Exploring Middle Earth

Eowyn and Faramir

THE CANON BITS:

In the Two Towers, we read the following description of the Rohirric culture:

"...wise but unlearned, writing no books but singing many songs, after the manner of the children of Men before the Dark Years"

This leads me (and many accaimedTolkien scholars) to the conclusion that most, if not all, of the Rohirrim were illiterate.

This is barely alluded to in the films, but is canon in the books: Eowyn and Faramir were married in Edoras after the war and became the Prince and Princess of Ithilien.

Faramir, as we gather from his very first conversation with Frodo and Sam, is a well-read man who is very familiar with the history of Middle Earth. Perhaps a lot of the time he spent with Eowyn was spent teaching her to read so that she may enjoy history and poetry with him.

I also wanted to explore the scene where he gifts her his mother's cloak, because we read that it happened, but not how it played out.

I did try very hard to match the characters' speaking styles from the books.

STORY BIT:

Eowyn stared intently at the heavy book she and Faramir had open on their laps. His voice was soft and clear as he read of the first king of the Riddermark: Eorl the Young, the ancestor of Eowyn. After a while, she could recognise the king's name from among the letters swimming across the pages.

The icy wind whipped in from the city walls behind them, rustling the leaves above their heads, and Eowyn shivered.

"Perhaps we should go inside, Eowyn," Faramir suggested. "It would not do well for you to have healed from your wounds only become ill again. Your brother would be most displeased"

"I am afraid for Eomer, for them all" she said, looking to the North as she often did.

Faramir put his arm about her waist and smiled kindly. "You worry endlessly for others, Lady Eowyn, I think it is time that you found some joy for yourself, even if this were the end of days."

As they passed through the door of the Houses of Healing, and into the candlelit warmth, the Warden smiled at them. "I would have called you indoors in a moment, my lord and lady. I do not like this wind that is blowing all of a sudden. It would be better to continue your reading indoors."

"I think we have read enough for the day, Warden," Faramir replied, "but would you send for my squire? Ask him to bring to me my mother's mantle for Lady Eowyn."

The warden bowed and left the room.

"You should not give away Lady Finduilas' possessions so lightly," Eowyn protested.

"I do not do this lightly, my lady. You are, to my mind, the only woman who now dwells on Earth who is fit to wear this mantle."

Eowyn smiled, and it seemed to Faramir that a light shone from her face.

A few minutes later, the squire arrived and handed to Faramir a folded robe made of expensive fabric the colour of a summer night. He took it, and unfolded it with care. He then draped it over her shoulders and fastened it, letting his hand linger for a moment at the base of her neck.

As he was about to draw his hand away, she took it in her own and pulled close to him.