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Chapter 23

The city had been a buzz with so much activity when the explosion occurred, however, Éowyn and Avelina weren't allowed to leave the healing chamber they waited patiently. Well, Avelina waited patiently but Éowyn was pacing the floor. "Why will they not let us out?" she asked as she looked out the window and saw the people carrying torches, for the night had already come, moving about quickly. Avelina shook her head. The torch light in the chamber bounced off Éowyn's hair as she paced and Avelina raised her hand to her head and rubbed her temple.

"I don't know, my friend, but perhaps they have their reasons," Avelina said for the tenth time. Faramir rushed in as quickly as he could. His face was flushed and Avelina stood from her seat. She bowed her head and Faramir smiled at her and nodded his head before Éowyn rushed over to him.

"What has happened? The healers would not even let Avelina leave this chamber until they heard word of what happened," Éowyn said quickly. Faramir put his hands on Éowyn's shoulders and smiled.

"They have succeeded. Sauron's armies have been defeated. Aragorn and the others shall return in two days while the men gather the fallen and tend to the wounded that are too injured to travel," Faramir said. Éowyn smiled and embraced Faramir happily. Avelina walked over to Faramir and looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Lord Faramir," she said gently and he looked at her. "What of Lord Éomer? Is he well?" Before Faramir could speak another voice spoke for him.

"He is well Avelina," a rough but very familiar voice said. Avelina looked behind Faramir and her eyes lit with happiness when they met the weary eyes of Eothain.

"Eothain!" she exclaimed before she rushed over to the older man and embraced him. Eothain laughed gently and returned her embrace. She pulled back and glanced over him. Other than dried black blood on his armor and the slightly haunted look in his eyes, he did not appear to be harmed. "You are alright?" she asked and he nodded. "Éomer, he is alright?" He smiled and nodded once again.

"He is fine, more anxious to return here than anything. They will be back in two days." Avelina nodded and sighed. "I was sent along with another to spread the news. The darkness is gone. Middle Earth is free of Sauron." Avelina smiled and looked back at Éowyn and Faramir. Éowyn smiled and the two women met and embraced happily. Avelina laughed and she felt tears come to her eyes. Éomer was well and he would return to her soon, and she could not wait.

Éomer rode up the cobble streets behind Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. The people of Minas Tirith were cheering and throwing flowers on them, but all he wanted to do was get to the Citadel and to Avelina. They soon reached the top level and were outside the Citadel. Éomer dismounted and helped Merry dismount before he stepped before Sigeric and petted his neck. He met the horse's eyes and smiled. Sigeric seemed to wink before Éomer handed the reins over to a stable hand. He walked into the Citadel and was surprised to see the hall empty.

"It seems as though we are not to receive a welcome home from our friends," Aragorn said. Legolas looked to the left and smiled.

"It is possible," he said and everyone followed his gaze. Soon, the hall was filled with the sound of someone rushing at a quick speed. Several loud stomps echoed followed by the swishing of skirts before Avelina came into view. She stopped abruptly sending her copper hair flying in front of her. Her breaths were labored as she lowered her dark green skirts and as soon as she seen them all she smiled at every one of them. However, when her eyes met Éomer's her smile grew and she once again lifted her skirts slightly and she ran to him. She through propriety out the window, she didn't care and judging by the smiles the others were giving her they didn't seem to care at the moment either.

Avelina practically threw herself onto him before she latched her arms around his neck and felt tears of happiness come to her eyes. The others looked at the surprised expression that graced his face and smiled. He slowly returned her embrace his cheeks flushed from the slight surprise and embarrassment but he loved her for coming to him. Her breath was heavy against his neck and he closed his eyes as buried his face in her neck and inhaled her scent deeply.

Gimli laughed and clapped his hands causing Aragorn and Legolas to smile. Merry and Pippin just looked at each other before they looked at Avelina and Éomer. She pulled back and Éomer was surprised to see the dampness on her cheeks, but a smile on her face.

"Forgive me," she whispered as she stepped back and wiped her cheeks. Éomer smiled and raised his hand to help her. Aragorn stepped over to her and she looked up at him.

"There is nothing to forgive, Avelina," he said with a smile. Avelina returned his smile and looked at the others; however, she frowned when she noticed the one missing person.

"Where is Gandalf?" she asked just as Éowyn and Faramir entered the hall. Aragorn lowered his hand and she looked at Éomer.

"He is well," Éomer said. "He traveled with the eagles into Mordor to retrieve Frodo and Sam. He should have come to Minas Tirith long ago." Avelina furrowed her brow and shook her head. She was about to speak when Faramir spoke before her.

"He arrived the day the messengers arrived," Faramir said. Avelina looked at him.

"Why did you not tell us then?" Éowyn asked. Faramir looked down at her and Avelina stepped back so Éomer was close to her and she could feel the heat from his form.

"I was told not to by the wizard, he said Frodo and Sam needed time to heal and it would be best if they were tended to without interruptions." Avelina nodded in understanding and looked to Aragorn.

"We will have several days before the other men return. The captains are doing all they can and will lead the others home. For now, let us rest. The darkness will no longer haunt us," Aragorn said and in a way, Avelina knew he was right. The air seemed lighter and there was finally a sense of peace around them and she was thankful that Éomer had returned to her. The others disbursed and Avelina led Éomer down the corridors to his chamber.

As they walked, Avelina looked up at him. They had pretty much walked in silence but they neared his chamber and she did not yet want to leave him. "Éomer," she said gently and he stopped and looked at her. "The sun is still high, why don't we go outside." He looked at her and smiled. His smile was weary and she suddenly felt very bad for asking him to stay up when he was clearly exhausted.

"I would love to," he said in a whisper as he raised his free hand to her face and gently held her head in his hand. She raised her own hand to his and took it into her own.

"You are far too tired, I'm sorry I did not see that before. Come, let's get you in bed." Éomer smiled and pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the underside of her wrist. Avelina blushed deeply and smiled before she led him down the corridor. She led him into his room that was lit by the sunlight. "I will get you some hot water so you can wash up and rest." She made to pull away when he pulled her to him in the chamber. She gasped quietly before his lips came down on hers kissing her firmly. Avelina whimpered quietly against his lips as she returned his kiss. Her hands as always found his hair and his hands moved to rest on her waist. After a moment she pulled her lips away from his and sighed heavily.

"For a time, I thought I would never do that again," he whispered deeply. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him.

"You did, and you will until you wish to no more," she whispered. He kissed her again and laughed when he pulled back slightly and looked down at her.

"I will never wish not to." She smiled and met his dark hazel eyes.

"Remove your armor and I will return with warm water." Éomer smiled and let her slip from his arms and he was left alone in his chamber and waited patiently for her return.

Avelina entered Éomer's chamber carrying a warm pitcher filled with warm water. As she stepped inside she stopped and smiled. Éomer had removed his armor but he must have became comfortable when he sat down on the chaise because he fell asleep. She walked over and sat the pitcher down on the table near the chaise and she walked over to the vanity and grabbed the basin and a few cloths. She sat the basin on the table and poured some of the water in the basin. Avelina kneeled next to the chaise and dipped one of the cloths in the water. Once it was rung out she began to wipe his face of the soot and sweat from traveling and fighting.

Éomer felt a warmth wash over his face and gentle touches on his face. His eyes fluttered open and saw Avelina smile at him as she lifted the cloth from his face.

"I did not mean to wake you," she said gently. Éomer smiled and sat up. She looked at him and he took the cloth from her.

"It is alright, Avelina. I will do just fine on my own." She laughed and nodded.

"Very well. Rest then and I will see you in the morn." Avelina stood and began to walk away when Éomer grasped her wrist. She looked at him and he stood.

"Stay with me," he whispered. "Stay with me this night." She smiled at him.

"It is not yet night." Éomer smiled and rubbed his thumb on her wrist.

"In but a few hours it shall be, and I do not wish to wait for the sun to be gone."

"I will return to you, when you are clean and ready for company." He nodded and leaned into her. He kissed her once more gently and slowly. After a moment he pulled away and was surprised to see that she was left slightly breathless.

"Come to me in an hour," he whispered and she nodded as she opened her eyes and smiled.

"Until then." He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Until then little one." Avelina pulled away and left the chamber feeling like she was walking high upon the clouds.