48A year after the war, Faramir dies of a strange illness. Eowyn is distraught, but Queen Arwen suggests a visit to the elf colony in Ithilien to find herself again. But does Eowyn find more than she bargained for? (Legolas/Eowyn)
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings, nor do I claim any characters or profits from them!
'To Love Again'
Chapter 1: 'Farewell'
The day was warm, the sun bright and high in the clear blue sky. The trees had just come into bloom, their fragrance filling the air with a sweet soothing scent. Spring had finally come, bringing new life to each thing it touched. Yet, there was no joyful laughter in the air; no singing or dancing celebrating this new life.
She stood there in silence, the wind blowing through her golden locks. Her light blue eyes frozen over as she watched the procession before her, bearing a precious cargo. Eowyn, daughter of Théodwyn and Eomund, watched as they carried him; her beloved and soon to be husband, Faramir. He had died through the night, his illness finally claiming him and granting him peace. He had been sick for many months with an illness that had baffled many healers. There seemed to be no cure for his sickness and each day she watched him slowly wither away.
The procession came to a halt as they placed Faramir upon a large cut stone. A man moved before the stone bowing lowly before leaning over and kissing Faramir upon the forehead. Turning around to face the crowd, he spoke. "We mourn for Faramir because we will miss him. Yet we should rejoice that he is in a place where he no longer has to suffer." Aragorn's voice was clear and strong carrying over the wind sending shivers down her spine. Glancing down at Faramir she felt a large tug at her heart. His face was pale and she could see the wear and tear the illness had caused him. Yet, even in death, even after all he had been through, he lay smiling. Taking in a deep breath she closed her eyes, and to no avail found peace within her own heart. "So now we part with Faramir, son of Denethor II and Finduilas, until that day comes when we shall be reunited once again."
They moved Faramir from the stone table and into a large stone building where his brother and forefather's rested before him in Gondor. She watched, watched as they laid him to rest and closed the doors; and with him, her heart. And for the first time in what seemed like ages, Eowyn felt tears come to her eyes and fall. Moving to the white stone doors she let her hand move along its rough and cold surface. She could feel her emotions finally peak and her legs buckle as she could no longer support herself.
"Faramir…" she whispered falling back bracing herself for the impact. Yet it never came as two strong arms caught her and lifted her off her feet. Tilting her head up slightly, Eowyn gazed into two striking blue eyes before passing into the darkness.
"You sent for me sir?" asked a young woman, bowing lowly to the man before her.
"Lady Eowyn, how is she today?" Aragorn asked, concern written upon his face. "Are there any improvements?"
"I'm afraid there is no change sir," the chambermaid sighed, clearly frustrated. "Since Lord Faramir's passing, the Lady has fallen further and further into the dark. She barely sleeps nor touches her meals, and spends most of her days locked in her chambers. The Lady of Ithilien seems to have passed into shadow my Lord."
It had been a whole months since Faramir had passed on. It had been a sad time for all, to see the young captain pass, but life continued on. It was now early summer and people had returned to their lives living on day to day as though nothing had happened. Gondor continued to thrive with its new King and Queen, and together, rebuilt the shining city back up to its full glory.
"She suffers from a broken heart which has consumed her," Arwen said taking up her husband's hand. "I know how it feels to be left alone, yet Lady Eowyn's story is far from over. We must bring her back from this world of despair and Loss."
Shaking his head Aragorn tightened his grip on his wife's hand. "It sounds easy, yet the task isn't that simple. Someone who has gone through great loss can not just simply get over their pain. It takes time to heal and time to come to terms with ones self. Something she can not easily do here, nor back in Rohan."
"Then perhaps, a place where the mind is free to roam, and meditate?" Arwen asked moving to kneel by her husband. "Why not a place where there is not darkness, no despair and no loss to hide in?"
"Is there such a place?" Aragorn asked, his eyes searching his wife's for answers.
Arwen smiled slightly. "The elf colony in Ithilien is such a place. It is secluded, yet beautiful and just the place to rest one's mind. A place of healing and rebirth."
"She will not agree so easily love, "Aragorn sighed, moving to his feet and pacing slightly. "Eowyn is no fool and will know what we are doing."
"Then let it be known," Arwen said. "Aragorn, the more we wait, the more she will fall into an abyss we can't save her from. She deserves a chance at a new life. She has given up, and lost so much, and now has nothing. Here she can find no peace from that of which haunts her. She can not stay here my King. Do not send her away because we feel sorry for her, but because we love her. Do not ask her to go, command her to go. Eowyn, though stubborn will not refuse a direct command from her King. She is an honorable woman. Besides, she will have friends there."
Aragorn said nothing for sometime before turning to the chambermaid who had remained silent. Eying her for a moment her turned and moved towards a large oaken desk pulling out two pieces of parchment. Scribbling something down on both he folded them up and pressed his seal into each. "Minuawe?"
"Yes sir?" the maid said lowering her head and standing.
"Please take these letters to Lady Eowyn. Have her read the one entitled to her, and have her hold on to the other. Then go to the captain and request three escorts for her ladyship and her departure." Aragorn handed the letters to the maid who bowed quietly and moved from the throne room.
"Saita nao gon to mae uti…" Aragorn whispered lowering his head.
"Aragorn, Emi gi nenoth Val… Do not despair now," Arwen said standing and moving to her husband's side. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she laid her head against his shoulder. "Have faith."
Eowyn read the letter again, her eyes scanning over the script calmly. Yet to no avail did she find any comfort in his request. Instead she felt a pain in her heart and a sadness wash over her. His words though kind, were a direct command. She could almost hear his words come alive on paper…
"My Lady I hold you in the utmost honor, yet I fear you are taking a path that will lead you further from the light…" Eowyn snuffed slightly and read on… "As of such, I am hereby sending you to the elf colony in Ithilien. My friend there has established a colony off its northern border; he is the one to deliver the second letter to. But, there I wish for you to stay for sometime as a request from the Queen and myself. We wish for you to remain glad in your heart and kind in spirit. Good Luck and take care." She folded the letter up and placed it into a small bag at her side. Glad in spirit? How could anyone be glad in spirit these days?
"Lady Eowyn, we must not delay," a voice came from behind, snapping her out of her thoughts. Riding up alongside her on a large black stallion was a young man carrying different packages. "We have some ways to go and it will take us most of the night."
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry Salidor," she sighed mustering a small smile. Mounting her horse, Eowyn glanced back to the castle above. "Am I ever to return to this place?"
"Some day milady," he said, quickly joined by two other riders. "But now, we must be on our way. King Aragorn has entrusted us to get you to Ithilien within the night."
"Ithilien… Of all places why does he wish me to travel there? Have I become nothing but a bother to him and his household?"
"The King and Queen worry greatly over you my lady," Salidor said moving closer. "Perhaps this is their way of helping you."
"Helping me…" Eowyn glanced to the man before her, annoyed. "I need help from no one. I am merely doing as the King commanded."
"Pardon me Lady Eowyn," Salidor said bowing his head to her. "But we should really be on our way."
Very well," Eowyn said turning away from the palace. "Shall we?"
They moved into the night, riding quickly for what seemed like hours. Even though the war of the ring had been over for more than a year there were still stranglers of Sauron who lurked in the shadows. Day or night, there was still a chance of being attacked. Yet she had no fear of them as they moved through the woods. In fact she seemed to care little anymore of anything. All those things that were once dear to her seemed to fall by the way side and held little meaning to her. Faramir had made her life worth living. He had loved her more than life itself and promised to always be there for her. He had promised her a future that she no longer saw or thought of. With him gone, what was there left to live for? What was she still doing? Why was she still here? Was there any point to life anymore?
"Lady Eowyn, watch out!" yelled one of the riders behind her. But it had been too late. She felt something pierce her upper right shoulder and was instantly thrown from her horse. "Lady Eowyn!"
"Salidor, protect the Lady! You," he pointed at the other man to his left, "Bow at the ready! Fire!"
Eowyn gripped her shoulder feeling the object of her pain. In arrow had found its target. She chuckled under her breath and moved to sit up. "Missed."
"Lady Eowyn! Be still Milady," Salidor said dismounting his horse and kneeling beside her. "Gripping the arrow he yelped in pain removing his hand instantly. "It's hot! It's… It's poisoned!" At his words an onslaught of arrows pierced through the air towards them. "Lady Eowyn!" Salidor yelled pushing her down to the ground beneath him only to be hit himself. Gasping he coughed slightly, blood dripping from his mouth. "M-my lady are y-you ok?"
For a moment she said nothing watching as his eyes slowly glazed over. "Salidor?" she asked watching the man's face contort above her and then slump atop her. "Salidor!"
She tried to move, but suddenly found herself stiff. Was it the poison? Again she tried to move and again her body seemed immobile. It was then she heard something approaching and moved her eyes to catch sight of a large orc moving her way. Eyes widening she opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out. She was completely paralyzed. It was getting closer and closer until it stood before her, its large yellow eyes boring into her light blue ones. It gave a horrid laugh and raised a large weapon just above her head.
So it was to end like this… But then, she would be reunited with Faramir soon… Her beloved… The king had sent her to her death…
It was almost as if in slow motion she watched the sword above her head raise, and then fall slowly towards her before it stopped suddenly. Eyes moving up to the Orc she gasped as three arrows had somehow found their way into its chest. Dropping the sword inches from her head it fell to the ground in a heap. She could hear yelling and what sounded like bodies falling to the ground below and then all went silent. Eyes growing heavy and fuzzy she gathered that the poison was finally taking its toll on her. She would be dead soon.
For a moment she laid there gazing up at the sky above her before someone moved to kneel beside her, moving Salidor from atop her. She could hear yelling but couldn't make a word out. Quickly three more people appeared and then suddenly disappeared. Yet the one at her side stayed, his face moving closer to hers. Gasping, she tried to take some air into her lungs, and for a moment the figure moved away and then she felt a hand reach for the arrow and then yank it from her body. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out the pain too intense to handle. Head spinning, Eowyn could feel her body shutting down. Glancing up at the figure she caught sight of what looked like two startling blue sapphires…then…all went black.
She awoke in a bright room, her vision fuzzy and unclear. Moving to sit up she winced at the pain in her shoulder and laid back. Instead, she raised a hand into the air moving it about to feel her surroundings. For a minute she felt nothing, until a strong yet soft hand caught hers. It was hot to her touch and she instantly released it, cradling her hand to her.
"Whose there?"
"Ba mellono…"
"I don't understand… What happened? Where am I?"
"You are within Ithilien in the house of my Master. You were ambushed last night before you reached our northern border. All your friends but one made it."
"One?" Eowyn asked her vision slowly returning. She could now make out a young man with long brown hair sitting next to her.
"Yes…I'm sorry My Lady. A comrade of yours, Salidor son of Salidoren has fallen," he said quietly.
So here is chapter one! Hope you enjoy! Please R/R!