Set Fire To The Rain
My hands, they're strong
But my knees were far too weak,
To stand in your arms
Without falling to your feet
But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew
~ Adele
This was bliss, Eomer decided the next morning. He'd woken, later than usual, with no panic, no guilt, no hangover and tangled in the starlight of the elf's hair. Legolas had rolled over sometime during the night, and lay on his side, nestled into the man. Eomer propped himself up on one elbow and gazed at the perfection of the elf's face, completely at peace, with a small smile tugging at his lips. He couldn't resist the urge to kiss the elf on the top of the head, knowing that he was allowed, no, he had the right and privilege to do so. There was something about the elf in his sleep that made Eomer feel very protective of him, and knowing that the elf was more than capable of taking care of himself, it made him grin.
Legolas murmured something unintelligible in Sindarin, and the man pushed back the hair from his face, taking the opportunity to place another kiss on the sleeping elf.
There was a discreet knock at the bedroom door, and Merry's soft voice called, "Eomer King?" Eomer looked around for his trousers, shrugged, pulled the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around him like a robe. There was a mumble of protest from the elf, who dragged the sheet around himself, the loss of warmth waking him.
Merry stood there, a sly grin on his face, and a twinkle in his eyes. He looked at the tousled King and gave his message as if the King lay abed late every day, instead of waking at dawn and being down to check on Firefoot by this time of the morning. The room was tidied and Merry's livery impeccable.
"You've overslept, Eomer King," he said blandly, "I brought breakfast over two hours ago, and my Lady is looking for you."
Eomer grinned back at the hobbit. "Would you take my regards to my sister and tell her I'll be with her later this morning?" he asked.
"More like early this afternoon," Merry remarked, glancing at the sun streaming in the windows. "Do you want fresh coffee? What I brought will probably be cold."
"Potatoes!" came a muffled call from the bed. Merry raised an eyebrow to check with the King, as unruffled as if random orders for food came from Eomer's bedmates on a regular basis.
Eomer shook his head. "I'm sure what we have will be fine, Merry."
"I'll bring more coffee though, he's a mess without it," the hobbit said, with a small nod toward the bed. He smiled again, and winked as he buffeted the king on the arm.
"Scamp," Eomer grinned, ruffling the hobbits curly hair.
"What is it with you and potatoes?" Eomer asked, throwing the blanket back over the elf and shrugging into his trousers, which he found thrown over the back of the chair. He brought the breakfast tray in, being careful not to trip on the elf's boots, and put it on the table.
"I can't seem to help it," Legolas said, sitting up, pushing his hair back, and reaching out eagerly for the coffee Eomer was pouring for him. "It's not something we had a lot in Mirkwood."
"The coffee's not hot," the man told him.
"Don't care," the elf muttered. "Very thirsty this morning." He blinked in the bright summer sun. "How late is it?"
"Don't care," Eomer said back with a grin, handing over the mug. ""We're having a proper breakfast today."
"Good," Legolas said, draining it in one go and holding it back out. "More, please."
Eomer laughed outright and refilled the mug. "You really are turning into a hobbit, aren't you, love?"
Legolas grinned at him over the rim. "Hobbits are sensible people. I'm going to miss them."
"Me too," Eomer sighed, fixing a plate for the elf. He handed it over to him and smiled. "What are your plans for the day?"
"Oh, I'm going to go back to sleep," Legolas told him, setting his coffee on the end table and balancing the plate on his lap. "I don't have anywhere I need to be. Maybe I'll have a bath sent up."
"Do you want me to let Gimli know where you are?" Eomer asked, a little awkwardly, after a few moments of silent chewing.
The elf laughed. "I think he'll work it out for himself." He looked over with soft eyes. "But thank you, anyway." Then he grinned again, his wicked little one sided grin. "I could hold off on the bath until you get back," he said, innocently taking a bite of his breakfast.
Eomer nearly choked. "Wasn't last night enough for you?" he asked, feeling a bit smug.
"Of you? Never!" Legolas said, swallowing. "Why do you think I'm planning on going back to sleep?"
Eomer sighed. "Wish I could join you for a nap," he said, finishing his own breakfast.
There was a commotion in the outer room, and they heard Pip's distinct voice rising in almost a yell, "I'll just check on him, my Lady, he may not be dressed!"
They looked at each other and Legolas started to giggle. Eomer tried to hush him, which just made the elf laugh more.
"Nonsense, Pip," Eowyn said, in clear tones. "Just put the tray down over there, Merry. Why is he drinking so much coffee anyway? That's not like him." She banged on the bedroom door. "Eomer? Are you decent?"
"No, you're not," Legolas giggled, as Eomer, wide eyed, shook his head. They both looked at the open window, drapes fluttering in the breeze.
"We could make it," Eomer whispered, a lopsided grin taking over the look of shock. The elf just pulled his head down and kissed him gently.
"We've been caught, Mir!" he whispered back. "Will she challenge me for your honour?" The twinkle in his eyes set Eomer to chuckling himself.
"Eomer? Are you alright?" Eowyn called again. "Were you drinking all night again? Are you sick?"
"Be right out, Eowyn," he called back, trying to stifle the elf, who was almost wheezing now.
"I'll stick a pillow over your head," he warned, as Legolas tried to school his features into something like calm.
"We could hide under the bed," the elf suggested with a snicker.
"Stop it!" Eomer laughed.
"Quick, give me my pants at least," Legolas howled, hair falling in his face. "To protect my modesty!"
Eowyn opened the door, to see her brother putting a plate on the breakfast tray and the elf sitting on the bed, holding a mug. She took in the disarray of the room, the clothes strewn about, and her eyes went wide.
"Eomer? What's going on?" She eyed the elf on the bed. "Valar above! Legolas?"
"Good morning, Eowyn. Would you like coffee?" the elf asked, his eyes dancing.
"Here you are, my Lady," Merry said, appearing beside her and handing her a cup of wine. She took it gratefully, downing it.
"Thanks, Merry," she said. "Legolas, what are you doing in here?"
"It's not what it looks like, Lady," he said, overcome by laughter again. "Isn't that what I say?" he asked Eomer.
"No, it's exactly what it looks like," Eomer said, shooting a despairing look at the elf. "What do you expect when you come barging into a man's bedroom, Eowyn? Wait for us outside, please, sister," he said, his voice a plea.
"Come, Lady, have another glass of wine," Merry said, taking her by the hand.
"What is wrong with you, you lunatic?" Eomer asked Legolas, tugging on his clothes as the elf got himself under control.
"I'm sorry, Mir, but the look on your face, and then her face," he said. "And I'm very nervous all of a sudden."
"So much for breaking it to her gently," Eomer sighed. "I hope Merry hid the knives." They left the bedroom, slightly disheveled, although the elf had run a comb through his hair and pulled on his boots. Eomer, still barefoot, sat across from his sister while Legolas refilled his coffee mug. He winked at Merry behind the man's back, getting an answering grin in reply.
"This really is none of my business," Eowyn began, embarrassed, but Eomer stopped her, taking her hands in his. Merry nodded at Pip, and they disappeared into the bedroom, quickly tidying up and stripping the bed for the laundress.
"It is, Eowyn, since it means your children will be my heirs." Eomer said gently. "I didn't want to do that to you, but I love him."
"But why, I mean, you promised me, no affairs with the elf," she glanced up, "I mean, with Legolas."
"Thank you," the elf said softly.
"It's not an affair," Eomer told her seriously. "It's much more than that."
"And it's very sudden," she continued.
"So was Faramir," Eomer pointed out. "But this is just as real as your love for him." Legolas moved away towards the window, looking out at the clouds, thinking that some rain would be good for the earth, wanting to give the siblings some privacy.
"You know I only want you to be happy, Eomer," she told him. "But it's going to take a me a little getting used to. I knew about the other men, of course, but somehow in the end I still thought you'd settle down with a woman. Since there was that girl in your teens as well. And Uncle was always going on about family duty."
"Other men?" Legolas asked, turning from the window, his brow raising.
"That's not important right now," Eomer said over his shoulder to his lover.
"I think it might be," Legolas said, his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper. "Other men?" He gripped the mug in his hands so tightly it broke. Pippin, alerted by the broken crockery, took one look at the elf's face and bolted out the door, running to the conference room where he'd left Faramir with Gimli and Aragorn.
"Eowyn, would you take Merry and leave us?" Eomer asked, all his attention on the elf. "We can finish this later.."
"Legolas, it isn't what you think," Eowyn began, putting down her cup and standing up.
"Eowyn!" Eomer said, in a harsh voice, startled by the brittle brilliance of the elf's eyes. "Legolas and I need to talk. Now. Please."
She planted her feet firmly. The woman who faced down the Witch-King was not afraid of any elf. "Listen..."
"Please, my Lady," Legolas said, in a voice like ice, that matched his eyes. "This is a private matter between Eomer King and myself."
"Go, Eowyn," Eomer said, his voice just as cold. She turned around and stalked out the door.
"Gimli, I think the elf needs you!" Pip panted breathlessly, as the men stared at him. The hobbit rested his hands on his thighs, bent over. "He's got that look again!"
The dwarf was running before Pip finished his sentence. Faramir and Aragorn started to follow, but Pippin held up his hand. "Let Gimli handle it," he said, as Faramir poured him a glass of water.
The crashing of crockery came from behind the door as Gimli bashed his way in. Legolas was advancing on Eomer, his voice low, accusing. Eomer backed away, trying to explain, as they circled each other.
"Right then, lad, you come with me," Gimli told Legolas, marching up and pulling on his arm.
"Not now, dwarf," the elf snarled at him, shaking him off like a spider.
"Now!" Gimli ordered, in a quiet voice. "Before you do something you regret."
"Like breaking his faithless neck?" the elf said menacingly.
"No, like making me angry," Gimli said, calmly. "Eomer, he'll be back to discuss this rationally later on." He shook his head at the elf. "Now, move, laddie. Before I put my boot in your arse."
Muttering, Legolas left the room. Breathing deeply, Eomer sat down, face in his hands.