A/N:
This is a disclaimer that Lord of the Rings belongs to JRR Tolkien and Peter Jackson not myself. No copyright infringement is intended with this work.
I would like to thank my beta reader lawsomeantics38 for making this story better.
Chapter One
Shortly after the midday meal there was a knock on the door of his office which distracted Eomer from where he stood and looked out onto the streets of Minas Tirith. Eothain, who now served him as the Captain of the King's Riders, answered the door and then handed Eomer a piece of paper. Eomer opened the paper to read:
Hail Eomer son of Eomund, Third Marshal of the Riddermark:
If you have leisure this day I would discuss some matters of state that would be benefit both Rohan and Dorwinion. Please provide an answer to my servant at your earliest opportunity.
Respectfully Wymond son of Herry, King of Dorwinion
Eomer placed the paper on his desk and looked at Eothain.
"Is there a problem Eomer?"
"No. But I have been invited to a meeting with King Wymond of Dorwinion. Do you know of him?"
"No, I do not. I have heard that the lands of Dorwinion are very fertile with abundant crops, gardens, and vineyards. Now that the war is over, mayhap King Wymond wishes to negotiate a trade deal with Rohan."
"I suspect that I will discover his intentions soon," Eomer said. He opened the door to find a servant dressed in grey and red livery.
"Follow me my lord," the young man said. As Eomer left the room Eothain walked behind him. It had taken some adjustment to having a personal guard both day and night, but Eomer knew that as he would soon be crowned the King of Rohan, it was necessary. The white stone of Minas Tirith gave the city a certain beauty, but the stone still felt cold to him compared to the wooden halls of Meduseld or the tents he had slept in while he was a Marshal.
'Though the city had other compensations,' mused Eomer. He had not cared overmuch for the formality of King Aragorn's coronation yesterday. The coronation feast that evening had been more to his liking, as there had been good food, good ale, and plenty of beautiful women to look at. He was not renowned for his dancing abilities and he was not overly familiar with the dances of Gondor. Nevertheless, Eomer had danced at least one song with his sister and every unattached noblewoman in the room between twenty and thirty years. The first had been for his own pleasure, while the second had been to appease his councillors who had made it clear after the war had been won that he was to seek a suitable wife with all due haste. It had been some time since Rohan had a Queen but as he had no heirs Eomer knew such a thing was necessary.
In his eyes the most captivating noblewomen at the feast last night had been Prince Faramir's cousin Lothiriel, the Princess of Dol Amroth. Eomer had found her to be light on her feet and courteous with her words. The fact that she was also quite beautiful had not gone unnoticed by him and several other noblemen in the room. But Princess Lothiriel was also eight years younger then himself and did not speak the language of the Mark or know the customs of the Eorlingas. So he was uncertain if she would consider him as a potential suitor. He wished to spend more time with Princess Lothiriel to be certain if she would make a good Queen of Rohan.
His thoughts were brought to a halt by the servant who stopped and knocked on a wooden door.
"Enter," came a voice from within. The servant opened the door. Eomer took a deep breath and then entered the room with Eothain. The King's Rider moved to the right side of the door while the servant stood on the left side of the door. Inside the room there were two chairs in front of a large wooden desk and another chair behind the desk. A woman in a hooded grey cloak sat in the right hand chair while another servant dressed in the same livery but with a sword by his side stood beside the fireplace behind the desk. A man with grey eyes and hair rose from the chair behind the desk. He walked closer to Eomer and then bowed.
"Hail, Lord Eomer. I am King Wymond. I am glad you came to see me so quickly after you received my missive. Please allow me to introduce you to my daughter Lady Frige, Princess of Dorwinion," he stated and gestured to the woman in the chair. She rose gracefully and turned to him, then removed the hood of her cloak.
"Hail, Lord Eomer," Princess Frige gravely intoned as she curtsied to him. As she did so Eomer took a moment to take in her appearance. She wore a blue dress under a grey cloak. A black veil covered her hair, neck, and face. Her garments appeared costly but they were not as ornate as King Wymond's tunic and cloak. The veil was made of sheer black lace which allowed him to see that Princess Frige had an oval face with a long nose, grey eyes, and a thick mouth. Her figure was full while her brown hair was loose and ended midway down her torso. Unlike many noblewomen, she wore no jewellery. Like most women of his acquaintance she was shorter then him as the top of her head came to the middle of his chest. Eomer was no expert in knowing the age of a woman. But while it was clear that Princess Frige was not in the first flush of youth, she was not a crone either. He bowed to her.
"Well met, Princess Frige," he stated.
"Please have a seat. Before we begin, can I get my servant to fetch either of you food or drink?" King Wymond stated. Eomer shook his head while Princess Frige said nothing. King Wymond nodded as they all sat down.
"Princess Frige, please read this scroll," King Wymond said as he reached into one of the drawers of the desk and drew out a long scroll. Princess Frige leaned forward and then took the scroll from him. She bent her head down and began to read slowly and methodically. Eomer tried to be patient but that was not a trait he was not known for. He was about to speak when she finished reading and set the scroll down on the desk.
"What think you of this contract?" King Wymond wondered.
"Tell me why I should sign it," she stated firmly as she looked at King Wymond. Eomer looked at her closely. Why was she defying her father and king? Given his frown her father clearly had the same question. He straightened then rested his hands on the desk.
"Allow me to speak plainly. With the death of your husband and your brother in the Battle of Dale, the task has fallen to me to decide what your fate shall be. I would not wish for you to be unhappy. But if you spent the rest of your life living with your sister by marriage and her husband then I know you would not be content and neither would your children. Neither would Princess Hilda or Elred for that matter. From what I have heard of Lord Eomer he is a noble and strong man who would protect and provide for you and your children. So you will sign this marriage contract to him. In return I will ensure Rohan is compensated handsomely," King Wymond insisted.
On hearing this, Eomer rose to his feet and leaned towards the other man.
"No man of honour would insist that a widow with children is given away to another man for the reason that she is a burden to them. What manner of man are you?" he angrily questioned. King Wymond did not appear to be intimated by his appearance or the tone of his voice as he looked at Eomer.
"Lord Eomer, there is more at stake here then the well-being of Princess Frige and her children. You threaten much with your intemperate words. You may not know that Dorwinion does not have any trade with Rohan at this time. I did establish a trade deal with Rohan early in my reign, but that ended when the caravans stopped coming to Edoras due to the roads being unsafe. As I recall, Theoden King would not answer my letters on that subject. But I am prepared to negotiate a new trade deal with Rohan if you sign this contract."
"You do not care for my daughter or her children but what of your own people? Do you wish them to go hungry this winter after the fields of the Riddermark have been burned by Dunlendings and orcs? Gondor will send you aid if you ask for it but you cannot be certain that their help will be enough to provide for all of your people. Dale would aid you if they could but they have been attacked by Easterlings and so do not have many goods to trade at this time. The same is true of Mirkwood and Erebor. Our fields were not affected by this war and thus we have food, small livestock, and other goods to spare. Would you inflict a famine on your people after they have already suffered a war because you have too much pride to accept aid? Is the pride of the Rohirrim that strong?"
"I am also aware that you have no heirs. Do you not want a son to pass on your lands and crown to after your passing? My daughter is twenty and eight years old so she is able to have more children. Her blood is also noble on both sides of her family so none of your subjects will object to her becoming your queen."
King Wymond finished speaking.
Eomer took two deep breaths before he slowly sat back down in the chair. He could not deny that the older man did speak some truth, reluctant though he was to acknowledge it.
"I will read your marriage contract. If I find the terms satisfactory, if you can prove to me that Lady Frige is a Princess, and if she agrees to wed, then I will sign the scroll," Eomer stated as he sat. King Wymond nodded then passed over the scroll to him. Eomer read the contract carefully. The goods that King Wymond was prepared to give to Rohan if he wed Princess Frige would aid a great deal in feeding the Eorlingas this coming winter and in days beyond that. Eomer had not yet considered what other realms might give to Rohan in aid but he knew the needs of the Mark were dire. The Eorlingas must come first, Eomer told himself. Was that not one of the chief duties of a king, to look after the welfare of his land and his people?
As the husband of Princess Frige, Eomer would be required to educate her three children. He would also provide all four of them with clothes, food, and shelter. If she was a Princess then she had been taught how to manage a large household. Eomer had no knowledge of such matters as he had left that task to Eowyn and the steward of Medusled. The marriage contract would be null and void if the marriage was not consummated or there were no male heirs within five years of the contract being signed. Eomer looked at Princess Frige briefly. She was not beautiful but she was not ugly either. Eomer had lain with women before but he had less experience in that matter then most of the Riders. Ever since he had become the Third Marshal at twenty and six years there had been no time for women. Finally Eomer read to the end of the contract and set it back on the desk.
"The terms of the contract are satisfactory King Wymond. But I do require proof that your daughter is indeed the Princess of Dorwinion. I also require her consent." Princess Frige looked at him then reached into her cloak. She drew out a diadem of silver and diamonds that twinkled in the light before she carefully set the jewellery down on the table.
"This piece of jewellery is known as the Diadem of Joy. It was crafted by the dwarves of Erebor and was given to me as a wedding gift by Cerdic, my late husband. Ask any of them to identify it. Given the losses of Erebor in the war I would return it to them so they could sell it to feed their people. But the pride of dwarves would not allow such a thing so it has remained in my possession." Princess Frige told him. He nodded.
"I know a dwarf who hails from Erebor. May I take this to him?"
"Aye. But return here as soon as you are able. I do have other business to attend to," King Wymond stated before Princess Frige could answer. Eomer nodded curtly to him then more courteously to Princess Frige before he carefully tucked the jewellery away in his tunic and left the room. Eothain and King Wymond's servant followed him down to the kitchens. He may find Gimli there. But whether or not he did Eomer wished for an ale after that conversation.
The cunning of King Wymond reminded him of Grima though he was not certain if the King of Dorwinion was quite as odious as that vile worm of a man had been. Eomer was aware that some kings were not as noble and honourable as others and that some had made terrible mistakes in judgement. But he had not been prepared for how calculating King Wymond had been. If his daughter had been younger and more attractive then Eomer suspected that he would have been on his guard, given how many parents, uncles, and aunts of young noblewomen he had encountered last night during the coronation feast. But a widow with children had roused his ire and later his sympathy. The fact that Princess Frige had lost both her husband and brother in battle was a serious misfortune. But now for her fate to be manipulated by her father and king unsettled him. He knew that she was far from the first woman to be used in such a manner by powerful men. Until now he had disregarded such incidents as something distasteful but nothing more. Eowyn had told him once that men had power and choice while women had neither. He had not gotten into a debate with her at the time as his mind had been focused on cleaning his armour after his latest patrol. But now he mentally agreed with her on that subject.
As he suspected, Eomer found Gimli eating at a small table in front of the kitchens. The dwarf raised a chicken leg in salute.
"Well met, Eomer. Come sit with me. Would you care for some ale? It is not as strong as the ale of Rohan but it is tolerable," he stated.
"That would be agreeable," replied Eomer. Gimli nodded and poured Eomer a glass, then he went back to eating his chicken. Eomer drank his ale and pondered how to ask Gimli to identify the jewellery without it being a matter of getting back to his sister or King Elessar.
"Unless I'm mistaken something is on your mind." Eomer nodded and set down his ale.
"It is indeed. But can I count on you to remain discreet? This business must be kept private fo the time being," Eomer insisted as he leaned somewhat closer to the dwarf. Gimli looked around him and then nodded. They were largely alone but not entirely. Eomer reached inside his tunic and removed the piece of jewellery that Princess Frige had given to him. Gimli's quiet gasp told him he recognized it as he gently took the diadem from Eomer's hands.
"Ah, the Diadem of Joy. This is a lovely piece and even lovelier was the lady who wore it on her wedding day, Princess Frige of Dorwinion. My second cousin crafted this and a fine piece of work it is too. The motif of grapes on a vine were used because they are found on the flag of Dorwinion. But how came you by this jewellery? Is Princess Frige in Gondor?"
"Indeed. But no more then that can I say. Thank you, and remember to remain silent about this matter," stated Eomer as he tucked the jewellery away into his tunic.
"Now if you will excuse me I have business to attend to. If my sister or anyone else asks after me then tell them I will be found at the evening meal but am not to be disturbed before them." Eomer concluded as he rose from the table. Gimli nodded then poured himself another mug of ale.
Eomer quickly left the room with Eothain and was soon escorted back to where he came by King Wymond's servant. The man knocked on the door then remained outside when Eomer entered the room. Eothain took up his places just inside the door once more. Eomer handed the diadem back to Princess Firge and sat down again. She put the jewellery inside her cloak.
"So are you satisfied that I am indeed Lady Frige, Princess of Dorwinion, Lord Eomer?" she asked.
"Aye, I am. I believe you understand why such measures are necessary," he stated. He would not be tricked into marriage to a woman that was not who she claimed to be, Eomer thought.
"Indeed. I will consent to this marriage," she responded.
"Are you certain? You do not know me," he replied. She looked at him a long moment.
"No, I do not. But I would not wish the people of the Riddermark to starve if there is something that can be done to prevent it. All of us have suffered enough in this recent war without having to face more hardship in days to come," Princess Frige stated firmly. Her concern for the fate of the Eorlingas was what swayed Eomer's decision.
"I agree, which is why I will sign this marriage contract," declared Eomer. He took up the scroll, quill, and ink pot that King Wymond moved in his direction. He signed his name and fixed his seal to the bottom. Princess Frige signed after him then handed the contract to King Wymond who signed his name and affixed his seal to the scroll. He rolled up the scroll and placed it into his tunic.
"Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your betrothal. The wedding will be held in Rohan upon your return there. Once that is completed then I will negotiate further trade with Rohan," King Wymond stated. Eomer nodded.
"When will you expect me to travel to Rohan with you?" Princess Frige asked.
"I will leave Gondor a week hence to attend to affairs of state in Rohan. I will return to Minas Tirith in July for the funeral procession of Theoden King to Edoras. Once he is buried then we will be wed and formally crowned as the King and Queen of Rohan," Eomer replied.
"I see," Princess Frige stated.
"My daughter and I will accompany you back to Edoras in the funeral procession," King Wymond declared. Eomer nodded in agreement.
"Until we meet again King Wymond, Princess Frige," Eomer replied as he rose.
"Farewell Lord Eomer," Princess Frige stated. A moment later Eomer went out the door and hurried back to his room. He had just sat down behind his desk when Eothain cleared his throat.
"May I speak freely?"
"Of course you may. You are no longer the second in command of my eored but I still value your insight."
"I know the Riddermark is in dire straits at this time. We will need aid from many other kingdoms to see us through the winter and mayhap even in times after that. But you should not have sacrificed your own future to ensure that. Aye, you are king. But you also deserve just as much happiness at the next man or woman of Rohan." Eomer sighed.
"I appreciate your concern about my happiness. I could have requested aid from Gondor who would likely have given it freely. But I feel uneasy at asking for aid without being able to repay such a kindness at a later time. With a marriage contract no repayment will be required. There is also no denying that the Mark does need a heir to the throne. For that task I need to marry a noblewoman who can manage Meduseld and assist me with visitors," Eomer explained.
"You may be right about that. At least your bride is no blushing virgin so the marriage bed should provide satisfaction to you both." Eomer gave him a sharp glare when he heard that.
"I do not need to seek advice for anyone on that matter. Now if that is all I wish to be alone," Eomer stated. The King's Rider nodded and then left the room. Some time later there was a knock on the door and Eomer called for the individual to enter. It turned out to be his manservant who told him the evening meal would be ready shortly and wondered if he needed an escort. He told the young man to wait outside. After the door was closed, he used the chamber pot beside his bed. Eomer followed the manservant and Eothain to the guest dining hall.
"There you are Eomer. When Gimli said you were not to be disturbed I figured you were negotiating something important," Eowyn said as he sat down across from her.
"Indeed I was," Eomer stated. But he didn't elaborate further. She soon turned to Prince Faramir who sat beside her and began a conversation about the extensive gardens in Minas Tirith. Eomer did not follow the conversation as he had never been particularly interested in growing things unlike the Hobbits. He wondered how they were doing on their journey back to the Shire. The hobbits were short folk but no less good and brave for being so, he thought.