Lyrd of the Ryngs - Return of Good Architecture

[EarthBound]

At the top of the great city lay an cafe, with great mocha-lattes and free internet...to this Eowyn sought. Upon the cafe terrace a garden of laticed vines and exotic plants graced...the aroma of coffee and the sweet garden lifting everyone's heart, but the yet healing lady of Rohan did not notice...her mind and heart bent towards any tasks she may do...and the return home...

[Grey_Wolf]

Faramir entered the Castle Top Café and immediately saw the despondant Lady of Rohan sitting at table close to the panorama window thru which the visitors could marvel at the beautiful vista outside.

Eowyn was so deep in thought that she didn't notice the tall dark man who approached her.

[littleadanel]

"Lady Éowyn?" he called her. "Enjoying the Top Café, I see."

"Well... not quite. Don't misunderstand me or anything" she added quickly, "the coffee is great, and the garden is beautiful... but I feel I'm in a cage. The internet is no real escape. And those nurses are stalking me" she said angrily. "Not leaving me a moment of peace, even though my arm is already healed. I just can't stay here, idle. I rode to battle to seek death; but I have not died, and the battle goes on."

Aren't you supposed to be in charge of the City? Can't you tell them to let me go?"

[Grey_Wolf]

"But, What would you have me do, lady?" said Faramir. "I also am a prisoner of the ordelies."

He looked at her, and being a man whom pity deeply stirred, it seemed to him that her loveliness amid her grief would pierce his heart.

And she looked at him and saw the grave tenderness in his eyes, and yet knew, for she was bred among men with machines, that here was one whom no Biker of the Mark would outmatch in battle.

"What do you wish?" he said again. "If it lies in my power, I will do it."

[Grey_Wolf]

"I would have you tell this orderly to let me go." she said; but though her words were still proud, her heart faltered, and for the first time she doubted herself.

She guessed that this tall man, both stern and gentle, might think her merely wayward, like a child that has not the firmness of mind to go on with a dull task to the end.

"As I said before I am also in the keeping of the orderlies." answered Faramir."Nor have I yet taken up my authority in the City. But had I done so, I should still listen to his counsel, and should not cross his will in matters of his craft, unless in some great need."

[Grey_Wolf]

"But I do not desire healing," she said. "I wish to ride to war like my brother Éomer, or better like General Théoden, for he died and has both honour and peace."

It is too late, lady, to follow the Captains, even if you had the strength," said Faramir. "But death in battle may come to us all yet, willing or unwilling. You will be better prepared to face it in your own manner, if while there is still time you do as the Head Nurse commanded. You and I, we must endure with patience the hours of waiting."

She did not answer, but as he looked at her it seemed to him that something in her softened, as though a bitter frost were yielding at the first faint presage of Spring. A tear sprang in her eye and fell down her cheek, like a glistening rain-drop. Her proud head drooped a little.

Then quietly, more as if speaking to herself than to him.
"The orderlies would have me lie in bed for another week" she said."And my window does not look eastward." Her voice was now that of a maiden young and sad.

[Grey_Wolf]

Faramir smiled, though his heart was filled with pity. "Your window does not look eastward?" he said. "That can be amended. In this I will command the Head Nurse. If you will stay in this house in our care, lady, and take your rest, then you shall take your evening-tea in this Cafe of ours, as you will; and you shall look east, whither all our hopes have gone. And here you will find me, walking and waiting, and also looking east. It would ease my care, if you would speak to me, or sit here at whiles with me."

[Grey_Wolf]

Then she raised her head and looked him in the eyes again; and a colour came in her pale face. "How should I ease your care, my lord?" she said. "And I do not desire the speech of living men."

"Would you have my plain answer?" he said.

"I would."

"Then, Éowyn of Rohan, I say to you that you are beautiful. In the valleys of our hills there are flowers fair and bright, and maidens fairer still; but neither flower nor lady have I seen till now in Gondor so lovely, and so sorrowful. It may be that only a few days are left ere darkness falls upon our world, and when it comes I hope to face it steadily; but it would ease my heart, if while the Sun yet shines, I could see you still. For you and I have both passed under the wings of the Shadow, and the same hand drew us back."

"Alas, not me, lord!" she said. "Shadow lies on me still. Look not to me for healing! I am the Bride and my hand is ungentle. But I thank you for this at least, that I need not keep to my chamber. I will walk abroad by the grace of the Steward of the City."

And she did him a courtesy and walked back to the ER. But Faramir for a long while sat alone in the Café, and his glance now strayed rather to the ER than to the eastward walls.

When he returned to his chamber he called for the Head Nurse, and heard all that he could tell of the Lady of Rohan.

"But I doubt not, lord," said the Head Nurse, "that you would learn more from the Halfling that is with us; for he was in the Drive of the king, and with the Lady at the end, they say."

[Grey_Wolf]

And so Merry was sent to Faramir, and while that day lasted they talked long together, and Faramir learned much, more even than Merry put into words; and he thought that he understood now something of the grief and unrest of Éowyn of Rohan.

And in the fair evening Faramir and Merry sat in the Café, but she did not come.

[Grey_Wolf]

But in the morning, as Faramir came from the ER, he saw her, as she stood upon the walls; and she was clad all in yellow leather, and gleamed in the sun.

And he called to her, and she came down, and they walked on the grass or sat under a green tree together, now in silence, now in speech.

And each day after they did likewise.

And the Head Nurse looking from his window was glad in heart. for he was a healer.

And his care was lightened; and certain it was that, heavy as was the dread and foreboding of those days upon the hearts of men, still these two of his charges prospered and grew daily in strength.

[littleadanel]

For days on, no tidings had yet come, and all hearts were darkened. The weather had turned cold, and a wind came from the North.

Faramir was just about to go out in the morning, to see Éowyn again. Maybe he should... bring some gift to her? The blue robe of his mother Finduilas would suit her well, he thought. But... wouldn't its deep blue colour clash with her yellow clothes?...

But he sent for the mantle nonetheless.

[Grey_Wolf]

And so the fifth day came since Faramir and Eowyn first met at the Café.

And they stood now together once more upon the walls of the City and looked out. No tidings had yet come, and all hearts were darkened.

Then Faramir brought forth his mother's blue robe and gave it to Eowyn who happily accepted his gift, which didn't clash with her yellow leather biker outfit.

But she now shivered beneath the starry mantle, and she looked northward, above the grey hither lands, into the eye of the cold wind where far away the sky was hard and clear.

What do you look for, Éowyn?" said Faramir.

"Does not the Black Gate lie yonder?" said she. "And must he not now be come thither? It is seven days since he drove away."

"Seven days," said Faramir. "But think not ill of me, if I say to you: they have brought me both a joy and a pain that I never thought to know. Joy to see you; but pain, because now the fear and doubt of this evil time are grown dark indeed. Éowyn, I would not have this world end now, or lose so soon what I have found."

"Lose what you have found, lord?" she answered; but she looked at him gravely and her eyes were kind. "I know not what in these days you have found that you could lose. But come, my friend, let us not speak of it! Let us not speak at all! I stand upon some dreadful brink, and it is utterly dark in the abyss before my feet, but whether there is any light behind me I cannot tell. For I cannot turn yet. I wait for some stroke of doom."

"Yes, we wait for the stroke of doom," said Faramir. And they said no more; and it seemed to them as they stood upon the wall that the wind died, and the light failed, and the Sun was bleared, and all sounds in the City or in the lands about were hushed: neither wind, nor voice, nor bird-call, nor rustle of leaf, nor their own breath could be heard; the very beating of their hearts was stilled. Time halted.

[Grey_Wolf]

And as they stood so, their hands met and clasped, though they did not know it. And still they waited for they knew not what.

Then presently it seemed to them that above the ridges of the distant mountains another vast mountain of darkness rose, towering up like a wave that should engulf the world, and about it lightnings flickered; and then a tremor ran through the earth, and they felt the walls of the City quiver.

A sound like a sigh went up from all the lands about them; and their hearts beat suddenly again.

[Grey_Wolf]

"It reminds me of Númenor," said Faramir, and wondered to hear himself speak.

"Of Númenor?" said Éowyn.

"Yes," said Faramir, "of the land of Westernesse that foundered and of the great dark wave climbing over the green lands and above the hills, and coming on, darkness unescapable. I often dream of it."

"Then you think that the Darkness is coming?" said Éowyn. "Darkness Unescapable?" And suddenly she drew close to him.

"No," said Faramir, looking into her face. "It was but a picture in the mind. I do not know what is happening. The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny. Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!"

And he stooped and kissed her brow.

And so they stood on the walls of the City of Gondor, and a great wind rose and blew, and their hair, raven and golden, streamed out mingling in the air.

And the Shadow departed, and the Sun was unveiled, and light leaped forth; and the waters of Anduin shone like silver, and in all the houses of the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts from what source they could not tell.

And before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of the East there came an Osprey of the Mountains and from the high-speakers mounted on it a clear voice rung out:

Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor,
for the Legal might of Sauron has been overgthrown,
and the Dark Tower Complex is thrown down.

Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard,
for your watch hath not been in vain,
and the Black Gate is broken,
and your Chief Architect hath passed through,
and he is victorious.

Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West,
for your Chief Architect shall come again,
and he shall dwell among you
all the days of your life.

And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed,
and he shall plant it in the high places,
and the City shall be blessed.

Sing all ye people!

[Grey_Wolf]

And the people sang in all the ways of the City.

The days that followed were golden, and Spring and Summer joined and made revel together in the fields of Gondor.

And tidings now came by swift errandbikers from Cair Andros of all that was done, and the City made ready for the coming of the Chief Architect.

Merry was summoned and drove away with the SUVs that took store of goods to Osgiliath and thence by cargoship to Cair Andros; but Faramir did not go, for now being healed he took upon him his authority and the Vice Chairman of the Board, although it was only for a little while, and his duty was to prepare for one who should replace him.

And Éowyn did not go, though her brother sent word begging her to come to the field of Cormallen.

And Faramir wondered at this, but he saw her seldom, being busy with many matters.

And she dwelt still in the ER and sat alone in the Café, and her face grew pale again, and it seemed that in all the City she only was ailing and sorrowful.

[Grey_Wolf]

Then Faramir came and sought her, and once more they stood on the walls together; and he said to her: "Éowyn, why do you tarry here, and do not go to the rejoicing in Cormallen beyond Cair Andros, where your brother awaits you?"

And she said: "Do you not know?"

But he answered: "Two reasons there may be, but which is true, I do not know."

And she said: "I do not wish to play at riddles. Speak plainer!"

[Grey_Wolf]

"Then if you will have it so, lady," he said: "you do not go, because only your brother called for you, and to look on the Cheif Architect Aragorn, Elendil's heir, in his triumph would now bring you no joy. Or because I do not go, and you desire still to be near me. And maybe for both these reasons, and you yourself cannot choose between them. Éowyn, do you not love me, or will you not?"

"I wished to be loved by another," she answered. "But I desire no man's pity."

"That I know," he said. "You desired to have the love of the CA Aragorn. Because he was high and puissant, and you wished to have fine house and neat car and to be lifted far above the mean things that crawl on the earth. And as a great EO may to a young employee he seemed to you admirable. For so he is, a lord among men, the greatest that now is. But when he gave you only understanding and pity, then you desired to have nothing, unless a brave death in battle. Look at me, Éowyn!"

And Éowyn looked at Faramir long and steadily; and Faramir said: "Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn! But I do not offer you my pity. For you are a lady high and valiant and have yourself won renown that shall not be forgotten; and you are a lady beautiful, I deem, beyond even the words of the Elven-tongue to tell. And I love you. Once I pitied your sorrow. But now, were you sorrowless, without fear or any lack, were you the blissful Queen of Gondor, still I would love you. Éowyn, do you not love me?"

Then the heart of Éowyn changed, or else at last she understood it. And suddenly her winter passed, and the sun shone on her.

[Grey_Wolf]

"I stand in Minas Anor, the Tower of the Sun", she said; "and behold the Shadow has departed! I will be a Bride no longer, pick fights with the great Bikers, nor take joy only in the songs of motoring. I will be a doctor, and love all things that grow and are not barren." And again she looked at Faramir. "No longer do I desire to be a queen," she said.

[Grey_Wolf]

Then Faramir laughed merrily. "That is well," he said; "for I am not a EO. Yet I will wed with the The Bride of Rohan, if it be her will. And if she will, then let us cross the River and in happier days let us dwell in fair Ithilien and there make a garden. All things will grow with joy there, if the Bride comes."

"Then must I leave my own people, man of Gondor?" she said. "And would you have your proud folk say of you: There goes a man who tamed a wild Bride of the North! Was there no woman of the race of Númenor to choose?"

"I would," said Faramir. And he took her in his arms and kissed her under the sunlit sky, and he cared not that they stood high upon the walls in the sight of many. And many indeed saw them and the light that shone about them as they came down from the walls and went hand in hand to ER.

And to the Head Nurse Faramir said: "Here is the Bride of Rohan, and now she is healed."

[Grey_Wolf]

And the Head Nurse said: "Then I release her from my charge and bid her farewell, and may she suffer never hurt nor sickness again. I commend her to the care of the Vice-President of the GAA, until her brother returns."

But Éowyn said: "Yet now that I have leave to depart, I would remain. For the castle has become to me of all dwellings the most blessed." And she remained there until Genral Éomer came.

All things were now made ready in the City; and there was great concourse of people, for the tidings had gone out into all parts of Gondor, from Min-Rimmon even to Pinnath Gelin and the far coasts of the sea; and all that could come to the City made haste to come.

And the City was filled again with women and fair children that returned to their homes laden with flowers; and from Dol Amroth came the harpers that harped most skilfully in all the land; and there were the Minas Tirith Radio Orchestra set up, and clear-voiced singers from the vales of Lebennin.

At last an evening came when from the walls the field tents could be seen upon the field, and all night lights were lit as men watched for the dawn.

And when the sun rose in the clear morning above the mountains in the East, upon which shadows lay no more, then all the bells rang clear digital sound, and all the banners broke and flowed in the wind; and upon the White Tower of the citadel the standard of the Vice-President, bright argent like snow in the sun, bearing no charge nor device, was raised over Gondor for the last time.