A/N: Thanks for all of the nice reviews!! This latest break in the quick updating has been brought to you by Hurricane Charley, which managed to damage houses of three separate relatives of mine, all in completely different parts of Florida!
Thank you, Rosie!!!!!
Arwen
Though it was rather early, I walked to the steward's residence to check on Éowyn's condition and was led to her sitting room by a maid. The lady of the house, dressed in a flowing white gown, greeted me with a smile, urging me to sit with her. "How are you feeling today?" I asked her as she graciously poured me a cup of tea.
"Oh, Arwen, forgive me for last night! I was so clumsy!"
"Think naught of it, Éowyn."
"I am much improved today. I thank you for your potion, though I did not sleep much anyway."
"Oh?" She did not appear overly tired this morning, and I waited patiently for her to continue.
A slow blush crept over her cheeks and she smiled. "Since Faramir has recovered from the worst of his injuries, his ardor has greatly increased, and it was he who kept me awake in truth."
I smiled at her. "Ah, the best sort of wakefulness," I murmured, looking sidelong at her.
"Yes," agreed Éowyn, nearly giggling. "Though I fear that Lord Faramir may not rise from bed for several hours, as it seems that he depleted all of his energy during the night."
I laughed. "Ah, how I envy you, Éowyn! I miss Estel so much, and when he returns from South Ithilien, it may be weeks before anyone sees him." We giggled together for a moment before I asked after her brother.
"He is out, riding with his future wife."
This was unexpected good news, and I was eager to learn the mysterious lady's identity. "Really? Who is she?"
"Lothíriel," Éowyn said simply as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"What?" I was truly shocked. "After watching them snarl at one another last night, I thought that they were the worst of enemies."
"Only because my brother does not think before he speaks, but he shall learn quickly if he means to have her. But I have faith in him, though I hope that you shall not tell him that."
I crossed my heart with my forefinger. "Never shall it pass my lips," I whispered, and we giggled again. There was a sound at the door, and I turned my head as it swung open, and Lord Faramir padded in, bare-chested, disheveled from sleep, and obviously not completely awake. It was all that I could do to stifle a fresh peal of laughter to watch the Steward of Gondor immediately transform from a relaxed, sleepy man in search of his wife, to a nervous, fumbling man unexpectedly faced with the Queen of Gondor.
His eyes widened in surprise as he stammered, "My lady, I did not realize that you were here! Forgive me!"
I rose and stepped toward him as he started to back out of the room, looking as if he had fallen into a pit filled with poisonous vipers. "Whatever for? Come in! Take your ease!"
"Nay, it is improper, my lady," he murmured, eyes downcast. I think that had I actually touched his arm then, he might have leapt through the wall.
"This is your home!" I gestured toward the settee where Éowyn was sitting, taking this all in gleefully. "Take your ease! Faramir, your queen commands it!"
"Well," he began, and his mouth twitched in sheepish amusement as he seemed to realize how silly he was being, "if you put it that way, I suppose that I shall have to take my ease." I glanced to Éowyn, who right now had only eyes for him, though they were filled with unadulterated amusement, and I decided that I should go, knowing that she was feeling much better today indeed.
I could not help myself. "You may wish to take a nap this afternoon, Éowyn, to make up for the sleep that you did not receive last night," I told her, as I tarried at the door. Both of them blushed, though I thought Faramir might die of mortification as he looked ready to jump out of the window when I winked at him, and Éowyn and I shared one last giggle together before I stepped into the corridor.
His voice was more shrill than usual when, from the hallway, I heard him ask, "Éowyn, what exactly did you tell her?"
Her tone was soothing. "Naught, Faramir. Take your ease. . . ."
Faramir
The queen's unexpected early visit had startled me, yes, but not nearly as much as the nightmare that had awakened me from my sleep. It was an unfamiliar dream, but it left me with the familiar feeling of dread when I thought back upon it. In it, Éowyn and I had been picnicking just outside of our home in Emyn Arnen when suddenly a cold, black pall filled the air, the darkness swallowing us both, and though I searched for what seemed hours, I could not find my lady wife anywhere. I awakened in a cold sweat and had sought out Éowyn in her sitting room, though when I found her not alone, I decided not to mention the nightmare as it would serve no purpose anyway other than to alarm her.
So, I put it aside for later, enjoying the remainder of the quiet morning with Éowyn while she and I broke our fast together in her sitting room. Her mood was much improved since yestereve, and as I watched her nibble upon her honey cakes, I secretly wished that we could return to bed and spend the day there. But I had already decided earlier in the week that I would seek out Mablung and Damrod this day, mostly to assure myself that Dam's arm was yet progressing toward a healthy state and that Mablung was keeping him out of trouble while he healed.
After I dressed for the day, I returned to my wife's side to let her know that I was leaving the house. Just as I was preparing to take my leave, Éomer burst into the room without a word, soaking wet, and with the oddest expression upon his face. Had I not known better, I would have thought that he had been struck in the head hard enough that his brain had been addled, as he looked positively ludicrous standing there dripping upon the carpet.
"Brother?" questioned Éowyn, as I realized then exactly what had happened to him. I approached him, greatly amused by his dazed expression.
"She is a fine lady, is she not? Welcome to our ranks, Éomer," I murmured, and he smiled broadly at me. Never had I seen him looking so carefree.
After bidding Éowyn goodbye and promising her that I would return for her afternoon nap, I strode purposefully down to the barracks where Damrod and Mablung were temporarily garrisoned until Dam was well enough to return to duty. Before I had a chance to enter the building, I caught sight of Dam and Mab on the practice field, explaining to Madach the proper way to hold a short bow. I heard Mablung say, "Remember to inhale full. Exhale halfway and hold. Draw, take careful aim, and then when you are certain of your shot, release." I watched silently as Madach took the bow and arrow from Mablung and took careful aim at the practice target a few yards down-field. He loosed the arrow and hit the target, though the arrow landed nowhere near the middle. I called a greeting out to them, and all three turned, smiling and speaking of their happiness to see me on the mend.
"Master Madach, how fare you? Are you enjoying yourself?"
"I am well, Faramir. . . ."
"Lord Faramir!" Mablung corrected him.
". . . Lord Faramir. I like shooting arrows very much."
"Are you taking good care of these two?" I asked him.
"Aye, though I tire of constantly mending their clothes. I think they have not mended any in years," he grumbled.
Mablung laughed. "We were waiting for years for your nimble fingers, Mad."
"Dam, how fares your wound?" I asked, glancing at his arm that rested in a sling like my own.
"It is sore yet, Captain, but it heals, and the healers tell me that I shall have full use of it again soon."
"That is good news, my friend. You do not grow bored with idleness?"
He smiled. "Nay, Captain. Mablung and I have taken young Madach here in hand and are showing him the proper path to becoming a ranger if he so chooses!" Dam and Mab both mussed Madach's hair affectionately, and the boy grumbled something under his breath, though he did not look entirely displeased by their attention. It was reassuring to see he had gained some weight since I had seen him last, and he appeared healthy and happy.
"It is heartening to see you all doing so well," I stated.
"And you, Captain? How fare you?" ventured Dam.
"I am as happy as a man can be!"
"Aye, it is plain on your face," said Mab.
"What say you? Do you have liberty to take lunch with me, gentlemen?"
"Aye, Captain, we have no true duties for another week," Mablung explained.
"The Hound's Tooth, then?" I suggested.
Dam and Mab both nodded their agreement enthusiastically, and I could see their mouths watering. "I have been longing for a thick cut of roast venison with potatoes and a large tankard of the best ale in the city to wash it down!" said Damrod.
"Aye," agreed Mablung.
"And you, Master Madach? Are you hungry as well?"
He smiled. "I am always hungry, Far . . . I mean, Lord Faramir."
"Well, come then! Let us lunch together, and we can spend the time catching up!" They all agreed, and Madach ran to put away his bow and quiver before we walked up to the Hound's Tooth on the third level, two levels up from where we had been standing. The public house was as busy as ever, able to boast one of the finest ales brewed in Minas Tirith, but the owner found us a corner table, and we settled down with three pints of dark ale for us men, and a half-pint of well-watered ale for Madach. The crowd was rather raucous for midday, but it only added to the atmosphere of the place, and I found myself relaxing despite the nightmare I had suffered. I would discuss it with Éowyn this afternoon.
Éowyn
"Brother?" I repeated after my husband departed the chamber. "What has happened to you?" He was bedraggled and soaking wet, and yet he was not angry, in fact, he was smiling. I was confused. "Are you injured?" I ventured.
He looked down upon himself, just seeming to realize that he was wet. "No, I went swimming," he said to me.
I looked at him like the fool he was. "In all of your clothes? What did you say to Lothíriel this time?"
He laughed. "She did not toss me into the water. I jumped in after her."
"Is she all right?"
"Oh, yes, the men at Harlond fished her out of the river," he said, lost in some memory.
"Éomer! Speak plainly!"
His eyes met mine then, and they shone with absolute happiness. "Éowyn, I am in love," he whispered as if he did not quite believe it himself.
"Oh, Éomer!" My heart lifted as I stood and went to him, hugging him tightly despite his sodden state. "I am so happy for you! How does she feel about you?"
"I think she feels the same," he said softly, a hint of amazement in his words. I could not cease to smile as I had never seen him thus affected before. I released him and then proceeded to scold him for daring to come into my house in such a state, and when he accepted the berating with a good nature, I knew that my brother really had been smitten by Lothíriel, and he would never be the same again.
Faramir
When I returned from lunch, I found Éowyn already in our bedchamber, relaxing in an upholstered chair with a cool drink. I smiled broadly at her and then gave her a kiss before I sat upon the edge of the bed and slipped off my boots. "How fares my lovely wife and my son?" I asked.
"Faramir, please, do not."
"Éowyn?" I was uncertain of what she was speaking.
"Do not begin that unending gushing over the babe. It is tiresome."
I frowned. "I did not realize that I was gushing. Are you well?"
She took a sip of her drink. "I am well enough." She changed the subject. "How was your lunch?"
"It was heartening. Damrod's arm is healing well. Madach is being well cared for. And Mablung is as reliable and friendly as ever."
"Good. I am glad, husband. I very much like Damrod and Mablung, and they absolutely dote on you. And I am glad to hear that Madach is doing well also. Naught is too good for the boy who saved my husband's life twice."
"I am pleased to hear you say so, for I have been thinking about Madach's future. He is too young to officially join the rangers yet, and I think that the boy deserves to be allowed to choose what he wishes to do with his life. I wonder what your thoughts would be if I told you that I think that he should be returned to his mother in South Gondor until he is old enough to choose. As a reward for all that he has done for me, I would provide him and his family with a monthly stipend so they do not have to worry about whence comes their next meal."
She seemed to think my words over for a moment before she said, "Does he wish to return?"
"I have not asked him, though I would think he might miss his family."
Her gaze grew hard. "I do not think that woman deserves any special treatment, most especially from you, Faramir. But I think that it should wholly be Madach's decision about whether to return to South Gondor or not."
"Of course, Éowyn. I should remind you, though, that Almaria did save my life, even if she made a mistake in selling me to the Haradrim after I recovered from my fever."
"I do not wish to be reminded of it."
It was obvious that the subject of our conversation was not to her liking. "As you wish, Éowyn," I murmured. "Will you take a nap now? You need more rest with the baby on the way."
"Faramir!" she said sternly, her eyes flashing. "I am not a child, and I do not require coddling or, indeed, any special treatment from you. Your heir shall be delivered in due time, Lord Steward." I stood from the bed, speechless as she went on. "I do not need to be reminded constantly that your son resides in my womb as I am woefully aware of it every waking minute."
"Woefully? Éowyn, what has happened?"
"I am under-prepared for this responsibility, but there is little that I can do about it now."
"I thought that you wished for children. . . ."
"I thought so as well, but the more that I think on it, the more I realize that as a mother, I shall have little freedom to do the things in my life I wish to accomplish."
I took a step toward her. "Nonsense! There shall be a nurse to aid you, and your friends. . . . Éowyn, I have explained this to you. You are not alone in this thing. I am here with you, love. Do you not realize that I am at your call day and night?"
"You were not at my call three weeks ago, my lord. In fact, no one knew where you were or if you were even alive at that time."
Her words wounded me. "That was a special situation! Never would I leave your side now, my love. Do you not know this yet? I vowed before you and our king that I would not, and I do not take that lightly."
She finally relented. "I am sorry. I am out of sorts today."
I opened my arms to her. "Come, Éowyn. I would hold you while you sleep." I had decided not to burden her with my nightmare after all as it was apparent that she already had much on her mind.
As we settled into bed, her body curled against mine, and she sighed softly as she got comfortable. "I love you, Faramir," she murmured, and I kissed her brow as she quietly slipped into slumber. But sleep would not come to me as I watched over her, hoping that my dream was just that--a dream.
Imrahil
Had it not been for the presence of Arwen at dinner, I might have felt myself the odd man out that evening. My nephew and his wife could not take their eyes from one another it seemed, and the conversation suffered mightily because of it, though the queen and I did not complain. Éowyn had never appeared more lovely, her face glowing, her grey eyes sparkling with love, and it was quite obvious that my nephew was struggling against his natural instincts to whisk her away somewhere private. But even more heartening were the looks that passed between Thíri and Éomer.
My daughter would not tell me at first what had happened to her, though her new black silk gown had appeared to be completely ruined, and she had been soaked to the bone when she had arrived at the inn. I thought that for her to be seen in public in such a state would have angered her, but she never once ceased to smile before she went to her room to make herself presentable again. Thank you, Éomer, I thought, thrilled that they had finally found some good in one another.
When she had again emerged, now clad in a becoming shade of violet, I managed to coax the full story of the events of her morning from her, and as she told it, her expression grew more and more dreamy as she became more enamored of Lord Éomer by the minute. I realized just how much I would miss my daughter after she was wed and moved away from Dol Amroth.
"Daddy, are you all right?" I heard her ask, and then I realized that I had not been listening to her for some time.
"What? Oh, yes, I am fine, Thíri," I said, rather distractedly.
She had remained silent only a moment longer before she continued her story, telling me that Lord Éomer had accompanied her to the stables when they had returned to Minas Tirith, and, though he was yet soaking wet as well, he had seen to her gelding himself to make certain that the beast had not been ridden over-hard that day before he had escorted her back to the inn. She had been absolutely glowing as she spoke of the King of Rohan, and I had set aside my bittersweet emotions and drawn her into my embrace.
"My dear, I am so happy for you!" I exclaimed. Not long after, she had once again set out to find Éomer, as she had told me that he had expressed an interest in allowing her to choose some new clothing for him. And now, my daughter and Lord Éomer, dressed in a smart silk shirt in a deep crimson shade so different from his usual beige linen, sat across the table from each other, smiling and occasionally even giggling at one another as they ate their dinner in apparent bliss.
"They are lovely together," murmured the queen with a wistful smile upon her face as she watched them interacting.
"You miss Aragorn," I stated quietly, taking a sip of wine.
"I do indeed. I am beginning to wonder if his new station in life shall ever allow us any time to ourselves."
"His position is very important, but I am certain that you shall find time to spend together when he at last returns from Poros. The Haradrim cannot keep him occupied forever."
"I know, and patience is usually one of my stronger virtues, but of late, I have felt lonely without Estel, my Ada or my brothers. Lady Éowyn has been so occupied with Lord Faramir, and now I see that Lady Lothíriel is in a similar quandary." She laughed softly, and the sound was like music. "Listen to me. I sound like a lovesick girl."
I smiled. "Are you not?"
"Nay, I am not," she smiled in return. "Forgive me my temporary melancholy, Lord Imrahil."
"There is naught to forgive." She glanced at Faramir and Éowyn and smiled broadly.
"In truth, I feel much happier just for observing those two. There is something very reassuring about their love. It is constant and immeasurable and timeless and to see them together is to realize that very good things can emerge from terrible circumstances."
Faramir felt our eyes upon him, and as he looked at us, a flush spread over his features. Éowyn, too, turned toward us as Faramir said, "Forgive me. I have been a very poor host this evening." He stood, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention before raising his glass in a toast. "To Éowyn," he spoke, "the mother of the future Steward of Gondor and my dearest treasure." Before I drank, I noticed a brief moment of unhappiness upon Éowyn's face, and it did not escape me how Faramir's words could be taken two different ways.
"To Éowyn!" we all spoke and drank our wine. But after Éowyn stiffly murmured her thanks, she whispered something into Faramir's ear and then rose quickly from the table, departing the room without a word.
"Is she all right?" questioned Arwen of my nephew, who had put down his wine glass and was looking rather lost.
"I am afraid that my lady wife is not feeling well again this evening. My son is giving her much trouble already, it seems, and he has not even entered the world yet!" He smiled slightly, and we joined him with polite laughter, but it was apparent from his expression that he was concerned about her. "It is naught really, only that she is tired from the day's exertions."
"My lord," said Arwen, "will you not go to her?"
He shrugged. "She does not wish for me to attend her," he stated, his expression downcast. It was silent in the room as we awaited him to move or say something. At last he raised his eyes again to us and asked, "Shall we retire now to the great hall?"
We all agreed and followed him, and I wondered just what exactly was going on between the Steward of Gondor and his wife.
