Eomer moved through the Golden Hall attempting to walk quietly
for two reasons. One, because it was rather late and he did not wish to
disturb the silence around him, another was he did not wish for anyone to
find him, particularly his advisors. He had spent most of the day with them
and was beginning to feel the onset of a nasty headache starting. His
advisors had a way of giving him that unfortunate malady every time they
began speaking of politics. He had never had much interest in the subject,
having grown up thinking he would spend the rest of his days as the Third
Marshal of the Riddermark, and would obey the orders of a King rather than
being the one giving those orders. He would admit he often used his wife as
a shield from his advisors. Allowing her to handle diplomatic niceties when
he could, or taking directions from the rather pointed looks she would give
when he said something that could cause offence. Eomer was a good King to
be sure, but he was no diplomat. He preferred to take action rather than go
through an intricate ritual of diplomatic niceties. Lothiriel on the other
hand, grew up in the Gondorian Court of Dol Amroth, which in Eomer's
opinion, seemed to be a never-ending supply of diplomacy and protocol.
Indeed he had often teased Lothiriel, saying in the Courts in Gondor you
could not so much as sneeze without following the correct procedure before
you could do so. Therefore, Lothiriel often found herself schooling her
husband in polite, diplomatic behavior, even among the Rohirrim Court she
had somehow managed to learn more of its customs and rituals than Eomer
knew. Which was why he had come to the conclusion that Lothiriel should
lead the Eorlings in his absence, it was a choice that made perfect sense
to him, she was Queen after all, but as usual, at least one of his advisors
disagreed. In the end, he had laid down the law. He was King, and his
choice was final. Lothiriel would rule Rohan in Eomer's absence.
Eomer sighed and rubbed his temple where his headache seemed to be starting. Lothiriel had not been with him today, so he had to deal with his advisors on his own, and with his decision to go to war in Gondor, there had been a never ending demand of minor matters that required his attention before he left. He had spent the better part of the day listening to them go on and on about matters he considered trivial. The past few days' had been spent preparing to leave, and now he was departing in the morning, having barely a moment alone with his wife. These were the days that he longed for the simpler life, one where he was not King and did not have the weight of his country on his shoulders.
He carefully opened the door to the chamber he shared with his wife, quietly so he would not wake her. However, Lothiriel was not in bed nor even dressed for bed. She was sitting, sewing by candlelight, hurrying to finish her project. She looked up when Eomer came in. She smiled brightly, greeting her husband. "Eomer! I was just finishing!"
He studied her quizzically, there was something odd in her manner, and he watched her hands moving quickly across the fabric. "Lothiriel..."
"There!" She stood, smiling proudly and standing, shaking the fabric so Eomer could see all of it. "I had intended to present you with this for your birthday, but you are leaving tomorrow, and as we do not know when you will return, I wanted to give it to you now." She said, her words were rushed, as if she was struggling to hide her real thoughts behind her words.
He looked at her present with a small smile. It was a beautiful cloak, dark green and richly embroidered with the white horse of Rohan. He looked from it to meet his wife's eyes. "It is a fine gift." He said softly. "Lothiriel..."
"I am pleased you like it." She interrupted. "I had to finish sooner than expected, I barely managed." She chatted aimlessly.
Eomer crossed the distance between them and caught her hand, pulling her close. "Lothiriel, stop." He instructed, placing a hand on her cheek. "You have something on your mind. That much is plain. Please, tell me."
Lothiriel closed her eyes, tears seemed to cloud her vision, but she refused to allow them to fall. "I- I keep thinking of what would happen should the worse come to pass." She looked up at him with her tear filled grey eyes. "What if you do not return?" She whispered, her voice full of fear, fear that she had not allowed to surface until now.
Eomer wrapped his arms around her, protectively, as if shielding her from the world, and rested his head on top of hers. "Oh Lothiriel." He whispered, kissing her forehead. "I will return and soon."
She pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze, "There is no oath you can give me that will make it certain, and you know it." She said, her voice shaking, but determined to stay in control she continued. "I keep worrying about you, and about our child." She said, resting a hand on her belly, which was beginning to show signs of the child within. "What if I lose you, or the child, or both? I fear for you Eomer, and in that fear, I worry for the child as well. I do not think I could bare losing another." She took a deep breath, calming herself. "I know that you must go, and I know I must wait for your return. But why is it so hard, Eomer?" She said, choking with sobs.
"Lothiriel..." He held her tightly, feeling a hard knot forming in his throat, struggling not to weep as well. He swallowed hard. "I know there are no words of comfort I can give you, but I promise you, I will do everything in my power to return to your side." He kissed her tearstained cheek, and met her eyes. "And to our child." He said softly, wiping her soft cheek with his thumb.
She took a shaking breath, regaining her composure. "And I shall remain strong for you, waiting faithfully for your return." She leaned against him, as if drawing strength from his presence. "I shall wait until the end of time, my King." She vowed.
Eomer smiled sadly, leaning his head against hers once more. "I have hope, my Queen, that the dark days encompassing Gondor shall soon come to pass, and I will return home to you."
She looked up, a small, brave smile playing at her lips. "And what do I have to hold you to this oath, my Lord?"
He kissed her hand, "My word."
She considered this a moment, then smiled slyly, "I do not believe that will be enough, my Lord. You Rohirrim are a wild people after all." She paused, as if pondering an important issue. "Swear upon your horse."
He met her teasing gaze, and burst into laughter. "Upon my horse! You are a strange woman, Lothiriel, Queen of the Mark." He kissed her lightly. "Now, you should rest. It will be an early morning, and I intend to spend every moment of it in your shadow until I leave." He told her.
She smiled, stepping away to change into her nightdress. "You are welcome to shadow my steps Eomer, whenever it should please you."
"It would please me much, Lady Lothiriel." He said, watching her with a smile. "More than you shall know."
Eomer slept little that night. He watched Lothiriel drift away to silent dreams. Whether they were for good of ill he would never know. He was content to watch her features relax and a peaceful look fall onto her. She slept so soundly when he was near. However, he knew the moment he stirred and rose in the morning, she would awaken. She often complained she could not sleep without him by her side. He wondered how well she would rest in the months to come. He wondered if he would return in time for the birth of the child, and if this child would survive. He quickly pushed that thought from his mind. Surely fate would not be so cruel as to take another little one from them. Surely, this one would live. Surely.
The next morning, Lothiriel silently watched Eomer mount Firefoot as they stood before Meduseld. It was early, for first light had barely come as the men prepared to leave. She stepped forward, all her worries had been voiced the night before, and her eyes merely gave him strength as he leaned down for a final kiss. He cared not that he was in sight of half the city, and it might be viewed as 'inappropriate'. No one, however, saw any fault in the King's actions, and many smiled to themselves, happy to see such blatant love between their King and Queen.
"Remember your oath Eomer." Lothiriel said softly, as she stepped back once more to allow them to leave.
"Yes." He smiled, trying not to show how much leaving her grieved him. "Upon my horse." He said, giving Firefoot an appreciative pat.
She gave him a brave smile, and stepped up onto the stair so the Riders could see their Queen. As the wind blew her hair and fluttered her graceful skirts she was an exquisite sight. "Be well, my husband, Eomer King, and all you Riders of the Mark." She said, loudly enough so all could hear. Her voice was strong, echoing none of the fear and pain she had for her husband's departure.
"And you, Lothiriel, Queen of the Mark." Eomer replied, bowing his head slightly. He then turned, "To Gondor! To War!" He cried, giving the signal for their departure. He dared not turn to look upon the fair face of his wife again, for fear he would not have the strength to leave.
Lothiriel understood, watching her husband ride away from the city. The green flags of Rohan fluttered in the wind as the Riders of Rohan departed across the grassy fields. She stood upon the stair of Meduseld, transfixed by the cloud of dust and graceful dance of their banners as the riders made their way. She watched, whispering a soft prayer upon the wind for their safe return, and hoped that soon she would see those very same banners flying high upon their return to Edoras, and her husband's return to her side.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A/N- All together now: "Awwww....." Aren't the cute folks? If only real guys were so sweet.... anyway! I hope you enjoyed the second chapter of my Eomer/Lothiriel torture! And yeah, I know, not much happened did it! Those of you who know me, if usually takes a bit for my brain to start flowing... hang in there! I think I'll take the opportunity to let everyone know that I'm putting Lothiriel at about three months pregnant. I touched on it a little bit, but I didn't exactly give you any information on how far along she is. Of course, I have to be kind of mysterious as I've never been pregnant or around many pregnant people so I'm not an expert, and I left my wonderful human growth book at home since I'm not taking any development classes at the moment. Next trip home though I'll look up some stuff and make notes. Woohoo! Pointless research!
BIG THANK YOU to my wonderful beta reader Kat :-) Kat is the best beta reader I've ever had... well actually Kat is the ONLY beta reader I've ever had but still! Kat, you rock! (bows to the greatness of the beta reader)
Angelswing04- Thank you for reviewing and being so kind! Brownie points for you! I'm always on the lookout for new Eomer and Lothiriel stories too... so if you find any let me know! I really wish fanfiction.net would put Eomer in the character selection! Seriously! Rosie Cotton is in there now! COME ON!! Okay, had to get that in there... but anyway! Thank you for reviewing :-)
Elentari-Taure- Hehe... I'll try to keep up the work :-) Thank you for saying it is great work... wow... that was really nice of you! What's in hobbit stew you ask? Hobbits of course! No... just kidding! I'd imagine taters (you know... po-ta-toes!), tomatoes, mushrooms, and of course NICE CRISPY BACON! Got to have bacon! Wow... now I'm hungry! Anyway, thanks for the review :-)
Rohan-nitpick- Thanks, it's nice to be back! I like Those We Love better than Dust in the Wind too actually. Dust in the Wind I decided to do a more psychological story and try something different, and in my opinion, I failed miserably! I broke her and then couldn't fix her! Haha, I kind of over-looked that.... Serves me right for not planning ahead! This story I'm going to try to be better and not dig myself into holes, although I know I'll probably get stuck as usual. Thank you for reviewing, as always :-) I'm glad you're looking forward to more, and I hope I don't disappoint!
Lady of Legolas- Happy to hear from you :-) Thanks for the review! And being the first one! I was excited! I don't really know why I hurt Imrahil... just because I guess! I was thinking about killing him but the Encyclopedia of Arda told me I couldn't. Besides I don't think I have the heart to kill Imrahil. He's too much fun! Thanks for the wonderful review!
All the rest of you out there in fanfiction.net land! Review! I can see you! You aren't reviewing! I demand you review! Come on! Please??? I'll be your best friend! I'll tell you the meaning of life! As soon as I find it that is :-) PLEASE REVIEW!!!!
Eomer sighed and rubbed his temple where his headache seemed to be starting. Lothiriel had not been with him today, so he had to deal with his advisors on his own, and with his decision to go to war in Gondor, there had been a never ending demand of minor matters that required his attention before he left. He had spent the better part of the day listening to them go on and on about matters he considered trivial. The past few days' had been spent preparing to leave, and now he was departing in the morning, having barely a moment alone with his wife. These were the days that he longed for the simpler life, one where he was not King and did not have the weight of his country on his shoulders.
He carefully opened the door to the chamber he shared with his wife, quietly so he would not wake her. However, Lothiriel was not in bed nor even dressed for bed. She was sitting, sewing by candlelight, hurrying to finish her project. She looked up when Eomer came in. She smiled brightly, greeting her husband. "Eomer! I was just finishing!"
He studied her quizzically, there was something odd in her manner, and he watched her hands moving quickly across the fabric. "Lothiriel..."
"There!" She stood, smiling proudly and standing, shaking the fabric so Eomer could see all of it. "I had intended to present you with this for your birthday, but you are leaving tomorrow, and as we do not know when you will return, I wanted to give it to you now." She said, her words were rushed, as if she was struggling to hide her real thoughts behind her words.
He looked at her present with a small smile. It was a beautiful cloak, dark green and richly embroidered with the white horse of Rohan. He looked from it to meet his wife's eyes. "It is a fine gift." He said softly. "Lothiriel..."
"I am pleased you like it." She interrupted. "I had to finish sooner than expected, I barely managed." She chatted aimlessly.
Eomer crossed the distance between them and caught her hand, pulling her close. "Lothiriel, stop." He instructed, placing a hand on her cheek. "You have something on your mind. That much is plain. Please, tell me."
Lothiriel closed her eyes, tears seemed to cloud her vision, but she refused to allow them to fall. "I- I keep thinking of what would happen should the worse come to pass." She looked up at him with her tear filled grey eyes. "What if you do not return?" She whispered, her voice full of fear, fear that she had not allowed to surface until now.
Eomer wrapped his arms around her, protectively, as if shielding her from the world, and rested his head on top of hers. "Oh Lothiriel." He whispered, kissing her forehead. "I will return and soon."
She pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze, "There is no oath you can give me that will make it certain, and you know it." She said, her voice shaking, but determined to stay in control she continued. "I keep worrying about you, and about our child." She said, resting a hand on her belly, which was beginning to show signs of the child within. "What if I lose you, or the child, or both? I fear for you Eomer, and in that fear, I worry for the child as well. I do not think I could bare losing another." She took a deep breath, calming herself. "I know that you must go, and I know I must wait for your return. But why is it so hard, Eomer?" She said, choking with sobs.
"Lothiriel..." He held her tightly, feeling a hard knot forming in his throat, struggling not to weep as well. He swallowed hard. "I know there are no words of comfort I can give you, but I promise you, I will do everything in my power to return to your side." He kissed her tearstained cheek, and met her eyes. "And to our child." He said softly, wiping her soft cheek with his thumb.
She took a shaking breath, regaining her composure. "And I shall remain strong for you, waiting faithfully for your return." She leaned against him, as if drawing strength from his presence. "I shall wait until the end of time, my King." She vowed.
Eomer smiled sadly, leaning his head against hers once more. "I have hope, my Queen, that the dark days encompassing Gondor shall soon come to pass, and I will return home to you."
She looked up, a small, brave smile playing at her lips. "And what do I have to hold you to this oath, my Lord?"
He kissed her hand, "My word."
She considered this a moment, then smiled slyly, "I do not believe that will be enough, my Lord. You Rohirrim are a wild people after all." She paused, as if pondering an important issue. "Swear upon your horse."
He met her teasing gaze, and burst into laughter. "Upon my horse! You are a strange woman, Lothiriel, Queen of the Mark." He kissed her lightly. "Now, you should rest. It will be an early morning, and I intend to spend every moment of it in your shadow until I leave." He told her.
She smiled, stepping away to change into her nightdress. "You are welcome to shadow my steps Eomer, whenever it should please you."
"It would please me much, Lady Lothiriel." He said, watching her with a smile. "More than you shall know."
Eomer slept little that night. He watched Lothiriel drift away to silent dreams. Whether they were for good of ill he would never know. He was content to watch her features relax and a peaceful look fall onto her. She slept so soundly when he was near. However, he knew the moment he stirred and rose in the morning, she would awaken. She often complained she could not sleep without him by her side. He wondered how well she would rest in the months to come. He wondered if he would return in time for the birth of the child, and if this child would survive. He quickly pushed that thought from his mind. Surely fate would not be so cruel as to take another little one from them. Surely, this one would live. Surely.
The next morning, Lothiriel silently watched Eomer mount Firefoot as they stood before Meduseld. It was early, for first light had barely come as the men prepared to leave. She stepped forward, all her worries had been voiced the night before, and her eyes merely gave him strength as he leaned down for a final kiss. He cared not that he was in sight of half the city, and it might be viewed as 'inappropriate'. No one, however, saw any fault in the King's actions, and many smiled to themselves, happy to see such blatant love between their King and Queen.
"Remember your oath Eomer." Lothiriel said softly, as she stepped back once more to allow them to leave.
"Yes." He smiled, trying not to show how much leaving her grieved him. "Upon my horse." He said, giving Firefoot an appreciative pat.
She gave him a brave smile, and stepped up onto the stair so the Riders could see their Queen. As the wind blew her hair and fluttered her graceful skirts she was an exquisite sight. "Be well, my husband, Eomer King, and all you Riders of the Mark." She said, loudly enough so all could hear. Her voice was strong, echoing none of the fear and pain she had for her husband's departure.
"And you, Lothiriel, Queen of the Mark." Eomer replied, bowing his head slightly. He then turned, "To Gondor! To War!" He cried, giving the signal for their departure. He dared not turn to look upon the fair face of his wife again, for fear he would not have the strength to leave.
Lothiriel understood, watching her husband ride away from the city. The green flags of Rohan fluttered in the wind as the Riders of Rohan departed across the grassy fields. She stood upon the stair of Meduseld, transfixed by the cloud of dust and graceful dance of their banners as the riders made their way. She watched, whispering a soft prayer upon the wind for their safe return, and hoped that soon she would see those very same banners flying high upon their return to Edoras, and her husband's return to her side.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A/N- All together now: "Awwww....." Aren't the cute folks? If only real guys were so sweet.... anyway! I hope you enjoyed the second chapter of my Eomer/Lothiriel torture! And yeah, I know, not much happened did it! Those of you who know me, if usually takes a bit for my brain to start flowing... hang in there! I think I'll take the opportunity to let everyone know that I'm putting Lothiriel at about three months pregnant. I touched on it a little bit, but I didn't exactly give you any information on how far along she is. Of course, I have to be kind of mysterious as I've never been pregnant or around many pregnant people so I'm not an expert, and I left my wonderful human growth book at home since I'm not taking any development classes at the moment. Next trip home though I'll look up some stuff and make notes. Woohoo! Pointless research!
BIG THANK YOU to my wonderful beta reader Kat :-) Kat is the best beta reader I've ever had... well actually Kat is the ONLY beta reader I've ever had but still! Kat, you rock! (bows to the greatness of the beta reader)
Angelswing04- Thank you for reviewing and being so kind! Brownie points for you! I'm always on the lookout for new Eomer and Lothiriel stories too... so if you find any let me know! I really wish fanfiction.net would put Eomer in the character selection! Seriously! Rosie Cotton is in there now! COME ON!! Okay, had to get that in there... but anyway! Thank you for reviewing :-)
Elentari-Taure- Hehe... I'll try to keep up the work :-) Thank you for saying it is great work... wow... that was really nice of you! What's in hobbit stew you ask? Hobbits of course! No... just kidding! I'd imagine taters (you know... po-ta-toes!), tomatoes, mushrooms, and of course NICE CRISPY BACON! Got to have bacon! Wow... now I'm hungry! Anyway, thanks for the review :-)
Rohan-nitpick- Thanks, it's nice to be back! I like Those We Love better than Dust in the Wind too actually. Dust in the Wind I decided to do a more psychological story and try something different, and in my opinion, I failed miserably! I broke her and then couldn't fix her! Haha, I kind of over-looked that.... Serves me right for not planning ahead! This story I'm going to try to be better and not dig myself into holes, although I know I'll probably get stuck as usual. Thank you for reviewing, as always :-) I'm glad you're looking forward to more, and I hope I don't disappoint!
Lady of Legolas- Happy to hear from you :-) Thanks for the review! And being the first one! I was excited! I don't really know why I hurt Imrahil... just because I guess! I was thinking about killing him but the Encyclopedia of Arda told me I couldn't. Besides I don't think I have the heart to kill Imrahil. He's too much fun! Thanks for the wonderful review!
All the rest of you out there in fanfiction.net land! Review! I can see you! You aren't reviewing! I demand you review! Come on! Please??? I'll be your best friend! I'll tell you the meaning of life! As soon as I find it that is :-) PLEASE REVIEW!!!!