Fall in Rohan always seemed come and go in an instant. Once the harvest was over, the leaves would seem to catch fire and burn with every earthly hue imaginable. Then suddenly the leaves soft humming would fall silent and the landscape would stand barren. So it would stay, until the warmth of spring would arrive and bring promises of summer. Often times winter would not offer more than darkness, brisk winds and a longing for spring, but every now and then the land would glisten, sheathed in newly fallen snow.

Éomer looked out over the hill below him. This had turned out to be one of those rare winter days. The roads and paths had swiftly turned into mud but the flickering lights from lanterns and torches now made the snow sheathed rooftops glisten. The world still held beauty, though Éomer's mind was as dark as ever. One full moon had passed since a rider had brought word of his sister's babe preparing to enter the world. He had closed himself in his sister's bower that he had turned into the king's chambers. He could still not get himself to find rest in the room where his nightmares were engraved in the walls. For two days he had waited and he had preyed. Éomer had never been a man of great belief, the few prayers he had uttered in his life had been left unanswered, yet he prayed for he could do nothing else. On the eve of the second day, another rider from Ithilien had finally come. His sister had delivered a boy. Both mother and the new prince were in good health, though the mother was worn as to be expected after child birth, the letter from Faramir had stated. He had also invited Éomer to come see his nephew, but assured him that both Éowyn and himself understood his responsibilities may keep him for some time. Upon receiving the news Éomer had done what he most often did whenever his emotions threatened to take over. He rode. Firefoot had borne him across the plains. The autumn winds whipping his tear-stained cheeks. He had ridden until the wind had chilled him to his bones. She was safe. Éowyn was a mother and his nephew already held his heart. Elboron. For every person who entered his life, he lost another it seemed. His parents had passed away and his uncle and cousin had entered. They passed away once his wife came along. His daughter had come and his wife lay buried. Éowyn had been the one constant throughout his life. He had tasted the fear upon the fields of Gondor when he had found her lifeless. His wife's death had brought him close to the edge of insanity, in truth he had crossed it at times but were he to lose his sister, he knew there was no coming back from it. Yet the fear of loss lingered at the thought of the newborn babe.

'My Lord,' it was Alise's voice. 'Your daughter has been fed and bathed and is awaiting you.'

Every evening he would sit with his daughter in front of the fire. She was getting so big. She called him "Ada" and Éomer knew it was indeed the elvish word for father. He gushed to Alise every chance he got. She let him have it, though deep down he knew what she thought. It may be a mere noise she now managed to produce at will, but no one could deny his statement. He had also decided to ignore the fact that everything she pointed to was more or less "Ada".

'Thank you Alise, where may I find her?'
'Uli is watching her by the hearth, where you like her, my lord.
Uli... Éomer froze. He had not spoken to her since yesterday.

After a long day of labor, Éomer had returned to his chamber's after night fall. He had asked to have his tub prepared and was looking forward to soaking in the hot water. He had walked in to find the room lit by several candles. He had found it odd since usually only his lanterns burned. As he had entered his dressing room he had first heard the soft splashes of water. A feminine leg rested on the edge of the tub, and Uli's face shone of mischief and excitement.

'ULI!' he had roared as he tossed the first piece of clothing he could reach into the tub.'WHAT CURSE OF THE VALAR ARE YOU UNDER?'CLOTHE YOURSELF! he swiftly turned his back to the girl who was now getting out of the water, judging from the noise.
His cheeks burned and his voice was unsteady.
'When I return, you shall not be here.'
Without hesitation he had rushed out.

Éothain had found him in the stables where he killed time grooming Firefoot. His friend could not hide the amusement on his face as he leaned against the stable wall while watching.

'Ran into some trouble did you?'
'What would you know about it?' Éomer said and his voice sounded far more sullen than he had wished. Éothain chuckled.
'Well I went to find you for I needed to ask you something.'
'What can I do for you?'
'Oh my friend. I have forgotten by now. I clearly did not find you in your chambers, however...'
'Enough.' Éomer barked and Éothain let out a laugh.
'So the little lady thought she'd snare herself a King? Now pray tell my friend, what would a King think of that?'

Éomer slammed his fist into the stable wall then rubbed his face while Éothain still grinned at him.

'Éomer son of Éomund, I know you have never lacked willing women, yet never have you lacked self-control.'
'Self-Con.. I didn't.. I could never..' Éomer's mouth remained open. He knew all to well what his friend was implying, he did not know how to defend himself though.
'Calm now your highness.' Éothain laughed. 'No need to look so flustered. I know you did not, but what spell got to the girl?'

Éomer sighed.
'If only I knew.'

'Is anything wrong my Lord?' Alise voice brought him back.
'No... No not at all. I shall go to her.'

When Éomer entered the common room he found Uli playing with Earen on the floor. She was swift as she stood and offered him a curtsy.

'Your Majesty.' she said, her eyes planted on the floor.
'Uli, there is no need for that.' Éomer said. The girl who still called him "Northerner" was mocking him. She straightened at his words, but she would not look at him.
'Well then. She has been fed and bathed..'
'I know. Thank you.' he said.
'Good night then.' she said and hurried past him.

'Uli!' he caught her arm. She stopped and her eyes rested on his gripping hand. He released her with hesitation. He was not sure she would stay.
'Your Majesty.' she whispered. 'Would you please pardon me?'
The mockery had vanished and in front of him stood a girl with stooping shoulders and a shivering lip.
'Uli, would you please come sit with me?'

She let him lead her to the cushioned chairs in front of the hearth and sat down in a way that made it seem like she was on trial.

'Yesterday... what you did.. It was.. Inappropriate.' he cleared his throat and tried to show no sign of how uncomfortable he was. She stared at her hands atop her knee but said nothing. 'May I ask why?' Éomer swallowed. He knew not if he wanted her to answer.
She looked away.
'I'm sorry.' she sobbed.
'No need for tears, girl.' Éomer said while attempting a softer tone.
'I thought maybe you could love me.' she stammered between sobs before burying her face in the fold of her arm.

Éomer's mind was ringing with alarm. Every fiber of his body wanted to leave but he took a few deep breaths and forced himself to remain calm. The girl was clearly distressed and he had agreed to the responsibility. However, he had never agreed to like it.
'Love you?' it came out harsher than he intended and was thus left unanswered. 'Uli, you are like a sister to my daughter..' he fell silent, a silence that was continuously interrupted by her sobs and snivels. 'Uli..' he placed a firm hand on her shoulder. 'I do love you. Just not.. in that way.'
'Do you love Lady Lothíriel in that way?' she said, still not looking at him.
Éomer struggled to find the right words, how much did the girl know?
'No.' he said finally. 'Though I care a great deal for her also.' That made her turn her head and face him. Her eyes were red and swollen from her tears but a hint of her normal obstinacy was back.
Annoyed she stroke a lock of hair away from her face. The short curls had grown longer and now framed her face in a way that quite became her, Éomer thought. She was a lovely girl, a little rough around the edges but her heart was pure, behind all the thorny shrubbery she had planted and nurtured around it as a defense barrier.
'Then why do you do this?' her question was as spontaneous as it was sincere.
'Do what? What do you speak of?'
Tears welled up in her eyes again.
'Why do you let us into your home? Why am I here?'
'Because Lady Lothíriel wanted you to see the world. She wanted you to feel useful, to grow up and become a lady, to be safe.'
'But if you do not love her, then what matter is it to you whether I'm a lady or not?'
Éomer stared at her for a moment.
'Do you not like it here?'
'I do...' she said. 'It's just.. How useful am I?'
He had to make an effort not to gape at her. She was doing plenty hard work in Edoras. Not only did she work the stables every day, she had also been a great help with Earen. Yet she could not see it. His train of thought brought him to a conclusion that left him uneasy.

'Uli, love comes in many forms. The lady princess loves you..'
'Yes that she may. Or she loves the idea of saving me, of being a bloody saint.' she said.
'That is very unfair of you to say and that is something between the two of you and I will have none of it.' he said.
'I'm sorry.' she murmured. 'But you still haven't told me why you are doing this. If it's not to be a good boy to eventually get into bed with lady Lothíriel, then why am I here? You are a man, I know what you want.'
Éomer felt heat rise to his cheeks. The foul mouth of this young girl was throwing him off. He took a deep breath, trying to regain control of himself and their conversation.
'I cannot deny the fact that I am indeed a man. However, I shall require no such... services.' he cursed himself for not coming up with a better ending to that statement.
'Well you have a daughter so you can't very well claim you are unable.'
Despite his best effort he gasped.
'I do not mean it like THAT,' he hissed while desperately trying to find a way to explain to her what he meant. 'Look at Earenwyn.' his eyes fell on the joyful, babbling toddler on the floor. 'I love her with all of my heart. I would die for her and you know it... What do you think I expect in return?'
She merely awaited him to continue.
'All I want in return Uli, is for her to be happy. That's all. She lost her mother and there is nothing I can do to ever fill that void, but I will do everything in my power, everything for her happiness. So Uli, what you have seen when you were a little girl, is not love and it's not all men.'
'She's your daughter. My own father raped my mother. No one even knows his name. He was some crude old sailor who docked for the night. And would you care to know the worst part of it?'
'Not so sure..' Éomer thought but nodded.
'They say he didn't even pay her.'
'Who says?'
'The other whores of course. And Madame Batten was always saying what an ignoble man he was for leaving her to feed his offspring with not as much as a copper in contribution.'
'He was wrong Uli. And you are wrong in assuming all men are like him.'
She eyed him.
'I still don't understand.' she said. 'What is it that you want with me?'
'I want you to grow up to be a lady. A shield maiden even, at least now you are in the right part of the world to become one.' he smiled. 'I want you to be Earen's sister. She loves you, you know, and I want you to be happy Uli.'

Something changed in her eyes. A glimmer of light shone through the shadow that veiled them.
'So..' she began. 'If I'm your daughter's sister... Does that make you sort of my father?'
Éomer laughed.
'Aren't you a little too old to be my daughter?'
'No. You're old enough.' she stated matter-of-factly and his grin faded slightly.
'Honestly, you are right about one thing. I do feel like this life has stretched much further than my few years lived...' he looked at her. 'Now promise me no more of that. Else I'd have to send you to the widow's nest.'
'Widow's nest?'
'Aye. A cottage a days ride from here where a dozen widows are running a farm together. They're stern, and honorable and something tells me you wouldn't like it there at all.' he chuckled as she slapped his arm.
'You monster!' she squealed. 'I'm not going to some hag-house. Can't I please stay here. Please? Is that what you want to hear Your Majesty? Please?' she teased.
He stood and placed a firm hand around her neck, forcing her to look at him.
'No, you need not beg girl.' he smiled. 'I am the one who should thank you for being here.' he placed a soft kiss upon her head and wiped away the last trace of tears from her cheek.'Now off you go.' he said. 'I bet you the horses are hungry.'

She offered him a wide smile and a sloppy curtsy before doing as she was told.