-A Forbidden Love-

Scene 13: Epilogue

Lothìriel settled back with a sigh as she felt her husband's arms come around her. Looking up and over her shoulder, she smiled at him.

"You look tired, my love. You should let the girl help more in the night so you can get your rest," he gently chided.

"I know, Éomer, but he is our child. And I am jealous for every minute with him that I can get."

She felt him nuzzle her hair as she let her gaze drift down to the babe in the cradle in front of them.

"He is a handsome little lad, isn't he?" There was very real pride lacing those words.

"Yes, my husband, he is."

Her breath caught as he spun her around and into a warm embrace. "Your father should be here today."

"I remember."

"Just checking. Yesterday, I had to remind you at least three times of your meeting with Hìld."

Lothìriel felt a flush on her cheeks and shot him a shamefaced grin, "Ok, perhaps I do need the reminders. My head feels like it has been stuffed with wool so frequently."

"It will be good to see Éowyn and Faramir too."

Lothìriel started, "Oh! I forgot to tell Hìld to air out Éowyn's chambers yesterday." She could feel the rumble of Éomer's laughter start deep in his chest, and sighed, laying her head down on it. "Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I should allow the Waerith to help more."

"I am sure that Hìld has already seen to Éowyn's chambers. She is most excited to see her and her little one." She could feel him pause, building up to something, and stiffened a bit. "Lothìriel."

"Yes?"

"You will try harder? For your father this time?"

She buried her face deeper in his chest, "I will." It came out muffled, but she could feel him relax.

"He truly had no choice either, my Love."

"I know. You told me of your conversations at Cormallen and at Aragorn's wedding. I wish you had been able to come to Erchirion's wedding. Perhaps it would have been smoother."

"And I wish you could have come to Aragorn's. I think you would have loved dancing to the Elvish music."

Tears sprang to her eyes and she blinked them hastily away. She felt him tighten his hold.

"I'm sorry, I know it's still difficult for you to face that time."

She sniffed and raised her head again, "Yes, but I will be ok. We will be ok." He looked relieved as she smiled at him, "Thank you, Éomer. For being patient with me."

He leaned forward and nuzzled her hair again, as a small whimper sounded from behind her. "I love you, Lothìriel."

Turning, she gently scooped up the babe and cradled him in her arms.

"Very handsome." She grinned at the tone of self-satisfaction that filled Éomer's voice as his arm came around her to cup the babe's head-to stroke the downy blonde hair.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Éomer King, Lothìriel Queen? The entourage has arrived."

Lothìriel exchanged a surprised look with Éomer, "They must have had clearer roads than we thought."

A grin bloomed on Éomer's face, "Or my sister was pushing them. She is not a patient woman."

Lothìriel laughed, "You are probably more right than I." She grabbed Elfwine's heavier blanket and tucked it around him, "Shall we go meet them?"

Éomer looked at her bemusedly and she raised her eyebrows, "What?"

"Perhaps, Wife, you would like to put something on your feet first?"

Lothìriel blushed and offered Éomer the babe. He took him as she slipped into her boots.

"Lothìriel?" He said as she stood, ready now to leave.

"Yes?"

She glanced up and caught his eye and her heart beat faster at the look in his eyes. Éomer took a step closer and ran his thumb across her cheek before leaning in to kiss her lips, lightly drawing his teeth along her bottom lip in the way she knew, that he knew, she liked.

She let out a breathless sigh before laughing, "There, now I wish the entourage another couple hours away at least."

He tucked his free arm around her, and tilted Elfwine up a bit so she could see his bright eyes peering over the blanket.

"We were out of luck anyway."

Finis