Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or anything else.
A/N. Thank you so much for all you reviews! I'm so glad that people are still reading. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Eomer sharply turned around at the sound of someone entering his tent, but nothing could have prepared him for what he was about to see. There was his Lothiriel, bleeding and bruised, wavering unsteadily in the doorway. He stood, frozen in his place, not believing it was really her.
She took a shaky step towards him. "Eomer…" her voice croaked out, and Eomer had to rush forward to catch her before she fell.
~
Some of Eomer's personal guard had seen an unknown figure enter his tent, and they immediately reported to Elfhelm. Elfhelm gave the order, and they surrounded the King's tent. As Elfhelm burst in, he was most surprised to see his King cradling a trembling woman. Eomer looked at him with a very still gaze.
"Elfhelm," he said quietly, "go find King Elessar and Lord Faramir. Bring them here. Quickly."
Elfhelm ran for the King's tent, delivering his messages as swiftly as he could.
~
Lothiriel was vaguely aware of the feeling that she was being held. Her love for Eomer surged forward. She knew he would come for her. Remembering the oaths she had sworn to herself while being held by Damrod, she tried to speak.
"Hush, love," she head Eomer say. "I've got you now."
Lothiriel struggled to speak again. "Eomer," she gasped, "I love you. I'm so sorry. I love you."
"Lothiriel…" Eomer was finding it hard to speak as well. The gravity of the moment weighed heavily upon him. "Save your strength, my love. We can speak at length when you're better."
"No!" Lothiriel cried. "I swore…to myself…I would tell you this…please…"
Eomer cradled her head gently. He truly wanted to hold her to him as tightly as he could, but he was afraid he'd hurt her. He tried not to notice the pool of blood lying beneath her.
Lothiriel's trembling hand slowly reached up the touch Eomer's face. She trailed her fingertips down his lightly bearded cheek.
"I love you…" she whispered again. "Please forgive me…"
And then she was still. Eomer gathered her swiftly into his arms and carried her purposefully from his tent. All sense of logic escaped him. He could no longer wait for Faramir and Aragorn. He would take her back to Minas Tirith himself.