Hey everyone!

Can we just say that the final quarter of 2022 sucked for me? My nan has had to have a transfusion and operation in a week so it's been super crazy the past 3 weeks. The great news is, although I never reached the 50k, I did manage to get some parts written. I have a lot of time off before I head to my dad's and actually feel like writing again! I promise to do better next year and get back to normal as I do love writing all these stories for you. Thank you for baring with me with everything going on.

Have a magical holiday time and I will see you in 2023.

Lots of love always,

LSH xxx

A Wild Heart – Part 3:

Faramir was sat with Beregond when a messenger was shown into the room.

"I come with a message from King Elessar about the Lady Éowara," the messenger said and Faramir was on his feet and asked his Captain to go and find his wife. Beregond nodded and Faramir listened to the message, face emotionless before dismissing the messenger with a message in reply that he and Éowyn would set out for Minas Tirith as soon as possible.

Éowyn arrived and Faramir explained what had happened, reassuring his wife that they would discuss and come up with a plan between the four of them to help her sister. Éowyn's usually professional and stoic nature faltered as it often did when her sister was in trouble. She knew that she shouldn't treat her sister like a child but she and Éomer had been older, surer of themselves when they'd lost their parents. Éowara had barely been three at the time and had never been sure of her place in Rohan and Middle Earth in general. She'd been a little girl lost and that was something that had always pained Éowyn.

Faramir left Beregond in charge as he, Éowyn and his second most trusted guard set out for Minas Tirith. No word came from his wife as her eyes waited for the Tower of the Guard to appear over the hill. Faramir knew that all thoughts led his wife to her sister. He was just as worried about her so silently urged his horse onwards, just wanting to get to the City.

Eventually the relief hit the pair as they rode through the gates to the City and criss-crossed their way up the seven levers of the White City, eventually reaching the Citadel where they were greeted personally by Aragorn and Arwen.

"Do not fear. She will be helped," Queen Arwen spoke as she could sense Éowyn's anxiousness for her sister, "what she did was not wicked at all."

"That does not ease my fears my Queen," Éowyn said as she looked at Arwen as they walked inside and to a table that was clearly still prepared for guests. The four sat down and Aragorn looked at Faramir and Éowyn and sighed softly.

"Formalities can be forgotten now we are more private," he said, "now I had wanted to wait and come to Ithilien myself but this is something I'd rather discuss in the Tower where it is more private."

"Forgive the interruption but what did my sister do that has had you summon us here so swiftly?" Éowyn asked, wanting to know what had happened more than the small talk that Aragorn was clearly trying to do.

"Her fiery nature came to the fore and she did raise her voice at me and said how she longed to see the land of her Hobbit friends," Aragorn informed the pair, "I know she would not dare break the rule surrounding the Shire but she longs to see those lands as much as she longs for Boromir to have not been killed," he said.

"I am so sorry. I will summon her and she will apologise to the both of you," Éowyn said, "that was inappropriate of her," she said before rising from her seat, only to be stopped by Arwen's fair hand on hers. She looked at her husband as he let out a soft laugh.

"Husband… now is not the time for laughter. Éowara has done wrong," Éowyn said before Aragorn saw the funny side.

"It is like looking in a mirror," Faramir said as he looked at his wife, "your sister is so like you were before you had some responsibility. Maybe that is what our girl needs," he said. He often called Éowara their girl as he, Éowyn, Aragorn and Arwen had become the main confidantes for the rebellious Lady of Rohan, Gondor and Ithilien.

"What do you mean?" Éowyn asked as she looked at Faramir.

"There are many things she could lead. We must decide what would be the best direction for her. But now, let her be summoned from the library," Faramir said and his guard went to retrieve Éowara from the library.

Éowara's eyes instantly widened as she caught sight of her sister and brother-in-law, causing her to look down at the ground.

"I apologise for my actions King Elessar and Queen Arwen. I would not set foot in the Shire… no matter how much I wish I could. It is forbidden and that is why I am heading to Evendim and Annúminas because we can meet there and no laws broken," she said instantly before feeling her sister's hand on hers.

Aragorn stood up and he walked over to Éowara and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"I have to trust that you will do the right thing despite the fire of longing which rages inside you," he said before hearing her gasp and walk away from him as she spotted a new statue which she hadn't noticed before. She walked over to it: Boromir was staring back at her and ran a hand over the stone hand.

Faramir watched his sister-in-law closely before he rose from his seat. He was watching… and waiting… before he sighted something. He saw something the others couldn't. He walked over to Éowara.

"Boromir was the soldier our father wanted. I was off playing dragons instead of studying," he spoke softly, "I regret that decision every now and again but my life worked out for the best," he said, "I'm sure he loved you as much as you love him, even in death," he spoke so only she could hear, "we were close despite our differences and I do miss him deeply as well," he added feeling a head on his shoulder.

Éowara thanked him before excusing herself once more and retreating to the library.

"How is she? What did you see?" Queen Arwen asked.

"She loved…still loves him… Boromir. I do not fully understand how or why but my brother and Éowara had fallen in love on that journey to Rivendell and his death pains her as much as her parents' deaths do… even now," Faramir spoke to the three gathered, "have you not noticed the ring on Éowara's finger? It was one of our mother's. Éowyn wears the sister ring," he said before taking a seat again.

Silence fell as the four proceeded to drink the wine that had been served before he looked at the three.

"She needs a distraction, something to focus her attention on and I don't just mean traveling to Cissarose, Briellerose and Ellieanarose… she needs a reminder of what she can achieve," Faramir spoke after a while, "there are two Reunited Kingdom situations that will require careful planning: The cleansing and restoration of Minas Ithil and the rebuilding of Annúminas, one here in Gondor and one in Arnor. She could be involved in both. Annúminas would come first but it could be a way of focusing her on something other than the grief that is still so raw for her."

Aragorn was listening to Faramir's words carefully. He knew where the Prince was coming from.

"I see your points Faramir," he finally said, "she has defied my words and has set foot in the Morgul Vale and has not been corrupted by the evil that lingers there. She knows the current situation better than most do. I fear it is the same with Annúminas as well. That is where she has met her Hobbit friends. I've had people follow her far to the West of this City," he informed them.

"I have no doubt about that My Lord," Éowyn spoke finally, "she is so very much like me in many ways but is far more lost than I ever was. It was our cousin who introduced her to swords and daggers and fighting for those we love. She was just 8 years old when that happened."

"Well, with your permission, Éowyn I would like to have Éowara assist Faramir, when the time is right, with Minas Morgul but her focus shall be in the North," Aragorn told the Lady of Ithilien, "I shall ride with her and explain the plans and she shall lead with assistance."

"You have my permission," Éowyn spoke before she looked at Arwen, "I feel this is all my fault. Éomer and I did not care enough about our sister when we were moved to Edoras and now this is the result."

Arwen reached out and gently placed a hand on Éowyn's, causing the pair to meet each other's gaze.

"We will save her. She can be saved and I will stop at nothing to save her," she said and all Éowyn could do was trust the Queen's words and hope that would be the case.