Disclaimer: I'm quite sure that I'm not J.R.R. Tolkien, so, unfortunately, none of these characters belong to me. The Tolkien estate won't sell me rights to them, probably because I only offered them 25 cents…

Chapter Two

King Elessar

Time passed. As the War progressed and the sky grew darker, Éowyn became more moody and reclusive. Faramir could only begin to wonder what was wrong with her, but he imagined it had something to do with her brother, Éomer, the King of Rohan, who was fighting for the freedom of Middle-earth. The two promised weeks in the Houses of Healing were nearly up, and both the Captain and the White Lady were fully healed, just waiting to be released. One evening as the dined in the garden, Faramir brought up something that he'd wanted to say for a while.

"Éowyn," he said, covering her right hand with his, "I love you."

Éowyn smiled. "I know. I love you, too, Faramir," she replied. For the first time since they'd talked about grief and hope in Éowyn's room, her eyes showed that she was fully committed to the conversation.

Faramir pulled a Mithril band set with a large diamond from a pocket. "Will you marry me?"

Éowyn's fork clattered from her hand to the floor. She receded into herself, trying to think of the best way to approach the situation. Finally, she said, "No."

Faramir blinked. "Are you sure? You don't need more time?" His breath caught in his throat and formed a lump that he couldn't swallow. His eyes brimmed with tears that threatened to spill over. He didn't understand. He loved her, and she loved him. Why wouldn't she marry him? What more did she need? Love should be enough.

"Faramir, it's too soon," she begged. "Please, let's wait until the world is safe once more."

Faramir nodded and left the table, disappearing into the night. He stood at the edge of the garden and looked at the gathering clouds, crying to himself. To him, Éowyn had become the most important thing in his life in but two weeks. Didn't she feel the same way? For the first time since he'd known her, he was afraid that she was in love with someone else. But who? A man in Rohan, with stronger arms and who offered her more security? A king in a far away land? Maybe even an Elf in Rivendell. Someone out there touched her heart in a way that he couldn't. He couldn't cry softly anymore. By the time Éowyn came to see where he was, he was full out sobbing.

Éowyn sidled up to him and took his hand. He wrenched it away. She reached again but decided against it and just spoke to him. "Faramir…"

"Leave me." He did not dare to look at her. When she'd come beside him, his tears had subsided. But to hear her voice…it was more than he could bear.

"Faramir, please, listen to me. Let me explain," she pleaded.

"No need. I understand. One question, Éowyn, and then I wish never to speak to you again." Faramir chanced to look at her. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, as were his own, and she seemed to be wracked with inner torment.

"What? I will answer any question, if only to hear your voice," Éowyn said in a voice that trembled.

"Who is the Man who holds your heart in such a way that I cannot? Éowyn stood silent, unsure, and Faramir waited before prompting again. "Well? Please, tell me this so my heart may rest."

"The Man is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, who shall most likely perish in the War before coming to claim the Throne of Gondor." Éowyn bit her lip, hoping Faramir would respond, but he did not. He strode indoors and left her weeping.

Responses to Reviews (Ch. 1)

Rana Ninque: Of course it doesn't end there, silly! You'll just have to wait for the next chapter...

elfwomen: I alway saw Faramir as a kind person, but a timid person. I tried to encorporate that. Thanks for noticing, it makes me feel that it hasn't been in vain.

LotR Fan: I don't like sappy fics, and I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling that way. And, asI always say, a little angst goes a long way.

Voldie on Varsity Track: I'd like to read that one, it seems...interesting. And thanks for bringing up the possibility of a Merry/Eowyn pairing, I never even thought of that...

THANKS FOR REVIEWING! THE STORY DOESN'T END HERE, KEEP READING! AND KEEP REVIEWING!