Éomer sat on the edge of his bed. The linen bedclothes that had only recently covered both his and Aedre's bodies in warmth and given them contentment were discarded in a crumpled mess. The sunlight that bathed the room did nothing to ease his mind or the thoughts that plagued him and his brow was once again crowned with a frown.

He was reluctant to allow Aedre to leave his chamber after the events of the morning. He knew many of the servants and nobles would still be in deep sleep after the merriment of the night before and no one would be expected to work until the late afternoon. He knew she could stay, that no one would know... or perhaps he was only trying to convince his own mind of such things, that Sunniva finding them had changed nothing. He was fully aware it changed everything, although his mind refused to process the fact, refused to even think upon it. Instead he was left with a cloying feeling that he wanted her to stay, to not venture out into the world that would set into motion the wheels and cogs that may finally part them. As he watched Aedre dress and make herself ready to begin her daily chores he had a sudden childish urge to bar her way, to put himself between her and the doorway. Glancing away from her, he quelled the urge and cleared his mind of such unhelpful fancies.

When he again turned towards her, Aedre was fully dressed and just finishing hastily braiding her hair. She gave him a small smile and his mind drifted unbidden back to the events that had occurred after Sunniva's abrupt departure. Éomer had noticed a change in Aedre's mood, it was small and hard to fully detect but to Éomer it seemed as if she had become silent. It was an impossible occurrence and emotion to feel for he was fully aware the girl had never uttered a single word to him, yet he could not shake the unpleasant sensation that she was quieter, uneasy. He had tried to offer her a truthful explanation to his anger at Sunniva but he found that he could not find the words, or more to the point he didn't wish to. His mind finally settled upon telling her that he had been annoyed that Sunniva had awakened him and it seemed as if Aedre had believed this simplified account. That is until he had sensed her disquiet, perhaps he had taken for granted her naive ways, he had seen for his own eyes on many an occasion that she saw deeper than most would even imagine.

He moved his gaze to her face and studied her for a long moment, his eyes boring into hers, trying with vain effort to read her inner thoughts, to understand what it was that had created that uneasiness between them.

"Must you go?" He spoke the words before he had even known they were upon his tongue.

Aedre gave an easy nod accompanied by a smile and the sight made Éomer question himself. Perhaps he was indeed imagining the ill at ease aura, perhaps his harsh words to Sunniva had caused guilt to form within his heart and it was the weight of this he was feeling.

He rose from the bed and went to her. She graced him with another smile as Éomer gently pulled her to him, encircling his arms about her and pulling her form close to his body. Aedre returned the embrace, her hands softly smoothing over the bared contours of his back. She pressed her cheek against his chest and relished the feel of his skin against her own in this small moment. She closed her eyes as the faint drum of his heartbeat reached her hearing, wanting that rhythmic sound to stay with her, to comfort her. Finally she forced her mind to focus and slowly pulled away from him, her eyes meeting his. Aedre suddenly felt awkward and wished to be free of the room and Éomer's presence, it was a strange feeling she couldn't explain.

She knew it was not his fault, nor her own that this strange barrier seemed to have appeared between them. Her mind mulled over the night before and of the strange conversation that had taken place between them, of what such things meant and just how her mind was meant to accept that a punishment was no longer such a thing. To her mind it was no different than saying a beating or a purposeful cut from a blade was no longer meant to cause pain and blood to flow... but... it had been different, his hands on her body had not felt the same. It had been different... she shook herself inwardly.

Aedre didn't want to dwell on such things or the fact that it may not have felt as a punishment should. It had been confusing and left her distraught that he had touched her in such a way for the reason that it hadn't been the same, it hadn't felt the same as the Orcs' hands and this was a concept Aedre felt she could not come to terms with. How could a punishment no longer be a punishment? She was aware how confused and muddled her thoughts were, how she kept going over and over the same point but phrasing them differently... still she had gotten no further in making it any less of a puzzlement.

She glanced at him, her eyes uneasy and saw his eyes mirrored her own, the lines of confusion that etched their way across his expression reflected the ones upon her own face. Aedre could easily read that the man before her was not concerned about the same thoughts that ran relentless through her own mind but something else shadowed his thinking, something that she knew he was not willing to share with her now. She felt slightly vexed that they could not just shed all their cares and worries here, hold each other and offer comfort. But she somehow knew that life did not run as smoothly as most would wish and some things were better left unspoken.

Not wanting their parting to seem forced or strange she reached up and pressed her lips to his in a brief kiss before turning from him and making for the wooden door.

"Aedre."

She turned to look at him, being careful to keep her expression carefree.

"Will you come back to me tonight?"

Aedre smiled at his request and found that the disquiet seemed to ease within her. She gave a certain nod before departing the room.

---

The kitchens were silent and still. The fire crackled in dim, glowing embers and Aedre fetched an iron poker and probed at the wood ash until finally a few flames began to burn merrily. She added some more wood, knowing that all the workers of the kitchen would be grateful to not have to rebuild a good fire to cook food upon.

Food was sparse on this morning as much had been taken and prepared for the feast outside the gates. Aedre wandered a little aimlessly to the stone steps that led down into the dark, cool larder. She unbolted the wooden door and slipped inside. A small, gloomy, shallow cave with many shelves met her gaze as the dim glow from the fire gave her enough light to see a few feet in front of her. The room had been hewn from the very rock The Golden Hall sat upon and kept all dairy foods and meat cool for an extra few days after the time it would normally have become spoiled. She checked the first crudely made stone shelf and found what she had been hoping for; a few eggs and thin strips of cured pork. She piled all she wanted onto a wooden plate she had brought for the task and made her way back out, being careful to close the door securely behind her and bolt it. A few of the serving women kept forgetting to close the door in periods of haste in the kitchen and the result was often a larder full of spoiled food and a very unhappy Sunniva.

Aedre brought her finds to the table near the fire and found herself a sturdy, shallow metal pan into which she put a small amount of animal fat. She allowed the fire to melt the fat and begin to bubble before adding the strips of pork and then the eggs. Her mouth watered slightly as the distinct aromas from the cooking food filled the room and her thoughts drifted to a state of contentment, unwilling to linger upon worries and only wanting to think about her morning meal and how good it would taste. She heard a slight scrape of footfalls upon the stone floor and turned to look behind her. Aedre had fully expected to see Sunniva standing there, someone she had wished to see all the time she had been in here. Her thoughts were still uneasy over Sunniva's and Éomer's parting and the young girl longed for the reassurance the elder woman's kindly face and smile would bring. But it was not Sunniva who stood in the doorway but Guene who met her gaze evenly instead.

Aedre quickly glanced away focusing once more upon the food she was cooking. Guene was known for partaking in too much Mead at feasts and her mood was often foul the day after, all the other women avoided her if it could be helped on such occasions. Guene was a young serving woman of twenty six, she was what many a man of Rohan would describe as a 'fine beauty.' She possessed all the qualities that were thought of as comely, she was taller than Aedre by a good head and had beautiful golden hair which had soft waves running through it. Her eyes were a startling, clear blue and her face was plump, rosy and her body ample of curves. She also had the temperament and strong will that many a man would covet but Aedre thought most would soon tire of her constant nagging, harsh words and unpleasantness on the morn after drinking. Even a beauty could become sour and what was often within shone without if one was willing to look hard enough. But they never were and the warriors of Edoras flocked to her side. Aedre stared at the fire her mind wandering and mulling over Guene. She came to realise that she had never seen a man with her outside of a feast... it seemed oddly strange, perhaps they were not as blind as she thought.

Aedre listened as Guene banged around the kitchen table tops looking for what she sought. Finally she gave a gruff noise of frustration and flung a pot onto the floor with a loud crash. Aedre flinched at the noise but did not stir, she knew better than to bring attention to herself when it could be avoided. Finally Guene seemed to see the young girl sat near the fire and took a few steps towards her.

"Where have you been?" She asked in a whiney voice. "I have been ill and sought your help in the early morn, but your bed was empty."

It was common for the serving women to seek aid from their closest neighbours if they ever needed help but Guene's room was not particularly close to Aedre's. Aedre glanced up at her with a puzzled expression, her look bearing the question of why Guene had sought her when others could have aided her quickly and with more care.

"Most of the other girls are too lazy or sick to help me." Guene regarded Aedre with a wary eye. "I know you do not drink so I sought you..." She paused. "Though now I think on it, I see not what use you could be." The comment hadn't been intended to wound or be spiteful. Guene like many others did not see Aedre as wholly human. She was something of mystery, of the feared unknown and therefore they did not trust the young silent girl and could not treat her as one of their own. Guene didn't dislike Aedre and had never uttered an unkind word to her in spite or malice but still the strange creature with many scars across her face and large brown eyes caused her to feel trepidation.

Guene wiped a hand across her brow, trying to dispel the ache in her head. "Where were you Aedre?" She asked absently. "I did not see you at the feast, but you were not in your bed."

Aedre placed the pan to the side of the fire and got to her feet. She fetched Guene a mug of goat's milk and pushed the drink into the woman's hands before sitting back down. Guene gave a small sigh of thanks before gulping down the liquid greedily. She wiped her hand across her mouth feeling slightly better than she had done a moment ago and the scent of gossip had perked her up immensely.

"Who were you with?" She asked coming to crouch down near the fire so her eye level met Aedre's. "Was it a warrior or a noble?" She paused. "or a servant?" Her voice was highly sweet and cloying in its tone.

Aedre glanced at her nervously not liking the direction this one sided conversation was taking. "I won't tell anyone, you can trust me." She said reaching out to touch Aedre reassuringly, hoping the act would bear a rumour she could fashion. But Aedre jerked her arm away, her eyes meeting the older girl's and warning her through them that she did not know her well enough to allow such friendly connections.

Guene studied her intently as if looking at an enigma that was somehow intriguing while at the same time causing disgust. "I did not know you disliked being touched." She snapped as if it was Aedre's fault she hadn't been informed of this fact. "Well since you cannot talk perhaps I can guess." Her lips curled into a hungry smile.

Aedre shook her head, the action stating that she did not wish to speak anymore on the matter.

"Hmmm." Guene mused pressing her fingers distractedly to her lips. "Is it Eafa the stable boy?" She mused a little more. "He is a little slow but his looks are fair."

Aedre continued to look calmly at her and made no movement.

Guene gave a small uncomfortable giggle under the unwavering young girl's gaze, unnerved by the intensity that burned within it. "It is not Eafa then." She again returned to thinking determined not to back down from her interrogation. "I heard that Oeric of Éomer King's riders has been seen with a lady of recent days, they are said to have secret trysts. Is it you Aedre?"

Aedre again remained silent knowing the woman was just playing her games of wanting to know all that went on in the Golden Hall, it seemed to bring her great joy to gather all the information there was to know about everyone and anyone and then depart it to gawping listeners, all the attention upon the woman speaking, upon herself.

"I suppose you would not tell me even it was so." Guene again studied the strange girl before the fire, her eyes softening at the sight. "I should not tease you so, I know it is unlikely you will ever find a husband looking as you do." She had meant it as a lament, as kind words but Guene had always been too brisk and thoughtless when it came to speaking. She gave a sigh and finished the last dregs of milk from her mug. "Still perhaps it is no ill thing to be without a man, you will never have to worry if he is yours or not, do as he wills in the bed chamber or listen to his commands." She gave a low chuckle. "But I cannot imagine such a life." She smiled a little dreamily. "I want a husband, children." She bit her lip before looking at Aedre fully, her eyes sparkling. "But like many a woman here I would enjoy being in the king's bed and I have been once, a long time ago now." She again sighed. "Can you imagine what it is like to be the mistress to Éomer King?" She chuckled. "It is a very fine thing." She bit her lip again as if remembering some embarrassing memory. "Clothes, gifts, food and passion, all mine for a short time." Her eyes dulled. "But he tires easily of women, battle is all he loves." She became silent for a few long moments before she jerked slightly as her senses came back to her. "Why am I telling you this?" She asked highly, embarrassment showing red upon her cheeks. "I suppose it is because you are so still and silent, you trick people into departing secrets." Her tone was jesting but her eyes were dark in their light blue depths, saying she meant those words and she didn't trust Aedre, not even a little.

"What are you both doing out of your beds so early?" Sunniva's light and cheery voice burst through the stagnant air that had formed about the two women by the fire.

Guene jerked her head away, unconcerned with Aedre now there was someone of more substance in her presence. "Good morning Sunniva." She said courteously.

"Aye Guene and the same to you." Sunniva said eyeing the woman with suspicion. "I saw how much Mead you took last night, you should still be in bed by all rights."

Guene gave a sugary smile. "I did not feel well earlier and the sickness did not leave me so I rose and came to find something to ease it."

"Goat's milk?"

Guene nodded her eyes flicking to Aedre for only the briefest of seconds.

Sunniva gave a small nod. "Does that mean you will be needing a bucket and cloth later if you were feeling unwell?" she asked knowing exactly what Guene meant when she said she had been ill.

Guene seemed to redden slightly once more. "Yes, I may."

Sunniva rolled her eyes. "When will you learn that too much drink brings no one any good, girl?"

Guene rose from her crouching position. "I think I shall go back to sleep." She gave a last sheepish look around her before she made for the door.

Sunniva bustled about in the kitchen for a moment before she seemed to give into the urge that was clutching at her spirit willing her to speak of what rested heavily upon her mind. She turned and walked over to where Aedre sat, pulled out a nearby stool and eased herself down upon it with a low huff. Their eyes met and Aedre suddenly had the strong urge to look away, to look anywhere but at the trusted woman before her.

"You saw me this morning didn't you girl?"

Aedre didn't know what she had expected but the kind tone and face Sunniva bore was not it, the situation shocked her into silence before finally she nodded.

"And you saw I was angry?"

Aedre gave a small uncertain nod, she hadn't really seen it but she had felt it, the heat of anger in the room and it had not just been coming from Éomer. Sunniva seemed to hesitate before she again focused her steady, even gaze upon Aedre.

"Aedre, if you do not wish to tell me, you have no need to..." She paused, waiting for Aedre to confirm her words. "Did you only sleep with Éomer King..." She again hesitated. "Or was there more?" Her tone was a loud whisper as if she were a little ashamed of the content of her words.

Aedre furrowed her brow before finally touching her lips with her fingers, signalling that they had only kissed. Sunniva's face seemed to relax with that simple gesture. "That is good." She breathed. "I think it is best if you do not see the king for a small time." She patted the young girl upon the shoulder.

Aedre tried to gesture that she had promised she would meet him in the evening but Sunniva stilled her hurried attempts and smiled warmly. "I will tell him I have kept you busy, he will not be angry and I must speak with him tonight." She paused before adding. "If that is alright with you Aedre?"

Aedre was startled by the question, she was unused to anyone asking her permission for anything and for Sunniva to ask her to give up something she wanted for her own, like the time she shared with Éomer, made her feel strangely important and noble. Finally she gave a firm nod, glad to be able to give Sunniva anything she wished.

Sunniva again patted the girl before rising from her chair. "I see you have made us a meal." She said the light, cheerful tone returning to her voice. "If you like you can take the scraps of fat around to the dogs while I find us a little broth to go with this." Sunniva quickly and expertly removed the thin strings of fat from the pork and placed them on a small wooden plate before handing them to Aedre.

Aedre gave a confident smile towards the older woman before turning and making her way out of the kitchens. As she turned the corner that led to the long passageway her breath caught in her throat as a shock jolted through her at the sight of someone in the gloom. She took a small step back before regaining herself. It was only Guene still holding the mug which had recently contained milk. Guene's mouth was open, her eyes wide as she looked at Aedre, finally she blinked a few times as if willing her mind to work.

"I came back for more milk." Her voice was whispered, stunted and Aedre regarded her with a confused frown.

Guene pushed passed her without another word and Aedre turned to watch her round the corner and disappear from sight. Aedre again frowned but this time in thought, perhaps the woman was indeed quite ill.