Sorry to make you wait so long for the update. I've been a little busy lately and haven't had that much time to write. This chapter isn't as long or filled with what I wanted. However, I hope you like it and THANK YOU for the reviews. They mean so much! Let me know what you think!

Chapter 32

Avelina rested her head against Éomer's chest as they rode to Minas Tirith. She was surprisingly comfortable on Sigeric. The White City shined in the distance. The obvious repairs were slowly progressing and the city was nearing its former glory. She closed her eyes briefly and suddenly felt lips press to her temple. Her eyes slowly opened and she looked up at Éomer. "Are you tired again, little one?" he asked quietly and she smiled.

"No, just enjoying the peace of the ride," she said gently and he smiled at her. She looked to her left and felt a blush work its way across her cheeks when she saw Aragorn cast her and Éomer a knowing look with a hidden grin.

"Aragorn, knows all too well how I was before we found you, and how I was when we found you lying there. The others are not watching, most are ahead of us and those behind us, their eyes are trained on the rode ahead," Éomer whispered in her ear. She sighed and nodded before she once again laid her head against him. He leaned down then and chuckled at the thought of his next words. "Besides, if you did not notice by the time we return to Edoras, it will be the day before our wedding." Avelina felt a deep blush work up her neck and across her cheeks. She laughed quietly and turned her face up to look at him.

"That it will be," she whispered and snuggled into his neck before she closed her eyes once more and willed herself to ignore the laugh that erupted from Éomer's lips. He found her flush amusing, and he vowed that he would continue to make her do so until his dying day.

As the king returned to Minas Tirith people came from their shops and their homes and welcomed him happily. They also welcomed the horse king and tossed flowers onto Avelina's lap. It appeared as though Minas Tirith had also taken a liking to the betrothed of the horse king. They approached the citadel and Avelina was surprised to see Éowyn, and Queen Arwen waiting for them outside. She suddenly felt inadequate in the beautiful tunic and leggings Legolas had loaned her. Avelina took a deep breath and winced slightly from the bruises on her ribs from where Alric had leaned nearly all of his weight on her while he attempted to drain the life out of her.

"Careful, little one," Éomer whispered. "I won't be surprised if my sister takes you into a death grip when you dismount. I believe she was as worried as I for your safe return." Avelina felt herself smile and glad that she had such a dear friend in Éowyn. Avelina watched as Aragorn, Faramir, Legolas, and Gimli dismounted. Aragorn walked to Arwen and she smiled at him before she took his hands tightly into her own. Faramir walked over to Éowyn and kissed her temple before he pulled back and looked towards Éomer and Avelina. Éomer dismounted and helped Avelina from Sigeric. Sure enough, Éowyn made to rush for her but Faramir whispered to her quickly. Her eyes widened before she walked over and hugged Avelina, but with little force.

"If he were not already dead, I would run him through myself," Éowyn whispered fiercely in Avelina's ear. Avelina laughed quietly as Éowyn pulled away. Éomer smiled at his sister and took Avelina's arm and led her over to Aragorn and Arwen. Arwen looked kindly at Avelina and held out her hand. Avelina took the elleth's hand and bowed her head.

"It is good to know you are safe, Avelina," Arwen said. Avelina looked at her and nodded.

"It is good to have been found, my lady," she said quietly and Arwen smiled.

"Come," the Queen of Gondor said as she squeezed her hand. "Eat, rest, and find peace here, you are welcome as long as you wish." Éomer smiled and bowed his head and looked at Aragorn.

"We do not wish to trouble you long. Only long enough for rest, and for Avelina to be tended to. I trust your words, Aragorn that nothing is broken, but I would like a salve to put on them so they will heal more quickly," Éomer said. Aragorn smiled and nodded his head.

"Of course," Aragorn said as he watched Arwen pull Avelina from Éomer and led her inside the citadel.

"We will be in the hall," Arwen called. "She needs rest and decent food. She is far thinner than I remember her being!" Avelina laughed again as the doors closed behind them and put her hand on her tender ribs. All the joy was making her sides ache, but she would not have changed it for the world.

"Honestly, Éomer, I am fine!" Avelina said as he carried her down the hall towards her chamber. "I can walk on my own!" Éomer, however, just ignored her words.

"I know that, but the healer said for you to rest as much as you can while you are here," he said firmly. Avelina rolled her eyes.

"Éomer, it is only bruises and nothing more!" she exclaimed.

"She said that your body was weak because . . ." he trailed off and Avelina sighed giving into him.

"Fine, but only this once. I will walk out of my chamber on my own to breakfast tomorrow morning and I will walk myself to the stable the following morning." Éomer chuckled and nodded his head before he pushed open her door.

"As you wish," he sat her down on the floor just inside her room. He kissed her forehead and embraced her gently. "Good night Avelina," he whispered against her skin and she shivered slightly.

"Good night . . . Éomer?" she asked and he pulled back slightly to look at her. He pushed some of her copper hair from her face that looked up at him.

"Yes?"

"I am sorry." Éomer frowned and rubbed his thumb across her cheek.

"Sorry?" She sighed and pulled away from him. She walked further into the darkening room and he followed behind her. "Avelina?" he asked and she turned and looked at him.

"I'm sorry for everything, Éomer. For going into the hall even when you were suspicious, for being captured, for making you worry, for making you have to fight, for-," Éomer raised his fingers to her lips and covered her lips with them silencing her.

"Stop," he whispered and he saw the tears in her eyes. He had never asked her if Alric had touched her in a way a woman is most vulnerable and at the thought a lump formed in her throat. He lowered his fingers from her lips and took both of her hands into his. "Avelina, did he . . . did Alric violate you?" Avelina met his gaze and shook her head.

"No," she said her voice laced with emotion. She had not told him that he had been about to when he came. Even in the three days they had been reunited she hadn't really spoken of her treatment while she was in Alric's hands. "He was . . . when you came was when he was going to 'take his prize'." She felt him stiffen even though they were not touching. She suddenly found herself embraced fully by him and she let her tears fall once again as she wrapped her arms around him. She heard muffled whispers but she could not make out his words.

However, she didn't care. She was safe, untouched, and loved dearly by the man that held her with all that his life was worth.