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Without further ado, Chapter Eight!
Chapter Eight (Third Age 3020)
After the initial parties from Rohan and Gondor arrived, more representatives from King Elessar's princedoms arrived. The halls of the palace in Harad were more full than they had been in a century and Mareke was very busy ensuring that all of their guests were having an enjoyable experience when they were not in conference with one another.
She made sure that meals were sent into her father's council chambers during the day so that the men need not break focus on the very precarious and very important deals they were striking for peace.
It was nearly impossible to convince Adnan that his life had to go on much as it had before all of the visitors had arrived. He thought as the Crown Prince, despite his mere ten years of age, that he should be included in the negotiations.
One morning, as they were sitting at the high table in the dining hall, with the same people who had sat with them at the welcome feast, Mareke was at her wits end.
"I will not be discussing this with you every single morning," she hissed to her son.
Adnan had his arms stubbornly crossed across his chest.
"You are going to your tutors. Now quit fighting me on this. It is not a discussion. You have no other options. Do not make me bring this to your jidd's attention while he has so many other things to tend to."
"Between you and I, Prince Adnan, the negotiations are painfully boring. I cannot imagine that your tutors can be any worse."
Mareke glanced behind her to see Eomer joining them for the morning meal. He pulled his chair out on the other side of her son. Adnan glanced at the huge man from the corner of his eye.
"Perhaps this afternoon when the meetings are over, you and I might go for a horseback ride through the desert?"
Mareke watched as her son instantly brightened.
"That is, of course, if your mother agrees to such a thing," Eomer said, finally looking across the boy to the princess.
"You may take him wherever you like. As long as it is not a burden to you. You also have much to tend to at this time."
"It is not a burden at all," Eomer assured her. "Firefoot will be wondering where I have been. We are used to spending much more time together than this."
"I have not ridden very much since before Na'man left to fight," Adnan said quietly.
Eomer saw his mother flinch at the name of her brother.
"Well we shall have to remedy that," Eomer said. "My people are known for our horsemanship. Perhaps I can teach you a thing or two."
Adnan nodded enthusiastically.
Mareke busied herself with the fruit on her plate, not actually eating anything.
"I will fetch you before dinner," Eomer promised, putting food on his own plate.
When Adnan finished his breakfast, Eomer studied the mother and son as she straightened his hair and tunic.
"Behave yourself today," she said quietly. "Maybe try to learn something instead of thinking you are missing out. You will be grown soon enough and all of these responsibilities will be yours. Do not rush it."
She had her hands on his cheeks and she was running her thumbs over his soft skin.
Eomer could not help but smile to see the affection. Adnan tried to act embarrassed, but it was very clear that he adored his mother.
"Come to my rooms when you are through for the day," Mareke said, placing a kiss on his forehead and sending him on his way. She turned back to Eomer. They had not had much time for any further conversations after the dance they had shared. From morning to evening, the men were in meetings with one another and in the evenings, Mareke would flit from guest to guest to entertain them at the evening meals.
"You really do not have to go out of your way to take him riding," she said. "I do not want to add to your already busy schedule. I would imagine you are not getting enough time to yourself."
"I have not had time to myself since before the War," Eomer said with a chuckle. "Adnan will be much better company than most I spend my days with now."
"If you change your mind," Mareke said. "He will survive."
Before Eomer could speak, Prince Amrothos was laying his hand on Mareke's forearm, stealing her attention away.
"Is there anywhere I can escort you today, Princess?" the younger man asked.
Eomer rolled his eyes. The youngest of Imrahil's sons was proving to be rather superfluous, all things considered. He was not attending meetings as the middle son was doing so with their father and so Amrothos was free to shadow Mareke's steps.
Mareke turned back to Eomer with a small smile, excusing herself from their conversation.
"Actually, I need to go to the kitchens first thing to discuss tomorrow's dinner. With all of the guests finally here, it shall be a little more festive than they have been."
"Excellent," Amrothos replied. "I am quite looking forward to it." He stood and pulled Mareke's chair away from the table before offering her his arm, every bit the courtly gentleman.
"Your Highnesses," Eomer said with a slight bow of his head as they left him at the table alone. He grumbled to himself, wishing he had the free time to escort Mareke to tend to her duties.
He was not left alone long. Eowyn sooned joined her brother at the high table.
"What has you looking so sour?" she asked, taking a seat across from him.
"Nothing," he replied.
But Eowyn had already followed his gaze to the retreating pair. She raised a pale eyebrow at her brother, but said nothing.
ooooOoooo
Mareke spent the rest of the day preparing for the larger dinner that was to take place the following day. Amrothos was her constant companion and she found him rather interesting. He was quick to tell her all about his seaside home and the boats that the Swan Knights utilized.
"I have never seen the sea," Mareke said, as they stopped outside her door.
Amrothos had escorted her back to her rooms as she was expecting Adnan to be done with his lessons shortly.
"It would be an honor to host you and Prince Adnan when we return home," Amrothos offered. "There is much Adnan could learn from our court and from the Knights."
"That is a very generous offer," Mareke said, not giving any indication as to what she intended to do with said offer.
"Is Eomer here?" Adnan asked excitedly as he came bounding around the corner of the corridor.
"Do not be so rude," Mareke admonished. "Say hello to Prince Amrothos."
Adnan looked the man up and down before speaking. "Good afternoon, Prince Amrothos."
"We will see you at dinner tonight," Mareke said, bidding the man farewell. She ushered Adnan into her rooms before her and closed the door gently behind them.
"Where is Eomer?" Adnan demanded.
"Patience. He is very busy. He will not forget about you." She gestured at the fruit on the dining table. "Have something to eat while you wait."
Adnan sat at the table and popped a cherry into his mouth, not amused with having to wait for anything. Mareke sat next to him and tried to ask him questions about his day, but he had very few words for his mother.
A quarter of an hour later, Oyna opened the door and ushered the large king into the sitting room.
"Eomer!" Adnan exclaimed, leaping up from the table.
Mareke noticed that he looked very weary from his long day, but he smiled at her son nonetheless.
"Run to your rooms and fetch your riding boots," Mareke said, looking down at her son's sandaled feet.
Adnan groaned, but did what his mother said.
"Truly, Eomer," Mareke said. "If you do not want to do this, you do not have to."
"I do want to," he assured her. "It will be the best part of my day, I assure you."
"I will take your word for it. If he becomes too tiresome, please bring him back to me. I do not want you to feel as though he is your responsibility."
"He is very well behaved," Eomer replied, having watched the boy closely. Of course he had his mischievous moments, but overall he was very respectful and down-to-earth.
"Are we talking about the same child?" Mareke asked with a light laugh.
"I am sure he is different behind closed doors, with someone he is familiar with."
Adnan came bursting back through the door. "Speak of the devil," Mareke said with a smile at her son. "Behave yourself," she said as Eomer put a heavy hand on his shoulder. "I shall be asking for a full report from Eomer."
"Yes, Mother," Adnan called over his shoulder.
When they had left her chambers, Mareke looked around. After a moment, Oyna came back from the nursery which had been empty since Adnan moved to the Crown Prince's chambers.
"Where did you go?"
"I wanted to give you some privacy."
"I was not going to take him to bed in the few minutes when Adnan was in his rooms," Mareke laughed.
Oyna shrugged. "You never know."
ooooOoooo
Two hours later, Mareke was answering another knock at her door.
"Oh Prince Amrothos," she said, surprised to see him there.
"I thought I might escort you to dinner," he said with a bright smile.
"Thank you." She slipped her hand onto his forearm and they set off down the corridor.
When they entered the dining hall, Adnan came sprinting toward his mother. His hair was windblown and his eyes were wide with excitement.
Without pleasantries, he pulled his mother away from the Dol Amrothian prince. "I went so fast!" he exclaimed. "But you should have seen Eomer and Firefoot." The boy finally stopped when he was at Eomer's side once more and he stared up at the man in awe.
"Oh do not flatter me, Adnan," Eomer said with a chuckle.
"Compliments do not come lightly from this one," Mareke said, running her fingers through her son's unruly curls. He must have been tired because he was leaning his back against her chest, allowing her to touch him in front of others.
Eomer studied the pair and he felt the desperate urge to know what it would feel like to have her tend to him as she did her son. He had seen how gentle she was with Adnan and he had experienced it briefly in Minas Tirith before Aragorn's coronation. He wanted to know what it would be like to have her concerned over his well-being; making sure he was eating and sleeping enough, taking breaks from his work, and making sure he looked presentable.
"Well thank you," Eomer replied. "Adnan sat his horse quite competently. His uncle taught him well," Eomer said gently, looking down at Mareke.
"He would be honored to hear that from one of the Rohirrim," Mareke said, trying to speak around the lump in her throat. "If you will excuse me, there are a few things I need to see to for tomorrow."
Eomer watched the woman go.
"She misses Uncle Na'man," Adnan said, following Eomer's gaze.
"I am sure she does."
Dinner was served and Mareke did not join them, presumably talking to the cooks in the kitchen about the larger dinner that was to take place the following day.
It was only after the dishes had been cleared away that she appeared again. Before she could get to her son though, she was intercepted by one of the newcomers.
"Princess Mareke," the man said. "We have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. I am Prince Eldacar of Pelargir."
Eomer watched the meeting with a furrowed brow.
Pelargir was one of the southernmost princedoms in King Elessar's realm. Out of everyone in Harad besides those who resided there, he was easily the darkest.
"Prince Eldacar," Mareke said with a friendly smile and a slight curtsy. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"I hope we might spend some time together while I am here," he said, white teeth gleaming against his amber skin. "Of course, I am rather busy. King Elessar has entrusted me with the building of Gondor's navy, which will highly impact the trade negotiations that are taking place."
"Oh my," Mareke said. "That is quite the task."
"I am up to the challenge, never fear."
Adnan had been chattering to Eomer, but when he realized that the King was not listening to him, he adjusted his gaze to where his mother was. He found nothing odd about the interaction she was having with the newcomer. Mareke had spent so much of her time recently talking to everyone who was staying in Harad.
"What are we looking at?" he asked Eomer.
Eomer uncrossed his arms and looked down at the boy. "Nothing," he said quickly, neck flushing. He should have known better. The child had become his shadow whenever he was not in council chambers or his own quarters.
"You were looking at Mother," Adnan said.
"Not so," Eomer said. He quickly searched around Mareke for anything else that he could have been looking at. "I was studying the mural on the wall behind her."
Adnan continued to stare at the Rohirric king for a long moment before his grandfather bid the boy to join him with King Elessar.
"You were just caught by a child," Eowyn snickered on her brother's other side.
"You do not know of what you speak," Eomer shot back quickly.
"Oh I think I do," Eowyn replied, still laughing to herself. "You make it rather obvious. I would be more careful if I were you."
Eomer dropped the conversation, not wanting to speak about it.
When Adnan was through with his grandfather, he hurried to his mother's side. Eomer tried to heed his sister's warning; he knew she was right, but still he watched Mareke.
Prince Eldacar visibly soured when the Crown Prince joined them. It made the hair on the back of Eomer's neck rise.
Mareke took Adnan aside and once again he was taken with the amount of care she showed to her son. The boy threaded his arm through his mother's and they walked around the hall, speaking with those who stopped them, but making their way towards the dessert table.
Eomer had learned quickly that Adnan possessed a colossal sweet tooth.
He could not take his eyes away from the pair as they laughed at some inside joke between them; he very much wanted to know what it was.
Mareke lifted a napkin, even as she giggled, to carefully wipe away some cream filling from Adnan's face.
Eomer's countenance turned gloomy when Prince Amrothos joined them at the table, easily joining in on their conversation, laughing right along with them.
He remembered what it was like to have Mareke's midnight laugh directed at him; what it was like to have her smiling up at him. He hated to see her giving those things to someone else and he wondered what had come over him. He did not know her well. They had spent only a few weeks together in Minas Tirith and she had not visited his thoughts often when he was back in Edoras. The more he was around her the more affected he found himself.
"I am going to retire for the evening," Eomer said stiffly to his sister, rising from his seat, unable to look at the laughing threesome any longer.
Eowyn tried not to laugh as she watched her brother depart, his stormy mood going with him.
ooooOoooo
The next day, Mareke was bustling around the palace preparing for the feast and celebration that night. Adnan was with his tutors and all of the men were huddled in her father's council chambers discussing trade routes, war alliances, and all other manner of political topics.
"Princess Mareke!"
Mareke turned and saw that Eowyn was following her down the corridor, waving.
"Ah, Lady Eowyn," Mareke paused with a smile. "Are you well?"
"Quite. I was just wandering around, admiring your home. And please, Eowyn will do just fine."
"I hope everything has been to your liking thus far," Mareke replied.
"Very much so. I never thought to see a place such as this." When Mareke raised an eyebrow, Eowyn continued. "It is a good thing, I assure you."
"I am glad."
The conversation hit a lull, Mareke not knowing exactly what the other woman wanted from her.
Eowyn sighed. "I must admit I am terribly bored while they are all in their meetings. It is infuriating to be left out."
Mareke nodded.
"Do you not find it insufferable to be relegated to taking care of the women's work while important conversations are being had?"
"We cannot all be shieldmaidens," she replied with a light laugh. "Come with me while I finish a few things for tonight and then we can go to my rooms."
Eowyn trailed behind Mareke for another hour as she stopped into the kitchens, checked on the cleaning of the dining hall, and made sure that the musicians had arrived and were preparing.
When they arrived back in Mareke's rooms, she sent Oyna to fetch a cool beverage and refreshments.
Mareke led Eowyn outside. Near to her private pool there was a shaded area where a breeze blew through. They settled themselves under the canopy on silk cushions, Mareke folding her legs underneath herself and studying the other woman.
They had not spoken much since Eowyn's arrival in Harad and they had had the briefest of encounters in Minas Tirith.
"I do not find it insufferable to tend to the happenings of my father's court," Mareke said, answering the question from before. "I have put more meaning into it than just making sure the food is right and the musicians play music that will have everyone dancing."
"And what is that meaning?"
"Forgive me for being forward, but I think you might understand it very soon," Mareke said with a small smile. "I know that if this visit from other Realms goes well, my son will have an easier time of it when he comes to the throne. If you and our other guests can at least look back on your time in Harad favorably, then perhaps Adnan will not have to deal with the strife and uncertainty that my father has had to overcome during his reign."
"How did you know?" Eowyn asked, laying a gentle hand across her still flat stomach.
"I am a healer and a mother myself. It is rather obvious if you know for what you're looking."
Eowyn laughed. "I suppose that is true."
"Does Lord Faramir know?" Mareke asked.
"I did not tell him until we arrived here," Eowyn said with a rueful smile. "I was afraid he might not let me come if he had known beforehand. That is why Queen Arwen remained in Minas Tirith after all, though she is much further along."
Eowyn was silent for a moment and Mareke studied her. Her long, fair hair was pushed behind her shoulders and she was looking down at her hands clasped in her lap. She briefly looked up when Oyna set a tray between them and then went back into the cool chambers.
"I am nervous," Eowyn said quietly.
"As are all mothers. Especially the first time," Mareke said.
"I did not have my mother for very long. I was only seven when she passed. My uncle had no queen in his halls. The only women around me were serving women and there was such a distance there."
Mareke nodded. "I lost my mother when I was a little older than Adnan."
"You seem to be both a natural at running a court and at being a mother. I am afraid I am not what Faramir needs in a wife and I fear I will not be what our child needs in a mother."
"I have been doing both things for a long while now, but I can assure you I make mistakes all of the time. I left my son and got myself captured. He thought I was dead. Of course, that is a large mistake, but there are daily errors that I make with him."
"But he is happy."
"Children are resilient and they see the best in most situations. They have an innate ability to be delighted by the smallest of things. No one knows how to be exactly what their child, or their people for that matter, need. You all learn and grow together."
Eowyn nodded. "I will take comfort in your words."
"You should. You will be just fine and your child will love you. Lord Faramir clearly adores you."
"Mother!"
Adnan came sprinting outside, crashing down onto the cushions, not realizing that his mother had company.
"You are a heathen, child," she laughed.
Adnan looked over at Eowyn. "I am sorry, Lady Eowyn."
"I was quite the reckless child as well. No need to apologize."
Adnan reached for a biscuit and immediately took over the conversation. While he lounged against his mother's side, much more acceptable amongst women, he quizzed Eowyn on Rohan and their horses. He wanted to know much more from Eomer, but he did not get to spend enough time with the King.
Eowyn happily went along, telling him also of their shieldmaidens. He was fascinated with how they were trained to fight and protect their Realm right alongside the male eoreds.
Adnan rose to prepare for the feast. He looked back down at his mother and Eowyn. "I think I shall marry a shieldmaiden."
"Eomer can introduce you to plenty when the time is right," Eowyn replied, barely containing her laughter as the boy left.
ooooOoooo
Eomer wanted to turn around and go straight back to his rooms the second he walked into the dining hall.
Mareke was greeting the guests once more, or that is what he imagined she was supposed to be doing, but Prince Eldacar had drawn her aside. She was visibly uncomfortable, knowing that she was neglecting her duties to her other guests.
Eomer stepped closer to the pair.
"I am making major renovations to the Prince's home in Pelargir. The princess' chambers will be unlike anything seen before. The epitome of luxury," Eldacar was saying. He continued detailing those plans until he noticed that Eomer was behind him.
"Your Majesty," both Eldacar and Mareke said.
"Princess Mareke," Eomer said after a curt nod to the other man. "I was hoping you might be able to help me with something ahead of the meetings I am having tomorrow."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Mareke said, taking the arm he offered and excusing herself from Prince Eldacar's conversation. "What can I help you with? I am not sure I am exactly the right person," she said, when they were further away.
"Oh," Eomer laughed. "There was nothing. You just looked rather uncomfortable with him."
Mareke gave a sigh. "You have no idea." She released his arm and looked around until she found Adnan. "Enjoy the feast, Eomer," she said quietly, walking towards her son.
He wanted to keep her with him, preferably all night. Her presence at his side had been a comfort. After the days of long meetings and returning to his empty rooms at night, he often found himself thinking back to the counsel she had offered him in Minas Tirith on the nights when he would return to her. After watching her move around the court and engage with her father, he then understood where her wisdom came from and he wanted it for himself.
The night went on and Mareke barely had time to sit down. There were many more people to talk with and entertain.
As soon as the music started up though, Amrothos was back at her side. "Would you care to dance?"
Mareke smiled warmly at him. "That would be lovely. It might even be relaxing after the evening I have had."
"You have designed an absolutely wonderful stay for all of your guests," Amrothos said kindly, spinning her under his arm and onto the floor.
"It is important," she said, summarizing the conversation she had previously had with Eowyn in those few words.
"Indeed. You make it look very easy, I must say," Amrothos said, looking down at her. "It seems you were born to do it."
Mareke shook her head and gave a laugh. "I assure you I was not. You can learn anything if you make enough mistakes."
Eomer sat once more and watched the Princess. Even more than her conversation with Eldacar, he hated to watch her with Amrothos. He had to admit that the Prince was handsome. Tall and lean like his father and brothers with dark hair and chiselled features, it could not be denied.
It was easier to watch Mareke with the Prince of Pelargir because it was obvious that she did not enjoy her time with him, but watching her with the youngest of the Princes of Dol Amroth was a different story entirely.
Her laughs and smiles were genuine and it seemed as though there was not one single break in their conversation.
The feelings he was experiencing were still bewildering to him, but growing harder and harder to fight nonetheless.
Eowyn studied her brother, but she did not say anything that night. She could tell that whatever he had felt for Mareke in Minas Tirith, which she had thought might just have been born out of desperation, was becoming much more.
After a few more dances, Eomer stood to leave. He had not bothered to cut in and Amrothos had only left Mareke's side for a couple of dances, bending to his Gondoran propriety like the perfect gentleman would even though he was clearly anxious to have her back in his arms.
"Eomer," Eowyn said gently to her brother.
He glanced back down at her, but continued on his way.
ooooOoooo
The following evening it was another subdued meal without the lavish feast and music. When Mareke managed to finally sit down and eat her own meal, she glanced over at Eomer's empty chair.
"Where is Eomer-King?" she asked Eowyn.
"He said that he had quite a lot of work to do before his meetings tomorrow. He has requested his meal in his rooms."
Mareke nodded and sat there for a while longer before she quietly stole away to the kitchens.
"Do you have a tray for the Rohirric King?" she asked the head cook.
"Yes, Your Highness," the woman gestured to the counter to her right. "A servant is on their way to take it to his rooms."
"No need. I shall do it," she said, lifting the tray herself.
Mareke took the long way, sticking to less traveled corridors as she made her way to Eomer's rooms.
"Come in," he called, when there was a knock at his door.
Mareke balanced the tray and opened the door. Eomer did not look up as she sat it on the dining table where he was working.
When she did not disappear, he looked up in annoyance, only to flush scarlet when he saw her and realized his mistake.
"Mareke," he said quickly, standing. "I am so sorry. I did not think it would be you to bring my dinner."
"I was looking for something else to do," she said with a smile. "Why sit down and enjoy myself when I can continue to bustle around."
Eomer gave her a small smile.
"Why are you not eating with everyone else?" she asked.
"I have work to do."
"Hmmm. I am sure you do. So does everyone else and they are all in the dining hall mingling and continuing on with the diplomacy."
Eomer gave a shrug. "I cannot speak to what they are doing."
"True enough," she responded. "I shall leave you to it."
Mareke headed for the door, but Eomer called out to her.
"The work is a lie," he said quietly, when she turned back around. He took a deep breath and released it. "I could not stand to see you with that Dol Amrothian princeling another evening," he grumbled.
"Prince Amrothos?" Mareke asked, trying to hold back a laugh.
"Yes, Prince Amrothos. He is not worthy of you," Eomer said, not looking up from the scroll before him. "He flounces around here, not attending meetings, not adding anything of value really. He has no role at home and he serves no purpose here."
"Surely you are being rather unfair. He has done nothing to you," Mareke said.
"He takes your time," Eomer replied forcefully, finally looking up.
The heat of his gaze stopped Mareke in her tracks.
"You have not asked for any of my time," she replied quietly. "I thought you quite disliked me after our initial encounter here. I am not sure why Prince Amrothos bothers you so much."
"Because I would that it were I dancing with you and laughing with you."
Mareke looked a bit taken aback. "I do not know why it could not be," she said.
"I have known you. I want more than to twirl you around a dancefloor," Eomer said, not breaking eye contact. "And so I must remain aloof."
"Must you?"
"Dammit, Mareke!" Eomer said, irritated that she was purposely, it seemed, missing his point. "Nothing is the same as it was in Minas Tirith. You are a princess now. I cannot take you to bed, which I want more than anything. It did not matter then. No one cared about the honor of a healer far from home, but you are the daughter of the King and the mother to the next one."
Mareke looked at him for a long moment, lingering in the burning of his anger and desperation.
"I was a princess then. I was a daughter and mother then. I knew those things and I still bedded you," she finally said in as even a tone as she could manage.
"What are you saying?"
"I would do it again."
Before Eomer could reach for her, she had slipped out of his rooms, disappearing like smoke.
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know what you thought! I enjoy your reviews so much! I'm also open to constructive criticism and any ideas you have for the plot or characters! Share whatever you've got!
Happy reading,
Avonmora