Chapter 7: A New Love
When Aragorn returned to the City for his coronation, all the people of Gondor went to the streets to see their hero and would-be king. Éowyn was accompanied by Elfhelm, a Marshall of the Mark, throughout most of the day. She watched with pride as Faramir gave the crown to Frodo Baggins, at the new king's request, who then gave it to the White Wizard, and Mithrandir then took the crown and placed it upon Aragorn's head, and all the people cheered. It was quite symbolic. Only until now was everyone let on in the secret of the Ringbearer, and the harships he faced to destroy Sauron at the root of his evil. She thought it very fitting that the little halflings, including her favorite, Merry, were dressed in the finest velvets and silks, announcing each of their importance in the Great War. Éowyn still had to secretly smile at the fact that their hairy feet wore no shoes. Much to her delight, she made the acquaintance of Merry's cousins, Pippin and Frodo, as well as Samwise at the end of that ceremony.
She was also present later that day when Elessar made Faramir the Prince of Ithilien, a place she knew he was very fond of, for he had protected that part of the countryside with his rangers for many years. King Elessar was just for granting it to him and no one else could protect it as Faramir would. The celebrations were many and long that night and Éowyn finally found her brother again and they conversed deeply between themselves.
Her brother spun such tales about the Black Gates that made her shudder and marvel at the bravery of the king and those who followed him. She told him how the Black Breath had a hold of her for many days even after her wounds had healed, but then she had made friends in the City who gave her comfort. Her brother was glad to hear this.
In part, he was afraid that his sister would not recover from King Elessar's rejection, but knew that he sister was made of stronger mettle than that. Naturally, as her elder brother, he was biased in his conclusion that his sister would have also made a fair queen. Still, it was better for his sister that this did not come to pass. She was too wild for such a formal title. Éowyn however, did not yet tell her brother of Faramir and what had ensued and blossomed between them when her brother left her to the Houses of Healing and in his care.
Naturally, there was much rebuilding to do back in Rohan, and it would be a while before she could return to Minas Tirith. She did not want her brother to worry about her as there was much to do back home when he was crowed. This troubled her for she felt now she could not bear a long separation from Faramir. If Éowyn could help it, they would not be parted for the rest of their days. But leave him she must for Éomer was not learned in the ways of government as she and her cousin Theódred had been.
Back before the days of Wormtongue's complete domination over her uncle, when her cousin was not out patrolling their borders, he was at the king's side, learning the way of governing their people as he was next in line. Éowyn learned these things by default when her cousin and brother were constantly out on patrol, and her uncle was ailing under the control of Saruman. Many of the people turned to her instead, as head of the king's household, to aid their troubles. Wormtongue cared nothing for the government of Rohan and resolved to make a mess of everything, and Éowyn and her cousin were secretly acting as stewards for her uncle when his mind was completely lost.
With her cousin and uncle were gone, and Éomer only had Éowyn, now his sole kin. She would not abandon him, for she knew that the wild men had sacked and burned many villages, and many of the people were camped at Helms Deep or at Edoras and all were in great need of governance. This burden could not be carried by her brother alone. It was too late to supplement the Autumn harvest now, though Éowyn was determined to find a way around it.
She had declared in her heart that she wanted to be a healer now, for she had been healed by those who loved and cared for her, and her people and kingdom had many wounds. Not all heroes are sung, nor do they need to be for their glory is greatest and beyond words, she thought to herself. These were the words of Theóden. She felt a bit bitter at not being able to speak to her uncle and consult him for guidance. The burden that now weighed upon her heart was enough to make it ache.
Éomer left his sister to converse with the king and his party and she gladly watched her brother go. Not wishing to be seen distraught in a time of celebration and in front of so many people, she went quietly out of the main castle to the separate hall where her uncle was lying in state. This part of the keep was very quiet, and the guards were not present. She knelt in fealty before her uncle on the stone steps of the dais.
Never one to grieve openly, Éowyn pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and dried her eyes. She was careful not to let the tears fall on her new dress, a gift from Faramir. It was peach colored, with more frilly underskirts than she was used to, but the cloth was smooth and fair to look upon. The outer sleeves were long and elegant and embroidered with white ivy and floral designs. Her brother commented that she looked fetching in it, but she did not reveal that it was a gift from her beloved. She was certain she did not look so "fetching" as she knelt crumpled on the stone floor.
I promise you, Uncle. I will not leave our people in their time of need. My happiness will have to wait. I pray that you watch over me, in the houses of our forefathers, and grant me wisdom to know the right thing to do and guide Éomer should he require it, prayed Éowyn silently. Please guide my brother, who was ever like a son to you. When she was finished, she leaned back and sat on her haunches but did not want to get up and rejoin the celebrations for she was deep in thought about many things. She had often sat in this fashion by her uncle's feet when she was young, and Éomer would not break that habit now.
How was she to tell her brother Éomer about Faramir? Would Faramir ask for her hand or was this a passing fancy? Though she could hardly think Faramir the type to flirt, and it was natural for her to believe he would propose after a time of courtship, Ithilien was so far from Edoras…. She did not know how she felt about leaving the wild, windy grasslands and moors of Rohan for the lush green fields and forests of Ithilien. If it was as beautiful as Faramir had described it, she had no doubt she would like it immediately.
I need to find Éomer a wife, she smiled to herself. She returned to the king's audience chamber where the festivities were still ongoing and getting merrier by the moment. After speaking with Merry and his cousin she went outside for some fresh air.
It was in her silent musings that her beloved Faramir found her. As he approached her softly, he saw a strange smile on her lips.
"Are you well, my lady?" he asked. She looked up from her musings and smiled warmly at him.
"I am, my lord." Éowyn turned and Faramir took up both her hands and kissed them. She felt her face flush and wondered if she would ever get used to the customs of Gondorians. She did not notice the flower in Faramir's hand until he placed it in her hair. It was the same kind of flower he had picked for her in the garden.
"What is this flower called, my lord?"
"It is called an iris. It reminds me of you, pale and beautiful." At his words she blushed and leaned up to kiss him. Her kiss was returned in full as his mouth met hers again.
"What are you doing here, my dearest Éowyn? And all by yourself?" he asked with a tinge of concern in his voice.
"I discussed with my brother that he must rule in my uncle's stead yet he is unlearned in the tasks of governing. I too was a steward of sorts in my land, when my cousin was not present and my uncle's mind and body lay in ruin by the works of Saruman and his hateful worm. The advisors turned to me, and the people looked to me and I now I fear cannot leave them until my brother is comfortable sitting in Meduseld. I'm afraid I must leave here." She sighed and leaned into him for support, physical and emotional. "Yet yours is the company I am most loathe to part with."
"I am afraid that you must," he answered. "I do understand that duty which you owe to your uncle and your country. I will wait for you, for as long as you need."
She held him in a tighter embrace.
"In the meantime," he said, "I can make arrangements to repair a great and historic castle in Emyn Arnen, our future home in Ithilien. But we can live in the Steward's House here in Minas Tirith until that is finished." He paused and looked down upon her face. "Before I start naming all of our children," he chuckled bashfully, "let me ask you first. You will marry me, will you not?"
Éowyn laughed and gave him the warmest smile he had ever beheld. "I would like nothing more than to be your wife," she responded.
"Good," he said with a sigh of relief, gathering him up into his arms. "You understand, dearest lady, that this means we must make closer acquaintance with the King and his future Queen henceforth." There was a tinge of hesitation in his voice.
"I understand, and I am more than happy to do it," she replied, "if it would please my future lord husband and liege lord. I hear that the future Queen is even tempered and very kind. I will not have a hard task befriending her." He smiled as if her words gave him a sense of relief. They then turned back to the Hall of Merethrond where the celebration turned into music and dancing. As they were walking, Éowyn paused and said to him, "You have a cousin, do you not? Daughter of Prince Imrahil, and she is fair to behold?"
"Aye, but not as fair as thee, my dearest Lady," he smiled. She rewarded him with a soft kiss on his cheek.
"That is not my point," she smiled. "I hear that she is a woman of good breeding and intelligence. I think perhaps, my brother Éomer and she should make an acquaintance." Her eyes were a bit mischievous at that thought. Faramir understood her thinking and silently praised her for being so wise. He concluded that Éowyn would fit very well in the courts of Minas Tirith. She was a natural.
The couple bowed in respect to King Theoden and left the chamber to join the others where the celebration was ongoing. Immediately Faramir took his leave of Éowyn to find his cousin to spin tales of bravery and valor to entertain her, and most of them would be centered around Éomer. Knowing that her Faramir was already starting to work his gift for weaving tales, she wandered off in another direction to where there were more familiar faces. She was invited by Merry for a table drinking game, but gracefully declined. Then she passed by a group of women surrounding beautiful Legolas and stout Gimli as they were debating as to who actually won their little duel to kill the most orcs, Haradrim, Easterlings or Urukai. Éowyn could not help but laugh quietly at the competitiveness underlying their friendship. They were ever this way. She wondered to herself if such a friendship as theirs would ever be struck again in Middle Earth. She continued to walk among the crowd when she stopped to see someone she did not expect to speak to that night.
Lord Aragorn, now King Elessar, stood before her dressed in his very formal attire, something she was not yet used to seeing as he was almost always the picture of a rugged, slightly worn but experienced warrior. Legolas had explained to her that his name meant "Elf Stone." She did not understand until he approached her now, and Éowyn dropped a graceful curtsey before him, and looked into his eyes. He who was raised by elves, whose blood also flowed in his veins, shared some of their mystery in his eyes. The King was a very impressive man who walked with wisdom and presence of royal lineage and Elven magic in every step. His aura alone was enough to have melted her frosty heart when they first met in Meduseld. Éowyn understood that now. Fate had led her to him first, and but for his rejection of her, she would not have encountered her beloved Faramir.
"My Lady Éowyn. Our graceful Gondorian attire suits you well. I do not recall ever seeing you radiating such loveliness," he said. Éowyn bowed her head in acceptance of such a compliment from the King.
"I confess I barely recognized you in your attire, Sire," she smiled.
"It's rather a nuisance, to own the truth. There are so many damn layers that it is quite difficult to even walk right now. This fur lined mantle itself weighs so much I feel as though I carry someone on my back," he mused. Éowyn laughed. There was still some of Lord Aragorn in King Elessar.
"But you, Éowyn, you are looking much better than I have seen. To look upon you now it is as if you were never touched by the Black Breath, and that you have always been whole; though, this is the first time I have beheld such a wonderful sight. You are truly radiant," he marvelled. Before she could respond, the pipers, drums and lute players struck up a dancing song, and many were gathering around them to dance. Many pairs of eyes were upon them now. In one graceful move, the king swept Éowyn into the middle of it all, surely the loveliest present among the raven haired women in her smooth, bright gown and flowing golden locks. Éowyn knew the steps to this dance, which was a gentle paced exchange between couples.
"Can you not guess?" she asked before she twirled out and away from him to the beat of the music. King Elessar surveyed the Hall as he danced and could not help but notice the face of his steward, the Prince of Ithilien, staring at them quite intently and without expression. The king had a feeling that the man was feeling more than he was showing. A slow smile spread on the king's face. She twirled back towards him and the king held one hand over hers on her waist and led her with the other hand gently skipping a few steps before she turned to face her dancing partner again.
"I think I have an idea of what, or who I should say, it may be," he grinned. "I am happy for you both," he laughed mirthfully. Éowyn had been rather tense and afraid to speak to Lord Aragorn, now King Elessar, since he returned to the White City. Though she loved Faramir deeply now, she wondered if what she had felt before for Aragorn would resurface. But now, even as her hand was held in his as they spun gentle circles across the marble floor of Merethrond, her feelings had been reduced to only fondness and friendship.
She remembered the nights when her heart ached to be with him, to fight alongside him, to kiss him…. But that was when she was still unaware of her heart's true desire, and the meaning of love. She had so admired Aragorn, but now, as they danced together until the end of the melody, it was not Éowyn the White Lady and Lord Aragorn of the Dúnedain who danced, but two entirely different people. They were each a new incarnation of themselves, and having struggled and fought together to be where they were now, the pair still shared at least a friendship in that. The melody ended and King Elessar and Éowyn bowed their heads towards one another. He then offered his hand to her and led her towards Faramir, who was still watching them nearby with the most inscrutable expression on his face.
"I leave her in your care, honorable Faramir," said the King gently, with a smile. Éowyn placed her hand in Faramir's extended palm and King Elessar held both their hands between his own.
"By my honor I will protect her ere after," replied Faramir.
"You have my blessing," said King Elessar. The king inclined his head and left them to mingle with the other celebrants. Faramir looked at her with such a look of concern that it almost made her laugh out loud.
"What is it, Faramir? Why do you look at me in such a way?" she grinned. The starlight in her eyes assured him that she was still his.
"I was afraid that—" he began, but Éowyn placed a hand gently over his lips.
"Ere after, my heart belongs only to you," she responded, and kissed the place where her hand had been. "Shall we dance?" she asked.
"I'm not much of a dancer," said Faramir apologetically. But Éowyn would hear nothing of it and soon they were both twirling and skipping in the middle of all the merriment as if they had always danced together.
Author's Note: Sorry this chapter was so short before! I didn't realize how short it was until I read it again, but I wanted it to be a turning point to our heroine patching up what she left behind, and choosing a new path for herself. But before now, I forgot to address the most important thing! To make up for it, I have added a dancing scene in here between our lady and her initial objecte d'esir. Tell me what you think. –Kero. (7.13.06)