Another chapter so soon, perhaps all is not lost to writer's block. For those who want more Eowyn/Faramir, next chapter is already underway, for your wish is my command. None of them are mine. If they were Merry would be in the kitchen washing my dishes in the altogether. Please read and review.
Eowyn stretched luxuriantly under the coverlet then snuggled a bit deeper into the pile of quilts, tucking her chin against a pillow. The pleasurable haze of sleep was still upon her, that space halfway between dream and waking, a blissful forgetfulness of the horror of the past days. But a sharp rap upon her door shattered the peace and she opened her eyes, squinting against the dawn's light. She left the warmth of the bed with regret and a quiet moan of protest, and slipped into her dressing gown. She smoothed at her hair as she shuffled barefoot to the door, and opened it to see Eomer standing there, girded for battle. His helm was beneath his arm, and his sword hung at his side, gleaming in the light. Eowyn's stomach twisted in her and she stared at her brother, dread upon her for the moment she had feared had come. "Brother," she said quietly.
Eomer glanced over his shoulder into the corridor then stepped into the room and shut the door softly. "Eowyn," he replied and they stood wordlessly, staring at one another. After an infinite moment Eowyn reached her hand out and twined her fingers into his, drinking in the feeling of his huge palm engulfing hers. They silently looked at one another, taking in every feature of the other's face as though they would never look upon the other again. Finally Eowyn tugged at Eomer's hand, feeling suddenly like a young child again, leading her older brother, her protector and friend, to some secret bounty. She sat upon the edge of the bed and pulled him to her side. Eomer's armor seemed as a shield between them, not allowing her to feel his warmth or touch his skin and Eowyn stifled a shiver. The hush was thick and she could hear the quiet song of a single bird outside her window, but still she did not speak, for she felt that to break that silence would bring the pain of loneliness and helplessness that she had so long quailed from.
"We ride within the hour," Eomer said quietly, and Eowyn felt her heart sink still further. "The men are mustered and await only orders to move out. But certainly I could not leave without saying farewell." Eowyn tried to reply but no words would come to her, so she only bit the inside of her mouth and gripped Eomer's hand more tightly. Eomer took a deep breath and squeezed her fingers back. "I shall not say do not worry, but do not weep, sister, for this is the hour in which men will battle for their future. It is not in vain that we go to war. It is in the days to come that Rohan shall prove her worth." A note of pride crept into Eomer's voice, and Eowyn felt a sudden fear that he would throw his life away in foolish valor.
Eowyn shook her head and sighed. "I shall not weep yet, for I do know that this sacrifice is not in vain. I cannot deny the pride I feel in our people, for they have not quailed in the face of this dreadful responsibility. Indeed, they have risen to it with eagerness and courage. Let no one say that the Rohirrim shrink from battle, least of all their king." She paused, the corners of her mouth pinching. "Do try to come back to me, Eomer. Do what you must but pray do not be foolhardy. I do not know if I could bear your loss."
Eomer turned to her and looked piercingly into her eyes. "Come with me," he said quietly, "I want to show you something." He stepped to the door and paused while she donned her slippers, then led her out into the gardens. The dawning sun sent fingerling rays of warm light across the stone retaining wall, turning the cold white stone to a buttery gold and setting the dewy grass asparkle. A wind gusted across the city, rustling the leaves of the trees and setting standards cracking. The pair stepped to the wall and looked out across the city as day took tremulous hold, scattering shadows before it. Below, upon the field of Pelennor, Eowyn could see the tiny massed figures, thousands upon thousands, seven times over, morphing slowly from small knots of men into straight lines and columns, order from chaos. No sound reached the high peak where she stood but Eowyn imagined the ripples of sound washing up on the wind, the excited cries of horses as they danced sideways, of men cinching tight their armor, of voices murmuring in hushed anticipation. "It is so quiet," she breathed, her own voice lost in the gale.
"The sound of war begins as a breath, a whisper, before it grows to the thunder," said Eomer. "Look long upon our people, Eowyn. Their bravery can be seen in the order, for they know well that they are marching for doom. Though my pride in our folk has always been strong, these days have given me new joy, for none can now say that Rohan is backward, and nor are we weak." Eowyn looked upon her brother and could see shining in his eyes a great swell of honor. "Rohan has risen anew from the decay birthed by the dotage of Theoden. It is a new day." Eomer turned to Eowyn and took her chin in her hand. "If I do not return, sister, it is not from foolhardy courage, but because this battle shall be like none ever fought. I shall fight to return to you, but if I do not, you must remember that it falls to you to tend our people, to urge them on to greater success. But most of all I beg you, do not succumb again to that dark despair, that hopeless void, into which the Worm cast you."
Eowyn nodded, blinking once as she felt a sheen of tears slick across her eyes. "It was a lesson well learned, Eomer, and an error that shall not be repeated. I shall remember that light and joy shall someday dawn upon our lands again, and I will find the strength to wait upon it." Eowyn shivered as she repeated Faramir's words to her, spoken nights ago in the depths of her despair, and she marveled at the odd leap in her stomach as she recalled the gentle touch of his hand against her face.
Eomer gusted a sigh that seemed dredged from his boots and laid his hand upon Eowyn's shoulder. "Then I must say farewell, beloved sister. If I do not return, think fondly on me, but do not despair. Know that I loved you with all my being, and that I fought and died for your future and the future of our people."
"And take my love along with you as you ride," replied Eowyn, her chest hitching with an impending sob.
Eomer hesitated for an instant, then enfolded Eowyn in his bearlike arms, crushing her to his chest. "I love you," he whispered against her hair, his warm breath brushing her cheek. With a shuddering breath of his own he released her, bending to press a kiss against her forehead. He then turned and walked quickly from the garden, his shoulders hunched against the press of the wind. He did not look back, for if he had Eowyn would have seen the tracks of tears on his face.