Chapter5 'Coronation Feast'

Eomer and Willa walked around Osgiliath and down to the shores to the Anduin. A guard stood there but nodded at them. Willa smiled.

"Is it safe to test the water?" she asked him.

"Yes, Lady but do not go in too far," the guard replied. She nodded and took Eomers hand.

"Come," she said and led him down to the edge of the water. She put off her slippers and held a foot in the water, then holding her dress a little higher stepped in.

Eomer watched her and laughed.

"Is it cold?" he wanted to know. Willa shook her head.

"Come, and see for yourself."

"Nay, Lady. I'd rather wait here for you," Eomer called back. Willa grinned and continued to bathe her feet. It felt wonderful. The cool water splashed around her legs and revived her spirits. She smiled and waved up at Eomer who waved and smiled back and stepped a little further down to the shore. Willa grinned and splashed him, laughing. Eomer stared at her.

"Oh, you pay for this, Lady," he said rather amused and took of his boots. Hoisting up the lower part of her dress she started to run, in the water at first but quickly took to the shores and the grass. Yet, that might have been her big mistake for Eomer caught her quickly and they tumbled into the grass, both laughing hard. And then Eomer did something very un-king like; he started to tickle her which made Willa laugh harder still.

"Mercy, please," she panted. "I can hardly breathe!" Laughing Eomer stopped tickling her yet still held her down.

"Have you learned your lesson, Lady?" he asked.

"Yes, Lord I have. I'm sorry, I'll never splash the King of Rohan again."

Smiling he released her and lay down next to her.

"I feel so at ease with you, Willa," he said after a while. Willa turned to her side to look at him, smiling. Her heart fluttered for he had used her real name, and only her name.

"Thank you, but I can say that of you also," she replied. He smiled and looked at her. Their eyes met and he reached out his hand and pushed some strands of hair out of her face. And even as they were gone his hand lingered on her cheek. Willas' hand covered his. Simultaneously both sat up holding each others gaze.

"I thank you for being more than a good friend, Willa," Eomer said breaking the quite awkward silence. Willa let go of his hand.

"You are welcome, Eomer." It was the first time she had spoken his name in front of him. He smiled, got up and held out his hand for her to take.

"Come, it is time to go back to the city."

The day came when the host returned to Minas Tirith and before it's gate the Lord Aragorn was crowned King Elessar of Gondor and Arnor.

A lot of people had come to see it and tents and pavilions were built upon the field before the city.

That night there was a great feast and everyone laughed and sang, drank, ate and danced. Willa danced with Legolas and Faramir and a lot of other young men she didn't know or did not remember the names of.

But the one she longed to dance with never asked. Willa saw him talk long with Prince Imrahil and he seemed to have forgotten about her for the night.

Willa therefore drank more than she should have and when not dancing mostly kept to herself. The day at the shores of the Anduin seemed long ago even though it had not yet been 3 days since.

It was already late when Eowyn sat down next to her.

"Willa, you seem depressed. What has happened to you?" Willa sighed.

"Your brother, Eowyn. He happened," She replied silently. Eowyn took her hand and squeezed it slightly.

"Willa, listen to me. I know that he is very fond of you. He told me."

Willa sighed once again and emptied the mug which stood in front of her.

"I know but I don't see much of it tonight," she replied. Eowyn laid a hand on her shoulder which made Willa look up at her.

"Do not worry about it, Willa. There are still a lot of things that need to be taken care of. My marrying Faramir is one thing and Eomer…."

"You what? When did that happen? Holy Sh..," Willa just caught herself in time to realise what she was going to say and smiled apologetically.

"Did you not know? – Oh, but of course you went away before the Lord Faramir asked." And Excitedly Eowyn told Willa all that had come to be during her absence.

"I'm truly very happy for you, Eowyn," Willa said and gave her a hug. "And what did you want to say about Eomer?"

"Ah, well I believe he will think of his duty as King, of his obligations to Rohan and its people. And of one I guess he is thinking more than of others for as quickly as possible an heir is needed to secure his line.

"He will leave Minas Tirith very soon to return Edoras and I think he will make his decision of who will be his Queen, if I may say it thus."

Willa thought about this and a smile came to her face. Could it possibly be he had chosen already? Was it possibly he had chosen her, Willa? Still smiling Willa got up.

"Thank you, Eowyn. You have cheered me up greatly. But please excuse me now. I'm getting more tired by the minute."

"Willa, I did not…," Eowyn called but Willa did not hear her. Eowyn groaned inwardly. 'What have I done?' she thought and her shoulders slumped.

Willa had quickly left the hall to go to her room. She had not yet reached it as she heard someone behind her. Slowly she turned around and saw Eomer.

"I saw you leave," he said and Willa knew that he was far from being sober.

"Yes, Lord. I've had too much ale, I guess," she replied and smiled widely at him.

"Aye, so do I," Eomer said. "Let me show you to your chambers." And he took her hand and together they walked to her room. Willa opened the door and noticed that the maid had made it ready for her. Two candles were lit on the bedside table, her nightgown was laid out for her and a bowl with water stood on the dresser.

She turned back to Eomer who leaned on the door frame watching her.

"I hope you had a good time, Lady," Eomer said not sounding drunk at all but Willa knew he was; probably close to being spent. Willa looked to the floor averting his eyes.

"I did, my Lord," she said. She did not see but heard how Eomer closed the door and his steps toward her. She then felt him take her hands.

"Why, Willa is it that I do not believe you?"

Willa did not know what to say but she knew she could not lie to him. She cleared her throat and pulled her hands away.

"Maybe because I did not enjoy the feast as much as I could have," she said truthfully. Eomer lightly grabbed her shoulder to keep her from walking away from him. But Willa still averted his eyes. Eomer put a hand under her chin and lifted it up. Their eyes met.

"Why?" was all he said.

"Because…of you," Willa replied. And seeing the confused look on his face continued: "I…I missed you, that's all."

Eomer cupped her cheek and gently caressed it with his thumb.

"Willa…," He had no time to say what he wanted to say because Willa moved forward. Her lips found his and gently caressed them. Willa parted her lips and her tongue traced his lips.

She felt his hands wrap around her waist and his mouth respond to her ministrations. Her hands tangled in his hair to press closer to him and she slowly pulled him with her to the bed. But Eomer pulled away trying again: "Willa, please…." Whatever he wanted to tell her got stuck in his throat. Willa had pulled her arms out of the sleeves of the dress and it fell to her waist, nothing else covered her breasts. With only one forth of his brain actually thinking (due to the ale and the woman in front of him) Eomer turned to the door.

"Eomer, stay!" Willa said in a low voice. She advanced on him.

"Willa, we…I…," he stuttered not able to keep his eyes off of her breasts. Smiling she put her hands on his shoulders.

"I know," she whispered and her lips found his again.

And another one Since the forth was so short! Hope you still like it! And quite a little cliffie, don't you think? but don't worry. the next one should be up tomorrow or Tuesday! Read on.

daydreamer8301: Thanks so much for reading this. And I had a really nice weekend!

I do appreciate reviews, so please...