The fellowship had ended, it would seem.
As they crested a hill about to turn back to Minas Tirith, Boromir slowed to a gallop. His patience had worn thin.
"Out with it brother!" he ordered. "What did you say to her?"
Faramir frowned. "What mean you?"
"I saw you talking to the lady, and moments later she ran out with tears streaming down her face. Therefore I came to the insane conclusion that you said something that upset her! What did you say?" he demanded.
Faramir answered simply, "I told her she was beautiful!"
"And that brought her to tears?" Boromir was incredulous. "You said nothing else?"
"No."
Boromir thought for a moment, "What did she say?"
"She asked if I would want her were she not fair."
Boromir stopped the horse, rubbed his forehead as though he now had the head-ache, and asked. "Please tell me you said 'of course I would.'"
"Is 'no I did not' and acceptable answer?" Faramir answered quickly, preparing to duck.
"Imbecile" Boromir smacked his brother, who despite being able to slaughter hundred of Orcs single-handedly had not figured out yet how to duck at the right time when his brother was going to hit him. Boromir waved his hand in disgust, "I thought I had taught you better." Silence. "How much money do you have on you?"
Faramir rubbed his head, "Money?"
"To buy the gift for her!"
"Gift?"
"Yes, fool, the one that if luck would have it might result in her forgetting your foolishness by the time the third son arrives!"
And he hit Faramir again so hard, that he nearly fell off the horse.
--
"My lady" Eowyn looked up from the couch and saw the servant. "Lord Faramir asked whether you are well enough to receive him?"
Eowyn sat up a little straighter. "Of course."
Faramir entered and without preamble, in haste even, knelt beside her saying, "As my brother and I came in from our ride, we saw this from a vendor and I knew I had to get it for you."
Eowyn look down at him astonished. She barely understood what he said, it was so unlike him, yet she understood well the box offered to her and the gesture. It was a gift. She opened the box and saw two hair combs in the shape of horses.
"Thank you, my lord." She dutifully said, still not at ease with Faramir's obvious anxiety. She stood, and went to the looking glass put them in. Then she saw him in the reflection as he came behind her and said, now daring to meet her eyes. "While you were resting an unfortunate accident occurred." She turned around frowning.
"No one was hurt," he soothed quickly. "It appears your brothers talked Lorthiriel into taking a ride and the horse threw her. She broke her ankle and is in much distress." Eowyn saw a smirk on his face, and he dared, "I thought that might cheer you." He was now back to the man she knew. Had accepting the gift truly given her that power over him?
Now she dared to laugh. "You are mischievous tonight my lord." He laughed too, then kissed her hand, then her lips. That she had not expected. From the look on his face, neither had he. She blushed and ducked her head and murmured, "And you may call me beautiful whenever you please, my lord."
"Then may I say that your beauty is beyond that which the elven tongue can tell?" Then he kissed her again.
Later as they walked to dinner together she whispered,"It was ill of you to joke about your cousin. It would be terrible for her to be hurt."
"I was not jesting." Faramir replied.