"Where is Eomer?" Theodred sounded annoyed. It was the fifth meal he had missed in a row that week.
"I don't know brother." Eowyn replied sheepishly. The white lady had her suspicions but did not reveal them to her cousin.
"This is ridiculous, it cannot go on. When you see him, tell him to seek me out at once." The prince said harshly. He wasn't completely angry, but merely frustrated with his cousins behaviour.
Eowyn silently agreed with the prince, she too was concerned about the change in Eomer's manner, and was beginning to create her own conclusions as to the source of his malady.
It had started when the Gondorian princess arrived in Edoras. The family had met the foreign lady and welcomed her into their home. Eomer had been polite to her at first, a little cool perhaps, but courteous. On the day of the wedding he had been in a foul mood and left the celebrations early. She had thought it was some concealed jealousy Eomer held, jealous that his cousin had found some new happiness, away from their friendship. But Eomer, never had any trouble filling his time or his bed for that matter. It was a well known fact. Then Eowyn remembered the ceremony. As all the guests in the hall were smiling and watching the young couple exchange vows, she had caught her brothers eye. His teeth were gritted and his jaw firm. He was not jealous, but angry. At the time she could not fathom why, but as the weeks wore on, it had dawned on her. Eomer was not pining for his lost friendship, he was grieving his own misfortune. Aching for the woman that Theodred had now firmly planted by his side and in his own bed.
The family attempted to continue their meal. Eowyn only picked at her food as the thoughts she just had swirled around her hear. Theodred ate more than his normal share and washed it down with several goblets of wine. He was brooding and did this when his mood was low. The wretched King sat towards the end of the table being pitifully fed by the ever present Grima. Theoden King, relied more day by day on his companions support and seemed more detached to the present that ever.
"Perhaps sire, I might speak with him." Lothiriel eventually put.
Both Eowyn and Theodred looked at her quizzically, "My lady?" the prince questioned.
"I am more his age and as your wife he may be more obliged to come?"
Lothiriel looked at Eowyn. She did not want to insult her new friend, but felt as she was Eomer's sister, he may be more inclined to argue with her than to comply with her request. Eowyn did not think it a good idea, but to protest the princess' request would raise more questions. Questions that Eowyn was not able to answer truthfully, despite her theories. After all that's what they were.
"Of course, my lady." Theodred replied. He was willing to try anything to bring his cousin back to his senses. His wife was genteel of heart but Theodred had learned she had a firm resolve. Perhaps she could persuade Eomer to return?
It did not take long for Lothiriel to locate him. Like most of the Riders-her husband included- Eomer was often found in the stables attending to his battle horse, Firefoot. She found him now at the far end of the draughty building, dressed in only his tunic, hose and boots. The night air was freezing, yet he did not seem to mind. The red woolen gown that Lothiriel wore was warm, and the fur stole around her neck helped keep the bitter wind out. Still she was amazed at how the northmen did not seem to mind the conditions.
Eomer was giving Firefoot a good rub down. He stroked the horse's muscular frame with a handful of straw, wicking away the moisture from the day and the dust from the road.
"My lord Eomer, you were missed at the meal." She called out. Lothiriel didn't know what else to say at that point, but thought it a generous opening.
Eomer did not miss a beat and continued to clean down his horse when he replied, "Forgive me your highness, but the horses have to be tended to before nightfall."
The young princess, nodded in agreement but pressed on regardless, "I understand... but prince Theodred requests your company."
The hardened soldier stopped at this disclosure, "And he sends you to fetch me?"
The question seemed almost derisive. Lothiriel didn't expect anything better or worse from her inlaw. Since their first meeting he had made it abundantly clear that he had little feeling or concern towards her. At best he was aloof and at worse he ignored her entirely.
"No my lord. I come on my own. I...would very much like for you to return with me." Lothiriel lied, but the lie slipped so easily from her lips that she was caught unaware.
Eomer dropped the straw back into the pen and lifted Firefoot's blanket from the stall wall, and draped it over his back. He picked up a dirty rag and dried his hands on it, all the while starring the princess down, like a hunter would a deer. He dropped the rag on the floor near an overturned bucket and sauntered towards Lothiriel. He came within a hair's breadth of her, his large frame towering over hers.
This was the first time Lothiriel noticed it. She knew Eomer to be a large man, similar in height to her husband, but he was broader and seemed stronger than Theodred did right now. The princess would never admit it but she found him a little impressive. Her pulse quickened and she could feel the heave of her chest rise and fall in an incoherent rhythm as he loomed over her.
Eomer's voice was soft, low and earthy, "You would like that, princess?"
Lothiriel felt her mouth go dry and her fingers begin to twitch. She grasped the folds of her skirt and answered, "Yes." The word barely escaped her mouth. She did not utter it with strength liked she had hoped, it poured from her lips like a moan.
The princess was so confused. How could this man that had shown her nothing more than mere contempt since their first meeting, have this effect on her now? She'd never felt this strange and wonderful at the same time before. Her mind was telling her to flee back to the safety of the Golden Hall, whilst a small corner of her heart compelled her to stay. Was it her heart, or a more intimate part of her?
Eomer stood there only a moment longer before brushing past Lothiriel and headed towards the Hall. He took the steps two at a time rushing as he went. He threw open the doors to the Golden Hall and walked straight up to his cousin.
"My lord, with your permission I wish to return to Aldburg." Eomer asked sincerely as he bowed his head.
"Aldburg?" The prince asked quizzically.
"Yes brother, at first light." Eomer was succinct and held Theodred's gaze steadfast.
Theodred scoffed light heartedly, "No Eomer, I will not permit you." The prince couldn't understand his cousin's motives and was determined to get answers.
As Eomer stood there defiantly, Lothiriel re-entered the hall and stood back whilst the two men talked.
"Something has changed you Eomer...or someone."
The Third Marshall faltered, aware at whom was stood behind him now. Before he could speak Theodred continued, "I will grant you your request on one condition...tell me what has you so hurried to leave your prince and King."
He gestured towards his father now as he knew that Eomer loved his King as much as he loved him as a brother.
Eomer bit back an angry retort and continued as levelly as he could, "The weather has turned Theodred. I cannot risk losing the road to snow. I must go at first light."
Theodred stood from the table and moved the short distance to his cousin. He beckoned his wife with a hand to come stand by him. Lothiriel obediently but reluctantly did so. She did not want to look at Eomer, nor be scrutinised by his stare again.
"Is that all brother?" Theodred asked.
The soldier looked at him with deceit in his eye and lied, "Yes."
"You would not lie to me, Eomer son of Eomund?"
Lothiriel thought the two brothers would start an all out brawl there and then. The people of Rohan were a truthful people, renowned for their honour and kinship. To question a Rohirrim's honour was as wise as to challenge a raging bull. But the younger of the two simply turned on his heel and left the Golden Hall.
"Fine." Theodred shouted to his back, "I'm done with you... Damn you should you ever return to these halls."
Lothiriel laid a placating hand on his arm. She knew he did not mean his curse, in truth Theodred knew this. But the strained warrior could not understand what he was going to do with his brother in arms.
Eowyn watched the exchange from the periphery and did not stop her brother as he left. She now knew in her heart the torment that Eomer was struggling with. He did not need to voice it, she knew him better than that. Better than Theodred. In the end, she knew his leaving was for the best. Eomer would find his peace and return when he was ready.
Across the hall from behind the King, Grima allowed himself a revealing grin.
A/N - OMG, I'm really sorry that I am drawing this out, but I am having the most fun with this story. Please keep R&R, Thanks Mrs E x