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Silver-Solitude: My account on quizzilla is under the same pen name daydreamer8301 and one is titled "Middle Earth" and the other is titled "Chance Meeting: An Orlando Bloom Story". If you check them out, let me know what you think of those. I wrote them some time ago and haven't looked at them since, so if they're terrible be nice in letting me know about it! Thanks!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Lilly.
Chapter 23: Returning Home
They rode through the gates leading into the city and were met with cheers of the people at the sight of their king returning. Spring had been good to the people of Rohan and they were building and once again becoming strong. Gamling made his way down the stairs and saw Eomer lift Lilly down from Firefoot. "Milord! Lilly! It is good to have you both home," Gamling said as he bowed slightly. Eomer smiled and Lilly rushed over to Gamling and embraced him.
"Oh, Gamling, it is good to be back," she said. She pulled away and smiled up at him. "There is much we need to tell you." Gamling furrowed his brow and he heard Eomer chuckle.
"Indeed, there is much to tell the kingdom," Eomer said as he stepped closer to the pair. Gamling looked up at Eomer and frowned.
"What do you mean, milord?" Gamling asked. Lilly smiled up at him and then looked at Eomer who smiled brightly at Gamling.
"Rohan is to have a queen, my friend," Eomer said as he took Lilly's arm and led her up at the stairs to the golden hall. Gamling stood in shock for a moment, but quickly turned and followed behind Eomer and Lilly. Once they were inside, Eomer removed Lilly's black cloak and smiled at her. Lilly returned his smile but turned to face Gamling who had rushed in behind them.
"What do you mean, milord? Rohan is to have a queen? Who is she?" Gamling asked. His mind was racing, was it a woman of Gondor as a treaty or was it someone even closer to his heart?
"Well, my friend, it is simple. I have met a woman that I have fallen in love with and she is to be my queen in three days time," Eomer said as he walked further into the hall. Lilly laughed quietly but soon followed behind Eomer just as Gamling did. Eomer suddenly stopped and pulled Lilly close to him. "And she is right here before our eyes." Lilly gave him a tired smile, their long ride catching up with her. It was mid afternoon and she was exhausted but didn't want to go anywhere. Gamling smiled brightly and clapped.
"That is wonderful, milord, but what of the council?" Gamling asked quietly. Lilly furrowed her brow and looked at Gamling.
"Council?" she asked. Eomer shook his head and pulled her chin to face him.
"The council will be briefed and they will have no say in the matter. I have spoken with those they had thought to be a match for Rohan and found that they will not make as good a queen as Lillyana for Rohan," Eomer said to bother Lilly and Eomer. Lilly gave him a smile, and Gamling couldn't help the smile that played at his lips. He had known that Lilly had cared deeply for Eomer for some time, and was thankful that her feelings were returned even though it meant loosing her as his daughter already. Eomer looked at Lilly and was thankful when he saw the hesitation leave her eyes. He could see how tired she was and he kissed her forehead. "We should get something to eat and then you should rest." Lilly sighed.
"I am always resting anymore," Lilly said with a smile. "Soon, you'll be busy with your duties and I won't see you that much. I would like to spend more time with you." Eomer smiled at her and shook his head.
"I will be with you soon; there are some things I need to attend to. Once I am finished, I will be with you." Lilly smiled and nodded before linking her arm with his and following his lead to the dinning hall.
After a light meal, Gamling led Lilly out into the garden and Eomer left the dinning hall and went into the library where the council would be waiting for him. When he stepped inside the five men quickly stood and bowed their heads. "Welcome home, Eomer King," Halabar said. Halabar was the head of the council and an older man nearing fifty-five with silver hair and a rough looking face, but he had a kind heart though it did not show. Eomer smiled and bowed his head.
"It is good to be home. I called you together because I have an announcement to share with you," Eomer said as he sat behind his desk. The others followed suit and sat down as well. "In three days time I am to be wed." Murmurs suddenly filled the room and Halabar stood.
"To whom your majesty?" Halabar asked with his brow furrowed. Eomer smiled.
"To Lady Lillyana." One of the council members stood and raced over to Eomer's desk, it was Tramund a man about Halabar's age.
"Your majesty, you cannot marry her! It is not wise for Rohan, a match with Princess Lothloriel of Dol Amroth would be much wiser and beneficial to Rohan," Tramund said. Eomer stood and glared down at the older man.
"Tramund, you know not of what you speak. I am in love with Lady Lillyana and intend to make her my wife. She will help me rule over Rohan with a fair and just hand. Lady Lillyana will make a better queen for Rohan than Princess Lothloriel because her heart lies in the plains of Rohan where as Princess Lothloriel's heart lies with the ocean that borders Dol Amroth. Lillyana will be my wife," Eomer said. Tramund shook his head but Halabar stepped in front of him and led Tramund to the other three men. They spoke in hushed voices for a few moments before they seemed to come to an agreement although Eomer noticed that Tramund seemed to have a sour expression. Halabar walked over to Eomer and bowed his head.
"A majority of the council approves of this match, your majesty. We wish you and Lady Lillyana many heirs and a long rule," Halabar said. Eomer bowed his head to Halabar.
"I am thankful this union is given your blessing," Eomer straightened and quickly left the library with a smile on his face. "Although it would have taken place anyway," he thought as he walked down the corridor and into the garden where Lilly sat with Gamling.
Lilly smiled at Gamling as they walked through the small garden. "I am glad to be home," Lilly said as they stopped by a bench. Gamling motioned for her to sit and she did soon followed by him.
"Home?" he asked and she smiled.
"Yes, home. This is my home, Gamling, and nothing will change that." Gamling smiled and patted her hand that rested on the bench.
"That is good to hear." Gamling paused and looked her over quickly. She seemed to glow with happiness and he was happy to her see her like that. "I always knew your heart was lost to the king, and it makes me glad to know that you have stolen his as well." Lilly blushed and shook her head.
"I am afraid she has not stolen my heart, Gamling," a voice said from behind them and Lilly stood and turned around to see Eomer. He was smiling at her and she smiled at him. Gamling stood and looked at his king. "I gave it freely to her." Lilly once again found herself blushing but she smiled at him as he walked over to them. Eomer took her hands into his and his eyes never left hers. Gamling smiled and quickly left the betrothed couple to spend the sunset together in the garden. "The council has agreed to our union, although I will say to you that even if they did not agree we would be wed anyway." Lilly smiled at him and squeezed his hands gently in hers. He smiled down at her and freed his right hand from hers and gently ran his fingers over her cheekbone and then down her jaw line stopping just under her chin. He tilted her chin up and kissed her lips gently. They had not shared much contact other than holding each other's hands since they left Minas Tirith and Eomer longed for her touch. After a moment, Lilly slowly pulled away from him.
"Eomer," she said quietly with her eyes closed. Eomer opened his eyes and looked down at her and couldn't help but smile as he watched her eyes slowly open. Lilly looked up at him and gave him a small smile. "If we are to be wed in three days, don't we have a lot to do?" Eomer chuckled and nodded his head.
"Aye that we do, however, we shall begin those tasks in the morn." Lilly nodded and sighed as she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. Eomer was surprised at first, but soon wrapped his arms around her. He ran one hand over the back of her head as he rested his head on the top of hers. The two of them held each other and watched the spring sun slowly set in the horizon.
