Chapter Four: A Welcome Surprise

Faramir wrapped his arms around Aranee in return, as a brother would a sister he hasn't seen in a long time. It was nowhere near the passionate embrace that Éomer had just held with her, and yet still somewhere inside him, Éomer was jealous. Aranee hadn't thought twice about moving from his arms and into those of Faramir. He knew it was irrational and unreasonable after what they'd just shared. Combined with his knowledge of the relationship Faramir and Aranee shared it was just downright foolish to feel jealous. It was apparent in his face, the way that Faramir looked down at Aranee not with passion or lust, but with compassion and pure love, akin to the feelings that Éomer carried for his own sister, Éowyn.

He stood for a few minutes and when Aranee did not immediately release Faramir he cleared his throat, "I'll give you the room. Have your men been tended to?"

Faramir glanced up and nodded. "We were well received. My men are in the dining hall resting. We had a long and fast ride."

"I had best go out and greet them. Thank you for coming so swiftly."

At the words Aranee's head popped up from where it rested on Faramir's chest and she turned slightly to look back at Éomer. She did not release Faramir however. "You sent for him? For me?"

He nodded his head once.

He could see the tears welling up in her eyes and he stepped forward, taking her free hand in his, squeezing it for reassurance. "You needed him."

Aranee glanced from Éomer to Faramir, who stood silently witnessing the exchange. She felt no shame in sharing her feelings for Éomer in front of the man whom she considered her brother. She didn't want Éomer to think she was ungrateful, so she stepped out of Faramir's embrace for a few seconds, stood on her tippy toes and placed a delicate kiss on Éomer's lips. "Thank you, so much."

He inclined his head and smiled. "My lady." He stepped back from her, letting her go back to Faramir. "I'll leave you two to your privacy now. I am sure you have much to say to one another. I shall also arrange for rooms to be made up for you and your men, Faramir."

"Much obliged, My Lord," Faramir reached forward to shake Éomer's hand.

Éomer took the man's hand, "Éomer. We have shared far too much to use formalities now Faramir."

Faramir nodded agreement and both men's gaze dropped to Aranee who closer to Faramir, watching the two, smiling. Éomer turned and left the room and Aranee turned back to step within Faramir's embrace. He chuckled lightly as she wrapped her arms around his torso and squeezed, hard.

"'Nee, oh how I have missed you." He reached for her shoulders and pushed her back gently. "Let me look at you." She shook her hair back from her face and let him look at her. "You don't look too bad."

She laughed, "What did you expect? To find me thin, sallow and pale?"

"No," he laughed in return. "But when I received Éomer's letter I feared the worst. I know now that I needn't have worried at all. Kissing the king, little one?"

She blushed, "A recent development, Captain, so recent in fact that if you had walked into this room ten minutes earlier it would have ceased to exist entirely."

"And yet it has happened now." His eyebrow quirked slightly.

She nodded, "And if with the way I feel and the way I know Éomer feels, I don't see it stopping. He loves me Faramir."

"He does," Faramir confirmed. "That much was clear in his letter to me. His concern for you was as plain as if I'd been staring him in the face. Despite it being an official edict, it was much too personal for me to doubt his feelings for you 'Nee. But you, what are your feelings for him? Have they grown?"

"Have I not said as much in my letters?" she frowned.

"Yes, you have, but I'd like to hear the words from your mouth. It'll make it all the more real."

His eyes sparkled when he spoke and Aranee's heart melted a little bit more. She had never been able to refuse Faramir anything. "Can we speak somewhere more private than the kitchen?" she asked, noticing a few more people wandering around now, gathering food and drink for Faramir's men.

"Of course. Outside?"

"No," she shook her head, "that's not private enough." She turned, taking his hand in hers and exited the kitchen and turned down the hall away from the dining hall and kitchens, toward the bed chambers.

Aranee slipped inside her own bed chamber, or at least the one she had been given since living with Éomer and Éowyn. It was simple and suited her needs but was nothing like the living quarters that she had at Minas Tirith. It was smaller and warmer, whereas her seat above the city was a large cavernous room with white-washed walls and tapestries hung to making it seem cozier.

Inside she moved to the two chairs by the stone fireplace at the far side of the room, stoking the fire and putting a few pieces on. It was not winter anymore but cold bite still hung in the air at times.

"You surprise me madam, bringing an unmarried man back to your bed chamber."

Faramir's smart remark earned him a raised eyebrow and a smile from Aranee but she didn't say anything in response as she plumped the chair pillows. She didn't say anything until she sat down. "Good sir, I'll have you know that this room is beside your dearest Éowyn's, so I would not say such things if I were you. She may not be in there at the moment, but she is likely to come flying in here at the slightest sound of your voice."

Faramir in turn raised his eyebrow, "Is that so?" he looked curiously towards the closed door that they'd both come through.

Aranee sighed, "You can go see her now if you want, Faramir. My answers will still be the same when you return."

He glanced back to her and looked stricken. "I'm sorry 'Nee. You're right. You were in my life first, and this visit is for you. Éowyn is a happy bonus."

"You're in love with her." It wasn't a question.

Still he confirmed it, "Yes, I am. Very much so. And do you love Éomer?"

Aranee smiled at the change in topic, getting them back on track. Faramir always was good at taking the direct approach when discussing things. She shook her head however, "I'm not in love with him. I care for him dearly, and I have grown to have great admiration for him. But I am not certain it is love."

Faramir frowned then crossed to sit opposite her in the chair that Éowyn had occupied in the months past, keeping Aranee company on the nights when she was lost and lonely. It was good to see Faramir sitting there; bringing many wonderful memories back to mind.

"You seem very certain of yourself, 'Nee, but I am led to believe by Éomer's letter just weeks ago that this is a recent development. What happened to change how you felt?"

"I hardly know, Faramir. I assure you that there is some logic somewhere that explains this feeling and these actions, but I cannot find them right now." She looked bemused and smiled brightly. "I cannot explain this elated feeling I have right now. It's like for the past few months I've been weighted down by something that is suddenly gone and it has to do with Éomer and…" She paused.

"And what?"

She sighed, "And being in his arms felt so wonderful; as if I could let him have everything that was worrying me and he would protect me."

Faramir smiled. "I'm so glad for you 'Nee." He leaned forward and took her hands in his. "What is still worrying you though? He cannot protect you from yourself, and I'm sorry to say this but I have always been honest with you, whatever is bothering you is self-inflicted."

Aranee's smile faded and she jerked her hands back and then to her feet. She walked around her chair. Even in the dim-lit room, Faramir could see the emotions play across her face; despair, anger, sadness, and loneliness.

"I am sorry Aranee," he whispered.

She turned away from him so he could no longer see her face. He knew her well enough to know though that she did not really want him to leave her alone. So he stood and walked around to where she was standing, bringing his hands to her shoulders and bringing her close to him. She tucked her head under his chin and latched onto him, squeezing tightly. He did not let go.

"I hate to be the unwanted voice of reason," Faramir spoke gently. "You have always been strong, Aranee. I just do not believe you should rely on someone else for your strength. Let Éomer be the helping hand, but he cannot be your strength."

Aranee took a deep breath and sighed. "Is it not enough that I've stood on my own for all these years? Why is it not acceptable for me to just let someone else bear the load for a while?"

Faramir chuckled, "I didn't say it wasn't acceptable 'Nee. I think it's wonderful you are feeling like this. It's a beautiful feeling. I just don't want you to be broken again. You are fragile though. Let Éomer heal, but not become your strength."

"I know." She stepped out of his arms slightly, took his face in her hands, leaned up and gently kissed him. "You're so good to me. I'm so glad you're here."

He took each of her hands in his and kissed the backs of them, his eyes sparkling. "I am likewise glad. I am here for as long as you'd like me here."

She gave him a warm smile and once again took her seat by the fire. Faramir however, remained standing. She waved her hand towards him dismissively, "Go and see her Faramir. I can see it in your eyes, that longing."

"I came here at your behest," Faramir protested lamely.

"You came at Éomer's request," she shook her head. "You have seen me. I am fine. There is much to say but it can wait."

He gave her a knowing smile, leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead. "It is good to see you 'Nee."

She touched his cheek and smiled back. "I am so glad you are here."

He nodded and left the room. She slouched back in her chair, bringing her hand to her mouth to conceal the smile hidden there. Faramir was here. Éowyn would be so happy to see him. She was so happy to see him. She frowned. What exactly had Éomer said in his urgent letter to make Faramir drop all his duties and come to her side immediately?

Faramir turned in the direction that Aranee had implied Éowyn's room lay. He came to the room next to Aranee's. Éowyn was not there. But Faramir knew instinctively that this room belonged to her. It was so plain, befitting the shield maiden of Rohan. He stood at the door for a few moments, already feeling at home so close to his beloved. A noise at the end of the hallway captured his attention and he turned to see Aranee fleeing her room. As she disappeared at the end of the corridor another figure entered, their head looking in the same direction as Faramir's. Her straw-colored hair was unmistakable, even in such a dim torch lit hallway.

She shrugged her shoulders and then started towards him. Her eyes were on the floor for a few moments before she looked up and saw him standing there. Her eyes flashed fire and thunder. She broke out into a run and when her body slammed into his, he stumbled back but wrapped his arms around her, breathing deep the sweet hay scent she seemed to carry everywhere with her. He nuzzled himself into the crook between her shoulder and neck. It felt wonderful.

Éowyn could hardly breathe. She didn't know if she was going to laugh or cry. She almost felt as if she were going to do both. She pulled away reluctantly; she wanted to look at him. "You're here," she breathed. "You're really here."

"Did Éomer not tell you I was arriving?" Faramir frowned.

"He mentioned it but I did not expect you so soon. You must have ridden day and night."

"And then some," he smiled, cupping her cheek. "Éowyn…" his lips met hers gently and like the chinks of a lock, their bodies matched one another perfectly.

When their kiss broke Éowyn was blushing a deep shade of red and Faramir looked like a very satisfied man.

"Wait! Have you seen Aranee?" Éowyn cried, fixing him with a stern look.

He nodded, "I have seen her. We spoke briefly. She told me to come find you though."

"Why?"

"Because she knows me very well," he admitted. "And I think she is going to be quite alright."

"A brief conversation and you've already come to that decision?" she was skeptical.

He grinned, "It was not the conversation that changed my mind, but the embarrassing situation I caught her in moments before…with Éomer."

Éowyn balked. "With Éomer!"

"They were in quite the comfortable embrace. Something highly reminiscent of the embrace we just shared, if I were asked to make a comparison."

"What did she say when you asked her about it?" Éowyn prompted, taking his hand and drawing him into her room.

She settled herself into a chair by the window and he stood in front of her, his hands resting on his sword hilt.

"She avoided it for a few moments. She is still wary but considering the steps she has taken to open her heart to Éomer, I do believe she is recovering. I also brought herbs from the White Witch that she has instructed me to give to Aranee. I do not know if she will take them, but perhaps with Éomer's help…" his sentence trailed off.

"She does not like taking medicines for herself."

"I know," he concluded. "I was assured that they are just energy supplements. Ninia told me they would restore her strength in order for her to fix the rest of her problems."

Éowyn huffed. "Problems. She is not an invalid, despite all what we say about her. She is perfectly sound minded. I do wish there was another term for it."

"As do I. How be it we say she is just not herself. Tragedy and stressful situations have brought her to this state and all she requires is time to heal."

"It's been eight months, Faramir. How much longer will she not be herself?"

He shook his head, coming to kneel before her. He took her rough hands in his, "I cannot know. I will not abandon her though. Just as I will not abandon you. I cannot face another day not knowing Éowyn."

"Knowing what?" she looked momentarily shaken as his tone turned from concerned to passionate.

"I need to know you will be here. For all the rest of my days." His hand reached inside the pouch he wore at his belt. From it he withdrew a small velvet case and Éowyn's heart skipped a beat.

Her hand leapt to her mouth to hide her gasp. Faramir smiled.