faemused | Open To Anyone For Anything RP Post

"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."

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."

"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."

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."

"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.

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?"

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."

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."

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.

"Alright." He agrees, kissing her softly and tugging her back down, where he wraps his arms around her as if to ward off evil by his very presence. He looks worriedly at her in the morning.

"Ai, my love. You do not look at all well."

She waves this off. It is true that she does not feel entirely well, but neither does she feel truly ill, for all that breakfast is unappealing. "It is nothing. A night of poor sleep, no more. I am certain it will pass."

"I hope, where'er he is, our Enemy is plagued with poor sleep." Faramir says with a sigh.

"It seems to unfair that our old hurts should revisit us this way. Would it be easier if you rested more this day? There is nothing so urgent, I think, that you cannot take a little break."

"I hope he is plagued with more than that." If her tone is a little bit tart, well, she cannot be blamed for that. Given how much suffering the Enemy caused, and for how long, poor sleep is the least of his desserts.

Eowyn finally abandons her breakfast entirely, pushing it aside. "Perhaps, but I would prefer not. You know how I cannot stand to be idle." She can smile at that, for it is now more of a jest between them than the hard, restless truth it once was. "And some fresh air will do me well. There is little tending to do in the gardens at this time of year, but at least I may plan for the spring."

"As do I!" Faramir's agreement is vehement.

"True enough." He smiles at their private joke. "Sunshine and fresh air... I know the fields have been turned over. We can look to our private garden now. Did you not mention you wished to try both flowers and vegetables?

"My herb garden first," she says firmly. That is where she grows the healing herbs that are now part of her trade, and she is fiercely proud of it. "And yes; though I cannot match Legolas' instincts with flowers nor Irena's mastery with the kitchen garden, yet I will try."

Legolas held true to his word and visited them at the end of their first year of being wed, to begin designing them a garden which will in a few more years be glorious indeed. And Irena, who oversees the gardens and orchards that grow fruit and vegetables for all the household, is nearly as skilled in her way. Thanks to her forethought they all eat well indeed, even in winter when few things grow.

But another word has caught her attention, and she tilts her head. "But did you say, 'we'? I had thought you needed to meet with Beregond."

"I do, but..." He reaches across to squeeze her hand.

"It is not urgent. I can always put it off til later, if you wished it."

She smiles, clasping his hand as she stands and moves towards him, bending to kiss the top of his head. "Go attend to thy duty, love, and I shall attend to mine. Then we can meet at midday with clear conscience, and perhaps walk in the orchard this afternoon. Will that suit?"

He lifts her hands and kisses both palms, one after the other, and smiles at her.

"My lady speaks both wisdom and my heart's desire, and I will heed thee! To our duties then, and I will meet you in the orchard with a luncheon meal?"

"If it is not too cold," she agrees. "Though after a morning in the gardens I may prefer to have our midday meal somewhere more warm. We shall see! At any rate I shall meet thee, at noontide."

Another kiss and an embrace follow; they have been married nearly two years by now, but are no less fond of each other's company. With that thought in mind Eowyn leaves for the gardens with a light heart, despite her troubled sleep and unruly stomach.

The latter continues to plague her for a time, but has settled itself by the time she and Faramir meet again, and she eats a hearty lunch (inside, alas, though informally so) as though to make up for her missed breakfast. They talk and tease as always, discussing the duties they share equally between them, and Eowyn knows she is content.

But later that evening she once more feels unwell, and finally loses the battle she's waged off and on throughout the day to keep from retching. To her private relief Faramir is not with her at the time to witness her discomfort; much as she loves him, there are some things better done alone. One of the maids is nearby, however, and Eowyn reluctantly agrees to go to bed early and allow the girl to inform her lord of what has transpired. In truth she is more tired than usual, no doubt because of the difficult night before.

He had been in his study just adjoining their bedchamber, finishing off the paperwork to start afresh the next morn, when the news reaches him, and he sets everything aside to hurry to her.

"Eowyn? Love are you well? Perhaps you are coming down with something..."

Eowyn has not come directly to their bedchamber, instead stopping by the kitchens to request a mug of mint tea to take with her, so she meets her lord at the door. She smiles when she sees him, though it is tempered by a fond exasperation.

"Don't concern yourself so," she chides. "I am but a little unwell. No doubt due to not resting well last night, which I will amend."

it'd be more gratuitous fluff really

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.

lol yep and we can always timeskip them!

bwhahaha truly we are time lords

the greatest of time lords!

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

whoo!

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

excellent~

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

yesgood

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

he loves that about her

She loves his patience while she keeps at it.

He loves her, and so, patience comes easy!

as I decide it must be late winter now

works for me!

There'll probably be a few small timeskips along the way.

all the better to move the plot along my dear~

Heh, yes

no subject

You can probably see where this is going. ;)

Faramir is going to be so excited!

That's the goal! I'll skip ahead a bit in a smidge.