Jazzcat -Writer of Rohan, huh? Okey, dokey! Or are you just buttering me up so I'll get busy and write more stories, since this is the last complete one I have and you'll have to wait when it ends for the next one to post (assuming I finish something)!
Hopefully everyone has forgiven me for the incorrect chapter title that caused so much heart failure. This chapter may make up for it...
The Truest Friends
Chapter 8
It took several more days before the worst of the headaches diminished. More and more Kareswen was able to sit up without too much difficulty, and once she seemed stable at that level, she began making more of an attempt to rise and move around. Sometimes she was forced to a chair or back to bed, but her progress was gradually seen.
She made several more trips to visit Leander, but seemed more at ease about him now that he was close and she had seen for herself that he was being properly cared for. The soldier who had been caring for him, Garod, had visited with her and was quite interested to learn about the use of athelas.
As her head began to allow more activity, she began working out with her sword to regain her strength, and spent part of each day practicing her archery skills.
Now that Kareswen was more mobile, she had been persuaded to take her meals with Eomer and his family, so at least he was assured of spending some part of each day with her. Even so, he found he envied her freedom to come and go as she pleased. He had let her borrow one of his horses when she felt up to it, and she and Dog often spent part of the day out riding.
Since Eomer was on the mend physically, he had begun resuming his responsibilities in meetings with advisers and such. Eowyn and Faramir spent time bringing him up to date on the activities in the kingdom during his absence, and it was reluctantly agreed that they would depart in a fortnight to return home.
After four weeks of recuperating, he was beginning to feel better and fettered by the still mending bones. Both Kareswen and Linwe assured him it would likely take six weeks full before he could begin trying to use the affected limbs to any appreciable extent.
Adding to his frustration was the feeling that time was running out. Soon both Kareswen and Leander would be well, and it was clear that they would be gone as soon as that happened. Even if Kareswen did not say as much, Eowyn made a point of bringing it to his notice rather regularly. One evening as Eomer sat in his study with Eowyn and Faramir, she mentioned it again and he finally questioned her, "Why do you keep bringing that up? Do you not like Kareswen? Do you wish to see her leave as soon as possible?" He had not meant to sound angry, but realized he had.
Eowyn was a bit taken aback at his sharp words. "I like her very well, brother. I am merely pointing out the obvious. She is here only because circumstances force her to be." She hesitated, glancing at Faramir first, then added quietly, "And I do not wish to see you hurt, but perhaps that is inevitable."
"If you don't wish to see me hurt, then help me persuade her to stay!" he retorted with annoyance.
Calmly Faramir stepped in, "Eomer, if she wishes to go, there is little we can say that would convince her otherwise. And have you truly considered the ramifications of her staying? Can you really see her being part of the Royal Court and consorting with the nobles of Rohan, or other Middle Earth kingdoms? I have no doubt she could do so admirably, if she wished, but I have seen no desire on her part to insert herself into that realm. No matter how much you may want her to do so."
Eomer's scowl spoke volumes, but he kept silent. They were right, of course, and he hated it. He didn't even think her reluctance to stay was about him at all, but about the world he lived in. But he couldn't change the fact that he was King - Rohan needed him to lead them in his Uncle's absence. And he really couldn't blame her for not wanting to be a part of all that. It was just that he so desperately wanted her with him... It was selfish of him, he knew, but her presence would make it easier for him to do what he was called upon to do. If she was at his side, he felt he could weather just about anything that came. He had to find a way to convince her to stay...
xxxxx
The next morning, Kareswen and Dog were headed to the stables after breakfast, but had stopped in her quarters first. On the way back down the hall, she was startled to hear a crash from Eomer's quarters, followed by an angry bellow. Immediately on the alert, she drew her dagger and ran toward the sound, cautiously entering the room via the door that was ajar. She carefully scanned the room for the trouble, but found nothing more than a surprised Eomer looking at her.
"I heard a crash," she explained, eyeing him questioningly.
His anger had not yet dissipated, and he exclaimed, "That would be my hair brush! I cannot properly brush my hair with only one good arm!"
She hid a smirk, by ducking her head, as she resheathed her dagger, "Does not a King have servants who could assist him with such tasks?"
"They do not do it correctly!" he fumed, wavering on his crutch because of his agitation.
"Fine - sit."
"What?" he asked.
"Sit. As in 'sit down'. In this chair. Now," she explained patronizingly.
He gave her a curious look, but did as directed. "So," she told him, "as amusing as this little fit of temper is, it accomplishes nothing. I will brush your hair, and I do not want to hear any complaints. I have long done the same for Leander and he has no objections!"
"You compare me to a horse!" he exclaimed.
"Well, at the moment, you are acting like the hind end of one! But the principle is basically the same, whether we are talking hair or mane. Shall I proceed?"
Eomer rather thought he should be offended by her remark, but he couldn't suppress his pleasure at her offer, so he willingly submitted, "Yes."
It was clear his hair had been recently washed and was even now slightly damp. She began working at the ends, easing out the tangles and working her way up.
For his part, Eomer was finding the whole process rather intimate, and wondered if she felt anything. Was it his imagination, or was she being more gentle than necessary? Were the strokes she gave his hair with her hand essential, or was she enjoying the feel of it and prolonging her task? He realized just how aware he was of her every movement, and almost didn't dare breathe for fear he would wake and find it was all a dream. When she moved to his right side, the urge to reach out and pull her to him was almost overwhelming, but she stepped back behind him before he could act.
"How do you usually fix it?" she asked. Was he imagining a husky tone to her voice?
"Some of the long hair in the front is pulled to the back and fastened there. The binding is on the dresser," he murmured. She went to retrieve it and then began working as he had directed. Just as she was affixing the tie, Gamling entered and bowed.
"My lord, the traders will be here in about an hour. We have a few things to go over before then, when you are ready."
The spell was broken as Kareswen stepped away, "Perhaps not exactly as you usually wear it, but it should do."
He reached up and felt it, then told her somewhat grumpily, "Well, it is better than the servant was doing, that is for certain!"
She moved toward the door, but he called, "Kareswen, I would speak with you later, if I may. I will be in the Golden Hall to meet the traders. You will find me there."
She nodded her understanding, though her eyes narrowed with curiosity. She and Dog continued on their way and Eomer turned his attention back to Gamling, not quite able to conceal a pleased grin.
xxxxx
He had actually intended for Kareswen to come after the traders were gone, so there would be more time to talk with her alone. Instead, she showed up shortly before they were to arrive, so he didn't feel like he could speak freely as Gamling had already begun showing the visitors in.
Already there were a number of people milling about the Golden Hall. Gamling and some guards were off to the side, keeping watch on the proceedings, and various members of the court were socializing with the visitors and traders from the South who had come to be introduced to Rohan's king. Eomer sat on the throne, trying to avoid looking disinterested and forcing himself not to steal glances over at Kareswen.
Kareswen had moved to the side, out of the way, when the visitors arrived, interrupting the conversation she had been having with Eomer. She was considering whether to try and slip out unnoticed when Dog lay his head against her leg and gave a soft, barely audible, growl. She looked down curiously to see what had his attention, and followed his gaze to a swarthy man with greasy black hair. Even at a glance, her initial reaction was distrust, but she knew Dog's warning meant more than shady looks. And then she saw his right hand trying to conceal a dagger in the folds of his cloak as he worked his way toward Eomer.
She tapped the dog on the head and pointed to her left, then hooked her hand back toward the man, indicating the dog should approach him unseen from the rear. Silently the animal slipped away and she stepped inobtrusively toward one of the guards. As Dog launched himself soundlessly at the man's right wrist, she reached over with her right hand and drew the guard's sword. He was too shocked to prevent her, as she shoved forward to where the man was screaming and the dagger had fallen to the ground. Several of the ladies shrieked and scurried toward the walls, and the guards were frantically trying to discern what was happening. In an instant, Kareswen had the sword at the man's throat and Dog released his hold.
With difficulty, Eomer rose and came forward. "What is going on?" he demanded. He looked to Kareswen for an answer and she nodded to the dagger on the floor. Clumsily he stooped and picked it up. After a brief examination of the blade he held it out for the man to see and asked, "A little present for me?"
The guards surged forward around him as he desperately tried to cover his tracks, "I drew the weapon to fight off the dog's attack, lord!"
"Indeed? You drew it with your right hand only after the dog had clamped his teeth on your right wrist?"
"Lord, I assure you I meant no threat to you. Surely you will not take the word of this person over me. I am a respectable trader." He threw a disdainful look at Kareswen, who was dressed in her customary attire of shirt, trousers and boots.
The King stepped closer to his would-be assailant and said in a low, angry growl, "This person would give her life protecting me, and I would believe anything she told me!" To the guards he added, "Lock him up and question him." He was hastily pulled from the room as the King turned to Gamling, "Clear the hall. I have business elsewhere." To Kareswen he added, "You come with me."
After returning the guard's sword, she trailed along behind Eomer as he left the hall and headed for his quarters.
xxxxx
When they entered the room and she had closed the door, she turned to find Eomer right behind her. He rested his left elbow on the wall on one side of her head and his right hand on the other side, bringing his face very near. She leaned back instinctively, but soon met wall behind and had no more room to retreat.
"It occurs to me that I have never properly thanked you for repeatedly saving my life," he murmured, his gaze roving over her face.
Nervously, she answered, "I did very little this time. Dog is the one you should be thanking."
A slow grin crossed his face, "Perhaps so, but I'm not sure Dog would fully appreciate my intended show of gratitude." And then his right hand slipped behind her neck and his lips were on hers. Gently, but with increasing fervor, his mouth claimed hers, and she was too taken by surprise to do more than allow it. Some part of her found the experience not at all unpleasant, but when he broke off, breathing heavily, confusion set in and, before he could prevent it, she ducked under his arm and stepped away from him.
Awkwardly, Eomer turned to follow and she began edging away. "You are not afraid of me, are you?" he asked, inching towards her.
"No...but you are not yourself," she replied, looking slightly worried.
"Then why do you move away? I was not finished thanking you!" he teased, continuing to prowl in her direction.
"I assure you, thanks are not necessary."
She was still retreating, but Eomer realized that, with his impairments, she should have easily been able to elude him and bolt out the door if she truly wanted to escape. He chanced a quick glance at Dog and saw him lying quietly under the table, his ears cocked with interest at their movements. There was no indication Dog considered him a threat, and he took that to mean that he was not sensing any alarm from his mistress. He suppressed a grin and resumed the chase.
"Not necessary, perhaps, but most enjoyable to give. Will you not indulge a king his eccentricities?"
Her eyes widened and he feared she might decide to leave after all, so he stumbled toward the sofa and landed heavily on it, seemingly overexerted. She hesitated momentarily, and then cautiously approached him to see if he was alright. He reached down with his good arm to rub his broken leg, and when she leaned in for a closer examination, his hand darted out and caught her by the waist, pulling her onto his lap.
At first she was too startled to react, but then she began to tug at his grip to free herself. He faked a moan, "Don't. That really hurts my ribs." Without thinking, her struggles subsided, and he settled her more comfortably in his arms. With a sly smile he told her, "That's better!"
Then he was kissing her again, and gradually his lips began to have the effect he wanted. Almost without realizing her surrender, the stiffness in her eased and she relaxed into the embrace, welcoming the tender caresses of his mouth. When finally they parted, he held her close, his face buried in her neck.
"All I want is to love you. Is that so wrong?" he whispered.
"But you don't even know me. Not really."
"I want to. I want to know everything about you, but even knowing more won't change how I feel now, except maybe to make me love you more." He tightened his hold around her waist, as if he was afraid she'd disappear if he let go.
They sat frozen in time, neither really sure what to say or do next. And then, much to Eomer's annoyance, there was a knock at the door which effectively broke the spell. Without a word, Kareswen pulled free of his arms and rose, and he sat staring at her, trying to determine where they stood. Another knock sounded, and she moved to answer it, admitting Gamling to the room as she and Dog departed. Eomer's thoughts followed her out, so it was with some effort that he pulled his attention back to what Gamling was telling him and was able to respond appropriately.
xxxxx
Kareswen wasn't aware of her path, but she ended up, not to her surprise, in the stable and plunked down in a corner of Leander's stall. Her friends seemed to sense her distress but did not know how to console her, so they merely stood by in a show of support.
How had this happened? How had she let it happen? She tried to think when it was that she let this get out of control, but found it difficult to think beyond the musky smell of the soap Eomer used, the taste of his lips, the feel of his arms around her and the look in his eyes when they were together. She gave a moan and dropped her head into her arms as they rested on her knees. If only...
For the next several days, Kareswen studiously avoided being alone with Eomer. The look on his face told her he knew what she was doing, and that he didn't like it very much. While Leander was on the mend and progressing steadily, she did not want to leave Edoras until he was completely recovered, and that might take another week or more. Until then, avoiding him seemed her only option if she wanted to prevent his cornering her again.
If she was honest with herself, she hadn't really minded his attention all that much, and had even enjoyed his kisses, but she could not foresee any future for the two of them, and encouraging him in any way would only make their parting more difficult.
She saw Eowyn watching her sometimes, and rather felt sorry for her position. She was caught in the middle of what her brother wanted and what she knew Kareswen thought about the matter. And it was now clear that Eomer was not inclined to be persuaded to give up his infatuation, or convinced that it couldn't work between them. Despite everything Eowyn and Faramir had said on the subject, Eomer remained determined to find favor with this enigmatic woman.