periantari

“Come now, is the dream that bad? Please talk to me,” Eowyn gathered Faramir in his arms and willed him to consciousness. Sweat had gathered and Faramir looked disoriented briefly but smiled to see Eowyn next to him. Eowyn placed a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat from his raven hair and stroked Faramir’s back comfortingly. 

It was a bad night in which nightmares returned. It was the anniversary of Boromir’s passing and even though Faramir claimed he was alright, he did not speak, was silent the whole day and kept his distance, locking himself in his study during the day and retreating from Eowyn. The night before, he would dream every few hours, and Eowyn tried her hardest to comfort him and have him open up. At first Faramir was withdrawn and Eowyn feared the Black Breath had returned since Faramir was also cool on his shoulder area, but Eowyn had athelas handy and it proved useful to bringing him to the present . Eowyn also made sure there were some warm cloths to warm up Faramir. She made sure Faramir was alright though she knew he would be loath to say he was otherwise.

“Here, have some tea, my dearest.” Eowyn made sure the tea wasn’t too hot to guide it to her husband’s lips. Faramir sat up to receive some of the tea. 

“Thank you,” said Faramir quietly. “I am sorry to alarm you, my love.” Faramir’s pulse had returned to normal and his eyes were clearer and not glazed. “Just…dreams…”

“Do you want to talk about your dreams?”

Faramir paused but then said in one breath, “Fire, and blood from the battle, and …Boromir’s corpse… in the middle of the Anduin and i… i… cannot save him.” He leaned into Eowyn and she firmly embraced him. “And my friends…and …father,” Tears gathered once more. He trembled and even though Eowyn had the fire up and burning, it still seemed too cool that February night. The fire only brought snatches of memory of almost being burnt alive. Faramir shivered with the memory once more.

“It is not your fault, please believe me,” said Eowyn, and she kissed him to bring him to the present and drew more blankets for him. “Stay present with me. We are here together. I know you loved Boromir and fellow soldiers. We will do our annual ritual trip to Parth Galen? We will also make sure to write to your friends’ families and see how they are.”

“Yes, that is a good idea- let’s do that tomorrow.” Faramir paused. “I’m sorry, Eowyn.”

“Why are you apologetic? I love you. I fear that it must be that the dark times come forth but we will see each other through,” Eowyn brought a handkerchief for Faramir’s tears. Tears had gathered in Eowyn’s own eyes. Eowyn had suffered dreams herself but hadn’t bothered Faramir about it. Her dark times would come as well in this season of darkness where it marked one year since the destruction of the Ring and the losses that came with it.

She feared to see Faramir this way and hoped he could see how valued and important he was . Aragorn had told Eowyn that he was invaluable as Steward and Prince of Ithilien as well as a dear friend to the king .

“As do I –thank you for being here for me.”

“I would not be with anyone else, and you’re mine to keep safe and happy.” Eowyn tried to keep Faramir’s spirits brighter- he had been so down the past day.

“What did I do to deserve you?” Faramir looked into Eowyn’s eyes in admiration and love. He held onto Eowyn’s hands. He just noticed he had stopped shivering.

“You are the best man of Gondor and Middle-earth and I am the one lucky to have you!” Eowyn kissed Faramir on the lips .

“We are both lucky,” Faramir then folded Eowyn to a huge embrace and kissed her back.