A/N: Doggone if I didn't sit down and write another Theodwyn/Freawine story, this time a one-shot. It will be along after this one finishes posting.

Replies to reviewers:

Tracey - Glad you are satisfied! I'm sure smor will be along when she gets a minute and tell us what she thinks of Theodwyn. This is the first in depth look we've had of her. The next story is actually sort of a prequel to this one (in that it takes place when she is almost 16, but not directly tied to this story) and gives you a bit more about her mindset. It probably would have been better to post that one first, but since I just wrote it after I started posting this one, that wasn't an option.

Elwen of Lorien, Julia – oh, yeah. the parents. That fast horse might not be a bad idea… (see below)

Josie C – "How is it that when Elfwine and Dariel were falling in love, Lothiriel was ever present helping them through and giving them advice. And Theodwyn doesnt even get a small help..." - Josie, in the case of Elfwine and Dariel, it was clear that the two liked each other and just couldn't quite get together on their own. With Freawine and Theodwyn, he has been like an older brother to her all her life, and though he fell in love with her when she was 15 (see Catching Up), she still only saw him as a brother. He has been hiding his feelings for her, continuing to just be merely a brother and friend until she was old enough that he felt like he could make his feelings known without her father killing him, and hoping to see some sort of indication from her that she was beginning to think of him as more than a friend. So the parents are oblivious to what is going on. The two spend time together all the time, but they just think of it as her "hanging out with her brother when he's home from the army". If they had recognized Freawine's feelings (before or after Th. developed feelings for him), they would have reacted differently. Hope that makes sense.

Chapter 3 (change of POV to third person)

Dariel sat in the garden, looking up at the night sky. It had been a long hectic day, and she had welcomed Elfwine offering to put their son to bed. He had promised to join her here when he was done.

Usually the garden was very quiet, making it quite peaceful, but she was surprised to hear voices just outside the gate leading to the front of Meduseld. After a moment, she recognized Theodwyn's voice, and she was fairly certain the man with her was Freawine. The two of them had been showing a great deal of interest in each other lately, though they seemed to be trying to hide it. Even so, she was startled by the conversation that followed.

"If you loved me, Freawine, you would do this! We could be back by morning if we rode hard!"

The young man sighed. "Theodwyn, I do love you, but do not ask this of me! When we marry, I want it to be with your parents' approval. I cannot betray my king by stealing his daughter away in the night."

"Then you do not truly love me!" the girl replied angrily, and running footsteps told Dariel she was leaving.

"Theodwyn! Wait!" But Freawine did not pursue her and Dariel heard him moving away.

Dariel had become so involved in what had been said, she did not notice her husband approaching, so she jumped when he sat down beside her. "Is something the matter?" he questioned, noting her reaction, and the expression on her face.

"I...I am not sure that I should tell you, but I have just overheard conversation that concerns me."

He was looking at her curiously, then asked, "Why would you think you should not tell me?"

Dariel sighed. "No, you should know. You will know better than I what should be done. Theodwyn was trying to talk Freawine into running away with her and their getting married."

Elfwine took a sharp intake of breath. "That girl... What did Freawine respond?"

"He would not do it. He said he wanted her parents' blessing when they married and that he could not so betray his king."

"Well, at least one of them has some sense!" Elfwine snapped. "Father would break him in two if he pulled something like that! What is she thinking?"

Dariel slipped her arm around him comfortingly. "I do not know, but she is seventeen and fancies herself in love. At that age, girls are prone to doing foolish things, and Theodwyn is more fearless than most."

xxxxx

From Elfwine's perspective, there was never any question that he take this matter to his parents. He quickly found them and informed them of the conversation Dariel had overheard. There was no doubt of the rage Eomer was feeling – it was evident on his face. Tersely he directed Elfwine, "Bring Freawine to me. Now." Elfwine nodded and glanced imploringly at his mother as he turned to leave.

Lothiriel stepped to Eomer's side and slipped her arms around him. "My love, calm down."

"Calm down? I will calm down when I have soundly thrashed that boy!" Eomer snarled.

"Eomer! You will do nothing of the sort!" Lothiriel shouted, and her husband was so surprised by her outburst, that he just stared at her for several moments.

Before he could argue, Lothiriel continued, "Theodwyn is the one who suggested marrying in secret, not Freawine. Freawine refused to do it, refused to betray you and suffered the ire of our daughter for his honorable actions. You WILL NOT lay a hand on him!"

Eomer deflated slightly, but it was clear that he was still angry. "Why would she do something like this?" he questioned. "Why would she hide this from us?"

"Because she is Theodwyn, my love. And she is much like your sister. She does things in her own way and of her own choosing, and sometimes she does not entirely think things through before she acts. Not to mention that she is only seventeen and still lacking much in maturity."

Eomer sat down heavily in a chair, and retorted, "There is still the matter that he has been seeing her behind our backs! If they are in love, why are they sneaking around?"

Lothiriel sighed and moved to stand beside him, stroking his head. "I do not know. Perhaps because she is so young and they feared you would not approve. Eomer, I want you to promise me you will stay calm and rational when you speak with him. While it is true he should not have been courting her without our knowledge, he still has behaved honorably. He would not betray his king, he would not betray us by running away with her and he has ever been honest when it would have been easier to hide the truth. You recall he came to us when they were attacked on their picnic. If neither he nor Theodwyn had mentioned it, nothing would have tied them to that man's death and we might never have known of the matter. But he was too honest to keep it secret, and he wanted to be sure we knew of the fright Theodwyn had suffered. He is a good man, my love. Give him a chance to explain things, and listen with an open mind."

Eomer rose and pulled her to him, wrapping her in his arms. "What would I do without you beside me to save me from myself?"

She smiled up at him. "You would do fine…eventually!"

The comment elicited the laugh she hoped for, and she stepped away. "While you talk to Freawine, I will talk to our daughter and try to find out why she has done this. It was unfair to us and to Freawine."

He nodded, calmer, and followed her out to the Golden Hall to await Freawine's arrival.

xxxxx

Gamling looked up, startled at the sight of his son approaching. "Freawine, what do you do here?" he asked.

"I sent for him," Eomer responded, entering the room.

Gamling glanced between the two men, and inquired, "Is there a problem, my lord?" His son stood stiffly at attention, and left it to the king to answer.

At length, Eomer said, "A private matter between the two of us. Do not concern yourself, Gamling." He meant for his words to alleviate any fears Gamling might have that Eomer's problem with his son would affect Gamling's position as Doorward, but he wasn't sure Gamling was reassured.

"Come with me, Freawine," he ordered, leading the way to his study. Freawine glanced at this father, but did as instructed.

Gamling was left staring after them, a frown creasing his face. He was so lost in thought, he did not immediately notice Elfwine come to stand beside him. With a sigh, Elfwine filled him in on what was happening, and his scowl deepened, but he could only await the outcome of their meeting.

Almost the instant the door was closed and Freawine seated, Eomer turned on him.

"How long have you been after my daughter?" the king growled.

Freawine looked down at his boots and contemplated if honesty was wise, but he could see no good coming of it if he lied and was found out. With a deep breath, he answered, "I have been in love with her for several years. But I have not spoken of it or approached her with my feelings. It is only in the past three months that she has developed affections for me in return."

Eomer's eyes narrowed. "Did Elfwine know about this? The two of you are good friends."

The young man shook his head emphatically. "No. I have never told anyone of my feelings."

"She is just a child!" Eomer roared.

Freawine gulped, but tried to remain calm. "I know that, my lord. But one day she no longer will be."

"I would not allow her to marry before she is one and twenty – at the earliest!" Eomer snapped.

Freawine nodded. "And I will wait, however long it takes. I have only been waiting for her to catch up."

The king's head jerked up in surprise. "Who told you to say that?"

Confusion etched Freawine's countenance. "My lord? I do not understand. Who told me to say what?"

"That you are waiting for her to catch up," came the response.

Freawine shook his head in bewilderment. "No one told me to say it. I was only speaking the truth. Theodwyn has long thought of me as nothing more than her brother's friend. I have been waiting until she was old enough for me to express my feelings, and see if she could feel the same."

He hoped his answer was sufficient, but the king still seemed to be looking at him strangely.

"Remain here. I must confer with my wife." Eomer strode hastily from the room, disconcerted by their debate.

xxxxx

Lothiriel took a deep breath before knocking on her daughter's door. It was snatched open almost immediately by her rather angry daughter. Theodwyn came to a startled halt at the sight of her mother, then stepped back and waved her into the room.

Lothiriel swept past her and turned from her place in the middle of the room, eyeing her daughter sternly. "It would seem some of your plans earlier this evening were thwarted. Is there something you wish to tell me?"

Theodwyn's breath caught in her throat, wondering how her mother could possibly know what had happened. Cautiously, she asked, "What do you mean, Mother?"

Lothiriel let out a sigh and crossed her arms. "Do not play games with me Theodwyn. I know of your plans regarding Freawine. What could you possibly have been thinking?"

Theodwyn turned nervously away, and tried to divert her mother's attention with a question, "How did you find out?"

"Theodwyn," her mother said warningly, "I want answers, not your silly little smokescreen questions. What has been taking place between you and Freawine? Your father is ready to kill the boy, and if I do not get a complete explanation from you, I just may let him do it."

Theodwyn whirled to face her. "No! It is not Freawine's fault!"

Lothiriel only looked at her impatiently, waiting for more.

Sitting down resignedly on the side of her bed, she began to pour out the entire tale. "We are in love, Mother. We have been seeing each other for a few months now. I wanted to ride to Aldburg and be wed, but Freawine would not do it. He wants to marry only once we have gotten yours and Father's blessing."

"What makes you think you are ready for marriage?" Lothiriel questioned. "How have your actions demonstrated your love for Freawine and your readiness to be his wife?"

Theodwyn could not miss the tone of her mother's voice, and it made her pause before responding.

Lothiriel continued quietly, "Those who truly love do not try to coerce the one they love into doing things that are wrong. They do not use their love as a weapon to manipulate another person. They would be proud of their feelings and willing to defend them, rather than sneak away in the night to avoid possible contention or disapproval."

With a sob, Theodwyn flung herself into her mother's arms. "What have I done? Freawine will never speak to me again! Oh, Mother, I am so sorry!"

With a slight smile her daughter could not see, Lothiriel rubbed her back soothingly. "If he is a young man in love, I would not be so sure he will not speak to you. And, fortunately for you, he has more maturity than you now possess. I think he might be willing to forgive you, especially if you admit your error and apologize."

She pulled back so she could look her daughter in the face. "You also owe your father an apology for trying to go behind his back and convince a fine man to betray his king. Your father loves you dearly, and it will be difficult for him to give you up to any man, but he is not unreasonable. If he refuses your marriage to Freawine, it will be for good reason."

Theodwyn sniffled and wiped at her eyes. "I will apologize – to both of them. And I apologize to you, too, Mother. I know I have behaved childishly."

Lothiriel stroked her daughter's head. "You are forgiven, dearest. And do not despair – I have not given up on you! Together we will work to prepare you so that some day you will be ready to marry, whether to Freawine or to someone else."

xxxxx

When he reached his daughter's bedchamber, Eomer didn't bother knocking, but charged into Theodwyn's room where mother and daughter stood wrapped in each other's arms. He noted his daughter's tear-dampened cheeks, then pulled his gaze to his wife. "Thiri, I must speak with you. Alone."

She caught the urgent tone in his voice and nodded, stepping away from Theodwyn. But Theodwyn could not wait to convey her apology and flung herself in her father's arms. "I am so very sorry, Papa! I should not have tried to sneak away, or talk Freawine into it. Please forgive me, forgive us!"

He stroked her head for a moment, then told her, "I must speak with your mother. We will discuss this later." He kissed her head and stepped away, taking Lothiriel's hand to pull her after him.

He led her to their bedchamber and closed the door, then dropped onto the side of the bed. He stared at the floor for a few moments, then looked up as she came to sit by him. "He told me he was waiting for her to 'catch up'," Eomer said quietly. He jumped up. "Why would he say that, of all things!"

"Perhaps because it is the truth?"

He whirled to look at her. "You do not think it odd that he chose those exact words? You do not think it a ploy to get in our good graces?"

Lothiriel stood and moved to him, placing her hands on his hips and looking up. "No. I do not. I think it is merely a coincidence. To the best of my knowledge, neither of us told anyone of what you said to me. There is no way he could know of it."

Eomer paced away from her. Finally, he declared, "He is too old for her! I cannot let him rob the cradle, no matter how good a man he is!"

Lothiriel's laughter startled him and he turned to eye her questioningly. "Eomer, he is twenty-five and she is seventeen!"

"Exactly!" Eomer exclaimed.

With a smirk, Lothiriel advanced on him. "And you are fifty-four and I am forty-six. There is no difference, my love. Both you and Freawine are eight years older than the woman you love! Why should he not be waiting for her to catch up just as you had to wait for me?"

Eomer was disconcerted by what she had said, but argued, "I was not referring to your age! That was completely different. And you were twenty-one!"

"Yes. And one day she will be also. He may be using the phrase differently than you did, but it is essentially the same. You could not marry me until I was ready – until I understood that I loved you. He could not marry her for that same reason, but in his case he also needed to wait until she was old enough. They have been friends before this, but I have seen nothing to lead me to believe he has ever done anything inappropriate with her. Indeed, she herself says they have only been seeing each other a few months. Yet, I think he has loved her much longer than that."

Eomer nodded. "He said as much. He said he has loved her for a few years, but said nothing to anyone until she showed an interest in him first."

Lothiriel moved to embrace him again. "He is a good man, Eomer. And he has proven himself honorable and true. And, frankly, I think he will be very good for her. He has the calm and sense and maturity that our daughter yet lacks, though hopefully she may still develop a bit more of each!"

She reached up and caught his cheek in her hand. "He will do whatever you ask of him. Do not make him give her up. Just set the terms of the courtship until you are satisfied that she is ready. You can trust him – possibly more than you can trust your daughter!"

Eomer could not hold back a smile. "You may be correct in that much, anyway. Very well, if you feel certain that is the correct course, I will abide your decision. Bring her to my study. We should talk to them both together."

xxxxx

Freawine was nervously pacing the floor of Eomer's study when the door opened. He skidded to a halt and was both startled and disconcerted to see the group that trooped inside. In addition to the king, they were joined by the Queen; Theodwyn, who glanced timidly at him before looking away; and his own father. Only Queen Lothiriel gave him a reassuring smile, but it did little to calm him.

The king directed everyone to be seated, though he himself remained standing and his wife went to stand with him, her arm slipped through his.

At length the king spoke, directing his first comments to Gamling. "Elfwine told you what is happening?"

Gamling nodded. "Yes, my lord." He offered nothing more, waiting to see what the king desired of him.

Eomer looked at Freawine, and said, "You love my daughter." It was a statement rather than a question.

"I do, my lord. Very much," Freawine confirmed, looking at Theodwyn who had taken the chair farthest from his.

"What are your intentions toward her?" Eomer asked, his voice slightly demanding now.

"I would have her for my wife, my lord, if you will allow it. I would have your blessing on our union."

Theodwyn let out a gasp and raised her hands to her face, relieved that he still wanted her after the way she had behaved and the trouble she had caused. Suspecting the reason for her reaction, he gave her a reassuring smile and a wink. It did not escape the notice of the king and queen.

"Theodwyn, would you have this man for your husband?" Eomer inquired tiredly.

"Yes, Father. I love him."

Eomer cleared his throat, and told the assembly, "My wife and I have discussed this matter, and though we are upset by what took place tonight," – he eyed Theodwyn meaningfully – "we believe what Freawine and Theodwyn have confessed to us about the matter. However, Theodwyn is far too young, and obviously too immature, to be married yet. From now on, the courtship will take place in a proper manner, properly chaperoned and there had better not be any more attempts at sneaking away in the night, if you both know what is good for you!"

Theodwyn let out a squeal and ran to fling her arms around her father. "Thank you, Papa! Thank you, so very much! I promise never to do anything like that again!"

Both Freawine and Gamling had slowly risen, and Eomer eyed the boy over his daughter's shoulder. When she broke free to embrace her mother, Freawine stepped toward him and cleared his throat nervously. "My lord, thank you. I would never...I would not let anything..."

He struggled to find the words to convey what he wanted to say, but to his surprise, the king smiled in understanding and nodded. "I know. I have never had any reason to think ill of you. I was just angry about the whole matter, but I know it was more my daughter's doing than yours. You have conducted yourself well." Then to Freawine's utter shock, the king embraced him and gave him a friendly smile, and with a chuckle said softly, "I wonder if you truly realize what you are getting yourself into with her..."

Freawine shrugged, his face flushed with embarrassment, but replied, "I do know, but I think she is worth the trouble."

The king nodded in approval and then turned his eyes to his Doorward. "So, Gamling, it appears you and I will eventually be related." He paused, then added, "Though the truth is, we have long thought of you as family anyway, my friend." The two men also embraced, though a bit more awkwardly than the others had.

Happily, Theodwyn ran and threw her arms around Freawine, pulling him into a kiss before he knew what she intended. A moment later, her lips were suddenly peeled from his, and he opened his eyes to find the king holding his daughter around the waist, slightly off the floor.

"Rule number one in this courtship, I want none of that sort of thing. You will conduct yourselves in a dignified manner, and if you behave, I may permit a kiss or two!"

THE END