The Lady and the Lord
Disclaimer: Everything is owned, with the exception of Kelley and other minor characters by the estate of JRR Tolkien and from LOTR trilogy by Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema. I am not receiving any profit off this work of fiction.
AN: I have no excuses for the lack of updates but hope you enjoy this chapter regardless. In case you have forgotten, the battle for Helm's Deep has been won and Kelley, along with her children have met Eomer, along with the rest of the forces at Dunharrow and are seeing him off to Gondor. This chapter is a little bit longer than normal but ends at a good spot and also thought ya'll might like it as well. Enjoy and God bless.
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Last Night
"Kelley, my love." Eomer finally drew away, his kisses have nearly stolen the very breath from my lungs.
I wanted to speak, to express my relief he survived a massive battle, but could not do so, could not force the words from my throat, from my mouth, only clung to him for another moment.
Eomer seeing this, guided me toward the tent where Eowyn and Théoden King were already heading. The meal that eve was simple faire but it was a time well spent. Eowyn and I were introduced to Merry, one of the hobbits Aragorn mentioned, and he was an absolute joy. Soon my father, children and a few other Eorlingas Lords joined us for the meal. Through most of the meal, Merry kept us entertained with songs and stories of the Shire. Eomund, still a bit too young to notice, sat on my lap but Erlina after having met an elf and dwarf was utterly fascinated and was often chattering away with him. At some point the talk turned to the war, both the King and Eomer lamenting at where Aragorn and his company had chosen to go, that they would ride to Gondor not the morrow, but the following. Though as it grew to be later, Eomund fell asleep curled in his father's arms while Erlina, still awake was now sitting quietly with her aunt.
As a particular conversation waned, I turned to my husband, speaking quietly. "I think it is time for the little ones to be in bed."
Eomer nodded and after a moment handed me Eomund. "I will get Erlina."
We said our goodnights with our daughter kissing and hugging her grandfather, aunt and great uncle goodnight. Once back in our tent, Eomund settled easily but Eomer sang several songs to Erlina before she finally settled into sleep. Eomer and I lay quietly together, rarely speaking as we loved each other in the dark night.
The following morrow seemed to come late, the sun not as bright. The men planning the journey to Gondor as more erodes and men joining the camp. Eowyn found armor that fit Merry though I doubted Théoden King would allow the hobbit to ride with them into battle. It was earlier in the day when I learned my father and Lord Erkenbrand would stay behind, guarding the women and children left in the Mark. My father also because someone would have to guard the herds that might be needed to later go to Gondor to see the men home. It was rather a relief to hear but for selfish reasons as if I had to steward the Mark, I would need his guidance and help. I did not want to lose both my husband and father.
The day passed much too quickly, the sun setting earlier than normal and I shivered as I watched the sun begin to disappear behind the mountains feeling it would never rise again.
"It will rise again." Eomer had come up from behind me, wrapping his arms around me, warming me instantly. He and Théoden King had been with Eowyn and I had stepped outside to give them some time alone.
The air was cold but as we stood holding each other watching the stars come out, I did not notice. Someone, in the distant was playing a fiddle and we danced to it, enjoying it together. After a few lively tunes it changed to a slow, nearly mournful sound that caused Eomer to pull me close and instead we swayed gently together in the growing moonlight. I enjoyed his touches, his kisses but as they became deeper he pulled away and led me to our tents. We greeted others on our way but did not stop to talk. Once we were settled in, Eomer did not speak and I was not sure what words should be said.
He gently squeezed my hand before leaning down to kiss me. Holding each other close, we let our love and passion take over, as if this was going to be the last night together, sharing our love for each other one last time.
When our lovemaking was done, we lay quietly together, our bodies wrapped around each other. Eomer finally spoke into the silence. "I know you desire to return to our home, but I think it would be better to return to Edoras." I nearly protested his words but he continued. "With Theodred gone and Uncle and I away, I would not have Eowyn alone."
I nodded against him, wanting nothing more than to ask him to stay but knew he would not, could not stay. I felt his roughened fingers running through my hair, smoothing them between his fingers as if memorizing everyone.
"Kelley." His voice was low and tender. "If I do not return, promise me, you will find love again."
I raised my head and gazed into his eyes, his dark serious eyes. He truly meant it and I started to shake my head.
"Promise me, Kelley, that you will be happy, have more children, find someone to help you rule until to when Eomund can."
I knew fighting Mordor itself, there was a chance he would not return to me, but knew I could not do what he asked. "Eomer, after loving you, there would be no man that could compare to you, that I would be happy again."
"Before I ride to war, at least promise me this, that you would live, raise our children, see their children grow." His eyes darkened even more as he nearly pleaded with me. "Do not waste away because I have gone to my fathers."
His voice had gone nearly desperate and I realized how much his mother's death of grief still affected him. But at least in this I could comfort him. "I can promise you that I will fight death with everything in me, that I will not leave our children orphans." I reached up, stroking his beloved face. "I may not be the same without you but I will not waste away into nothing."
I felt his suddenly tense body relax around me as he gently kissed me. "I do not want to leave you but you know I must go, to protect our lands, our way of life, the women and children, those not strong enough to fight."
"I know." I blinked away the tears, not wanting to cry, not wanting him to remember them. "You are strong, you will return to me, as you always have."
His smile was bittersweet. "You have such faith, such hope, we may not have enough men to break the lines of Mordor. Aragorn may not return. But we must make a stand."
"He will." My words were quiet but somehow in the depths of my heart believed them.
Eomer stared at me for a long moment before asking. "Do you not doubt, do you not fear?"
"Aye, sometimes I do." I traced my fingers across his face, down his jaw and throat, absently moving them across his shoulders. "But I have to hope Sauron will be defeated and we can rebuild the Mark in peace."
"I love you Kelley. You are the reason I will come home."
"I love you too." My voice trembled, my limbs slightly shaking.
One of his hands rubbed my bare shoulder, his warmth seeping into me, easing the tremors across my body. His kiss was long and slow, as if he did not want it to end, to take him into battle. The passion slowly built between us again, both of us prolonging it, wanting to savor every touch, every kiss, as if it would be our last, to remember in the coming separation.
As our lovemaking came to end, we lay quietly together, as if speaking would shatter the feelings between us. After spending the energy loving my husband, I could feel the pull of sleep, of rest, but fought it.
Eomer gently kissed me, his eyes closing as well, as if telling me it was okay and we both drifted off.
"My Lord Eomer." A voice calling outside our tent woke us sometime later. "Théoden King requests your presence."
Eomer was already rising, tucking the blankets back around me. "Go back to sleep Kelley, it is still dark."
I cuddled into the warmth of his vacated presence and closed my eyes, drifting back to sleep. Though voices and movement from outside the tent soon aroused me and something in the tones I heard made it not feel right. Sighing, wanting to know what was happening, I rose from our bed, quickly dressed and went to find my husband. Seeing a servant, carrying a tray toward the King's tent, I caught him and took it from him, going myself to see to my husband and his uncle. Merry stood outside the tent, looking slightly scared.
"A messenger has come from Gondor." He said in a quiet voice.
I felt my heart beat a little faster, but thankfully holding the tray my hands remained steady. "Would you like to come in?"
He stood frozen for only a moment before disappearing into the surrounding darkness. Giving a small sigh, deciding to let him be, I turned to the tent. One of the guards opened the tent flap and I stepped into it. I busied myself with preparing the tea and food before passing it to the men, hearing that Muhlenberg was surrounded by hosts of orcs and the Steward of Gondor Lord Denethor was calling for immediate aid. After assuring the man the hosts of the Mark would soon leave, he was on his way.
A short time later, I helped Théoden King and Eomer into their armor as they ordered the squires to saddle and bring their horses. By this time, I was rather experienced at it and in a small part felt I was helping him survive, to come home to his family. Finally I buckled his sword around him and he leaned down, gently kissing me. Althea brought the children in before stepping out of the way and as Eomer said his goodbyes to them, I felt the King place a hand upon my shoulder, turning my attention.
"Kelley my dear." He spoke for a moment on his confidence that Eowyn and I would lead the Mark well in their absence. Then he gently touched my cheek, his voice quiet. "I do not think I can ever thank you enough for loving Eomer and giving him a family he will always want to return to."
"You are welcome." I managed a smile. "He has made me just as happy."
He smiled, joy mixed with sadness in his eyes. He leaned down, kissing the top of my head before going over to Eomer to also tell the little one's goodbye.
After a few moments, Eomer came back over to me, motioning for Alitha to take the children. He then took my hand and in silence, following his uncle, we left the tent. Théoden King gave some instructions to his guards, giving us a moment or two for a final goodbye. Eomer leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine, his arms closing tightly around me. I breathed in his scent, his mere presence. He would survive, he would come back to me, to our family, this darkness would not last. But yet, I knew he could not come home, not hold or kiss me again, this darkness could be our end. I tried to calm the trembles but found I could not but the tears I pushed back, I had to be strong, had to show there was hope, I had to believe it.
"I will love you Kelley, to my last breath." His voice was deep and low, sending more tremors down my spine.
"I love you too." I managed before he gave me a deep kiss, full of love but yet desperate.
He finally pulled away, knowing they needed to be leaving. Théoden King was now already mounting his horse, not too far from us. I knew he could not find the words he wanted to say and I gave him a smile to show it was alright.
Taking my hand, he led me to where Firefoot stood waiting. Letting go of my hand, he mounted his horse in one smooth motion. Taking the reins in one hand, he leaned down to give me a gentle kiss. We stared into each other's eyes for long moments until Théoden King spoke.
"Eomer, we must leave."
My husband sighed before giving me one last kiss. "Goodbye my love, stay strong."
Before I could even speak, he wheeled Firefoot around and joined his uncle and began to leave, calling the men to war. Watching him ride away, maybe for forever, I forced the tears away, knowing once they started they would not stop. I needed to stay strong.
I heard someone come to stand by me and felt my daughter's arms wrap around my legs. I bent down to pick her up, holding her close, needing something to hold onto. My father, who must have gotten them from the tent, holding Eomund in an arm, put his other on my shoulder.
We watched as the entire Rohirrim army pulled out, riding to Gondor and to war. Once they were gone we slowly began to take down the camp and prepared to leave. "Have you seen Eowyn?" I asked, not having remembered to see her anywhere the last several hours.
Lady Elfhelm who had been near me, shook her head. "Not since yesterday eve come to think."
I did not like the feeling settling into my middle and I turned and wordlessly headed toward her tent. Entering it, I found her dress laying upon her cot, her sword and armor gone. Behind me I heard the Lady Elfhelm murmur. "Oh no. What do we do?"
"Nothing. We would be hard pressed to find her in an army of men."
We soon noticed Merry was also gone, obviously ridden with Eowyn. We finished our work, despite the darkness and rode back to Edoras.
As we approached the city, my father who was riding next to me, spoke quietly. "Do you want me to stay longer than tonight?"
I gave a sigh before shaking my head, though tempted to tell him yes. "Aldburg and the herds need you. I need to do this myself."
My father smiled, as if already knowing my answer. "Very well. You will be fine."
Once we arrived, I saw several of the returning councilors along with the household staff standing on the platform outside the Golden Hall. Welcoming greetings were accepted as well as the welcome cups. Though I had barely set the cup on the tray, ignoring the questioning look in Edwina's, the housekeeper, eyes when Lord Osric was upon me.
"Where is the Lady Eowyn?" He asked a frown upon his face, glancing around at the arrivals.
I only briefly turned to him. "She has ridden to war with the rest of the host." I turned back to Edwina. "My father is staying the night, if you can have a room prepared for him and his men will need food and lodging. The Lord and Lady Erkenbrand are staying with Lady Elfhelm tonight."
"Of course my lady." She nodded her head to me. "There is plenty of water heating, I thought you and any other ladies would like a bath after days in a tent."
"Thank you." I managed a smile. "Please have dinner be brought to us in my room, we will not be eating in the hall." With that, I turned and with my father and children, headed into the hall. I tried not to think if this would be the first of many times I would enter the Golden Hall without being by my husband's side.