III
The Lord Faramir has been a good companion. He tells me of many things I know not of. He is gentle, and wise. And everyday, I tell him of what I shall do when I become queen. Lord Aragorn's queen. Faramir would politely let me finish and then would change the subject. Perhaps it sounds rude to talk about such things infront of another man.
Five days after I met him; we stood upon the walls of the City. No news of battle have reached our ears, not even the simplest rumor. All hearts have darknened. The weather, too, was no longer bright. The Sun has been shrouded by a dark cloud, whether it is of this earth we do not know. The wind that had sprung last night was blowing now from the North, and it was rising; but the lands about looked grey and drear.
Merry was not with us. He had caught a bad cold and a cut on his knee was infected.
I shivered.
"Are you cold?" Faramir asked.
I nodded. "Yes."
Faramir went inside for a while and returned with a beautiful blue mantle that had stars around the hem and throat.
"This belonged to my mother," Faramir said, his voice cracking. "Finduilas of Dol Amroth."
I stared at it. I looked at him. "I cannot wear this," I said. "It is much to great an honor."
Faramir smiled and I accepted it.
It was warm and smelt of lavendar. But despite this, I shivered again and I looked northward.
"What do you look for, Éowyn?" said Faramir.
"Does not the Black Gate lie yonder?" I asked. He nodded. "And must he not now be come thither? It is seven days since he rode away."
"Seven days," said he. "But think not ill of me, if I say to you: they have brought me both a joy and a pain that I never thought to know. Joy to see you; but pain, because now the fear and doubt of this evil time are grown dark indeed. Éowyn, I would not have this world end now, or lose so soon what I have found."
Though I knew what he spoke of, I whispered, "Lose what you have found, Lord?" I looked at him gravely. "I know not what in thses days you have found that you could lose," I continued. "But come, my friend," here he seemed irked, "let us not speak of it! Let us not speak at all. I stand upon some dreadful brink, and it is utterly dark in the abyss before my feet,but whether there is any light behind me," I sighed, "I cannot tell. For I cannot turn yet. I wait for some stroke of doom."
Faramir was silent. He, too, looked northward. Finally, he said, "Yes, we wait for the stroke of doom."
We fell silent; and it seemed to us as we stood upon the wall that the wind died.
"It's so quiet," he commented.
True. There was not a sound to be heard but his voice, which was so loud, though he spoke softly. There was neither wind, nor voice, nor bird-call, nor the rustle of leaf, nor our own breath that could be heard.
It seemed like time had frozen.
I felt a warm sensation around my hand but I cared not to look at it. I kept looking northward, to the Black Gate.
Suddenly, the walls of the City quivered with a tremor.
"It reminds me of Numenor," Faramir said. He sounded surprised that he had spoken.
"Of Numenor!" I said.
"Yes," said Faramir, "of the land of Westernesse that foundered, and of the great dark wave climbing over the green lands and above the hills," Rohan, I thought and shivered, "and coming on, darkness unescapable. I often dream of it."
I felt afraid. "Then you think that the Darkness is coming?" I cried. "Darkness Unescapable?" I drew close to him. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. We stood silent for a while.
"No," he said and looked into my face. "It was but a picture in my mind. I do not know what is happening." He sighed. "The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny! Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!"
He kissed my brow. Even when he turned back northward, I could still feel the cool pressure of his lips. Why was I shaking? It was not from fear, nor the chill.
A new wind rose and blew. Our hair streamed out mingling in the air. Suddenly, the Shadow departed and the Sun was unveiled; and the waters of the Anduin shone like silver, and in all the houses of the City, a thousand voices rose as people sang for the joy that welled in their hearts.
It was a wonderful sight.
I parted my lips and something tightened over my hand. I looked down and saw that our hands were joined.
-
"Lady."
It was Bergil, the kind lad who had brought me a message a few days back.
"Yes?" I asked, putting my hair-brush down. The wind had tangled my unruly curls. Theodred often said that my affliction was my beauty. I never understood what that meant.
"Lady, the Lord Faramir bid me come and tell you that a great Eagle has flown from the East," Bergil said, his voice rising. "The Eagle bore tidings beyond hope from the Lord of the West. The Lord Faramir bade me bring this to you."
He handed me a piece of parchment. I thanked him. He turned to leave, then hesitated.
"Lady?" he asked. "Is it true that it was you who slew the Witch-King, the greatest of the Nine?"
"It is true," I said, scanning the parchment.
Bergil smiled, bowed, and went out of my chambers.
Faramir had sent me a letter. The page was covered in his firm yet graceful hand. The letter went:
Dear Éowyn:
An Eagle flew over Minas Tirith at noon, today. He bore tidings of the war. You were in your chambers when this happened. The Eagle cried:
-
Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Arnor,
for the Realm of Sauron is ended for ever,
and the Dark Tower is thrown down.
Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard,
for your watch hath not been in vain,
and the Black Gate is broken,
and your King hath passed through,
and he is victorious.
Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West,
for your King shall come again,
and he shall dwell among you
all the days of your life.
And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed,
and he shall plant it in the high places,
and the City shall be blessed.
Sing all ye people!
-
You have not heard such sound, Éowyn. The voices of the people rose and fell as they sang for joy. I only a hint of sadness because you weren't there when the tidings first came.
I will be in the garden this evening, and the next, waiting for you.
Faramir
So the war has ended. The West is free. I turned East and smiled, tears of joy gently rolling down my cheeks.
A/N: Thank you good people for your reviews (though there be only four right now...) I apologize for the "it's" and "its". My mind is in such a fast whirl that I don't pay much attention to the grammar sometimes. I'll try to improve.
Misc.: I'm moving. Our computer will be packed away for a while, so I'll try to complete this story as soon as possible so don't be surprised if I update once everyday.
L. Anna xo