Part 53 of the Elfwine Chronicles. The Elfwine Chronicles are a series of one-shots built around the family group of Eomer, Lothiriel and Elfwine. The total number will depend on how many ideas I get for new vignettes.

A/N: Many, many thanks to Tracey for helping me re-find my focus for this story. As you can tell by the dates at the end of the story, I've been struggling with it for over four months. Many of her suggestions are included in this final version, though at least one will probably turn up elsewhere as it didn't seem to have a natural place to occur here.

I've left my time references in for your information. I needed them to keep track of how much time had passed, what the weather would be at a given point, etc. You may find them useful as well.

This story is a follow-on to my story "Acceptance" and picks up a few months after that ends.

Obstacles

(Nov, 25 IV)

Chapter 1

Eomer nodded, and Gamling called the company to order. All eyes fixed on the king as he rose to announce, "I have tidings of joy to bring you this day. Freawine, son of Gamling, Doorward of Meduseld, asks that Theodwyn, Lady of Rohan, be his wife, and she grants it full willing. Therefore they shall be trothplighted before you all. Because my daughter is yet young, the courtship will be of some length, but they are eager to share these tidings with you."

Then Freawine and Theodwyn stood forth and set hand in hand; and all there drank to them. That done, the feast continued with even more festivity than before.

Theodwyn was so caught up in happiness, that she was practically floating. She wanted to dance every dance with Freawine, but he finally persuaded her to sit a few out now and then, to catch their breath.

Not everyone in the hall was pleased by the announcement, however. Haman stood among a group of his friends, making derogatory comments about Freawine. The others laughed, though some of them were a bit uneasy with the conversation. They really had nothing against Freawine, but they knew that Haman had thought to win the honor of being the king's son-in-law, and was not happy to find it likely to be filled by another.

His comments became louder the more he drank, despite some of the young men attempting to get him to keep his voice down. A moment later, Haman felt a hand gripping each of his shoulders. Looking left and then right, he discovered he was flanked by Theomund and Elfwine.

Quietly, Elfwine told him, "It would seem you have had too much to drink, Haman. Let us escort you home." Both hands on his shoulders gripped tighter and they began propelling him toward the door. Before he could protest, he was on the front terrace, where he wrenched himself free and turned angrily to face them.

"I am not drunk, and I am not ready to leave the feast just yet!"

The two young men folded their arms over their chests and moved shoulder to shoulder. "Then you need to be ready to leave now, or keep your mouth shut from here on in," Elfwine snapped. "We will not tolerate any further comments about Freawine, who will soon be our brother, but whom we already think of as one now."

Haman glared at them, but thought better of attempting to force the issue. The couple was not married yet, and the king had said there was to be a long courtship. There was still time to change the outcome. For now, he would bide his time. He turned on his heel and stormed away, with as much dignity as he could muster.

xxxxx (Dec, 25 IV - Nov, 26 IV)(Theodwyn turns 18 in Nov, 26 IV)

In the months that followed, Theodwyn found it even more difficult to have Freawine gone with his eored. Now, more than ever, she wished to have him near her, but she took the opportunity to learn and do all she could to prepare herself for marriage, in hopes her father would see her as ready before too much time had passed.

Freawine made a greater effort to send her letters when he could, and Eomer let his daughter know when a courier was being sent to the eored so she could send letters along to him. That somewhat eased the loneliness of their separation.

Despite Theodwyn's efforts at being more ladylike and responsible, she still had a natural tendency to act before she thought, and such was the case one day when she met Haman in the street.

Seizing the opportunity, Haman began his campaign to undermine Freawine's worth in her eyes, telling her, "Theodwyn, be sensible. Surely you do not wish to marry a soldier. His father is a Doorward. That is little more than a servant, and Freawine does not even have that questionable distinction. You are royalty and born to nobility. I can offer you far more than he ever could. It is not too late to change your mind!"

Theodwyn tried to act rationally, and stay calm, but then he added, "You need a man of intelligence and learning, not some uneducated peasant!" It was too much – before she knew it, she was shaking her hand in pain and he had stumbled back from her, holding his left eye. She had not intended to punch him, but she could not listen to him insulting her beloved. Turning haughtily, she strode quickly away from him, trying to hide how much the blow had hurt her.

A short time later, Elfwine passed her room and was surprised to look in through the partially open door to see her soaking her hand in a bowl of water.

"Theodwyn? What is the matter with your hand?"

She jumped slightly and blushed, answering, "It is nothing. Do not be concerned."

Instead, he stepped into the room and pulled her hand out of the water to examine it. Her fingers and knuckles were beginning to bruise and he looked up at her questioningly. "Try again, sister. This is not 'nothing'."

She let out a sigh as she pulled her hand from his and put it back in the water. "I did not mean to do it. I was just so angry, it happened before I could stop myself."

"What are you talking about?" Elfwine asked, though reluctant to hear.

Resignedly, she relayed what had taken place, and her reaction to it, carefully avoiding his gaze. An instant later, she looked up in surprise when he burst out laughing. "You hit him? Excellent! I hope his eye is very black and he has to think up some excuse for it! Oh, sister, you are priceless!"

He strolled out of the room, still chuckling to himself, and Theodwyn couldn't help but smile as well. Haman had deserved it.

She wasn't planning to tell anyone of the incident, but she didn't have to. Once Elfwine caught a glimpse of Haman's eye and heard the lame excuse he was making for it, he began spreading the word of what really had happened and, though few confronted Haman about the matter, they grinned a bit more than was warranted whenever he offered his 'explanation'.

Unaware of what Elfwine was saying, Haman decided to take a different tack and try to get to Theodwyn through the king.

A few days after the altercation with Theodwyn, he sought an audience with the king and asked permission to court his daughter.

Eomer eyed him questioningly. "Are you not aware that she is trothplighted to Freawine?"

"I am aware, my lord, but surely you do not wish for your daughter to marry a soldier. What sort of life could he give her? He would bring her into humble circumstances when she has been raised in luxury. I, on the other hand, am a noble and could offer her much. I am sure you see that I would be the superior suitor for her hand," Haman bragged.

The king rubbed his chin as he eyed the young man distastefully. He didn't care much for the boy's father, and it appeared the son was cut from the same cloth.

Standing abruptly, the king replied, "I am sorry, Haman. The decision of who Theodwyn weds is up to her, not me. Unless she indicates to me a desire to have you court her, I will leave matters as they are."

Clearly Haman was not happy with this decision, which both amused and pleased Eomer. The pompous... He checked his thought long enough to dismiss the young man. Once he was gone, Eomer had Gamling send for his daughter.

Theodwyn arrived a few minutes later. "You wished to see me, Father?"

Mischievously, Eomer solemnly told her, "Yes, I may have some bad news for you. Have a seat."

Looking slightly worried, Theodwyn tried to remember if she had done anything lately to upset her father, but could think of nothing. Watching him apprehensively, she waited for him to explain.

Standing, Eomer paced the room with his hands behind his back as he said, "I have just received a visit from another young man seeking to court you. It would seem more than one man is taken with your charms. However, though you may hate me for deciding such without consulting you, I could not in good conscience allow him to proceed in a courtship. I hope you will not be too angry with me." Eomer knew full well that his daughter was not terribly fond of Haman, but he couldn't resist teasing her a little.

Unable to conceal her curiosity, Theodwyn demanded, "Who was it, Father? I know of no one who might seek my hand."

"Haman," he replied, forcing a serious look on his face.

"Haman! That overgrown, pompous, arrogant –"

Before she could finish listing all of Haman's qualities, her father burst out laughing. "I get the idea, dearest! Trust me, I did not think you would be much disappointed!"

Theodwyn grinned in return and ran to throw her arms around her father. Before she could stop herself, she said, "If it would disappoint me, I would not have punched him in the eye!"

She had not meant to confess it, thinking it undermined her efforts to seem less childish and immature, but to her surprise, her father howled with laughter. "Is that what happened to his eye? Oh, I would love to have seen that! I have often wanted to do the same to his father!" The two collapsed against one another, laughing heartily at the mental image of father and son sporting twin blackened eyes.

That evening, when Eomer returned to his bedchamber to wash before supper, he found his wife just returned from town and a smirk on her face. Grinning at her curiously, he asked, "Not that I mind seeing you thus, but what has you so cheerful today?"

She moved into his arms and gave him a kiss, a gleam of mischief in her eye. "I have just learned the reason for Haman's black eye!" She stepped away and began pulling off her gloves as Eomer watched her a bit uncertainly. He had hesitated to mention it to her, but this was not the reaction he had expected.

Apparently unaware of his confusion, she continued, "It seems Haman elected to insult Freawine in front of our daughter. When he exhausted her patience, she struck him! To cover up his embarrassment he is telling some pitiful story about running into a door that was opened unexpectedly. Can you believe him?"

Eomer chuckled and shook his head. Coming up behind his wife, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and reached around to kiss her cheek. "I thought you did not approve of violence, particularly from our daughter whom you are trying to make into a lady. Now I find you gleeful at her actions and Haman's misfortune?"

Lothiriel went still in his arms before turning to thoughtfully face him. "I confess, I do not think violence is the best solution to most problems, and I do not like to see Theodwyn unable to control her temper, but..."

She trailed off and after a moment, Eomer prompted, "But?"

She lifted her chin in defiance. "But it infuriates me that Haman is saying such demeaning things about Freawine. Freawine is a better man than Haman will ever be, and I almost think of him as a son already. Those who attack my children, attack me."

He pulled her close. "I know. I am just surprised, that is all. However, it will amuse you further to know that Haman had the audacity to come and try to convince me to break Theodwyn's betrothal to Freawine, and choose him instead of a soldier."

Lothiriel gasped in disbelief and then burst out laughing, "Is the boy addled! He would dare say that to you, who was once a soldier the same as Freawine? Know this, dearest, if you even for one single moment consider his offer for our daughter's hand, you will find yourself sleeping in your study for the rest of your life! I will not tolerate him in our family!"

Eomer snorted with laughter. "Well, then, all the more reason for me to decline his suit! If I must choose between you and Haman, you will certainly win every time!"

xxxxx (Nov, 26 IV)

Despite his two most recent setbacks, Haman was still not ready to give in. At every opportunity, he sought to disrupt the relationship between Freawine and Theodwyn, and made every attempt to garner agreement from others to his point of view. It did not take long for his efforts to keep the couple the subject of gossip at town gatherings. Most had no objection to the relationship and would not be swayed by Haman's posturing, but still they discussed the topic. Others, primarily those who were jealous of the situation, took great pleasure in deriding the two and finding fault with either or both.

When next Freawine's eored was in Edoras, he quickly discovered what had been taking place in his absence, and it troubled him greatly.

"You are very quiet tonight, Freawine," Theodwyn said, nudging his shoulder with her own.

His eored had returned to town the previous day, but this was the first opportunity they had found to just sit and talk. Her words broke through his reverie and he smiled wanly at her in the moonlight. Finally, he answered laconically, "I have much on my mind."

"Do you not wish to share it with me?" she asked softly, sounding a bit hurt.

With a sigh, he put an arm around her shoulders. "It is no matter. Do not let it trouble you. Tell me what has been happening here while I was away."

She eyed him piercingly for a moment, then did as he bid. He was relieved that she was distracted by his question.

How could he tell her of his worries; that he wondered if he was good enough for her. He had heard the things Haman was saying around town, about their relative situations in life, and he could not deny that what the other man claimed was true. He had no great distinction as a soldier, no worldly wealth. His wife would not enjoy a life of luxury with servants to meet her every need. Possibly the king would allow her to bring a servant or two with her from his household when she wed, but in large part being married to Freawine would mean a mundane existence for his wife. Could Theodwyn truly be happy in such circumstances, especially with him gone so much? Could he ask her to live that kind of life? Did not she deserve much more? He would gladly give her anything her heart desired, but his hands were as empty as his pockets.

He knew Haman was saying Freawine sought to wed Theodwyn only to garner the favor of the king and improve his situation, and though he knew that was not his motive, he was sure many would believe it a side benefit if not his purpose. In truth, he had never thought to ask anything of the king, other than the honor of marrying the woman he desperately loved, who just happened to be the king's daughter.

Suppressing another sigh, Freawine tried to turn his attention back to Theodwyn's discourse.

xxxxx

A few days later, after visiting with Elfwine, Freawine ended up in the Queen's garden at the back of Meduseld. Strictly speaking, he was not supposed to be there and his father would be upset with him if he knew, but it was one of the most peaceful places he knew of and he desperately needed such a place to think.

Even so, he was coming to no clear answers after spending more than an hour pondering the situation. He was rubbing his face in discouragement when a soft voice said, "Well, well...it seems I have a visitor."

"Queen Lothiriel!" Freawine exclaimed, jumping up, startled by her arrival. "I apologize. I should not be using your garden."

She smiled gently at him, saying, "My garden is open to any who wish to enjoy it, but particularly to my family, Freawine. You are always welcome here."

He blushed and looked at the ground, mumbling, "Thank you, my lady!"

She studied him for a few moments, then asked, "Is something troubling you, Freawine? The past few days it has seemed to me that you are distracted and uneasy."

Freawine's eyes jerked up to meet hers, a bit alarmed at her perception, but then Elfwine had always claimed his mother knew everything. With a heavy sigh, he nodded, "Yes, my lady." He stopped short of asking her help; he could not impose upon her in that manner.

He needn't have worried, however, as Lothiriel sensed the admission came with a desire to talk, "Would you like to tell me the problem? I cannot guarantee I will be of much help, but sometimes talking helps us think things through more easily."

His look of relief for the offer amused her slightly, and she took a seat on the bench he had vacated. After a moment, he joined her there, staring at his hands and trying to organize his thoughts in order to express them. At length, he asked, "Are you aware of the comments Haman has been making about me and my situation?"

She nodded, her mouth tightening with annoyance. He hesitated, then plunged in, "I promise you, I have no thought to gain from my marriage to Theodwyn. I do not expect the king to treat me any differently than before, no matter what anyone says."

When he paused for breath, she interjected quietly, "Freawine, the king and I have virtually raised you alongside our own son. We know full well the quality of man you have become. Jealous gossip by Haman, or anyone else, will not convince us of anything contrary to what we know about you."

Startled by this declaration, he blushed again and murmured, "Thank you, my lady." After a moment, he continued, "Some of what Haman says is true, though. I am just a lowly soldier, and that is likely all I will ever be. Which means that my wife will live in humble circumstances, and will often be alone when I am away with the eored. In many ways, Haman could offer Theodwyn much more than I ever will be able to. I do not wish to make her suffer because of my selfishness…" He raised sorrowful eyes to his queen, wondering if she understood what he was trying to say.

Lothiriel pondered his words a few moments, then commented, "It is to your credit that you are even considering these matters. I suspect you have not mentioned this to Theodwyn, assuming, probably rightly, that she will vehemently deny caring about such things. But you and I both know that she is very young and very inexperienced in the world. My children are no strangers to work, but there is no question they live a much more pampered life than the average person. She would claim such things matter not, but we know she may think much differently when she is alone in a house with crying children, a sick baby and no one to help her."

Freawine gulped and looked away. She had very accurately described his fears. He was startled just then by a gentle hand on his shoulder. "She loves you Freawine, and she is a girl of great determination. That will count for much. As for the rest, perhaps I can give her a taste of what it will be like and then we can see if she remains so enthusiastic to live such a life."

He looked at her, puzzled, and she explained, "Lissa and Faleth are old friends of mine, and their situation much mirrors what yours will be. I will speak with Lissa and ask if Theodwyn might come and live with them for two months. She will be solely responsible for the children, the housekeeping, the cooking and everything else. Lissa can guide and instruct, but mostly she will just sit back and watch."

Freawine hesitated. Though it seemed an excellent test, he felt guilty asking everyone to go to so much trouble on his behalf. Lothiriel's hand, which had not left his shoulder, tightened enough to draw his attention. "I do not do this only for you Freawine. My daughter needs to understand going in what her life will be like. She needs to choose that life, understanding full well what it entails. If she does not, neither of you will be happy. And I do not wish to see my daughter in an unhappy marriage. I am glad you spoke of this to me."

She brushed the hair back from his face, a gesture she had made often before with both him and Elfwine, and Freawine smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you, my lady. I do not wish Theodwyn to be unhappy either. Even as much as I love her, I would rather give her up than shackle her to a wretched, miserable existence for the rest of her life."

With a grin, Lothiriel stroked his head and answered, "I know, which is the very reason why we would much rather see her married to you than to Haman. I rather doubt her happiness would be of much interest to him."

Rising, she smiled down at the young man, and asked, "When does your eored leave again?"

"Two days hence," he answered.

Nodding, she told him, "I will speak with Lissa and arrange for Theodwyn's 'instruction in life' to begin just after that."

He rose also and asked hesitantly, "Should I say anything to her about it?"

"No, I think not. I will explain it fully when the time comes. Your mentioning it will only cause her to argue that it is not necessary. I will not give her a choice!"

For a moment, Freawine felt guilty about inflicting this on his beloved, but then it occurred to him that it was better done now than have her find it intolerable later. Bowing formally, Freawine again said, "Thank you, my lady. I am deeply indebted to you."

Laughing, she linked his arm through hers, saying, "Good! That means you will not mind helping me weed my garden!"

A/N: In Chapter 1, the trothplighting is a paraphrasing of what Tolkien wrote for Eowyn and Faramir, altered to suit this situation. Some is word for word, with tiny additions/changes as needed.

Research on Medieval times indicates that they usually ate three meals: a light breakfast, a midday meal called dinner and an evening meal called supper. Not all of my stories accurately distinguish between dinner and supper, and eventually I may go back and fix that, but going forward I will try to be consistent.

I hope you all realize I spend almost as much time trying to keep timelines, characters, ages, etc., etc., etc. all straight in my sub-universe of Tolkien's world, as I do actually writing stories! I had no idea how complicated this was all going to get when I started the Elfwine Chronicles!

Family groups/ages for reference (in year 26 of IV age, at beginning of story):

Eomer 54, Lothiriel 46, Elfwine 24, Theodwyn 17 (turns 18 in Nov that year), Theomund 15, Morwen 11, Theodred 2

Gamling 56, Eadnes 54, Freawine 25, Denulf 23, Ethelstan 19

Faleth 33, Lissa 33, Theor 10, Dreng 7, Fegennes 3, Beorn 5 mos.

Kialmar 45, Miren 43

Eothain 53