To Imrahil of Dol Amroth, there was no greater happiness than the knowledge his children were safe and sound – even his wild, wayward daughter. Past months of uncertainty had not been easy, and each day he had met with the fear that he might receive a word of her passing. But then had come the day when a rider had arrived from Rohan, bringing him a letter composed in her own hand. Though in this letter she had again written about danger, somehow Imrahil had felt his spirits lifted, his hope growing.
His hope had not been in vain. For it had not been long until they received news of Éomer's victory over the usurper. Another letter had also arrived, inviting him along with Faramir to north. Even so, he had not been able to hold back his tears of joy, knowing she and her brothers were all right.
So he and his nephew had quickly made ready for the road, as they were both anxious to see the extended family; Faramir had also received a letter from Éowyn and looked like he might just burst. On the way north he kept reading her letter over and over again, to the point where Imrahil thought the parchment would fall apart by the time they reached Edoras. The journey was anxious of course, but holding his daughter in his arms was worth the wait.
They arrived in the capital of horselords midway through March, making haste as much as they could. An escort was posted at Rohan's side of Dimholt Road, waiting for them, and as they emerged from the shadowy path a rider sped to the capital to announce the arrival of the Prince and the Steward.
"They must be waiting for us very anxiously", Faramir commented at that, and Imrahil smiled.
"Just as we are expecting to see them", he said and looked ahead, wishing to cross the leagues that remained between them quickly. Even so, the road from Dunharrow to Edoras had never quite felt as long as it felt that day, and the sight of Rohan's capital had Imrahil's heart bursting with expectation. Soon he'd see his daughter, and his sons... after all these mad events, how would his daughter have changed?
The gates of the city were immediately opened for them, and Imrahil had to hold back his wish to race uphill and towards the Golden Hall. Spying a glance of his nephew's face he knew Faramir too was fighting an urge to speed to meet his wife; this was indeed a day of many dear reunions. But where his sister's son could rest assured with the knowledge Éowyn would be coming home with him, Imrahil was very much aware another parting awaited beyond what precious days he could have with his only daughter. Yet painful as it was, this was the sacrifice he had already seen coming and accepted when he had given his blessing to the union between Lothíriel and the King of the Mark.
At last they reached the courtyard of Meduseld, and there up the steps of the Hall they stood, and only the two princes were missing, but he could ask later where they were... for Lothíriel let out a cry and she came dashing down the stairs, and Imrahil barely had time to dismount before she leaped on him.
He pulled her close and tight, his dear only daughter, just vaguely aware of the tears streaming down his face. Oh, his daughter! That last sight of her on the night before she had left Pelargir, the letter she had left, the months of uncertainty... all was mended and pain of longing was gone, for his Lothíriel was safe and sound.
Eventually he had to pull back to properly look at her – both of them busy blinking tears from their eyes.
She had changed, of course, but he had not expected anything else. The extent of it, though... when he looked at her now, he could see she had lost this naïve glimmer in her eyes. It had been replaced by a stark, bright shine of a woman strong and fearless, one who knew her potency and dared to trust it. Though he would miss her terribly once he returned home, Imrahil knew his fay-child would be just fine.
A couple of days after Father and Faramir had arrived in the Mark, Lothíriel and Osythe were in the middle of supervising taking down the great banners of the Hall for cleaning, when the doors of Meduseld were opened. Both women turned to see who was arriving and were surprised to see Ceolwen with Amrothos. Well, it was not them really that surprised the two women, but rather Amrothos' state: he was covered in mud and wearing the expression of a man in the middle of an existential crisis. The King's Captain, however, was grinning.
"Béma, what happened to you, Amrothos?" asked Elfhelm from his seat near the hearth. He had returned from a patrol to the eastern parts only yesterday. Though he and Ceolwen had a home in Astdun, presently both were situated in Edoras, as Elfhelm was not eager in the slightest to return to their Hall alone without his wife.
"We were sparring, dear husband", Ceolwen stated and her grin only grew wider. Though she had taken off her rich green cloak, the one that marked her as one of the King's Riders, she was still in chain-mail, and her hand rested on the pommel of her sword. Notably there was no mud on her. Seeing Éomer and Imrahil had been locked in the royal study since the morning, her services as captain were not needed, and so she had readily agreed to Amrothos' challenge.
The prince looked like he had just witnessed the appearance of Manwë himself.
"She beat me!" was the only thing he managed to say.
"Poor darling", Lothíriel said, fighting back her smile. She knew her brother thought very highly of his swordsmanship, and it wasn't entirely unwarranted either. However, she had seen Ceolwen in battle; not only was the Shieldmaiden as tall as many men, she was also just as strong. But what made her a truly formidable fighter was her skill with arms. A Rohirric man would have known to be careful – though it would not have guaranteed his victory – but for a Gondorian, Shieldmaidens were entirely strange.
Elfhelm beamed. He set aside his mug of ale and strode to his wife, whom he lifted from the ground in a mighty bear-hug.
"I love you, Ceolwen!" he announced loudly and kissed her right there. She laughed and wrapped arms about her husband's neck. Some quiet words were exchanged between them and Elfhelm grinned.
Osythe let out a small laugh and shook her head.
"Your husband knew what he was doing when he appointed her his captain, Lothíriel. I would love to see anyone trying to get through her", she said warmly to the young queen. They had already agreed to drop the titles, as neither felt the need for such. The chatelaine spoke again, "Shall I have a bath drawn for the Prince?"
"I imagine he should appreciate it, Osythe", said Lothíriel and reached over to pat her brother's shoulder. "Don't be so downcast. It's not shameful to be beaten by a great warrior."
"Rohan is truly a scary place", Amrothos muttered and rubbed his cheek. "I see now why you are so at home here."
Hearing that, the young queen had to laugh.
"It took you this long to understand?"
Night had come to Meduseld again. A steady rise and fall of chatter and laughter filled the Hall; the warm atmosphere was something Éomer remembered well and welcomed, and he thought once more how good it felt to be home. It had not been easy to make it here, but he was glad for every effort.
His gaze wandered to where his wife was sitting with her father and cousin. The three were talking animatedly and he was pleased to see how happy Lothíriel looked. Even if he could give her the world, he could not provide her with the joy of having near her Gondorian family.
Imrahil, on the other hand, seemed to be somewhere between happiness and sadness. He would miss his only daughter dearly once he'd return home, and Éomer could very well understand it. The prince had to know what a generous gift he had given in granting his blessing to his daughter's marriage to a man of the Mark, especially after the way she had disappeared into the night.
He was disrupted from his thoughts by the arrival of Éothain by his side. To Éomer it seemed that the conversation they had shared on the day of the feast of return had restored some of his friend's spirits – he was certainly proving to be a very energetic member of council, and he already was overseeing the training of some lads who wished to become Riders. It was as the King had surmised: Éothain had just needed to see his potential went far beyond being a captain.
"How long are they staying?" asked the older man and glanced at his king.
"For a week more or so. Neither of them can afford a longer trip", Éomer replied, his eyes moving from his wife to the men of her kin. "She will miss her family terribly. I wish I could do something..."
"Your wife is a tough lady", Éothain said comfortingly. "And being the Queen will keep her busy."
"Aye. That is true", Éomer had to agree. He let out a small sigh and turned his eyes once more to Lothíriel. She was laughing now at something, and her eyes glimmered with joy unburdened. If only she could be always so!
"Such is life. We will always have to let go of things we love, no matter how much it hurts", said his friend. Only a faintest note of bitterness was to be found in his voice, and the King of the Mark did not wonder why it was there. He knew Éothain spoke with the voice of experience.
He reached to rest his hand on his friend's shoulder. The former captain met his gaze quietly, even tried to smile.
"Still, there is much to be glad about", Éomer spoke quietly. "What is more, we survived. We owe it to our brothers in arms to live and strive to make each day count."
"You are right", Éothain replied softly and lowered his eyes; on his face there was the memor of the Riders who had died in the south. "This all... it cannot have happened for nothing. I will do all that I can to help you, my king. This land will be beautiful and glad again."
After a while, Father excused himself to go and get something to drink and stretch his legs a bit. Lothíriel suspected he also wanted to give his daughter and nephew a moment alone. Faramir looked to be on a good mood, sitting relaxed next to her and with a mug of ale in his hand. The figure of Éowyn had drawn his eye: she was at the other side of the hall talking with Scýne, but she threw an occasional smile at Faramir.
"I cannot say how happy it makes me to know the madness of late is finally over", Faramir spoke then, glancing at his cousin. "I look forward to the more peaceful times."
"As do I, cousin", Lothíriel replied and took a sip of her own ale. She looked at him carefully, "I'm really sorry for dragging Éowyn away from you like that. I know it can't have been easy for you..."
Faramir gave her a gentle little smile and he reached to pat her forearm.
"It is quite fine. I understand why she had to do it, and I know you needed her help", he said and sat back again. He sighed softly and spoke again, his voice more quiet now, "Of course, it has not been an easy year, and many a night I have lain awake worrying about all the things that could happen to her, and to you... but since I married Éowyn I have come to know true happiness. I would not deny it from you, or from Éomer. So I told myself: if your deliverance can be bought with my pain of parting from Éowyn, then I would pay that price. And her return is all the sweeter."
Hearing those words, Lothíriel could not help but put aside her mug and reach to hug her cousin. He smiled at her gently and patted her shoulder; she had to wipe an errant tear from her cheek when she pulled back.
"Thank you, cousin. Your words mean a lot to me", she said in quiet tones. "Éowyn has been such great help in things small and great. I do not think I would have got far without her."
"She lends her strength to others. It is her gift", Faramir simply said and looked at his wife. Then he turned towards her, and when he spoke he was smiling, "Just as you lend your light."
A/N: I didn't think I would be able to update anything before Christmas holidays, but you know me and my weird sleeping patterns! Here are some little family moments, hope you like it!
The epilogue of ALTE is advancing, but it does go kind of slowly. It is in the works though, and I will try to upload it before the New Year. Anyway, I once more wish you merry holidays!
Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Jo - Yes, I thought it would be good to show that they would have their challenges in returning to ruling. Glad you liked it. :) I wish you Merry Christmas as well, and a great New Year!