After his visit to Alise, Éomer did indeed try to win his wife's favor. He tried, and he failed. He sensed he was unwelcome in her bower and thus the opportunities for him to even speak to her were few. For every week that passed, the birth grew nearer while the distance between them grew greater.

This morning, a messenger from Rivendell had arrived. He insisted upon delivering his message to the queen. Éomer sent for her and after some time, she emerged from the private wing of the hall.

'My Lord Elrond sends his well wishes.' the elf said with a bow before handing over a beautifully carved coffer and a scroll sealed by Lord Elrond himself.
'Thank you.' Lothíriel received it and inclined her head. The elven messenger said no more before he bowed and left.

Lothíriel placed the coffer on the table in the great hall. She broke the seal and unrolled the scroll.
'What does he say?' Éomer asked.
Lothíriel smiled.
'He sends his wishes for my good health.' she said. 'And for the safe arrival of your heir.'

With care she opened the coffer. Inside lay small bottles of ointments, herbs carefully wrapped in linen. She fished out a small, velvet pouch and poured the content into the palm of her hand. It was a pendant. Wrought from the finest mithril.

'A leaf of Lorien.' Lothíriel said and turned the pendant in her hand. There was a note attached and she read it out for Éomer to hear.

'The heir of Rohan will rule at the very heart of the new alliance of men. His deeds will found the new history of our world. May he never forget the courage, the camaraderie nor the sacrifices that his kingdom rests upon.'

Lothíriel clutched the necklace in her hand and held it to her chest.
'After all the shameful things I have done, the good lord Elrond still grants me grace.' she said. 'I am unworthy of his blessing.'
'You should not shame yourself, my queen. You are worthy of everything good in this life.' he took a step towards her. Hoping he could place a hand on her shoulder. He only wanted her to look him in the eyes, perhaps then, he thought, she would see his sorrow. Though this time, as all others, she shied away again.

'Have supper with me tonight, Lothíriel.' he said, desperate to keep her.
She hesitated.
'If it is your wish.'
'I will not order you. I will have you share a meal with me because you want it.'
She was silent.
'Let us dine, and drink to Lord Elrond's honor, for the well wishes he has bestowed upon our house.'
'Yes of course.' she said. 'I shall join you at supper husband.' She gathered up the items and excused herself.
'Trust a Gondorian to favor decorum.' Éomer thought.

'To Lord Elrond!' Éomer said and raised his goblet.
'To Lord Elrond.' Lothíriel replied and they drank.
'Tell me, how are you faring?' Éomer said.
'My burden is no more nor less than that of all women.' she said.
'Are you in pain?'
She gave a faint smile.
'Creating life is no easy matter, husband.. Not for the mother anyway.'
He smiled, what could a man say to that?
'If there is anything you need.'
'I know, and I thank you for it.'
'If you do not mind me asking, what else did you receive from Lord Elrond, besides the pendant?'
'Herbs and ointments. Some, I believe for me, to assist me in delivering this child, others that are rare and hard to come by in the southern parts.'
'What are they?' he asked between mouthfuls of wine.
'Oh I will not bore you with such detail, husband.'
'You could likely do many things to me, Lothíriel. But trust that bore me, is not one of them.'

As she spoke he watched her. In truth he was not listening, he had to give a nod or a smile whenever she sought it. He missed her. All those night they had spent by the hearth, where she had told of all she knew. He missed it. How such vast knowledge could find room in a both young and dainty head, was beyond him. He understood very little of her passion for plants as well, though he did not in anyway belittle the value of it.

'Perhaps next year?' Lothíriel looked at him.
'Pardon me?' he said, he had not caught a word of what she'd said.
'A shielded place. So I can try to grow some of the herbs that I cannot find this far up north?'
'Of course, whatever you want, you shall have.' he said but as he did he saw how her eyes veiled with sorrow.
'Me too.' he thought. 'Me too if only you'd have me.'