Epilogue
Eomer opened his eyes slowly, and blinked as the room came into focus. It was empty, where before it had been filled with people. His children had all been there, with his grandchildren. Master Meriadoc, though now old himself, had come to see the King one last time. The end was nearing for the noble and good King of Rohan, everyone knew it, though few would say so.
One figure remained in the room, standing by the fire, gazing into the flames. He knew her silhouette well after all these years together. He licked his dry, cracked lips, and called to her. "Lothiriel?"
She turned, and went to his side, concern lacing her features. Lothiriel had aged well, looking regal and grand rather than old and wilted. He often teased her that she may leave him for a finer man, one who did not suffer from the ailments brought on by years of riding into battles and fighting the good fight. She would always smile when he said this and reply that she was stuck with him, for all the men in Middle Earth feared his wrath. Eomer would always laugh at this, for the idea of getting back into his armor and fighting a young man was rather ridiculous. Although he was still not decrepit and still had much of his strength, he was nowhere near the force he was in his youth, and age was fast approaching these days. Every day he felt his age more and more.
Lothiriel knelt before him where he sat at his throne. "Eomer? Darling, are you well?" She asked, taking his hand in her own.
He smiled, kissing her hand, "I am fine, merely surprised. When did I fall asleep?" He asked.
"It was late." She commented. "You dozed off just before the children left."
He sighed softly, "I hope they were not upset." He replied.
Lothiriel laughed, "Not at all, you lasted longer than Master Meriadoc." She looked up at him, "The children understood, it was late. I did not want to disturb your slumber, so I let you sleep here."
"Should you not also be resting, my Lady?" He asked, teasingly.
She smiled, "You know I cannot sleep without you beside me."
Eomer sighed softly, "You will soon have to learn, Lothiriel."
She something in her face changed, and she stood, he could tell from her stance that something was bothering her. She crossed her arms and turned away for a moment staring at the fire once more.
"Lothiriel?" He asked, slowly rising with a small groan as his muscles protested, and crossed to his wife, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She turned to him, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Do not speak of death so easily. I do not like such words." She said softly.
He sighed squeezing her hands. "Lothiriel, I am old, I am dying. My time runs short, in your heart you know this."
"Don't be ridiculous, you are far to stubborn to die." She replied, giving him a smile that did not reach her eyes.
He put a hand to her cheek, searching her eyes, "Lothiriel." He said her name softly, her soft grey eyes filled with tears. He watched her for a moment. This was the woman he had spent his life with. The mother of his children, the face he had woken up to almost every morning for the past sixty-three years. He knew every inch of her body, every mood, every stance, and yet sometimes she was still such a mystery.
Lothiriel took a shuddering breath as the tears flowed silently down her face. "I know." She said softly. "I wish with all my heart we had more time."
Eomer laughed softly, pulling her into an embrace. "We have had over sixty years together Lothiriel. How much more time do you need?" He asked, wiping her tears away.
She smiled, leaning against her husband's still strong form. "I could have had a thousand and it still would not have been enough." She whispered.
Eomer tilted his head to a side, watching her silently for a moment. Finally he spoke, "Elfwine will be a good King." He said softly, thinking fondly of his eldest son, now a full-grown man with a wife and family of his own. Elfwine was his mother's son, looking so much like Imrahil, but he had much of his father's temperament.
Lothiriel nodded, "Like his father." She replied.
Eomer laughed, kissing her forehead, "Better than me. He has your wisdom." They stood silently for a moment, both having much to say, but neither one of them needed words to say it. Finally Eomer spoke the question that had been on his mind throughout their years together.
"Lothiriel? Were you happy here?" He asked, looking down into his wife's face, searching for an answer. "Do you miss Dol Amroth?"
Lothiriel gave him a strange look, wondering what brought this question on, and then lifted her hand to his face. "By your side I was happier than I ever dreamed possible. Edoras is my home." She laughed lightly, "Besides, I have lived with you longer than I did in Dol Amroth." She grew serious again, gazing at her husband and stroking a strand of his now greying hair. "You cannot leave me now." She whispered.
It broke his heart to see his wife in such torment. He clasped her hand in his and held her tightly, "I cannot make promises that we both know are impossible to keep."
She took a shuddering breath, closing her eyes a moment. He wiped the tears from her cheek and she opened her eyes at his touch. "Why?" She asked simply.
Eomer sighed, holding her close. "I do not know." He answered truthfully. "Just know that I have loved you always, and I will be waiting for you in whatever lies beyond." He said softly, his eyes distant as he spoke of his impending death. "I will wait as long as I must for you to join my side, my dearest wife."
Lothiriel recalled these words as she stared at the mound where her husband now rested. She did not know how long she had been standing here, staring numbly at Eomer's grave, but she knew it must have been long for her children had come and gone several times, begging their mother to come in.
How could she return to the Golden Hall? Everywhere she turned she saw her husband, the walls still seemed to echo with his voice. How could she return to the place they had dwelled so long? How could she sleep in the bed where they had spent so many nights together? Lothiriel could not stand it. The silence and loneliness was suffocating. She was much happier out here, closer to her husband.
"Mother?" It was Elfwine, her son and the newly crowned King of the Mark. He watched his mother with concern, for she had been out here for several days, refusing to come inside. No one had forced the aged Queen inside, they all respected her mourning, for it was well known the love she and her husband had shared. However, Elfwine and his siblings were concerned for their mother's health, and so he came to ask her again to come inside. "Mother, please?"
Lothiriel turned and regarded her son for a moment, "I will not come, Elfwine. I cannot leave your father."
Elfwine sighed softly, his gaze turning to his father's mound and then back to his mother. "Yet your would leave me?" He asked softly. "I need you Mother."
She laughed softly, a light musical tone, and turned to her son, embracing him. "Oh Elfwine, you do not need me! You are a grown man, with a son who is also a grown man. You will be a fine ruler, Elfwine, son of Eomer. Now, leave me in peace."
Elfwine could see there was no persuading his mother. He watched her for a moment, then turned and slowly headed back into the city.
"And tell your siblings to leave me be as well!" She called after him, watching him leave. She wondered when he had gotten so tall, and when he had grown so. She could still remember the little boy, running into their room with nightmares.
She turned to the mound once more, watching the simbelmynë that covered the mounds toss in the breeze. The sun was setting in the East, painting the small white flowers with brilliant colors of red and orange. Lothiriel took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She could almost feel her husband's arms around her, and hear his voice on the wind. She felt her heart calling for him, reaching for his arms. It was such a calm and peaceful place. Tears laced her eyes while a small smile played at her lips as she took one last look at the sunset, before drifting off to sleep.
When the children of Eomer and Lothiriel came down to beg their mother to return to the Golden Hall once more, they found her lying before the mound of her husband, the life had gone from Lothiriel, Queen of the Mark. They placed her body with her husband's, as they felt is was the only place she would find rest. She was mourned throughout Rohan and in Dol Amroth as well by her nephew and his family, and those who were old enough to recall the lovely Queen. Rohan grieved the lose of a great Queen, but none could be to sadden by her death, for they knew she was reunited with her husband once more. The thought of which filled them with joy, for few had seen a love deeper and more true than that of Eomer, first King of the Third Line of the Mark, and his Queen, Lothiriel of Rohan.
The End
* * * * * * * * * * *
A/N- Kind of sad isn't it? Sigh. I really had a hard time ending this one so I hope it's okay! Comments? What did you like? What didn't you like? Why didn't you like it? Hehehe, you know what to do! Review! That's the only way my writing will improve! Also, yes I know that Lothiriel was Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, but it ended with Lothiriel of Rohan because she became of Rohan. Just making sure! I don't want to confuse anyone!
Anyway, I may write another Eomer and Lothiriel story and go into detail about their life together at Edoras. I have several ideas. One is really sad and I think I'll write it first because depressing is my thing at the moment! If you want to know more, ask! Hehe! I'm always happy to have someone to bounce ideas off of!
All of you reviewers have been so kind! Yay you guys! Hehe! I love you all!
Auror198- Hehe, sorry about not having a wedding night! I would imagine though that they got their freak on.... Hehehe! I came THIS close to putting one in just for you! Next story I'll be sure to have a few clips of 'fun time' for you to read ;-) Your reviews were awesome! I love reviews so don't feel bad about sending me a bunch at once! Hehe, they made my day! Yay reviews! Okay, so now for the answers to your questions:
The Unfinished Tales is a book. I bought myself a copy in January, and if it helps I found mine at Barnes and Noble. Good luck finding one :-)
Define Mary-Sue? Uh..... my definition is a character that is so perfect it's unbelievable and annoying. But that's just me. I don't think Mary-Sue is in the dictionary but it should be!
No you're not cluttering up my review box! It's for reviews! Review away! I love reviews :-)
Also, welcome to the Eomer Section Rally!
Everlong- Hope you liked the wedding :-) Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!
Isa- Hehe, I know! I would have been chasing Eomer too, although for a different reason than Erchirion ;-)
Shy- Eomer will arrive in the mail as soon as I figure out how many stamps it will take and get him to stop climbing out of the mail box! I don't have any brothers myself, just one sister and sisters are very different. I hope of got the brother/sister relationship down okay! Hehe! If you want a sister you can have mine! I'll send her with Eomer!
Wow, I can't believe I finished this! Hehe! It's 53 pages on my computer, just so you know! And that's without all my stupid pointless notes that I'm sure no one in their right mind reads! I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I really did have fun! Especially with the drunk scene, and the brothers chasing Eomer! Those are my favorites just because I think they're funny. Here's a little hint of what I might work on next, although you probably won't see if for a while unless I get my act together!
The birth of a child can be a time of great joy, or sadness. This will be the tale of the first infant born to Lothiriel and Eomer.
Mysterious enough for you? Hehe. Are you interested? Let me know, because I'm pounding away trying to write it!
I'm going to save what little dignity (snicker snicker) I have left and not beg for a review! Oh what the hey! PLEEEAASE SEND S REVIEW!!!!!!!!!! (gets on knees) Please???????? I'll love you forever! Eomer will love you forever!! Everyone will love you forever!!!! REVIEW!!!!!!!!! Hehe! Okay, well that was pretty shameless!
Until next time, happy reading!
Eomer opened his eyes slowly, and blinked as the room came into focus. It was empty, where before it had been filled with people. His children had all been there, with his grandchildren. Master Meriadoc, though now old himself, had come to see the King one last time. The end was nearing for the noble and good King of Rohan, everyone knew it, though few would say so.
One figure remained in the room, standing by the fire, gazing into the flames. He knew her silhouette well after all these years together. He licked his dry, cracked lips, and called to her. "Lothiriel?"
She turned, and went to his side, concern lacing her features. Lothiriel had aged well, looking regal and grand rather than old and wilted. He often teased her that she may leave him for a finer man, one who did not suffer from the ailments brought on by years of riding into battles and fighting the good fight. She would always smile when he said this and reply that she was stuck with him, for all the men in Middle Earth feared his wrath. Eomer would always laugh at this, for the idea of getting back into his armor and fighting a young man was rather ridiculous. Although he was still not decrepit and still had much of his strength, he was nowhere near the force he was in his youth, and age was fast approaching these days. Every day he felt his age more and more.
Lothiriel knelt before him where he sat at his throne. "Eomer? Darling, are you well?" She asked, taking his hand in her own.
He smiled, kissing her hand, "I am fine, merely surprised. When did I fall asleep?" He asked.
"It was late." She commented. "You dozed off just before the children left."
He sighed softly, "I hope they were not upset." He replied.
Lothiriel laughed, "Not at all, you lasted longer than Master Meriadoc." She looked up at him, "The children understood, it was late. I did not want to disturb your slumber, so I let you sleep here."
"Should you not also be resting, my Lady?" He asked, teasingly.
She smiled, "You know I cannot sleep without you beside me."
Eomer sighed softly, "You will soon have to learn, Lothiriel."
She something in her face changed, and she stood, he could tell from her stance that something was bothering her. She crossed her arms and turned away for a moment staring at the fire once more.
"Lothiriel?" He asked, slowly rising with a small groan as his muscles protested, and crossed to his wife, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She turned to him, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Do not speak of death so easily. I do not like such words." She said softly.
He sighed squeezing her hands. "Lothiriel, I am old, I am dying. My time runs short, in your heart you know this."
"Don't be ridiculous, you are far to stubborn to die." She replied, giving him a smile that did not reach her eyes.
He put a hand to her cheek, searching her eyes, "Lothiriel." He said her name softly, her soft grey eyes filled with tears. He watched her for a moment. This was the woman he had spent his life with. The mother of his children, the face he had woken up to almost every morning for the past sixty-three years. He knew every inch of her body, every mood, every stance, and yet sometimes she was still such a mystery.
Lothiriel took a shuddering breath as the tears flowed silently down her face. "I know." She said softly. "I wish with all my heart we had more time."
Eomer laughed softly, pulling her into an embrace. "We have had over sixty years together Lothiriel. How much more time do you need?" He asked, wiping her tears away.
She smiled, leaning against her husband's still strong form. "I could have had a thousand and it still would not have been enough." She whispered.
Eomer tilted his head to a side, watching her silently for a moment. Finally he spoke, "Elfwine will be a good King." He said softly, thinking fondly of his eldest son, now a full-grown man with a wife and family of his own. Elfwine was his mother's son, looking so much like Imrahil, but he had much of his father's temperament.
Lothiriel nodded, "Like his father." She replied.
Eomer laughed, kissing her forehead, "Better than me. He has your wisdom." They stood silently for a moment, both having much to say, but neither one of them needed words to say it. Finally Eomer spoke the question that had been on his mind throughout their years together.
"Lothiriel? Were you happy here?" He asked, looking down into his wife's face, searching for an answer. "Do you miss Dol Amroth?"
Lothiriel gave him a strange look, wondering what brought this question on, and then lifted her hand to his face. "By your side I was happier than I ever dreamed possible. Edoras is my home." She laughed lightly, "Besides, I have lived with you longer than I did in Dol Amroth." She grew serious again, gazing at her husband and stroking a strand of his now greying hair. "You cannot leave me now." She whispered.
It broke his heart to see his wife in such torment. He clasped her hand in his and held her tightly, "I cannot make promises that we both know are impossible to keep."
She took a shuddering breath, closing her eyes a moment. He wiped the tears from her cheek and she opened her eyes at his touch. "Why?" She asked simply.
Eomer sighed, holding her close. "I do not know." He answered truthfully. "Just know that I have loved you always, and I will be waiting for you in whatever lies beyond." He said softly, his eyes distant as he spoke of his impending death. "I will wait as long as I must for you to join my side, my dearest wife."
Lothiriel recalled these words as she stared at the mound where her husband now rested. She did not know how long she had been standing here, staring numbly at Eomer's grave, but she knew it must have been long for her children had come and gone several times, begging their mother to come in.
How could she return to the Golden Hall? Everywhere she turned she saw her husband, the walls still seemed to echo with his voice. How could she return to the place they had dwelled so long? How could she sleep in the bed where they had spent so many nights together? Lothiriel could not stand it. The silence and loneliness was suffocating. She was much happier out here, closer to her husband.
"Mother?" It was Elfwine, her son and the newly crowned King of the Mark. He watched his mother with concern, for she had been out here for several days, refusing to come inside. No one had forced the aged Queen inside, they all respected her mourning, for it was well known the love she and her husband had shared. However, Elfwine and his siblings were concerned for their mother's health, and so he came to ask her again to come inside. "Mother, please?"
Lothiriel turned and regarded her son for a moment, "I will not come, Elfwine. I cannot leave your father."
Elfwine sighed softly, his gaze turning to his father's mound and then back to his mother. "Yet your would leave me?" He asked softly. "I need you Mother."
She laughed softly, a light musical tone, and turned to her son, embracing him. "Oh Elfwine, you do not need me! You are a grown man, with a son who is also a grown man. You will be a fine ruler, Elfwine, son of Eomer. Now, leave me in peace."
Elfwine could see there was no persuading his mother. He watched her for a moment, then turned and slowly headed back into the city.
"And tell your siblings to leave me be as well!" She called after him, watching him leave. She wondered when he had gotten so tall, and when he had grown so. She could still remember the little boy, running into their room with nightmares.
She turned to the mound once more, watching the simbelmynë that covered the mounds toss in the breeze. The sun was setting in the East, painting the small white flowers with brilliant colors of red and orange. Lothiriel took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She could almost feel her husband's arms around her, and hear his voice on the wind. She felt her heart calling for him, reaching for his arms. It was such a calm and peaceful place. Tears laced her eyes while a small smile played at her lips as she took one last look at the sunset, before drifting off to sleep.
When the children of Eomer and Lothiriel came down to beg their mother to return to the Golden Hall once more, they found her lying before the mound of her husband, the life had gone from Lothiriel, Queen of the Mark. They placed her body with her husband's, as they felt is was the only place she would find rest. She was mourned throughout Rohan and in Dol Amroth as well by her nephew and his family, and those who were old enough to recall the lovely Queen. Rohan grieved the lose of a great Queen, but none could be to sadden by her death, for they knew she was reunited with her husband once more. The thought of which filled them with joy, for few had seen a love deeper and more true than that of Eomer, first King of the Third Line of the Mark, and his Queen, Lothiriel of Rohan.
The End
* * * * * * * * * * *
A/N- Kind of sad isn't it? Sigh. I really had a hard time ending this one so I hope it's okay! Comments? What did you like? What didn't you like? Why didn't you like it? Hehehe, you know what to do! Review! That's the only way my writing will improve! Also, yes I know that Lothiriel was Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, but it ended with Lothiriel of Rohan because she became of Rohan. Just making sure! I don't want to confuse anyone!
Anyway, I may write another Eomer and Lothiriel story and go into detail about their life together at Edoras. I have several ideas. One is really sad and I think I'll write it first because depressing is my thing at the moment! If you want to know more, ask! Hehe! I'm always happy to have someone to bounce ideas off of!
All of you reviewers have been so kind! Yay you guys! Hehe! I love you all!
Auror198- Hehe, sorry about not having a wedding night! I would imagine though that they got their freak on.... Hehehe! I came THIS close to putting one in just for you! Next story I'll be sure to have a few clips of 'fun time' for you to read ;-) Your reviews were awesome! I love reviews so don't feel bad about sending me a bunch at once! Hehe, they made my day! Yay reviews! Okay, so now for the answers to your questions:
The Unfinished Tales is a book. I bought myself a copy in January, and if it helps I found mine at Barnes and Noble. Good luck finding one :-)
Define Mary-Sue? Uh..... my definition is a character that is so perfect it's unbelievable and annoying. But that's just me. I don't think Mary-Sue is in the dictionary but it should be!
No you're not cluttering up my review box! It's for reviews! Review away! I love reviews :-)
Also, welcome to the Eomer Section Rally!
Everlong- Hope you liked the wedding :-) Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!
Isa- Hehe, I know! I would have been chasing Eomer too, although for a different reason than Erchirion ;-)
Shy- Eomer will arrive in the mail as soon as I figure out how many stamps it will take and get him to stop climbing out of the mail box! I don't have any brothers myself, just one sister and sisters are very different. I hope of got the brother/sister relationship down okay! Hehe! If you want a sister you can have mine! I'll send her with Eomer!
Wow, I can't believe I finished this! Hehe! It's 53 pages on my computer, just so you know! And that's without all my stupid pointless notes that I'm sure no one in their right mind reads! I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I really did have fun! Especially with the drunk scene, and the brothers chasing Eomer! Those are my favorites just because I think they're funny. Here's a little hint of what I might work on next, although you probably won't see if for a while unless I get my act together!
The birth of a child can be a time of great joy, or sadness. This will be the tale of the first infant born to Lothiriel and Eomer.
Mysterious enough for you? Hehe. Are you interested? Let me know, because I'm pounding away trying to write it!
I'm going to save what little dignity (snicker snicker) I have left and not beg for a review! Oh what the hey! PLEEEAASE SEND S REVIEW!!!!!!!!!! (gets on knees) Please???????? I'll love you forever! Eomer will love you forever!! Everyone will love you forever!!!! REVIEW!!!!!!!!! Hehe! Okay, well that was pretty shameless!
Until next time, happy reading!