Summary: Songfic to War Pigs by Black Sabbath. watch?v=uJ6QHfZwTSw Eowyn copes with being alone while Aragorn rides to Mordor. Rated T by Savannah (Eowyn & Aragorn)
March 18 - April 4, 3019
Aragorn sat on the edge of his bed, his head in hands. The sun had almost crossed the line of the horizon, it lingered at the edge of morning, casting a purple glow into the sky. Aragorn turned around slowly, the bedframe creaking. The hard, thick muscles of his back bulged with the simple movement, every muscle in his body was tense. His eyes fixed on Eowyn's face, the sight alone seemed to calm the buzzing he felt in every cell of his body. He stared at her as she slept, trying to memorize the way she looked, the way her body lay wrapped up in the thin white sheet, the fuzz of hair that created a halo around her face, her soft pale skin, the few freckles on her nose, the softness of her dark eyelashes. But most of all, the peace that only sleep could bring. He reached his hand out, letting it hover over her face, wanting to touch her, to feel the warmth of her skin, but he drew back, unable to break the serenity that hung over like a cloud.
He stood suddenly, his eyes closing tightly. He couldn't look at her, he couldn't let his mind wander to what would happen if he didn't leave. The prospect of life made him feel dizzy when he was so resigned to death. He walked to the window and threw it open, collapsing onto the frame. He breathed in the spring air, the weight of the world pressing down on him, suffocating him and pressing the air from his lungs. 'Time,' he thought to himself, the sun rose in the east. 'Time has run out.' He heard Eowyn stir, the cool air brushing against her bare skin. He shut the window and walked resolutely to where his armor lay waiting for him.
Eowyn blinked her eyes open, the morning sun streamed through the room. She sat up, slowly looking around the room until she found him hunched over the dressing table. He stood half dressed, his chest bare and one vambrace strapped to his arm, the other still waiting in its place. She almost smiled to herself then remembered what the day had in store for them. The smile faded from her face. She stood, wrapping the sheet around herself and walked to Aragorn. She laid her hands on his shoulders, running them down his arms. "I love you," she said, laying her head in the small space between his shoulder blades. She felt tears spring into her eyes as she held him close.
The early morning sun poured through their windows, warming the air. Eowyn smiled and closed her eyes, the feeling of sun almost forgotten in the dark of the past days. Aragorn took a shaking and turned around, holding onto Eowyn as if she was life itself. His big arms wrapped around her, his fingers tangled in her hair, crushing her body to his. "Never leave me," Eowyn said.
Aragorn breathed and let her go. Turning back to his armor, he picked up a shirt and pulled it over his head. Silently, he began to pull on his gear; tightening the buckles and the straps until they dug into his skin. He stopped when he felt Eowyn's fingers brush over his arm. He stared down as her hands undid his work, loosening the straps and buckles. Then, in a sudden rush of emotion, he began to speak. "Eowyn, if I never see you again I want to you know I love you. I have loved you since the first moment I saw you, and I will continue to love you until the end of this world and into the next."
"Shhh," Eowyn interrupted him. Laying her hand on his cheek, she stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him slowly and lovingly. She said nothing for a long time, she simply looked at him. "I'm glad I'm here with you," she said. "If the world is going to be destroyed then I'm glad we had this time together."
Aragorn nodded, his mind returning to the present. "If this city falls you must flee," he said. "There will be no refuge in these walls, the city will burn."
Eowyn smiled sadly. "Why would I run? If you were gone there would be nowhere to go and no reason."
Aragorn folded her into his arms. "I love you," he said in her ear.
..::..
Eomer walked through the hallways leading up to Aragorn and Eowyn's room. He walked as slowly as he could, barely putting one foot in front of the other. When he reached the door he hesitated then raised his hand to knock.
..::..
Aragorn sighed as the knock sounded on the big wooden door. It was a hollow noise, empty and emotionless. His arms unwrapped from around Eowyn and walked to the door, letting it swing open on its hinges. Eomer stood in the frame. "The generals are readying the army, we march before the sun is at its peak." He looked to Eowyn, an apology in his eyes. She smiled back at him halfheartedly, her eyes still full of sorrow.
"I will be in the stables within the hour," Aragorn answered. "The men will have to be organized and horses distributed…" He trailed off, his mind in a completely different world. He walked away from the door; his back hunched and his brow knit together in thought.
Eomer's eyes met Eowyn's again and she walked to meet him. Eomer's lips curved up in a sad smile, his hand moved to touch her cheek. "Love him," he said.
Eowyn nodded. "I do," she said.
"Today he needs you more than ever. Not in the way he normally would, today he carries the weight of Middle Earth on his shoulders."
Eowyn looked back to Aragorn, he stood oblivious to their conversation. She looked at her brother, the boy she known all her life and saw the king, the horse lord, and the man he had become. She nodded. "I will." Eomer leaned forward and kissed her forehead then closed the door between them.
After the door had swung shut behind her Eowyn walked back to Aragorn. She pulled the last bits of courage from inside of her and stood watching him put on the rest of his armor. He pulled the last piece over his head, the heather jacket with the tree of Gondor in silver on his breast. Eowyn felt her breath catch in her throat, the sight of him standing in front of her filled her with pride but also despair. They stood looking at each other for a moment; Aragorn, a king ready for battle, and Eowyn, her hair haloed around her head and her body wrapped only in a sheet.
Aragorn stepped forward. "I must go," he said. Eowyn nodded, pressing back the tears that started to spring into her eyes. Aragorn put his hands on her arms. "I will see you at the gates before the farewell."
Eowyn nodded, unable to meet his eyes, trying to be strong for him. She felt his bend to kiss her forehead and she forced her eyes to look into his, a single tear trailing down her cheek. Aragorn's grey eyes looked cold as steel but as he looked at her his face softened and his hand moved to brush the tear away, his fingers lingering on her skin. Eowyn watched as he turned away from her and left the room, she felt the tears well up in her eyes and the lump in her throat grow until she could hold it down no longer. She sunk to her knees and let the sobs take over her whole body.
Aragorn stood on the other side of the door, it had taken every bit of his strength to walk away from and now he leaned on the solid wooden door. Every piece of him screamed to go back to her, to hold her in his arms for the rest of time and let what may come, come. But he knew who he was, and he knew what he had to do. He stood for a second longer, listening to Eowyn cry, then walked down the hall wiping at the tears that fell onto his cheeks.
..::..
The sound of the horses' hooves on the white city stone sounded like the starting of rainfall. The dark clouds overhead threatened the same rain. "A storm is coming," Eomer said. Aragorn turned back to look at him as their horses walked slowly side by side.
"In more way than one," Gimli said, his voice gruff.
Aragorn turned his face back to the crowd around him, people line the streets dressed in black as if for a funeral. Aragorn looked out above them, not meeting the eyes of the people.
Eomer watched as Aragorn led the red of the army out of Gondor, but what he saw was not the man he had known. He had turned hard, cold, and distant; but he had also become a king, only a glimpse of the ranger was left. Eomer looked up and saw his sister, her golden hair blowing in the stormy air. She looked like she had a long time ago, before she had ever met Aragorn after their parents had died, when she stood on the brink of despair. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Aragorn staring at her as well, soaking in the look of her as if it were the last time he would look on her.
Eowyn stood in the large open courtyard surrounded by cold white stone, a giant horse statue towering in front of her. Faramir stood beside her and the officials of Gondor too. She waited, looking at the rows of women holding flowers, tears streaming down their faces; she took a shaking breath. "Be strong for him," she heard her brother say in her mind. She watched as the men started to ride from the stables into the courtyard. Three horses led them; Gandalf, Eomer, and Aragorn. They came slowly towards her and the small group of old and wounded men. Eowyn's eyes met Aragorn's, her breath caught in her throat and tears stung her eyes.
Aragorn swung down from his saddle and walked up the three steps, his cloak blowing around him in the wind. He stood in front of the line of men as they said a few small words of blessing. Words that Aragorn didn't even hear, his eyes fixed on Eowyn's. Finally he came to her, they looked at one another, their eyes communicating without words, things too precious to say aloud. Aragorn's hand came to rest on Eowyn's cheek and she held it there with her own, her head leaning into his touch. She blinked and tears spilled down her cheeks. Aragorn folded her into his arms, holding her close to his chest. Silently, she cried, the tears dripping down her face onto his breast.
When Aragorn let her go she looked up into his soft grey eyes. "Come back to me," she said quietly, her eyes wide and pleading.
Aragorn looked down into the depths of her deep blue eyes, his hand still resting on her arm. Without a word he leaned down and kissed her. When they parted they looked at each other for another moment, saying a silent farewell, unaware of the many eyes watching them. Then Aragorn stepped away from her and suddenly she was aware of the cold after the warmth of his body.
Four more men walked past her but she could only mumble a few words. Eowyn looked down, ashamed of the tears trailing down her face. After all the men had gone past and were back on their mounts Eowyn looked up. She felt her heart clench as she watched the men she care most about ride out through the gates. Just before they were out of the gates Aragorn turned back to look at her, his silver eyes full of sadness and love, then he disappeared around the corner.
Eowyn's breath caught in her lungs and a sob tore through her. She wrapped her arms around herself, covering her mouth with her hand, her shoulders caving inwards as she sobbed. People started to turn and walk away now that all the soldiers had gone, but Eowyn stayed, holding her arms around herself, her clothes blowing in the wind The dark clouds that had been in the distance were overhead, blotting out the sun and giving the city a ghostly glow. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and she flinched away. Eowyn turned to him, her eyes blazing and angry words on her lips.
The blue eyes that met hers were soft and kind, and when he spoke his voice was gentle and comforting. "Eowyn," Faramir said. "It's been hours."
Eowyn looked up, the courtyard was deserted and she was left standing with her tears. The wind gusted around the two figures. Faramir's hand lingered on her arm. As they stood, the rain began, small drops blown so hard by the wind that they stung like needles on their skin.
"Eowyn, please come inside with me," he said, the wind blowing his hair into his face.
Eowyn looked up into his pleading eyes then to the gate where Aragorn had rode away what seemed like only minutes ago.
"Eowyn, please," Faramir said.
She turned back to his face, to his eyes just as broken as her own. She nodded.
..::..
Faramir walked through the halls of Gondor in the glowing dark. Candles were lit to fight off the dusk but they did little but cast their own shadows. "Eowyn," he called into the dark and empty chambers, not finding her anywhere. Finally, he caught a glimpse of her long hair, golden in the low light. "Eowyn," he said, but she didn't move at his voice.
Eowyn knelt beside a low bed, her head bent and her hands resting in her lap. He walked towards her, his steps slow and pained. She looked like an angel sent to stand watch over the dead. As he came to a stop beside her she looked up at him, her cheeks were flushed and tears streamed down her face, and yet she was still beautiful. "I can't live here alone," Eowyn said, breaking their silence. She reached out her hand so that it rested on the cold flesh of Arwen's arm.
"Come away from all of this death," Faramir said, looking over at the rows of bodies lying in the candlelight.
"Death is all that is left for us now," Eowyn said, not looking away from Arwen's white face.
Faramir knelt beside her. "There is so much more for you," he said. In his mind he saw her smile, heard her laugh, and even thought of her touch.
Tears fell down her face. "Please, just leave me here," Eowyn said pleadingly.
"I won't ask you to leave," Faramir said. Eowyn breathed in relief, laying her head on the side of the bed.
"I will not leave you here alone." In her mind, Eowyn saw the twins running through the gardens, falling over one another. A deep sadness filled her till it consumed her, drowning her. She felt a hand on her shoulder, but it did nothing to ease her pain.
"Eowyn," Faramir said, kneeling beside her, listening to her sobs. "Why do you do this to yourself? Do not linger with those who have passed, you only cause yourself pain."
Eowyn turned to him, her eyes blazing through her tears. "Do not tell me not to mourn for those who I love." Faramir nodded and touched her cheek, but she shrugged away from him and looked back to Arwen. She wrapped her arms around herself, rocking back and forth, sobbing until her vision grew dark and she felt herself falling.
..::..
Eowyn lay curled in a ball on Aragorn's bed, her eyes red with tears. Her whole body shook with sobs, she couldn't shake the images of Legolas and Arwen from her mind, but the dreams were worse. She lay, the tears that never seemed to dry blurring her vision. She closed her eyes and tried to breath.
"Arwen!" Eowyn sceamed, trying to run to her but it was too late, the arrow hit her, slicing over her collarbone and into her neck. Eowyn screamed, watching the blood pour down Arwen's chest. She finally broke through the barrier of Orcs just in time to catch Arwen. She lowered the Elf slowly to the ground. Arwen coughed, the blood trailing down the side of her face. Eowyn felt hot tears trail down her cheeks. "Arwen," she sobbed over and over. "Keep your eyes open."
Arwen smiled at her. "This is what I need," Arwen choked.
Slowly, Eowyn watched as the life flickered out of Arwen's blue eyes. Her sobbing intensified until she was completely bent over Arwen's body. She screamed in anguish, the battle still raging on around her.
Suddenly they were on the shore. Eowyn knelt waist deep in the cool water. Arwen was still in her arms. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Legolas behind her. Eowyn turned back to Arwen and watched as she stood and went to stand with Legolas. Eowyn looked down at the body still in her arms.
"You have to let us go," Legolas said, his lips unmoving.
"No," Eowyn breathed. Arwen turned to Legolas, resting her head on his shoulder, but Legolas' eyes were still fixed on Eowyn. "No," Eowyn said louder. Arwen whispered something in Legolas' ear and he nodded, they began to walk away, their already shady appearance slowly disappearing. "No!" Eowyn screamed. "Don't leave me! Don't leave me here alone!" But they were gone. Eowyn looked down at what had been Arwen and gently released it into the current.
Eowyn snapped awake, fresh tears trailing down her cheeks. Every time her eyes closed she watched them die, but it always ended the same. She always screamed for them not to leave her, but they always did, they always left her whether they wanted to or not. And now Aragorn had left her too. Eowyn lay on the bed, utterly alone. She wondered what it would be like to follow Legolas and Arwen across the water. She could almost feel the cool water rushing over her skin.
In a daze she climbed form the bed, she walked across the room and into the bathing room. She looked at the maid that was folding towels. "Fill it," she said. "With cold water." The maid nodded then left the room.
Soon the tub was filled and Eowyn waited till the room was empty before pulling her nightdress over her head and climbing into the icy water. She sunk into it, farther and farther until she felt it wash over her. She felt it cool the hotness of her tear stained face and wash away the dried salt of her tears. She looked up through its glassy surface until her lungs began to burn. She saw a face leaning over the water. She smiled, knowing it was almost time to walk across the water.
Eowyn's smile faded when she realized the person was yelling. A hand plunged into the water and grabbed her shoulder, pulling her out of the water. Eowyn came up sputtering. "Faramir!" she yelled, water dripping down her face.
Faramir looked back at her confused. "How long were you planning to be under?" he asked.
Eowyn looked at him, her blue eyes blazing. "What are you doing in here?" she asked, trying to cover herself.
Suddenly, he realized and turned around. "I'm sorry," he said. "You told me to come and get you when we were talking yesterday."
Eowyn stared at him. "Get out!" she yelled. Faramir left the room and Eowyn fell back into the water, frustrated.
..::..
Faramir stood outside Eowyn's door, his arms were crossed as he tried to push the image of Eowyn's body from his mind. From behind him he heard the door creak open and Eowyn slipped out. She was clothed and her hair lay damp around her shoulders. She looked up at him, her eyes red with tears. Faramir touched her arm. "I'm sorry," the body said at once.
Faramir smiled then spoke. "It is I who should apologize. It was not my place to come into your chambers."
Eowyn shook her head. "I told you to come to me. If you hadn't…" she trailed off, not meeting his eyes.
Faramir took her arm in his. "Shall we walk?" he said.
Eowyn nodded and they started off together. They walked together out of the royal chambers and up winding staircases and long halls, Faramir guiding Eowyn through the unfamiliar city. Eowyn looked up from their conversation and stopped talking. "Faramir, you're white," she said. They stopped walking and she began to realize how heavily he leaned on her arm. "We need to stop," she said. "You need to rest."
Faramir nodded. "Let's go to the garden, it's not far. Then we can sit there together."
Eowyn nodded and wrapped her arm around his waist, helping him to walk. When they reached the garden Eowyn eased him to the ground, leaning his back against the only tree. He winced and wiped the cold sweat from his face. Eowyn knelt in front of him. "Take off your shirt," she said. "Let me check your bandages.
Faramir tugged on the hem of his shirt, sucking in a painful breath. He felt Eowyn's cool hands brush over his skin and lift the loose fitting shirt over his head. Eowyn looked at his body, he was smaller than Aragorn, his skin hairless and lighter, but the hard muscles that lay under his skin were just as pronounced. Faramir watched as she lifted the blood stained cloth from the arrow wounds in his chest. He smiled at her gaze and focus, her cold hands a relief to his burning skin. She tightened the cloth and he gasped but then felt relief.
"How do you know healing?" he asked, grabbing her hand as she drew back.
"I've spent enough time with Aragorn to have learned," she said, looking at their joined hands. Her eyes flickered up to see Faramir staring at her. She pulled her hand out of his and glanced around the garden, searching for something else to look at. As she did her heart sank. Rows of chairs stood, some toppled over, and thin pieces of white cloth that had hung from the tree to walls now dangled, blowing ghostly in the wind. Around her feet lay white wilted flowers. Tears sprung into her eyes and she stood, backing away from Faramir. "Why have you brought me here?" she asked in disbelief and horror. Tears dripped down her cheeks.
"Eowyn, I'm sorry," Faramir said, trying to stand. "I did not realize this would still be here. I forgot this is where…" He trailed off as Eowyn began to walk towards the edge of the garden to see the view high above the city. For a paralyzing moment he thought she meant to jump off, and in his mind he saw his father the way he had seen him falling in his dreams. But she turned back to him, her face wet with tears.
"It's so cold here," she said.
Faramir nodded, looking down at her. Her hair was dry and it blew in the stray wind, her blue eyes were red and shining with tears. He went to her and before Eowyn knew what was happened she was in Faramir's arms. She felt the warmth of his body close her in. She felt connected to him as if his pain, his hurt, and his understanding seeped into her body washing away her own grief.
..::..
Eowyn stood waiting on a slightly elevated platform, beside her stood Faramir, his arms crossed and standing completely still. Eowyn, on the other hand, paced back and forth, unable to stop moving. Finally, the great gates opened. Eowyn's face broke into a smile as men began to pour into the city, but it faded. "No," she said when the man she was looking for didn't come through. Tears began to stream down her face. "No," she choked. She tried to run but for the first time Faramir moved and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Let me go," she yelled, kicking against him.
"Shhh," he whispered in her ear, holding her tight.
Eowyn began to sob, resting in Faramir's arms, her knees giving out, knowing that Aragorn was not coming back.
Faramir scanned the crowds of soldiers, praying desperately that Aragorn would ride through the gates. But even his hope failed when the carts of the wounded came rolling in. He turned Eowyn around, hiding her face in his chest so she would see him lying with the dead. Faramir scanned the crowds one last time, looking for his king. Something caught his eye and he had to look again. There he was, at the end of the line, making sure everyone had made it into the city. Faramir leaned down to where Eowyn's eyes were buried in his chest. He hesitated, the feeling of her body so close to his… "Look," he whispered finally.
Eowyn lifted her eyes and followed to where Faramir pointed. Her sobs turned to laughter and she bolted, this time Faramir let her go. She ran through the crowds, her hair streaming behind her.
Aragorn looked over the masses of men, his face betraying how tired he felt. Something made him stop, his face lit up and he smiled when he saw her running towards him. Eowyn came to skidding stop beside him, he pulled her up onto the horse. Eowyn grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him passionately. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and pulled her closer, kissing her in return.
"Stop it," Eomer said. "You're going to suck his face off.
Eowyn broke their kiss and looked at her brother, her head resting on Aragorn's chest. Aragorn closed her eyes and laid his face on the top of her head, breathing in her smell. 'The smell of home,' he thought.
"I see you made it out alive," Eowyn said to Eomer.
"But not unscathed," he answered, turning to show her a long gash along the side of his face.
"Your face," Eowyn said. "Your pretty face. Any hope of you finding a girl is gone."
Eomer glared at her. "And why do you think that?" he asked.
"Any hope for you was your good looks and now those are gone too," Eowyn said mockingly.
Eomer rolled his eyes. "I will bet you the blade I used to kill the Orc who cut me that I will have three women in my bed tonight."
Aragorn chuckled but Eowyn only wrinkled her nose in disgust. She moved out of Aragorn's embrace and stuck out her hand. "It's a deal," she said. Eomer laughed his signature laugh and spurred his horse on ahead of them.
"I think you're going to lose that bet," Aragorn said, looking around at all the women smiling down at them from balconies and windows.
"I don't care what Eomer does tonight," she said looking into her husband's eyes. "I know what I will be doing." Aragorn smiled down at her and kissed her again, running his hand over the bare skin of her leg where her dress was bunched up. Out of the corner of her eye Eowyn saw Faramir standing alone, his eyes on her, staring at the hand on her leg.
"I love you," Aragorn said, turning her eyes back to his with just a word.
Eowyn smiled up at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him as close to her as she could. She could feel the warmth of him, his breath on her neck, and his heart beating against hers.