Sept 1FA

Over the next few days Eomer and Meldis laid down their plans, and at every opportunity made Lothiriel watch and partake with her son. Brewyn had not been dismissed as Ealdwen suggested, but took an ever more passive role in the prince's rearing.

One stormy afternoon the royal family were gathered in the great hall. Most talked in private and regaled one another with the comings and goings over recent months. On a fur nearby, Elfwine lay on the floor gurgling and making delicious noises. Lothiriel searched for his nurse to remove him from the room but she was nowhere to be seen. Eowyn watched her from across the table and sensed her unease, standing quietly from her seat the Princess came to sit next to the Prince on the floor and began to fuss over him delightfully. Lothiriel glanced over towards them and caught the fair lady's eye,

"Lothiriel come sit with me," She asked politely.

The Queen recoiled inside but eventually sat with her friend as to not appear rude. When she was comfortable Eowyn chatted with her about trivial things, anything to make her relax in her son's presence. Eventually feeling she had succeeded, the Princess excused herself to retrieve something from across the room. She thrust a wooden rattle into Lothiriel's hand and the Queen gazed at it in shock; she didn't know what made her do it, but she felt the urge to shake the small object. As Lothiriel gently rocked the toy back and forth it emitted a subtle jangling noise too low for anyone else to hear, or so she thought. She took a double glance and Elfwine, and noticed he smiled up at her with a wide, toothless grin; for a fleeting moment the woman thought she felt her heart flutter in excitement.

Eowyn surveyed her from a distance and smiled warmly at the small victory; Eomer too noticed the exchange between mother and son and beamed towards his wife without her knowledge.

o0o

The families left soon after leaving the royal household to continue their plotting. It had been some days since Lothiriel had played with Elfwine, but Eomer felt she was makimg good progress. One evening whilst he prepared for his bath he allowed Brewyn to prepare his son for bed, so that his wife could do the same. After placing him in his crib the nurse curtsied and left their chambers.

"I shan't be long Lothiriel," the King called from the adjacent room.

Lothiriel watched nervously as he closed the door to their dressing room and felt some unease as she was left alone with her son. Elfwine was far from ready to sleep that night and thrashed unsettled in his bed. He did not cry out but from the small noises he did emit it was clear he was unhappy. From her dresser across the room, the scared woman peered over her shoulder towards the tiny cot, with a mixture of nerves and curiosity. Checking that Eomer was out of sight, she gingerly walked over to Elfwine's bed, stopping every few paces in case she disturbed him further.

Eventually she loomed over him and gazed into the crib. As if sensing someone was there the young thing turned his head toward his mother and appeared to reach out with his minute hands. Lothiriel looked around, like a mischievous child who was up to no good. Tentatively she moved a hand closer toward the baby; with a finger extended the anxious lady didn't know what she intended to do, but still found her hand growing ever nearer. Before she knew it, Elfwine reached for her as if he read her mind, and grasped her outstretched finger. Lothiriel took a sharp breath in but then relaxed suddenly as she enjoyed the warmth as his small hand enveloped hers.

Eomer watched from behind the half closed door. He didn't enter the room as he daren't spoil their interchange but celebrated inwardly.

o0o

The next few evenings followed in the same suit. Brewyn nursed, cleaned and fed Elfwine until he was happy and sleepy; allowing the King a few moments alone with his son. With the infant at peace and no longer fussing so much, Lothiriel seemed much more comfortable around him. She had not yet held him, but Eomer found her more frequently in his presence and enjoying his company.

Almost a week later Meldis had decided to take a bold move and include her lady in the young Prince's bath. The old matron prepared the water and subtle scents used for soothing the child off to sleep, but conveniently forgot to bring a wash cloth in to clean him over with,

"My lady, I forgotten his highness' cloth, hold his head up whilst I fetch it."

Lothiriel gaped open mouthed at her maid and tried to stammer a response, "I could get it,"

"It's no trouble, besides its on top of the cabinet and I daren't risk you climbing for it." She replied.

Meldis guided the nervous Queen into the correct position, all the while supporting Elfwine's head above the foamy water. Arranging her trembling hand beneath his downy head, the Matron left her lady for a moment. The crafty matron found the cloth with ease in the adjoining room and returned to the entrance to look through the gap in the door.

From her concealed position she could see Lothiriel standing there nervously, holding her son as if he would break. The child began to splash with his strong legs and giggled happily as the warm water covered his exposed body. The young woman smiled warmly at her son; ever since she saw that cheery face some days earlier she had longed to see it again; although she would not admit it. Timidly Lothiriel poured water over his stomach and chest with her free hand and Elfwine rewarded her with a long look and gummy smile.

Meldis stifled a cry of her own, her plan was working well.

o0o

Eomer tossed in his sleep as his dreams disturbed his rest. No matter which way he turned he could not find comfort. Reaching out across the covers he searched for his wife's form; but his hand found only the loose furs and sheets he had disturbed with his flailing. Opening his eyes, he blinked in the darkness of the room as he allowed his eyes to adjust; scanning quickly around the bed he could not find Lothiriel.

He was about to spring from the bed and begin his search afoot, when he noticed a sound his ears had not tuned into before. It was the unmistakable sound of Elfwine fretting; only his cries were quiet and somewhat easing. Staring at his crib in the dark, Eomer discovered his son was not there and began to panic, but stopped short when he noticed Lothiriel sat quietly by the fire holding the small bundle in her arms.

The Queen looked up from her seat toward her husband a spoke in hushed tones,

"He was restless so I wanted to comfort him."

The relieved King relaxed visibly and smiled broadly at his wife and son. He strode over toward them, and then on bended knee he placed a loving hand around his family,

"Then he is blessed to have you."

With that he kissed her resolutely on the temple and watched his son with her as he drifted back to sleep.