Beautiful writing, as always – and yes, I remember the first part and I found it very interesting how much the atmosphere has changed. Even though the situation is still pretty messy and very sad this part seems to be less hopeless. Or better: in the first fic the characters are caught in some kind of stagnation (or resignation) while now the clockwork is gaining momentum (I´m sorry, it´s almost midnight over here and too late to find proper metaphors). And to me it absolutely makes sense that ít is Èowyn who breaks the chain. Even in the book she´s a very dynamic character and the one who revolts against established conditions. While both Aragorn and Faramir are trying to get along in the places they have been put she leaves the beaten track and starts to push things.

Or maybe I´m just overinterpreting again. ;) Anyway, a wonderful and very realistic story. I think I mentioned it before, but I really appreciate the fact that there is no actual “villain” in the story. It´s just three people slipped into that arrangement without any bad intention and now they have no idea how to get out of those vicious circle. By the way, I´m very curious how you will manage to get them out…. ;)