May - year 3022 of Fourth Age - Edoras
Eomer entered the chamber, he was fully aware of what she was going to tell him. The healers had already broken the news to him only moments earlier, upon hearing it he wished he had not.
She stood before him, tears falling from her eyes. Never had he seen her in such despair. "I-I lost our child Eomer." The words stung.
She wept, no matter how much she wanted to hold strong, she could not control her sobbing and the throbbing sensation in her throat burned, she felt as if she might grip at her own neck, just to try and subdue the pain. Eomer was frozen, he wanted to go to her and give her such comfort but the sadness of this news had taken hold. His heart ached too greatly, with knowing that he would not be the father to welcome a beautiful little daughter or an heir so alike himself that he could proudly call his own.
In the months that came to pass Rohan was cold at the news of their beloved King and Queen's heartache, for the people felt it as well. They had hoped there to be a new heir. Servants, council members and lords moved quickly and silently around Edoras with little purpose, any major decisions about Rohan were put on hold, advisors used the justification that 'the King was ill and only time would be his cure' even the Rohirrim remained in Edoras and regular patrols were halted.
Eomer sat filled with great sorrow in Meduseld, deep in thought and grief. Lotheriel would often request to be left alone; she slept the days away and ate with Eomer at meal times, refusing to host or be party to any others. Unbeknownst to her, Eomer had begrudgingly called on her father and brothers to pay visit to the Queen. On the eve of their arrival, he told Lothiriel.
Taking a sip of wine, he began. "I sent message to your father. Imrahil and your brothers will be arriving morrow at mid-day I should think."
"What say you, oh Eomer, you did not?"
"I thought it be the right time for you-"
She shouted firmly back at him. "WELL IT IS NOT!" Slamming her hands down on the table and pushing her seat back, she stood with great force. Her eyes were wild with fury.
He remained seated, a neutral expression on his face.
Her arms outstretched, palms flat pushing hard down on the table. Her right arm nearest to him quavered, as if she were trying tirelessly to hold her position. He noticed this. She breathed in heavily and exhaled as though she was trying to push air out through her clenched teeth. Eomer's body remained completely still, his hands resting on the table top, mouth closed. He lifted his chin only a little. Moving his eyes slowly and deliberately up to look at her, as if he'd peeled those very eyes away from where he had previously chosen to focus.
"Sit down." He spoke.
She did not comply, her eyes still as wild as before.
"Lothiriel, be seated."
She stepped out from her pushed over seat and backed away from the table, shaking her head at him; overwhelmed, a soft whimper came from her throat that she endeavoured to hold it in but to no avail, Eomer heard.
Eomer had seen his mother succumb to her grief; it was to him, as if he was watching the same happen to Lothiriel, his most beautiful young wife that he loved with all his heart. She was the Queen of Rohan, his Queen. Cautiously he stood and took a couple of steps toward her, watching her body language and eyes as they darted away from him now…
"Do not!" She managed to build up enough courage to shout at him before she broke down.
He lunged forward and pulled her to him, holding her securely. She fought at first, only for a few moments, flaying in his embrace. She pounded her tight coiled up fists now on his chest and shoulders. She was screaming and weeping hysterically before she finally went limp in his arms.
"It is alright, alright my dear." He cooed. Lothiriel's head was nestled into his chest. "Shhh my love…" He lulled as if he was talking to his horse. He lifted her off the ground and she wrapped her legs around his waist, almost as if he were lifting a small child that clung to him. Eomer carried Lothiriel over to his chair and sat, his wife still wrapping herself around him as she cried.
In Rohan, there were no silver trumpets to wake the slumbering. Morning came; the sound of roosters awoke the King. Shirtless, he felt the chill on the air as he pushed away the covers and furs. Eomer was careful not to awake the Queen as she still slept deeply even with the loud cocking of the roosters. Eomer considered how soundly he has slept after how agonizing and emotionally draining the night before had been. After announcing to Lothiriel that her father and brothers would be arriving in Edoras at midday today, it had led to the royal couple grieving together and providing comfort in one another for the first time since the failed pregnancy. Eomer's eyes moved across the sleeping form of his wife, the steady rise and fall of her chest. She was so peaceful, her dark hair tied in a long braid that passed down beyond her waist, the sheer white night dress with gold trimming that was so very thin, it were almost as if she were naked. Her skin seemed to glow, even in the darkest of halls; the paleness contrasting with that of her hair. There was no doubt Lothiriel; Queen of Rohan was a striking beauty. She was a true Gondorian princess. It is said that Imrahil's line were descendants of Elven lineage and therefore elven blood flowed in their veins. It was in this moment the feeling that this devastation that affected the royal couple so, would not be an enduring state for them, he hoped. Wakening to a serenity that he had not felt in the previous months was an encouraging change.
The announcement came at Midday as predicted that a small party approached. Carrying a dark blue flag, and emblem upon it of a white swan and a ship, the flag of Dol Amroth. The large gates were opened for the visitors, confirmed to be Prince Imrahil and his sons Erchirion and Amrothos.
"Sire, Rohan's great ally Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth has come and his sons Lords Erchirion and Amrothos of Dol Amroth."
"Inform the Queen of her family's arrival, I shall greet them."
Eomer rose from his throne promptly to greet his close friends and in-laws.
"Come my sons, Lord Eomer awaits us." Handing over the reins of his beautiful white mare to a stable boy, Imrahil exited the stables followed in pursuit by his sons. The wind was rough and the howl upon the thatched roofs of buildings screeched as if the wind were to tear them apart in such haste to get to the other side. Imrahil's dark hair flew about his face as he looked up to the golden hall he saw Eomer awaiting them from the top tier of Meduseld. Climbing the stairs, Eomer stepped down from where he was to openly greet them. Clasping his hand with Imrahil's he drew him into a warm hug that could only be described as the meeting of two friends, long separated by such distance.
"Eomer, King of Rohan…my friend!" Imrahil spoke sincerely.
Intending to speak not only Imrahil, Eomer announced to the crowd that was gathered at the bottom of the great steps.
"My friends you are most welcome in Rohan, come, we have much to discuss and you shall rest. You must be weary from your travels. Your chambers have been arranged and for tonight, a great feast to honor Prince Imrahil father of our Queen and his valiant son's arrival in Edoras. Rohan and Gondor, look forward together as one. We build upon the friendships made between us, through the hardship seen by both our kingdoms. All hail, sons of Gondor!"
"Hail!" The crowd shouted in cheer.
"My friend, you are too kind." Imrahil answered, giving the King a warm smile.
Lothiriel burst through the doors to the Golden Hall behind them; a look of sheer happiness crossed her face at the sight of her father and brothers. For the people of Edoras this was the first time they had seen their Queen in almost three months, they bowed graciously in her presence. Those amongst the common people began to break into whispers, and then proceeded to call out to her.
"Bless, it's the Queen!"
An older man looked up from the ground. In exclamation he cried "Daughter of Eru, be her our Queen!"
"May you be blessed, Queen Lothiriel!"
Eomer was proud of his people, receiving Lothiriel with such warmness. Imrahil was delighted at the people's response to seeing his daughter.
'My Lothiriel, adored by the people of Rohan' he thought to himself, grinning now.
Lothiriel was at a loss, how were the people so overjoyed to see her, not an ounce of disappointment, but admiration. Eomer moved to stand next to her, fumbling for her hand, entwining his fingers with hers, he gave a reassuring squeeze.
To be continued...