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Chapter 27

Avelina took her time as she walked down to the stables. She smiled at those she passed and when the cool Spring air wrapped around her, she pulled Éomer's cloak a little tighter around her. She spotted him, standing outside the stables with Sigeric. The horse was saddled and Éomer was dressed in warm layers as well as another cloak. When he saw her, he smiled at her. She walked over to him and smiled and took his extended hand.

"Hello," she said through her smile. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"Hello," he replied back and she blushed. "Come with me." In a flash, Éomer had sat her on top of Sigeric and she held onto the saddle with wide eyes. He mounted Sigeric and her left side was pressed close to his body.

"Éomer, where are we going?" she asked. However, she received no response. He only urged Sigeric on. They traveled down two levels of the city then Éomer turned Sigeric down a cobbled path shadowed by several buildings. After a few minutes of riding in silence they came upon a clear spot where the afternoon sun filtered down on the medium size plot of grass that was still discolored from its winter sleep. There was two beautifully carved stone benches and upon one sat a basket covered tightly. She furrowed her brow when she heard quick steps and she looked around Éomer to see a familiar form rush down the darkened path a quiet laugh echoed off the walls. "Nathia," she thought, "What have you two been up to?" she asked herself and looked at Éomer. He only smiled at her and dismounted before he lowered her from Sigeric. He still had yet to say one word to her. He kissed her forehead and stepped away from her and over to the basket.

She laughed and shook her head before she followed him, but she stopped a few feet from him. Avelina watched as he took the basket from the bench and pulled a cloth from it and draped it over the table. "Éomer, what are you doing?" He looked at her and smiled before looked back to the basket and pulled out several items including cheese, bread, some meat, fruit, and a flask along with two small goblets. "What is all this?" she asked when he stood and walked towards her.

"This, little one, is a private lunch for the two of us and we have all the afternoon to spend together," he said as he took her hands and led her to the bench. He had her sit on the blanket covered grass next to the bench. "Then, after the feast tonight, we shall share our betrothal with the others. I have not shared our news just yet, as I wanted to do it together." He sat down next to her and she smiled at him as she reached a hand out and held his cheek gently.

"You are too good to me Éomer," she whispered and he smiled before he took hold of her hand and kissed her palm.

"Let us eat." She squeezed his hand before he let go and began to distribute their lunch.

The evening feast could not come to an end any faster than it did for Avelina. Once moment, Aragorn and Gandalf spoke to them and the next tea was being served. She glanced around nervously from her seat next to Éowyn and across from Legolas. Aragorn sat at the head of the table, Gandalf to his right and Éomer to his left. Next to Éomer sat Faramir, then Legolas, then Gimli. Prince Imrahil sat next to Gandalf followed by Éowyn. Merry sat at Avelina's right while Pippin sat next to Gimli. Sam was still tired and took his meal in his room, but most knew he wanted to stay close in case Frodo woke up. Avelina was nervously playing with her napkin when Éomer cleared his throat.

"Aragorn, I thank you for the wonderful meal and your hospitality. I do, however, have an announcement to make," he said. Avelina's hands clenched down on her napkin. He looked at her and she gave him a smile. "Avelina and I are to wed, after our journey to Edoras and Aragorn's coronation." Prince Imrahil choked slightly on his wine as he was taking a drink, but the others smiled at looked at Avelina. Éowyn smiled and put her hand over Avelina's clenched ones. Avelina returned Éowyn's smile before she looked around the table. Legolas was smiling brightly at her and Gimli laughed quietly before he clapped his hands. Merry and Pippin gave her the biggest smiles she had ever seen. Aragorn bowed his head to her with his own smile on his face, while Gandalf just winked. Prince Imrahil gave her a smile and a nod and when she looked at Faramir he bowed his head, although he had a knowing smiling on his face. Avelina figured Éowyn must have told him.

"That's wonderful news," Éowyn said acting as though she knew nothing. "I will be glad to call you my sister." Avelina smiled at her and felt her all too familiar blush make its way across her cheeks.

"Thank you, and so will I," Avelina said.

"This calls for celebration!" Gimli exclaimed and the others laughed. Éomer stood and walked over to Avelina. He held out his hand to her and she took it after she had placed her napkin on the table.

"Then let us celebrate, for now there are no worries and the night is young. Let us celebrate the pending union of our friends," Aragorn said before he called for musicians and more ale and wine as well as for all that wished to join them and celebrate.

Music filled the hall while most danced and others just stood and talked. Avelina danced happily with Éomer. The celebration was something she was not expecting. The song was quick and fast paced. Neither of them knew the steps so just danced along to the music. Éomer smiled down at her before he stopped dancing and pulled her off the dance floor and outside onto a balcony.

"I must say, this was the last thing I expected when you shared the news of our union," Avelina said slightly out of breath from dancing.

"Nor did I," he said as he tucked some of her hair behind her ears. "Are you enjoying the night?" She nodded but he could see a worry in her eyes. "What troubles you?"

"I'm worried for Frodo. I am just concerned as to when he will wake. This morning I tended to him with Aragorn once more, but he still sleeps." Éomer nodded and took her hands into his.

"If he is as strong as I believe him to be, from the tales the hobbits have shared with me, then he will be fine." Avelina smiled and nodded her head. He kissed her forehead and she rested her head on his chest while he wrapped his arms around her. Avelina closed her eyes when he rested his head on top of hers and she sighed happily never wanting the night to end.

The days passed quickly and soon Éomer, Éowyn, Avelina, and Faramir, who came to represent Gondor, traveled to Edoras to lay King Theoden to rest. The ceremony had been full of honor for their fallen King and after many tears were shed a peace came over the city and a stillness filled the air as the tomb was closed.

The day after the funeral Avelina was walking into the hall with Éowyn when they stopped just before they entered as Éomer's raised voice echoed off the walls.

"I will not have you dictate whom I am to marry!" he yelled and Avelina looked at Éowyn with wide eyes. They two listened from the shadows and stepped close to see to who he was speaking. There before him stood five men, much older and looking at Éomer with tired patience.

"They are the King's council," Éowyn said. "Lord Fandar, Lord Hamamil, Lord Rador, Lord Bregdon, and Lord Lundar." Avelina nodded and watched as the oldest man stepped forward.

"The woman has said many times herself that she is just a servant and King Theoden had assigned her to be Lady Éowyn's hand maiden. She is a servant, Éomer King, she is not fitted to rule beside a king," he said.

"Lord Bregdon always thought less of those not of the court," Éowyn whispered with a shake of her head. Avelina gave Éowyn a small smile and nod before she looked back at the group.

"You do not know her as I do," Éomer said his voice dangerously quiet. "She shall rule with a fair hand at my side. Her place is beside me, although I have little doubt she will refrain from helping the maids, cooks, and healers. She has a kind heart Bregdon, and a mind that is equal to most men."

"But she is not from Rohan," another councilmen piped up. Éomer looked at him.

"It does not matter where she hails from. What matters is that I love her and that she will make me a better king than I will be without her." Éomer took a deep breath and even from the distance she stood from she could see the fire in his eyes. "Why should you have a say in who I marry?" Bregdon looked at Éomer.

"We are your council and we advise you on what is best for Rohan and its people," Bregdon said.

"Avelina is what is best for Rohan, and I will not give you a say in who I marry." Bregdon only nodded his head.

"If that is what you wish, my lord, then we shall do as you say," Bregdon conceded.

"It is what I wish. You do not know her now, but you shall see." Éomer dismissed the men and they left the hall. Éowyn smiled at Avelina and took her hand.

"I never thought I would see the day my brother would defy the council's orders," Éowyn said. Avelina nodded and removed her hand from Éowyn's before she walked into the hall.

"Éomer?" she asked and he looked up from where he stood in front of the throne. A smile came to his face and he held out his hand to her. She walked over to him and placed her hand in his. He pulled her close and embraced her before he buried his fingers in her hair. She raised her hand and put it on the back of his head. "Is everything alright?" she asked in a whisper and he sighed.

"It is now, Avelina. It is now," he whispered before he pulled back slightly and smiled at her and kissed her tenderly.