Last chapter! Though there is the epilogue after this. And if you're still wondering who dies, you'll have to keep reading.
A month had passed since the invasion of Edoras and the death of Pelatarn. The winter was mild like the years before, so many turned out to observe the wedding of King Éomer to the Lady Lothiriel on Midwinter's day. King Elessar and Queen Arwen arrived early, bearing a large amount of gifts for the happy couple. One of the happiest, and most surprising, events was the appearance of Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took the week before the wedding. The two hobbits had apparently decided to visit their friends in the South, with no knowledge of the events that were transpiring. Merry was especially distressed to have no wedding present for the couple and was seen often running around Edoras with Pippin, hoping to find the perfect gift.
The wedding went off without a hitch, and the radiant bride and bridegroom happily exchanged vows…and kisses. It is said that it was that day that Éomer acquired the name Éadig, Blessed, for it was the crowd's opinion that Lothiriel was more beautiful that day than even Queen Arwen.
Meanwhile Faramir continued to slowly heal from his wounds, both physical and mental. Though Elladan and Elrohir stayed in Edoras with him, Faramir found that the only one who could truly help him was Éowyn. Nightmares still plagued the Steward and at times he found himself suddenly lost in one of the twisted memories left by the darkness. Those times were truly scary for his family and friends, for his eyes would seem to be covered in shadow and his body would become rigid. Éowyn, though, could pull him out of the memory simply by whispering in his ear and touching his hand to her stomach which was beginning to bulge slightly.
Finally Éowyn decided that it would be better for all of them if she, Faramir, and the twins returned home to Ithilien. Éomer especially was saddened to see his sister and brother-by-marriage leave. The king of Rohan embraced his sister. "Journey well, and do not push yourself. I love you, Éowyn." Éowyn returned the same words before moving to say good-bye to Lothiriel. As she did this, Éomer gently pulled Faramir aside. The king couldn't help the twinge of guilt he felt as Faramir winced, his wounds still healing. "Can you forgive me, Faramir? For what happened here, for not doing as you asked?"
Faramir placed his pale hand on Éomer's shoulder. "First, I am glad you did not go through with what I asked or I would not be here. And there is nothing to forgive, none of this was your fault." The Steward attempted a smile though it didn't reach his eyes. "Trouble seems to follow me, and this apparently has followed me for many years. Éomer, you could have done nothing more than you did and I am honored to call you my brother."
Éomer smiled. "The honor is mine. My sister could not have chosen a better man for her husband."
Éowyn walked over to them, encircling her arm around Faramir's waist. "You speak truly, brother."
Lothiriel copied Éowyn's movement with her own husband. "Perhaps your next visit will be better. And we will try to be there for the birth of the baby. Until then."
Three and a half months later Faramir was sitting outside his wife's birthing room, trying to calm his nerves. Éowyn's time had come early, too early for Éomer and Lothiriel to arrive. Having heard tales of troubled births, Faramir feared what this meant for his wife and child. And for him, for he knew that if anything happened to them he would most likely not have the will to continue living.
Elladan and Elrohir, on the other hand, were not worried at all. Éowyn was strong and any child who could survive an attack of such darkness would be as strong as its parents. Elrohir, ever observant of his brother's health, watched his youngest brother from the other side of the room. The dark-haired elf leaned over to his twin, careful to keep his voice low. "This may be it."
Elladan knew what his brother was talking about. They had spoken of it before. It appeared to the twins that their foster brother had dramatically improved with each month of the pregnancy. Elrohir, as a healer, hypothesized that though a shadow of the darkness still had a hold on Faramir, it grew weaker and weaker as Faramir's love for Éowyn and the baby grew stronger. If Elrohir was right, the nightmare could soon be completely over.
Faramir winced as he heard his wife scream again. 'When will this be over? Please, Eru, keep my wife safe. May she and our child live through this.' At long last a new voice's screeching filled the room beyond the closed door. Faramir leapt to his feet and rushed forward, only his brothers keeping him from bursting into the room. It felt like eternity before the door opened and the mid-wife smiled and allowed Faramir to enter.
The Steward dashed into the room, only to freeze at the sight of his tired but glowing wife holding a bundle in her arms. Before Éowyn could speak, he had hurried forward and kissed her hard on the mouth. Breaking the contact, Faramir knelt by his wife's bedside and stared in awe at the little pink life Éowyn held. "Our daughter," he breathed softly. "She is beautiful."
Of course Éowyn agreed, but she was puzzled. "How did you know she was a girl? The mid-wife did not tell you."
Faramir shook his head. "No, she did not. I saw it. Months ago…when your love brought me back."
Somehow that did not surprise Éowyn who smiled and held the baby out to Faramir who was contentedly counting his daughter's little fingers. "Would you like to hold her?"
Faramir sucked in a breath. Suddenly he was all nerves. What if he dropped her? What if he didn't hold her right? Before he knew it, though, the babe was in his arms and he stood, gently rocking her. The little girl yawned and blinked her silver eyes at her father before falling fast asleep. And then Faramir did something that he had not done in nearly five months. He smiled, a real smile that reached his eyes. "She is beautiful," he turned his smile to Éowyn. "Like her mother. She will take after you."
Éowyn grinned; she didn't think she had ever been so happy in her life. "What should we name her? I believe you told me that you already had a name picked out."
Faramir gazed down at his tiny daughter, his eyes shining with love and pride. "Aewiel. My little bird."
He knelt again by Éowyn's side and they held the baby between them. "Aewiel. That is a beautiful name. Of course she needs a Rohirric name as well."
"Of course. Do you have something in mind?"
Éowyn smiled down at the new life they had created. "Léofa, for she is loved."
Faramir nodded. "And to remember that love conquers all darkness." He kissed Éowyn on the cheek and returned to staring at his daughter, his hope. His Little Bird.
