Hello again! I think this is a faster update than normal.
Reviewer Responses
Forever Faramir: I really can't answer you without giving away the story, which should tell you something. Sorry, but Faramir will get hurt. That is just the way Faramir-angst is.
Elenhin: Elladen thanks you for your suggestion and is trying that right now. Unfortunately Evil Skittle is in possession of a mouse, and the oliphaunt is not cooperating with the mini-Balrog.
Caroly: Glad you like the story! And if you're thinking what I think you're thinking, there is another hint in this chapter. But you won't find out the answer till much later.
flowerbee1: I'm glad you count this story among the good ones!
arwens-light: Can't tell you if you guessed right, but it is kinda obvious isn't it? I like Far and Away, but I tend to get befuddled if there are too many chapters in a story. (which is the pot calling the kettle black since Faramir's Story is over 30 chapters) Anyway, a sequel or a totally new story would be great! I can't wait to read it!
Wenham-Wonderer: Elladen would appreciate any help he can get, thanks.
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
"Good morning sister! I hope you had a good night's sleep."
Éowyn glared at her brother. It was early morning and she wasn't feeling well at all. "If I was not feeling like last night's dinner wants to see the light of day again, I'd throttle you." Éowyn pulled her cloak tightly around her to try and calm her queasy stomach.
"It is your own fault, love." Faramir came up behind her and kissed her cheek. "I keep telling you that eating blackberry preserves with everything is bound to make anyone nauseated."
Éowyn growled. "And after I throttle my dear brother, you are next."
Éomer laughed. "Well then, if we are done threatening death to everyone who speaks, I think it is time for breakfast. Ham, eggs, and porridge, as well as nice juicy sausages.
Éowyn began turning green. "I think I will pass."
"Suit yourself, love. Éomer and I will save some for you for when you regain your appetite. I am sure it will not be long."
Before Éowyn could say anything, the three heard a commotion outside. A small, dark man was arguing with the guards, insisting that he be allowed to speak with the King. "Hold, Ádhelm. I would hear what this man has to say."
Ádhelm, Éomer's doorwarden, bowed and reluctantly permitted the man to speak. "Your Highness, I do not mean to bother you, but my son... he is sick, dying. He is very young, sire, not even past his sixth year. I have heard of the healing powers of the White Lady who is visiting with you, and I have come to beg for her help. I am a poor farmer and can not pay much, but I would gladly give all that I have if she would heal my son."
Éowyn's heart went out to the farmer. She turned to Éomer. "Brother, I will go and do what I can. I do not know if I can help, but I must try."
Faramir frowned. Something wasn't right. "Éowyn, I don't know..."
"I do not feel like eating breakfast this morning. You and Éomer eat and I will be back before lunch." She leaned up and kissed her husband. "Make sure there are plenty of blackberry preserves. I love you."
Faramir tried not to melt at his wife's touch. "I love you too. Be careful."
Éowyn smiled. "You are too overprotective, I can handle myself." Faramir gave her a stern look and she sighed in resignation. "Very well, I will bring a few guards with me."
After a small argument in which she agreed to take Captain Beregond and four others of the White Company, Éowyn followed the farmer out of the city. They were on foot, but Éowyn didn't mind. She thought the walk would be good for her. After a short while, Éowyn struck up a conversation with the farmer. "I am sorry, sir, but I have forgotten what you said your name was."
"I did not say." He hesitated and Éowyn smiled to encourage him. "I am a dairy farmer near the Snowbourne River. My name is Eistavar."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Farmer Eistavar. I hope I can help you." He gave her a strange smile and they continued walking in silence.
Only a few short miles out of Edoras, the small party reached a large clump of rocks. All at once, Eistavar stiffened. "What is it Farmer Eistavar?"
Fear grew in the man's eyes and he began trembling. "Hide!" he hissed at Éowyn at the guards before diving behind a large rock. Though puzzled, the others were quick to follow suite. Suddenly, all around them they heard the sounds of hoofbeats and the heavy footsteps of men. Yet they saw nothing but rising dust. Éowyn felt a cold darkness wash over her like an ocean wave and she shivered despite the summer heat.
All of a sudden the air rippled in front of Éowyn, and to her horror, men in black uniforms appeared out of nowhere, on foot and on horses. Horns blew and the sun glinted off steal blades as they were unsheathed. It was an army, numbering in the hundreds, perhaps thousands, and headed for Edoras. As the dark calvary thundered towards the city, Éowyn let out a cry and leapt to her feet only to be tackled to the ground by Eistavar, his hand covering her mouth. Beregond, the Captain of the White Company, tensed beside Éowyn, watching helplessly as the dark army broke through the Gate, the soldiers of Edoras caught unaware and off-guard. Éowyn lay numbly on the ground as the enemy swarmed her city like ants devouring a dead animal. Soon Edoras was completely surrounded by the dark army, the city itself infested by the unknown enemy. Another horn blew in triumph and the soldiers cheered. Éowyn's heart sunk, knowing the horn could mean only one thing. Éomer had been captured as well as the rest of his household. Including her husband. 'Faramir!'
The attack ended just a quickly as it had started. The rumble of horses and the yells of men had ceased, and Eistavar gently let go of Éowyn who stood up shakily, in shock at what had just happened. "My Lady we must go. They will scout the area and find us. We need to be away now." His words put fire back into Éowyn's heart and before anyone could stop her, she punched Eistavar in the face, sprawling him on the ground.
She pulled him up by his shirt. "You knew they were there, that is why you hid! You knew this was going to happen, yet you did nothing! Who are they, what do they want? Why did you not say anything before, why this lie about your son?"
"Please, my lady, I couldn't do anything else!"
"Couldn't do anything else? You could have warned the King about the attack."
The man trembled and his voice was only a whisper. "No... no nothing else could have been done. They would kill me, they will kill me for this."
Éowyn lowered her voice. "Who is 'they'?"
"The masters."
"Your masters?"
"Y... yes. They want revenge, they want the King and the Steward."
Éowyn's blood boiled. "Then why did you not warn them? You left them to die!"
"N... no, no! Th... the dark masters will not kill them, they want revenge. They said that death would be too easy. No, the King and Steward's lives are safe for now. B... but not yours, not yours. They have no use for you, they said they would just kill you. But I... I didn't let them. I got you away."
Beregond gently pulled Éowyn's hands away from Eistavar's neck, where they were heading. "My lady, he may have useful information. For now, we need him alive. And he is right, we must leave now."
"Leave? Faramir and Éomer are captured and you say we must leave?"
"My lady, we are too few to attempt to rescue them. We must seek the help of King Elessar."
Éowyn reluctantly agreed, then glared at Eistavar. "Very well, but I swear, if either of them die because of your cowardice, I will kill you with my own two hands."
Short chapter, but it was a good place to end. I hope you liked it!
