Thanks so much to everyone who has left and who (hopefully) will leave reviews.

They really are so helpful in spurring me onwards. I've rediscovered my love for this story and I hope my updates will be a little quicker than they have been of late. I hope you enjoy the chapter, I'm a little nervous about this one so do tell me your thoughts, but be kind ;)

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Éomer listened intently as his advisors talked, detailing new plans for the city, new houses to be built to aid those that had come from over the plains of Rohan. The war of the One Ring had ravaged many villages and in their time of need the people of Edoras had offered their own homes as shelter to the refugees, but it was an uncomfortable arrangement and needed to be dealt with. Soon the people who needed land and houses would have a place to call their own and enough money to help them restart their old ways of making a living.

It was not long before all that needed to be discussed was finished with and Éomer rose from his throne, giving his advisors an incline of his head, and made his way from the room, looking forward to the peace and quiet his own chambers offered. He was granted his wish of solitude - it was too early for the evening meal and all the servants were busying themselves with chores. Yet he soon found he was discontented by the silence, he felt a strange restlessness that he knew did not stem from his need to ride. The fact of the matter was that he had become at ease with the way of life in the Golden Hall, the advisors did not vex him as they once did, he found he could tolerate days enclosed inside the stuffy hall as long as he knew that if he wished he could ride, that his freedom still remained his alone. Sunniva explained this change as Éomer accepting his duties and taking the first certain steps upon the path to becoming a great leader.

Perhaps she was partly right but Éomer knew only too well that this was not the sole reason for him being more appeased by the thought of staying in Edoras. He had tried at first to push the feelings from his thoughts, dismissing them as a youthful fantasy, a harmless obsession that must stay within his mind but every time she came into the room, every time she smiled at him his heart seemed to gain a few extra beats…

He tried to reason with himself that at the very least the feelings could not be deep, that they could not reach his heart. After all Aedre was not what most would deem a beauty, her scars had seen to that… but then that was just at a careless glance, seeing just the flaws. He found himself studying her as she learnt from Sunniva, listened to those around her or served his food; behind those imperfections lay a wealth of hidden secrets. Her eyes, a beautiful expressive dark brown that seemed to swim with a mixture of ageless sorrow and childlike wonder, seemed to pierce into his soul every time they met his. Her smile could lighten any heart from its troubles, her lips perfect, plump and sweet. But above all that were her mannerisms, although he knew more than anyone what horrors she had lived through, her kindness endured. She could not do enough for Sunniva or himself, or anyone else that asked anything of her… She was quiet, demure and had an ethereal aura about her to his mind.

He enjoyed her company more than any woman he had known save his sister, but this was of course different. He found he tried to impress her with his knowledge of history or an old poem; whether the desired effect was achieved he never knew as she seemed to be happy with anything he said. He often wondered if she was humoring him because he was king, because of what Sunniva had instructed of her, but her smile seemed so genuine as to tug painfully upon his heart and though he tried hard to dissuade the notion, he did not see his day as fulfilled unless he had seen her.

Still he wrestled with his emotions, what good could come of it… he could never be with anyone but a woman of station, a woman fit to rule alongside him with breeding and heritage. Aedre was none of these things… he knew if it truly was a deep feeling… love… he could do nothing for her other than leave her once all was said and done. He would have to marry for his people, for Rohan, not for himself.

And what of Aedre herself, he doubted if she would even accept his advances, would see him in any other light than a friend… than a king. Still it did not seem to matter how much he told himself these things silently over and over again, he still thought of her, wished to see her, felt his mood instantly lift when she did walk into the room. He had known, or thought he had known love before when he had been in his sixteenth year, a maid called Mildryth, she had been a few years older than he, very beautiful, with hair like spun gold and a laugh that would have made the Valar smile. He had adored her, thought of marrying her but he had soon learnt that such things could not happen and that love was something for old songs and tales… Now his belief seemed shaken by this young girl that had not even batted an eyelash at him. It seemed too foolish, he knew this but he could not stop himself.

He rubbed at his tired eyes, these last few weeks sleep had not come easily or quickly to him and he bore dark circles to prove this point. He sighed and looked out across Edoras to the plains beyond. Perhaps it would pass if he just kept burying the feelings deep within himself… they would be forgotten, they would…

He turned suddenly at a sound behind him, the noise breaking his thoughts. Aedre stood before him a smile playing upon her lips and a small plate within her hands, upon which was a cake very similar to the one he had bought her upon his last return. The flowers were not blue but violet in colour.

"What is this?" he asked, finally remembering to smile.

She gestured for him to take the plate which he gladly did. Éomer studied the bun carefully - apart from the colour of the sugared flowers it seemed exactly the same.

"Did you make this?"

Aedre indicated with her thumb and index finger.

"Only a little," he replied, understanding her meaning well. "You helped Sunniva?"

She nodded eagerly.

Éomer took a small bite out of the bun, it was quite different in taste to the one he had returned with, nevertheless it was still delicious.

"It's good" he declared grinning. "Well done Aedre."

Aedre smiled in return, her eyes sparkling with pride.

He finished eating the cake quickly before turning his attention back to the window.

"It's almost summer already" he stated.

Aedre walked up beside him and looked out across the plains, inhaling some of the sweet grass scented air which held promises of a warm and pleasant few months ahead.

Éomer glanced down with a low sigh and tentatively Aedre reached out and touched him lightly upon his arm, he met her gaze with his own and saw the concern lurking behind her eyes, asking him silently if he was ill.

"I'm quite well" he said, trying to smile.

Aedre gestured to the plains.

"Yes, perhaps a ride would do me good" he said, watching her a little longer than he had intended. He indicated that she could leave him which she dutiful obeyed leaving Éomer with no more peace than when he had first entered the room.

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Aedre stood upon the stairs of Meduseld. Night had gathered over the city below and her chores for the day were at an end, the fresh air swept away the stuffy feeling of the kitchens, clearing her mind and cooling her skin. She gave a small smile as she thought over her days living here and how different things were, she felt at peace, at home. Sunniva had become her family in a way, perhaps what she wished her own mother to be; and Éomer King, although a great man - ruler of all she saw now and beyond, was kind and not the cruel man she had once thought him to be. That night at the feast a year ago seemed to have no merit in her mind; it seemed as if it had all been a strange dream, as did her life with the Orcs. For better or worse she found the hardships, the beatings, the harshness that she had once lived through were fading and becoming dimmer, the memories now nestled at the back of her mind. She knew they would never fully leave her - that they would forever awaken her in the darkest part of the night with feelings of panic and terror, yet she only need look around her little room to know that it was in the past, that she was safe.

Aedre closed her eyes as a soft breeze swept past her, ruffling her unbound hair. Still she did not feel all was well, she felt somehow empty despite it all. She watched the young serving maids meeting their men in the kitchens or upon the steps, embracing them with passion, kissing them, the happiness shining through their faces and Aedre could not help but feel she wanted to feel whatever it was that made them shine so brightly, made them sing as they worked… Sunniva had tried her best to explain what love was, but Aedre did not understand the concept, it was strange to her, yet still she wanted it, wanted to know what it felt like. But the looks upon a few of the young men's faces when being introduced to Aedre were not comforting, they were polite but their eyes held a morbid fascination, studying her for too long with a slight sneer… She knew what it was they saw, the Golden Hall had its many mirrors and her reflection had not disturbed her at first, after all she had seen herself in pools of water before, but now she had people to compare herself to, girls with pretty rose blushed faces, smooth and perfect compared to her marred features…

At the thought she raised her hands to her face, feeling the raised skin beneath her fingers. She thought it would be best to accept her fate, after all should she not be glad she had a warm, loving home, a place she belonged and was wanted, what was anything else compared to that…

She glanced up at the sky, a light rain had begun to fall and she allowed the soft, cold droplets to fall upon her upturned face for a moment while drawing her shawl further about her shoulders.

A slight scrape of footsteps upon stone caused her to turn quickly; Éomer King came to an abrupt stop as she came into his line of sight. He was dressed casually and from the expression upon his face he had not expected to encounter anyone upon his late night walk.

He seemed to hesitate a moment before walking a little further out into the rain where she already stood.

"Aedre" he said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "I thought I would visit Firefoot as I could not sleep...." He paused, "What are you doing out here so late at night?"

Aedre gave a small shrug.

"Are you alright?" he took a step forward, his brow creasing in concern. "You seem upset."

Aedre did not understand his meaning until she suddenly became aware that the wetness upon her cheeks was not just rain, she wiped hurriedly at her tears before nodding and trying to smile.

"Why don't you go back inside" he said uncertainly, it was quite obvious that he did not know what else to say, "it is raining." He gave a glance at the sky as the rain became slightly heavier.

Aedre gave a larger smile and turned her face back up to the rain letting it splash her skin slightly before turning back to him.

He gave a hushed laugh, "Yes, I suppose the rain can chase away all ill feelings." He turned his own face up and enjoyed the sensation for a moment before again returning his gaze to her. The rain had left large droplets upon her hair that glistened in the torchlight. Her dark eyes were upon him, a small smile in reward to his actions of joining her in the childish game.

"Why don't you come to the stables with me?" He blurted before he could check himself.

Aedre's smile fell a little but she regained it quickly and gave a single nod of her head in reply. He led the way down the steps, heeding her to be careful as the rain had made the stairs slippery. The stables were quiet, the sounds of horses snorting a little reached their hearing as they approached and the warm musty smell of hay and horse flesh brought back comforting memories to both of them.

Éomer quickly lit a small torch and hung it upon a bracket before making for the stall he knew was Firefoot's. The beautiful steel grey stallion gave a whinny at seeing his master and friend. He gladly stretched out his neck for a good scratch.

Aedre watched from nearby as Éomer talked quietly to the animal in old Rohirric, his admiration for his faithful steed apparent.

"Come" he said, not turning to look at her but indicating to her over his shoulder.

Aedre obeyed and quickly came to his side.

"Stroke his nose" he instructed.

Aedre raised her hand, the nervous feeling that she felt so rarely these last few months rearing once again, the horse gave a snort and she drew back with a start.

Éomer gave a chuckle before taking her hand in his and reaching once more for Firefoot. Aedre's palm came into contact with the soft plush feeling of the animal's muzzle, it felt like fine velvet to the touch. Éomer gently moved her hand so that she carefully stroked Firefoot's nose. Finally feeling a little more at ease she turned and grinned at the man that still held her hand before turning her attention back to the horse. Without a word Éomer slowly pulled her hand away, bringing her palm to rest lightly against his breast, he enclosed her small fingers with his own as she studied him questioningly.

Slowly he reached out his free hand and brushed the damp hairs away that still clung to her cheeks, allowing the back of his hand to brush against her skin. She flinched slightly at the contact her eyes again searching his, silently asking him to speak, to break the uncomfortable silence that had fallen over the scene, but Éomer found his mind could think of no words to voice. The urge to press his lips against hers, to see if anything of substances lay within his tangle of feelings overwhelmed him. He moved forward, again his actions slow, non-threatening, until he was stood mere inches away from her. Aedre looked up into his face a sudden strange feeling sweeping through her, like a tremor, her heart seemed to beat harder within her chest at his closeness.

She could hear his breaths, soft and rushed as if his heart too could not keep a steady pace. He leaned in, his face coming to hers. He hesitated, their eyes locking for a moment, before he seemed to decide upon his actions and his lips pressed softly against hers. The kiss was fleeting and he pulled back again to look at her, she did not move although it was not fear that kept her rooted to the spot, what it was and why she did not recoil she could not fathom… yet she did not want to leave this moment…

Again he bent, his lips pressing once more against her own, lingering a moment before retreating an inch and dipping once more for another soft kiss and another. His arms came to encircle her, gently pull her to him as his mouth took full possession of hers in a heated embrace. His tongue found the seam of her lips, dwelling a moment, tasting her before slipping inside turning the kiss into something of raw passion. He heard a low gasp escape her and then her small hands were pushing lightly against his shoulders, he broke their lips apart and pulled back to look upon her.

Her wide eyes bore confusion and unshed tears, she stared at him a moment, her lips parted as if she wished to speak, her eyes betraying the fact that she longed to unburden herself of deep seated fears and know the answer to many questions that would give her peace. Before he could say anything, calm her panic of the unknown, she turned and broke into a run, her pace as quick as if the very Wargs of Isengard were at her heels. She fled the stables and him…