Disclaimer: I don't own them.


Éowyn ran after Éomer down the hall. He was quit a bit ahead of her, and she was not going to run to catch up to him. She knew that he needed to breathe fro a little before she could talk to him, if she wanted any of her words to be heard and understood. Éomer began to slow down. Éowyn took this chance to talk with him. She caught up and fell in stride with him.

Éowyn waited to speak, seeing if Éomer would have something to say. He looked at her, but kept moving. Éowyn became frustrated with how her brother was acting. She grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"Éomer, why are you acting this way?" She asked.

"Because, you seem to have changed so much, Éowyn. When I left you, you seemed to be in love with Lord Aragorn. When I sent for you, to join in the celebrations, you did not come. Then, when I returned, you say you are engaged to Lord Faramir. How do you think I should act?" He exclaimed.

"The same way I do when you tell me you fancy a maiden. Happy for you-"

"I have never said that I would marry one of them, nor would I without asking the girl's father or brother."

"Is that what this is about? That I did something, again, without telling you? Éomer, do you know how childish your argument sounds?" Éowyn said.

"It is not childish Éowyn! Do you know what rumors have been flying around the City? That Lady Éowyn of Rohan, who slough the Witch-King, was seen kissing Lord Faramir upon the City walls, for all to see." Éomer took a breath, anger behind his every word. "I did not think I would ever hear something like that about my sister."

Éowyn stood silent, trying to think of something to say. Before she could respond to his words, Éomer began again. "I forbid you to see him until a time I deem fit."

At this, Éowyn lost any reason or desire to be civil with him. "You can not do that! Forbid me from seeing someone I love! I have ridden to war and should be able to talk to whom I please."

"If you consider ridding to war the authority to do what you please, then I, as your captain and King, forbid you." Éomer shouted. He turned on his heal and stormed off down the hall. Éowyn stood in her place, seething at what her brother had done. She wanted to hit him, to scream at him, but he had escaped her wrath for the moment. She stalked off in the opposite direction that Éomer had gone, trying to calm down. She wanted to scream or throw something, but she couldn't. She did want to scream at Éomer, but she also wanted to cry. She felt foolish about that feeling. She had to do what her brother said, as she would listen to the King. Yet, that didn't mean that she could not feel at a loss for it.

Éowyn wondered the halls for a little, wondering what she could do. She was not looking around her when she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Master Merry." She said when she saw it was him.

"My lady, you look distort." Merry said concerned.

Éowyn looked at him and began the whole story. "Éomer has now forbidden me from seeing Faramir." She finished with a huff.

Merry thought for a minute, considering what Éowyn had said. He smiled when he thought of a solution to her problems. "Did your brother say you could not speak to Lord Faramir or not to write to him?" He said.

"Of course not, but what good would that do?" She sighed.

"You can still talk to him, as long as you do not see him. If you fear that your brother will find out and keep a closer eye on you, then you can write to him and I will help with delivering the letters if you want." He offered smiling.

"You are clever Merry." She said and bent down to embrace him.

"I am not. I just had a similar situation back home once." He said a little red at her praise. Éowyn laughed at his words as well. "I believe you should tell Faramir about this as well." He added.

Éowyn straighten up, and nodded. "I should tell him, warn him about what my brother is up to. Thank you again Merry." She said.

Éowyn headed back to Faramir's study. She was determined to not let what Éomer had said stop her. She arrived at the door and raised her hand to knock again.


Faramir sat in his study. He leaned back in his chair, putting his hand over his eyes. It was no use; he could not concentrate on his work at the moment. All he could think of was what to do about Éomer. Thinking about it, he should have talked to her brother about his courting her. But, then again, he had not intended to court her, it had just happened. And she could make decisions about her own life. He heard a knock at his door, and looked up and said, "Come in". Instead of the door opening, he heard his name.

"Éowyn?" He asked, walking to the door.

"Aye." Éowyn said through the door.

"Why do you not come in?" He asked through the door.

"I can not, I have been forbidden to see you by my brother." She said, leaning closer to the door.

"Then you should not be here." He said. Faramir did not want her to be any more trouble with her brother than she already was because of him.

"I am not looking at you though, so I am all right." She said.

Faramir considered her words, and had to hold back a laugh. "You are right. I do not wish to only speak to you through a door though. I will go to see your brother tomorrow." He said.

"That is well, it will give him time to think things over." She paused and began again. "I will be in the gardens tomorrow after noon, but I will only be looking to the walls of the Citadel, not out over the fields." She said, hoping he would know what she was doing.

"Then I shall be there, and only looking over the fields." He said with a smile that he hoped was portrayed in his words.

"Till tomorrow then." She said, placing her hand against the door.

"Till tomorrow, Éowyn." He said, placing his hand, unknowingly, over hers.


A/N: This chapter was finished last night, and then my computer decided to mess up that file, so I had to redo the last part. I hope it's all right. I think that it is longer than the first time though. Sorry about the length between updates, but that is about how long it is going to be, with school and all. Plus I am going to New York next Thursday, so I will not be updating this week, unless I get a lot of inspiration and just go on a typing spree. Review please!

Responses:

Zironana: They will convince Éomer, just not soon. Thanks for the review!

LOTR-nutcase: The plot bunny sounds great! Though, Lothíriel also has three older brothers to protect her too. So Éomer has his work cut out for him there. How do most E/F stories turn out? Anyway, thanks for the review!

elvishgurl: I like those too, and I always seem to see Éomer as being very protective of Éowyn. Thanks for the review.

Dark Lady Aratraneth: Canon does say that they get together, but it doesn't say he did not like the idea. Thanks for the review!

Aragorn Loves: He would be happy, and is in the story. Just that he doesn't know half as much about Faramir as he knew about Aragorn. Thanks for the review!

ForeverFaramir: Yes, I do think he is over protective. Thanks for the review (maybe we could share Faramir?)!

Rebby: He will understand in the end, just not now. Thanks for the review!

Rana Ninque: Thanks for the compliment! It would be interesting to see what would happen if he did not consent, but he will. Thanks for the review!

Wenham-Wonder: Thanks for the review!

Voldie on Varsity Track: I updated, would have been sooner, but the computer was evil. Thanks for the review!

Jerseygirl17: Thanks for the compliment and the review! Hope you keep reading!

LiL Pippin Padfoot: Thanks for the compliment Andrew! Your, both of you, review made me smile when I read it. Thanks and I hope you like it!

steelelf: I think the reactions are realistic too. Thanks for the review!

Queen Arwen: Always remember to empty your opponent's pockets before you fight. I said nothing about emptying yours. I like Éomer like this too, now I have to go make him like Lothíriel. Oh well. Thanks for the review!