A/N

I am so sorryabout my delay in updating. I have been extremely busy this week, and in fact barely have time to update right now! Sorry again for any disappointments or inconveniences. I am a bit uncertain about this chapter, so be gentle when reviewing!

Disclaimer: check first chapter

Chapter Three: Seeing Sadness, Feeling Pain

Eowyn looked towards Faramir, Steward of Gondor. She was standing in the gardens of the Houses of Healing, and many healers and servants rushed about. She paid no heed to them.

After less than a moment's hesitation, she walked towards him. Her stride was filled with the pride of a true Rohirrim warrior, though inside her heart was filled with uncertainty. Her head was held high as her level eyes looked at him. Reaching Faramir, she spoke:

"I was told by the Warden of this House that you are the in command of this city. I seek to be allowed departure from these Houses, so that I may ride forth to join with the fighters in the last battle."

Faramir turned, and he saw Eowyn, standing there, cold and dignified. But he also perceived her sadness, and the hurt he saw in her soul mirrored his own. Noting the left arm she bore in a sling, he was moved with pity. But also, he was moved with understanding. Her spirit was in unrest, as were they all.

"I am afraid that I, too, am in the custody of the healers. And even if I were to free you from these walls, you are too weak to be able to reach the warriors in time. There may be a battle here, anyway, whether we choose to join it or not. We have no idea of whether Lord Aragorn and the others will win the battle, and our hopes may yet be unfounded."

"I will not rest within these stone walls, waiting to be murdered in my sleep! If I am to fight, I would ride out to meet the enemy. Not waiting here like chickens to be brought to slaughter!"

And with this outburst, Eowyn broke down, allowing tears to run free from her despairing eyes. She sobbed, gasping for breath, and turned away so that the Steward would not see the defeat in her face.

A soft touch on her shoulder made her turn around, and she held her head down in shame. "I am sorry, Lord Faramir, I do not mean to burden you with my reasonless tears."

She looked up as she felt Faramir gently touched her cheek, "Such times that we live in! That you weep is not a dishonor, for you weep for all of mankind itself. For all of Middle Earth." And, peering into her soul, he whispered, "No tear is shed without reason."

Eowyn struggled to meet his gaze, to see his mind as clearly as he saw hers. But, when looking into his face, she saw a great suffering and hardship. She turned away, fearing the tenderness in his eyes and the humbleness of his great heart.

You fool! She chided herself savagely; do not let him see your weakness! Are you a shieldmaiden of Gondor or not? You fear nothing!

Yet, looking at him, she could not help but feel scared. And turning around, she rushed back to her quarters, where she lay once more upon her bed and stared once more out of the window. Out towards the east. Out where all of their hopes lay.

As I pick up the shards

Of my broken life

I gaze into infinity

The eternal beat

The awesome rhythm

Of the world's lost virginity

The endless heartbreak

The ongoing war

The loss of humanity's innocence

The cruelty

And utter despair

Lives ruined without recompense

The horror of thousands

The tragedy of one

The inferno of uncertainty endured

By many hearts

And many souls

The pain of loss reoccurred

I wonder how so many

Affected by so much

Can face the terror of their lives

The shattered hopes

And broken dreams

Faced with such darkness, cannot survive

A/N

Wow! That was the longest poem I have posted on fanfiction net yet! Hope you like it! But I am a bit uncertain about doing romance (it's fun to read, but hard to write very well). No flames!