for drinkupmehearties

[shieldofrohan]

It has been most of a month now since Jack came to Gondor's shores, a good two weeks since Faramir returned to Ithilien. Éowyn has meant, every day, to tell him the truth; every day, she has shied away from it. It isn't out of fear for her own sake, or Jack's, but when she comes to speak to Faramir, sees the familiar lines of his face and the gentle look in his eyes, she can't bring herself to hurt him that way. She keeps telling herself the time will come, must come, that she isn't avoiding it but only waiting. Deep down, though, she knows full well there's never going to be a right time, that she'll never tell him if things go on this way, and perhaps Jack was right, perhaps that's for the best. She's kept away from Jack for the most part, giving his care over to one of the serving-men of the household, and she's certainly never repeated the mistake of that first morning back in Ithilien. Faramir knows something is wrong, she can tell that much, but perhaps if she just lets it lie, tries to get back to normal...

It would be easier if everything else went back to normal around her. But it doesn't. It takes her a few days to be sure, to count off the days and know she isn't just being paranoid, that she really ought to have bled by now. She keeps hoping for a day or so after that, but when she comes back from her afternoon ride, strips down to change into a dress, and finds her underthings still clean, hope shrivels to despair.

Faramir is out, luckily. Éowyn dresses as quickly as she can, and tries to steady herself, to wipe away the tears that haven't quite spilled over, before taking a deep breath and heading out into the hallway. Jack's guard is outside his room, and looks at her with clear concern, but when she dismisses him, he goes without argument.

She locks the door behind her, not lingering in the doorway this time but crossing right over to Jack and grabbing his arm. The tears are threatening again, and there's a light in her eyes that isn't remotely one of happiness. "Jack. Listen to me."

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[drinkupmehearties]

"I would imagine so." Work to be done, and for him, more time to himself to spend mulling over this newest, troublesome revelation. Jack pushes off from his place on the wall, makes his way over to her with unhurried steps as she stands and tidies herself. "If I'm not to be present, keep me informed, eh? An' if I am to be there with you when you tell him, I'll see you then."

He moves to draw her into an embrace, then, warm and reassuring. "There'll be better days ahead, luv."

i'll set up a new thread, k?

[shieldofrohan]

The embrace seems like a bad idea, if she's honest - and yet she all but melts into it, holding him tightly, her eyes closing for a moment. It's a reassurance, something solid to hold onto, and she's grateful for it. She clings to him for a long moment before pulling away, her eyes puffy and red, her expression sombre.

"I hope you are right, Jack." Better days ahead. It would be more comforting if it didn't echo what Faramir had said to her when first they met, and so drive another stab of guilt into her. Still, she appreciates the intent, and gives him a faint smile. "I think you ought not to be there. This is best between us. But I shall give you word as soon as I can, I swear it."