Conquering the Bridge

Éowyn grabbed the ropes tightly. The narrow bridge swayed.

‘Come,’ Faramir beckoned from the other side.

She swallowed nervously and could not resist the temptation to look at the small stream running merrily far below.

‘Éowyn?’

She looked him straight in the eye.

‘I have been scared of this bridge since I was a small child,’ she said quietly.

Faramir nodded and smiled at her.

‘Come to me,’ he said, not a trace of astonishment on his face.

Had he shown any, she would have turned back… but he could read her too well. He knew her too well.

Éowyn squeezed the ropes and took a step forward with a new resolve…

The bridge continued swaying slightly, but she managed to keep her balance very easily as she was moving towards the middle.

She grinned triumphantly at her betrothed and pressed on.

She was a little breathless from the excitement when she finally reached the other side. Faramir stooped to the bush that grew nearby and produced an enormous bunch of bright blue cornflowers, which he must have hid there earlier.

Éowyn laughed and held the sheaf to herself.

‘For the most valiant lady of all,’ Faramir said and grinned.