Author's Note: I am so sorry this took so long. Thank-you for your patience.
Merry silently stood upon the balcony leading off his and Pippin's room. He looked up the night's stars. Beautiful and lovely they were to him. As he stood gazing at the heavens, memories came back to him. He remembered when he first came to Minas Tirith years ago. With the Rohirrim he came, riding with the Lady Eowyn, though he knew it not at the time. His thoughts turned to that White Lady. She had died three years ago. Tears began to flow from the old hobbit's eyes. The Lady Eowyn was very dear to him. During the great journey, he had saved her life, in the very field that now lay below him. The winter's air was chilly and he walked towards the warm fire in the room. The fire was able to warm his cold hands, but Merry continued to reflect on the Lady Eowyn. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a pendant. It was silver and in the shape of a horse head. It once was Eowyn's, but after her death, he received it. He smiled as he remembered that the next day would bring Faramir and his son Elboron. They would be coming to visit Pippin and him.
Tiredness was overcoming him, and Merry decided to go on to bed. As he turned to his bed, he saw Pippin twitch in his sleep. Merry smiled at his cousin and blew out the small flame of the candle. As the two hobbits slept the stars shined brightly, undimmed, in the night's sky.
The sun rose golden that morning in Minas Tirith. The bright rays seemed to paint the White City a gold color. And in the morning's light, Faramir and Elboron passed the gates of Minas Tirith. The two hobbits left their room and went out to meet their beloved friends. By the White Tree, Merry and Pippin greeted Faramir and Elboron.
"Pippin! Merry! My dear friends how good it is to see you two again. Our Lord Aragorn tells me you have come stay here in Gondor. We are glad to be blessed with your presence," said Faramir approaching his hobbit friends.
"Faramir! It is good to see you," said Pippin embracing his friend.
"How are you Elboron? I am glad to see you again too," said Merry
"I am well Master Meriadoc. I also am pleased to see you too," said Elboron.
"Would you like to join us for breakfast?" asked Pippin
"Now which one is that? First or Second?" said Faramir with a smile.
"Second for me and first for Pippin. He wouldn't get out of bed this morning," said Merry.
"Well I'll have you know Master Meriadoc that I was tired and needed my rest," said Pippin innocently, "But we have talked enough, Aragorn is waiting for us in the private dining quarters."
The friends enjoyed their breakfast together, talking of times past and new news. Later that day Legolas and Gimli joined the two hobbits and three men for lunch.
"It seems so long ago, when we first met, Faramir, in this very City too," said Pippin with a far-away look in his eyes.
"Yes, I remember it well. During those dark days some light did appear. Light that seems never to dim. Those days changed out lives. It was because of those days that I met you my friends," said Faramir with a smile, "Yes, fate is strange sometimes."
"Indeed, it can be strange," said Elboron, "Why, Father, wasn't it during that War that you met my Mother?"
"Yes, it was, Elboron," answered Faramir.
"I miss her," said Elboron.
"I do to, my son. I do too," said Faramir, his smile fading away from his aged face, "If you excuse me please." Faramir rose and left, head bowed.
Faramir walked out into the courtyard, tears were forming in his eyes. Standing near the White Tree in tears, Faramir didn't notice that he was followed.
"Faramir, are you alright?" said a voice behind him.
Faramir turned around to find Merry looking up at him worriedly.
"I'm…I'm ok. Please don't worry about me. I am fine. It is just… it's just…oh, I just miss her. I miss Eowyn," Faramir said through tears.
"I know, I know. I miss her too. It was just last night that I was thinking about her," said Merry as he sat on a bench, motioning Faramir to do the same.
"Our fate seems cruel. This doom we mortals must endure. We are not like the Elves, immortal. But yet all things must pass, sooner or later," Faramir said.
"Cruel it may often seem. But it isn't that bad, for you will see her again, Faramir. I know you will," said the hobbit.
"Thank-you, Merry. I am glad to have you and your cousin as friends."
"And you and Elboron are good friends for us also, Faramir. You know that son of yours. He looks very much like you, yet he has his mother's eyes."
"Yes, He does," said Faramir.
"Now, if you don't mind, I am going back to have some more lunch. That is, of course, if Pippin hasn't eaten it all," said Merry arising from the bench, "Will you care to join me?"
"Yes, I will. We can't have that silly Knight of Gondor eating everything in Minas Tirith, can we," Faramir said as he followed Merry.
They arrived back at the lunch table and Pippin was describing to Gimli the details of story of how a wagonload of beer came to fall into the Brandywine River.
" Pippin, I hope you saved some food for us?" said Merry
"Yes there are a few sandwiches and a piece of cake. Wait no, I ate that. So just sandwiches, no more cake," said Pippin.
Faramir smiled as he watched the hobbits talk of food, and in his heart Faramir knew, someday he would again see the White Lady he loved so much.