Chapter VI: Days Renewed
Faramir heard the poignant laughter of many voices spilling from the Ringbearer’s chamber. He hoped to see Frodo finally awake later. But he didn’t skip a beat as he strode toward the garden. Curutir had spoken to him of concern for the Lady Éowyn’s health, which had faded like a budding flower under frost. He had not seen her in days, being busy with many matters. As he reached the garden, he saw the sun streaming gold behind her, casting her silhouette in shadow.
"Good morning, my lady."
She looked at him, and saw that he was garbed in raven black, emblazoned with a silver tree burst into flower. "Good morning, my lord."
When the sun sailed behind a cloud, he saw that her face was dreadfully pale and sorrowful once more. He went to her, and said, "There is much rejoicing in the City. Your brother has sent for you. He would see you healed and safe."
She nodded, but said nothing. He ventured to take her hand, holding it with both of his. Softly he asked, "Éowyn, why do you stay here still?"
"Do you not know?" she answered, looking away. Dunharrow came before her once more. It is a shadow and a thought …
"I’m not sure," Faramir said honestly, looking down at their intertwined hands. "Éowyn, do you not love me, or will you not?
Her proud head drooped a little. "I wished to be loved by another," then, with a flash of stubborn anger, "But I don’t want any man’s pity."
"I know," he said. "You wished to be loved by the Lord Aragorn, who seemed to you far above the mean things that crawl the earth, a hope of glory and your own ambition for renown. And he recognized the strength in you. But when he gave you only understanding and pity, then you desired to have nothing, unless a brave death in battle. Look at me, Éowyn!"
She lifted her chin, and looked at him long and steadily. And when she met his gaze, she could not break from it, as he laid bare the truth. "Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn! But I do not offer you my pity. For you are a lady brave and valiant, and have won unforgettable renown. And you are a lady more beautiful than the Elven-tongue can tell. Once, I pitied your sorrow, but now I love you. And even if you were the regal Queen of Gondor, crowned beside another, still I would love you. But do you not love me?"
Long moments passed, during which neither moved. Faramir still held her hand between his, and stroked the back with his thumb. She breathed lightly, and he saw his words ricochet inside her. But after an eternity, she released a deep sigh, and a loving smile broke over her face. And all the grief that had weighed her heart down fell away. "Here in the Tower of the Sun, the Shadow has departed! No longer do I wish to be a queen."
Faramir laughed merrily. "That is well, for I am not a king."
Then must I leave my own people, Man of Gondor?" she said teasingly. "And would you have your proud folk say of you: ‘There goes a lord who tamed a wild shieldmaiden of the North! Was there no woman of the race of Númenor to choose?’"
There was a sparkle in his eye when he answered, "I would."
Before she could react, he took her in his arms and kissed her under the sunlit sky, in plain view of many, upon the walls, bathed in golden light.