A Winter Lady For A King.
Chapter XXXVII: Burying Past Sorrows.
The royal family watched as the deceased king's body burned in the pyre early at dawn. Grey clouds above their heads hid the sun from the chief city of Vathinia as the smoke rose to the sky to join them and Éomer thought Triniha almost seemed like a scenery devastated by war: only grief and despair could be sensed in the air, but exhaustion didn't let anybody show those true feelings. He stood beside Eihhlin, who was secluded inside herself. This time he wasn't trying to bring her mind back; she needed her time to find closure and the king of Rohan could only wait for her to return to him completely.
Eihhlin could only think about what would happen to her little brothers now. They were related to others countries' royal families and she was sure more than one was willing to claim the throne of Vathinia. She, as a woman, could not do such thing; the laws of the country didn't allow it. All she could do now was wait to talk to her husband, who she believed would find a solution for that very important political matter.
She almost felt her old self returning as its essence crawled up her skin: the queen of Rohan could not feel anything as she saw her dead father being consumed by fire, soon to be nothing but ashes in the wind. Aside from the ruling problem, Eihhlin thought Idrios left nothing behind that would make people remember him and honour his memory; he had simply been an unworthy king throughout his life. Now, his sins had taken him away from the family and the people he hadn't been capable of loving.
When the last flame finally died, Eihhlin felt nauseated and had to leave before the last ritual, which was spreading the ashes in the wind from the highest tower of the palace. Without a word, Éomer followed her, worried that the recent events had just been too much for his queen. He tried to ignore the fear that something could happen to their child, but his efforts were in vain; fear kept him wide awake at night and he was incapable of fighting it away during the day. The king of Rohan had never imagined something so powerful and terrifying could take over his soul and he sometimes doubted his own strength.
He met her in their guest bedroom sitting on the bed and looking defeated. Eihhlin was unknowingly letting him see she was a much more fragile creature then he had previously thought and she didn't seem very interested on hiding it at the moment.
-Eihhlin. –he called, sitting down beside her.
-It's nothing. –she replied, but couldn't help to seek comfort on her husband's shoulder. Éomer embraced her with his strong warrior arm, needing no words for what surrounded him and his queen in that moment. –I don't know if my brothers are prepared for what is yet to come.
-What do you mean? –he asked when silence fell over Eihhlin again, although he was almost sure of what was bothering her.
-Well, we're related to other families. –Eihhlin answered, looking at him. –And I can think about many who will claim the throne in the next few days.
-Including your own? –the king asked and she looked at him confused. –I will not allow anyone to take anything from your brothers, Eihhlin.
-You mean…
-I'll claim the regency of Vathinia until Mero is old enough to rule. –he explained.
-But you need to gather supporters in order to do that. –she replied.
-Don't worry, I will. –were his final words in that conversation.
The sun slowly travelled in the sky throughout the day and Éomer and Eihhlin remained in their chambers during those hours. The queen of Rohan still didn't feel well and her husband stood by her side trying to make her feel as comfortable as he could. Unfortunately, dealing with the pregnancy's disadvantages was not easy for him and seeing Eihhlin suffering fed a well of emotions he sometimes couldn't control. She, on the other hand, tried to live those moments peacefully, although the lack of control over her own body often made her anxiety grow. But they both knew the child they were expecting was worth all the suffering they were going through.
There was not a single voice to be heard in the palace. The death of a monarch always demanded a respectful silence for the departed, but this particular silence contained something else besides respect: every mind inside those walls questioned the uncertain future of the country. If one reached out their hand, they could feel solid fear in the air. Having no direct heir to the throne available was an invitation for foreign attacks and the people of Vathinia knew their land was not prepared for more blood spilling.
When the first stars started to timidly shine in the sky, a knock on the bedroom door interrupted Eihhlin's rest. Éomer, who had been holding her in his arms, stood up from the bed and walked to the rather heavy wood door to open it. He couldn't hide his surprised look when he saw Marjut standing there.
-I'm sorry to bother you, Lord éomer, but I've come to tell you that our… relatives will arrive in three days. –the queen of Vathinia stated, looking very tired. –I assume you will participate in the election.
-Of course, my lady. –was Éomer's short reply as he could see the woman wanted to leave and be alone with her thoughts. Her only reply was a slight bow before turning around and walking away from his chambers.
-I heard everything. –Eihhlin stated when her husband returned to her side.
-Then you know we'll have to stay longer than we expected. –he replied, sighing.
-The process can go on for weeks. –she said calmly, although peace did not rule her soul at the moment.
-I know. If it does, I'll have to send you back to Rohan, Eihhlin. –the king continued, hiding his face with his hands: the exhaustion was unbearable.
-I can't leave my brothers, Éomer. –were her suddenly cold words.
-I'll take care of them. You know that. But I can't risk our child's life, Eihhlin. I don't want to force you to go back, but I will do it if the situation demands it. –Éomer replied, looking at his queen. She looked away from him and stood up from the bed, leaving the room in silence. Eihhlin had interpreted his words as a threat to her freedom and it was slowly starting to open a wound inside of her.
While she walked away from the bedroom door, she almost forgot her physical weakness. The idea of leaving her brothers alone when they needed her the most was not an option the beautiful queen of Rohan wanted to consider. Even though her opinion and feelings for Éomer had changed, her priorities hadn't and she couldn't be asked to choose between the two young boys and her yet to be born child.