A/N: SORRY, SORRY, SORRY! When I uploaded Ch. 6 I didn't notice that it popped in a "previous" chapter title and tacked "finale" on this story. IT IS NOT OVER YET! There are 10 chapters, so there IS more to come. As penance, here is Ch. 7 really quick! And thanks to everyone who noticed and let me know to fix it.

The Truest Friends

Chapter 7

Gamling bowed to Eomer, "I shall see the message is sent directly, lord." He moved quickly to the door with the dispatch in hand. It had occurred to Eomer, that as soon as Kareswen was able to get around, she would be gone to find Leander. While she might leave Edoras before she was completely healed, he did not think she would take Leander far until he was fully recovered from his injury. So all he had to do was find a way to get Leander to Edoras, and she would stay indefinitely. That was the difficult part. He didn't know of any way it could be done, but his letter directed the horse's caretaker to try and find a way to safely bring him to the city. At the most, he didn't think Kareswen's headache would keep her in bed more than a few days, possibly a week, if it was bad enough. And he needed all the time he could get.

That evening, Eomer returned to her room to take supper with her. Elrond had been understanding about his not being present at supper, and gave him a speculative look that made Eomer slightly nervous now that he knew Kareswen was his niece. He wasn't sure his company was what she wanted, but she didn't tell him to leave. Even so, conversation was difficult. He didn't know much about her and she wasn't willing to answer very many questions, so they ended up talking about him, Edoras, Rohan and Eowyn. Of the four topics, the only one she pursued at any length was Eowyn, wanting to know how it was that she was married to a man of Gondor. Since he hadn't even introduced the two of them to each other yet, he was mildy surprised at her interest, but wasn't going to argue about anything that got them talking.

Just as they had mostly finished eating, Linwe returned and prepared the athelas as Elrond had directed. The last half hour, Eomer had noted a furrow beginning to grow between her eyebrows, but the athelas soon caused it to relax and he realized the headache must have been troubling her. "My apologies," he told her. "You should have told me you were in pain and that you wanted to be alone. I did not mean to cause you more discomfort."

To his surprise, she brushed the apology aside, "It is alright. I did not mind your company while I ate. But perhaps now I will sleep."

He nodded and rose, as she contemplated him with a critical eye. "How are your injuries doing? The broken bones will take time, of course, but how is your shoulder and your side?"

"They are quite well, and mending quickly. Would you like to see for yourself?" A voice in the back of his head wondered why he was making such an offer, but she nodded and he sank back into the chair, grateful for any excuse to stay longer.

He pulled up the side of his shirt so she could see the remnant scab on the blade cut, and when she appeared satisfied, uncovered the arrow wound. Linwe observed from across the bed, but made no comment. Kareswen took more care examining the shoulder, prodding it a bit for any sign of lingering infection. She seemed pleased with what she found, and commented, "I shall have to make it a point to keep corbeloth on hand. The Orcs seem to have found a new poison for their darts."

When she lay back and closed her eyes, he took that as his dismissal and stood again. Linwe stood as well and excused herself, saying she would return in the morning. Eomer said, "I will send a servant to stay here during the night in case you need anything." The look on her face stopped him, "Is something wrong?"

"I mean no offense, but I would prefer not having a stranger here with me. I will manage until morning. Leave the door ajar and Dog can summon aid if it is needed."

He hesitated, reluctant to leave her alone, then asked, "Would you permit me to stay with you? A cot was brought in for me earlier. I could sleep there and hear you in the night if you were in distress."

Clearly she was reluctant, but also seemed to be wondering how much she could insist upon as a guest in his house. Apparently she decided, this would be the preferable of the two options and told him, "You may stay. Thank you."

"I have matters to tend to before I turn in. I will return soon." She nodded her understanding and he departed, feeling pleased with this one small victory.

xxxxx

Despite the fact that nothing happened during the night, while the severe headache persisted, Kareswen seemed willing to be persuaded that someone should remain with her. The athelas helped ease the headache pain temporarily but it took time for the injury itself to heal and three days later, Kareswen was more than a little frustrated by her slow progress. Had she not known that everything that could be done was being done, she might have rebelled, but there was nothing she could do but tolerate things as they were. Even so, as her frustration grew, she became more short-tempered and less likely to humor visitors.

Thus, she was amazed when Eomer and a party of soldiers appeared in her room with a pallet. "Eomer, I am not inclined to be hospitable just now, if you don't mind," she told him rather curtly.

"Ah, but I do mind. I fear your presence is required and since your head makes it difficult for you to move about, these good men will bear you to your destination."

Not in the mood for games, she retorted, "What is this foolishness you speak? Please, just go away!"

"Sorry, fair lady. That I cannot do, but if you will bear with me a few moments, I do not think you will regret cooperating."

She was eased onto the pallet and a blanket wrapped around her. Dog watched the proceedings tensely, uncertain whether to be alarmed or not. Only because his mistress did not seem to be objecting did he permit them to continue unimpeded.

While Kareswen thought the whole thing unusual, she was dumbfounded when they exited Meduseld and descended the stairs. Eomer was receiving aid, as well, on the stairs, and so was too far away for her to question him. And the sun was not helping her head any, so she finally lay back with her eyes covered by her arm to minimize the discomfort.

She felt the heat of the sun disappear as a shadow fell over her, and she risked lowering her arm to take in her surroundings. She discovered they had entered a building, and from the smell alone she knew it was a stable. Why on earth would Eomer drag her to a stable?

The only possible reason that came to mind made her sit up quickly, and immediately regret doing so. She sank back with a gasp, clutching her head. She could hear voices but the throbbing in her head was too insistent to bother listening. It was with a great deal of relief that something cool settled on her forehead. After a few minutes, her head began to ease a bit and she cautiously opened her eyes to find Eomer standing worriedly over her, a damp cloth pressed to her brow. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"It's easing. I shouldn't have sat up so fast." She closed her eyes again, and then remembered why she had moved so quickly, "Leander?" Her eyes blinked open to look questioningly at Eomer.

He grinned, "Yes. Lie still and we'll take you to him."

Dog had been distracted by his mistress' distress, but now that she seemed recovered, he smelled Leander and bounded ahead of them toward a nearby stall. Leander hobbled toward the front, leaning against the tie rope that held him and loudly whinnied a greeting. Her pallet was set on a long, low table in front of the stall, and Leander reached down to nuzzle her affectionately. Dog couldn't resist getting in on the reunion and brought his front legs up on the table, shoving his head near theirs. Eomer waved the men away and, after getting him settled in a chair across the aisle, they did so.

The trio seemed content to simply be with one another, and a long time passed with nothing being said. At last, Kareswen broke the silence, "Thank you, Eomer. I am very grateful. Will you tell me later how you accomplished this?"

"I will. But for now, spend as much time as you like with him. I will wait here until you are ready to return to your bed."

After a few moments, Eomer noticed Kareswen sliding toward the edge of the pallet, and after watching briefly he suddenly realized what she was doing. He began to rise, but then thought better of it and remained in his chair. In his condition, there was little he could do to help her off the pallet onto the stall floor. He felt certain she was intending to check Leander's leg more closely.

She made it from the pallet, staying mostly horizontal, but in easing down to a sitting position, her head apparently began pounding again, for she leaned back against the wall, her face a mask of pain and her breath coming in short gasps.

"Dog..." Eomer called, drawing his attention from his mistress. He held out the damp cloth he had used on her earlier, and Dog came to retrieve it and take it to her. He nudged at her hand and when she felt the damp material, she took it without opening her eyes. Apparently she realized what it was, for she pressed it to her eyes and gradually began to relax a bit. "Thank you...both of you," she said softly.

Eomer stood and moved slowly over to take her place lying on the pallet, his head propped up with his good arm. He watched as she cautiously leaned over and examined Leander's leg. When she was satisfied, she eased herself down to lay in the straw. "Your man has done a good job tending the leg. Give him my thanks. Or, better yet, arrange for me to meet him. He can bathe the leg in athelas water and it will help even more. I will tell him how to do it."

"I'll arrange for you to meet him. He is home, resting and visiting with his family. I will leave word for him to come to the palace when he is back on duty."

"So how is it that Leander is here? What magic did your man invoke to bring this about?" she asked.

Eomer grinned, "He is more creative than I would have thought to be, but luckily in my letter to him asking him to bring Leander as soon as possible, I mentioned Leander's willingness to lie down on command. He found a large enough wagon, constructed a ramp and they walked Leander into the bed of it. There he directed him to lie down and they pulled him to Edoras. They would stop periodically to get him out and let him stretch his legs, but he seemed to understand what was going on and did not resist them. I am not sure this method would have worked with many other horses."

She contemplated his words and commented, "Creative, indeed. But you are right, Leander would be well chosen to attempt such a thing."

There was something relaxed and friendly in their situation, and Eomer decided to press his luck with a question, "Where did you get Leander? He is truly remarkable. You have done a superb job of training him."

"He was given to me as a yearling, the offspring of my father's horse. But I cannot take credit for what he is. Almost from the beginning he has proven himself intelligent and a quick learner. Whenever I have asked anything of him, it is almost as if he understands my words and then responds accordingly. I cannot claim to be a master horse trainer."

"What about Dog? Where did he come from? And why did you never give him a name?"

Something about the atmosphere seemed to have loosened her tongue, for she didn't hesitate in answering, "Dog wandered into our camp as a stray when he was still young. I suppose we never named him because we thought someone would claim him or he would wander out again. But that did not happen - he was content to remain with us. Again, he is what he is because of himself rather than because of anything I have done." She fell silent and Eomer considered what she had told him.

"Whatever fortune brought these two to me, I am very grateful. They have been the truest friends I could ever hope to have," she admitted introspectively.

Eomer smiled at her depiction of the trio's relationship and then sighed, "You make me quite envious. I should like to have friends who are so unquestioningly true."

Her eyes flickered open, "You do not think that you do? I seem to recall friends tracking you down where no trail should have been and no reason to believe you were still alive existed. And they were more than a little angry at your condition when they found you - at me, until they realized I was not responsible for it. And then they sought me out again, at your request, to deliver a letter. I would say these are true friends."

He shifted his position since his ribs were objecting to his lying on his side, then responded, "They are indeed good friends - and true. But...I suppose what I mean is, I would like to have someone like that here in Rohan. Someone around me on a daily basis to share in all that goes on in my life. My sister, and these friends you mentioned, all live in Gondor. It is difficult for kings to have 'friends'. People are too in awe of the office to treat you honestly no matter what. They fear retribution if they do or say anything to displease you. I am 'friendly' with some around me, but true 'friends' are not part of my world any longer."

There was a note of bitterness in his voice, rather to his surprise. Until he voiced it, he had not fully realized he felt so alone as King of Rohan.

"Perhaps..." she hesitated, wondering how he would take advice, "perhaps, you need to find a way to insure they know they can be honest with you without fear of repercussions. Then they might be more willing to risk it."

He turned his head to the side to look at her, "I think maybe that is why I am trying so hard not to let you out of my life. You do not fear me or my authority. You tell me the truth, even if it isn't what I want to hear."

She gazed into his eyes a long moment before turning away. Finally she said, "Maybe I should try getting back on the pallet and return to my bed."

He was disappointed at the change in subject, and that he sensed her withdrawing again. The close camaraderie was evaporating and they were back to polite acquaintances.

He gave a heavy sigh, "Alright. I'll summon the men. They can put the pallet down beside you there to get you back on it."