Nice interplay and dialogue between the newlyweds here! And the line about Faramir's gift for making everything around him peaceful makes a lot of sense.

And it's quite believable that Eowyn would want to see the stables before checking out her new home!

I love Faramir's attitude here, he is bemused and melancholy and then slowly lets himself relax and enjoy his own wedding. Good job on the description of the wedding ceremony and vows!

So Eowyn finally knows much of what has troubled Faramir. A nice way of relating it to her own experience. I like the bit about the same thing being known, and compassionately accepted, among the Rohirrim, and Eowyn's having known and admired a "war-fettered" veteran in her youth.

And of course, Eomer would insist that little Elboron start learning to ride!

A harrowing chapter, starting out gradually, in melancholy, and building to a sharply divisive and emotionally cataclysmic finish.

Faramir's meditations on suicide as a solution are heart-breaking. He is so painfully lonely, and conditioned to loneliness; and cannot recognize that he, (like Denethor in my opinion) has at this point contributed to that state by isolating himself from even his wife.

I would dispute that there was a direct trade of Theoden's life for Faramir's; since even Gandalf could not have been certain that Theoden wouldn't have fallen on the Pelennor if the wizard hadn't been preoccupied in saving Faramir; but I do concur that Theoden's death had a sobering connection to Faramir's life (which I blame on Denethor, whose folly held Gandalf back from the Pelennor and probably the saving of many men).

The final quarrel is brilliantly written here; Faramir is over-wrought, but still strong enough not to repeat his father's mistake (in the Altarielverse) and deliberately harm his wife, yet he does injure her inadvertantly and thereby, unneccessarily, dooms himself to much misery, not to mention scare the heck out of Eowyn Wraithbane. Poor kids; they really need a good marriage counselor, or at least some space; actually both.

"His first tactic seemed to be to command sternly, which might have worked from a man that I respected more. The second was to beseech tearfully, which made me respect him even less." -

I have trouble seeing Faramir as someone who would, even during a strain upon the marriage, tearfully beseech his wife; but otherwise this chapter is excellent, as usual; an account of a relationship on very rocky ground and getting worse. I liked Arwen's mentoring Eowyn; I have always thought they would be drawn together in being foreign-born great ladies in the White City.

I'm not sure if I ever reviewed this before, but, following my own resolution to write a review to every story I read (so that I can bitch about every reader who doesn't review MY stories :D), I will do so with this, as well.

I do think I've read it about three times now, and I loved it every time. Your style is so fitting for the fandom, yet not simply imitating Tolkien, and your characterizations are so very beautiful and accurate. I just love all the psychological drama and the angst. In short: This is THE Faramir/Eowyn-story for me.

So, this was finished on my 52nd birthday. I don't know how much you still write, but hope you're continuing to do so. I know you read some of my works and commented on them, and that I appreciated the comments you left me with.

A most satisfying ending, and a promising beginning as well. The second wedding reminds me of the Elvish wedding requirements-mutual desire and acceptance and commitment, spiritual and physical. I think they will do well enough now.

Oh, why not? I have the Hobbits finding a stand of mushrooms in the Sixth Circle that is empty when they dwell in the city after the Coronation but inhabited in a later visit. Why shouldn't Faramir have his secret place where he's enjoyed stolen apples, too? Probably the householders have been aware of his visits since his adolescence at least, and are secretly glad of them.

And hooray now for both of them! New memories of it indeed-her home and his, and soon theirs as well. The joy of each city is restored and renewed, and the night-terrors diminished.

Hooray, Eowyn! I knew you had it in you! Now, Faramir, keep the openess going!

Lovely turn of events.

The love is so obvious, and the pride too strong in the both of them, I fear. What will draw them together? I can think of the threat of the loss of a child might do, but that would be extreme! Yet sometimes the harshest measures are needed...

Oh, Aragorn-you bear the Elessar stone, after all...

A wonderful and most proper compromise with ring and seal; a most needful and appropriate comeuppance for the gossips about the Tower; a most lovely reassurance from queen and king. The idea that Faramir, Boromir, and Denethor had all suffered overmuch from rings is an most apt one.

Now, you fool-reconcile! Both of you!

Let the understanding grow and become proper reconciliation.

Ah such advice: "Communicate with her and see her"

"Don't brood"

"Duck."

Yes, that about sums it up!

Lighter than it's been, and hopeful!

Such a wonderful appreciation of PTSD she actually has, and am so glad that Lothiriel explained. Now to fill in the rest of the gaps-migraines brought on by exhaustion and tension; an oversensitivity to criticism sparked by his father; abuse seen and suffered at the hands of one he yet loved...