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Chapter 24

Avelina returned to her chamber her heart ready to pound from her chest. Éomer was well, and he had returned. She sighed and walked over to her vanity. She picked up her brush and ran it through her hair, and she smoothed her skirts before she picked up the lavender water Éowyn had given her. She dabbed some on her neck and wrists before she looked at herself in the looking glass. She looked tired but not nearly as tired as Éomer had. She just wished he didn't fall asleep before she returned to him, which she was about to do. However, before she left she grabbed her healing satchel something told her she would need it.

Éomer winced as he ran the cloth down the cut on his right forearm. He had changed into a pair of fresh trousers and tunic while he let his hair down and went barefoot. The right sleeve of the dark brown tunic was rolled up over his elbow while he cleaned the cut that had become sore from it going unattended. There was a knock on his door and he smiled, knowing full well who it was. "Enter!" he called and the door slowly opened the door to reveal Avelina. She smiled at him but her eyes soon moved down to his arm and she shook her head before she stepped inside.

"I had a feeling I would need this," she said as she closed the door and walked over to him. She kneeled down beside him where he sat on the chaise. Éomer looked at her and could only watch while she took the cloth from him and opened her satchel. Her soft, warm hands took his arm into them and looked at is cut. "It is on the verge of infection," she said quietly before she looked up at him. "Did you not tend to it?" Éomer shook his head.

"I did not think of it," he replied as he met her eyes. She nodded and Éomer saw a small smile turn up the corners of her lips.

"You are lucky; I have made some more of my serum." Éomer groaned quietly and she laughed. "Do not worry, I will be gentle." He smiled and nodded his head. She picked up one of the clean cloths and wiped at the wound, cleaning it more thoroughly. She pulled the small vile from the satchel, a fresh cloth, and looked up at him. She smiled and looked back down at his arm and poured some of the serum on his wound. Éomer closed his eyes and hissed quietly but did not jerk his arm. She let it settle before she wiped it with the fresh cloth. "I'm sorry," she said as she wiped it and saw the serum working. Éomer just shook his head as he felt the burning sensation work its way up his arm. He figured it was attacking the infection. Her hands left his arm and he felt a slightly damp piece of cloth being placed over his wound followed by gentle hands tying it firmly. "There. How does that feel?" The pain filtered away and he opened his eyes and met her concerned gaze.

"Much better," he said his throat a little raspy and he cleared it and smiled at her. "Much better thank you." She smiled and raised his hand to her lips and kissed his palm.

"I am glad. Rest here while I clean up this mess." She let go of his hand and he watched as she moved steadily. He found it odd how she made discarding soiled cloths and tossing dirty water out a window like a dance. She was smooth in her movements and her eyes stayed on her task. He knew she could feel him watching her, but she chose to keep to her tasks and soon she was sitting next to him on the chaise. She raised her hand and tucked some of his golden hair behind his ear and away from his face. "I really should go so you could rest. You look so tired." He smiled and grasped her wrist gently as she pulled her hand away.

"I do not wish you to go, and as you said, the sun is still in the sky. It is not yet time to sleep." Avelina smiled at him and he lowered her hand to rest on his leg and clasped both of her hands in his. Éomer just looked at the woman in front of him. Since her arrival, he had become a different man. He was a warrior, a fierce fighter who his entire life cared for nothing but protecting his King, the people of Rohan, and the care of horses. Since she came, he remained those things, but with a new element one that he never would share with anyone but her.

"Are you hungry? Surely, you must be. Let me run to the kitchen and get us something to eat." Éomer just shook his head.

"I am fine, unless you are hungry." She laughed and looked down at their hands.

"No I am not hungry." Éomer freed one of hands from his and raised his hand to her chin. He tilted her head up and gave her a lopsided smile.

"Are you anxious to leave me?" he asked and her eyes widened.

"No, not in the least. I'm just . . . trying to take care of you. I was so worried it is almost surreal that you have returned to me unharmed." He moved his hand and cupped her cheek.

"You were so certain that I would return to you, how could it be surreal?" She smiled and shook her head.

"I don't really know, but I can't believe you have returned so soon." He smiled and moved his hand once more and buried his fingers in her hair. He pulled her to him and moved his hand to her waist and she wrapped her arms around his torso. Éomer sighed and lowered his lips down to hers. He kissed her slowly and Avelina returned his kiss. However, a knock on the door caused her to pull away quickly. Éomer's eyes didn't leave her and smiled when he saw the flush on her cheeks, and her lips were slightly swollen.

"Stay here," he whispered deeply. "I will answer it." She nodded and Éomer stood. Avelina watched him walk across the living quarters of his chamber and smiled as her eyes wondered. However, realizing her actions she blushed deeply and looked away.

Éomer could feel her eyes on him so he moved slowly to the door. He opened it and saw two maids standing outside the door holding two trays of food and drink. One with dark hair hidden behind a bonnet bowed her head.

"Good evening, my lord," she said as she raised her head. "Lord Aragorn instructed us to deliver your meal to your chamber along with a meal for another." Éomer blushed very lightly and nodded as he opened the door further.

"Do come in," he said. The maids did as they were instructed and both looked at Avelina and smiled. Avelina looked at the two with wide eyes. The dark haired woman was Nathia, and the blonde woman was Miriel she had become friends with them during her many trips to the kitchens. They sat the trays down on the table bowed their heads before they excused themselves from the room. Avelina's blush only deepened and Éomer sat down next to her. "It seems as though there was no need for you to go to the kitchen, Aragorn had our meals delivered." Avelina nodded.

"And of course he would have Nathia and Miriel deliver it! I will never hear the end of this from either of them." Éomer laughed as he picked up a piece of fruit.

"You know the maids?" Avelina nodded and did the same as Éomer.

"Aye, I made friends with them during my trips to the kitchens for Éowyn and myself." She sighed and bit into the fruit. Éomer smiled and raised a hand to her hair. He pushed the long strand over her shoulder so her hair rested on her back and he took in her profile.

"Avelina," he said gently and she looked at him. "You know of the duties I will be undertaking soon." She nodded and he saw a dark look fill her eyes.

"You will soon be crowned King of Rohan." Éomer nodded and took her hand into his.

"I will be. However, we will travel to Edoras to lay my uncle to rest and then we will return to Minas Tirith for a time. I am to stay in Minas Tirith and help Aragorn rebuild the city upon his coronation." At the confused look that crossed his face he smiled and squeezed her hand. "Aragorn is the heir to the throne of Gondor, did you not know this?" She shook her head.

"I did not," she whispered. Éomer nodded.

"Upon his coronation, we will work to rebuild the city and then we will travel to Minas Tirith where I will be crowned and begin my rule with a strong alliance with Gondor." Avelina nodded, but she could not help but realize how he continued to say 'we'.

"We?" she asked and he stood pulling her with him. They stood with the evening sunlight filtering in through the balcony window.

"Aye, 'we' Avelina. I want you to be my wife that is if you will have a war beaten soldier for your husband." She looked at him with wide tear filled eyes.

"You honestly wish to marry me?" Éomer laughed gently and nodded.

"I do."

"And this is not a dream?" He shook his head and furrowed his brow at the confusion, happiness, and love that filled her eyes.

"It is not." Avelina smiled and squeezed his hands tightly.

"I would take this war beaten soldier as my husband over any other man that walks this earth." Éomer smiled and pulled her form flush against him before he captured her lips. Avelina felt his kiss clear to her toes, which only confirmed to her that she indeed was not dreaming. They remained locked for what seemed like ages until Éomer slowly pulled his lips from hers.

"Perhaps you should go," he whispered huskily. His voice was deep and heavy with emotion and she slowly met his eyes. She was slightly in a daze from his kiss.

"What if I do not wish to go?" she asked. "I want to spend this eve with you." Éomer sighed and rested his forehead against hers.

"I do not know if I will be able to control myself with you so near me." Avelina felt heat flush her cheeks but she ignored it when she felt her stomach flutter at his confession and a new sensation that wrapped around her. She tilted her head and kissed his lips briefly.

"I trust you, Éomer, I trust you with my life, my heart and my soul. So, I trust you with my body. I know you will do nothing that I do not wish you to." He looked at her and smiled a small smile before he pushed her hair from her face. "I love you Éomer." His smile grew and he kissed her briefly.

"I love you too Avelina. So much." She smiled and embraced him tightly. Soon, they broke apart and sat back down on the chaise. However, Éomer's left hand remained intertwined with Avelina's while they ate their meal and watched the fading sun set in the sky.

The firelight lit the room while Avelina and Éomer sat on the chaise just talking and enjoying each other's company as they had since they finished eating and their trays had been taken away. Éomer stifled a yawn and Avelina smiled. "I should go now," she said gently before she stood. Éomer did the same and put his hands on her upper arms.

"Stay with me," he said once more to her and she smiled. "Spend this night with me." He raised his hands to her face and held her gently. "I want to spend this night just as I did before with you. Never had I rested so peacefully like that night." He pulled her lips to his and Avelina sighed when he pulled away a short time later. "I promise nothing will happen."

"I will stay with you tonight and in the morn we shall share our news with your sister and the others." Éomer smiled and nodded before he laced her hand with his and led her to the bed chamber.