Hi!

I know I said I would upload this yesterday, but I had to re-write a large portion of it, because it wasn't true to the characters. I like this version a lot better, but it's not perfect.

About the cliffhanger 'ducks as readers throw rotten tomatoes at her' I'm sorry, I had to do it! 'Hides behind conveniently placed crate as readers continue to fire them at her' Here… here's the next chapter. Now read it and leave this poor innocent authoress to her ramblings…

Oh btw, if anyone was wondering what the reference to a David Wenham part in the previous chapter was, it was

"The next thing you'll be telling me that you wrestle the great sea-beasts of Dol Amroth."

David Wenham played Diver Dan on the Australian T.V. show Seachange for two years, from 1998 to 2000. Diver Dan was a retired shark wrestler. (Yes, I am scary to know that. I have a teensy little obsession with the man. But it's not as if I know his life story or anything…. Youngest child of a large family. Loadsa sisters. Only one brother. One daughter: Eliza Jane Wenham born in 2003. Ahem… moving on…)

Reviewer responses at the end.

XXXX

Faramir jogged down the corridor leaving a despondent Grima in his wake. He took several off-shooting corridors until finally he was in the right wing of the tower. He stopped suddenly and groaned under his breath when he saw Endara walking towards him.

"Good evening my Lord," she purred when she reached him. She lifted her hand for him to kiss, and he regretfully took it. A thought occurred to him as he did so.

"What are you doing in the visitors section of the tower, Lady Endara?" he asked.

"Oh," she laughed, "I had a little too much wine and got turned around when I went to get some air."

Somehow, the excuse didn't ring true to Faramir's ears, and he made a conscious move to disengage her hand from his shoulder. (How she had gotten it there, he never knew.)

"If you'll excuse me, I am actually looking for someone," he told her.

"You have found someone," Endara answered, trying to keep her frustration at the Captain from showing. This wasn't going as she planned. He was supposed to wish to stop and talk with her, not run away in search of 'someone'. Endara knew full well that Faramir was looking for that… that… that Éowyn. Endara truly hated the girl. She was making Endara's job that much more difficult.

Faramir smiled slightly at the joke, more out of habit and well-learned manners than amusement.

"I am looking for the Lady Éowyn of Rohan. I need to speak to her."

"Oh yes, Lady Éowyn," Endara gushed. "Such a sweet child, isn't she? So young. So innocent and unsure. Such a little pet."

It galled Endara to say such things about one whom she despised but it was necessary. She hoped that by emphasizing how young and inexperienced Éowyn was, Faramir would think twice about running off to her.

And it seemed to work for a moment. Faramir seemed to falter for a second, and in that second, Endara wound her arm tighter around Faramir's.

"She is so young…" Faramir murmured to himself, but then visibly shook himself. "It matters not. I still must speak to her."

He tried to step around her again, but Endara grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

"Lord Faramir, let me speak plainly," she said, pulling him around so he was eye-to-eye with her. "Ever since our first meeting, I have found myself drawn to you. You are a kind and honourable man."

Faramir sensed where this was going, and tried to stop it.

"Lady Endara…" he began, but was cut off.

"Please, call me Endara," she asked him, and then cocked her head to one side as if listening for something. Faramir attempted to do the same, but was surprised when Endara pressed herself up against him. Before Faramir could react, she kissed him… hard.

For a few seconds, Faramir stood immobile as she kissed him. He was shocked. He never thought that she would have the gall to do as she was doing. He thought he heard a noise down the hall, and he turned his head and broke the kiss.

But when he turned, there was no one there.

Endara was pouting because he had broken away from her. Faramir was fuming. The nerve of that woman! He had made no moves towards her, and yet she threw herself at him in that wanton way!

He moved back angrily.

"You over step your bounds, Lady Endara," he told her, anger making his voice quiver. "I have given you no reason to believe that I wish to court you, and yet you act in this shameless way!"

"But my Lord," she pouted, "I love you. I…"

"Do you think me blind?" Faramir interrupted. "Do you think me a fool? I see right through you. And let me tell you, you will not advance your wealth and place in society through me!"

Endara stared. She had never seen him enraged before. He was actually quite attractive when he was angry… However, what he had said needed to be addressed, immediately.

"How dare you speak to me in such a manner!"

"I speak the truth! If someone had walked in on us, I would have had no choice but to marry you! But, that was your plan all along! Well, you failed."

Endara seethed, but smiled slightly inside. He did not know that Éowyn had seen them. Indeed, she had followed the child and timed it so that she came upon them when she kissed him. If Endara couldn't have him, then Éowyn certainly wasn't getting her prize.

"I have not failed!" she retorted. "You think I give a damn about you wishes? Think again. We will be married my Lord, because you will be given no choice. My father is ill tonight and cannot be disturbed, but tomorrow I'm sure he will be very interested in you grabbing me in the hallways and kissing me, though I protested!" she hissed.

Faramir stared at her in shock. He couldn't believe someone could stoop that low.

"It'll be your word against mine!" he told her, emotion clouding his usually clear-thinking brain.

"Oh I'm sure I can find a few maids to act as witnesses," Endara told him airily, but anger burned in her eyes. "Never underestimate the power that gold has over those that have none." She picked up her skirts and ran down the hall, leaving a very confused and desolated Faramir in her wake.

Faramir stared blindly at the spot where she had just been. For a moment, he had glimpsed the real Endara, not the face she put on to show the world. He had seen the vicious, cold, calculating female for who she was.

And she had him ensnared.

If she told her father that he kissed her, and somehow managed to produce witnesses that confirmed that, then he was honour bound to marry her. If he refused, then he would be considered a letch, or worse… He couldn't dishonour his family name or himself that way. He was well and truly trapped.

The pain and anguish of the thought of a lifetime bound to that witch washed over him, and he stumbled blindly down the corridor and down the stairs.

Somehow he found himself in his mother's garden. He sank down on the stone bench under the large tree and rested his head against the rough bark. He stared unseeing out at the city, as the full horror of what would happen overcame him. He saw his father's reaction, his brother's, Éowyn's…

Oh Gods! Éowyn!

He would be torn from her forever. He would never get the chance to tell her how he felt.

XXXXX

It was under the tree that Boromir found him. When Faramir hadn't returned to the party, Boromir had gone out to look for him. After an extensive search (including Éowyn's room, but he could hear Éomer and Théodred in there, so he left them) he finally found his brother in their mother's garden.

Faramir looked awful. He was pale and drawn, and his eyes were troubled as they stared out across the Pelennor. Boromir's thoughts went immediately to Éowyn as he ran over to his little brother.

"Faramir," he said softly, sitting down beside him, "are you alright?" Faramir didn't speak, just shook his head.

"What did Éowyn say?" Boromir asked, mistakenly thinking that Éowyn had rejected his little brother.

"I never got to speak to Éowyn," Faramir whispered.

"You didn't? Then why…?" Boromir broke off as a shiver ran through Faramir, and he put an arm around his younger sibling.

"Ok, tell me what happened," he ordered Faramir. So, haltingly at first, Faramir began the tale.

By the end, Boromir was shaking with rage.

"That shameless bitch!" he exclaimed. "I cannot believe that someone would be so cold and malicious." His face hardened and he turned to Faramir.

"What are you going to do?" he asked him.

Faramir shrugged in despair. "I don't know. I can't think…"

Boromir stood and pulled his brother up behind him.

"Faramir, listen to me. Forget all feelings. Get rid of the despair and horror, if just for a moment. Clear your mind. Think logically! What can you do?"

"I don't know!" Faramir threw his hands up in anguish. "All I know is that she will lie, cheat, bribe and blackmail her way to marriage."

The brothers subsided into silence, as they searched their brains for something… anything to work with.

"You could go to Father first, and have him speak to her father?" Boromir suggested.

"Wouldn't work. He knows I don't like her, but when the honour of a son of the House of Hurin is concerned… No. I've got to figure this out without him. I have to think of a way to stop her going to her father."

"I'm at a loss Fara. This has never happened to me."

"What? No ambitious young lady wanting to ensnare the heir to the Stewardship?"

Boromir laughed slightly. "Oh, there were a few in the beginning. But none went to these lengths. Besides, I'm married to the army. It's my life. The ladies figured that out pretty fast."

The two lapsed into silence again for a few moments.

"You could always threaten her," Boromir joked, and Faramir laughed humourlessly. Neither of them had ever laid a hand on a woman in anger, and Faramir wasn't about to start now.

But…

"It could work," Faramir whispered.

Boromir looked shocked. "I was joking Faramir," he told him.

Faramir looked up. "What? Oh really Boromir. You know I could never physically hurt her. I'd die her before I did that! But desperate times call for desperate measures. I'm thinking of…"

A commotion in the entrance to the garden interrupted Faramir and startled the brothers. Éomer and Théodred were storming towards the brothers, murder written on their expressions.

"There he is!" exclaimed Éomer, and before anyone could react, he punched Faramir, sending him sprawling.

"That is for my sister, you son of an Orc!" he shouted.

"What? What do you mean?" Faramir was confused. He had not seen the blow coming, and had been unprepared for the strength of the young man. His jaw ached and his head hurt where he had hit it off the ground.

"What do I mean?" Éomer asked incredulous. "He's asking what I mean!"

"He means, Lord Faramir," Théodred practically spat the name, "that you have a lot of nerve stringing Éowyn along when you were involved with another woman. And don't give me any crap about you not knowing how she felt about you," he continued before Faramir could interrupt, "because no one is that blind!"

Théodred and Éomer began shouting at the same time, causing a commotion.

"Wait, wait, wait," Boromir yelled over the din. "Be quiet!" he shouted.

"Now, first off, Faramir here honestly didn't have a clue. I told him tonight and he was knocked for six. He honestly didn't know. Secondly, Faramir is not involved with another woman!"

"Then why was Éowyn crying her heart out in her room because she saw him kissing some woman in the corridor? She's heartbroken!" Éomer yelled.

Faramir paled visibly.

"Valar! She saw me with Endara!" he whispered. "She's going to think…"

"See!" Théodred shouted triumphantly. "He even admits it!"

"I have to talk to her," Faramir said running for the door. Unfortunately, he found his was blocked by two very strong, very irate young men from Rohan.

"If you think we are letting you near her after what you have put her through, then you have another thing coming!" Éomer growled.

"To think, I once looked on you as a brother," Théodred added in disgust.

Faramir felt a knife twist in his heart at the words. He loved the two in front of him like brothers, and it hurt to hear them say that to him.

But, he had to get to Éowyn. He had to talk to her.

"Boromir, please explain," he begged as he finally ducked past the cousins and sprinted down the hall. He ran full tilt down the hall until he skidded to a stop outside Éowyn's door.

"Éowyn, Éowyn. Open up!" he begged, knocking on the door. The only response he got was the low click of the latch coming down on the opposite side of the door, effectively locking him out.

"Éowyn, please," he pleaded, "Listen to me. I'm not leaving until you do. I can explain. I…"

"Lord Faramir!" Faramir turned to see one of his rangers Anborn running down the corridor towards him.

"Not now!" Faramir insisted, but Anborn kept running.

"Lord Faramir, I have been looking for you," Anborn panted slightly as he came to a halt beside him. "Indeed, I have been running around for the last hour in search of you. Your father requests your presence."

Faramir's blood ran cold. Could Endara have moved that fast? He wouldn't put it past her.

"Did he say what it was about?" he asked shakily.

Anborn nodded. "There have been reports of a large band of Orcs traveling across Gondor, and into Ithilien. They are being joined by Southrons and Easterlings. We know not what chaos they will cause in villages along the way. Your father needs our company to depart at dawn to handle the problem."

Faramir resisted the urge to scream in frustration. This was not fair! He needed a chance to explain to Éowyn what she had seen. But, he knew that his duty to his country came above his own personal happiness, and that he had to go.

"Éowyn, I will be back," he promised to the closed door.

If Anborn thought it odd for his captain to be standing outside a woman's door begging to be forgiven he said nothing of it.

The two set off at a run down the corridor, towards Denethor's study.

Faramir only hoped that Éowyn had heard him.

XXXX

Éowyn had in fact heard every word that had been said outside her door. She was sitting on the ground with her back pressed to the door, trying to stem the flow of tears. When he left, she shakily stood and moved over to the bed. She cast herself down on the white covers and closed her eyes.

She had been crying hysterically when Éomer and Théodred had found her. She had sobbed out the whole tale to them, and they set off to put Faramir straight. For once, she was glad of their over-protectiveness, as she wanted to be alone.

And then, Faramir had shown up, claiming he could explain. Éowyn could only think of one explanation for what she saw, and it was one that broke her heart.

Faramir loved another, one unworthy of his affections.

XXXX

Faramir slipped along the now darkened halls of the White Tower. His father had ordered him to depart the city at dawn, and Faramir had a lot of preparation to do. But first, he had to go to Éowyn.

He came to a stop outside her door, and knocked lightly. Through the door, he could hear the sound of deep, even breathing and Faramir knew that Éowyn was sleeping. He didn't have the heart to disturb her slumber, so he silently turned and went back down the hall.

When he reached his own rooms, he began to pack but his mind was still troubled. Abandoning the task, he sat down at his desk and began to write.

XXXX

Dawn was fast approaching when Faramir closed the door to his room silently. He quickly went through the door to Boromir's adjoining room and went inside. Boromir was sprawled over his bed, his head buried under the pillows. Faramir shook him awake gently as not to startle him.

"Faramir... Wha…?" Boromir mumbled when his eyes focused.

"Boromir, I have to leave for Ithilien. My company has a band of Orcs to deal with. I won't get to see Endara before I go."

"But that means you…"

"No. Boromir, I need you to listen to me very carefully. You have to do this for me.'"

Boromir nodded, wide awake now as he listened to is brother.

XXXX

Éowyn didn't remember falling asleep, but she must have because when she opened her eyes again the pale light of morning was streaming through the window.

So, Faramir had not returned as he had promised he would. She felt a knife twist in her heart, and wished she could go asleep again and forget the pain.

A loud knocking on the door startled her, even more so when her uncle called through the door.

"Éowyn, let me in," he called. She hurried over to lift the latch, and her uncle stepped into the room.

"Gather your things," he told her. "We leave the city by noon."

"Leave?" she gasped. "Uncle, why leave?"

"Because we will not stay where we are not wanted. I am tired of Denethor's suspicions, and allegations. He is a fool! I refuse to be allied to one who sees shadows everywhere, even in the company of friends. He is going insane!" Théoden exclaimed.

"Forgive me, Sister-Daughter," he begged once he calmed down. "I did not mean to burden you so, nor scare you if in fact I did." He came over and pulled her into a hug. "Say goodbye to your friends. We must leave soon, and I do not know when we will be back."

He was walking out the door when he suddenly stopped. He bent down and picked something up off the floor.

"Éowyn," he said, confused. "There is a letter here for you. It must have been slipped under your door during the night."

In other circumstances, Theoden would have been very wary of a letter being sent to Éowyn under her door, but his mind was so occupied that he couldn't give it much thought. He handed Éowyn the white parchment envelope, and headed out the door. Éowyn's heart skipped a beat when she recognized the handwriting.

Faramir.

She shut the door, and tore open the letter, for even though it pained her, she had to hear what he had to say.

Dearest Blossom,

I have just finished preparing to leave the city for Ithilien. I do not wish to leave without explaining to you what you saw, but I must. There have been reports of a large band of creatures roaming Ithilien, and it is up to my company to stop them. I know I should not write of such things, as many times they are secret, but I trust you, my little Blossom. You will not reveal any details.

I returned to your chamber, but I could hear you breathing deeply in sleep, but I could not disturb you. However, neither could I leave without explaining what you saw.

I will say this in all honesty… there is nothing between Lady Endara and myself. Let me explain. As the younger son, I do not stand to inherit much. However, my mother knew this and on her death bed, she left me the money her father had given her when she married my father. But Denethor had told her to keep it to use as she wanted, so she kept it for me. The story is well known, as is the fact that it is quite a large amount of money.

Endara knows this. She has it in her head that she wishes to wed me, whether I like it or not. I promise you, I do not.. What you chanced upon was a planned meeting on her part. Boromir will explain the rest, as he knows all the particulars and I have not the time to write it all as I still have to pack.

Suffice it to say that I harbour no feelings for Endara, other than contempt.

In fact, there is but one whom I think I could feel for, and that is you, my little Blossom.

You have always been important to me, and during the past few days, I have felt myself drawn towards you. Towards your strength, your humour, your smile… You are one of a kind Éowyn, daughter of Éomund. You are very special.

As I am writing this, relations between my father and your uncle (and therefore our two countries) are breaking down, and I fear that it will be many years before we shall meet again, if ever. Is it cruel to write what I feel when I know we may not see each other again for years? I do not know. Maybe it is, but I had to say it.

Know that you will always hold a special place in my heart.

We could have had something very special Blossom.

Tell your uncle, brother and cousin goodbye from me, and tell them I wish them well.

Until we meet again Éowyn,

Yours,

Faramir.

By the time Éowyn had finished the letter, she was in tears again. There was nothing between Faramir and that Endara woman. She believed him. He would not tell her such a blatant lie.

But, most importantly, he had feelings for her. Faramir had feelings for her. She cried at the bittersweet sadness of it all.

She would not see him again for years. She could feel it in her heart.

Éowyn quickly dressed and went in search of Boromir.

XXXXX

Boromir escorted the White Lady of Rohan down to the waiting carriage at the entrance to the seventh level. She was very quiet, and he was not surprised. She had a lot to think about. She had told him about the letter, and he had explained to her Endara's plot.

He also told her of how Faramir was beginning to fall in love with her. He explained how Faramir had been worried about the age difference, and the fact that she was so young, but he had fallen for her anyway.

So it was a very subdued lady that he embraced before she stepped into the carriage, and he didn't blame her. She had a lot to think about. He was saddened, because he knew he may never see her or her family again. Boromir said his goodbyes to her family and it was with a heavy heart that he waved his friends off.

He was just going to go back inside when he spied Endara approach the Citadel. She had a smug look on her face that Boromir just wanted to wipe off. In all his life, he had never raised a hand to a woman in anger, and he never would. But, by Valar, she would tempt a saint to do harm.

He followed her as she entered the tower.

He had to stop her before she ruined his brother's life.

XXXX

Grima rode behind the carriage as the exited the city and started out across the Pelennor. He was worried for Éowyn. She was hurting, he knew it. She hadn't even protested when Lord Boromir placed her in the carriage, which in itself was a sign for Grima.

Normally, she fought tooth and nail to ride freely beside her brother, but today, she was subdued.

It was all Faramir's fault. He had hurt her in some way. He didn't deserve her affection.

'But you do.'

The voice echoed in his mind, and Grima shook his head to clear it.

Ever since his ordeal in Fangorn, the voice had been an almost constant companion. He had stumbled into the forest in a blind panic. But it seemed to him as if he stumbled straight out again, but four days had passed! He had no memory of his time there, but the voice had made its appearance not long after. He had never told anyone for fear of being labeled as insane, but the voice didn't go away. In fact, it got louder.

His thoughts returned to Éowyn, the beautiful and brave Éowyn. The one he knew he would never have.

'Who says you cannot have her? Yes, she is brave and beautiful. But, she is lonely. She can be yours.'

The voice echoed again, and Grima tried to ignore the temptation in the words, but as the voice continued, the found himself sinking more and more into the darkness….

XXXX

Endara marched smugly through the White Tower towards Lord Denethor's office. She had overslept for once in her life, and her father had been gone when she had awoken. This however, would be better.

Her father would be in Denethor's office, discussing business with him. She would tell him of her and Faramir's 'love' in the presence of Faramir's father, and then their marriage would be secured.

She reached the study door, and stopped for a moment to smooth her hair before entering. She raised a hand to knock at the door but a cold voice stopped her.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

She whipped around to face the intruder, and found Lord Boromir standing in the shadows.

"Oh excuse me, my Lord" she twittered. "I did not see you there." She swiftly appraised him. He was a fine specimen of a man. Perhaps once she was married, they could get better acquainted.

"That was because you were to intent on you plan to notice anyone else," he answered. He noticed the look she gave him, and it sickened him. She was probably thinking of getting 'better acquainted' with him when she was married to his baby brother.

Well, over his dead body.

On both counts.

"I do not know what you mean, my Lord." Endara said nervously. Boromir could cause a problem.

"I'm talking about your plan to marry my brother, you cold, conniving witch. Drop the act Lady Endara. It will not work on me. I know all. Faramir told me everything."

Endara briefly considered feigning ignorance, but decided against it. He was a strong man. She did not wish to push him.

"Fine, the act is gone," she told him. "Now, if you'll excuse me, my father and future father-in-law await."

"I think not," Boromir warned, stepping out of the shadows to loom over her.

"And how do you intent to stop me? Hmm? The servants have been bribed. The plan is set. There is nothing you can say to change my mind. I will marry your brother, and share in his fortune."

"There is nothing I can say, is there? Well Endara, I have one word for you."

"Really? And what is that?" she asked sarcastically.

Boromir simply said "Cadeth."

Endara visibly paled as Boromir spoke aloud the name of her former lover. How did he know? If this got out, her reputation would be ruined, and she would never make a good match. Best to play dumb.

"I don't know what you mean my Lord," she told him.

Boromir grin was positively feral. He knew he had her now.

"Well then, let me refresh your memory. You had an affair with a ranger named Cadeth. It was a very passionate on by all accounts, but your father would 'not be pleased' at such behaviour. Now, if you go in there and tell your father some lie about you and my brother, then I will march right in beside you and lay the truth out in the table before your father. And we all know what his reaction would be, don't we?

"You bastard!" she hissed. "How did you know?"

"Faramir told me. You foolishly had an affair with a ranger who is under Faramir's command and he was injured recently, though thankfully not too seriously. When a man is delirious from pain and medication, he tends to babble. Faramir was visiting him in the Houses of Healing when he was babbling, and he heard everything."

"Everything?" Endara gulped, her face drained of colour.

"Everything," Boromir confirmed. "Tell me, do you really have a strawberry coloured birth mark on your hip?" he asked her, stifling a laugh at her expression.

Endara felt the world spin around her. He had proof! None knew of the birth-mark save those who had seen her naked. Her plans… Her carefully made plans were crumbling down around her. If word of the affair got out, she was ruined.

If even a rumour of an affair tainted her reputation, she was doomed. She would be forced to marry a ranger. The thought disgusted her. Valar, a ranger! He could not afford the lovely things she needed to survive.

Endara felt like screaming in frustration, and it showed in her face.

"Excellent," Boromir said, feeling very proud of himself (and rightly so.) "Now, stay away from my brother, our family, and our friends and this information will stay between us, alright? If you come near me or mine again, it will go ill for you. Do you understand?" Boromir's voice was deathly serious, and Endara felt a shiver run down her spine. This man meant business. She dare not cross him. He had the power to ruin her.

"I understand," she told him dejectedly.

"Excellent," he replied cheerfully. "Have a nice day now" he said as he sauntered away, whistling to himself.

Endara stood for a moment in the hall, cursing him and all the Gods above for thwarting her plans.

XXXX

Éowyn sat next to the campfire, staring up at the stars. It was their first night out of Minas Tirith and this was the first time she had been outside of the carriage all day. Éomer and Théodred kept on giving her concerned glances in the firelight, but Éowyn was too entranced by the tiny pin-pricks of light above.

She never tired of the stars. They seemed especially beautiful tonight. She thought of Faramir, and the letter which she had read fifty times since leaving Minas Tirith.

He had feelings for her, but his duty called, and he had to leave. She would not see him again for several years.

"Be safe and well," she whispered to the stars. "May the Valar protect you."

She missed Faramir already.

XXXX

Faramir sat under a tree a small glade on the edges of Ithilien. They were resting here for the night, for tomorrow, they would begin their hunt in earnest. He stared up at the night sky and thought of Éowyn.

Did she get his letter?

Did she read it?

Did she speak to Boromir?

Did she believe him?"

These and a thousand more questions raced through his mind as he stared up at the stars. They seemed especially bright tonight, sharp and clear like Éowyn's eyes.

A yawn overtook him, surprising him. Faramir hadn't realized how tired he was until just that moment. He had gotten no sleep the night before, and was suddenly drained.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

"May the grace of the Valar protect you until we meet again, my Blossom," he whispered to the stars before settling down and trying to sleep.

He missed Éowyn already.

XXXXX

And so ends another chapter. We're going to skip seven years, cos they don't meet again until then.

I know a few people have commented that it was kinda creepy for him to love her when she is only 16, and yeah in one way it is a little. But the way I see it, it is like a medieval society. Women married young there. (Anne Boleyn's sister Mary was married when she was 12 to a guy in his twenties) I'm not condoning it, but I'm just making the point that it was common in the past to have such an age difference. I'm basing the morality level on a medieval. True love knows no age limits though. Besides, Faramir could never be creepy. He's too cute for that.

Oh and don't worry. Endara will be back in a few chapters, and get the slapping/kicking/punching she deserves. Yay! If anyone wants to give me any suggestions of what to do the fight does happen, let me know. Me, I'm just thinking of having Éowyn slap her until her arm goes numb.

Vor Tirla Laime: Ooh, Orcs. Good idea. Can I count on you to lead the charge?

Rana Nique: Thanks for reviewing! If you want hints on how to worship me, I take cash, credit cards… Only kidding. Seriously, thank you for reviewing. I hope you enjoy the rest.

Susan W: Thank you so much for all your reviews. I'm bowled over! And I really appreciate the criticism. (Seriously, I do.) It helps me write better. Thank you for your kind comments. I'm glad you like it. Sorry I had to leave you on a cliffie though. It just seemed to be the right way to end it. I hope you enjoy the rest.

Smez: Ah, true love knows no age limits…. Also it works for the story (hehehe) Thanks for reviewing. I hope you like the rest.

SpiritofEowyn: Don't worry, she will get her comeuppance. Not for a while yet, but I promise you at the very least a really good bitch-slap.

Elenhin: I know. It is IMPOSSIBLE to find Dust, or Better than Sex, or anything like that. (Unfortunately I do have Moulin Rouge, but the less said about that the better) It's a pain! Well, I hope you like how I've portrayed Grima. He's an interesting character to write. Lots of possibility. Endara is evil, isnt she? She deserves a good kicking!

Sidhe-Ranma: I am rather evil, aren't I? Hope you like how I finished the chapter this time. No cliffhanger.

Dsjchica: Wow, the general consensus is that Endara should either a) be slapped, b) punched or c) killed. Oh, the possibilities… Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy the rest.

Chickenhead: Thank you! Everyone seems to like Grima. The way I see it, if Grima started out looking, acting and speaking like he did in the movies (Well done Brad Dourif by the way. EXCELLENTLY portrayed) who in their right minds would even let him NEAR the king? Never mind becoming an advisor? Common sense people!

TheDaughterofKings: I take it you are referring to Miss Bingley from Pride and Prejudice. Man, she is classic! I'm glad you like it. It is actually going to be longer than I expected, but it won't be, like, fifty chapters long or anything. I don't have that much concentration.

Yerathiel: Cliffhangers are evil, aren't they? That's why I like them. I'm evil. Mwah ha ha! Thank you for reviewing. I hope you like the rest of it.

WenhamWonderer: I never thought of having Éowyn dram it, it certainly would have made it a whole lot easier to write. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed it.

Fealaurin: Sorry to leave you at such a crucial moment! I hope you enjoy the update. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Jedi Master Calriel: I know, I know. I'm mean. I'm evil. If you want me to stop writing cos I'm so mean….

Flowerbee1: I agree somewhat. He is a bit too old for her. That's why I wrote it like I did. They will be separated for a length of time. Then, she'll be all grown up. (And Faramir will be even more gorgeous than ever)

Rebby: Hey, no problem. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the suggestion. It helped me give back story to the characters and their interaction. Sorry to disappoint, but it was Faramir. I had to make it convincing.

Ziroana: Well, the ass kicking will come in later chapters. At the very least, I can promise you a good bitch-slap.

Lackwit: You know me so well. Of course he didn't mean to do it. He's just waylaid by a hussy cos he's a hottie. Don't blame her really on one level. I know, my spelling sucks. The spell check on my computer is set to American standards, but I spell things the Irish way and it gets confused. Poor thing. Good point about Théodred. I never really thought about it that way. I'm gonna use that when she shows up later on. Thank you for all your helpful comments and thank you for reviewing.

GreyEyedFighter: I can do it because I'm evil. Mwah ha ha! 'starts laughing like an evil genius(I'm thinking Dr. Evil from Austen Powers), but gets a coughing fit I the middle' I'm ok… cough cough.

Tasya: Well, it's not exactly like you described. She did understand what happened. But yeah, they are going to be apart for seven years. Sorry! Anyway, hope you read on and don't leave me cos of one little thing. Wait… where are you going… nnnnoooo! Stay! 'grabs on to leg' I've got you now! Hahahahahhahahhhhahahahhaha

ClapToSaveTheFaries: Never looked at things that way. Yeah, poor Éowyn. She does have the worst luck with men (but the best taste. Faramir and Aragorn... mmmm) Don't worry. My muse is having LOTS of fun coming up with inventive ways to bitch slap/ kick/punch etc Endara. Wow, people really hate her. Thanks for reviewing. I hope you like the rest of it.

Thank you sincerely to EVERYONE who reviewed or read. I really, really, really, really appreciate it. You all rock so much!

Reviews are my life's blood.

Flames are my kryptonite

R&R please

ForeverFaramir