A/N: Sorry! I have been stressed and busy, but the end of year is almost here so hopefully that means lots more writing.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Dedication: To Voldie on Varsity Track. You write such great stories and are a really good friend.
The next day, Faramir knocked on Éowyn's door. It was past breakfast and Faramir had something planned for lunch for him and Éowyn. He knew that it was risking more than he should, but he wanted to be with Éowyn on her last day there. Éowyn opened the door and smiled at him. She looked around and noticed that it was only Faramir there.
"There is no one else with you?" She asked cautiously.
"No, but I know that Éomer is busy with planning for your departure. He will with people all day." Faramir said.
"What if he comes looking for me?" Éowyn responded.
"I have talked to many people. There are people willing to say that you were just there, and left." Faramir answered.
"Have you done this before, my lord?" Éowyn teased.
Faramir grinned. "Why, my lady, I have, but never with such a beautiful maiden as yourself." He handed her a plain dress. "Take this and change." For the first time, Éowyn took in Faramir's plain clothes.
"Why would I need this? I have clothes, there is no need for this." She said handing the dress back to him. Faramir would not take it back.
He only said. "Those are to fine for where we are going."
"And where would that be?" She asked.
"If you change, I will show you." Faramir responded.
Éowyn wondered where it was they were going. "I shall change then." She said. She changed into the plain brown dress and decided to braid her hair in her back. She felt more comfortable in this dress than the others she had been given. She returned to the door and left her room.
Faramir looked at her when she entered the hall. He smiled at her. "Shall we go then?" He asked offering her his arm.
"And where would we be going?" She asked again, taking his arm.
"Ah, you shall see, it is a surprise." Faramir replied, with a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Faramir lead Éowyn through the halls, carefully making sure that there were no one who would tell Éomer where Éowyn was going. They left the Citadel, and walked down from the seventh circle. Éowyn had never been below the top level of the City before, and she was fascinated by it. Faramir noticed her staring at the shops and houses.
"You have not been in the other parts of the City before, I did not think of that." Faramir commented.
"I have," Éowyn replied, "I was just unconscious at the time."
Faramir laughed despite himself. "Then it is good that I planned what we are going to do today." He took a slower pace and pointed out certain shops or bakeries. They both noticed the ruble of the walls and the house on the streets, but also that the people were making due with what they had and rebuilding what had been lost. They decedent into the fourth circle and no one seemed to think they were out of place, they were more involved in there goings on. Some looked at Éowyn's hair, but only in passing. Faramir lead her to a pub that he knew of.
Inside, it was dim and noisy. It was crowded and Faramir found a table in a corner. Once they had claimed the table, Faramir went to the bar and ordered them food for lunch. He came back bearing two mugs of ale. He sat and handed Éowyn one of them. He raised his mug to her before taking a sip.
Éowyn drank and was surprised. "This is almost like the ale we drink in Rohan." She said.
"It is very good. I thought you would like it." Faramir replied.
Éowyn set down her mug. "Why did you bring me here?" She asked again, hoping to get an answer this time.
"I wanted to show you some place that was not so guarded. And, I did think that you would appreciate some fine ale." He said.
Éowyn laughed. "Well, I do appreciate it very much."
A barmaid brought them some stew for the meal. They ate it in relative silence, listening to what was going on around them. People were enjoying themselves, some looked like soldiers or Rangers, while most looked like ordinary people. Éowyn was enjoying herself and was feeling better than she had in days. Faramir was having a good time as well, and he liked how Éowyn was smiling and laughing. He noticed this and vowed that she would be happy when they would live in Ithilien.
They finished with lunch and stood and left. The walk back up the Citadel was the same as before, taking their time and enjoying the bright day that seemed to breath live into everything. When they arrived back at the top, they began to make their way to Éowyn's room.
Éomer had been looking for Éowyn for some time now. Everyone he seemed to ask had not seen her, of she had just left. He decided to wait by her room, seeing as no one could say for certain when they had last seen Éowyn. He was beginning to think that she was avoiding him, thinking she might be mad from the day before. He had seen her face when Faramir and he were talking about her. He began pacing; waiting was not something he wanted to do.
Éowyn and Faramir turned the corner while Éomer was pacing. He saw them and wondered why they were together.
"Why Faramir, I did not expect to see you here." Éomer commented.
Faramir did not flinch. "I was wondering the halls and saw Éowyn and offered to escort her to her room." Faramir replied. Éowyn nodded, hoping what Faramir had said about people laying was true.
Éomer believed this. "You have been very illusive today, sister." He said to Éowyn as she broke her hold with Faramir.
"I have had some much to do since we are leaving tomorrow." She said, relieved that he did not press further.
Merry turned the corner and Éowyn knew that her face fell. She hoped that he would not say something to make Éomer suspect anything. Merry looked happy to have found Éowyn.
"My lady, I have been searching for you all day." He said.
"You have not been the only one." Éomer grunted.
"Pippin then suggested that I find Faramir, that maybe he knew where you were, but no one could find him." Pippin continued. It was Faramir's turn to have his face fall. Merry continued. "One person saw you leave with Éowyn, so I stopped looking for awhile, but I wanted to find you."
Éomer tried to keep his temper this time, now knowing that Faramir could fight back as well as he could. Éomer looked at Merry. "I am sorry Merry, I must have a word with Éowyn, she will have time to speak to you later." Merry looked between the three before him, wondering what he had said to make Éomer seem colder. He walked away, giving a sympathetic look to Éowyn.
As soon as Merry had gone form where they were, Éomer turned and took hold of Éowyn's upper arm and opened her door. Éowyn opened her mouth, but Éomer opened his first.
"I do not want to hear what you have to say, Éowyn." He turned to Faramir. "I trusted you, Faramir, and now you have betrayed that trust. I think that I am being reasonable in asking you to not see my sister again." Éomer said, moving Éowyn into her room.
"Éomer, you, ow, your grip is hurting me." Éowyn said trying to get out of his grasp. Éomer held tight.
Faramir kept his mouth shut, now seeing how much of a king Éomer could look. Éomer stood taller than he had ever seemed before, more menacing. Éomer's eyes seemed to implore Faramir to try to explain himself. Faramir stuttered. "I am sorry...I-"
"I should think so, but you should realize why I think that it is not proper for Éowyn to see you again." He turned to Éowyn. "I think we should finish talking in your room." He said moving her in.
"Éomer, I-" Éowyn said, clawing at Éomer's hand.
"Inside." He said through clenched teeth. They walked inside, with Éowyn looking one last time over her shoulder at Faramir.
Faramir walked down the hall, when he found Merry waiting for him a little way around the corner. He looked to Faramir, his eyes wide. "I did not mean to-"
"No, it was what I did. Now, what was it that Pippin wanted to see me about?"
Éowyn tripped over her feet as she was brought into her room. She opened her mouth, but Éomer still had time to stop her.
"I do not want to hear it, Éowyn. I am trying very hard to not yell; yelling did not seem to do us any good before. Pack what you have, stay in your room until we leave."
"Éomer, we just walked and talked, nothing happened. Please, do you believe me?" She asked.
He looked at his sister, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. "I believe you, but that does not mean that I forgive Faramir for the trust that he betrayed. I will have some food for dinner sent to you." He said looking at her. She glared at him. "Do not look at me like that, you know that I just don't want any rumors flying around about you. Now get your things, we are leaving early in the morning." He said and left.
A/N: Well, I hoped you liked the chapter, and the twist. Hopefully the next one will be up soon, but no promises, I have graduation in two weeks, so then I will have more time on my hands after that. Please review and tell me what you liked and did not like!
Responses:
LadyArian: I liked that line as well. And my I just say that it was a pleasure getting your reviews! They happened to come when I was stressing out about AP tests and they were so nice to find in my in box. Thank you!
Rachel 791: I noticed the name change. Thanks for the review!
Ziroana: Thank you and thanks for the review!
Rebby-Eowyn: Well, I hope you didn't wonder for to long! Thanks for the review!
Miyuki Shinomuri: Well, he did find out. Hope you liked it. Faramir and Éowyn are my favorite couple as well. Well, maybe Faramir might argue more, but other things may have been on his mind. Thanks for the review!
Voldie on Varsity Track: I really hoped you liked this chapter. Thanks for the review!
Queen Arwen: Separation anxiety is horrible. I think that might be what makes me not update, the thought that the story might come to an end. I really should just go help Éomer now, he needs some stress relief. Thanks for the review!
Mad-Aniviel: Working their way around them is another way to say avoiding. Or selective following. That works too. Thanks for the review!
