Another holiday, of sorts (Open)

[faramir_hurin]

There is another one of those Earth holidays today. Father's Day. My father is here but I am sure he does not wish to see me. I am myself a father, but my son is gone. This reminder makes it hurt more than I really thought it would. I'll see him again, and his mother, I just don't know when

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[rohans_eowyn]

"Do not apologize. Sometimes, talking can help, moreso than keeping your thoughts within you, confusing and tormenting you."

Father's Day was an unknown concept to her, although in her mind, a day devoted to fathers (or father figures) was a good thing, considering all that they did for their loved ones, their children and wards. Yet she also sympathized with Faramir, and thought back to the time when her uncle was under the influence of Grima.

"War times are trying times, my lord," she said, taking a seat beside him. "They test even the strongest of hearts. Perhaps it is time for you to see things from his eyes. The resolve, strength and foresight of Denethor is renowned, yet I am certain that he too feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. I see him saddened by the departure of Boromir, and the knowledge of what he must return to - a war-torn Middle-earth - has weighed him down with despair."

She looked at him, studying him quietly, yet there was also understanding in her eyes. "No father would ever forsake his son, and I believe that what he says, it is the sorrow and hopelessness that is speaking. Look upon him kindly, and understand him, Faramir. Do not let your thoughts lead you astray."

[faramir_hurin]

Her words are so calming, and so like the things I usually think. It is others who say ill things of my father and I who defend him--because Lady Eowyn is right.

"They do and your words are wise. They are my own feelings most of the time." Father's life has been very hard. "Lord Denethor lost his heart to Lady Finduilas and when she died he was not the same after. It is difficult for some to know the dedication to duty, but you know it even as I do. His life is for Gondor alone and times have been desperate."

His times more so even than mine.

"Boromir's death happened but days before he arrived here. His departure again must be reminding my father of that. And..." I look at the ground. "The recent loss of his second grandson gives him no one here to seek out. I am too close."

Perhaps he understands my grieving, too.

"I lost my brother and my nephew, and now I have lost my son as well." I look at the ground a moment before meeting Eowyn's eyes. How difficult is this to say, and to the lady who will be my wife in the future. "I do not know if you were aware of it. I had a son here, but Glaurnaneth and Glaurmir are gone now. I don't know if ever you saw them--they were gold, my lady. They were dragons."

[rohans_eowyn]

Dragons? Eowyn was aware of dragons in Middle-earth. The ballads and tales of old often spoke of them. Yet such couplings were not known to her, although based on her experiences in the village, it was very well possible that the dragons were not of the same sort that existed in Middle-earth. Rather than focus on the little details, Eowyn decided to focus on what mattered most.

"You really must miss them. I'm sorry that they have departed from this village. Now I understand why you are saddened on this particular day, for your son is not here." She noticed how he glanced down at the ground for a moment, a curious gesture indeed if he was talking about a son and wife that he was obviously fond of.

"There is no need to feel ashamed, Faramir," she reassured him gently. "I cannot say if I have ever met your wife and son. Come to think of it, I do not recall ever knowing that you have taken a wife here. Yet going by your description of her, she must be very beautiful."

Eowyn smiled at him thoughtfully. "I once talked to Legolas about this. In fact, I jested with him that he, being one of the fair Elves, must think us mortals to be the hasty sort, simply leaping into things without a single thought. Yet that is just the thing. Our time is finite, and we have very little choice but to act quickly, I suppose. You have been in this village for a long time, Faramir. It is only natural for love to find you here. I am not one to judge. As long as your intentions are true and just, that is what matters most."

[faramir_hurin]

"If you had met Glaurnaneth, you would know it. Her skin is golden and she wears no clothing." I do not even blush. "At first I tried, then I recalled that she is not human and I had no right to try to force my ways upon her. I have always tried to look people in the face when speaking with them and never have I tried harder."

And succeeded.

"She was beautiful, but not in a human way. And she was not my wife." You will be my wife, unless I ruin it somehow. How could I ever deserve Eowyn? "She was the last of her people and they did not marry. The story of how Glaurmir came to be is rather strange. She is used to bargaining with men for sons." I almost smile. "I did not want to be a king or to have great wealth, or any of the other things she has ever promised to get men to give her what she wanted.

"The only thing I wanted was that Boromir not die. I never imagined that she would be able to grant that." Not that it will be granted. "My shame is in betraying a lady, not in gaining a son. Boromir's life will not be saved but I know that he has a greater destiny."

In far-away places.

"My shame is in something else as well, and I have never before spoken of it." I look at Eowyn. "When I asked her why she wanted me to give her a son, I had told her that I could not. At home I would need a son, an heir, but why would she need one?

"She said that she needed a son to love him. That's all."

[rohans_eowyn]

"My lord, there is no shame to be had in your actions. Your lady wanted a son of her own, and you were able to experience the joys of having a son. It seems to me that satisfaction came to both parties in the end."

She placed a consoling hand on his arm. "My friend, what sort of company do you keep in this village, for I deem that they may wear you down by giving you more thoughts to think about." In part, it was meant to be a playful tease of sorts, although another part of her sincerely wanted the poor man to just relax for once, and to even perhaps let the world go for one day without him worrying or pondering over the little things. "You have more in common with Lord Denethor than you may think. Like your father, you also take it upon yourself to carry your cares and the cares of others on your shoulders, so much so that you overlook the happiness that is derived from your actions and decisions. Perhaps I should introduce you to Ham. He, if not anyone, could make you forget all of your troubles."

[faramir_hurin]

"You truly believe so?" If only she knew... But I cannot say and I should not know. "I worry that my future wife will not understand. How could I explain the village to someone from home? There are so many things here, so many people from odd lands. And a dragon--Glaurnaneth was a person, not evil like the dragons of Middle-earth."

She is a different kind of dragon, not made by Morgoth.

"I want a wife and children. I always have. I need an heir but that isn't the same." It is not the same at all.

"And here I am again, with so many cares and worries." Lady Eowyn is beyond beautiful, and she is most astute. "I have always thought that father and I row so much because we are much alike. He and Boromir... it was obvious the things they had in common. Most do not compare my father and I."

Eowyn did.

"Ham is a friend of yours? I would very much like to meet him."

[rohans_eowyn]

"Ham is more than a friend to me," she answered, a gentle smile on her face. The delight on her face was evident when she spoke about him. "I live with him at the hotel, actually. But he is a delightful person, Faramir. You really should meet him."

She chuckled softly then, an element of modesty coming into her actions. "He was actually the reason why I sought out the counsel of Legolas when I was still new to the village. Ham is just...such a wonderful person. He made me feel emotions that I never thought I would ever feel for another. It is hard not to love him. Yet at first I was hesitant to act on my feelings. I thought that I should save my love for my future lord and husband, that it is what would be expected of me. But Legolas advised me otherwise. He told me that love was too deep and strong an emotion to ignore."

Her eyes had been trained on the grass of the park as she spoke, and it was some while before she raised her gaze to meet his again. "I went by his counsel, and I have no regrets. You must understand this well too, for you too have found companionship in this village."

[faramir_hurin]

I am more than surprised to hear what Eowyn is saying. The first thing that comes to my head is how Lord Aragorn was living with a modern lady and loved her. He knew his future wife also, but fell in love with someone else.

"Love is such a strange thing. The more we have, the more there seems to be. I had never experienced it before leaving home--not for more than family and country." Legolas again. I do not know whether I wish to kiss him or fight him. "I admit that... Eru, I wonder what your brother would say."

Eomer is vastly protective of his sister. I know little of him personally but that much is obvious.

"Well, he is not here and you are." It is not his business, what his sister does. "Surely your future husband will care, but any man would be honoured to have you as you are."

I turn a bit red.

"If you'll pardon my saying so." I mean it as a compliment.

[rohans_eowyn]

Eowyn found Faramir's remark about Eomer to be rather amusing, being one who was very much aware of the protective nature of her brother. "If he was to ever meet Ham, he would approve," replied Eowyn confidently. "He may be from a time and place far beyond that of Middle-earth, yet his duties are admirable. He works on the side of justice."

She sighed softly. "I am certain that he misses his home sometimes. I wish he could come back with me to Middle-earth, yet I know that he would be better served if returned to his home. I will miss him dearly though, and quite saddened I will be the day we have to part our ways."

She smiled at his compliment. "That is very kind of you to say. And the same goes for you and your future wife, Faramir. If she truly cares about and loves you, she will not care of the mistakes you have done in the past."

[faramir_hurin]

"There is no many anywhere who has never made a mistake."

I wish to meet this man Ham.

"It has happened that people go to worlds not their own. You do not think this will be so?" I bite my lip, nervous. That is unlike me and I stop it immediately.

[rohans_eowyn]

"Well, I am here, so I think that it is possible for people to go to worlds that are not of their own. I suppose I am not as adventurous as I had initially thought, with all of these prospects of going to other worlds. If I was to leave this place, I would wish to return home." She thought back on the war, the war that was still being fought when she found herself here.

"There is still so much to do there. So very much, Faramir." A thoughtful expression crossed her features. "And I feel like I must return and play out my part in the course of events. I know what Legolas has told me about my future, yet I feel that nothing is ever certain, and that one event can lead everything astray. I must go back to Middle-earth and carry out my own part to secure my destiny, the destiny I was told of."

She smiled at him, then got up from the bench she had been sharing with him. "I should go about my errands for the day. I'm glad I ran into you on this morning though, Faramir. I hope you find something that pleases you today, if not for you, then for my sake."

[faramir_hurin]

"I meant that people go to worlds other than their own when the leave here. But I too would only wish to return to Middle-earth." I smile a little. "There are things that I must do there, though I know not what they are. It is home."

I think I would wish to go back to Middle-earth regardless. From what I know of other places, it does suit me best.

"Speaking to you pleases me. We should plan to meet, and perhaps your friend Ham as well." I look embarrassed. "I do not know what to call him--friend, boyfriend?"

[rohans_eowyn]

"I suppose the modern terminology for it is 'boyfriend'," she said, an amused little smile on her face. "Yet we should definitely meet, the three of us. I will let him know. Ham will be most pleased. Until then..."

She reached down and took up his hand into hers, giving it a light squeeze. "Be well, Faramir." With a parting smile, she took leave of him, and went on her day's errands.

[faramir_hurin]

When Eowyn is gone, I am left to think again. What will I think of my future wife's boyfriend? I think... I think that Eowyn would not choose anyone unless he was worthy of her.

The Prince of Ithilien is a lucky, lucky man.