She stood behind him, looking. He was drawing. Plans.
"For our home in Ithilien," Faramir told her not looking up from his work, "It helps me to focus on what will be," he explained.
"When you are sent away to fight there," Eowyn finished for him. He smiled.
"Patrol rather than fight, I hope."
Eowyn quietly contradicted him, "You fought last time. This should be the same."
"Twice in the first month of our marriage," Faramir sighed. "I must ask your forgiveness."
"There is no need. Nothing has happened that I did not anticipate," Eowyn touched his forehead, smoothing his hair, "and accept."
"It seems my entire life have consisted in holding Mordor at bay."
"When you are Boromir were not drinking," Eowyn added.
He smiled, "I have wanted always to keep Mordor from Gondor to save my people. Now I have you."
"As an added burden?" Eowyn asked, frowning, she did not say in addition to the one given from his father.
"No, no!" Faramir protested, "as a hope." He gestured toward the plans, "this too."
"I do not begrudge your going Faramir," Eowyn said quietly. "I only am unhappy that I am not permitted to go with you."
He turned to her, "One day you will see the rolling hills."
Eowyn shook her head, "No, to fight. With you. For your people and my own."
"The world has not fallen so far that we would send our women to meet what no man should see."
Eowyn looked away. "You sound like my cousin."
"I am not surprised. We have been of one mind. I believe our friendships have revealed how much Rohan and Gondor have to do with one another." Faramir smiled again. "That has been the happiness of these last months."
He kissed her forehead, "And I will miss you."
Eowyn took his hand and kissed him, wishing him to remain safe and silently breathed a prayer for her loved ones, not thinking that it would have been a comfort to Faramir if she has said these wishes aloud.
--
Eowyn rushed to the great hall where Boromir waited. She rushed up to him. "It is well to see you!"
"And you." He smiled and kissing her on the cheek. "You look well."
She smiled, "I thank you. What news of Eomer?"
"He is well. I will tell you all but first I must see my brother. " He looked around. "Where is Faramir?"
"He left for Ithilien yestermorn."
"Damn!"
"You could still catch him," Eowyn insisted, " if that is your wish."
"No," Boromir sighed. "No use now. I will see him on his return. Father may not wish me to join him. Hopefully he will return before I must leave elsewhere."
"Come then," Eowyn invited, "you must be wearied from your journey. Come sit by the fire in your rooms and I will make you something hot to drink."
--
"Did he say nought else?" Eowyn asked, her eyes looking as one on a hot day who beholds a cold drink out of her reach.
"That is all," Boromir answered. " But he was pleased. Eowyn, I do not believe that I am betraying a confidence to say that he spoke of your marriage as a relief to him."
Eowyn nodded. They had spoken of this before. Boromir and she were by the fire in his lounge, shared previously with Faramir. It was the closest thing to a cosy nook for the brothers, dwarfed as they were by the expansive Citadel. Eowyn had used this too judging by the embroidery basket by her chair. Boromir did not mind Eowyn making it her own. What was Faramir's was hers now.
He was sipping the drink Eowyn gave him. That almost magic kind of drink that seemed to warm one's very toes at the first sip.
"All went as we wished," Boromir commented. ""You are happy here?" he asked.
Eowyn nodded, shyly. "But I do miss my Uncle."
His voice became low and gentle, "You will see him again, if that is your worry."
"It is. And thank you." She paused, blushed then said, "I am pleased to have you as a brother." And she looked at her basket and picked up her embroidery.
"And I to have you a sister." He looked at her lap where her work lay. "What are you decorating?"
"A gown. Something blue," She said low, smiling as though recalling a memory, and perhaps a promise.
Boromir knew better than to ask.
--
"Little girl, I've been told that you are learning to read?" Denethor asked his daughter in law as they were breaking their fast."
"It is my husband's wish. I may also learn more of my womanly duties through my study." She justified quickly, "And only when my household duties are finished."
"I do not judge how you spend your spare time, girl. My only wish is that you are happy, and healthy."
Later Eowyn undressed, taking a moment to face West as Faramir had taught her, wishing for his safety. And as she breathed another for her blood family, she suddenly understood what Denethor had meant.