Chapter 15
When I opened my eyes the next morning, it was to find Lothiriel brushing her hair near where I slept. I looked closely at her and asked, "Is that my shirt you are wearing?"
"Yes." She continued brushing, a slight smile grazing her lips.
"And what do you suggest I wear, since you are wearing my clothes?"
She shrugged and gestured across the cave to where we had discarded our clothing the previous night. "If you are intent on being clad, there is a skirt over there!"
I rolled my eyes at her. "You do not give up, do you?" I couldn't quite believe we were having this discussion at this particular moment, and I was more interested in getting her out of the clothes she wore than getting me into some.
Before I could move toward her and make my wishes known, she replied, "Of course not! I have wed you twice now, and still you have not honored your promise to let me see you so attired. I am beginning to think the King of Rohan is not a man of his word!"
With a groan, I rose in one catlike movement and stepped across the room. This was Lothiriel, after all. I should have known she'd hold me to that rash promise I made. She laid aside her brush, and stretched out on our bed, admiring the view. I glanced at her once, hoping against hope that she would tell me it was all in jest and that I did not truly have to go through with this, but she just gave me a grin and waved her hand. "Go ahead! I'm waiting!"
Feeling utterly foolish, I donned the skirt, and a moment later I stood before her, barechested, barefoot and wearing her skirt. She broke up in giggles at the sight and I flushed red. If she ever told anyone about this...
When finally she got her laughter under control, she told me, "No, that will never do! Come here, my love, and let me get you out of that skirt." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and my embarrassment quickly turned to passion, as I followed her instructions and joined her. Now this was more like it!
"I look forward to your help undressing..." I murmured as I began kissing her. And she giggled again as we became lost in one another.
xxxxx
Some time later, a voice called to us from the cave entrance. "My lord, we should consider getting back to Edoras soon," Elfhelm suggested.
I sighed and called back, "Very well. We will be ready shortly."
Reluctantly we rose and dressed, each of us in our own clothing, gathering up a few necessary belongings. My escort and I departed first so no one would see her. She had kept herself shrouded with a cloak the night before, but in daylight it would be more difficult to conceal her. Elfhelm had taken Kialmar and returned to Edoras for the night, then rejoined us in the morning. That way the guards at the gate would not be surprised to see someone ride back in with Elfhelm.
When I walked into the Golden Hall, I was met by Gamling, who told me Lothiriel and some of our family members were still in the dining chamber, so I made my way there.
As I entered, I called out, "Good! Food! I am ravenous this morning." I bent and kissed Lothiriel's cheek. "Good morning, my love. I do hope you forgive me for not making it back for the wedding yesterday. I promise to show up today!"
"I was not worried, though I think our guests are of the opinion you may have changed your mind about marrying me!"
"Never! I would marry you every day if I could!"
Faramir began coughing and when he could speak, he attributed it to swallowing wrong. Eowyn and Amrothos were looking from person to person, and I was pretty sure they had an inkling that something was going unsaid amongst the three of us. Perhaps one day we would tell them the truth.
Once we had eaten, Lothiriel gave a heavy sigh and said, "Ah well, back to the mob and their unending attention to me. I will see all of you later."
And so we were back to tension, and the fuss and bother of a royal wedding. I was again pulled into last minute meetings and discussions, though more than once my mind tuned out the conversation as I recalled my magical night with my beloved. And tonight, she would officially be mine and all of this could be put behind us.
At last, the time drew near. Imrahil accompanied his daughter to the Golden Hall where I awaited. As Doorward, it was Gamling's job to perform the actual ceremony when the king himself was marrying, and we made our way through the formalities. Finally we were done, and Lothiriel stood with a simple crown on her head, beside the King of Rohan as his queen. We turned to the assembled crowd who saluted us, and then we led the way outside onto the terrace to greet the townspeople who had not been at the actual ceremony.
Lothiriel pointed out Hamal and Breewyn, who had brought the orphans to see their new Queen, and the children all waved excitedly at her when they saw her look in their direction. Lissa was edging shyly forward, and when Eowyn spotted her, she went and accompanied her to where we stood. She had gathered a bouquet of simbelmyne for Lothiriel, which she took after giving the girl a hug. Lissa beamed as she turned and ran back to join the other children.
We walked to the bottom of the terrace around Meduseld so that the people could greet us personally if they wished, and in the meantime Gamling was getting the hall ready for the feast.
At last the crowd released us and we made our way back inside. And so the evening droned on. There were toasts and good-nature ribbing, dancing, joking, laughing, much drinking and a great deal of monotonous chatter from puffed up nobles. I was beginning to think my smile was so firmly affixed to my face that I'd never be able to frown again. My feet hurt and my head was pounding from all the noise, but I kept reminding myself this was the end. We had fulfilled the requirements of marriage to a king and soon we could begin our life together.
I had not seen Lothiriel for well over an hour, except for glimpses across the room, but suddenly I decided it was time to reclaim my bride and I appeared at her side, asking, "Would you dance with your king, my lady?"
She gave me probably her first genuine smile of the evening and nodded coyly. With a curtsy, she told me, "It would be my pleasure, Eomer King."
We were silent at first, but then I whispered, "I recognize that look in your eyes. Are you regretting marrying me?"
She pulled back slightly to look at my face. "My lord, I have married you three times in two different countries and under three authorities. I hardly see how you can question my love and devotion! Has not my determination to be married to you been made perfectly clear?"
I chuckled and pulled her close again. Finally, I whispered, "Your love and devotion – and determination – I do not question, only your tolerance level for what must be endured. But I suppose I should not even doubt that. When you know you have the upper hand, even if others are blissfully unaware, your tolerance level seems to increase! I have found myself a most resourceful companion."
She stopped dancing, and smiled up at me. "For you, my love, I would endure all things if I had to – upper hand or not. The best thing I ever decided to do was not let you court me!" In that moment, all the fears I'd had that she might not be happy here, happy with me, melted away.
I pulled her into a kiss and the crowd disappeared momentarily, though they noisily returned, as we came up for air, by applauding our display.
We good-naturedly tolerated Rohirric efforts to keep us apart but, at length, the last of the guests either left or passed out, and we were finally free to be alone. Despite our coming together for the first time the previous night, we felt no less excitement this time. And as I drifted off to sleep, with my wife wrapped in my arms, I acknowledged to myself once again, there had been no mistake in my marrying Lothiriel.
THE END
8/25/05 – 8/28/05
