Chapter Three: A Little Faith

When Faramir received the summons from the Rohan King, he put his plans in motion to leave almost immediately. Éomer had been insistent that Aranee needed him greatly and so he went straight to Aragorn with the message still in hand and asked for permission to leave Minas Tirith for some time.

Aragorn was hesitant to answer however.

"You are Prince of Ithilien and the Captain of my Guard. I don't know if I can spare you this time Faramir, as much as I would like to give it to you."

Faramir frowned and considered getting angry for the briefest of moments. He also considered letting out Aranee's secret to her brother just to give him a reason to come along as well. Faramir had known Aranee since she was a small girl, they had grown up together and he would have done anything to go to her side this instant, except that. He would do anything for her and that also meant he would not betray her trust. She expected him to keep her secret about Aragorn being her older brother, and he would not use it in his selfish ways just to go and see her better again. But he had to go somehow.

It must have been written plainly on his face because when Faramir looked back at his king, his demeanor had changed. In the place of the king was a friend who understood such a need. "If you can find someone to manage your post for this time you are away, then you may go. I must approve them before you leave, but afterwards you are free to go. I can see it in your eyes that this news bothers you immensely. I would not want to deny you this, not as your friend and not as your king. Especially after all you have done for me." He placed his right hand on Faramir's shoulder and nodded his head. "Give my regards to Aranee, and my wishes that she gets better soon. I do not wish her any ill will and would have her recover soon."

Faramir nodded, "I will do my best, my Lord."

"I know you will."

Aragorn let Faramir go and Faramir headed towards the practice area within the palace yard in search of a man who would take over as Captain of the Guard temporarily. He could be gone as long as two months and he wanted to make sure he had the perfect man for the position.

He made the decision to take his second, Hemil, with him on the journey. But the next trustworthy man for the job was Amar, an experienced Lieutenant in his Guard. He made the arrangements quickly and then set out towards his room to pack his gear. It was still quite early in the morning and he wanted to get on the road as soon as possible.

While packing he went to his desk and grabbed the letters he'd received from Éowyn over the past eight months. He stuffed them in with his valuables, few of which he was taking because he didn't know how long he'd be away, nor what he would need while there. He assumed that his stay, having been invited by the King, would not be brief and he would not pay for his accommodations, but in the event that something happened, it was always a good idea to keep some of his precious wares on his person rather than left behind in the city. He paused momentarily to look over the letters.

It had been a hard eight months being away from Éowyn, but they were months that he would never regret. During the time she had been in Minas Tirith and they had been together they could have fooled themselves into thinking that what they had was not in fact love but rather an infatuation. But the months apart were testimony to the fact that their love was stronger than just an infatuation and he longed to have her back in his arms once again.

Along with the letters, he also retrieved from a very safe and secure spot in his room, in a small cubby hole secretly built into his four-poster bed, a ring case. He popped the latch on the front of the small box and saw nestled on the forest-green velvet, the ring that his mother had worn, given to her by his father. It was yellow-gold with blue and white jewels. The first time he'd seen Éowyn at the king's coronation his mind immediately jumped to this ring. Ever since that moment, and every passing minute that he spent with Éowyn, he thought that this ring would look beautiful on her small but very capable hands. He had seen her handle a sword better than most of his men at one point or another, and he would be very proud to see her wear the ring that his mother had worn while alive.

He knew that the sooner he left Minas Tirith and the faster he rode, the sooner he would be with Éowyn again, though that was not his main concern at the moment. Aranee was still as dear to him as a sister and he felt very protective of her and he also knew that Éowyn felt the same way about her.

Upon his departure, Ninia, the White Witch was there to greet him at the gates. She had in her hands a satchel and she was wringing the strap with both hands.

"My Lord Faramir!" she called out to him, thinking he would just pass her by, when in fact he knew to stop by the White Witch, should she be present. Her blessings were just as important as the King's, though held less regal authority.

"Ninia," he greeted her, hopping down off his horse quickly. "I must be brief. I wish to reach the Forests before the sun sets and that is quite a day's ride."

"I understand, m'Lord," she nodded her head and then held out the satchel. "Take this ter Aranee."

He needn't ask how she knew he was leaving to see her for it was irrelevant. She knew everything that happened within the White City. She was the Head of the Healers of Gondor, save for the King of course, but she was also the eyes and ears and knew all the comings and goings of its people.

"What is it?" he asked instead, inquiring about the contents of the satchel.

"Herbs. I know she does not wish ter be dependent on 'em, I know 'er better 'n she knows 'erself, but these herbs are not addictive as most are, and if she mixes 'em into a tea it will restore 'er mind to full strength in order for 'er to fix the problems 'erself rather than hiding 'er problems in the shadows and corners of 'er mind."

Faramir nodded once. "I will deliver them for you. Any message in particular you would like me to bring to her as well?"

Ninia shook her head, "Nay, she doesn't wish ter 'ear the rambling of an old woman like meself. You go ta 'er and she'll be righted. Take ma word fer it." Her witchy-blue eyes sparkling and twinkled and Faramir knew at once that she held wisdom enough to say something like that. She was not as wise as say, Gandalf, but Ninia knew more about the human condition than anyone else on this earth, he reckoned.

He lashed the satchel to his saddle, fastening it tightly so it didn't bump around and heaved himself up onto his horse once more. He looked back to where Ninia stood and she lifted her hand almost as if to point to him, but her aged fingers held no stress. She then brought those fingers into a fist and kissed them, closing her eyes as she said a silent prayer for the Prince of Ithilien. "Safe travels, Faramir," she said quietly, though loud enough for only Faramir to hear.

"Farewell, Ninia. Soon I'll return. I'll bring our girl back."

The corners of her mouth curled as Faramir rode out onto the Fields of Pelennor. He rode with a company of ten men, fast on their horses and once out a distance they turned and picked up their pace, racing now, with one destination in mind: Edoras.

When Éomer told her the news of having sent for Faramir, Éowyn was both thrilled and scared at the same time. She was mostly scared for Aranee and what it might mean. But after a few minutes of thinking about it, she decided that the worrying was for naught. Faramir would have ventured to Edoras even if Aranee was not in danger.

She was also little afraid of seeing him again after all this time. Eight months was not a great deal of time. She knew that some women went for years on end without seeing their betrothed while they procured their wealth in distant lands, and as it stood, Faramir was not yet her betrothed. There were no words of understanding between them save for the three that mattered most: I love you. Both had said it and both had meant it. She would gladly spend her life with Faramir, and she was a strong and headstrong woman, but this was one rule she would rather leave unbroken. She did not want to be the one to suggest marriage. She wanted Faramir to do so all on his own.

But still, in those eight months things had changed dramatically. Her brother was now king and she was mistress of the kingdom. She was the queen for all intents and purposes until Éomer took a bride and Éowyn saw no plans in the near future for him to do so. She no longer felt drawn to the battlefield as she had once. Where before she had wanted to die in battle, live for the valor and honor that battle would bring, she had now settled her mind, knowing that was not her course. She felt drawn to the more mothering side of her female nature, rather than the vivacious side that had driven her during the times of war. She wondered then if that change would deter Faramir. Had he fallen in love with that fearless and brave woman who craved the clashing of swords and horns of battle? She couldn't help but doubt all the affections, and in eight months, she wondered what his coming would mean in their relationship. She knew he came for Aranee, but she was certain that he did come for her as well, he said as much in his letters.

"You look deep in thought," a familiar voice came from the doorway of her bedroom where she sat clutching the letters that Faramir had sent. She looked up to find Aranee standing there, a small smile lingering at the corner of her mouth.

"I am not a very deep thinker," Éowyn tried to defer.

Aranee was more perceptive than that however, "He writes beautiful letters, doesn't he?"

Éowyn's smile flourished, "He really does. Has he written you?"

"Yes," Aranee nodded. "Each time you have received a letter, so too have I. He is very loyal to the people he loves."

"What has he said in the letters he sends you?" Éowyn asked, instantly curious, and without thinking whether it would be inappropriate to do so.

"He tells me of the castle mostly, and the people there. I was solitary in my life there, but I did pay attention to the people where I resided. They are a good, kind people, much like the men and women of Rohan. I have a deeper seated connection with those of the White City though. Most of those Faramir mentions in his letters are men who I served as Healer, mending their battle wounds."

"And most are well?"

Aranee smiled, "Aye, all accounts tell as much." Her head dropped then as she said, "He recounts that Aragorn is also well."

All thoughts of Faramir forgotten, Éowyn beckoned Aranee to come sit beside her. Once she did, Éowyn reached to place her hand on her friends'. "You did know he would regain his strength, didn't you? He is a strong man."

"I know that," Aranee conceded, and Éowyn could tell that there was sincerity in the words. "I sometimes wonder at his getting all the strength in the family."

Éowyn shook her head, "It is not so. I have seen such strength in both of you. And it is the same strength, believe it or not. Yes he may be more physically capable of certain things but that is not the strength that I see. It is the strength of heart that you both have inside you. You fight back evils within that would otherwise drown you. Recall that Aragorn fought his battle against Sauron and the Ring, resisting its temptation."

Aranee paused to remember. She had not known him then, but in the months that she had lived under his rule before the attack, she had heard many tales, both from those closest to Aragorn, and within the city about how he had struggled so with the One Ring. She did not see herself resisting such a temptation if she were in his place at the time.

It was as if Éowyn could hear her thoughts because she began shaking her head, "Don't you dare say that you would not have had the same strength and courage, because it's a blatant lie. You've got to stop lying to yourself, Aranee. You are much stronger than you think. Give yourself more credit."

"I just don't know Éowyn," Aranee said, throwing her hands into the air. "I am unsure of so many things right now."

Éowyn's smile soothed Aranee's frustration only minimally. "I know. I can see it tormenting you every day. But sometimes I think one has to tear themselves to the very ground before a rebuild is even considered. There was plenty of damage that had been done, not only with Aragorn's attack but also with the years of war that had waged before. Your soul needs mending and only time can do that."

"You have that much faith in me?"

"Of course I do," Éowyn exclaimed. She reached forward to embrace her friend, hoping that the momentary contact would help even the smallest amount. "I have all the faith in the world in you, Aranee. So many people believe in you. We just want you to have a little faith in yourself as well."

"Éomer…"

"Has more faith in you than all of us," Éowyn interrupted. "He dotes on you so, and it is his love and affection that holds him true in your favor. I have never seen him so enamored before Aranee."

"You've never told me that before," Aranee seemed taken aback from the news.

"You have never needed to hear it before," Éowyn admitted. "I'm sure if you opened yourself up just a little bit; let him slip past those defenses you've built so well, you'd see it for yourself that he thinks the world of you."

Hearing Éowyn say the words made them seem even more real than they ever had when Éomer claimed affection for her. She understood he felt strongly for her, but never this much. That Éowyn noticed the change in her brother made it that much more potent. She had felt him beating at the walls around his heart for so long, and not once had she let him in as anything more than a good friend.

"I'm going to find him," Aranee decided, standing suddenly. She turned back to look at Éowyn, "Thank you!"

She rushed off before Éowyn could speak another word. She sat there smiling at her friend, hurrying off towards her brother to tell him that his affections were welcomed. Éowyn was glad for her. Perhaps this was something that could help Aranee, if only temporarily at that. She had long thought that her brother's attention towards Aranee was inappropriate and not what Aranee needed at the moment. But after seeing how Aranee had lit up Éowyn was not so sure. It looked to her that this was exactly the distraction that Aranee needed to start building herself back up again.

It was a difficult task for a king to procure a few minutes to himself in his busy day, and yet Éomer would definitely call this a small accomplishment. He had snuck to the kitchens for a few minutes when no one was there, stealing himself a slice of fresh baked bread and honey mead ale. He knew the moments were not to last, he enjoyed them while they lingered.

"Éomer!" he heard a voice calling and guiltily hid the half-eaten slice of bread behind his back and turned towards the door where the voice was coming from. He did not know if it was Eryna, the cook who had spent all day baking this delicious bread.

The voice called again and this time he recognized the caller and his face lit. It was rare that she would seek him out with such exuberance. "In here!" he called back.

When she came into the room he immediately felt her energy. It had been many months since he'd felt this. "Aranee," he breathed.

"Éomer, I have been looking for you."

"You needn't have looked far."

She bent her head, "I know. I did not know how busy you were."

He took the slice of bread from behind his back, "You caught me at a most opportune time then, milady."

Aranee noticed the wicked glare that he sent her and smiled. "Is that fresh today? You know how Eryna is with her baked goods, even with the king."

"Are you going to tattle on me?" he joked.

She laughed, "No, I won't tell anyone."

"Good. Now that that's settled, what is it you needed me for? Please do not say you wish me to do heavy lifting."

"Why on earth…?" she frowned.

"I'm teasing, Aranee. Please tell me what it is on your mind."

Aranee closed her eyes and took a deep breath, hoping to inhale all the courage she needed to tell Éomer all she felt.

He looked at her closely. She was over-thinking something; he could sense it in her movements. He stepped forward, closer to her, and put his hands on her shoulders. "Aranee, whatever it is, just tell me, please."

She opened her eyes again and looked up at him, her eyes shining. It was not something he had seen for a long time. "Éomer, I spoke with your sister. She told me…she told me things I didn't know before. All that she told me has enabled me to rethink…things."

"Oh? What things are these then?" His head and heart were battling with one another. His heart was hoping and his head was telling him not to hope for it would only end badly.

She looked directly ahead of her, eyes level with his throat. She reached up to pull idly at the buttons on his tunic and then looked back to his face. She smiled, no longer thinking she needed to speak her thoughts. If Éomer knew her at all, and he claimed he knew her very well, he would understand.

He did understand, and he understood well. His head had battled needlessly. She had finally decided to let him in as he wished. He lifted his right hand to cup her cheek gently. "Aranee, are you certain this is what you want?" He didn't want to hesitate and give her the chance to change her mind, but he had learned early in their friendship that she would not be forced into anything.

Her smile did not falter after the question, nor did it after she spoke. "I want to try Éomer. I don't want to make any promises, but I feel like this is as good a place to start as any. I know how you feel about me, and I want to take this chance."

"I have never made it a secret; the way I feel about you, Aranee. But, if I may finally ask, how do you feel about me? I don't want you doing this because it will appease my inner wants and desires."

She shook her head. "You know I would never do that, Éomer. I wouldn't do this unless it was what I wanted."

"Of course, how silly of me," Éomer smiled. "I should have realized."

"And you should also know how I feel about you. Are you saying you do not?"

She was extremely close now, her chest touching his, and he still held one hand on her shoulder and the other cupping her cheek. "I do not need to hear the words, no." He bent his head and she leaned up, their lips met and the world stood still.

Unlike before, she did not pull back from him, but instead she welcomed his touch. Éomer wrapped his arms around her and she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. It was everything he had imagined and gave him such a feeling of elation and happiness that he feared he would burst.

Aranee could feel the butterflies fluttering around in her stomach calm and fill her up with such an unknown feeling that at first it scared her. But soon the feeling was over and she just enjoyed the sensation of being in his arms and being his for the first time. She had kissed others; indeed she had kissed Legolas, which had been pleasurable at the time. But this was different. She knew Éomer far more intimately and they had grown close and this seemed to just bring all the feelings together wonderfully.

"Ahem." Someone cleared their throat behind them and they broke the kiss to look to the door.

Éomer's previous feelings of happiness were momentarily interrupted by the man standing in the door. His arrival had been imminent, but Éomer had not expected him this soon. He looked from the man in the door to Aranee however and all negative thoughts were washed away. The look on her face as she laid her eyes on the man in the door was bright and luminous and full of love. This was a look he could get used to on her.

"I see I have come too late then," the man said lightly. "By the looks of things my presence is not needed any longer." He smiled brightly and his eyes twinkled with laughter.

"Faramir," Aranee breathed once and then ran towards him, leaping and wrapping her arms tight around him.