Eowyn and Faramir in the House of Healing

Another fragment of the LOTR audition script

…

The LADY EOWYN of Rohan has suffered years of frustrated misery,
a prisoner to the evil spell cast over her uncle, KING THEODEN.
Denied romance or even adventure, she has now tasted battle and proved her valour
by defeating a RINGWRAITH. As she recovers from her injuries, EOWYN carries a worse ache.
She now knows her feeling for the LORD ARAGORN can never be returned.
Gripped with the belief that she has nothing left to live for,
she has yet to realise her destiny has just entered the room
in the shape of FARAMIR, youngest son of the dead Steward of Gondor, DENETHOR.

The Warden of the House of Healing has come across her struggling to dress.

WARDEN
My lady! This is a house of rest—you should be abed.

EOWYN
I cannot lie around like this. It is too much. I must have something to do.

WARDEN
You are not yet healed, it will be seven days or more—

EOWYN
No! It is impossible. Seven more days, I might as well be dead. I have to move.
(frustrated)
Please?
(softens)
At least give me news. The women will tell me nothing.

WARDEN
(hesitates)
This dawn the Lords rode forth to Morgul Vale. The Captain from out of the North leads them.

EOWYN winces at this reference to ARAGORN. The WARDEN continues oblivious.

WARDEN
A great Lord is he, and a healer.
(shakes his head)
It is passing strange.

EOWYN
What is?

WARDEN
That hands like his, hands that carry a sword, can also heal. I can't figure him.

EOWYN
He is hard to know, he has many parts.

WARDEN
The work of healers is busy enough without wars adding to our labours.

EOWYN
Would you have your people gather only herbs when the Dark Lord gathers armies? Those without swords can still die upon them.
(bitter)
I'd rather find death in battle, even pain, than heal and linger on in bitter sorrow.

The WARDEN looks at her standing there—proud, defiant.

EOWYN
Who is left in charge here?

WARDEN
The Lord Faramir. He is now Steward of Gondor.

EOWYN
Then where can I find him?

WARDEN
I don't know about that, he is—

EOWYN
I want to see him!

EOWYN spins around as a quiet voice sounds behind her.

FARAMIR
He is also a prisoner of the healers.

FARAMIR bows to her.

FARAMIR
I am Faramir. What is it you wish? If it lies in my power, I will do it.

EOWYN
I would have you command this Warden to let me go.

FARAMIR frowns, confused.

EOWYN
Please—do not misunderstand me. It is not lack of care that grieves me. No house could be fairer, nor attendants more kind. But I cannot lie idle—useless and caged.

FARAMIR
I have not yet taken up my authority in the city.
(pause)
But even if I had, I should listen to the counsel of the Warden. I hesitate to cross his advice, unless in great need.

EOWYN
My need is great. I want to ride to war, like my brother Eomer—or better, like Theoden King.

FARAMIR
But he is dead.

EOWYN
Yes, and now has both honour and peace.

FARAMIR looks at her keenly.

FARAMIR
Such honour may yet come to us all, willing or unwilling.

EOWYN'S defiance begins to slowly drain away in the face of his quiet reason.

EOWYN
I cannot be penned up—
(sighs)
If only my window looked east…

FARAMIR
That can be arranged.
(pause)
If you can stand to stay within its walls you may have free passage of the citadel, my Lady. From the pinnacle you may look east where all our hopes have gone.

EOWYN turns and looks at him.

FARAMIR
You and I have both passed under the wings of the Shadow. The same hand drew us back.

EOWYN
No, lord. The Shadow lies on me still.
(pause)
But thank you at least for not confining me.

She leaves him.