Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR or its affiliates. Gondor, Minas Tirith, even the horses belong to one very deceased John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

Chapter Three

The Return of the King

And they did not speak for the remainder of their days in the Houses. The nurses wondered at the change and saw how distraught Faramir was, how distant Éowyn. Neither would say, but the nurses knew. Faramir had discovered that another Man held her heart.

Faramir himself felt lost without her, but wanted her to be as happy as she could be. He was a wise man, and he knew that Éowyn could never give him the love they both needed. So he despaired and awaited the arrival of a Man he despised before ever meeting him.

On the fourteenth and last day of their stay in the Houses, trumpets sounded through all seven levels of the city. The King had come.

All the nurses and the patients rushed (if they were able) to the Gate, to witness the coming of the King. There, Faramir saw Éowyn for the first time in days, and it tore his heart in two. He held her gaze, considered reaching for her hand, but the opening of the Gates stopped him.

In strode Gandalf the White on Shadowfax, bearing before him Frodo Baggins. Aragorn came next with Peregrin Took. Éomer behind him bore Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Legolas bore Samwise Gamgee before him and Gimli behind, a very crowded horse indeed. Behind them marched a small army, all that remained of the strength of Rohan and Gondor.

Faramir saw in Aragorn much that he had seen in his father; sea-grey eyes set in a carven face of noble lineage, though he was not clad as such a man should be. He found it difficult to sustain a rage towards this Man, who had so much kindness and wisdom and love in his eyes. But love for whom? For the City and her people? For Éowyn? Or for another, one who had yet to come? This was the Man who Éowyn loved, but did he love her in return? Now Faramir wasn't so sure.

He decided that he could not serve as Steward under this Man, kind and wise though he may be, until he knew. He walked quickly and decidedly to Éowyn and took her hand. "This is the one you love?"

Éowyn nodded. "Yes, this is the King Aragorn who has stolen my heart."

"And do you hold his heart in return, Éowyn? Does Aragorn love you?"

Éowyn's joy at beholding Aragorn faltered. "Well…I imagine so, but an Elf-maiden is who he has pledged his love to. He wears her jewel around his neck."

"And you still hope to capture his heart from a love so pure? That would be a wicked deed, Éowyn." Faramir's hope that she would be able to love him soared once more, though his voice remained stern.

"I know that, Faramir!" she shouted, much to the surprise of her suitor. "Do you think that I have not pondered all the impossibilities? The absurdities?" She hung her head. "I do not know why I love him."
"Your love, Éowyn," Faramir said softly, "is for this Man's deeds and his good heart, as a young soldier may love a seasoned Captain. He gives you his friendship and his pity, but not his love. I would give you my very soul if you asked it of me. Why will you not have me?"

Éowyn withdrew from him. "I do not know. I love you, Faramir. I love your wisdom, your beautiful eyes, your soft hands, your kind heart. But I feel something deeper, if you will, for him."

Faramir smiled, at last understanding. "You want what you cannot have, not what will make you happy. It is joy, and unconditional love, and hope, Éowyn, hope, that you are afraid of. You fear that I will break your heart."

Éowyn sobbed. "You must hate me fore this! Please, I am an awful person. I do not deserve you."

Faramir took her in his arms. "And I do not deserve you." He kissed her, there in the broad daylight of the open city, not caring who would see. "Let us not deserve each other together."

When he released her from the kiss, she smiled and said, "I am so sorry, Faramir. Please forgive me."
He presented her with the ring again. "I will forgive you if you will have me as your husband." He slid the ring on her finger. "Marry me."
"I would dream of nothing else." And they kissed for quite a long time there in the streets of Minas Tirith, until the surrounding crowd took notice and clapped and cheered for their love.

The King, as he was riding past, saw them and laughed with joy. "Éowyn!" he cried.

Éowyn broke the kiss and turned her head. "Yes, your majesty?"

"Does he make you happy?"

Éowyn smiled, and all the coldness in her was melted, leaving only complete and utter joy. "More than I've ever been."
"I have wished for nothing else for you. May you live long in each other's company." And he nodded to Faramir, and, with a wink, was off again to the citadel.

Faramir held her close and whispered, "I, too, am happy, Éowyn. Seeing you smile has been the whole of my existence these past two weeks. Together, we shall be complete." He kissed her. "Long live the King."

END

Responses to Reviews:

Rana Ninque: Thanks for reviewing! This is the last installment, but I'm thinking of writing a sequel.

hippielover459: A lot happens, as I'm sure you just read. Thanks for reviewing, I hope you loo-vered it!

THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS, I WILL RESPOND INDIVIDUALLY TO ANY REVIEWS FOR CH. 3 IN AN E-MAIL, BUT PLEASE DON'T RESPOND. I'M NOT INTO E-MAIL CORROSPONDENCE.