A/N: new chappie! i'm on a roll! enjoy!


Chapter 9: Accepted

Eomer sighed, tiredly as he trudged through the manor toward Isolde's chamber. It was evening now, and he was beginning to worry about the men he'd sent after the Orc band led by Harko. Perhaps he underestimated the Orcs, or overestimated his men? He hoped that by the morning they would return. If not, he would have to gather a search party. He reached Isolde's door just in time to meet Eowyn as she stepped out of the chamber, gently shutting the door behind her.

"Good evening, brother," she nodded with a smile as he met her.

"Good evening, sister," he nodded in return, glancing to the door. "How is Isolde?"

"She fares well," Eowyn replied. "She slept a bit after her bath, then visited Aladon in his sickbed. We spent the rest of the day trying to ease the pain in her ankle. She is sitting up in bed to read while she waits for you."

"Good," he nodded again. "Has her pain lessened?"

"I believe so," she replied. "She has started to complain less. But do not strain her. She has been through too much today."

"Yes, my lady," he smirked, stepping toward the door. "Thank you for your help with her. How did she take to her lady waiting on her?"

"Not at all," Eowyn smirked before glancing to his chamber door over his shoulder then asking, "Has your room been prepared?"

"No yet," he replied. "I was hoping that my dear sister would allow me to set up a cot in her chamber?"

"Very well," she sighed in false exasperation. "I'll have a cot set up for you, brother."

"Thank you," he grinned, pressing a kiss to her cheek before she strode down the hall and he turned to face the door. Taking in a breath he lifted a hand to knock, but before he could a call came from within the camber.

"Come in, my lord Eomer."

He straightened before smiling and opening the door to step in. He shut the door behind him to lean back on it and watch her in the bed as she finished off a page in her book before setting it aside to look up at him.

"You'll forgive me if I don't stand on my ankle, won't you, my lord?" she hoped, watching him as he approached her and sat on the mattress next to her legs, careful not to jostle her or hurt her ankle.

"Of course, Isolde," he smiled warmly, lifting a hand to move her now clean hair from her shoulder before stroking her cheek gently, making her blush, lightly.

"Have your men returned safely?" she hoped and he lowered his hand from her cheek with a sigh, making her frown in wonder. "My lord, they have returned, have they not?"

"No, they haven't," he murmured and she took his hand as he lowered it to her lap. "If they are not here by the morrow, I shall gather a search party and we will ride out to find them."

"I am certain that they are alright," she murmured. "They are your men, and trained well, I'm sure. Perhaps they have yet to find the raiding party?"

"Perhaps," he sighed in hope before smiling again and shifting closer to ask, "What was it you wished to speak to me about, little one?"

Isolde swallowed and looked to their hands, still sitting on her lap as a blush snuck onto her face again.

"Y-Yes," she mumbled.

Eomer couldn't help but smile in amusement before lifting his hand from her lap to gently grip her chin and bring her gaze to his.

"You do not need to be afraid of me, Isolde," he murmured, inching closer to her face. "Is it courage you lack at the moment? Will you find courage in my kiss, I wonder?"

"M-My lord…" she breathed, but made no move to stop him as he shifted closer, his hands wrapping around her to pull her closer, his lips hovering above hers, but he didn't move any further. "Eomer…"

"Yes, my dear?" he smirked, unable to help it when he felt her hands slip up his chest to grip at his tunic, her eyes fluttering shut.

"I…I wanted to tell you that I've…made my decision about staying," she breathed, making his eyes scan over her face, looking for a clue in her expression when she opened her eyes, neither of them moving from the other's embrace. "I wanted to tell you before you left for the hunt, but you were so eager to leave."

"Tell me, Isolde," he murmured, shifting to graze his lips over her cheek then press his lips to her ear. "I am breathless to hear your decision."

She gave a whimper, but didn't move as his lips grazed the skin of her neck before she gripped his tunic tightly in her fists before whispering, "I…I wish to stay…with you, Eomer."

He pulled her closer and she couldn't help but giggle when he snuggled his face into the crook of her neck before he lifted his head to grin widely at her, his green-hazel eyes sparkling.

"I am so happy, Isolde," he whispered, his grin making her smile in return. "I hope this decision makes you happy as well. You thought hard on this, yes?"

"I did," she nodded, her smile growing. "I am very happy with my decision."

Without another word, he pressed his lips to hers, and they both melted into the kiss simultaneously, pulling each other closer as their tongues stroked against each other. He pulled away, leaving Isolde breathless as her eyes remained shut for a few moments and he licked his lips in thought, wanting to take it further but knowing better then to even try it.

"Open your eyes, my dear," he whispered. "Let me see those eyes I've come to love gazing at."

Isolde swallowed before her eyes fluttered open and he sighed when their eyes locked. He could see it in those pools of sea-green that she was happy about her decision.

"If it's not too soon for you, I'd like to have the wedding the day after the morrow," he murmured, still smiling and he didn't fail to notice that she smiled as well.

"Yes, Eomer," she sighed, slipping her hands from his chest to wrap them around his chest, setting her cheek upon it to snuggle closer to him. "That would be wonderful. I would like to have Lady Eowyn witness the wedding before she leaves for Gondor."

"That would be ideal, my dear," he grinned, lifting a hand to stroke her golden curls as he set his cheek on the top of her head. "I shall leave you to rest for the night, now."

"Where are you sleeping, my lord?" Isolde wondered. "Your room is not yet cleared."

"My sister is having a cot brought to her room for me," he replied.

"That is not acceptable for the King of Rohan," Isolde murmured, making him shift back a bit to frown down at her as she looked up at him. "I insist that you take my chamber until yours is ready for your return."

"Our return, darling," he smiled, warmly as he pulled her a little closer for a moment. "By the time that chamber is ready, you and I shall be husband and wife."

"Yes…" she breathed, nodding deftly. "Of course."

Eomer gave a frown as he lifted a hand to stroke her cheek and murmured, "Are you having second thoughts?"

"No," she smiled, sweetly. "I don't think I believe that I've agreed to marry you yet."

"Well, you have," Eomer grinned, leaning toward her again. "And you shall not forget it. I shall not let you."

He stroked his lips over her neck making her whimper, but she didn't push him away, and he pulled her closer as his lips kissed their way to her mouth again. After a passionate kiss he pulled away, leaving Isolde dizzy as her eyes fluttered open.

"I will not take your chamber from you, Isolde," he murmured. "I shall stay with my sister. Unless…you would like me to stay here with you?"

Her face flared before she looked to his chest and bit her lower lip in thought before murmuring, "Well…i-if that is what you wish, my lord, I cannot stop you."

"Yes, you can, Isolde," he insisted, making her stare up at him with wide eyes. "You seem to think that because of who I am that I can have whatever I want from you. That is not true. I would never take advantage of you in such a way, and you have every right to refuse me, even after I take you as my wife."

She swallowed and nodded in understanding as he smiled and pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek.

"I would…like you to stay here with me, my lord…please," she murmured, making him smile before he slowly stood, making her frown in confusion.

"I must let Eowyn know that I've changed my sleeping arrangements," he smiled, noting her expression and she gave a small sigh of relief, watching him head toward the door.

When he headed into the hall she adjusted herself in the bed, wincing when her sprained ankle flared in slight pain. She snuggled into her pillow just as Eomer entered the room again and he blew out the candle on the stand next to her bed, letting moonlight flood the room as he slid into the bed with her. She smiled, sweetly as he settled next to her, the two of them facing each other and her smile made him smile in return.

"Are you truly happy, Isolde?" he murmured through his smile and she nodded. "I'm glad."

He shifted to lie on his back and wrapped his arm around her as she shifted to lie closer to him, her head resting on his chest.

"Good night, sweetheart," he murmured into her hair before kissing the top of her head.

"Good night, Eomer," she sighed, contentedly as he pulled her closer and she snuggled closer still before they both drifted off to sleep.


The Next Morning...

Eomer stood on the platform to look out over the village below, willing his men to appear on the horizon with Harko in tow. He was so intent on staring out at the horizon, he didn't notice the slim blonde figure heading up behind him to sidle up next to him, looking at the view as well.

"Still no sign of the men, brother?" Eowyn wondered, making him jump and look at her with wide eyes, but she didn't look away from the horizon so he looked ahead again as well.

"No," he sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I may have to ride out to look for them with a search party."

"You think the Orcs killed them?" she wondered.

"They're my best men," he replied. "I doubt all of them have been killed."

"What's that?" she suddenly asked, and Eomer caught it at the same time.

Five small specks on the horizon heading toward Edoras.

"Gather everyone in the Great Hall, Eowyn," he instructed, turning to head into the manor again. "Tell Isolde to stay in her chamber. I don't want Harko to get to her."

"Yes, brother," she nodded, following him for a moment before turning down a hall to do as he'd instructed.

A few hours later the Great Hall of Edoras was filled as Elias, Faolan, Jasper and Herne marched toward Eomer as he sat in his throne, Harko chained and being dragged behind the four men. Herne shoved Harko forward and he stumbled to his knees in front of Eomer who noticed the man in front of him was battered, bloodied and bruised. He'd hoped to be able to inflict some of that damage himself, but he was happy to see his men had read his mind.

"It's been a long time, Harko," Eomer stated, his sword unsheathed and sitting on the tip of its blade. "Why, after all this time, would you decide to come back? You've been exiled from the Ridder Mark."

Harko said nothing for a moment as all eyes fell to him, and instead, he moved his tongue in his mouth, gathering blood and spit before spitting onto the floor.

"Traitorous, bastard!" Elias growled, ramming his boot into Harko's shoulder to shove him face first onto the floor as he drew his sword, setting it on the back of Harko's neck. "My lord, let me spill his blood for you."

"Stand down, Elias," Eomer ordered, calmly. "I gave no such order." He looked to Faolan and asked, "Did you kill his Orc raiders?"

"We left none living, my lord," Faolan nodded. "We piled the corpses and burning the remains. The Wargs, as well, were killed and burned."

"Good," Eomer nodded, standing and gripping his sword as he headed down the steps to stand at Harko's head as he was still being held to the ground by Elias's foot. With a flick of his sword, he ordered, "Let him kneel again, Elias."

Elias nodded and shoved off of Harko to let him kneel. Eomer stared down at Harko as the other man glared back at him.

"I'll ask you only once, Harko," Eomer warned. "Did you plan to kidnap my sister with this band of Orcs?"

Harko scoffed before replying, "I did."

"A ransom to lure me out for a rescue so that you could kill me yourself, no doubt?" Eomer guessed.

"As you see it, my lord," Harko confirmed, mockingly.

Eomer glared at him before turning back to his throne to stand in front of it, but he did not sit as he spoke.

"Harko, son of Hayden, you were exiled from the Mark, and were told never to return on pain of death. It was King Theoden's order, and I shall uphold it. The punishment will be carried out tomorrow at dawn." Eomer looked to his men and nodded, "Take him to the dungeon."

Elias and Herne gripped the chains that bound Harko and dragged him toward the dungeon as the Great Hall began to empty and he groaned when he saw his advisors shuffling toward him, sitting heavily in the throne.

"What now?" he asked, lowering his head to rub his eyes, feeling a headache coming on already.

"Forgive us, my lord," one of the men begged. "We know you are under a great degree of stress right now, but we were wondering if your favored lady has accepted your proposal."

"She has," Eomer replied, lowering his hand from his eyes and leaning forward to twirl his sword on its tip. "And before you ask, we will be married on the morrow. I believe an evening wedding is in order. Nothing should lift my spirits better after the deed that needs doing at dawn."

"My lord, we advise you to be thoughtful about this choice you've made," one of the men admonished. "While you made it clear that she is your choice…is she the best choice for Rohan?"

Eomer stilled his sword, his eyes sending a burning glare to each man before slowly standing and sheathing his sword. The men took a step back, but didn't retreat.

"I have been thoughtful," he assured them. "I have been thoughtful about many things. One of which being whether my advisors are more concerned for Rohan or that I should destroy it. You think I'll bring ruin to Rohan, or would you like to make all the decisions yourselves?"

"Lord Eomer, it would be treason—!"

"Silence!" Eomer boomed, making the men in front of him jump and coil back. "Why my uncle let you fools remain here I shall never know. You tell me I must wed, and then, having found the one I would take for wife in a short time, you criticize her for her rank!"

"But, Your Majesty—"

"No! I'll not hear any more of your prattle! I've no use for it." Eomer stepped from his throne to stand in front of the men. "As of now, you are all resigned. Leave your robes and go to your homes."

With that, he turned and headed out of the Great Hall, marching down the hall toward Isolde's room. Eowyn had told him that Isolde slept soundly through the arrival of his men before he'd met them, and he hoped she slept still. He wanted to slip back into bed with her and hold her close, but he had things to see to. Still, he wanted to see her before tending to the still broken Edoras.

He entered the chamber, quietly shutting the door behind him and smiled when he saw Isolde, still asleep. He pulled his crown from his head to set it on the mantle above the fireplace, then pulled off his cloak and sword to rest them on the chair near it before slipping off his boots and crawling into bed with Isolde. She gave a soft groan when the bed shifted but she didn't move from her position, her back facing him as he slid under the covers behind her, wrapping his arms around her to pull her close.

Eomer smiled, sighing silently as he felt all stress disappear as he held her. He pulled her a little closer to breathe in the scent of her hair. He pulled back when he felt her shift in his arms and watched her turn around to face him, her eyes still closed and the hint of a smile over her lips that made him smile.

"Did the meeting go well, my lord?" she whispered, her eyes still closed, and Eomer couldn't help but chuckle.

"It went as expected," he replied, pulling her close again to let her snuggle her head under his chin. "Harko was brought before me and…I ordered his execution."

Isolde's eyes shot open, but she said nothing as she snuggled against him, sensing by his tone that he wasn't happy about the decision.

"He is a traitor, attempted to kill my sister and instead took you," he continued through a sigh. "However…he rode with me in many battles. We were once friends. It pained me to give that order."

"I can only imagine, my lord," she murmured. "But it was necessary, I'm sure."

"Yes…it was," he sighed, then lifted his head to catch her eye and he smiled when she looked up at him. "But enough of depressing talk. Tomorrow night our spirits will be lifted with feasting and revelry over our union."

He leaned forward to give her an Eskimo kiss, making her giggle before he tilted his chin up and kissed her lips, sweetly. They looked into each others eyes for a moment and he was hypnotized by them, and the sweet smile she was gracing him with.

"My lord, I have a request that…I hope I am not too late to ask," she murmured, blushing before she looked to his chest to fiddle with the lace of his tunic.

"Ask, and it shall be done," he replied. "No matter what it may be, my sweet, for you, it will be done."

"Well…" she trailed off, biting lightly at her lower lip in thought before continuing, "I was lying here for a few moments before you came in and…I realized that…I don't think I want to wait any longer to be your wife."

Eomer's eyes widened in awe as she chanced to look up at him and their eyes locked.

"Truly?" he breathed and she could only nod, trying to look away in embarrassment but he lifted a hand to gently take her chin and pull her gaze back to his. "I wish to ask, what made you want to be married so quickly?"

Isolde's blush deepened as she swallowed before hesitantly replying, "I…I came to the decision last night, before I fell asleep. I thought that…I couldn't wait to fall asleep in your arms every night."

Eomer's smile grew as he murmured, "I feel the same, little one. We shall be wed tonight then."

She gave him that sweet smile of hers again, her eyes lighting up before she buried her face into his chest, hugging him close. He grinned and returned the hug, just as tightly as she was hugging him, kissing the top of her head.

"I must see to those preparations and others, now," he murmured, still holding her close, but she soon pulled away with a nod and looked up at him with watery eyes, making him frown in wonder. "Why do you cry, little one?"

"I'm so happy, Eomer," she whispered through a smile. "They are tears of joy, I promise you."

Eomer only grinned before lowering his face to hers and pressing his lips against her mouth for a deep kiss, which she happily returned. He pulled away for breath to see her smile widen, making him grin in return.

"To see you so happy is my only wish for every day of our marriage from today and into the future," he murmured. "Now I must go, but I shall see you soon. Eowyn will come to help you ready for the evening."

"Yes, my lord," she nodded through a sniffle and smile as she hurriedly wiped away a few tears.

He smiled and left a kiss on her forehead before she finally let go of him and he stood from the bed to take his things before heading to the door. He stopped before opening it as Isolde sat up and he turned to look at her once more. His heart skipped when he met the sight of her smiling at him so sweetly, her sea-green eyes alight with happiness and her mussed curls tumbling around her shoulders, the sunlight behind her creating a halo all around her silhouette.

"You are an earthly angel, little one," he smirked, and she gave a small giggle, a blush gracing her cheeks before he opened the door. "I shall see you soon, darling."

"I look forward to it, my lord," she nodded, still smiling, and watched him leave, shutting the door behind him.


A/N: reviews?