Eomer paced relentlessly in his tent. Running shaky fingers through his hair whilst his breath came ragged and short as he tried to wrap his mind around what he had just heard. On the one hand he was completely enthralled with the thought of becoming a father. Despite trying not to, he loved Lothiriel and had done since the moment he had met her. Knowing that she carried his child was wonderful and something he could only have dreamt of to be true. At the same time the reality was horrifying. They were not and had never meant to love one another. He feared how they possibly could bring a child into the world with so much uncertainty and dishonesty. The soldier continued his pacing at one end of his tent, whilst Lothiriel stood stoically at the other end.

The princess kept looking around nervously, scared that someone would walk in on them at any moment. However she could not will her feet to move and leave Eomer's side. She simply waited for him to look at her, and give her some sign that he would know what they should do. However Lothiriel soon realised that in his current state of shock the Marshall was in no fit state to string more than two coherent words together. She had been the same when the realisation came to her. The young woman took his anxious silence as the further proof she needed to take control of the situation. However painful and scary that decision would be, she would have to take responsibility for her actions.

"I should go Eomer. I know what I must do now…"

Lothiriel turned to leave and as she grabbed the edge of the tent door felt her arm being tugged backwards once more. Eomer stood before her looming over her tiny form. In that moment he looked every inch the fearsome warrior he was known to be, however Lothiriel was not scared of him, she felt safe and sure for the first time. Eomer looked at the princess intensely and replied,

"So do I."

The Marshall's lips locked with hers. They were fierce, full of passion and a sincere honesty. Their every touch caused a warmth to spread through Lothiriel's body, whilst his calloused hands held her face securely and lovingly. The young woman allowed herself to melt under his touch and brought her own hands around the soldier's neck, tugging desperately at the fine hairs that lay there.

Eomer's hands moved along the delicate lines of her face, down her slender neck and across her collarbone. His nimble fingers found the lacings of the young woman's dress and without direct thought began untying each one slowly. The marshall removed his lips from Lothiriels and exhaled contentedly. He watched as she bit her lip with what seemed uncertainty. This pained him and with a gentle hand he tilted her bowed head towards him. Her eyes held the same wary look her mouth bore and for the first time he felt the need to apologise and explain the weight of the guilt and torment he carried.

"Lothiriel...will you ever be able to forgive me?" He said.

"Don't." She whispered back as she pressed a finger to his mouth in silence.

Lothiriel reached for Eomer's face and cupped his cheek in her open hand. The other found the one on her own face and wove her slender fingers into his. WIthout another word she boldly walked him from the doorway of the tent further inside. The temporary home was much larger than hers had been and the princess found what she was looking for at the rear of the room. Eomer's cot stood proud at the back of the tent and was large enough for two people. The soldier looked at her cautiously but she merely replied with a short and simple kiss.

Lothiriel pushed the taller man down on the edge of his cot and continued undoing the laces of her dress that he had started before. When they were loose enough the young woman pulled her dress from her frame and let it fall at her feet. She removed her slippers carefully and with quick hands pulled her undergarment over her head and threw it to the floor. All the while, Lothiriel stared Eomer down, all he could do was watch breathlessly as she undressed herself in front of him. He took in her form as she stood there naked and smiled at the memory of their last union. He remembered how her skin had flushed when he had touched her breasts and how strong the muscles in her legs were when they wrapped around him. His eyes finally rest on her stomach. Though it did not show fully her current condition, Eomer believed he could see the faintest beginning of roundness at the front.

Eomer slipped from the edge of the cot and kneeled before Lothiriel. He grasped her hip gently with one hand and allowed the other to smooth over the delicate skin of her abdomen. The strong man placed a chaste kiss just below her navel and smiled to himself as he thought the child growing inside would feel it. Eomer stood from his crouched position and kissed Lothiriel one more time before picking her up in his arms effortlessly and laying her on his cot. He removed his clothes in quick succession, though it took longer than anticipated. He bore no armour this night but more layers than Lothiriel. She was content to watch him as he had done, laying on her side as he unclasped buttons. However, she soon grew impatient and knelt up on the soft furs on the cot and offered her assistance. With two hands working swiftly Eomer too was soon undressed.

The marshall looked at the princess warmly and pulled her towards him. She reciprocated and drew her lover on top of her and across the large cot. They entwined their limbs and embraced one another's bodies as they began to make love. Eomer held Lothiriel close to him the whole time he moved inside her whilst his eyes locked with hers. He allowed the weeks of built up frustration, fears and formality they had lived by eek away and gave himself to her fully. The princess did the same and for the first time she felt complete.

As the sun peeked over the horizon the quietness of the campsite slowly ebbed away as the men and animals came to life. Inside Eomer's tent lay Lothiriel still, naked and pressed against the soldiers side as he ran his fingers through her hair. They found sleep in the early hours but had been woken by the activities outside his tent. Lothiriel had made a decision during the night and felt now was the time to go through with it.

"I am sorry Eomer...I shouldn't have waited so long to tell you."

"I understand why you did. My behaviour and treatment of you has been..." He dared not say it. What they had shared that night was perfect and he did not wish to spoil it. However, he knew some things needed saying. He laughed cynically before pressing on, "Why did it take me so long? You're the only thing that I have ever wanted for myself. I let my mistakes overrule my mind...when I should have made peace with them."

Lothiriel tried to interrupt him, to tell him she neither wanted nor required an explanation. She understood Eomer's love and respect for Theodred, and despite all her fears she was prepared to face whatever justice or consequences faced her now.

"It does not matter now...I will go to the King and explain what I have done."

"What?" Eomer said shocked. He admired her nerve but his protectiveness of her overcame his pride. "No...we will tell him together."

The couple dragged themselves from the low cot and found their clothes strewn on the floor where they had left them. In no short time they were both dressed, looking slightly more dishevelled than they should have done. Despite this, their appearance was not going to make the conversation ahead simpler, so with a deep breath they left the confines of Eomer's tent and walked hand in hand towards the King's tent.

A/N - Thanks for the reviews of the last chapter. I hope you like this update. R & R Mrs E x

Catspector - These two are a handful, I must admit. It is so much fun writing this story. Let me know what you think! x

A+D - Glad you are enjoying the story.