Chapter 12

I had been home from Minas Tirith for a week – a very long, miserable week. How was I ever going to last three months and twenty-five days, approximately, until I saw her again? I made it a point each day to read Lothiriel's letters. Somehow her words brought her a little nearer. She wrote as she spoke, and I usually had to make sure I was alone when I read them for I would frequently break out in laughter, easily able to imagine the expression on her face.

She was a prolific writer and had written many more letters since last I saw her. A messenger came from Minas Tirith, not long after we left, and she had given him more than two dozen letters. Since then, even more had come, apparently as often as she could persuade her father to send a rider.

I had sent one rider from Rohan already, bearing the news that we had safely reached home and that Lothiriel had gained a new ally. Gamling had caught on to what had been transpiring with Danwen, and now took it upon himself to keep her as far away from me as possible whenever possible. At court functions, she was seated a goodly distance from me and any time Gamling saw her making her way toward me, he would seek me out on 'urgent business' and regretfully pull me away. He hadn't actually said anything to me about what he was doing or why, but I thought it clear the man had already chosen who he thought should be queen of Rohan and was merely showing his allegiance. I was gratified that his allegiance to my betrothed was proving as great as it had always been for me.

And so time dragged on. For me, each day seemed much like the previous and slowly I was resigning myself that it must be endured.

Aragorn had been prevailed upon to assist us with food stores, and I could finally relax a bit, secure in knowing that my people would survive the winter. Come the spring, I would have my soldiers go and assist with replanting crops and rebuilding homes and barns that were destroyed. Slowly Rohan would be reborn, and become a strong and happy place once more.

I was sorry to see the snow on the mountains, more it seemed each day. I knew it would hamper my sending or receiving letters from Lothiriel, so I turned my attention toward trying to make Meduseld into a place she would wish to come. I had finally, reluctantly, moved into the king's quarters, and I knew the greater space would be needed when she arrived. There were several connecting rooms off the main bedchamber. One would eventually serve as a nursery, and an adviser had told me I should set aside one for the queen's bedchamber.

According to him, in Gondor the women often did not sleep with their husbands except when they wished to produce children. I knew that Gondor was more inclined to arrange suitable marriages among their nobility, so many unions were not love matches, but I could not imagine having my wife sleep in another room. I could not quite work up the courage to ask Lothiriel about it, though it tugged annoyingly at me every time I looked at the room being prepared for her.

I wondered if Faramir and Eowyn had such an arrangement. They had been in love when they married, and I could not believe Eowyn would wish to sleep alone, but if Faramir preferred it... Still, I was no more comfortable broaching the subject with them than with Lothiriel. I supposed that all I could do was wait and see. Perhaps, even if Lothiriel thought it acceptable, I might be able to persuade her to reconsider.

A letter from Eowyn informed me that she and Faramir were to visit Dol Amroth in early December, and I envied her getting to spend time with Lothiriel when I could not. She promised to write and tell me all about the visit, apparently understanding how I would be feeling.

I was not prepared, however, for the letter that finally arrived from Eowyn not too long after that. I sank into my chair in utter shock as I read her words. Eowyn would certainly never indulge in idle gossip, or say anything that might hurt me if she was not absolutely certain of her facts, so when she told me of this man who had returned to Lothiriel's life, I could not doubt it was the truth.

My sister had sent the messenger to me the same day that the man revealed that he still lived. According to Eowyn, they had been courting, with an eye to wedding when Imrahil would permit it in her nineteenth year, but then he had been lost at sea, presumed dead. Now three years later he had returned, with a tale of shipwreck, lost memory and then recovery. And he was returning to claim Lothiriel as his wife. Why had she never mentioned him? Did she still love him? But, most importantly, what did it mean to our betrothal?

Considering Eowyn's haste in writing to me, I could imagine that Lothiriel was overwhelmed at this sudden turn of events. I felt sure she would write to me once she again had her wits about her, but that might take time. I knew Eowyn could give me no answers, and speculation was fruitless. There was only one person who could make clear what impact this would have on my happiness, and that was Lothiriel. I could not wait for her to find the words to write to me. I determined I must see her, face to face, and learn as soon as possible what my fate was to be.

My advisers argued long and hard to dissuade me from journeying to Dol Amroth. I was too needed here, they said, and the trip too difficult in the winter. But I would not heed their words. I had Eothain gather a few men and prepare for departure, intending to travel fast and light as we did in days of old. If I was to lose my beloved, I would have her tell me to my face. And if there was any chance I might keep her, then I had to go and fight for her, as she had once come to Edoras to fight for me.

I know I pushed the men hard, and they surely did not understand why since I offered no explanation for our hurried journey. But, thankfully, they were loyal. It was enough that I deemed it necessary; they would follow wherever I led them.

xxxxx

Taking the boat from Minas Tirith had shortened our journey, and given both men and horses some rest after the furious pace we had set from the Mark. We arrived in Dol Amroth on a blustery, chill winter day. Our party made its way up the long avenue that led to the castle gates. I had not sent a messenger on ahead, announcing our arrival, and so it was necessary to explain to the guards who we were and request that they make our presence known to Imrahil and his family.

While we were conversing with the guards, I saw one of them look past me and turned to see what drew his attention. Time seemed to stand still as I saw Lothiriel, standing with a man who I assumed to be this Ardrion that Eowyn had mentioned. I could do nothing but stare at the two of them, resenting his presence. I wanted desperately for Thiri to run to me, assuring me that he was in her past and I had nothing to fear, but she stood rooted to the spot. She clearly had not expected to see me. I suspected my sister had not told her about sending word to me.

After a moment, Ardrion gripped her elbow briefly and then gave me a nod, before departing without a word.

Lothiriel seemed to awaken and came to speak with the guards. "Have someone see that their horses are stabled and find quarters for the men. I will escort King Eomer to the castle." They nodded and moved to their task as I dismounted. Without a word, I followed her inside.

Amrothos appeared in the hall, raising a surprised eyebrow at me and then looking to his sister for explanation.

"If you would take Eomer into the library, I will arrange for a room to be prepared and then join you." Neither of us argued with her and she beat a hasty retreat up the stairs.

When finally Lothiriel joined us in the library, she found us seated by the fire, chatting of inconsequential matters. I was sure Amrothos wanted to ask questions – lots of them – but fortunately he restrained himself. My first discussion needed to be with his sister. I raised an eyebrow as I noticed that said sister was flushed and a little breathless. Somehow that seemed a good sign. Before either Amrothos or I could speak, she said quietly, "Get out, Amrothos." Her eyes never left me as she moved slowly in my direction.

Though Amrothos stood, he said, "I am not sure it is a good idea for me to leave you two alone..."

But sensing her purpose, I reiterated, "Get out, Amrothos."

With a chuckle, he sauntered to the door, calling casually over his shoulder, "Alright, I will go – but see that you restrict yourselves to smooching or Father will have my neck!"

I made to stand, but she pushed me back into the chair and took a seat on my lap. I had no doubt where she was headed with this, and met her kiss halfway. As Amrothos put it, we did a lot of 'smooching' then. And when we needed a brief rest, she spoke aloud what her lips had so deliciously been trying to convey: that she loved me, and only me. For the first time since I left Edoras, I finally relaxed.

Suddenly, having her explain anything more about Ardrion seemed unimportant. I knew she would tell me whatever I wished to know, but at this moment, the matter felt settled.

I held her tighter, but said nothing. A part of me did understand the dilemma she had faced, but the thought of losing her was too terrible to even fully consider. I had always came through every battle relatively unscathed, and I had thought the danger now past. Yet I could not help but realize that often in those battles I had lost people dear to my heart, and I had been terrified to think that I might be on the brink of losing another.

xxxxx

Over the next couple of days, as we ventured around town and the harbor, I explained that Eowyn had written to me the day of Ardrion's return and immediately sent a messenger to Edoras. We both chuckled, knowing that Eowyn would have very much wanted to be sure her brother knew what was happening, and also that she had known exactly how I would react to that information.

Unexpectedly, Lothirel was having a chance to show me her home after all, though winter was not the best time for enjoying the sea. In other circumstances, I might have been more interested in this new place. But scenery was not why I had come, and I preferred to make the most of my unplanned visit by spending it with Lothiriel, regardless of our surroundings. The wind in off the water could be most chilling, and usually drove us indoors after only a short time. I made sure to warm us both with my most heartfelt kisses, and the weather could not penetrate when we held each other in our arms.


A/N: If you previously read this story and are now rereading it (12 Feb 2022 or later), you may think this chapter is different than you remember it. You aren't wrong. In the course of posting my stories on AO3, I was persuaded that this chapter (and its corresponding ch in By the Book – ch 6) presented Lothiriel out of character and in a less than flattering light. So I rewrote both chapters and hopefully you will agree they are an improvement.