A/N
Yes, I am finally back with this story. I'm so sorry to have kept everyone, that has been enjoying it, waiting but work commitments and life in general prevented me from getting back into writing this even though I do fully know where the story is now going... up to a point ;)
Thank you to anyone that left reviews! I can't tell you how much they have helped me get over the writers block and boost my self confidence to carry on. Although I can't promise to update every week I can say that my updates will come much faster than before.
I hope you enjoy :)
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When Aedre finally regained herself from the torrent of deep thoughts that whirled within her, she began to walk in unhurried steps back towards her small, quiet room. She gave one last glance out towards the plains beyond the city of Edoras and watched the rain fall for a small moment. It was coming down hard and fast, soaking everything in its path and leaving large pools of water that would mean hard work for anyone having to labour up the muddy way on the morrow. Yet Aedre loved this rain with adoration, it had played its part in the occurrences of the night and for that she felt thankful to it in a fanciful way. She turned back to the heavy wooden doorway and slipped in through the smaller door cut into its bulk for daily access when no pomp was needed.
As she entered the great hall beyond, the warmth from the great fire that burned merrily in the centre instantly cloaked her in its enfolds of comfort. She breathed in deeply the bittersweet smell of the wood that crackled in the flames and let out a contented sigh... she was home.
She wandered further in, taking her time and feeling a little like she had been dazed. She remembered feeling dizzy and sick after being dealt a beating during her time with the Orcs but this was somehow different, not taking into account that there was of course no pain or lament along with the sensation. Her very mind felt light, as if she were floating somehow a few feet from the ground and she glanced down making sure that it was just a daydream. Her feet connected with the polished stone surface of the floor and she smiled to herself at having such a thought of folly. She found the feeling did not concern her, she felt oddly warm and contented and she wished to keep this emotion and not worry of the whys and wheres in this small moment.
Aedre became acutely aware that the heavy rain from her dash with the King of Rohan had soaked through some of her clothing. Drips and beads of water that had found their way to her skin trickled a path down her arms and back and she closed her eyes as she walked with unfaltering steps, enjoying the cold sensation and remembering the press of his lips to her own.
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The next morning Aedre found she was up earlier than normal. Sleep had not come easily after the events of the evening and she had finally fallen into a fitful stupor. She felt as though a tight ball had been knotted into her stomach, but it was not an unpleasant feeling, just a sensation that made her unable to keep still for any amount of time. She knew this feeling to some extent although it had not happened to her many times in her life. When the Orcs went on their raiding and morbid missions sometimes they had brought back fresh food, good food of cooked meats, sweet fruits and warm smelling bread. It was on these rare occasions she had felt excitement, the emotion akin to the feeling that everything could now be endured thanks to that one mercy, that one small joy. It was true she was not always given any but the smell had warmed her soul and given her a small light of hope that flickered weakly somewhere deep inside, urging her to not give up. Without that small voice pushing her onwards Aedre thought perhaps she would not be sat in the Golden Hall in this moment.
As she sat in her cosy room and brushed her long dark hair, Aedre glanced at herself in the crudely polished bronze plaque that served as mirror. She studied her face intently, turning it this way and that. Through the slightly wavered surface and golden toned depths of the plaque her scars were less noticeable and she allowed a small, shy smile to appear upon her lips. Perhaps her appearance was not as unacceptable to all as she had first imagined. As she sat in that small moment of realisation she could faintly still taste the succulent, sweet fruit that had been allowed to her that day so many years ago, but today felt as though it would be an even better day, the small flicker of hope was slowly growing into a flame.
She bound her hair into a simple twist and pulled on her clothing. Paying extra attention that her skirts were smoothed and the laces at her sides were tied with care before glancing at herself in the mirror once more. Once she had deemed herself acceptable she made for the door, knowing that Sunniva would already be awake and preparing food in the kitchens.
"It's a fine morn!" Sunniva announced as she entered the wonderfully smelling rooms.
Aedre smiled and nodded as she glanced up at the small hole in the thatched roof above them. She watched the smoke and steam from the many delicious cooking foods waft and curl upwards, disappearing into the vivid blue sky that streamed sunlight in and gave the room a merry glow.
Sunniva fetched a bowl of hot milk and oats mixed with honey and set it down before Aedre, passing the young girl a spoon as an afterthought.
"Summer is not in full bloom and already the sun is far too hot for me" she grumbled as she set back to her flurry of chores. It was not long before a few other serving women began to filter into the room ready for their morning meal and the work that lay ahead. Each helped themselves to a bowl of milk, oats and honey as well a good cup of watered down Mead or Ale.
Aedre ate her food in a daydream, her thoughts harking back to the evening before, she felt both apprehensive joy and fretfulness... what if when she saw him he no longer wanted to talk the long evenings away with her or press his lips to hers again. It wasn't long before Sunniva became aware that Aedre was more subdued than normal, the young girl's attention was not focused on all the gossip at the meal table as was normally the case.
"Aedre girl I don't think you are with the rest of us today" she suddenly said, interrupting the rest of the conversation at the table. Aedre seemed shaken from her thoughts and turned her face to Sunniva in question. Sunniva placed a hand upon the young girl's brow and narrowed her eyes trying to tell if any of her fears of illness were founded. "It doesn't feel like you have a fever but you are never this quiet." Sunniva paused as if catching herself after the words she had just spoken. "Well, what I mean is that you..." she began, knowing the others in the room did not understand her. "Well, I never think of you as mute you talk so much with your eyes and hands..." She drifted off as some of the other women looked at her in puzzlement. The older woman knew it was hard for the others to understand, they did not spend as much time in Aedre's company and could not fathom that someone could communicate without spoken word.
Aedre gave a firm nod and gently removed Sunniva's hand with a warm smile, stating in that small gesture that she was very well.
"Ah well, it must be the weather" she said turning her attention back to the one thing that was annoying her. "The winter's here are harsh and the summers are too humid for my liking."
Aedre smiled as the older woman busied herself once more, it seemed she stopped for only small snippets of time before she was again working upon something else, it was no surprise that she felt the heat worse than any of the others.
A tray was prepared for all the guests and nobles currently staying in the Golden Hall and one by one the other serving women took a tray that was assigned to them and went on their way. The King's tray was last to have food served upon it as his breakfast of poached honeyed fruits had taken a longer amount of time than any of the other simpler meals.
"Take this on to Éomer King, Aedre" Sunniva instructed with a distracted smile.
Aedre smoothed a hand over the top of her head making sure that all her hair was still in place before she picked up the tray and gaily set out to perform her task. As she reached the door to his chambers the ball in her stomach that had relented for all of her morning meal suddenly tightened. The sensation frightened her a little and she hesitated outside the large wooden door. She focused upon the intricate carvings that adorned it. Arches of vines and leaves intertwined to form the outline of a proud horse of Rohan pawing at the ground. The vines twisted and curled into the horse's frame creating a beautiful relief in dark wood that beckoned fingers to glide across it. Aedre allowed her free hand to reach up and touch the smooth, hard surface. She traced the outline, taking in each small detail and enjoying the sensation beneath her touch. A calming wave slowly swept over her from this act and she stilled herself enough to knock upon the door.
"Enter." The normal reply came and Aedre found she was dispirited by it. But she shook herself quickly, had she really expected something different... it seemed such a trivial thing to feel disappointment over.
She entered the room without further thought and saw that Éomer sat in his large wooden chair by the unlit fire, his foot resting upon a small stool as he studied a weathered looking scroll. His eyes came to fix upon her and he abandoned the paper and stood in greeting, a grin slowly spread across his lips, giving him an air of youth and freedom. Aedre smiled shyly, unsure how to proceed after the night before now she found herself in his presence. She walked forward with her eyes cast down and placed the tray upon the usual table. She found she couldn't raise her eyes to meet his and her cheeks burned with an unpleasant sensation.
Éomer instantly sensed her unease and with great effort quelled the desire to wrap her in his arms and kiss her lips once again. The night before and its passings may have occurred but it had been a small step and now this path had been stepped onto slow, steady steps were needed and he knew he must lead the way and be a noble man.
"Come," he said with a warm smile gesturing to the comfortable fur rug before the fire, "sit with me for a short while."
Aedre's brow creased for a moment but seeming to decide that his request was not strange or unnerving she gave a small nod and sat down where he had bid her. Éomer fetched the tray from the table and then came to sit before her. He picked up the metal spoon and sliced into the baked apple taking a good amount of glistening honey with it.
"Have you eaten?" He asked suddenly and then inwardly cringed at the foolishness of the question. He wished to talk of the night before, her feelings and what it all meant for them both, but to bombard her with so much information was only likely to unsettle her.
Aedre nodded but glanced at the fruit with curious eyes, stating with that look that she wished to taste what he held.
Éomer chuckled; it seemed to have become something of a habit between them, sharing food and drink. "Here." He held out the spoon and brought it to her lips.
Aedre glanced up at him uncertainly and then her gaze drifted longingly back to the spoon and its sweet looking contents. She wetted her lips and looked back at him, he smiled encouragingly and gestured with his own mouth what he wished for her to do. Aedre slowly parted her lips and Éomer gently slipped the spoon inside. The taste was sweet and juicy and reminded Aedre of the delicious Cyser she had drank in this very room on a cold winter's night. She closed her eyes for a moment enjoying the sensation before she felt him slowly removing the spoon and her gaze again fixed upon him.
Éomer smiled and took a spoonful for himself. "It's good?" He questioned. Aedre gave a certain nod and Éomer let out another chuckle before offering her one more spoonful which she gladly took. He helped himself to a little more of his morning meal before turning his gaze to her. Éomer let out a huff of laughter, a large drop of honey clung to the corner of her lips, it was somehow an endearing sight. He abruptly moved forward meaning to wipe it away but the suddenness of his movement caused Aedre to flinch from his outstretched hand, her eyes widening in that same frightened animal stare he had seen so many times before. Éomer pulled back his thoughts bringing to the forefront of his mind that he was to move slowly both physically and mentally. He again repeated to himself he could not just expect her to fall into his arms as other women had, nor did he want her to.
"I am sorry" he said, his voice gruff from his self reprimand. "I did not mean to startle you."
Aedre studied him for a long moment. She couldn't help that small flare of panic that descended over her in such situations, it was a part of herself that was so engrained that she had no control over it if the circumstances were unexpected. Yet still she lamented having to see that small glint of hurt that shone out from his gaze each time she pulled away, each time she shied from his touch.
She forced the swirl of panic down until it was just a burning ebb somewhere deep within. Still her heart continued its fast pace as she reached out and caught his hand with her own halting his retreat. She gave him a small smile and pulled him gently forward towards her, silently telling him to continue with what he had been about to do. Éomer smiled in reply and gently his fingers reached out and with his thumb he wiped away the glistening honey. But he found he could not pull his hand away from her, the feel of her soft skin beneath his touch was something he longed to linger upon. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair and press his palm to her cheeks, locking his lips to hers in a passionate kiss... but again the word reared in his mind... slowly.
As he drew himself out from his thoughts his gaze focused fully once again on the woman before him. Aedre had closed her eyes at his caress, her face was peaceful and at seeming ease with the situation. Éomer found that he could not prevent the draw towards her as he leaned slowly forward and allowed his lips to press briefly against hers. He pulled back to gauge her reaction but her eyes remained closed, her face still upturned to his, awaiting his next move. He dipped his mouth once again to hers allowing their lips to meet in a soft embrace. Again the kiss was sweet but more wanting, more demanding this time, speaking of the hints of passion that he held back forcedly. Aedre's hands came up to his cheeks and briefly her finger tips traced the outline of his jaw until her hands came to a gentle rest upon his shoulders. Éomer placed his hand upon her back but made no move to pull her closer as his lips worked over hers in the pure, chaste kiss that for now he would not allow to go any further. He would not risk the chance of her running from him again, he did not think he could bear the thought of losing her.
