Author's Note: I wanted to be realistic. No matter how romantic a couple can be, marriage is something different. I wanted to see if Faramir and Eowyn would make a good match in the afterward, the story that Tolkien didn't write. There are tons of great stories that I've read from other very talented people.

I have yet to read a horrible Eowyn/Faramir fic and I know I've read at least fifty by now. I love all the stories that tell about their afterward. It's not all fun and games being Prince and Princess of Ithilien, but she and Faramir are very skilled warriors, which is why I think Aragorn placed them there to begin with. Rather strategic and shrewd of the king, I might add, to give them the buffer zone. Enjoy! –Kero.

Chapter 10: All My Duty

Éowyn surveyed the land before her as she sat atop her horse on a tall hill facing the Castle at Emyn Arnen. Nearly a year had passed since her wedding day, and she and her handmaidens were only recently allowed to come live at the newly remade Castle at the foot of the mountains. Faramir had made certain that his wife be given free reign to decorate the Castle as she saw fit, for she was head of his household. But no matter how pleasantly decorated the inside of the Castle was, Éowyn was aware that the high wall and splendid mirthril enforced gates were as much there to keep people inside as it was to keep enemies out. Word had gone out that small bands of orcs had been spotted along the borders of Ithilien. Her husband had gone out with his newly assembled band of Rangers to seek them out and she was told that he would be home in a few more days.

Éowyn tried to see as much of her husband ever since their honeymoon was over. Sometimes he would be overly busy as his occupation as Steward of Minas Tirith, and other times he would be busy as Prince of Ithilien. This did not bother her as much as she thought, for she took pride in knowing that her husband was working hard to keep her and their home safe in the name of the King. She often traveled with him to the capital. If his work deprived her of his presence, she would then go visit the Queen. But there were times during the day spent, after she enjoyed doing many of the things she loved on her own or with Queen Arwen, that she would feel a sudden twinge of longing to behold her husband's beautiful gray eyes.

He did however keep true to his word and give her plenty of tasks to perform. She oversaw the decorating of the Castle at Emyn Arnen, received visitors from Minas Tirith and beyond, and oversaw the building of the garden and its beautiful fountain designed by their Elven neighbor Legolas and his kin. She also quartered the wives, relatives and children of her husband's Rangers, now numbering nearly one thousand. The Castle at Emyn Arnen was as much home to her as it was a large township. Many had come to settle in fair Ithilien where the soil was fertile. Including refugees from her own lands, who had lost everything they had in Rohan, and desired to start afresh elsewhere. They were more than happy to go with their White Lady and her new home. Newly built houses inside and outside the wall could be seen from her standpoint atop the hill.

Éowyn was proud of their accomplishments here, but still, she would rather her husband be at her side as she governed Emyn Arnen. He would come back to her as often as he could spare it, and she was glad for his efforts, even if the time they spent would not last past a fortnight. Faramir was always very attentive when he was home, and they spent many hours of the night talking in bed rather than sleeping.

Recently, she had been startled awake on several occasions when her husband began experiencing nightmares. Éowyn could only guess that the dreams had something to do with his final charge for Osgiliath, the renown charge of her husband and a band of loyal followers, including many Rangers who begged Lord Denethor to give them leave to follow Faramir, and the sudden loss of all these brave men and friends, save Faramir. Éowyn had lived with men of battle all her life, and she knew the effects of physical pain and the death of loved ones could have on the hearts of the soldiers who returned. She wished that she could go with him out on patrol, if only to give him comfort and whatever healing she could provide his heart. Éowyn had suggested this to her husband. This of course was out of the question, as her husband feared for her safety even when she went out riding within sight of the Castle. Since her days as warrior shield maiden were over for the most part, she did not insist upon it.

Éowyn no longer pined for the glory of battle and the renown of victory. She had had enough songs sung about her already, many of them so glorified her that she could not help but blush. Even the children in the streets sung them. Renown was no longer her wish, though she had it in abundance. Instead, she found more earthly delight in accompanying her husband on an early morning ride and survey of the Castle grounds, or lunching with him under the gentle shade of a tree in their garden. Éowyn loved to converse with her husband and delve into his knowledge and experience. He was such a good story teller. But there would be times when he would fall silent, and a wave of melancholy would pass over his expressions. These were the times that she knew he needed her most, if only just her company in silence. She would reach over and squeeze his hand and it would make him look her way, away from his gloominess. To her, it seemed as though he was grateful for her presence.

She knew that his childhood had not been very happy. His mother died when he was young and he had very little memory of her. His brother loved him, but he was often separated from him because their father groomed the elder for succession, and neglected the younger. This was when he developed a love for books and literature, as the characters he imagined in his mind would not judge him as his father often did. Denethor was very severe with Faramir, and much of what her husband told her made her angry at the man, though he was dead. Éowyn knew that her husband was not telling all, but she did not press him about such delicate matters.

Faramir looked up to his brother Boromir, who, in his eyes, could do no wrong. This sort of idolatry she felt was healthy for him as the younger, more impressionable ages, because it made him strive to be better. She did not say this to Faramir, but she found her husband to be a much better man than his brother. Her husband's quiet demeanor and modesty, his accomplishments and the constant battering from his father forged him to be strong of heart and mind. This perhaps was his saving grace that prevented the Ring from taking over his soul. Ironically, Denethor had raised his favorite son to rule in his stead as the next Steward, but unexpectedly raised the other son to defy the power of the Ring, which in the end made the most difference.

This upbringing did however take a toll on her husband, especially after the death of both his brother and his father. She knew her husband was a solitary man before they met, but he relied on the support of his brother, and lived for any kind word from his father. Éowyn soon understood that she had a major role to fill in his life. She needed to provide nurturing to him, for he grew up a lonely boy without the love from a mother. Éowyn also knew that she had to support him in everything he did, as Boromir had, and make him see his own worth when he could not. As his wife, she also knew that he often looked for her approval, much as he did from Lord Denethor. He would not actively seek it, but on a more subtle level she knew he did, and this meant that he discussed all matters of duty with her at length. She was glad to be included in this.

Éowyn wondered what his life would be without her, and she would shudder at the thought of her husband continuing a lonely existence. She often wondered if it was the circumstances of their meeting that spurred him to attempt to court her. Faramir did not seem the type of man who would be so bold with women he did not know. Perhaps her golden hair was a sight to see among the cold stones of Minas Tirith. And her husband, ever the lover of poetry and all things beautiful, was spellbound by her sadness and her golden hair. Whatever beauty she had, and her husband was still very intent on reminding her that she had it in abundance, Faramir seemed completely enamored of it, even now.

On this particular day, her hair was tied back in a silver ribbon, and a slight breeze picked up her golden locks. Accompanied by two of her personal armed guards, Garin and Beleth, Éowyn felt quite safe atop her hill. It was spring time and the flowers had come out in full bloom. Ithilien was indeed a great and marvelous land. Faramir was telling the truth in his descriptions of it, and Éowyn fell in love with this land as well. It was different from the grounds surrounding Edoras. The grassy plains were much to her liking as they were perfect for riding very fast and very far, to the chagrin of her personal guards. They could not dissuade the princess from doing what she wanted, but they were careful not to let her out of their sight. Should anything happen to her, they would face the wrath of Lord Faramir, something no one in their right mind would look forward to, for he was so revered among all the guardsmen and soldiers.

Dressed in her fur lined riding cloak and dark blue riding dress and shiny black riding boots, Éowyn looked every inch the proper princess. If she had her way, she would wear men's britches but she would not willingly shame her husband so. Now that she was Princess of Ithilien, she needed to keep up appearances, and she was wise enough to do so for the sake of her beloved. She appeared very graceful to all who beheld her that morning, and very few noticed that she still carried a sword underneath her cloak whenever she rode out without her husband, and a shield with the emblem of the House of Stewards hanging opposite a short decorative Rohan spear on her saddle. Her black leather riding gloves held the reigns on her lap as she continued to survey the horizon.

"Something troubles you, my lady?" asked Beleth.

"Indeed," replied Éowyn . "Spring has come nearly one month past now, and I thought I saw the birds fly cross the sky a few days prior. Yet today, I see no birds. Not even the small field birds who make nests in the grass. "By all accounts they should be everywhere by now. Have the farmers reported anything amiss? Wolves? An abundance of foxes attacking chickens?"

"Nay, my lady. There have been no reports of orcs, or of people or livestock missing," replied Beleth.

"All the same, my lady," said Garin, "I would not have you tarry here long. We should return to the Castle soon. Lord Faramir gave strict orders that you were not to go out riding until he was certain it was safe."

"Faramir is being overprotective. I obeyed his order until now, and I am restless with being inside so much. Even he would understand that. The councilors have not even brought the weekly reports in to me yet, so we have time," she smiled.

"Where is the trading caravan that is to come today, I wonder?" asked Beleth, also searching the horizon.

"I do not yet see them on the horizon, but surely they should have been here when the sun rose?" said Éowyn . She pondered her words and looked down the western road. As if instinctively, she urged her horse in that direction in a quick trot.

"My Lady, I must protest," said Beleth.

"As do I, your Highness," joined Garin.

"Then protest along the way," replied Éowyn , urging her horse to make haste. Both her guards followed after her down the road.

Faramir returned at dusk, as a light rain started to fall over the plains. His rangers rode beside and behind him, all were weary from hunting orcs. They were somewhat successful in dispatching of a handful of orcs but Faramir knew there was a larger group still roaming about. Reports from villagers have come in that sighted them near Emyn Arnen. He was glad to have sent word to the Castle to dissuade his wife from riding out, as he knew she loved to do. It pained him to give the order as he was not keen on caging her like a bird. She was a wild and free spirit, and he knew she would not be happy if she was always kept indoors.

But, Éowyn often stayed in the garden where Faramir had planted many irises to keep her company when he was away. Faramir pictured her among the flowers and it made his heart stir. He was very eager to see her beautiful face again.

"Éowyn , what are you doing there?" Faramir had asked her one morning shortly after they had just moved into the Castle. She was kneeling on a blanket in a fine velvet gown atop new sod.

"This sod is a gift from our Elven neighbors. They said that anything will grow in it at any time," she replied. "Even out of season."

"And so, I ask you again, beloved. What are you doing there?" asked Faramir with a grin on his face. His wife was wearing gardening gloves as she dug into the dirt and he knew she was trying her best to keep from being soiled, but a smudge of dirt had found its way to her face, which in his eyes, somehow made her more endearing.

"I am planting these flowers out of season, obviously, darling. My handmaid showed me a picture she had sketched of them last season. They have pretty silver bulbs shaped like little bells. I hear that King Elessar will have you patrolling Ithilien soon, until you find the marauding orcs. It comforts me to know that these little flowers will be here to keep me company when you are away. Their color reminds me of your eyes," she said with a smile. He knelt down next to her and kissed her deeply. It was the little things that she did that seemed to increase his passion for her. He often blessed his good fortune for having come across such a woman.

He and his company stopped short when they came upon the outer town. The lights were dark and no one was about. The Rangers murmured amongst themselves uneasily.

"Something is not right here," said Beregond in a low voice.

"Where are the people?" asked another.

"They've sounded the alarm," said Faramir steadily. He urged his steed forward in a gallop towards the Castle. His first thought was of Éowyn . Was she safe? The image of her standing in front of the fireplace in their living quarters came to his mind. Her hair caught the glow of the flames in her golden locks. It was the last conversation they had before the departed with his Rangers. They had just supped together and were preparing to go to bed.

"How long will you be gone?" she had asked.

"Only a fortnight," he replied. He looked up at her face half expecting to find disappointment. The last thing he wanted was to have her feeling disappointed with him, her husband. What he saw there was not disappointment, but a serene expression that was difficult to read. He went over to her and took her hand in his.

"Are you disappointed?" he asked.

"Nay, I am not. Your duty is to King and country, and that makes me proud that you are my husband. But my only concern is for you. Will you be all right?" she asked. Faramir looked at her and knew that she was asking about his mental state. He had been having nightmares since he first knew that his patrols would be resuming. It was not always necessary for him to go along with his Rangers, but he found that strong leadership would strengthen morale among the ranks. He needed to know he could trust these new Rangers, even when he was not with them. But it had been a long time since he had carried a sword. Most of his nightmares dealt with that last charge across the Pelennor. Faramir was a little ashamed that his wife had so quickly seen through him to find his demons. Éowyn on the other hand was more understanding than he expected. He was amazed that she still loved him just the same as ever, even knowing that he felt anxious to lead men into danger again.

"It is only natural that you should feel this way," she explained. "Your life as you had known it disappeared in that War. It will take some getting used to peace, but it will pass, my love. You are a strong man and a great leader of men. Everyone knows this. I have no doubt that your skills will accomplish the deed to be done. My only concern is that I will not be with you when you wake up alone. But keep my pendant close to your heart and I hope it will give you comfort. And know that I will be here, waiting for your return."

He blocked the memory from his mind, to focus on the situation before him. When he approached the outer gate, he called out to the tower watchmen. His voice did not sound like his own.