Faramir Proposes to Eowyn

Meanwhile in Minis Tirith news came regarding the Captains of the West. Faramir, being fully healed, began his Stewardship preparing for the King's return. Merry went with supplies sent to the Captains but Eowyn did not go with although her brother summoned. She was becoming sad and withdrawn again. Faramir went to visit her in the Houses of Healing confused as to why she did not go. In conversation he stated that perhaps she did not go because she loved Aragorn, and knowing he did not return that love she could not bear to be near him.

Faramir's other thought was that she stayed for love him. Eowyn was in no mood for any man's pity. In response Faramir said she should not refuse pity from a gentle heart and he told her plainly that he loved her. At long last the chill of her heart melted and she wished no longer to be a shieldmaiden or queen. This made Faramir very happy and stated his intent to marry her and even move to Ithilien together afterword if it would be her will.

"'Then I must leave my own people, man of Gondor?' she said. 'And you would have your proud folk say of you: 'There goes a lord who tamed a wild shieldmaden 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" (p. 243, The Return of the King).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, End of March
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 241-243