Sorry it took so long to update! Thanksgiving came (a belated Happy Thanksgiving to my American Readers) and craziness ensured. Thank you for your reviews, they mean so much. I tried to finish this chapter on Wednesday, but a few family memebers came early as a surprise. Anyway, let me know what you think! Enjoy!

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

Chapter 28

Months seemed to fly by, however, slowly but surely, Minas Tirith and Rohan were returning to their former glory and Avelina rode on top Sigeric behind Éomer and next to Eothain as they along with the many riders that had remained in Minas Tirith returned home. Once they arrived, a formal announcement would be made to the people of Rohan of Éomer and Avelina's betrothal and the next two months would be spent readying for their wedding. She rode quietly, as she remembered Aragorn's coronation, the last full night she had spent with Éomer.

It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. All the people giving respect to the four little hobbits by kneeling. She had stood next to Éomer during the coronation and during the following celebration for Aragorn's wedding to Lady Arwen; she had danced the night away with her beloved only to retire with him once again, her honor still intact.

"Avelina?" a voice asked shaking her from her memories and she looked to her left and saw Eothain looking at her closely. "Are you well?" he asked and she nodded.

"I am fine, Eothain, I was just thinking," she said. Eothain nodded and smiled.

"Of what, or should I ask of whom?" Avelina laughed causing Éomer to look over his shoulder at her; however, she did not see him. A smile came to his lips as he saw her laugh.

"Of the past few months, it seems like things have gone so quickly, but yet much time has passed. It is all a blur." Eothain laughed quietly.

"In many ways it has." Suddenly, one of the riders that rode ahead next to Éomer took off quickly.

"What is happening?" she asked. Eothain only smiled.

"He is riding ahead to alert the people of Edoras that their King returns." Avelina nodded and felt the knot once again return to her stomach, however, when Éomer glanced back at her and she met his eyes the knot untied and she felt peace once more. "Go to him," Eothain said so only it met her ears. Avelina looked at him and he smiled. "You have barely had a moment with him in our three day ride. Even at night he has been kept busy by the guards while you sleep. Go to him." Avelina smiled and urged Sigeric on up next to Firefoot.

"How do you fare?" she asked as she fell into line with him. Éomer looked to his right and saw her smiling at him.

"I fare well, Avelina, and you?" he asked. Avelina thought a moment and looked ahead. Eothain was right, they had had little time together since the night of Aragorn's coronation and she had come to miss him.

"I'm afraid the last few weeks have been rather challenging," she said quietly as she looked at him. Éomer furrowed his brow and she saw his concern in his eyes.

"How so little one?" he asked.

"I have missed you." Éomer met her gaze and he gave her a small smile. He had missed her as well, and he knew that once he returned to Edoras, he would be able to spend more time with her. "However, I know that your duties come before all else, and I know that there is still much to be done." His smiled widened and he held out his hand to her. Sigeric huffed before he shifted and walked closer to Firefoot. Avelina smiled at him, before he looked back at Éomer and took his hand.

"I promise, Avelina, that once things have settled in Edoras, and once the announcement of our betrothal made, I will spend as much time with you possible." She smiled and squeezed his hand.

"I know that, and look forward to it." Éomer smiled and reluctantly let go of her hand.

"We are nearing the gate. Would you like ride the rest of way at my side?" he asked and she nodded.

"I would, my love," she said quietly and he smiled before he turned and looked ahead. Avelina glanced back at Eothain and saw him wink at her. She smiled and looked ahead, a slight blush gracing her cheeks.

The evening quickly approached and they had all been welcomed happily home by the people of Edoras. The hall was filled with people celebrating the return of their king and the peace that had been brought to the land. Laughter filled the hair as stories were told, ale was drank, and food eaten by many. Avelina sat at a table with Eothain near the throne when she saw Éomer rise. The hall quieted and all eyes turned to their king as they stood themselves.

"My people," he said loud enough that it echoed off the walls. Avelina became nervous as she looked at Eothain.

"It is time so soon?" she asked him in a barely audible whisper. Eothain smiled at her and nodded.

"Yes, Avelina, it is time," he said quietly and Avelina looked once more to Éomer.

"As the council may have shared, I have chosen a woman to take as my wife," Éomer said. Quiet whispers filled the hall. "Many of you know her and many of you Riders were healed by her hands, myself included." He turned to her then and held out his right hand. Avelina could only look at him until Eothain shoved her gently and she stepped forward. She placed her hand in his and walked up the three steps to stand at his side. She smiled at him and then looked over the people of Edoras. Many had smiles of their faces and when she met the eyes of some of the men, their smiles grew and they bowed their heads to her. "I give you, Avelina, the woman that is to become your Queen." He turned her so she fully faced the people and cheers erupted in the room. She smiled kindly and felt a deep blush grace her cheeks. She bowed her head to the people and when her head raised she met the eyes of a little girl with bright blue eyes stepping forward with a ring of flowers.

Avelina smiled and the hall fell silent as the people watched on and as she knelt before the little girl, who could have been no more than five. The mother of the small girl had a worried look on her face, because she had told her not to go forward and she was worried. However, as soon as she saw the kind smile Avelina gave her daughter, her worry melted away.

"Hello," Avelina said quietly and the girl smiled.

"This is for you, my lady," she said with a slight lisp that made Avelina's smile grow.

"A crown of flowers? Now why would you wish to give something so beautiful to me?" Avelina asked as she took the flowers from the girl who smiled brightly at her.

"You are to be our queen. You need a crown." She said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I have yet to take that station, however," Avelina paused as she placed the crown of flowers on top her head, "I shall wear your gift proudly and treasure it always." The little girl's smile grew even larger and Avelina opened her arms to her. She charged into Avelina's arms and she embraced the little tightly. She had never wanted a child of her own more than at that very moment. The little girl pulled away and with a final curtsey ran to her mother. Avelina slowly stood and met the other woman's gaze. She bowed her head as the woman ran her hands through her daughter's hair and blushed. The woman returned Avelina's gesture of respect before Avelina turned and rejoined Éomer on the raised part of the hall. Éomer smiled at her before he laced his fingers with her and looked back at his people. Avelina did the same and was surprised to see some shocked expressions while other's only smiled at her. Avelina did nothing out of character and Éomer even seemed moved by the small gesture.

"This is a night of celebration!" Éomer exclaimed. "Let us celebrate well into the night!" The people cheered and more ale was poured, more food was eaten, and dances danced late into the night.

Avelina sighed as she escaped down an empty corridor towards her chamber. She had managed to sneak away and had only done so when she could no longer find Éomer. She walked into her room and removed the crown of flowers with a smile; however, she stopped when she heard movement. Avelina looked up and a smile came back to her tired features. Éomer stood near the fireplace and he smiled at her.

"I looked all over for you, and here I find you after I had given up and retired for the night," she said as she sat the flowers down on a table near her door. He smiled at her and held out his hand. She crossed the distance and took his hand. He raised his other and ran the back of his hand gently down her cheek.

"If I would have known you were looking for me, I would have made myself easier to find," he said through his smile. Avelina laughed before she squeezed his hand.

"Then there would have never been cause to look for you." He smiled and kissed her forehead. She looked up at him with nervous eyes. "There is much to do," she said quietly and he nodded.

"Aye, there is but we will not dwell on it until morning." She smiled and shook her head.

"I do not think it would be wise for us to share a bed tonight. It may have gone unnoticed in Minas Tirith because of the size of the citadel, however, it will be easily noticed by the people of Edoras." Éomer sighed and kissed her lips lightly before he rested his forehead against her.

"You are right, but I do not wish to leave." She smiled and raised her right hand, as her left still remained encircled by his, and rested it on his cheek.

"Nor do I wish you to leave, but I also do not wish to have the people of Edoras see me as a woman who had ensnared you by my bedroom talents." She blushed at her own words, but she needed to say them. "Especially when I have none that I know of." Éomer smiled and shook his head before he squeezed her hand.

"Think not of it. That shall be remedied upon our wedding night." He pulled back and looked down at her. Avelina met his eyes and her blush deepened and she knew she was a beautiful shade of red at that very moment. "I will see you in the morning, little one." He kissed her briefly once again before he pulled completely away from her and began to walk to the door. Avelina turned and watched him open the door.

"I love you," she said quietly and he paused. When he looked back at her, his smile was bright and unlike any he had ever shared with her. The same feeling stirred inside her. The same feeling she got that night he had kissed her in Minas Tirith so long ago. She raised her hand to her stomach to will away the feeling, but soon she saw the same look fill Éomer's eyes that was in them that night. He felt it too.

"And I you, Avelina," he said huskily before he smiled once more and left her alone in her chamber with the feeling still burning a deep hole inside her.