*Chapter Eight*

Eomer

Years have passed and life is content for most, happy for a few and ecstatic for me. Aragorn-King is due a visit, as is my sister and brother - I had recently written to her informing her of Meriadoc's new title in the Shire and we had sent gifts - Aragorn had declared the Shire to a free place not to be entered by men but knowing the hobbits they will visit soon enough. Sam is Mayor but has lost the RingBearer, Frodo, who dwells with the Elves now.

Edoras, nay all of Rohan, grows richer with each year. The harvests have good and the necessary repairs have been made at last. Gondor's good fortune grows - their trades with the Dwarves in the protected lands gathers pace. We have passed from night to day, the Shadow has lifted.

And my beloved? A little greyer around the temples and a little thicker around the waist which is the subject of a little teasing (but not much, I remember when he first arrived, and I do not wish to see him gaunt like that again). His blank, frightened periods have long gone, the most recent being a year ago when we camped out. Something frightened him there and he could not sleep until I wrapped both of us in the blanket and held him to me until he became calmer.

But now I recall it was in Fangorn that they found some Orcs. I think that was it.

His journal remains a secret; I only asked about it once. Obviously some painful moments were in there judging from the look on his face and I never asked again.

We have been parted once, when my party made a progress around Rohan to see the people, but that was for a very little time and he remained well during my absence. We were very tired upon my return though.

I am aware of no-one that has guessed of the true nature of our relationship, my gifts to Grima are made at the same time as gifts to others in my court and we take care never to physically express our affection in any way. I am guilty about the deception but glad of the privacy.

We lie together as the night closes in on Rohan.

"The visit is soon, Grima. We have got everything ready, I think."

He murmurs something against my neck and shifts, linking his leg with mine.

"Grima, wake up! "

A hand stretches across my chest and a finger circles my nipple before resting around me.

"Stay here tonight, I can bolt the doors."

"You know I cannot, Grima."

"It would be private enough."

"Lilith nearly saw us one time!"

"I like Lilith," he sleep-murmurs, stroking my chest.

I feel myself drifting but I rouse and move to my bed, which seems very cold.

We cannot be found out now.

Grima

I am in the herb garden, trying to find something that will cure one of the guards' terrible hangover from the ale the night before when they arrive. Arwen walks to me and I am so glad of her company. I did not forget her many kindnesses and we talk for a while before she recommends a herb for a headache and we wander into the Golden Hall.

Eomer is already greeting the King and his sister and brother and I take my leave. I doubt they noticed.

Eomer

Eowyn seems happier than of late and time and two children seem to wrought a rare contentedness. Faramir has barely changed since our last meeting, which I ruefully note. We talk into the night and Grima has retired long since, for I do not see him after the candles are lit and we are seated around the long table.

Eowyn

My brother has not mentioned him once and I have not seen him. Perhaps he finally came to his senses and dismissed him. Maybe he died, I care not. He is a bad memory from my girlhood, I do not dwell there now.

We are staying for a week or so; enough to ride out like we used to and catch up. My children have not seen their uncle and it would do them good to catch up on this side of their lineage. I would have travelled sooner but for that snake; he caused enough trouble when he was here.

We ride out in the morning, talk freely without being overheard by guards. I can truly talk to my brother then.

Eomer cannot find his cloak when we are all ready and I go to find it in his room. He was always misplacing things as a child. Excepting his sword.

His cloak is there, as is a journal and I smile. Eomer hated any sort of missive when he was younger and here he is...

It is not Eomer's. It is Grima's. So he is here. Instinctively I glance to the shadows then curse my fear. It is an irony that he no longer seeks my company, yet I still dread his.

His plans for Eomer will be in here, his plots, and his schemes. Truly this will prove his hatred for Rohan...

I cannot believe what he has written. This liaison with my brother cannot be true. It has to be his perverted lies, my brother would not, could not do such a thing. It is wrong, it cannot be!

Placing the journal down, I grab Eomer's coat - why did that snake have that anyway - and go to ride. I will confront him later.