Dreams of the Fourth Age

The Fourth Age

The Tale of Éowyn and Faramir

Faramir and Éowyn walked together in the gardens each day. On March 25, they stood at the wall looking toward Mordor. Faramir gave Éowyn a blue mantle with silver stars that had belonged to his mother. Then in the east they saw a great darkness that seemed about to engulf the world. It reminded Faramir of the Downfall of Númenor, of which he had often dreamed. But then he felt hope and joy and he kissed Éowyn's brow.

"And so they stood on the walls of the City of Gondor, and a great wind rose and blew, and their hair, raven and golden, streamed out mingling in the air. And the Shadow departed, and the Sun was unveiled, and light leaped forth; and the waters of Anduin shone like silver, and in all the houses of the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts from what source they could not tell. "
The Return of the King: "The Steward and the King," p. 241

But Éowyn remained unhappy for several days afterward. Faramir understood that Éowyn had admired Aragorn because of his greatness and that when Aragorn gave her only understanding and pity in return, she had desired a glorious death in battle. Faramir told Éowyn that though he too had once pitied her, he had come to love her and wished to marry her. Then Éowyn realized that she loved Faramir and he kissed her in full view of the people of Minas Tirith.

Then Éowyn's heart opened up and the frost that had touched her melted away and she realized that it was Faramir she loved.

"I stand in Minas Anor, the Tower of the Sun, and behold the Shadow has departed! I will be a shieldmaiden no longer, nor vie with the great Riders, nor take joy only in the songs of slaying. I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren. No longer do I desire to be a queen."
The Return of the King: "The Steward and the King," p. 243

Éowyn chose to remain in the City with Faramir. She attended Aragorn's coronation on May 1 and the next week she and Éomer returned to Rohan, for there was much work to do and Rohan had suffered during the war. They came back to Minas Tirith in July in order to escort King Théoden's body home for burial.

At Théoden's funeral feast in Meduseld on August 10, Éomer announced that Éowyn and Faramir were to wed and Aragorn wished her joy. When the Fellowship departed, Éowyn gave Merry Brandybuck the Horn of the Mark in recognition of his service to Rohan.

Faramir and Éowyn were married in 3020. Faramir had been named Prince of Ithilien and they made their home there in Emmy Arnen, a range of hills within sight of Minas Tirith. While Faramir cleansed Ithilien of evil and evil-doers, Éowyn nurtured Ithilien's gardens and worked to restore the once-rich land to its former beauty. In this effort, a company of Elves from the Woodland Realm led by Legolas were of great help.

Faramir took up the authority of the Steward and he began to prepare to transfer the rule of Gondor to the new King. On May 1, Faramir stood at the gate of the City to greet Aragorn. He knelt and offered him the white rod of the Steward in order to surrender his office, but Aragorn refused and said that Faramir and his heirs would remain the Stewards of Gondor. Then Faramir asked the people of Gondor if they accepted Aragorn as their King and they replied yea. Faramir brought out the Crown of Gondor and Aragorn was crowned King Elessar.

Faramir was made Prince of Ithilien, and Beregond became the captain of his guard, the White Company. In Ithilien, Faramir guarded and maintained the eastern marches of Gondor. His duties included clearing out the remaining outlaws and Orcs and cleansing the Morgul Vale of evil. As Prince of Ithilien, Faramir was the highest ranking noble in Gondor after the Prince of Dol Amroth, and together they were King Elessar's chief commanders. As Steward of Gondor, Faramir was the King's chief counselor and he had authority when the King was abroad.

Faramir and Éowyn made their home in Emmy Arnen, a range of hills in Ithilien within sight of Minas Tirith. They had at least one son named Elboron. Faramir died in the year 82 of the Fourth Age and Elboron succeeded him as the Steward of Gondor and the second Prince of Ithilien.


Faramir & Éowyn in Houses of Healing (Images property of Anke Eisseman, click to view full size)

Of Elboron...

Elboron became the second Prince of Ithilien and the Steward of Gondor after the death of his father in the year 82 of the Fourth Age. Elboron may have been the father of Barahir - the grandson of Faramir - who wrote The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen.

Faramir, Éowyn, & Elboron
(Image property of Anke Eisseman, click to view full size)

Additional Sources:

Appendix A: "The House of Eorl" give further details on Éowyn's parents and her early life.
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #244 discusses the romance between Faramir and Éowyn as well as Faramir's duties as Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien.

Additional Sources:
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #244 discusses Faramir's duties as Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Prologue - Note on the Shire Records," p. 24
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," p. 221, 223