Title: Without Words
Author: Elly
Character: Éowyn, Merry- É/M pairing
Rating: PG
Notes: Éowyn/Merry. And a certain hobbit's foot fixation. They belong to Professor Tolkien. I like constructive comments. =D

They were in the gardens, not speaking, not needing words. Healing was a quiet process, and if any ever needed to heal, it was the pair walking in the gardens that spring afternoon. They moved slowly, the maiden's arm in a sling; the Halfling beside her hobbling unsurely, as though he hadn't walked in some time. He smiled, though, and pointed out what he saw to the maiden, a bird's nest, a flower with a peculiar hue, where the sun was in the sky. She nodded and admired and directed him to what she saw in turn. They spent their time thus, wandering and searching and finding what they had not before. They were farther now than the day before, exploring a corner surrounded by trees. The maiden's eyes set upon a fountain offset from the center of the little garden. She grinned quickly and dropped a hand to the Halfling's shoulder. He looked up from the plant he was studying and followed her gaze to the water. His smile turned cheeky and he moved to the fountain, dipping a hand into the cool water. Satisfied with what he found, he sat down quickly and replaced his hand with a bare foot. He gave a little sigh of contentment and turned to look expectantly at the maiden. She looked first to him, then to the burbling water, then down to her own booted feet. With a sigh, she sat down beside him and began to struggle with the laces on her boots; mentally cursing her weak will that made her allow the healers to dress her this morning. She should have guessed she wouldn't be able to undress with out help. The Halfling watched her for a moment, before shyly reaching out to undo the laces for her. She started at his hand but allowed him to continue; relieved she didn't have to make a fool of herself. Nimble fingers undid stiff laces, while the pair shared a look and a smile. Merry finished the laces and pulled, being careful not to jar his companion's arm. He didn't really understand this bit about shoes, not even after spending so much time out of the Shire. Feet were fine things indeed, why cover them up? With this thought, Éowyn's boot came free. She wiggled her toes; glad to be rid of some of the propriety she had felt since leaving Dernhelm behind. Merry gaped. Then quickly blushed and began furious study of the ground. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but pale, shapely feet were not it. It made sense, he told himself, the rest of her was pale and shapely, too. Not that he had noticed. She was a fine and wonderful woman, certainly, and lovely to look at. And brave and strong. And… Suddenly he was blushing again. He could hardly look at what he was doing when he untied the other boot, rushing to finish and nearly tying up his fingers in the process. Luckily, Éowyn was too grateful to notice his strange behavior. She giggled, most unladylike, and dipped her feet in the water. Looking back at Merry, she waited for him to join her. Merry hesitated, unsure about moving closer while the blush still felt like fire on his face. But she looked so happy; he couldn't bear to shake off the invitation. It had been a long time since he had seen her this content. He settled in next to her, careful to leave some space between them. Her feet flashed under the surface of the water like silver fish. Merry caught himself staring as he sat next to the maiden, and quickly turned his eyes away. Only to begin staring again a few moments later, and repeating the process. But Merry's behavior did not escape Éowyn's notice a second time. She watched him quietly for a few moments, wondering what it was that could possible make him act so strangely. She watched as his hands tightened on the side of the fountain, and followed his gaze down into the water. And an idea stirred in her. An idea, along with a strange feeling. Casually, she moved her foot in a small circle, quirking her lips into a smile when she saw Merry's eyes follow the movement. In that moment, he reminded her of a small kitten that used to live in the stables. Except Merry looked much less likely to pounce. She moved her foot closer to his, so close they brushed against one another. Merry nearly jumped out of his skin to pull away from her- something that amused her all the more. Merry was having trouble breathing. Éowyn was so close to him, now, and with each breath he could smell her. Her hair, her clothes; the scent so different now from when she was Dernhelm. And somehow the same. He wondered how he could not have know, how he could not have seen the woman behind the mask of a man. And while he was busy trying to solve the puzzle and distract himself in the process, Éowyn was plotting her next move. She edged closer to him, moving slowly and deliberately. An arm slid around his shoulders, one hand tilting his chin, eyes meeting eyes. Then she bent to kiss him, soft and fully on the lips. It took a moment for him to become aware of what was happening, but when the realization finally hit, he responded with a force that surprised even Éowyn. They parted lips, but stayed close, clinging to each other in the sunlight. They were as silent as before, but that was just as well. Healing was a quiet process, after all.

send feedback    return to fanfiction main