A/N: Hello readers new and old! This is the continuation of my first LotR fanfic, When I Wake. The ending of that was left quite ambiguous on certain levels, and I expect most of you are here to get the answers you deserve. Why did Claire have to leave Middle-earth first and did she ever find love? What about Lothiriel? Will Theoden ever figure out he was supposed to die? This story, focusing on those questions and more, will be told through these books (of which I am expecting there to be four).
I am a firm believer that some couples have it way easier than others. For Kristen and Faramir, their lives turn out relatively simple, and thus become the foil to Eomer and Rachel. The latter's history, I have found in writing this, is rather tragic, but at the same time, so beautiful and full of pure love. Claire, too, finds her end in this, and I will deem you, my dear readers, to judge whether I have made the right choices for her end.
Here is your first warning: This is not like my first story. There is smut and there is violence and there are adult situations. It's rated M for a reason, is what I'm trying to say. I'll post a warning at the beginning of each chapter containing said mature themes. I'm not sure how long this story will last, but I will publish it in parts. I am also glad to announce I will have a regular updating schedule! A new chapter every Sunday! I am also going to be responding to any reviews left that are wordy or informative or questioning enough to warrant a response, so send in those reviews!
So, here I leave you, dear reader, with the prologue to Awakening.
Book 1: One in a Million
Chapter 1: Prologue
Third Age 3020, February
-Eomer-
Another victory in hand came for me and my Erolingas. We slashed down the final known remaining Orcs in the Westfold and we drank well that night at the tavern in Aldburg. It had been nine months since Rachel had told me we were not meant to fight in the same legion. She now served under Elfhelm, First Marshal of the Mark. Elfhelm's army, however, had not much to do as of late. Regretfully, I continued to leave Rachel in Edoras, for these missions fell into my defending territory.
Theoden's sickness had not improved. Rachel insisted that she did not mind sitting by his side, but I was reminded of Eowyn, forced to tend to him under the influence of Saruman while Theodred and I continued to ride out and fight the growing numbers of Uruk-hai. I did not want Rachel to carry that burden as Eowyn had. Nor did I want her near my uncle as of late.
The King did not have many days left and I dwelled on that as I drank my ale. As his heir, there were things I was expected to do, one of them being declaring a successor to my post as Third Marshal. Kings did not fight in the small brawls of Orcs. It would be only wars from there on out, though Aragorn had declared this new age an age of peace. It would be nothing but politics for me, a thought that made me grimace. The sword was what I knew. Diplomacy and council were not things I was knowledgeable of.
Then there was the problem that had come to Theoden's attention a week ago. Hemonbold, one of my uncle's advisors, called me into the King's Hall.
"She is not Rohirric," Hemonbold said.
"She is nothing of this land. She calls herself 'American'. We have adopted her into our country."
"And a great deed this is, Lord Eomer, and fine, if she is to remain a commoner."
"Uncle," I said, turning to him. "I do not understand why we are having this pointless discussion."
"Eomer," he muttered, gently. "As heir to this throne there are things expected of you. Traditions that have long held in place." He took a breath then. "I am old, nephew. The spells casted on me have aged me more that you could tell from the exterior. You will take this throne. The people expect you to marry a woman of Rohan. It would be an insult to wed an outsider."
"Since when is Rachel an outsider?" I spat. Never did I talk to the king like this, but his accusations were too outrageous to process. "You did not hold these opinions after her near death on Pelennor. You have gone and brought her into this House, treated her like a daughter, given her higher rank than most of our citizens. Now you would tell me these actions are forfeit because of outdated traditions?"
"Remember who you are addressing, boy," Theoden snarled. "You can't have expected anyone to believe that you intended to keep the girl. You have never kept any woman that drew your desire."
"None of them were her."
Theoden rubbed at his eyes. He looked tired and, indeed, old. "I should have put a stop to your games. I care for the girl, understand that. But care is a surface. Blood runs deeper. You cannot marry her, Eomer."
My blood boiled with my notorious temper. Rachel was the one thing on this earth that kept me human. The loss of Theodred and then Eowyn had driven me to near-insanity. My lust for battle and blood had never been higher. Those weeks I spent angry at Rachel, for no good reason, kept my head from ignoring those emotions of grief I needed to feel. If she had perished on Pelennor…I shuddered to think of the monster I would have become.
Rohirric or not, she would one day be my wife. She would be queen of this land by my side. There was no one else who could fill that void in my heart were she to leave. With one last grimace at my uncle and his aid, I left the Hall. My army would be leaving for Aldburg by dawn, in seven hours. Seven hours I would spend with my love that my uncle would not take from me.
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