As the first light of day began to creep over the horizon the heat inside the Royal apartments became unbearable. The fires had been lit and the lack of windows and ventilation made the room feel as hot as a furnace. The Queen's throat felt hoarse and dry. She pushed herself up onto her elbows and rubbed her forehead. The heat had given her a headache. As Lothiriel massaged her temple she noticed from the corner of her eye that the usually vacant spot in their bed was still occupied. Eomer was fast asleep beside her, rather than up and about his business. She put it down to the warmth of their room, delaying his usual early start.

Lothiriel wasn't sure what to do with herself. She was used to being left to her own devices in the morning. Rising or staying in bed till late if she wanted. In Dol Amroth she knew her parents would share their bed when desired, which was often. As a child she would sometimes be brought to her mother in the morning, after she had been dressed by her nurse and servants, and watch her mother get dressed. Never did she know her father to have been there when that happened. It was simply not done. Ultimately she did want to get up and get dressed. Lying next to a naked man, even if he was her husband, scandalised her. Moreover she needed to bathe and clean herself.

As silently as she could she stepped down from the bed and crept towards her chamber door then closed it behind her. Cringing at every sound she unwillingly made. In the safety of her own room, she breathed a sigh of relief. She tugged at the corners of her night gown and whipped it off over her head leaving it in a heap on the floor. She moved towards her dressing stand and found the jug of water that had been prepared from the night before. It was clearly no longer warm but it would do. Lothiriel poured a little water into the basin on the surface, soaked a linen cloth in it and began to wipe away the evidence of her husband from her skin.

That morning Lothiriel was left to her own devices. Her ladies were not visiting and she had escaped the morning council meeting. Main because she disappeared from the Golden Hall. She wandered around the exterior of the fortress alone contemplating what to do. She went to visit the Royal Stables first to look at the horses, but as she noticed the King's mount in the first pen she left there quickly. The Queen eventually walked down into the southern part of the town and watched the farmers tend their crops. Though the summer days were hot the weather would soon turn cold so they were beginning to plant peas, spinach and winter lettuce and harvesting what was left of the summer vegetables.

After lunch the Queen attended her weekly lessons with Alfrid. She spoke to him about Helm Hammerhand and what she had learned from her research. All in Rohirric of course. The old professor praised her for her attempts and corrected her when she used the wrong tense or verb. He was equally patient and helpful. As their lesson came to an end, Lothiriel loitered in the Golden Hall as Alfrid collected his books and ledgers, when she usually would return to her apartments. The old man sensed there was something amiss, but his status prevented him from asking so boldly.

"Alfrid, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course your highness."

"In all your time serving the House of Eorl, has there ever been a female on the Circle of Council?"

"Not that I recall."

The Queen looked deflated.

"With permission, why do you ask your highness?"

"I was there yesterday and possibly spoke out of turn."

"Well, if I knew the context, I may be better equipped to give your highness an answer."

Lothiriel relayed the happenings of the council from the day previous whilst she paced around him, then waited anxiously for Alfrid's response.

The old man contemplated his answer for a few moments then smiled.

"Forgive my impertinence your highness. I don't think you spoke out of turn. Your council was just and well meant."

"Thank you, Alfrid." She relaxed.

"I do have one concern however your highness."

"What is it?" She sound uncertain again.

"Did you use the King's speech?"

Lothiriel snapped her face towards her tutor at the mention of her husbands name.

"And proper prefixes? You know that is your target for improvement." He continued.

Lothiriel felt her shoulders relax and allowed herself a small laugh.

"No Alfrid. I'm afraid I let you down on that matter."

"Ah, better luck next time your highness." He replied lightly.

0O0

That afternoon the warm and pleasant weather of the morning continued well into the day. After spending the morning in the stuffy council meeting, Eomer took the decision to spend his afternoon outside. As he walked down the few steps from the Circle of Council into the cavalry yard, he noticed a stable hand walking out a horse in the fence yard. His thoughts immediately went to his own horse giving him the idea to spend the rest of the day with him. His old friend had seen him through many dangers, excitements and sorrows. However, he had not returned the favour of late.

To reach the Royal stables where his mount was now kept, Eomer had two choices. He could walk around the perimeter of the Golden Hall and enjoy the sunshine on his back a few moments longer, or take the short cut between the Circle of Council building and Hall of Arms. Before he took the crown Firefoot would have been housed with the other cavalry horses at Edoras. Although he was the nephew of the King, the Royal stables were reserved for the close family of the monarch. As Third Marshal at that time, he preferred keeping his horse the way his men did, without any perks or privileges. He had insisted it remain so now that he was King, however his advisors and council had vehemently refused him to do this. He chose the first route to the stables in the end, wanting to take full opportunity of the good weather as it reflected his mood.

After visiting Firefoot and fussing over how his tackle had not been seen to properly and chastising the stable hand for giving him too much barley, Eomer returned to the comfort of the Golden Hall. It was not long from the evening meal, when the building would be full of people, but he knew he would have a few hours to do as he pleased. When he went inside the servants were about, setting the tables and benches around the room, ready to accommodate the guests. A serving boy was passing by carrying a large bowl, laden down with fruit. The King grabbed an apple from the top of the pile and bit into the hard flesh. The fruit was crisp, fresh and sweet. It reminded him of the night before. Of Lothiriel's kiss.

Eomer looked around the room and noticed she was nowhere to be seen. This was not unusual as his wife would normally be dressing for the evening meal about this time. He made it a point to talk to her that evening. Not just the general comments that he usually would offer, but a proper conversation.

Later on that night as the main part of the meal was being served he got his chance. The feast was unusually exuberant that evening and delivering it to the tables took some time. This allowed Eomer the opportunity to speak to Lothiriel without fear of being interrupted. He leant closer to her, using the arm of his chair to support his weight.

"You were missed at council today." He said trying to complement her.

"Oh?" She replied flatly.

"We were eager to continue discussing your proposal about the new town."

"I see."

"Your assessment was helpful yesterday."

"I'm pleased." She most certainly did not sound pleased.

"I would like to hear what other ideas you have, about that matter, and others of course."

"Very well."

Lothiriel did not offer Eomer any more response than that and kept her answers succinct for the rest of the night. Her husband didn't know what to make of it. He was trying his best to converse with her but she was not willing to let him. Her behaviour confused him. The night before they had shared their bed and performed the most intimate act that a man and woman could do. He thought it strange that she had left early that morning, but put it down to the heat of their room, which had been unbearable. As the Queen's chambers were on the western side of the Golden Hall, he had just assumed she had gone there to find shade and escape the heat. Now it would seem she did not want to talk to him let alone look at him. She kept her gaze transfixed on her plate whilst eating and looked ahead at their guests the other times.

As they retired that evening and the guests left them to their repose, Lothiriel was still rather withdrawn. Eomer didn't know what to do and a part of him was becoming rather frustrated. As he entered their chamber after getting changed, Lothiriel was not there. This irritated him further, so he marched to the adjoining door to her apartments, not to confront her but to show her where her rightful place was at night.

"I am tired. Let us get some sleep."

Lothiriel was half undressed herself and was just in the process of putting her night gown on, when he had burst through the door. Slipping her left arm into the sleeve she let the length of the fabric fall past her knees to the ground. She picked up her shawl and wrapped it tightly around her shoulders slightly embarrassed that he had seen her in a state of undress. The King still stood in the doorway gesturing to her exactly where he meant she should sleep, so she walked into their room going past him quickly as she went.

Eomer closed the door securely and walked round their four poster bed to his side. The covers were turned down as usual and he slipped his long limbs beneath them. Lothiriel meanwhile sat on the edge of the bed, her back to him and removed the woven shawl. As it slid off her, it lowered the neckline of the night gown further down her arm, baring her skin. She pulled it back to its place quickly and lay down next to her husband.

Though Eomer did not want an argument he was neither inclined to show much affection. However he resigned himself to kiss Lothiriel on the head before he fell asleep. He rolled across the bed towards her, touching her arm to bring her nearer to him. As his fingers grasped the night gown, Lothiriel recoiled. The young man looked at her with surprise but kissed her head none the less, before turning over without a word.