b2mem | Cousins and Squires, by Kaylee Arafinwiel (Reply)

B2MeM Prompt, Card and Number: t_n_b alphabet, B2MEM memories, Like Marrying Merry
Format:
Genre: family, romance
Rating: PG
Warnings:
Characters: Eothain, Eowyn, Faramir
Pairings: Faramir/Eowyn
Creator’s Notes (optional): Another chapter of "Arafinwiel's Alphabet" catch-up...I'm falling behind on other prompts, but here we are anyway. In my-verse, Eothain is the cousin of Eomer and Eowyn on their father's side - his father being Eomund's brother.
Summary: In the lead-up to the White Lady of Rohan's nuptials, her paternal cousin confides in her.

"It really is a pity, you know, Wyn," Éothain said as he looked out over the White City. His eyes were fixed on a distant point as he looked toward the Pelennor Fields, and Éowyn cast him a sidelong glance.

"The number of Men who died for our freedom is more than a pity, cousin!"

"I didn't--I...no, I did not mean that," Éothain replied, shaking his head. "I was just thinking. Never mind...it isn't important." He sighed.

"Of course it is important," Éowyn insisted. "What is it?"

"I just...when Éomer and I go home, you aren't coming." He looked askance. "Why did you have to fall in love with...him? Why couldn't you have married someone else?"

Éowyn blinked. "Are you jealous, Éothain? Of Faramir?"

Éothain blushed. "No! Not like that," he protested. "I just don't want you to stay. I want you to come home."

Éowyn leaned over and kissed her younger cousin on the brow. "No, Éothain. You stay by my brother's side. He needs you, and I need you to guard him."

Dejected, Éothain nodded and walked away.

Later, when she told the tale to Faramir, the Steward laughed. "Should I worry that your kinsman has designs on you, my lady?"

"Nay, Faramir," Éowyn laughed. "Even were we not too near in kinship, I could never wed Éothain! It would be like marrying Merry!" She chuckled at the very idea. Her Holdwine would never make a suitable groom, and no more would her dear cousin. She chafed at his protective nature, but better he spend it on her brother who needed it, than on herself.