dramadramaduck || [Private to Éowyn]

[ifishouldreturn]

Though he had no doubt that her mind was occupied with pressing matters and the continuing safety of her people, Faramir knew that he would not rest easily until he had heard of Éowyn's good health from her own lips. She was recklessly brave and her heart was heavy with sorrow. In ordinary times, such a combination would be perilous. In a time of

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[womanofvalour]

Only when the last of the women and children have left the caves did Éowyn begin to depart herself. So many feelings threatened to overwhelm her, and her talk with Éomer had done little to calm her. Sighing, she took her parchment to inquire about his location, when the familiar and welcomed image of a friend appeared on it.

"Lord Faramir," she said, with a nod of respectful acknowledgement. "I am well, as you can see. The war had left Rohan with many losses, but our men were able to triumph in the end."

[ifishouldreturn]

His heart soared with relief when Éowyn returned his greeting. She was a little pale and tired, which was understandable given the battle that had so recently gripped Helm's Deep, but she was also alive and as well as could be hoped.

"Triumph often comes with a heavy cost," he conceded, "What of the enemy?"

[womanofvalour]

"Dead, defeated," was her curt answer. "It seemed that the enemy employed much stronger foes as their soldiers. Éomer said that they were fiercer than Orcs. Stronger. Fouler. More savage than anything and anyone they had ever faced." Éowyn let herself dwell at the dark thought for a moment. Then, "But they were defeated. Rohan and her people are safe, for now."

[ifishouldreturn]

They were dead and defeated, yes, but, like all victories in war, the victory at Helm's Deep had come at a price. How many good men had died guarding those walls? How many good men were already marked for death?

Other dark thoughts claimed Faramir for a moment - the rage of the defeated enemy would be directed at Gondor, a land already pushed to the limit ... - but he attempted to brush them aside.

"In days such as these, 'for now' must be enough."