Vision of a nightmare

Éomer led Éowyn towards the fire. He could feel the coolness of her skin on his. They both stared into the fire. The dancing flames lit up the faces of the brother and sister. Éomer was concentrating on the burning red logs at the bottom, which where slowly getting engulfed by the devastating impact of the flames. Éowyn was staring deep into the flames. Suddenly an image began to appear. It was a single horseman riding with the banner of Rohan flying in the wind behind him. He seemed to be riding across the plains of Rohan until a single arrow across the sky and hit the rider. It pierced his leather body plate and the lifeless body fell to the ground. The rider was swarmed around by a group of wild men from the mountains and some orcs. They begin to kick and stab wildly at it before they were stopped by a small party of Gondorian soldiers. After all the opposition had been killed a soldier placed the body on the back of the horse and covered it with a cape. He must be dead.

Éowyn pulled herself away from the flame and walked over towards the main table. She could not stop thinking of the image. Who was that Rohirrim? When did this happen? She began to slice up an apple when her brother came over towards her.

"My dear Éowyn what is wrong?"

"I thought I saw something in the fire. It was probably just my mind making it up. I have not had a decent nights sleep since the last night in Minas Tirith." Éowyn replied.

"The long ride seemed to have affected my mind as well. Come you must help me with a terrible task." He rolled his eyes when he said this and continued. "A list must be made of all the brave Rohirrim who fell in the battle. It must be done and it will take your mind off a certain Captain of Gondor." Éomer laughed and began to walk out of the hall.

Éowyn stood up and shouted after her brother.

"You make it sound like I have no control when it comes to Faramir. But to prove you wrong I will not mention him for the rest of the afternoon."

Éomer turned around to face his sister.

"I would be interested to see how long you can manage. I do not reckon you will last an hour let alone until the sun sets." He replied with a smile. The two walked out of the main hall with a laugh.

As the evening approached Éomer and Éowyn were once again entering the main hall. They sat down at the table and had a drink.

"See I did not mention him at all. Not all afternoon." Éowyn said triumphantly.

"No, of course not." Éomer laughed. He then began to do the best impression of his sister he could.

"Do you think he is ok? How long will he be? Should I have gone with him?" He returned to his normal voice.

"Faramir's name was not said but his presence was there in every sentence you spoke my dear sister. I hope you two will be happy when you are reunited again." Éomer walked over to his sister and kissed her on the top of head. "I'm now going to retire to my bed. I will see you in the morning"

"Good night. I think I too will be asleep soon." Éowyn smiled at her brother as he walked out of the room.

As Éowyn lay in her bed she got out the piece of paper which Faramir had given her earlier that day. She slowly unfolded it, not wanting it to rip. Éowyn held it up to the candle light where there were five very untidy words upon it.

I love you

Always

Faramir

"Short but sweet." Éowyn laughed. "Typical Faramir." She kissed the piece of paper and placed it on her bedside table. She then blew out the remaining candle which had been left burning in her room. Éowyn lay in the dark before sleep took over her.

She found herself standing on the top steps near the Golden hall. The skies were dark, there was a cold wind and silence filled the plains. Éowyn stood motionless, staring out towards the east. The wind blew her hair in front of her face; this showed her once blond hair was now a metallic grey. Her once soft hands were now old and covered in wrinkles. There seemed to be emptiness inside her. The happiness which Faramir had brought into was gone. Then an arm was placed around her. Éowyn turned around.

"Faramir?" she questioned.

It was not. It was her brother. He too was older his long blond hair was now short and white, his once trimmed beard was now wild and the skin on his face was baggy with age.

"Éowyn please come in." Éomer asked. "Looking for him will not bring him back."

He tried to move his sister away but she refused to move.

"Why has Lord Faramir not returned?" Éowyn questioned.

"Sister, the coldness is getting to you. You are not well. Please come back inside."

Éowyn was starting to get annoyed. She ignored the look of concern on her brother's face and shouted back at him.

"Where is Lord Faramir?"

Éomer gave in to his sister's persistence to tell her the answer she was searching for.

"Can you not remember? He fell." He produced a sword from behind his back. It was Faramir's. Éowyn moved forward and grabbed the sword. She fell down onto her knees and started to weep.

Éomer had still not been asleep. He was uneasy as he was now sleeping in his uncle's bed. This was the king's bed. He closed his eyes to block out all the images from the room but then a noise reached his ears. Éomer could tell instantly that it was Éowyn.

He looked for the closest candle which he could light and ran out of the room into the dark corridor. By the small flickering spotlight which his candle produced he soon lost his sense of direction. But he did notice the sound was becoming louder and Éomer began to follow that. This did lead him to the bed chamber of his sister. Éomer swung open the door and walked over to his sister. Éowyn was awake and but did notice that her brother had entered the room. Éomer raised his hand up towards his sister and wiped the tears off her cheek.

"Éomer" Éowyn looked at him with blood shot eyes. "Where is Faramir?"

Very softly Éomer replied to his sister.

"He is riding to Minas Tirith to ask to join you here in Rohan. He will be back beside you in a few days. Do not worry."

A sigh of relief filled Éowyn. She looked over towards her bedside table and the letter was still there.

"I'm sorry to have woken you Éomer."

"That does not matter." He smiled "As long as you are not upset. That is all I care about."

Éomer kissed his sister on the head and walked out of the room.