Once again, I'm sorry for the delay in updating. I hope you do like this chapter, although it is rather short. I'll do my very best to update tomorrow night. Let me know what think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 25

Éomer opened his eyes slowly and the smell of lavender filled his senses and a soft form was pressed against his right side. He smiled as he looked down and saw Avelina's head resting comfortably on his chest. He could only make out the top of her head as her left ear rested over his chest. He raised his right hand and ran it down the back of her head and through her hair that ended at the small of her back. Éomer had no doubt in his mind that he could comfortably get used to waking up to the sight before him everyday. He sighed and closed his eyes. The morning sun had barely filled the sky and he wanted to enjoy laying in peace with her while he could, however, something always seemed to foil his plans. Suddenly, he sneezed and he sighed when Avelina jumped slightly and raised her head. He watched as she raised a hand and rubbed her eyes free of the sleep that plagued her. She sighed heavily and turned her head. Sleep filled dark blue eyes met his and he smiled as he pushed some of her hair from her face.

"Good morning," he whispered and she smiled at him.

"Good morning," she said as she pulled back and sat up. "You are not catching a cold are you?" she asked as she looked down at him. Éomer looked up at her and shook his head.

"No, I just wished to enjoy the peace with you in my arms and my nose had other plans." Avelina laughed gently before she leaned down and kissed his lips so lightly he felt as if a feather was danced across them.

"I must go now, Éomer. I have to ready for the day." Éomer sighed and moved up to his elbows. Avelina smiled at the saddened look on his face. "You know we cannot always spend our days like this, even though we both may wish to, we both have things we must do." He nodded.

"Unfortunately that is true," he said quietly before he pulled her close to him. He smiled when he heard her gasp and felt one of her arms wrap around him to catch herself. "But, we have time. The sun is not even fully over the horizon." Avelina smiled and blushed deeply as she met his darkened eyes.

"I know, but I do not wish to be caught in the corridors." Éomer looked at her lips before he met her eyes and he leaned in and kissed her soundly. She whimpered against the force of his kiss, but soon found herself responding to it. She pulled away from him and took deep breaths trying to calm herself. "Éomer," she whispered with her eyes closed before she slowly opened them. "I must go." Éomer looked at her and pushed her hair from her face.

"As you wish, but I shall see you soon after my councils with Aragorn and the others." She smiled and kissed him briefly before she climbed from the bed and slid on her boots.

"I will see you then, love." Éomer smiled as he watched her run her fingers through her hair and leave the bedchamber. He sighed and laid back on the bed. Her scent still lingered on the linens and he sighed again. He never loved anyone like he did her, and everyday for the rest of their lives he would make sure that she knew just how much he loved her.

Avelina washed, changed and readied for the day ahead and soon she was making her way to the healing chamber to check on Éowyn. She found the shieldmaiden sitting near the window reading through an old book. "What do you have there?" Avelina asked as she walked up to her and Éowyn smiled as she looked up.

"It is a book on the history of Gondor. Faramir gave it to me when I asked about his land. He said this book painted it better than he could with all the words in the world, and so far he is right," Éowyn said as she closed the book. Avelina nodded and smiled. Éowyn looked at Avelina and noticed a new glow about the woman. "What is different about you my friend?" Avelina blushed slightly and looked down at her hands.

"Well, I do have news but I do not know if I should share it just yet." Éowyn grasped her hands and Avelina looked up at her.

"Do tell me, I promise I will not tell a soul." Avelina smiled and squeezed Avelina's hands.

"Your brother asked me to be his wife, once things are said and done in Minas Tirith and we return to Edoras to live, we are to be wed." Éowyn's eyes widened and she laughed happily before she embraced Avelina.

"That is wonderful! I had no idea he would do that so soon!" Avelina pulled away and looked at Éowyn who just blushed. "Oh, do forgive me Avelina, but my brother confided in me before he rode for the black gates that if he would return, he would ask you to be his wife. I did not think he would ask you the same night." Avelina laughed and nodded her head. "Faramir and the others will be in council this morning. There is much to do in the city and they will work together." Avelina nodded again and looked out the window.

"The city will be restored, as will Rohan." Avelina looked at Éowyn and smiled. "I know it." Éowyn smiled and the two women looked towards the door when a throat was cleared. Avelina smiled at Eothain.

"It is good to hear you have confidence in all of us," he said as he walked in the room. He looked at Éowyn and bowed his head. Éowyn smiled and did the same. "I hear you will be able to leave the healing hall today." Éowyn nodded.

"Aye, they will finally release me and I can move freely without the fuss," Éowyn said. "I was only able to meet the others in the hall because Faramir told them he would watch over me." She shook her head and Avelina smiled as did Eothain.

"Avelina, Gandalf requests your presence," Eothain said as he looked at Avelina. She furrowed her brow and looked at Éowyn who only shrugged. Avelina nodded and Eothain held out his arm to her and she smiled before she linked her arm with his and he led her down the hall.

Aragorn stood in the study looking out the window. Gandalf and Legolas stood next to him while Éomer sat in one of the many chairs and Legolas. Aragorn's attention turned to the wizard, however, before he could speak a knock echoed throughout the room. Aragorn turned and looked at the door. "Enter!" he called. The door opened and Eothain stepped forward. He bowed his head.

"Gandalf, I have brought Avelina, as you requested," Eothain said. Éomer stood from his seat as the woman stepped around Eothain and entered the chamber. At seeing Éomer, her nervousness melted and he smiled at her. She stepped further into the room and Eothain left the five people alone.

"You wished to see me?" she asked as she walked towards the desk. Gandalf smiled at her and nodded.

"Éomer tells us you have a healing serum, unlike any other," Gandalf said. Avelina looked at Éomer and then again at the wizard. She nodded.

"Aye, I have a serum, but I do not know if it is unlike any other." Éomer took a sharp breath and she couldn't help but smile because she could picture him putting his hand on his forearm and rubbing the bandage. "Although the men I treated with it have claimed it as such."

"Would you help me?" Aragorn asked and she looked at him. "Would you help me tend to wounds that could use your serum to help them heal quickly?" Avelina furrowed her brow at the slight worry she saw in the man's eyes. She nodded her head.

"Aye, my lord, I shall help you." Aragorn gave her a smile and nodded.

"Then do come with me," he said. Avelina stopped him when he walked next to her and looked up at him.

"First, I must stop by Lord Éomer's chamber. I left my satchel there last eve after I tended to his arm," she said. Aragorn nodded and looked at Éomer who nodded. The two men and woman left the study and quickly made their way down the corridors to Éomer's chamber for Avelina to gather her things.