A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed. All right, already! She won't be slapping anyone else! I know it seemed a bit odd, but the first time was more a reaction to Eomer and his self-pity, sort of "snap out of it!". Words alone probably couldn't have broken past his barriers. He was totally unprepared for her doing anything like that.

With Amrothos, it was more a matter of the stress getting to her. She really has no one to talk to about all this and is bearing the weight of holding things together. She's just spent a stressful evening and stressful session with Eomer, only to have her beloved brother who she would hope to have provide emotional support attack her behavior instead. Even the strongest people get tired, cranky and snappish if you push hard enough.

Lady Luthien – I like Eowyn too (and Faramir), so even though most of my stories have focused on Eomer/Lothiriel, they usually get a nice bit in them somewhere!

The Heart of the Beholder

Chapter 4

Amrothos wasted no time in approaching Eomer. He put in appearance the next morning as Lothiriel was eating the morning meal with him.

Behaving more formally than usual, he said, "Eomer King, I must discuss a matter of some importance with you."

Eomer glanced at Lothiriel, who kept her eyes averted, leading him to suspect she knew the nature of this conversation. "Here or in private?" he inquired.

"Here will be fine. I made my intention known to Lothiriel last night."

Eomer had thought Lothiriel seemed more tired than he would have expected this morning, and rather on edge. He wasn't sure he was going to like this discussion... Even so, he gestured for Amrothos to pull up a chair and join them.

"Have you eaten?" he questioned, politely.

Amrothos nodded. "Yes. Before I came." He paused, then jumped in. "With your permission, I would send a message to my father this day, requesting that your marriage to Lothiriel take place as soon as possible, rather than waiting the year he originally specified."

Imrahil's edict of their waiting a year had come on the heels of their newfound love and reconciliation the previous October, when Eowyn had had her baby. Eomer had spent a fortnight with his sister, and then joined Lothiriel in returning to Dol Amroth so that he could formally ask her father for her hand. Although he knew they had become friends over time, Imrahil had considered it best that they spend a year in courtship, during which they could become better acquainted on this new level before actually wedding. That meant the marriage was tentatively scheduled to take place some time in October or November of this year, and it was presently only April.

Eomer's eyes narrowed. "Is there a reason you wish to do so?"

Nervously, Amrothos shifted in his chair. Taking a deep breath, he finally admitted, "I am concerned for my sister's reputation if anyone were to learn how much she is assisting you."

Eomer's head jerked toward Lothiriel. "What have you to say about this, Thiri?"

Calmly, Lothiriel lifted her eyes to meet his. "I do not feel the need of a change in the marriage date, but I am not opposed to becoming your wife earlier than planned. Another six months will not change how I feel about you, and I suppose there are valid reasons why marrying sooner might be desirable." She slid her hand across the table and took hold of his, giving it a squeeze.

Eomer turned his head and gazed out the window, over the plains of the Riddermark to the mountains on the horizon. "I would wish to stand beside you for our wedding, but I suppose there is no guarantee that I am more likely to do so six months from now than at present. And I do very much want you for my wife," he murmured. Turning back to face her, he added, "Speak with Gamling about the details and how quickly it could take place, and then proceed if Imrahil agrees."

Amrothos stood. "Thank you, my lord. I will send the letter to my Father now and let you know of his decision. My apologies for interrupting your meal." He turned and left the room, and they sat in silence for several minutes.

Lothiriel couldn't help but notice the emotions playing across his face. Moving her chair closer, she again took his hand. "Does this trouble you, my love?"

His jaw tightened and his eyes darkly stared away from her. After a moment, she realized his gaze was focused on the bed. Softly, she told him, "I do not know much of such things, as you would expect, dearest. I cannot tell you all will be well and nothing will be... " She paused, choosing her words. "I love you, Eomer. We will find a way to be as intimate as the situation allows. Under the circumstances, I know our wedding night will not be 'traditional', but we will make it wonderful, nevertheless. Do not be distressed by any perceived shortcomings this injury has caused. We will simply have to be more...creative."

He pulled her to him and she settled in his lap, his face buried in her neck. "I would so wish to come to you as a man, whole and strong. It is what you deserve."

Unwilling to let him sink into this morose mood, she teased, "Well, you had best be focusing your attention on alternate ways of doing things, my love. Do not think I will go easy on you for this slight handicap. I expect great things of Rohan's king!"

Despite the tears dampening his cheeks, he could not restrain a laugh. Shaking his head, he said, "Oh my beloved, what would I do without you?"

xxxxx

Heavy spring rains over the next few days kept kingly activity within Meduseld to a minimum. The advisers were not inclined to venture forth in the downpour any more often than they had to just for a council meeting, and Eomer, who had long believed many of the meetings were unnecessary, was not disappointed by it.

Gamling and Amrothos had discovered a shared interest in chess, and enthusiastically spent long hours bent over the chess board to while away the time.

Though Lothiriel's daily activities in assisting Eomer had not disappeared because of the rain, she spent even more of the day in his room just sitting and talking with him. Letters during the winter had been difficult to send, and Eomer was not used to much written communication so his missives had tended to be rather brief. Lothiriel took the opportunity to ask about his parents, his uncle and his life in general. Normally, he was not an especially talkative man but, chatting with her, long hours would pass during which he would realize he had done most of the speaking.

Lothiriel told him of Dol Amroth and her life there, and they planned to visit it often after they were married. Eomer knew Lothiriel would miss her home, and he liked her father and family enough to wish to spend as much time as they could there.

The one thing they did not speak of was Eomer's condition. There was little that could be said since they did not know whether he would ever heal, or how his present condition would affect them on an ongoing basis.

Because Lothiriel had learned a great deal working with healers, and the healer of Edoras agreed with her idea, she devised a program to exercise Eomer's legs by bending and stretching them daily. At first Eomer had balked at the activity, believing it senseless, but when she pointed out that an injured horse confined to a stall would lose condition during its recovery, he more readily accepted the idea that it could be beneficial.

Amrothos was waiting impatiently for a reply from his father regarding Lothiriel's marriage. He knew the rains would have delayed the messenger, in each direction, but he was still anxious to receive some word. And at last, the expected response arrived.

After he had read it, Amrothos went to join Eomer and Lothiriel in the king's room, taking Gamling with him. They looked up as the two men entered and Amrothos took a seat in a nearby chair.

"I have heard from Father," he began. "As I expected, he was also concerned about your reputation, Thiri. He has agreed to move the wedding up to the middle of June. It will take that long to send out invitations and make preparations. Father will arrange to pack up the rest of your belongings and bring them with him when he comes, unless you prefer to return and do it yourself."

He raised his eyes from the letter to discern the couple's response. Without hesitation, Lothiriel answered, "Father may bring my things with him. I do not anticipate returning to Dol Amroth for some time. Gamling, let me know if there is anything you need me to do to assist with the preparations here in Edoras."

Eomer had not looked up during the conversation, but sat holding Lothiriel's hand. Gamling questioned, "My lord, do you wish to fix a certain date or shall I choose one at random?"

Eomer glanced at Lothiriel, who shrugged. "Choose whichever day best suits, Gamling," he answered quietly.

Gamling nodded and the two men departed, leaving a much changed atmosphere in the room.

"Does this still trouble you, my love?" Lothiriel asked softly.

Eomer tried to pull his thoughts together. "Everything is happening so fast. I feel like my life is out of my control, and I do not like that feeling."

"If you wish to wait longer for us to marry, Eomer, we will do so. Do not feel forced into this by Amrothos or my father. I want you to be comfortable with these decisions." She could not keep a hint of hurt out of her tone, much as she tried.

Eomer reached for her and pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arms around her silently. After long moments, he told her, "It is not that I do not wish to marry you as soon as possible, or that I am unconcerned about your reputation, but..." His voice trailed away as he was uncertain how to express what he was feeling. At last he finished adamantly, "I would have you for my wife – as soon as possible, no matter what my concerns may be about my condition or our life together. I do love you, Thiri."

She lifted her head from his chest and looked in his eyes. "You are the King of Rohan, Eomer. You have the right to have a say in anything that happens in Edoras, especially when it concerns you. Do not hesitate to speak your mind if you feel anyone, including me, is being high-handed and usurping your authority. I do not wish to rule in your stead, my love; I only hope to work at your side."

"I know," he whispered, pulling her back into an embrace. "I know."

xxxxx

Luckily the rains had finally eased, and messengers were immediately sent to invite the wedding guests. Lothiriel left most of the planning in Gamling's hands, as he knew the traditions and customs of Rohan and knew what needed to happen in the marriage of a king and the crowning of a queen.

Had she been less busy, and less tired, Lothiriel supposed she might have been more nervous about her approaching nuptials. She would particularly have expected it to be so with the acceleration of the date so that it was less than a month away. But somehow, in light of recent events, excessive consideration about wedding details seemed too trivial to concern her. And in some ways, she was glad to have the event transpiring sooner. The past month with Eomer had convinced her more than ever that she loved him passionately, and she was anxious to be his wife. True, there would need to be adjustments made, but she had become quite resourceful in these weeks of tending him, and did not think there would be any problem that could not be resolved in some acceptable manner.

Eomer's emotions continued to run the gamut, and Lothiriel was never entirely sure when she approached him what his mindset would be. But she was quickly learning to discern his mood and adjust accordingly. More and more, she could see him reverting back to his old self – a confident and assured leader.

A fortnight before the wedding, Prince Imrahil and the party from Dol Amroth arrived, bringing Eowyn and her baby with them. With Elphir's wife along on the trip, it had been determined that she could assist Eowyn along the way, and Faramir would join his family when he traveled to Edoras with King Elessar and Queen Arwen.

Lothiriel was grateful for Eowyn's presence. She was even less inclined than Lothiriel to allow Eomer to give in to self-pity. And though the presence of Elboron was a painful reminder of what he might have lost, Eomer could not help enjoying his nephew. He seemed quite content to allow the active baby to crawl all over him and his bed, while he sat there with a pleased grin on his face and listened to the boy's proud mother pass along the details of her son's life since birth.

The day after his arrival, Imrahil sought an audience with his daughter. Lothiriel suspected what he might have on his mind, but allowed him to speak at will.

"Thiri," he began, then stopped uncertainly. At last, he settled for the direct approach. "Are you certain about this? That you want to marry him? I would not have you marry out of a sense of obligation if your heart was truly not in it. And, all things considered, this is not a marriage to enter into lightly."

She lifted her eyes to his, then moved to embrace him. "I am certain, Father. I know it will not be an easy life, whether he recovers or not, but I could never consider spending my life anywhere but at his side. I am certain."

Imrahil held his only daughter close, proud of her decision but concerned for what she was facing. "I will always be there if you need me, dearest. You are not alone in this."

"I know, Father. I never thought that I was."