I know your face

There is a scene in The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King in which Peter Jackson improves on Tolkien. At the battle of Pelennor Fields, King Theoden leads the Riders of Rohan to assist in the defense of Gondor. His niece, Eowyn, whom he loves more dearly than a daughter is forbidden, because of her gender, to fight. She disguises herself as a man and rides to battle where, by a mighty deed of arms she guarantees victory for the men of the West. Her uncle, King Theoden, redeems himself from the cowardice and corruption by which he has been enslaved, but in the process he is mortally wounded. As he lies dying, Eowyn finds him. He opens his eyes and sees her and looks at her with joy. "I know your face. . . . Eowyn," he whispers.

I know your face. In that tiny phrase is contained all the love between them; all the long years of connection they have. It is a scene that, despite my having seen it a dozen times, still moves me deeply. I know your face. To know and be known. This is perhaps the real goal of all wholesome human interaction.