faemused | Open To Anyone For Anything RP Post

Eowyn is much lost in her own thoughts, and does not hear him at first. But Windfola whickers as he approaches, recognizing him as a friend, and by the time he is in view she has as mile on her face. They are still not alone, truly, for the stables are always populated; but there are only a few others present, and they are busy with their own tasks. "My lord?" she answers.

"There is more truth to be found in actions than in words." Eowyn has always believed this. Words can be twisted, used to deceive. They can heal as well as harm, they are sources of great beauty, but they are not to be trusted so much as watching what a person does. That is how one may judge their character aright. "I am glad you have something to remember him by. A proof of his pride that you can hold in your hands."

She chuckles, just a little. "Or on your arms, rather."

"I am sorry for my cousin."

He apologises, coming over to offer Winfola a rub.

"She is, as you can tell, very young, still. She will not do so again."

Faramir chuckles as well, and turns a little in her arms to kiss her fondly.

"That is true. I am glad that I have the brighter memories to hold against the dark ones. You are wise, my heart, to so remind me."

Eowyn is more than willing to return the kiss, long and slow and sweet. "You have done the same for me, more than once," she points out, nuzzling her nose against his. "And you knew the truth yourself already."

Eowyn waves her hand briefly, dismissing this. "She meant no harm, and she is far from the first to ask such questions. There are many who think is strange that I have no desire to boast of my great victory."

The words are light enough, but her face is still shadowed, and she looks at Windfola's flank as she brushes it, instead of meeting his eyes.

"Knowing and accepting are different things."

He smiles at her, reaching in turn to run his hands down her sides and tug her closer.

"And wisdom comes clearer in the voice of one I love and trust."

"That I know." He comes over to rest his hands around her waist, not impeding her movement.

"But it does not make the shadows any less real, nor painful. Oh Eowyn! I would that I could sweep away your grief! But since we both know that pain is pain, and wounds always ache when stirred, I will say only this - I am here, beloved. In whatever way you need me."

"You do comfort me." Eowyn closes her eyes and leans back into his embrace, welcoming the closeness of him. "It is not that," she says quietly. "Or not only that. I--there is something I had not yet told you."

She sighs, standing still for a moment in his hold, then puts down her brush, stroking Windfola's side a moment in farewell. "Walk with me? We should speak of this, a little."

Her breath catches a little as his fingers trail down her side, as it always does. "You do not trust yourself? For shame, beloved." Her tone is teasing, a little more husky than it was a moment before. "You should have more faith. I, for one, can think of no one I trust more than thee."

"Of course." He blinks, and moves to let her lead the way.

"What is it, Eowyn?"

"I do!" He smiles and kisses her slowly.

"But I trust thee more than all others."

In answer she returns his kiss, slow and thorough, and her hands press against his back, and the conversation is not continued in words.

It is some weeks until he has cause to return the favor. An hour or two before dawn, in early autumn, Eowyn suddenly fights her way out of sleep, sitting up abruptly in bed and gasping for breath, her skin clammy and her stomach churning.

She shakes her head a little, a silent request for him to bide a while yet, though she takes his arm as they walk out of the stables. She leads him...nowhere in particular, in truth, merely a little away from the crowds that are always present near the royal stables and cavalry grounds.

When she has gathered her thoughts enough, she begins, her voice low. "It was some months ago. My brother offered to spar with me, as we did when we were younger, and as I judged myself in good enough strength once more, I was glad to agree. But then--"

Her voice falters, as it never falters. She frowns, irritated with herself, and continues. "It was the first time I had tried to wield a sword since the Pelennor, and I...could not. As I reached for it, I was back there, with the Wraith-king before me. I could feel my shield-arm broken at my side. I could almost swear I felt His breath on my face."

A great shudder runs through her body, one that has nothing to do with the cool air. She stops walking, turning her face towards the wind as though it can cleanse her of the memory. "Every time I have tried has been the same, to one extent or another. The few times I did succeed, my hand shook so badly that I soon dropped it once more. I have tried to overcome this, but so far I have not."

Faramir will know how difficult that admission is, and that she thinks less of herself for failing in this is obvious. She meets his eyes for the first times since leaving the stables. "I have met others with the same sort of injury, as I am sure have you. It is as well I have chosen another calling, for I do not think I will ride into battle again, though it shames me to admit it."

Frustration is written clear on her face, along with an unwonted uncertainty. It is not uncommon for those who have seen too much of the horrors of war to reach a point where they cannot face a return, and she has counselled several such in her work as a healer...but Eowyn still expects more of herself, and has not yet come to terms with her failure.

Edited 2018-06-11 00:54 (UTC)

It has been a long day, as days in new Ithilien often are, and Faramir had fallen asleep easily and deeply, untroubled until Eowyn wakes. They went to sleep tangled together as always and her disquiet wakes him as well.

"Eowyn?"

He blinks and sits up, reaching carefully for her.

"Love, what is it?"

Faramir follows, content to walk beside her and give her what comfort touch and his presence might.

He frowns, worried but her faltering, but he stays silent, giving her the time and space to work through it. And when she is done he pulls her into his arms and kisses her fervently.

"Oh brave! Oh Eowyn. I'm so sorry, my love. That you should have something so much a part of you so rudely stolen!"

The kiss is welcome, but the words more so, and her face lightens as she hears them. She touches his face with gentle fingers. "How do you always know what to say?" she murmurs, stroking his cheek. "Yes, that is it exactly. Even though I had decided to lay my sword aside..."

She doesn't need to finish. She worked hard all her life for her skills and place as a shieldmaiden. To choose another path is one thing, but to have the old path taken from her is hard. Even without the injury to her pride, it is hard.

She leans up and kisses him again, out of gratitude for being so understood, and by the time the kiss ends she looks more herself. She clasps their hands together, looking down at them. "It is my hope that I will be less troubled by it in time. Here--" She looks around at the training fields, at the Golden Hall up on its hill. "Here I am too torn, still too much trying to fit into an old life no longer suited to me. When I am less surrounded by memories, I think I will not mind so." A smile flits across her face, and she squeezes his fingers. "Another reason why I am impatient for us to be wed. As though more reasons were needed!"

It takes a minute for Eowyn to collect herself and remember where she is, when she is. The sound of His laughter still rings in her ears, and for a moment it seems her right arm is numb.

But Faramir's voice is in her ears, more real than the dream-echo that already fades, and his arms are warm around her, and when she reaches up to hold his arms in place the fingers of her right hand close as she bids, and she can feel the warmth of his skin with them. She takes several long, deep breaths, willing her heart to stop racing and her stomach to settle. "Nothing," she says finally. "It is nothing. Only the old dream." She sighs, leaning against him. "It has been so long I had almost forgotten it."

He pulls her closer as if to ward her from an imagined chill, and his hands grasp her right firmly.

"I had lost track of the dates - are we getting close to the anniversary?" He knows that some days are worse than others, for both of them, and anniversaries are the worst of all.

"I am sorry it has roused itself love."

"A choice that you make for yourself is always kinder to bear than one made for you." He agrees, leaning into her hand although his eyes search her face with fond concern.

"As do I! You have trained hard and earned your skill fairly - for it to be stolen is cruel."

He nods, understanding. "Even as I felt stifled by my father's robes and offices. A fresh start will do us both good, I feel."

Faramir leans over a little to kiss her gently. "When we have time, if you wish it, I am always available for you to practice on. And if you gain again your skill, or if you do not, you will always have my love."

She lets out a low laugh of relief. "I am glad to hear it, and will as gladly accept that offer, once we have settled ourselves in Ithilien. Although...you made your promises to a wild shieldmaiden of the North, and I wondered a little if you would regret the change." She steps an inch closer to him, leaning her head on his chest. "Not much, for I have more faith in your heart than to fear aught. But a little."

She shakes her head at once, for the date of her defeat of the Witch-king and the date of Faramir's father's death are the same, and that date not drawing near yet. There are other dates with other memories that are difficult, but that one is always the hardest for them both--if much mitigated by the fact that their meeting and courtship began soon after, which is an anniversary far more pleasing for them both to remember.

"No," she says. "No, I cannot think of any reason why it should return now." She reaches up and rubs her forehead. "It is but foolishness, old ghosts and old dreams." She forces a smile that becomes more real as she looks at his face, so concerned and loving and near, lifting a hand to his cheek. "It is well, love. Already it fades."

"Well, I like to think that I am a fair swordsman!" He smiles at her laugh. "Perhaps it is the wild shieldmaiden who would learn! Either way, I anticipate you will have a few tricks you can teach me."

He pulls her closer, marvelling once again that she permits him to see this side of her as well. He tips her chin up and kisses her.

"Tis alright to fear so long as it does not stop us - we both know that! But I am here, always."

He kisses her hand fondly.

"I am glad. I suppose these things do not have to have a reason, as much as it vexes me to know that there is no way of controlling or predicting them. Will you sleep again my love, or should we sneak out for a ride under the stars?"

She laughs a little, as he meant her to, for more than once they have crept out for a midnight ride, much to the consternation of their servants, their guards, and their horses. But she shakes her head. "No. It lacks but an hour or two until dawn. Let us get what sleep we may, for the rest of the night."

And so they do--but even with Faramir's arm warm and close around her, Eowyn finds she cannot get back to sleep, and her stomach still churns uncomfortably even though her mind has calmed. When morning does break she is pale and poorly rested, and does not breakfast well, keeping only to toast.

Open To Anyone For Anything RP Post

so it's a little forced THAT'S OKAY we're not being graded here

it'd be more gratuitous fluff really

it's only because if left to their own devices they would just happily waffle on forever

I never refuse gratuitous fluff

I rather thought not. ;) I suppose we could just continue from this one since it's coming to an end.

And never stop smooching long enough to actually get married.

lol yep and we can always timeskip them!

so true

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bwhahaha truly we are time lords

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the greatest of time lords!

Right, FTB and then a timeskip it is, because why not.

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whoo!

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this will take a bit of building. so lots of time for fluff on the way. ;)

excellent~

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She definitely takes him up on that. No way would she just accept this. Too stubborn.

I figured you could cope with that. ;) And them sparring once a week or so is definitely a thing now

\o/ he is happy he has made her happy =D

yesgood

Well, trying to. She probably still finds it difficult but is WAY too stubborn to quit.