Chapter 44 : Women

Elfwine sat on his bed glumly. It wasn't like him to hide out in his room during the day, but he didn't feel like doing anything else.

After he had finally admitted that he was in love with Meren, and his mother had done so much to help him, Meren had begun ignoring him. When he went down to the kitchens to see her, she always told him that she had work to do, that she was busy, that she couldn't speak with him at the moment. Every single time, for about three weeks now. It had never happened before, and he wondered what had brought about the change. He didn't understand it at all.

Perhaps Meren had grown tired of him, and was now yearning for Elboron to return to Edoras so she could see him again. Perhaps she was missing Elboron, and didn't want to see Elfwine anymore. Perhaps he was just boring.

He sighed, flopping back down on his bed. Why hadn't anyone told him that love was so exasperating?

Lothíriel hummed a tune absently as she leaned back in Éomer's chair. A rider had arrived the night before saying that the king could be expected today, but asked for "no fancy welcome". That was just like Éomer. Well, fancy welcome or not, Lothíriel was glad that he was coming back. It would be good to see him again. Especially when she had this dramatic affair in her hands.

She sighed when she thought about Elfwine and Meren. As soon as one side was fixed, the other would go wrong again! She had thought that she had finally set things right, and now Meren was avoiding Elfwine with all she was worth. And Lothíriel had no right to order Meren to see her son. This time, there really was nothing she could do but watch and wait, which was extremely irritating.

There was a knock on the door, and Elfwine poked his head in. "Mother, the riders are in sight now," he said with a smile. "Father's home!"

Lothíriel was on her feet immediately, a smile already on her face. She had expected him to be back sometime in the evening, not in the middle of the morning! "Are they still far?" she asked, smoothing her dress down as she left the room with her son.

"Not far. I think they'd be at the gates now."

Mother and son hurried to the door of the hall just as Éomer was walking up the steps. His smile widened when he saw them, and he began to take the steps two at a time. "Oh, it's lovely to see the two of you again," he said, giving Lothíriel a kiss. "How have things been?"

"You speak as if you have been away for ages, Father!" Elfwine said. "It's only been three weeks."

"Three weeks is three weeks," Lothíriel said. "And that's a rather long time to be away from home, don't you think?" She was absolutely delighted that her husband was home, and held his hand in hers tightly. "Come, you must be tired. And hungry, as well." She gave Elfwine a sly look. "Elfwine, why don't you go down to the kitchens and get some food for your father?"

Elfwine mumbled something and went off to carry out his mother's instructions. Éomer looked as his son walked away and frowned. "What's wrong with him?"

"It'll take quite a while to explain everything," Lothíriel told him with a sigh. "But don't worry, you'll be hearing of it soon enough. In fact, I mean to have a rather long talk with you about it."

"Oh dear. Is it that serious?"

Lothíriel nodded. "Yes, but it can still wait for a while. You'll hear of it later. First, you just get some rest and food."

After a most satisfactory breakfast, and a good wash, Éomer leaned back in his usual chair in his study with a contented sigh. It was indeed wonderful to be home once more. The problem had not been that great, and it had already been under control when he had arrived at the village. Still, the people had been glad to see him, and to know that their king cared about them.

The door opened gently and Lothíriel entered the room, a book in her hands. Éomer gave his wife a welcoming smile. It felt so good just to be able to see her again. Lothíriel returned his smile, taking a seat opposite him. Éomer leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows on the table. "So, what's wrong with Elfwine?"

"Something I'm sure you are rather familiar with…" Lothíriel slowly related everything that had happened since the day Éomer had left, starting with the dinner, and how she had tried her hand at matchmaking and how everything seemed to be falling apart.

"Well, it seems as if you've have plenty to do while I was gone, haven't you?" he said jokingly. Then he sobered down. "What could possibly be wrong with the two of them? I thought they had always been on good terms."

"I have no idea what's wrong either. That's why you're going to find out and fix it."

If Éomer had been drinking water, he would have either choked or spit it all out, and so it was very fortunate that his cup was still sitting mildly on his table. "I'm going to fix it? What makes you think I could do that?"

"Well, I've tried my best for own son. It's your turn now, don't you think?" Lothíriel smiled sweetly. "I'm sure you'll have some advice, some tricks up your sleeve." She reached out and squeezed his hand. "You managed to win my heart so well. I'm sure you have some tips to pass on to your son."

Éomer sighed. Women. They always found ways to make you do whatever they wanted. But how was he going to manage this?

Pretty short chapter, and for that I apologise.