A/N: I know the last few chapters were in the book with slight differences. But now we are getting to the good stuff, at least I hope it is. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Also I just want to thank all of those who reviewed. Thank you.

Day 4

The next morning Éowyn awoke and gazed out the window. This window looked out to the east as she had requested. Lord Faramir had kept his word in amending her living quarters, so she could now look to the east; towards where all her hopes and despairs had gone. Her gaze shifted down and she saw below her window was the garden. She saw that Faramir was already out in the garden deep in thought looking eastward.

Faramir turned his gaze from the east and looked towards the house. He saw Éowyn standing by her window, in her white garb, looking down upon him. He lifted his hand and waved to her. He smiled when she returned his wave and stepped away from her window.

Éowyn called for the maids to help her dress, and she went down into the garden.

"Good Morning, my lady, how are your new accommodations? I hope they are to your liking," Faramir said.

"Good Morning, Lord Faramir, the new quarters are very pleasing, I thank you."

"If there are any other things you desire, my lady, and are within my power, I will do them for you."

"Again, thank you Lord Faramir, you are too kind," she said.

They both started to stroll side by side around the garden in silence, but Faramir was the first to break the silence between them.

"I heard that you were in the battle in the fields of Pelennor, and this was where you injured your arm."

"What you heard is true. I went against my uncle's wishes and disguised myself as one of the men, and rode with the cavalry here."

"You are truly a rare maiden. While many men flee in terror while faced with evil and certain death, you confront and defeat it."

Éowyn blushed at his praise, "I do not know what you mean. I only did what I deemed necessary to defend my king."

"And modest too, my lady, you are indeed a rare gem. You defeated the Witch-King of Angmar, and yet you still feel that you have not done enough," Faramir laughed.

"Do you mock me?" Éowyn asked confused by his laughter.

"No, my dear lady, I am mused by your enchanting charm." Éowyn looked into Faramir's eyes trying to decipher his riddles.

"Tell me how you gathered such courage to face the Black Captain?" he asked.

"I do not quite recall. I only remember seeing King Théoden fall from Snowmane, and the great shadow of the fell beast fall upon us. Before my mind comprehended who my foe was, I was already standing before him. Challenging him. When I looked upon his dark towering features, I knew I would die defending my king. But when the fell beast struck its snapping jaws at me, I do not know what forced aided me in jumping out of harms way and sever the beast's head." Éowyn closed her eyes as she imagined the horrifying experience again, and continued, "As the Witch-king arose from his hellish steed, he stood tall and menacing, while I felt small and weak. All that crossed my mind were words my brother said to me long ago: 'you are a mere woman, what can you do when faced with a power beyond us all? War is a battle for men, not for maidens.'"

Tears were moistening Éowyn's eyes, but none fell. Faramir listened intently of her harrowing account, and wanted to take the maiden in his arms, to comfort her, but he restrained himself. For fire returned in her grey eyes, as she continued to tell her tale.

"But there was no time for me to pity myself. My foe raised his mace high and struck down at my shield. I felt the shield shatter into a thousand shards, and I felt the shattering of bones in my arms as well. I stumbled onto my knees preparing for the Witch-king's finally blow, but it never came. I only heard a deafening cry of pain from the Black Captain, and Merry calling to me; giving me an opportunity to pierce my sword into the Witch-King.

After that I do not recall what occurred, only that everything felt to pass as a dream, and I still have not awaken from that dream," she finished.

"Why do you wish to seek death in battle, my lady?" he asked.

"Because the battle field is the only place I can die in honor."

"There are other ways to seek honor, honor does not lie only in death out on the battle field."

"Not for a maiden, who has been destined to be caged all her life."

"So you fear a cage?"

"All my life, I have seen the men leave for battle, and the women remain at home waiting for the return of their lords, only to waste away in grief when their lord has fallen. I have cried too many tears for lost loved ones. I do not wish to cry any more."

"I do not wish you to cry anymore either," Faramir said looking into her sad eyes.

Éowyn broke his gaze and looked towards the east and sighed. "The darkness seems to grow more each day. I fear I may shed more tears to come."

Éowyn returned her gaze to Faramir and saw he was deep in thought. She observed his kind face and saw he was a kind-hearted man, who did not look for battles, but preferred peace. He was a warrior only because he was forced into the position, and being the man he was, he excelled at being a brave warrior. Éowyn was certain that Faramir must have heavy-heartedly led many men who loved him into battle. He was much like Lord Aragorn, kind-hearted and noble like the kings of old.

"You speak of seeking honor in death. Then I am not much different from yourself," Faramir said.

Éowyn looked up at him with questioning eyes.

"The reason I am here was because I sought to please my father by dying an honorable death. Many, including Mithrandir, told me it was foolish to throw my life away in this manner. But in order to please and gain honor in my father's eyes, I lead my men into certain death. We rode towards Osgiliath knowing in our hearts we were frightfully outnumbered. I don't quite recall what occurred. I remembered as we retreated through the Pelennor fields, I faced a mounted champion of Harad, when a dark dart struck me, and I thought I had fallen into darkness and found death.

Then I remember dreaming, while in fever, that I saw my father standing in the midst of fire. Later I awoke here, only to hear that I did not dream it, but it was true," he finished and lowered his eyes in grief, for the loss of his father was still too near.

Éowyn did no know why, but she placed her hand upon Faramir's arm to comfort him.

"Though you did not die the death you sought. I can see you are an honorable man," she said.

"Fair Éowyn, if you can see honor in me, why can you not see your own?" he asked placing his hand over her soft white hand.

"Because I am merely a shieldmaiden of Rohan," she said.

"And I am merely a Captain of Gondor."

"Are you not Steward of the City?"

"As I have said before, I have not yet taken authority of the City."

"Either way, I sense honor within you," Faramir smiled at Éowyn's observation.

Éowyn returned his smile, and her heart was pleased that she could bring a smile upon Faramir's face.

As both found comfort in each other, both looked again toward the east with an inkling of hope still burning in their hearts.