faramir, which meant, of course, that she would have to keep her promise to him.

She sighed and ran a brush through her hair. One could run around at night with unkempt hair and rumpled clothes, but to go about in such a state during the day was unpardonable. Ailing or not, she was the sister to the new king of Rohan. She cast a worried glance out the window. Hopefully she would not be becoming the new ruler of Rohan. Her brother, she had heard, was traveling with Aragorn to challenge the black gate.

She desperately wished that she could go with, but her inquisition towards the matter had been quickly rebuffed. She could not go. Worse than that, there was a good reason for her not to go. She was not physically capable to ride. Thus, she was condemned to wait upon the able bodied soldier who could ride, and hope that they returned alive.

Not, she thought to herself amused, that she had not found a pleasant diversion. Faramir's mind seemed to work in unusual ways. His gentle persistence intrigued her. Most other men would have become irritated at her for her evasion in the conversation. Faramir had simply backed up and tried another route until he succeeded in getting what he wanted.

With a martyred sigh, she moved towards her chamber doors. The instant that they creaked open, she was assaulted by two ladies who were charged with her care. Normally, Eowyn would have brushed them aside and insisted that she did not need their assistance, but today was unique. First of all, she wished to be able to leave her chambers with a minimum of complaints. That meant that she should simply comply with the wishes of her caretakers so she could gain their favor to do as she wished. Secondly, she perversely wished to look as radiant as possible for Lord Faramir.

The second point, she did not look closely into, for she was not sure that she wished to acknowledge what she found within.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Faramir played with the hem of his tunic. The healers had taken one look at him and ordered him not to rise. His late night ventured had taken its toll on him. The energy he had had yesterday was not there as it had been. Fortunately, the healers did not inquire as to why a man who was able to walk about the day before was suddenly only able to sit up in his bed.

It was a great relief to him that they did not ask; for he was loathe to tell them he had been wandering around at night talking to beautiful strangers. A soft smile crossed his lips as he recalled how magnificent Lady Eowyn had looked as she stood pale against the night sky. His heart had pounded furiously at the sight, and he had been afraid that he was dying and seeing only a vision of what was to come after breath ceased in his body. It was that thought that had compelled him to speak to her. Her face had been sorely troubled, and a part of him had been afraid he had passed into a realm more troubled than the one that he had left.

It shamed him now that he had been so forward towards her. It was not normally in his character to be so bold. Boromir had always been the one to act impulsively. Faramir had always been the one to think very thoroughly before engaging in any sort of aggressive action.

The instant she had turned towards him, he had known that she was not some ethereal creature, but a real woman, yet he still persisted. He had not been able to overcome the intense desire to know her. It both awed and intrigued him that he could feel such passion that even now, of he closed his eyes and pictured her, his heart would stir and a thousand words seemed ready to burst forth from his lips.

The doors opened to his room, and his head snapped up instantly. His heart was not disappointed when he saw who was coming through to visit him.

"You remembered to come," Faramir's pleasure was evident in his voice.

Eowyn nodded, "Let it never be said of me that I go back on my word."

"I am glad that you came."

"And I am glad to hear it, for I am not allowed much movement in these halls and I should not wish to have wasted a trip," Eowyn rejoined as she sank into a small chair that was situated by Faramir's bed.

Faramir smiled in what he hoped was a friendly and somewhat charming manner, "I assure you, you have not. Though, if I recall correctly, you promised to share your burden with me."

Eowyn shifted uncomfortably in her chair, "Are you always this blunt?"

Faramir laughed, "Rarely, but you seem to bring it out in me."

Eowyn's face closed slightly, and Faramir berated himself. If only he could be more like his brother. Boromir had never had such problems with women. It was yet another point in which his brother truly was better than he.

"If I am too forward…" Faramir began to apologize.

Eowyn raised one eyebrow, "Now you ask such a question? After such a pursuit? Nay, I merely do not wish to think of that which bothers me, yet I cannot help but think of it. So, you see, it matters not whether you push me or stay quiet."

Faramir blushed slightly, "Forgive me, I always make such mistakes."

Eowyn cocked her head to one side and observed the man in his bed. He seemed so different in the light of day. The night before had shown a great deal of caring and gentle persistence. The morning showed a great deal of uncertainty on his part. It was as if he was unsure of his own life even though he was the Steward of Gondor itself.

"I fear that we are a matched pair then, for I often charge ahead and care not what others think. You though, if I may be so bold, seem to care too much for the opinions of others."

Faramir smiled wanly, "No, I have cared for only the regards of two people in my life. My brother gave his affection without regard. My father, though… my father I would rather not speak of, for it brings much pain no matter how I view him."

Eowyn nodded, "There are some things that are best not spoken until one has the courage to do so. You, Faramir of Gondor, have given me the courage to speak of such things."

"I would not equate my inquisitiveness with giving courage, but you honor me with your words."

Eowyn shook her head, "Never have I lacked the courage to join a battle, but it takes a different sort of courage to speak one's thoughts. You have shown only the greatest regard for my wellbeing though you know me but a little. It has given me the courage that I lacked."

Faramir grinned, "Perhaps you should wish to speak then?"

Eowyn nodded, "I will should you ever be able to silence your mouth for a time."

Faramir put on his best affronted face, but his grin ruined it, and he gestured for her to continue.

Eowyn took a deep breath and began.

"Long have I been tormented by two desires. At first, I thought my distress to be only the symptom of being unable to fulfill one desire: the desire to defend my country as any man would. But now that I have accomplished this goal, I find that I am still in anguish. For my soul wishes for both the honor of a warrior and the love of another to fill my days, yet I cannot have both as no man would wish for his wife to be a warrior. It is a silly problem I know…"

Faramir raised his hand to quiet her, "There is nothing foolish with such a problem. It speaks strongly of your soul that you wish such a thing. Do you not think that I have struggled also with such a burden? Long have I wished for peace and love, but Gondor was at war, and I was one of her captains. I was conflicted greatly, and none but my brother cared to know my plight. What you wish is not a weakness, Lady Eowyn, but it is a strength of heart that you should wish to love both your people and have a lover of your own."

Eowyn blushed and looked away, "You give me more credit than I deserve. I am more selfish than you make me."

"It is not selfish to desire that which would benefit another."

Eowyn smiled lightly at him, "I thank you for your kind words. I would talk more, but the healers said I could only visit you for a short time, and I think I hear them scuttling in the halls."

Faramir nodded, "I shall see you tomorrow then. Perhaps, they will allow us to travel the gardens if I am in good enough health."

Eowyn looked at him laying in his bed, "I thought you were not an ambitious man."

"I am not, but faced with such a prospect as walking with the fair Lady of Rohan, I find I am not quite myself."

Eowyn blushed as she turned and went out the door. The Steward of Gondor unsettled her like no other. She would need to devote some time to pondering whether that was a good thing or a bad.