A/N

*sighs* I promise I am trying to be quicker in my updates, I shall continue to try and hopefully actually manage it one of these days.

Many thanks for the reviews of the last chapter, they were very helpful and brightened my day to read. Again an extra thanks to PetiteJeanne for a more in depth review :)

I'm happy to know that it caused a little shock as I was afraid I had given too much away in earlier chapters.

Just want to address The Lauderdale's review to clear up a few aspects that were pointed out, I hope I haven't misled in my story and some parts were just forgotten but just in case... No one but Éomer, Anborn and Faramir (and Guene of course) know of Aedre's sexual relations with the Orcs so that would not come into play unless one of them let the cat out of the bag and Aedre isn't really the rank of peasant, she works in The Golden Hall, so would be of higher rank than say a farmer, still she is too low of class to marry a noble or king, but she could marry someone of equal rank in the Golden Hall. The Orc's voice sounding like Gollum, hmm I can see it a little but having little to go on I took from the way the Orcs spoke in the movies and added my own imaginings as to how the lower class Orc would talk. What they mostly speak isn't their mother tongue, so I assume they would skip words or not say them in a proper sentence. Remember when they say 'It' that was Aedre's name (if it can be called so, it was more just a way to address her when they wanted something) when she was with them.

Ok, enough of that, on with the story

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The corridors of stone rushed past Aedre's sight, the coldness of her path mimicking the icy feeling that clutched at her chest, seeming to cause a strange pain that was neither real nor imagined. The flickering flames of the torches that lent a small glow to the night gloom seemed to mock her with spluttering sounds of warmth, reminding her vividly just how frozen her very insides seemed, her limbs numb and stiff.

Her mind screamed at her to make haste, to finally be within Éomer's chambers, enclosed in his warm embrace. He would chase the bitter feeling away, his smile, his face... if she could hold them in her gaze she felt all would be forgiven, forgotten and she would once again be his little Aedre. The door loomed before her, seeming larger in the shadowed glow, the carved horse, its eyes upon her. She imagined she felt it give her a disfavoured look and the torrent of emotions this night had stirred within her bubbled to a point she felt she could no longer contain. Disregarding the stealth she had been bidden to always have when visiting the king she pummelled her fists hard upon the door, gasps coming from her lips from the effort and hot tears brimming from her eyes. It seemed an age passed as she willed, begged for the door to open and then the click of a bolt and the heavy creak of wood signalled her wish had finally been granted.

As the door let out a chink of light from within the chamber Aedre could not wait a moment longer and barged into the door, demanding admittance and flung herself unthinkingly into the warmth of the man within, her arms encircling his waist, clinging to him with all the strength she had. She heard him make a low sound of surprise and then he was moving her, forcing her to walk a few steps forward so he could fully lock the door once again.

They stood in silence for many long moments as Aedre refused to move and wept with uncontrollable tears that shook her entire frame with shivers of desperate emotion and Éomer tried to reclaim his mind from sleep and drink. She felt his hand linger upon her back in a small form of bewildered comfort.

Finally he cleared his throat. "Aedre." His voice was thick and slow. "What has happened?" He tried to pull away but she continued to cling to him with lament and anguish, letting out a high pitched whimper when he tried to remove her clasp upon his waist.

Éomer's thoughts rallied and his senses broke through some of the intoxication that still held sway after the feast. "Are you hurt?" His voice held a small note of panic. "Tell me." But still the young woman clung to him, silent save for the sounds of her tears and distress. He allowed her to cry, understanding that explanations were not needed in this moment but comfort and succour were. He wrapped his arms around her thin form and pulled her body closer to his, bending his cheek to her hair and hushing her sobs.

Time slowly passed by as he struggled with his need to help, to fix whatever had caused her grief and his knowledge that her need was to be still and weep. Finally her sobs subsided to little gasps of breath and the fingers that clutched so heatedly at his shirt loosened their grip. Éomer pulled back slowly, wanting her to be aware that he was not going far. His eyes connected with hers and she instantly looked away, avoiding his gaze.

Éomer chanced a small smile of reassurance. "Are you hurt?"

Aedre shook her head sadly.

"What is wrong?" He repeated his earlier question.

Again she shook her head.

"Write upon your pallet for me; let me help with whatever has distressed you."

He made to move and fetch the object but her hand darted out, her fingers wrapping roughly around his wrist as her fingernails dug into his flesh. She shook her head more forcefully, signalling she did not wish to talk.

He let out a huff of frustration. "How can I aid you if you won't tell me?" She glanced up at him but once more averted her eyes quickly. "You can tell me all that is troubling Aedre, you can trust me."

Aedre's face fleetingly showed a pained expression. Yes, she could trust him... she valued his trust, but what would his thoughts be of her if he knew... knew all she had done on this night? Killed one of his own mere hours ago. She felt the tears renewing in her eyes, painful and sore. Coming here, to him had meant to make everything right. Why could she not banish these feelings and continue as before, why did the serving woman's face endure in her thoughts?

She glanced up at him once more. Would he care that she had taken someone's life to protect him... them? He smiled, his face full of concern and her hope crumbled... yes he would care, he would no longer love her, send her away into the wilds, far from his side and she could not bear the thought. Was it only a matter of time before the finger of accusation fell upon her? The body, Guene's body would be found on the morn and then all would be lost. What if the guards had seen her, had she been careful enough, had they recognised her?

Aedre's mind raced, she had so few choices, so few paths left open to her. She had to find a way to make sure the king didn't send her from his sight... panic clutched at her and she was aware her breathing was hard and laboured causing Éomer's brow to crease in worry. There had to be a way... she had to think, she needed time to think.

She felt Éomer leading her towards the warmth of the fire. He gently helped her into a large carved wooden chair and left her staring into blankness for a moment before he returned with a warming glass of mead. He pushed the cup into her hands and she came back from her inner reflection.

"Drink this," he instructed, "you are cold."

Aedre's gaze drifted to the cup within her grasp and gave a small nod before drinking the liquid with a few noisy gulps. Éomer crouched before her, his brow still furrowed with many lines of anxiety.

"Better?" He asked.

Aedre gave another small nod, unsure if the sweet drink had helped at all.

"Why will you not tell me?" His voice was soft but demanding. "Did something happen after the feast, were you scolded?"

Aedre shook her head; her gaze meeting his properly as unshed tears clung to her lashes. He studied her closely trying to gain any kind of hint to her distress and Aedre found herself wanting to look away, to defend herself from his probing while at the same time hoping he would suddenly find out her secret. Finally his expression sagged slightly in understanding.

"I see." He mumbled.

Aedre's eyes widened.

"I have been the cause of your tears and lament." He shook his head as if calling himself a fool. "I should have come to find you after the feast." He paused, his hand covering hers. "I treated you with ill words and did nothing to soothe the fears they may have caused you to feel."

Aedre stared at him, relief and sadness mingling into one strange feeling.

"I know these many days have been a source of hardship, our meetings are fleeting or time not always well spent. I should not have been gruff with you; I drank too much to ease my own fears and burdens." He let out a low breath. "I was selfish."

Aedre reached out and touched his cheek softly. All she longed for was a simple life spent within this man's company, seeing him be merry and smile. She could cause this man no reason to grieve, even if it meant she would be deceiving him. At this small thought something flickered within her, a way to keep his mind focused upon her as the woman he wanted by his side. Aedre would give him that which he most desired; casting aside her own feelings on the matter... the punishment was worth their future.

She quelled the queasiness the mere thought brought to her mind's eye, pushed back the images of her past life and turned her gaze fully to meet his. It took effort to look upon him, to give him a small smile that she could only hope showed true meaning for she felt no link to the emotions that smiling so often brought. Her hand which still grasped the mug clutched the vessel tighter as her whole body seemed to begin an unpleasant shuddering.

Éomer's hand had come to meet hers that was still softly pressed against his cheek. He smiled again before a frown graced his brow in the briefest of flickers. "Are you still cold, you are trembling?"

Aedre shook her head; she didn't feel cold, she felt as if all her senses were deadened. She knew she had to act quickly before her nerve was lost and with a surge of renewed emotion she moved her lips swiftly to his, connecting them in a kiss. Her mouth hungrily moved against him, giving him little choice but to respond in kind. She allowed the empty mug to fall to the ground. Her hands shook involuntarily as she pushed them gently against his shoulders and then slid them down to the knotted ties that held his shirt in place, with uncertain fingers she pulled and tugged until all were open. She could feel his lips becoming reluctant and Aedre tried to hold them together with her own urging kisses but it was to be in vain as he soon pulled away, his breathing heavy and his eyes questioning her actions.

He opened his mouth as if to speak but no words came forth. "Aedre." He finally managed. "I don't..." His eyebrows knitted together as he continued to ask her silently for an answer to her behaviour. He got to his feet as she offered no explanation. "We cannot do this, any of this" he said, shaking his head as he spoke. "You know not what you ask." He turned back to her, the frown in full force on his features. "You ask me not to be a man; to only venture so far... it is a dangerous game to play for both of us." Aedre stared at him, unmoving from her seat. "You cannot see where this would lead as anything more than a punishment; I would not will you to do anything just to please me... is that why you came to me tonight? You believe I am displeased and would give into punishment as penitence?"

Aedre could see the anger, confusion and distress etched into his features and rose from her seat. His words were not fully false, perhaps he knew her better than she had previously deemed, but he was wrong as to her motives... she had decided this was the only way. With certain and confident steps that her mind did not feel nor mirror she walked to him, her hand reached out for his face once more. He flinched at the contact, still furled in his ill mood. Aedre stroked his skin with feather light touches of her fingertips, giving him a moment to calm and gather himself; drink always had made his reactions more forceful to the situations around him. When he again glanced up his face had lost a little of the annoyance. She shook her head slowly and he frowned at her in confusion.

Knowing she would have to speak to make him understand she walked to the table her pallet lay upon and quickly wrote a scrawl of words before handing it to him.

Éomer read them aloud. "No punishment... happiness."

His eyes jerked to her form, surprise holding sway over him. "I don't understand" he said, knowing he sounded foolish, he had understood the words and her meaning all too well, but his mind would not believe it.

Aedre took the pallet from his grip and replaced it upon the table, her own gaze lingering over the words, knowing them to be true, this was for their happiness. It seemed as long as she focused on playing this part her mind stayed quiet of panic and fear at the situation she was slowly weaving and wrapping around herself. She returned to stand before him and placed both hands on his cheeks before giving a certain nod, willing him to understand she was satisfied, this was her choice.

"Aedre, I..." He again tried to voice his concern but Aedre placed a firm finger to his lips before allowing her mouth to find his, silencing his conscience for the time being. She roughly pulled at his shirt, not allowing him a moment more to think, to dwell upon her sudden change of heart. Her lips worked heatedly against his and he responded hungrily. She continued to tug at his clothing until he finally relented and shrugged the open shirt off, allowing it to carelessly fall to the floor. His hands roamed her body, lingering over curves and caressing exposed skin and Aedre took some solace in the fact that his touch was reassuring, warm and left a tingling sensation in its wake. She felt his fingers working at the ties of clothing at her side and aided him as best she could, pulling the heavy garments of an overdress and warm shift over her head until they both stood before each other in no more than undergarments.

Éomer's breaths were laboured and his voice low and deep as he spoke. "You are sure of this?" His eyes glinted in the candlelight and she saw true contentment within their hazel depths.

Again she offered him a nod, her insides tugging unpleasantly for this to be over, for the deed to be done.

His mouth was again upon her own as he allowed passion to wash over him, the kiss full of want, longing and need, his tongue kneading hers with a slow gentle rhythm. His hands and fingers mimicked his feeling of lust, caressing with an impatient need to touch every inch of her body as he guided her towards the fur laden bed with soft urges. Aedre allowed herself to be lowered down and his lips moved to her neck, leaving soft feathered kisses across her collarbone and throat. She pressed her lips firmly together as his weight bore down upon her, determined to not let out a whimper of protest at the sensation, determined to continue with her only plan. His touch searched her body, gently kneading her breast with tender pressure. Aedre was not fully surprised that this sensation was not unpleasant and she permitted small gasps to pass through her lips, gaining some comfort from the fact she could indeed make some kind of noise. His caress moved, hitching up her shift to expose her body and she cringed at the situation, at allowing him to see her without cloth covering her, but made no move to stop him as his warm mouth sought her flesh, his tongue lingering sweetly over sensitive skin, causing a sensation almost akin to light teasing. His fingers searched the tender skin of her inner thighs and then pressed between her legs, lightly at first as his other hand guided her legs apart but as lust clouded his mind his strokes became more confident and certain, his fingertips moving deeper and his own breathing becoming heavier.

Aedre's hands sought the bedclothes around her and twisted the material in her grasp, holding on to it as if her very life would be lost if she let go. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as his breathing turned to soft groans of pleasure, she felt him moving, his body's weight now fully upon her as his hand guided his next movement... and then it was done, his hips gently thrust forward and he entered her. Aedre turned her head into the bedclothes as the sickening feeling fell leaden like a rock within her stomach. Her teeth bit down hard into her bottom lip and she tasted the salty flavour of her own blood. She tried to grasp frantically with her mind, as it spiralled and swirled in silent distress, for the reasons why she was doing this, why this was good, but all she heard was the grunts and groans of the king above her... To her ears they were so similar in sound to the Orc's...