Author's Note: I wanted to get as much of the text in here as possible. It's very romantic the way Tolkien wrote this part of the story. Don't you think it odd that he devoted an entire chapter to Éowyn and Faramir and only stuck the ending for Aragorn and the Evenstar in an Appendix?
I think Tolkien was as devoted to Éowyn as her fans are, because Éowyn is human. As a fellow human, I identify more with the strong and yet internally fragile Éowyn, imperfect as she is; mortal as she is. I like her that way. And Faramir, though no Aragorn, would have been my first choice if I were in her shoes. Funny how one can carry the torch for a fictional character for so many years…. –Kero.
Chapter 6: A New Beginning
That night, Éowyn had dark dreams of battle and death. The scenes before her were terrible to behold and she felt herself tremble before the nightmare. She saw dead faces on the fields of Pelennor in front of the City; faces of men she had known throughout her life. In a trance-like state, she was desperately searching for her uncle's body among the slain that scattered the floor, hoping that the orcs had not hewed it to pieces but her search was unavailing. But amid her anguish and desperation, she thought she caught the scent of athelas. She was then stumbling in the dark, and all lights were gone. Éowyn had only the scent to follow and it grew stronger as she stumbled alone. She felt herself fall down, and slumped in a dark ditch she looked up to see a light. There was a hand reaching down to help her. Cautiously, she took it, and she was lifted from the darkness. The scent was very strong now, and as she came up she leaned in against the man whose face was pure light. Looking at him, she half expected Lord Aragorn to be looking down at her but it was not him. This face was also strong and kind with a thoughtful expression and she knew at once that it was not whom she first thought it was. In his clearly defined blue-gray eyes she saw that he loved her; this face that was Faramir's and not Aragorn's.
On the fifth day since she made Faramir's acquaintance and gained his friendship, Éowyn awoke in darkness. She must have overslept because she could smell that a fresh bowl of athelas had already been brought in by Ranna, as well as a steaming bowl of porridge and dried fruits. But she did not have an appetite this morning and she could not believe that the morning was so dark. Outside her window she saw the empty garden and the morning sky above was darker than it had ever been. All light was absorbed into the moody darkness that now veiled the City in lasting night. There were no stars. It seemed there had not been stars over the City in a long, long time. For a woman who wished for death on the battlefield, a woman who slew the Witch King of Angmar in defense of her fallen uncle, Éowyn felt again afraid. Her dream had disturbed her and in her waking hours the smell of athelas did not comfort her. Something was going to happen today, for good or ill. Today felt like the end of days.
Éowyn paced her room and felt even more caged and helpless than she had in all of her time spent at the Houses. She suddenly paused when she noticed a vase of flowers on the fire place mantle. They were gently lined by soft fragrant ferns, and the flowers were identical to the one that Faramir had picked for her the previous evening. The soft white petals with a light purple center sent a sweet aroma that mixed well with the athelas. He had sent these to her. Éowyn felt the sudden need to go to him and be comforted by him. She hurriedly changed out of her sleeping gown and into her white dress and slippers. Ranna had also left her a long gray velvet outer lining to button over her dress and keep her warm this cold day. She walked as quickly as she could to the gardens but still finding them empty when she arrived, Éowyn went back into the Houses in search of Faramir. She did not know where to look first, for the Houses were extensive and she did not know where his chambers were. But in the hall, she met the Warden and immediately went to him.
"Master Warden, have you seen the Lord Faramir? I am in search of him, but I do not know where to look." Her voice sounded strange to her ears. It was a bit panicked and almost desperate, which was very unlike her, as she always spoke in cool and even tones. Éowyn did not know why it was so important that she find Faramir, but she had felt this urge since she awoke from her dream.
"He was not in the gardens," she said finally. At that last phrase, her voice sounded small and sad. For a moment, she felt very young and alone.
"My lady, I am sure he is around here somewhere. I will help you look for him, if that would please you," said the old man.
"There is no need, for I am here." The Warden and Éowyn turned to see Faramir walking towards them from the other end of the hall. The warden took his leave and Éowyn walked a bit too quickly to her surprise, to Faramir, stopping short when she came within a foot of him and she could not meet his eyes, and so resolved to stare at his chest. The White Lady was a little mortified at how she had declared herself before the Warden and felt a bit foolish for it.
"I heard you were looking for me, Lady. What has driven you to such distress?" There was some hint of amusement in his voice. She looked up at him intently but coherent speech was beyond her ability at that moment. His eyes were as kind as always and a bit curious as he looked upon her.
"I…," she began, trying to compose herself in front of him. She could not find the words and she felt very naïve in front of the lord Steward.
"I was distressed because you were not in the garden as usual," she said to save herself. "And I am not distressed now for clearly you are found," she said evenly.
Silence. At length, she spoke and said, "Will you not come to the gardens, my lord? There is something in the air today that I do not like at all. I feel as though today we stand on the edge of defeat or victory, but I cannot say which, and I would have you come with me to see it." Her voice was quiet and she found herself looking at his boots. He placed a hand on her shoulder and this caused her to look up at him.
"Of course," he replied. "I too have been tense this morning. Today feels weightier and darker than usual."
I do not want to be alone today, she thought to herself. Éowyn then saw some understanding in his eyes, as if he had heard her thoughts. Faramir offered his arm to her and they walked to the gardens. Before they reached the outside, however, Faramir paused and turned to her.
"Here, this day is colder and darker. You will need this." She looked down and saw that he had been holding a midnight blue mantle in his arms the entire time. He draped it over her shoulders and fastened the clasp at her throat. The material was very rich and the inside lined with a short fur and the edges of the mantle were embroidered with small silver stars.
"My Lord, this is beautiful. I cannot accept this," began Éowyn.
"Of course you can. It is my gift to you and I will not have it any other way." She looked up and saw the same eyes that she gazed upon in her dream. There was not doubt now that there was an expression of love there, just as she felt it in her dream. Éowyn shied away and looked down at her feet, taking a deep breath. Then, he offered her his arm, and she took it, and they walked again to the wall. Along the way, he explained that the mantle Éowyn his late mother's, though she had never worn it, and while it was still being finished, she had passed on peacefully. Éowyn was touched to have such a gift.
Soon afterwards, as they were standing on the Eastern wall together, the moment they had anticipated came; the moment Éowyn had dreaded all morning. All sound and wind died off, and were sucked into silence. She could hear the ringing in her ears and that too diminished and stopped as if her very blood had stopped its course through her veins. There was total silence and she dared not breathe. In that moment, their hands met and clasped tightly though they did not realize it. Then it seemed that a mountain in the distance rose into the sky and fell. The earth rattled and shook but thereafter, the spell was broken. Éowyn felt herself breathe again and take in the cool air into her lungs.
When he caught his breath as well, he told her that it reminded him of the destruction of Númenor and of darkness inescapable. She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arm around his in her uncertainty.
"The darnkness cannot endure, Éowyn. That, I believe." Before she knew it, she was in his arms, and they were both silent and looking to the East and the north looking for any sign. In the wind, their raven and golden hair blew out behind them and intermingled. Then the Shadow departed, and the light shone forth from the sky and the houses below in the City were cheering and drumming in triumph. People were shouting excitedly when they saw giant eagles flying towards the City, singing songs of valor and victory. No doubt, said Faramir, to bring the good news that the Dark Lord was defeated. When Éowyn came to her senses again, she was a bit embarrassed at still being held by Faramir, even as others came into the gardens to see the sun shining in the east, but she did not pull away. It was a comfort to her and she understood now that there was an uncertain future before her, but a future nonetheless. At length, he released her, and smiled.
"The day is won, my lady," he said. She could not read the look on his face.
"Indeed it is." She looked up at the blue sky and smiled. In the distance she saw the large golden birds circling Minas Tirith. They sung the most beautiful songs of rejoice and hope, having quite the opposite effect than the Nazgul who had terrorized the City days before. Their voices were so enchanting that all listeners began to believe once again. Éowyn hoped that Éomer was all right, as well as Lord Aragorn. But this thought troubled her in a different way, for if they were alive, she would soon see them both, and she realized a conflict had arisen in her heart but she did not know why.
In the days that followed, she saw little of Faramir who was declared completely healed by the Warden and was released to regular duty for Faramir had taken up his father's authority in the City. Authenticating the stewardship took place in a brief ceremony that was small and private. Éowyn was there, however, hovering at a distance from behind pillars and curtains, and when Faramir looked up briefly and saw her, they both smiled but they did not have an opportunity to speak to one another. Then came the day Merry went to join the others with a supply of food to Cair Andros, where the joint armies were situated temporarily to tend to their wounded. Éomer had also summoned his sister to come but she did not go. She remained in the Houses of Healing, even though her wounds had healed very nicely and she had the Warden's leave to go. She was content to walk alone in the gardens and felt not a little abandoned.
Éowyn knew that Faramir was busy and could not pay heed to her now, and her mind understood the reason but her heart was troubled. Fingering the fine embroidery on the beautiful cloak that Faramir gave her, she thought of him. The truth of Faramir's intentions towards her was unmistakably clear to her now. But still, she was in turmoil. She did not wish to go to her brother and Aragorn, and she was uncertain about going to find Faramir. A voice in her head continued to give her unending doubts. Instead, she delayed any decisions of her own and stayed in the gardens at the Houses. Sometimes, Ranna would walk with her in silent company, but Ranna also noticed that something was amiss. Éowyn was not eating or sleeping well, and she had again grown pale. Ranna went to report to the Warden, who in turn went to Lord Faramir.
Faramir came to Éowyn immediately as soon as the Warden told him. The new Steward scorned himself for leaving her all alone, but his duties would not have it otherwise. As there was nothing verified between them, aside from their friendship and warm feelings, he did not feel it was appropriate to ask her to join him in his daily tasks, or to accompany him for his meals. And when he heard that her brother Lord Éomer had sent for her to join them in Cormallen, he did not dare intervene. He decided that if she wished to go to Lord Aragorn's side, there was nothing he could do. The thought of never winning her affections grieved him deeply, and perhaps it was this that set upon Faramir to avoid thinking on the subject all together. But when he heard that she had declined to go to Cormallen, this gave him hope. He wanted to give her some more time. Perhaps she was in turmoil now, and Faramir was resolved to help her make some decision, though she herself may not wish to.
He found her a sad sight indeed: pale in face with and expression in her eyes relaying turmoil. He watched her walk over to the wall with shoulders slumped and leaned upon it as if her own weight was too much for her. Dressed in the cloak he had given her, she looked regal but frail. This had to be the time that Faramir declared his love for her and offer her all that he could give, for she had to choose to accept or reject him. If she accepted, he would be the happiest of all men this day. If she rejected him, then her happiness was beyond his reach forever. He was now determined to try to save the woman he loved from her own despair. It was all he wanted now. Stewardship on hold, he told his advisors that he would be back in an hour.
"Éowyn why do you tarry here and do not go to Cormallen beyond Cair Andros, where your brother awaits you?" he asked steadily as he approached. She turned to face him slowly.
"Do you not know?" she replied. Her voice was barely audible. Two reasons he gave her in his response to her question. One was that seeing the Lord Aragorn would not bring her any joy now. And the second was that she did not wish to leave Faramir. And after a pause he gave a third reason that was a combination of the first two.
"Éowyn do you not love me, or will you not?" he firmly asked her. She looked at him and his eyes were honest. Éowyn found it difficult to maintain her gaze.
"I wished to be loved by another," she replied. He knew of whom she spoke. She was certain of it. After a pause, she said, "But I desire no man's pity." Faramir made it clear that he understood that part. He understood her feelings for Lord Aragorn, like that of a young soldier toward a great captain, for Aragorn was a great captain of men. And when he gave her only understanding and pity, but not love, she then wanted nothing but to die bravely in battle.
How could he understand so much about me? These are things I could not put in words and yet he sees them as plain as the day, thought Éowyn to herself. Aragorn had pitied her, and she resented him for it. She looked away from him and his exposing words.
"Look at me, Éowyn!" he insisted. Her eyes returned his gaze steadily. She was not used to being opened like a nut in its shell, let alone being talked to by a man with such determination to force her to see her life as it was; honestly facing her naked truth and her own feelings. At first she was greatly unnerved. But slowly, Éowyn understood that he was trying to help her understand herself before she wasted away from a lack of direction and purpose.
"Do not scorn the pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn! But I do not offer you my pity. For you are a lady high and valiant and have yourself won renown that shall not be forgotten; and you are a lady beautiful, I deem, even beyond the words of the Elven tongue to tell. And I love you. Once I pitied your sorrow. But now, were you sorrow-less and without fear or any lack, were you the blissful Queen of Gondor still I would love you." He lay his heart at her feet now, and she saw him with his soul completely exposed and vulnerable. She was at a loss for a response to such an offering. She felt unworthy of it.
After a pause, he asked her again, gently now, "Éowyn, do you not love me?" And with that, she felt her Winter melt and pass away. The voice in her head that created so much doubt was silenced. Her heart beat and her blood coursed warmly through her veins. Something stirred in her soul that she did not before understand and she finally recognized it as her love for the kind and gentle Faramir. It had always been there, since the day they met, but she never gave it a chance to breathe. Aragorn had cared for and pitied her, but Faramir cared for and loved her with all his heart. He understood her more than she did herself.
For a moment all she could do was stare back at him blankly, no expression daring to touch her face, and she could feel the tears well up in her eyes and she swallowed her pride. The look in Faramir's face was anxious, now fearing that he had said too much and that the lady did not love him after all, especially not after he had been so frank with her. To quell any fears on his part, all Éowyn could do was step closer to him and lean into him with a sigh of release. She moistened his tunic with her tears amid quiet sobs as she breathed in his scent; a scent that reminded her of athelas.
"I do love you," she said in a muffled voice into his shirt and she was not certain if he heard her. "More now than when I first met you. I think I loved you even then. I understand now." Her words were a revelation to even herself, and happiness in her heart shone like a thousand suns. In response to her words he held her close and kissed her deeply for the first time. Her gentle sobbing was mixed with laughter now as he continued to kiss her. They stood atop the wall of the garden then, facing East and in the sunlight. Many people below them saw the two and were amazed for surely there was the valiant White Lady of Rohan and that was their Steward who had exchanged a passionate kiss on the Eastern wall. All were gladdened by the sight for both were well loved by the people in the City. In the days prior to the king's return, Éowyn stayed in the Houses of Healing as that place was ever so dear to her now.