Eomer approached Aragorn's tent and waited impatiently while a guard went inside to announce him. Although his wait was minimal, he still warred with his frustration at the delay. Finally, the guard returned and held open the tent flap so that he could enter the cooler interior.
Aragorn rose as he approached and tilted his head as he tried to read the scowl darkening the handsome features. "Eomer, welcome. How is your sister?"
Eomer stood with his feet braced and his full lips pursed. He countered Aragorn's question with his own. "What do you know of Faramir of Gondor?"
Pulling out another camp chair, Aragorn indicated that the Eorling should make himself comfortable. "He was raised at Dol Amroth, far away from his father and brother, Lord Boromir. In fact, I am not certain that Captain Faramir," here he placed soft emphasis on 'captain', "was aware of his parentage until recently. He is a valiant man, a good leader, and as I understand it, a good judge of character. Why do you ask?"
Eomer placed his forearms on his knees and shook his head. "Eowyn has become fond of him. I have wondered were it not possible to arrange an alliance."
"You mean a marriage?" Aragorn's brows rose slightly. "I cannot—nor would I—order a subject to marry unless it was their will. What says Captain Faramir?"
Now it was Eomer's turn to raise his brows. "I have not spoken with him on this. I just learned of Eowyn's feelings. Is there some reason such an arrangement would be unwelcome?"
Selecting his words carefully, Aragorn kept his reply vague. "He has no wife of whom I am aware. I only met him once, at Lord Elrond's council. Faramir returned to Dol Amroth before the forging of the fellowship and then was called to Gondor when Boromir did not return immediately from Rivendell. Surely Lady Eowyn has some indication of his feelings."
"She has spoken with him at great length, but cannot say for certain that her feelings are returned. That is why I came to you. I hoped for some information that would tell me how to proceed."
"He is a reasonable man and would be fair and honest with you. My advice is to seek out Faramir and Prince Imrahil and ask if they have any interest in an arrangement between Dol Amroth and Rohan."
"He is the Steward of Gondor," Eomer said with some confusion.
Aragorn shifted his shoulders in a plain signal of uncertainty. "Faramir is of Denethor's line. His uncle is Imrahil of Dol Amroth. He may reject his heritage and return to Dol Amroth. I have not discussed it with him. I thought to give him time to heal and to adjust to his new situation before approaching him. He has undergone much trauma."
"Then, as the King of Gondor, would you be adverse to such an alliance?"
Thinking about the handsome man he'd briefly known in Rivendell, Aragorn shook his head. He could think of no legitimate objections. "Nay, I can see no reason why Gondor would object."
"I shall seek Prince Imrahil and sound him
out before approaching Captain Faramir."
With that, Eomer rose, bowed with his customary stiffness, and exited Aragorn's
company.
Silently, Aragorn watched Eomer leave and propped his hand in his palm while his opposite hand reached for his pipe. How Faramir responded to Eomer's proposal would answer his questions about his hasty departure from Rivendell.
*~*
That evening, Prince Imrahil sat opposite King Eomer in a small chamber near the Houses of Healing. Faramir leaned against the window with his arms crossed over his chest. He thought he knew the direction the meeting would take and he wondered how in the world he would refuse without giving offense or revealing his unnatural love for Boromir. For surely, once it was discovered that he and Boromir had been intimate in the ways of a man and woman, much would be made of it.
Eomer stared hard at Faramir, trying to ascertain the man's mood, but he felt as though he stared at a blank wall. Nothing in the body language or facial expression gave him any indication of Faramir's feelings. "I have spoken with Lord Aragorn, and he suggested that I come to you concerning my sister, Eowyn. As you may or may not be aware, Captain Faramir, she has become fond of you."
Imrahil cast a look at his nephew, wondering what to say or do and finding himself at a complete loss. He remained silent, giving Faramir the chance to decide. Imrahil considered Eomer's timing perfect, for it would force his nephew to decide what he wanted to do.
"She is a lovely maid, Your Highness, and a fair warrior in her own right. Yet, my situation is such that she would ally herself with an inferior. Is that what you want for a shield maiden?"
Imrahil wanted to grasp Faramir by the shoulders and shake him. "Your lineage is not a step down."
"You are the inheritor of the stewardship," Eomer pointed out. "Lord Aragorn indicated that he did not know if you intended to fulfill that role or return to Dol Amroth. Surely you do not mean that you would refuse what is yours by right?"
"Both are my rights," Faramir snapped. "You speak of what you do not know, Lord Eomer. My father did not acknowledge me until he had need of me. What allegiance to I owe to Gondor? None." He continued in a gentler tone. "Lord Aragorn and I have not spoken of my plans of yet, for honestly, I do not know what I will do. I can say, that although I find your sister to be the fairest woman I have ever seen, I cannot say whether or not I am ready for such a step as marriage."
Eomer blanked his expression, even though anger welled up inside him at the veiled slight to his sister. "I will explain your position to her." He rose so quickly that his chair skidded across the floor.
Imrahil also rose, hoping to stave off any more hard feelings. "Lord Eomer, I beg you to not be offended. Lord Faramir only speaks what is well-known truth. We neither one deny that an alliance between Dol Amroth and Rohan would be advantageous. Perhaps after the coronation things will be more clear and we can again consider your proposal?"
Eomer's dark eyes flamed with suppressed anger and a thin line appeared between his brows. "As you will, Prince." He sketched a bow and with long strides left Imrahil and Faramir alone.
The door clicked loudly in the silence and Imrahil blew out an exasperated breath as Faramir sighed and turned towards the window.
"The proposal is a good one." Imrahil began. "Eowyn is a fine maid, as you pointed out, and an alliance of this nature would be advantageous, both to Gondor and to Dol Amroth. Either way, every one benefits."
"Save Eowyn."
Imrahil shook his head. "You would learn to love her, in time."
"Nay, I will never learn to love another."
"This is a foolish infatuation, Faramir. What happened to you in Rivendell? What turned your heart thusly?"
"I have been plagued all this time by doubt and guilt. But it was more than brotherly affection." He turned from the window at last and met Imrahil's troubled gaze. "In my dreams, Boromir still lives. In my dreams, he holds me still. In my dreams, he loves me."
Imrahil sat down rather abruptly. He had long thought something had occurred between Boromir and Faramir, though he'd not given his thoughts full reign. He'd seen it, in Faramir's face, that first day back from Rivendell. Now his suspicions at last received confirmation. "You cannot mourn him or your decision forever."
"Tell that to my heart, uncle."
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