The warmth in her gaze is a greater comfort than the press of her fingers was. Perhaps much of it is for her brother's sake rather than his, and yet...she is here. His smile becomes a shade softer and less formal in answer.

Small talk is all the rest they can manage, alas, little as either of them likes it. It is at least small talk about the city's future, and Eowyn has no need to ask his opinion of the returning King, for she already knows it. But all too soon he is called apart. The grimace that crosses his face is so brief that hopefully only she sees it. "I will hope to pay a visit to you and Master Meriadoc in the Houses sometime within the next few days, to ensure that your recovery continues apace," he concludes. "For you are guests of high honour both, and surely deserve no less. Would you be willing to receive me?"

A ludicrous, absurd way of framing a much simpler question, though one that will make sense and hopefully reveal less to any who overhear them. There is nothing strange in the Steward of Gondor paying his respects to the two who defeated the Witch-King of Angmar, after all, particularly as one is kin to the King of Rohan. That is only courteous.

It still feels absurd, and falls far short of all the things he means to ask her.