As the warmer weather was beginning to show and the snow melted on the roads between Gondor and Rohan, dispatches arrived from Dol Amroth announcing the arrival of Lothiriel's brother. Preparations began within the Golden Hall to ready the rooms for the crown Prince, Elphir. Though there were no other apartments in the Kings house, Eomer had decided to offer his own rooms to his brother in law during his stay. It had been such a long time since the King had used these rooms he felt better that they were being put to use. As relations between himself and Lothiriel were growing he knew he would be welcome in her bed during her brother's visit.

When Elphir arrived in the city Lothiriel was ecstatic to see him. She had lived in Rohan almost ten months and in that time had not seen her family once. Elphir had always been a favourite of hers and she of his, being his only sister. The prince had always looked out for Lothiriel's best interests, protected her from the teasing's of her other siblings and given her sound advice when she had been troubled. A private meal between the Queen and Prince had been planned the evening of his arrival, a more formal welcome would take place on the second day of his visit. Lothiriel was thankful, as it had been her husband's suggestion, Eomer understood she wanted to see her brother alone before sharing his time with the rest of court.

The siblings sat in the Kings quarters, eating and chatting about the things they had done in the past year. Lothiriel told her brother about the friends she had made in Freawyn and Hilda, the honour she felt being appointed to the circle of council and how in the next few months she would be officiating at the summer solstice. Elphir regaled his sister with the comings and goings of their own family. Amrothos had decamped to Ithilien to help their cousin Faramir rid the Morgal Vale of evil, whilst Erchirion was now married and his wife was expecting their first child. This seemed a difficult subject for the crown Prince to discuss and he struggled to explain his fears and the implications of the matter.

"Lothiriel, you realise you have been married a year."

"Almost a year." She reminded.

"Yes, and you still have not produced an heir, nor show any signs that a pregnancy is imminent."

"It isn't like we haven't," She began to say defensively, but then thought it too vulgar to say in front of her brother.

"We have had relations Elphir." She decided was more acceptable to say.

"Have they been successful?"

Lothiriel looked at him scandalised.

"Yes!"

"On both parts?" Elphir insisted.

The Queen could take no more of his questions and stood from her seat in fury.

"It will happen soon, I am sure of it."

"Lothiriel you must realise, until you give Rohan an heir you will have no influence over the King."

"What influence must I have? He has already appointed me to the council, from there my influence is for the good of my people, not for myself."

Elphir looked taken aback with her strong words. Lothiriel too was surprised to hear herself describe the people of Rohan as her own.

"There is another matter that you must consider. Should the King's sister bear a child before you, her issue would have a clear claim to the throne. The humiliation it would bring on you both is something Eomer should not have to bear. The Rohirrim are a strong and proud people and expect this example to be held high by their Queen."

Lothiriel looked at her brother seriously then gazed off into the distance contemplating his advice. If what he said came true, she would not stand in the way of her nephew or niece's claim. She did take heed though of Elphirs latter warning. The relationship between herself and Eomer had been growing stronger of late, she was incredibly affectionate of him and appreciated his regard for her. Whist she did not feel they were in love yet, she felt duty bound to ensure his reign and his happiness were secure. Therefore that night as she went to bed Lothiriel decided to increase her efforts at pleasing the King.

Eomer undressed as usual and climbed beneath the covers. Usually his wife would already be there waiting for him but as he could hear her pottering in her own apartment with the door open, he assumed she would be joining him soon. Sure enough no sooner had he settled himself on the mattress did Lothiriel walk back into their room. What she was wearing was most definitely scanty for her usually demure standards. The King was used to seeing his wife returning to bed wearing a full length night gown. Though they were usually thin, what she wore now left nothing to the imagination. Through the fine shift he could see and appreciate every curve and line of her body. If her attire was brazen it was nothing compared to the look she wore upon her face. Lothiriel looked at him with seduction in her eye and a welcome on her lips. She slinked into their chamber closing the door behind her. She took a moment to lean on the frame, whether it was for support or not, Eomer did not know. Whatever the reason, the hot blooded man enjoyed the view. Her actions had caused the nightgown to cling to her form as she rest on the lintel, exposing more of her naked body beneath the material.

The Queen soon closed the gap between herself and the King and came to a halt at the foot of the bed. Without drawing her gaze from her husband's eyes she leant forward and placed her hands on the edge of the bed. Eomer sat up and began shuffling towards her, but froze as Lothiriel grasped the edge of the cover and pulled it off the bed. The King chuckled at his wife and wondered what she had planned next. Lothiriel pulled the edge of her night dress past her knees and began crawling the length of the bed towards Eomer's half resting form. Though she tried to prevent the gown from catching beneath her knees by the time she reached him, she had caught her leg in the fold forcing it down over her shoulder. The King looked at her bare flesh now exposed to his eye and placed his loving hands on her warm skin. He kissed her shoulder then looked at his wife hungrily. He remembered a time when she would have covered herself up again out of fear of revealing herself to him. This time she was most definitely not ashamed of exposing herself.

With Eomer's help Lothiriel lifted her legs and placed them on either side of her husband's hips and lowered herself onto his lap. She rest her arms around his neck and felt Eomer's hands glide up her back, grasping her shoulders. She kissed him deeply and could feel him wrap his arms around her, compelling her onto his crotch. Eomer met her kiss fervently and enjoyed exploring her body with his own. Lothiriel had offered herself willingly to him over recent months, but this was the first time she had initiated their relations with such fervour, he was most definitely enjoying it. As they continued to kiss, the confidence that Lothiriel had shown when she entered the room began to waver. She was beginning to feel appalled with her behaviour, seducing Eomer to achieve her own ends. She broke their embrace and climbed off her husband.

"What's wrong?" Eomer asked sincerely.

"Forgive me." She answered disappointed then rolled onto her side away from him.

"What is there to forgive? Come back to me. Were you not enjoying it?"

The King sounded uncertain. Lothiriel wanted to answer yes. If she had inveigled him to seek their own gratification she would most definitely enjoyed it, as their unions of late had been completely satisfying. However, she had tried to entice him with the hope it would produce a child and for no other reason. She felt dishonest and though it pained her, she turned to face him and revealed her fears.

"We have been married almost a year Eomer. Does it not worry you that we have not, that I have not borne you a son? My brother has been married a mere four months and his new wife is already expectant."

Eomer was still sat on the covers where his wife had left him but shifted his weight to look at her from above.

"Why do you worry so?"

"It reflects poorly on me and on you by association."

"Have I made you to feel so?" He asked almost accusingly.

"Not at all. It's just I want to be a good wife, but fear I have failed you on this matter."

"These are not your words, but someone else's I think."

"My brother believes,"

"Elphir!"

The King sounded angry, which made Lothiriel fret all the more.

"Please do not scold him, he was right to inform me of my failures, of my duty."

"Lothiriel, you have no other obligation than to please your King. Which you have done immensely, since the day you came here. Do not trouble yourself on this matter you will make yourself ill. Besides our children will come in their own time. I made my parents wait two winters before I came into this world and my sister five more. I do not worry for our family, for now we are two and I look forward to the day we become more, however soon or long a time that will be."