Chapter 7 - An Unexpected Request

Eomer looked down at the woman in his arms. She was shaking still, but the tears had subsided, at least for now. He hugged her tighter to him, and she reached up her arms and returned the gesture. She looked up at him, her question silent but still bluntly clear to him.

"I do care for you, you know," he said. Her face crumbled a bit, and she buried her face in his chest.

"You are just saying that." He heard her say, muffled through the cloth of his tunic.

"Maerdwyn, please look at me." She looked up, fresh tears glistening in her eyes.

"I DO care for you. Ever since we were children, I have cared for you. Then, as we grew older, it went from friendship to... something else."

"A lust for me, you mean." She said it with a conviction that made Eomer wince.

"No, Maerdwyn, not like that. I will admit that lust was involved, it would be stupid to try and deny that, but what I meant was... after we got older, I began to like you. I was not even sure myself, I had never had such feelings for anyone before."

"But you never said anything." She said.

"I was confused as well, just was you were. I cannot even say it was love, but I do know that I hoped it would be. I was gone so much, and worried about raids and the attacks that had started on the outlying villages that a lot of it I pushed aside to do my duty. I did not think about it much when I was tracking and killing orcs and brigands."

"I thought about you every day, Eomer. Every day that you were gone, I was worried that you would be killed, or captured and tortured, or -"

"And for that I am sorry. I am so sorry, Maerdwyn, to have put you through that. I truly am."

"Then why were you so angry when I left? I I was in your thoughts so little, why are you trying now?"

"Because, I have had to learn much since then, and even more since being crowned. I have had to learn to use my head instead of instinct and anger. You have no idea what it is like to be a protector of your people, only to ride into a burned village seeing the corpses of women and children, to feel as if you had failed. For years my rage is what fueled me, what made me as good as I was. I had to, else I probably would have gone insane from the horrors I have seen."

"I did not know, Eomer. I did not... No one ever told me anything of how bad it was getting, until it was too late."

"I know that now, but-" he stopped, and breathed deep, "but now it is over and done. I do not want to fight another war. I have seen too much killing and death. I want to start again, and try to make my life and my reign truly mean something."

"How? And why are you telling me? What does this have to do with me?" The questions flew from her lips, she was nervous, and did not know if she wanted an answer to the question that was buzzing in her head, but she had yet to voice.

"Because-" he paused again, a little nervous from what he wanted to say, "because I would like it very much if you gave me, gave us, another chance." He held his breath, unsure how she would respond, especially after years of bad blood on both sides.

"Are you sure that you could? I have done some horrible things, Eomer. I left, I hurt you, and you found another to love. Lothiriel was wonderful, she was my friend, but you loved her first. Do you think you could love again? Love me?" Her voice was trembling.

"I cannot answer that now. I told you, I do not think what I felt for you years ago was love, but perhaps the beginning of it, and then when I had to go away so often, it drew us apart. And then-" he laughed softly, "and then I believe stubbornness on both our parts happened to make that distance between us get even wider."

"I have cared about you ever since we were young, Eomer. I never stopped. But I was unfaithful to the man I swore myself to. How can you put that aside now?"

"I know you only married Baeor because you believed I had abandoned you, that you had no other chance for a life. I can forgive you."

"But I do not know if I can forgive myself. I have always tried to be honorable, to live a good and ethical life. But after that night, I have held myself an oathbreaker."

"Can you try to forgive yourself?" Eomer queried, "I mean, if your own king can forgive a moral shortcoming, then surely you can as well. Gods know he has enough shortcomings himself."

"I do not know, Eomer. I can only say that I will try."

"That is good. Now, where were we?" He looked at her, pulling her chin up again, "Are you willing to try for me now, Maerdwyn? We are both still young, we have both known pain and loss, but I know that I do not want to spend the rest of my life miserable and alone. I will never forget my Lothiriel, she was a treasure to me, but she told me herself that if anything ever happened to her, she wanted me to try and find happiness."

"I will never replace her, Eomer. You know that."

He looked sad for a moment, remembering his wife, "I know that. And I am not asking you to replace her. The two of you are very different, Maerdwyn. Almost like night and day. You could make me happy as well, but there will always be a place in my heart for her."

"And I want you to understand that I will always have a place for Baeor. He was a good man. He tried very much to make me as happy as he could, even when he knew I did not love him. I will forever regret that I did not make him as happy as I could have."

"I understand. We will both live with regrets, and wishes of what could have been. But I want to be happy, Maerdwyn. I do not want to live out my life and reign with no one by my side. And I know Lothiriel would not mind Elfwine calling someone else mother, if she could not be the one there to do it."

Maerdwyn started crying. Eomer was confused. He hugged her to him, "Did I say something wrong?"

She started to laugh with the tears, "Oh, no, Eomer, you did not say something wrong! I am just very happy right now."

"Good" And he hugged her to him once again, kissing her on the forehead.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o

Eowyn sighed and smiled to herself, standing on the balcony to her room. It was just past midnight, the torches had gone out, and she was standing in the dark. Eomer and Maerdwyn were walking out of the woods, holding hands, and both of them were smiling as they went back inside the building. A set of arms snaked their way around her middle, to clasp in front of her.

"What are you grinning to yourself about?" Faramirs voice asked softly behind her. He put his chin on top of her head. It was one of the things she liked about him. She was tall, very few of the Rohirrim men were taller. But Faramir was of Dunedain ancestry, taller than the average, and it pleased her to have a man almost a head taller. It made her feel safe.

"Oh, a couple of reasons." She answered. Should she tell him now? She wanted to, very badly.

"Care to let me in on the secret?" She turned around and smiled, beaming up at the man who would be her husband in just a few short days.

"Well, I am glad that I spoke to my brother earlier." She had told Faramir of the tension she had felt when the Rohirric court had arrived. "I just saw him and Maerdwyn, and they seem to have made up."

"Good for them. Maybe they will be the better for it."

"I certainly hope so. They always cared for one another, even if it never grew into anything more. But they are both alone now, their mates have both passed on. I want them both to be happy."

"As do I, dearest. I am still sorry for what I said months ago."

"Oh, you have been forgiven, Faramir. And after months of being around some of your noble Gondorian friends I am happy you were not worse!"

He chuckled softly. "Anything else? You said there was more than one thing making you happy."

Eowyn looked at him, smiling. She would tell him. Here. Now. She did not think she could wait longer anyway. She reached out and took both his hands in hers.

"My dearest Faramir, I have the most wonderful news." She said no more.

"Yes?" He asked, and she blushed and looked down at her feet, then looking back up, she took the hands she was holding and placed them, gently, over her lower stomach.

"What is this?" He asked, not quite understanding. Then, comprehension dawned on his face, and he smiled so wide that even in the dark his teeth reflected the moonlight.

"Truly, dearest?" He asked. She smiled as widely as he, and nodded her head, tears coming to her eyes. Faramir jumped against her, drawing her into a tight embrace. He drew back, his own eyes glistening, and knelt in front of her. He put his hands on her stomach, then kissed it.

"So there is a little prince or princess of Ithilien in there." He looked up at the woman he thought more beautiful than anything, and now thought she had gotten even more beautiful.

"How long have you been-?" He asked. Eowyn giggled. He had been nervous ever since they had begun being together six months prior. She had not wanted to wait, and neither had he. More than two years of betrothal, all because he had wanted their manor completely built and perfect, had taken its toll on their self restraint. They had both been worried that Eowyn would become with child, too early, and cause an outrageous scandal. Eowyn giggled again.

"The last time my monthlies came around was two months ago, love. No one will suspect anything. It will simply look like he or she is born a month or two early, that is all."

Faramir audibly sighed with relief. "Well that is good. I do not feel we have done anything wrong but-"

"But you do not need to start your stewardship of Ithilien with scandal. I understand, beloved. And on that more, I have a request."

"Yes?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I would like to invite Maerdwyn to stay with us until the babe is born."

"Maerdwyn? Why? She is not a healer."

"Well, not officially, no. But she did study it a great deal. She wanted to know healing in case we were ever caught unawares and injured."

"Why? You two never fought from what I have heard."

"We did, together, in the Glittering Caves of Helms Deep. We also helped with most of the wounded that were there and brought back to Edoras."

"What does that have to with her staying here? Not that I mind, but I am curious."

"She has studied childbirth, and midwifery, and she was there for Lothiriel. In fact, I think if the healers had listened to her, Lothiriel perhaps may have lived."

"What?!" Faramir was shocked.

"She was always very careful with keeping herself clean, hot water, soap, liquor, strong bitter spirits, she used them all on her hands and arms whenever she deals with a wounded man. It is supposed to keep away infection and suppuration. It is a newer idea, and many older healers do not believe it works."

"But what does this have to do with Lothiriel?"

"Childbed fever is an infection of the womb. I was there with her in the birthing chamber. We were both there as aids to the midwife. I heard Maerdwyn asking the woman to wash her hands in alcohol, but the woman said hot water was enough. It may have played a part in the infection. I do not think just a washing of the hands would do it. Lothiriel was in labor a long time, many women who have a labor that lasts three days do not live anyway, but a part of me always wondered if the midwife had listened to her, she might have survived."

Faramir looked very upset, walking to the balcony and leaning his hands on it, "It is a little late to worry about that now."

"No, it is not." He looked over at her "I know that the longest labor is usually the first, unless there is something wrong, like the child being backwards or having twins. I am frightened, Faramir. This is our first child. I do not want some old midwife who will not listen to reason. I want Maerdwyn here for me, I trust her more than I trust anyone. And," she added, the corners of her mouth turning up, "she will say nothing about the babe coming earlier than expected."

Faramir smiled at that. "Then you must ask her. Will she stay?"

"I do not see why not. Why do you ask?"

"Did not you just say that she and Eomer had made up? Will they not want their own time?"

"Perhaps, but I will ask my brother as well. He will say nothing about an early pregnancy either."

"Very well, but ask them soon. I want to let them know before they have a chance to get to involved with one another." He grinned. "If they are not already."

Eowyn laughed too, and then bid Faramir goodnight, retiring to her room.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o

The next morning, Eowyn walked down the large double staircase and into the dining hall. A simple but filling breakfast had been laid out, and there were a few people seated around the long table, quietly eating and drinking hot herb tea. She was pleased to see Eomer and Maerdwyn sitting next to one another, the latter with Elfwine on her lap, feeding him little spoonfuls of cooked oats drizzled with honey and mixed with dried fruit. Her bother looked up as she walked in.

"Sister!" He said jovially, rising from his chair and walking over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Brother." She returned the greeting, kissing his cheek as well. "You seem to be in a better mood."

He smiled at her, then in hushed tones said, "Thank you for speaking to me last night."

"No thanks are needed, brother. I hope you came to your senses in time?" She whispered, grinning.

He looked embarrassed for a moment, "Er... Uh... Yes. Yes I did."

"Good. Now how about we enjoy a nice morning meal?" She walked back to the tables, sitting across from Eomer, Maerdwyn and the little prince. She spooned herself some of the boiled oats, and drizzled a little honey on it. She thought for a moment, and added some more. Lately she had found herself wanting more sweet things than she had ever wanted in her life. It made her smile as she thought of the reason why.

"Goodness, sister. Would you like some oats with your honey?" Eomer said across from the table, grinning at her.

"There are plenty of oats in the bowl, brother." She said, before mixing in a heaping spoonful of dried, chopped peaches that had been harvested from the orchards right outside the manor walls.

"Yes, but you have never been one for sweets. You always preferred a good roast or vegetables over dessert." He looked at her. He remembered when Lothiriel had begun to crave things, too, and eyed her again, a little more suspiciously. "Is there something I should know, sister?"

Eowyn looked at him, smiling cheekily. "Yes, but I would like to discuss that with both you and Maerdwyn after breakfast, if you do not mind. I am famished at the moment, but I would love to show you the newly finished gardens and orchards on the grounds."

"Of course, my friend." Maerdwyn replied, looking up from wiping oats off Elfwines chin. She knew Eowyn was up to something, but she knew enough about court politics not to nag her publicly. She looked at Eomer, trying to tell him with her face and not her mouth.

He saw her, and subtly nodded. "Yes, sister. It was far too late to see the gardens properly when we arrived yesterday. We have nothing else planned for today."

Maerdwyn smiled at him. He had been right about one thing. Ten years ago she would not have bet that he would have been comfortable or able in any kind of courtly intrigue or politicking. Now it had barely taken a look from her and he had understood.

"I can leave the little prince here with Haiwen when we go. He can walk a little, but not very far before he gets cranky."

"Of course, my friend." Eowyn said, smiling at the little child. It made her wish she were holding hers right now. She shook her head, ridding herself of the thought. That time would come soon enough. She picked up her spoon and dug into the severely sweetened oats.

When everyone was done, Eowyn and Eomer waited while Maerdwyn took Elfwine upstairs to Haiwen, and to change into something more appropriate for walking around outside. She came back wearing a long, light green, dress like tunic that reached the floor and was split up the sides to her hips, with a matching pair of trousers underneath. It was common clothing for a woman of Rohan, but it was a little different from the normal attire of Gondorian females.

Eomer saw the outfit and smiled. He liked seeing her in pants. It reminded him of when they were younger, before everything had changed. She had worn gowns mostly after his crowning and marriage, and he did not like to see her in them as much as the old training outfits.

"Oh, brother, stop staring. You will have more than enough time to ogle her at the wedding feast." Eowyn whispered with a smile as Maerdwyn came down the stairs.

"And how do you know that?"

"Because I have commissioned a gown for her. She has had the same measurements since she was seventeen. No doubt constant sword training and no children are to thank for that. I sent them to my seamstress months ago. I thought it would be a nice surprise for her."

"What does it look like?" He asked.

"Now, now, brother, what is the point of a surprise if I tell you?" She had answered, and before he could protest Maerdwyn had completed her descent and was too close to them now even for whispering. The three turned and walked through the kitchens and out into the gardens, then further and into the orchard.

They were surrounded by dozens of fruit trees, some still with heavy hanging fruit, the last of the years bounty ripening on the branches. The smell of peaches and plums was overwhelming, and if they had not just eaten, it would have made them hungry. Eowyn led them leisurely to a back corner of the orchard, almost to the forest beyond, before she came to a very old and very large pear tree, and leaned her back against the trunk.

"This is the first tree ever planted for this orchard, more than a hundred years ago when Ithilien was still good and green. The people here have taken to calling it the grandfather." She ran her hand along the gnarled old bark.

Maerdwyn plucked a pear that was still hanging within reach, held it to her nose, and smelled it. "This tree has good fruit." She said. Then she dropped all pretense that she was interested in the tree, her hand dropping to her side, the pear forgotten. "Now, tell us why you had to drag us all the way to the edge of the property. What do you need to tell us that is so secret and so important? We have not even been in Ithilien for a day!"

"I could never fool you!" Eowyn answered, giggling.

"Maerdwyn is right, sister. What has you bringing us so far from prying eyes?"

Eowyn became more serious. "Actually, there is something. Two somethings, really."

"Yes?" Maerdwyn asked.

"Well, I was wondering of, perhaps, Maerdwyn, if you wanted to stay here with me and Faramir, for a little while. It is rather nice, and I would love to have you here with me."

Maerdwyn looked confused for a moment. "But I am here. Were going to be here for several days for your wedding."

"Yes, I know, but I meant a bit longer than that."

"How long? And why?"

"Well, for a few months, actually. Seven or eight at least." Eomer frowned.

"But that is nearly a year, sister! Why?"

"I am getting to that point, Eomer. The reason why is because I want Maerdwyn here with me when,-" she paused, taking a deep breath, "- when I give birth." There, she had said it.

Eomers and Maerdwyns eyes opened in shock. "What?" They both asked in unison.

"I am with child. It is not all that hard to understand, is it?"

"But, your wedding is in three days! How could you be-" Eomer began, then he grinned. "I knew I should never have let you leave alone with that man. How did he convince you?"

"Actually, it was I who convinced him." She said in a quiet voice. "I was tired of waiting. We have been betrothed for more than two years. He wanted to wait until this place was finished. He wanted me to have a nice home, but for me it took too long."

Eomers eyebrows almost disappeared into his hair. "I should have known that, too. When you want something, Eowyn, you get it. How far are you? Will it not cause a scandal?"

"No, it should not. I am just over a month, mayhaps two, late for my monthlies."

Maerdwyn piped up now, "So it will look as if you are a month or two early, but not so early that it is talked about." She was grinning at her friend.

"Yes, exactly."

"Now, tell me, sister, what does this have to do with Maerdwyn?"

"I trust her with my life, brother. She has studied healing, a lot of it. I want her here with me because she knows what she is doing, she is skilled, I have known her since childhood, and because... because..." She hesitated at saying the last part.

"Because?" Eomer prompted her.

"Because after last winter I am frightened. I am so frightened that something will happen. Faramir is part Dunedain, he is nearly seven feet tall, big and muscular, I do not know how large his child will grow." She was almost shaking, fear for what could happen to her overruling her usually iron tough control of her emotions.

Maerdwyn stepped up to her, drawing her into a tight embrace. "It is alright, Eowyn. Nothing is going to happen. I would be happy and honored to stay here and help you." She looked at Eomer as she hugged his sister, and while he looked unhappy at the prospect of being separated for months, he grimly nodded his head in understanding. He stepped up to the two women, and hugged them both.

"It will be alright, sister. If Maerdwyn knows as much as you say, then she must stay. I do not want you to worry. Everything will turn out just fine."

In his head, however, was a fervent prayer to the gods to spare his sister from what had befallen his own dear wife. Please, Valar, he thought silently, let her be safe.