The evening that the two envoys arrived, Éomer decided to try to make amends for his sister's suspicious behavior by inviting Castamir and Calimehtar to join him in his evening meal. At supper Éowyn sat as close to her brother and as far from the two foreigners as possible. Lothíriel, on the other hand, was quite engaged in discussion with them. Éowyn found that kind of trust to be pitiful.

The guests departed, after the meal was extended with a few draughts of ale, and Lothíriel had also gone to visit the other Queen, leaving the brother and sister to talk. Éomer leaned back, looking intently at his sister. "You see," he said, "they are just visitors, that is all. They want to discuss something with your husband, not kill us all."

Éowyn did not look convinced. "If they want so badly to discuss something of such importance as to seek Faramir, why do they not wish to see Arwen?"

Éomer chuckled, much to his sister's annoyance. "Perhaps they know what a expectant she-Elf is like. If what Aragorn has told me is true -"

"You all think she has been unreasonable, but i do not. If Faramir promised me that he would be back before moonrise and he was not i would be livid too. She has a right to expect that her husband will be true to his word. You men are all the same!" she said heatedly, standing and all but marching out of the dining hall in anger.

Éomer silently lifted his goblet in a toast to his brother-in-law's bravery and decided to go have a look at his niece and nephew, hoping that they would not take on their mother's temper.

Éowyn went directly to the 6th level stables, deciding that a ride would do her well. She always felt more comforted with her horse than she did other people. Windfola never questioned or doubted her.

As she was adjusting the reins and saddle, a smooth voice greeting her caused her to draw her sword almost involuntarily. Since last summer Éowyn was still uncomfortable being in a stable alone, though she refused to let anyone know it.

"My apologies, fair Lady, i did not intend to frighten you," Castamir said, bowing in request for forgiveness as was the custom in Harad. Éowyn said nothing though, and Castamir approached cautiously. "I, too, came to escape the city for a time," he said, "perhaps i might accompany you? A lady should not ride alone in the night."

"I can take care of myself," she practically spat. Yet she was not sure that she wanted to refuse the request. Neither Castamir nor Calimehtar seemed to have any sort of maliciousness about them, and Éowyn was beginning to feel guilty for judging them so quickly. She decided she would allow Castamir to ride with her, reasoning that she could at least defend herself better on horseback than alone in a stable, if it came to that. Even though she knew well that there were always many riders stationed nearby.

Departing the city, Éowyn decided to ride toward the river for a while. If Castamir so desired to join her it would be up to him, but she said nothing and her companion did not seem to mind her silence. She thought it rather a relief as compared to always being asked by Faramir if she was well at times when she preferred to be quiet. Though he asked out of concern, most times she had taken it for an acerbic remark.

After some while of watching the stars reflections go rushing by in the stream of the Anduin, Éowyn turned to go back home. It was only a moment before her guest attendant caught up with her. "You are a truly brave woman, Lady Éowyn," Castamir said honestly. "I greatly admire you for that." Night had fallen deep and dark and Éowyn did not see the little smile he wore.

She was quiet still for a moment, before replying, "I have had to be brave, Lord Castamir, i have not had another choice. Though others would surely prefer it had i had."

Castamir spoke again, this time just a little softer. "It is difficult for me to imagine anyone thinking that you should be any different. A fire dwells in your heart, fair Lady. Surely it is not the Steward who wishes you to be otherwise?"

As she rode on Éowyn considered Castamir's question. "I once thought he did not, but now i am inclined to think differently. Faramir is a man for whom public appearance is a matter of great importance. He seems to feel that one must always live up to, and indeed significantly exceed, the expectations of others to be of any worth. I believe that i am seen as a disgrace to him and likely to all of this kingdom. Men of Gondor are expected to take wives who do little and speak less, and from all i can tell, the only purpose marriage in Gondor has is the propagation of the kingdom. Though, it is not always necessary for that either."

Before she realized it, Éowyn was pouring out her thoughts to this stranger from the south. Fortunately they had come again to the city gates and she had an excuse to stop her tirade. "I offer my apologies, Lord Castamir," she said. "I hope i did not give you the wrong impression of my husband. He is the finest diplomat in Middle-earth and a very generous man. I am sure that he will see you and assist you immediately upon his return. Allow me to thank you for accompanying me, this evening."

"I allow it and more, fair Lady Éowyn! To receive thanks from you is being granted an honor. Though, the highest honor would be to have your permission to accompany you again soon," he said sounding hopeful.

Éowyn smiled broadly. "I should like that, my Lord. I will seek for you the next time i wish to ride."

Castamir thanked her and bowed deeply, whereupon he parted to return to the Merry Widow as she went onward to home and her children who she now hoped had not missed her too greatly.

---

linda: Yeah, i think he got his point across pretty well. He intends to stay around for a little while longer, just to make sure, though.

I think the chapter will include more on Faramir and Belthil. It willdefinitely be a bit of good inFaramir's life, to have a connection to his beloved brother. The Steward is going to be in need ofsuch bits of good before too long.

grumpy: You don't seem very grumpy to me, you always give me good reviews! Anyway, i definitely think Boromir could have produced kids. He was 41 when he was killed, it really just stands to reason.

To those who have not read Chaos Theory (found on my bio page thingy) the next chapter will relate to a scene from that story. You might want to read Chapter 50, Mother Dear, No One Cares About Love, but i will do all i can to make it not a necessity.