On the way to Meduseld Lothiriel was thankful for the strong wind. The cold air cleared her mind and banned the numbness from her body. After the madness of the day she enjoyed the absolute silence, and it helped her to collect her thoughts.
Before entering the hall, she stood on the stairs and looked up to the stars. They were bright and shone a pale light on Edoras and the sea of grass surrounding it. A shooting star caught Lothiriel´s attention and she sucked her breath in. It was the first one she had seen in her new home since coming here. She clenched her fists and closed her eyes, one never was to old to believe in the power of fate. Her day had been exhausting, and Lothiriel felt very emotional. Then she turned around sharply, nodded to the guards and entered the hall.
The royal chambers were warm and cosy. In the fireplace the flames made dizzling noises and created a homey atmosphere. Lothiriel noticed that for the first time, entering the chambers truly felt like coming home. The realisation struck her by surprise and she stood in the doorway, absorbing the feeling.
Eomer put his mug aside and stood up to greet her. Lothiriel smiled nervously. Then she became aware of the state her dress was in. And not just her dress! Her hands and face were dirty as well. That meant, full with blood. With the back of her hands she tried to hide her flushed cheeks.
Eomer gently pulled her hands down.
"Should I tell Aethild to prepare a bath for you?", he asked.
Now there was no chance she would be able to hide the red on her cheeks. He had asked with care in his voice and it warmed her heart. In the same moment she remembered that the hands which still held her own had been everywhere on her body. One did bathe naked. And he had seen her naked. True, it had been a while. She really should calm down. Just because she had kissed him didn't mean he wanted her!
"That would be nice.", she said. Oh my, she was way too tired to even think about this.
Eomer rang for a maid and gave her the orders. Meanwhile Lothiriel sat down on the chair opposite to Eomer´s and tried to calm her thoughts. She knew she grew affectionate when she was tired. She felt content in his presence, that was all.
He returned and slumped in his seat.
"It seems the orcs Eothain and his men slew had the time to attack two villages before they were stopped.", he started without introduction. It hit Lothiriel like a cold shower.
"Eothain says it was an atrocious sight. We will have to send help to the people who survived."
Eomer spoke in a resigned and even tone. It was horrible news.
Lothiriel was glad that Eothain had been able to stop these monsters. They owed the very same riders Lothiriel had cared for, not half an hour ago, that these nasty creatures were dead. Now she felt that her work had been barely adequate for the sacrifices the riders had made to protect their homeland.
Eomer looked up at her. Lothiriel held her breath. His eyes were tired, and being at the centre of his attention was an exhilarating experience. Her heart skipped a beat. He was so sad and beautiful, and suddenly she wished she could do something to set his mind at ease.
His hair was ruffled and automatically Lothiriel reached out to comb it with her fingers. Eomer went still and closed his eyes. She had to smile and moved closer to him, feeling the heat his body was radiating. The long strands of blond hair were silky under her touch. She could hear his shallow breaths. There was silence in the room. Strangely, stroking his hair calmed her. She should do it more often, now that they got along with each other again. She softly caressed the side of his face and leaned back.
Eomer opened his eyes.
"Thank you.", he said hoarsely.
Then he cleared his throat.
"Do you want mead? There are leftovers from dinner if you are hungry. You didn´t join me at lunch, either. Am I right in the suspicion that you haven´t had a proper meal since breakfast?"
Was he nervous? Lothiriel chose not to answer because she didn´t trust her voice. She was touched by his care. This admonishing glare was clearly fake. She furrowed her brows but took the offered plate. Eomer saw it and grinned, and it took years off his face. She really preferred a happy expression on him.
"Don't worry.", he said. "I just want you to relax."
This should worry her, shouldn´t it? But he had looked so peaceful in her hands just minutes ago that she couldn´t bring herself to question him. She took a bite. It was the best bun she had ever eaten.
"I wanted to speak to you. It came to my mind during the afternoon, and I fear that if we wait until each of us has time to spare, we will have to wait forever. I hope my letter wasn´t too harsh?", Eomer asked.
"No.", Lothiriel said, occupied with her bun. "It was good you sent the message. I am worn out, but didn't want to leave the others alone with the work. What did you want to tell me?"
Eomer fidgeted with the cup in his hands. He didn´t look at her when he spoke.
"It concerns your place in the household. If you hadn´t disappeared as soon as we greeted Eothain today I would have asked you join our meeting."
Lothiriel´s hand stopped at the way to her mouth.
"Are you displeased with me?", she asked. Her heart sank.
"No! I understand that you were needed elsewhere.", Eomer said. Lothiriel was relieved. She wouldn't want him to be discontented with her when right now she had the feeling that things were getting better between them. Slowly she relaxed.
"I thought about what you said in the garden, that I don´t listen to your advice. Since you attend every council meeting, I thought you should also be present when we talk about important matters such as the orc raids in the Westfold. You speak your mind when my advisors keep their mouths shut in respect to my position. I would like to… You are the Queen, and not just my wife."
He paused.
"I don't want to force you into doing something you don't want to do."
Lothiriel took a sip of her mead to gain time. Her heart was beating at full speed. Forgotten were her tired muscles from moments ago. She wanted to sing and dance! He asked her to officially take on her responsibilities as a queen!
But just as she welcomed his intention of finally making her an equal, she also had to think about it in a rational way. How would it affect her life? Did Eomer mean to entrust her to more duties, or was it just an attempt to define their relationship?
"Your position in the household will change, I think." , Eomer said. "Eowyn led Meduseld in the years before the war, and I honestly don´t know much about the subject. But I am sure you will find someone to instruct you."
Lothiriel felt icy cold out of a sudden. She hadn´t expected this. Well, may it be this way. It was the moment of revelation. She braced herself and spoke hesitantly:
"Concerning me leading the household…"
Eomer finally looked up, sensing the wariness in her voice.
"I am accustomed to the task. I held Dol Amroth when my family was fighting at the Black Gate, and I also took over my responsibilities here. Admittedly I just concentrated on the easier tasks in the first few months, but by now I do know everything that´s going on in Meduseld, provided it has do do with servants, food, or business with merchants."
Eomer stared at her for a few seconds. Then he closed his mouth. There was an awkward silence in which he digested the information.
"I should have expected that.", he muttered.
Lothiriel regarded him cautiously. He didn't feel betrayed, did he?
"You were responsible for the lead of the castle of Dol Amroth during the war? I hope you can forgive me, but I really didn't know that. I am curious why your father didn't bother to tell me. That's a great achievement for someone so young. You were…19, then?", Eomer rambled. It seemed as if he looked for something to distract him from the fact that his wife had led a secret life without him taking notice.
Lothiriel was quiet. She felt guilty that she hadn´t told him anything about herself, hadn´t been open with him from the start. But a few weeks ago he wouldn't have listened anyway.
"The wall hangings?", he asked after a moment of silence.
"For example, yes.", Lothiriel said.
"I felt that you wouldn't appreciate the dirty tapestries which only reminded you of your uncle and the years with Grima."
He nodded.
"And… the rest?"
Lothiriel tried it with honesty, again… it was the third time, her brain calculated. With mixed results. What was she thinking of? She summed up her activities in a short sentence. To be honest, she was too tired to think about using diplomacy now. She just wanted this conversation to be over and done, have a nice hot bath, and sleep.
"Well, I started with deciding the menu, teamed up with Aethild, and took over the lead of the domestic staff. There are so many daily duties I never cared to think about before, so it kept me well occupied. But only since our… fight, I know about our in- and outcomes. By the way, that´s the topic I wanted to discuss with you."
She told him about the listing of goods and food in Edoras and her concerns connected with it.
Eomer groaned and swore. Lothiriel drank from her mead to conceal her shaking hands. Everything was out now. And her sweet, honorable husband would take the problems in his capable hands. Eomer had jumped up and suddenly Lothiriel was sure that everything was going to be alright. She had no strength left to think about Edoras´ food stockings now, but she would tomorrow, and they would find a solution.
His brows set in a frown, straightened up to his full height and his body tense, Eomer was an intimidating sight. But not for her. Lothiriel took his hand and he stopped in his pacing, and looked down on her.
"Eomer.."
There was a knock on the door. The king immediately calmed down.
"Come in!",
It was Aethild.
"Lothiriel Queen, your bath is ready. Should I assist you?"
Lothiriel thankfully declined and the housekeeper left. Then she became aware of their still entangled hands. His palm was rough and calloused from riding and sword fighting, but his touch was incredibly tender.
Their eyes locked. Slowly his thumb brushed over the back of her hand, and Lothiriel shivered. His face was unreadable, and she suddenly had trouble breathing.
Eomer swiftly pulled her up to him, and then Lothiriel forgot her concerns from a moment ago; that there was a kingdom to rule, that he may be disappointed with her, that there were blood stains all over her dress and she was dirty and tired from a long day of work; because his lips were crashing down on her and all she could think of was how glorious he felt.
She put her arms around his neck and pushed herself even nearer, kissing and tasting him. He greedily opened her mouth, his hand at the back of her head, and Lothirial felt like she might faint. His other hands wandered down to her waist and pressed her against him, so there was literally no space left for her to move, but personal space was completely overrated when you had the King of Rohan in your arms.
She couldn´t hold back a quiet whimper when he sucked on her lower lip. He emitted a deep growl and it did wondrous things to her. Her hands were in his hair, and somehow she had wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands grabbed her bum to support her, or maybe just to touch her, she didn't know, but she liked it.
Finally she let go of him to catch air, breathing heavily, and he chuckled, but was suspiciously breathless as well. Eomer nuzzled her throat and his beard scratched the sensitive skin, causing goose bumps to rise. Then he withdrew and looked down on her. A smile played at the corner of his mouth, and his lips … Lothiriel couldn´t help but stare. She didn't know what to think of the hurricane of emotions that went through her, but she knew that his slightly dazed eyes were only because of her, and she raised her head again.
She met his lips for a second time, but the frantic heat changed into something warmer, softer. Tender lips caressed her face and Lothiriel never wanted to do anything other in her life than to kiss her wonderful husband.
* - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * - o - * -
Here we go again! :)
Thank you coecoe11 and you, guest, and eothiriel!
We will leave these lovebirds for now, but only for about two weeks from today, because my finals are approaching and I´m busy with learning and being desperate.
I hope you had fun, if yes, please tell me, and if no, please tell me why.
