Title: King and Lioness
Rating: M
Pairings: Éomer/Lothíriel
Genre: Romance/Drama
Disclaimer: The Lord of The Rings is the property of J. R. R. Tolkien and his estate, and the line in summary is from the song "Ghosts That We Knew" by Mumford And Sons. This is a work of fanfiction, written for the enjoyment of myself and others. No financial profit is made by writing this.
Summary: Ghosts that we knew will flicker from view and we will live a long life. Continuation of Flickers of Light.
Author's Note: In the latest chapter of A Light that Endures I asked my readers if they would be interested to read more about the life of Éomer and Lothíriel after the events of that story. As you recall, the chapter in question introduced a wide variety of events that were not much explored, like their adjusting to ruling, meeting again Aragorn in Gondor, and then the eventual birth of their son (I imagine he and his siblings should be making many appearances in this one!). Several readers did express their wish to read more, and I decided to comply. Not only am I glad to indulge you, but I also mean to take bit of a break from writing - that is, I am not going to start another full length story any time soon, but a story in the frame of ALTE and in similar form as Flickers is entirely doable. Even if I am taking a break, I can't quit writing completely! :D
My original plan was to continue Flickers of Light indefinitely after I was done with A Light that Endures. I would keep writing scenes in the same fashion as from the beginning as far as my muse would remain active for this particular storyline. However, now after some thinking, I have started to feel like the years of Fourth Age would have to be covered some place else. I wanted Flickers to stand alone as a companion to ALTE. As a result, here you have the first installment of King and Lioness. Indeed this is similar to Flickers in form but it delves into widely untouched ground that is only briefly described in the next to last chapter of ALTE. I am hesitant to call this a sequel, though I do not know what other word might better describe it.
I hope you enjoy the story!
"For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
- J. R. R. Tolkien
The thing Lothíriel, Lady of the Mark, had known to expect was that being a queen would bring challenges with it.
What she did not expect was how small those challenges could be. And not just small, but also kind of ridiculous compared to all she had dealt with lately.
For on the first morning, when they had finished their breakfast and Éomer had wandered to dig through his chest of clothes, she remembered she could not exactly make an appearance in the Hall wearing nothing but her husband's robe, but on the other hand she did not have much to replace it with. All her gowns and goods were back in Dol Amroth. Well, there were some dirty clothes in her saddlebags like she had told him, but even clean they would not consist of a fitting array for a queen. In war camps and on the road it hadn't mattered, but here and now was different, and Éomer's wife shouldn't look like she had been dug up from some ditch.
"I think you don't need gowns to be queenly", said her husband as he kissed her brow, "but I do see your problem. Don't worry – I will ask if Éowyn can find you something for the day."
"That would be nice. I have plenty back in home, because Aredhel insisted I need a wardrobe fit for a queen, but that doesn't help much now. It will take weeks before any will arrive", she muttered, pulling his robe tighter about herself. "Some queen I am, having to borrow others' clothes."
"Dear wife, after all you have done, no borrowed gown could ever make you less worthy. It is not wrong to ask for help when you need it", Éomer told her firmly. And she knew he was right – he was more right than one could ever say.
"I know", she murmured on his lips and kissed him once more – as a result, the matter of clothing was postponed for almost another hour.
Éowyn, tactful as to not make any observations about the late appearance of the royal couple on this day, did find her a couple of spare gowns, and more could be purchased in the capital's markets; however, when she was helping Lothíriel with lacing at the back of the garment, she suggested: "I was wondering if you would like a proper tour of Meduseld and all the royal holdings. I was in charge of the household for several years, so this would be a very good chance to get you familiar with it."
Her brothers, Amrothos especially, proved helpful as well: "Oh, don't worry about us, sister. We are perfectly capable of entertaining ourselves, and anyway we should probably get out of your way while you and Éowyn turn the place upside down."
From her previous visits to Edoras Lothíriel knew or at least recognised some of the people she was introduced to on that day, but by the end of the day she felt it would take a while to learn to remember everyone's names. Fortunately the chatelaine of the Golden Hall, a woman named Osythe, seemed like a woman she could easily get along with; she had served in the position for almost twenty years and knew all that went to running of the household, and she was in familiar terms with all of its members. Éowyn did not have to tell Lothíriel this lady would be her best friend and ally in coming years.
All things considered she learned much that day, and come the evening she was brimming with everything she wanted to tell Éomer. She had barely seen him during the day, as he had spent most of it locked in his study with his advisers – Éowyn had commented they all had been so gleeful in their expectation to get to him that they had virtually forgotten about ale last night. So, the thought of seeing him was wrought of anticipation.
But when he did return to her that night, she could see right away he was bone tired. After all, last night had not seen too much sleeping, and he didn't look like he had taken many breaks from work during the day. Soon as he had kissed her briefly and kicked away his boots, he more or less collapsed on the bed and let out a groan.
"And here I was thinking I had a busy day", she said teasingly and hopped to sit next to him on the bed. One could easily get lost there, what with the sheets and blankets and the sleeping furs and massive pillows.
"Mmh. It's even worse than I thought. What was that traitor even doing here?" Éomer muttered, rolling over to his back and rubbing his forehead. "If I will ever manage to work through this mess, I will be old and withered by the time I'm done."
"If you need help..." she started gingerly, reaching to brush her fingers through his hair. He gave her a tired look, but there was affection as well.
"I know, my queen", he said and then closed his eyes with a sigh. Then, in minutes his breathing turned slow and even, and she knew he was already asleep. Lothíriel bit her lip – she hadn't even had chance to ask if he had eaten supper.
Carefully she lifted up some blankets over him and rested her hand against his cheek.
Looks like I've got a lot to learn, she thought to herself. I may as well as start by making sure he is kinder to himself.
Though she had not exactly expected anything else, Lothíriel saw quickly that learning to navigate this new world would take her some time, and she would not digest all the intricacies of being the mistress of the household overnight. However, she landed the position as comfortably as it was really possible, what with the support of Éowyn and Osythe.
Couple of days after Éowyn took her leave of them in the middle of the day when they were sitting down in the Queen's Chamber to eat some lunch. It did not escape Lothíriel why her sister-in-law did that. The White Lady wanted her to get to know Osythe better, and without herself hovering nearby all the time.
As the two women were sitting and eating, the chatelaine offered the young queen a friendly smile. She was in her fifties, and was quite a handsome woman with wide face and large, expressive eyes. Her hair was red gold and in her eyes glimmered dark blue of evening's shadows. Her husband was the household's head smith, while their three daughters were all married and living in different corners of the land. Luckily at least her oldest had chosen to stay in Edoras and was fast producing grandchildren for Osythe.
"Now, my lady, how are you finding Meduseld and Edoras so far?" she asked to open conversation and perhaps usher away the slightly awkward mood. Lothíriel looked up from her meal and returned the smile.
"Oh, it is all I thought it would be, and more", she replied. "Not to mention I am very happy to see how warmly I have been welcomed here."
"I would say you deserve all the respect of the people, considering everything you have done for the King and for the realm", Osythe stated solemnly. Then another smile touched her features, "I must admit, after all these years I am quite happy to see Éomer so happily married to such a lady as yourself. That lad ought to have some happiness in his life."
"You have known him for a long time?" Lothíriel asked. Her question brought the shadow of memories on the older woman's face.
"Aye, I have. Since Théoden King brought him and Éowyn to live here... watched them grow up. They are dear to me, like my own children", Osythe said softly. She smiled then sheepishly, "That is why I took great personal interest in the matter of their marriages. For years I kept wondering when Éomer would settle down and start a family, but on the other hand I also knew he would first have to find his match. Some men are hard catches but if you manage in that, they fall so hard the ground shakes under them."
She shook her head and hurried to continue, "I beg your pardon, my lady. I speak too boldly."
"It's fine. I know I have nothing to worry about", Lothíriel said, waving her hand in nonchalance and fighting to keep the smile from her face. Osythe's words hit closer to home than the older woman even knew!
"Indeed you don't. Though there are many maidens in the Mark who would not mind sharing the King's bed, I do not believe a single one of them would dare to try and seek his affections", she said.
"Why is that?" Lothíriel asked, lifting her eyebrows. Despite all, she did feel slightly curious. Now the woman before her smiled widely.
"Oh, it is because of you, my Queen. Not only do they know his heart utterly belongs to you, but they should also know to fear your response... who of the sane mind would wish to taunt a lioness?"
Éomer had known Éothain for so many years it was hard to imagine a life where he did not have his friend. They had been riding together, saved each others' lives, and seen the darkening of the years. When Uncle had made him Marshal, there was no doubt on his mind who should be his second in command. And Éothain had fulfilled that role better than one could ever have hoped for.
It had been his friend's calling, Éomer knew, and he could see how difficult it was to Éothain to let go of it. Though the man did give his blessing to the idea, the King of the Mark had a feeling deep down his friend would always resent the knowledge someone else was the Captain of the Royal Guard.
Bitter as it was, Éothain had been right to say he could not be the captain anymore. Yet the position had to be refilled: no matter their personal sentiments, Éomer knew he could not go on without riders to guard his and Lothíriel's lives or a captain to command them. And so, couple of days after their return home, he finally made his decision about who should be his new second in command. Once he had come up with it, he thought it made all the sense in the world.
The Shieldmaiden appeared at his door not long after he had sent his summons. Tall she stood, with her feet apart in the fashion of a swordswoman, though for now she had abandoned her chain-mail. She looked understandably curious as to what business the King might have with her.
"Sire? You requested to see me", she said, bowing at Éomer. He had never seen her curtsying, like most noble ladies did when addressing to him.
"Aye, I did. Please sit down, Ceolwen", said the King of the Mark and gestured at a chair opposite his. Ceolwen bowed again and then took the seat.
"How can I be of service, my lord?" asked the woman as soon as she had settled down.
"I do have a lot of concerns in my mind, as you may very well understand, and to be honest I have to admit I did not think of this just by myself... but Éothain keeps nagging at me and I suppose he does have a point", Éomer started, watching the woman before himself for any reactions. "As you know, most of my guard was slaughtered in the south. I would give anything if I could have them back, but alas they must be replaced by living riders."
He let out a sigh, his mind heavy with memories of the fallen, and looked away briefly. When he went on again, his voice was softer.
"Éothain has resigned from his position as my captain. I obviously need a new one, and when I started to think of the matter, I realised there was only one I could possibly consider. That someone is you, Lady Ceolwen... if you would accept it", he finished and regarded her again straight into her eyes. She looked at him in surprise, even with something that looked like shock.
"Sire, that is... this is an honour, but why would you offer it to me?" she asked after a moment, when she regained her voice. He offered her a slight smile.
"How could I not? You stood with me from the moment I found your éored on the plains, you did everything I've asked of you, and you guarded the life of my queen... you are a capable warrior and a level-headed leader. And you have the trust of both myself and Lothíriel", Éomer replied. He leaned back in his chair and regarded her, "Now, I am aware you would gladly like to start your life with Elfhelm, and that is why I only ask for a couple of years."
"And after that? You will need another captain, my lord", Ceolwen stated. She had narrowed her eyes and he deemed she was very seriously considering his offer.
"Aye, and I have already given that some thought. Do you think young Edelric could be up to it, after you and Éothain have mentored him?" Éomer asked. The Shieldmaiden tapped her chin with her forefinger as she thought about his question.
"He's a good warrior and efficient in running matters. And he seems to know how to lead men... the lad has still much to learn, but you could make a worse choice", she said at length and then smiled. "Aye, I will accept. I would give my aid in rebuilding the realm, however you may need it. Still, I will have to resign sooner or later, for I fully intend to raise a family with Elfhelm."
"Of course. A year or two is all I ask", Éomer said, smiling fully now. She nodded emphatically.
"That is settled, then", Ceolwen spoke. Suddenly she straightened up and squinted her eyes at him, "Say, have you given any thought to the riders of the Royal Guard? Then again, perhaps I shall consult with Éothain – with all due respect, I do not trust your ability to look after yourself enough to let you choose your guards..."
Strange as that was, those words showed to the King of the Mark just how well he had chosen his captain.