Part 173 of the Elfwine Chronicles. The Elfwine Chronicles are a series of one-shots built around the family group of Eomer, Lothiriel and Elfwine. The total number will depend on how many ideas I get for new vignettes.

A/N: No, not the one I've been working on, and, no, I don't know where this came from. Probably the same place as all the others that show up just as I'm about to make it into my bed at a reasonable hour, and set my plans at naught!

Lies

(April, 2 IV)

Eomer bounded up the steps to Meduseld with vigor, despite the long and tiring journey that had just ended. Eothain lingered below, however, seeing to the dismissal of the guard and the king's horse being attended.

Once inside the Golden Hall, Gamling met the king mid-way down the length of the room, briefly apprising him of news of Edoras in his absence. He concluded as they reached the throne at the south end, and Eomer asked quietly, "Do you know where I may find the queen? I must speak with her."

He offered no further explanation, and Gamling did not inquire. "Last I knew, she was in your chambers or in the nursery with Elfwine, my lord."

Eomer gave a curt nod of his head, striking off in the indicated direction instantly. It did not take long to reach his room, but he paused to remove his armor and set it by the door before entering. Lothiriel looked up from watching their son asleep on a blanket on the floor, and rose with a smile at the sight of her husband.

He crossed the room in a few easy strides, and snared her in his embrace, letting his mouth speak his feelings without words. At length, he paused in his ministrations, to murmur commandingly in her ear, "Tell me how much you missed me!"

"Missed you?" Lothiriel asked softly, pulling back to raise a questioning eyebrow at him. "Have you been gone?"

Eomer gave a growl and snugged her tight against his chest. "Evil wench! You toy with me! Tell me!"

"Even if it is not the truth?" she asked innocently, managing to maintain an impassive countenance.

"By all means! Tell me you did not miss me – and make me believe you mean it!" he retorted, his own eyebrow now raised in challenge.

For several long moments they silently held one another's gaze, until finally Lothiriel grinned and answered, "I cannot – at least not so you would believe the lie."

His posture and expression clearly told her that he was waiting for more, and she readily continued, "I missed you…more than the stars at night or the sun of the day. I missed you more than oceans and rivers and streams. More than trees or the flowers of my garden. I missed you more than the birds twittering in the hedgerow each spring or the glistening beauty of winter's snows. I…missed you more than life itself, for what is my life without you in it, and beside me?"

She fell silent, and his eyes told her he was satisfied. "Well spoken, my love!" he whispered. "I concur completely!"

And then his lips captured hers once more.

THE END

4/16/09

End note: It is best that you read the Elfwine Chronicles in the order they were written. The more of them that I wrote, the more likely I was to make reference to one of the previous ones and something that happened there. If you want to read them in order, go to the top of this page and click on my name (Deandra). That will take you to my profile page. Scroll down and you will find all the stories I have written. The Elfwine Chronicles are in order from bottom to top since ffn shows them in the order they were posted. A few were posted out of number order, but you can read them in posting order or number order since those few won't be affected in the story content.