A/N

I am so sorry this chapter is late in coming. Please forgive me _

I've recently been ill and had no will to write. This week is the first I've been fully back on my feet and the first thing I wanted to do is start writing this again.

I hope you enjoy the chapter and it makes up a little for the time it's taken to get it uploaded. I'm hoping to get at least one more chapter up before Christmas too.

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The beginnings of dawn blossomed over the horizon and the warm sunlight lazily fell through the half open shutters, bathing the king's chamber in a rosy glow. Aedre watched in contentment, letting her mind drift over the patterns and shadows that appeared upon the stone flagged floor. She gave a soft, coy smile as the king beside her stirred in his slumber, his arm coming to rest at the curve of her waist.

Aedre enjoyed sleeping here in Éomer's bed, the furs were warm, the linen soft and the company gave her a peace that she had never known. It was calming, soothing and gentle; she firmly believed she could stay this way for an eternity, wrapped in the protection and promises that love brought. Her smile widened, yes, he had said those wonderful words to her. A great man, a king had told her he loved her, that he wanted her by his side and that her life would never be the same again. Aedre had never really thought about what she wanted from her own existence but now she knew with a firm and strong certainty that it was to be with Éomer and live the life that they were both slowly weaving, connecting each other in the threads of each new day.

She bit her lip lightly as the gentle, cold weight of metal brushed her breast. She reached up and touched the golden pendent that now hung around her neck on a glinting chain. She allowed her fingers to deliberately trace the design, seeing the picture form in her mind's eye. A small arrow, the same size as a large coin, decorated with engraved swirls and elegant curls that formed into the silhouette of a horse's head, its mane blowing wildly in the wind. Éomer had bestowed her with the gift as they looked out across the city of Edoras late into the night before. He had told her he wished to give her something from his heart, something precious and dear to him as she was precious and dear to his heart. Finally he had found what he searched for in an old, small chest.

"It is from when I was a boy; it belonged to my mother and before that to her mother..." He had placed the pendant at her breast and fastened the chain at the nape of her neck. "It is a symbol a woman of Rohan wears to bring her warrior back safely from battle, the arrow symbolises where my place is." He touched her cheek lightly. "With you."

Now lying in the lazy morning sun Aedre wrapped her hand around the pendant, the memories of the nights occurrences were indeed good, better than any she had of getting a good meal, new clothing or even the aroma of warm bread. She finally felt like something within her had become dislodged, the inner cogs of her mind moving and propelling her onwards to a life, not just an existence, but a life filled with merriment, warmth and many more good memories.

She allowed her eyes to flutter closed, only too happy to continue this moment for as long as she could. With the man she loved beside her, all seemed right with the world.

---

Aedre arrived later than normal to the warm bustle of the kitchens. Most of the women were already about their daily chores, taking trays of food to nobles who resided within the hall, gossiping of the evening's goings on in the local taverns and eating a hearty morning meal. Aedre slipped quietly onto the bench after helping herself to a bowl of oats softened with milk and drizzled with clear honey. She ate her meal in silence, watching the commotion about her and feeling nothing but lightness at the prospect of the chores ahead of her. She would finish them quickly so she could return to Éomer's chambers with his evening meal and stay with him once again until the morning. She let her mind wander to a small fantasy of them being together by the warm fire, snuggled under a fur blanket as he read to her or tried to make her understand old tattered maps.

"What's got you smiling like a love struck young maid?" The voice pulled her rapidly out of her imaginings and the smile that had found its way to her lips dropped.

Aedre gave an inward sigh of relief as she became aware the tone was friendly, as was the face. The serving woman, Bera, stood beside her with a kind, rosy look. She gave Aedre a small wink. "If only we could all smile as merrily as you on a morn of work." She gave a soft chuckle and touched Aedre's shoulder gently as she moved away from the table to begin her chores.

Aedre's smile returned and she quickly finished her meal, not wanting to fall behind the others in her work.

---

Although Aedre had taken on her tasks with vigour she slowly began to lament that the hours seemed to crawl by so slowly. Each time she glanced up at the small smoke hole in the kitchens it was as if the sun was playing a merry jest upon her, refusing to move but an insignificant amount. Each time she gave a low sigh and returned back to her latest job of peeling vegetables, slicing fruit or plucking out the feathers from the fowl that would be tonight's meal.

Finally Sunniva bustled in and began directing everyone into the hectic chores of cooking the main evening meal. Vegetables were basted, meats brushed with juices and coated with a honey glaze, fruits artfully arranged into butter pastry dishes then layered with a mixture of eggs and thick cream. Many of the nobles had a sweet tooth and so the small sugary dishes were also served after the savoury course.

As the food became ready, filling the air with mouth watering scents of roasted meats, the serving women that would attend the great hall filed in, brushing their clean aprons down and adjusting their braids. Each was given a large serving of food before they turned and were gone on their way towards the great hall, their own stomachs willing them to do their job quickly so they could return to the kitchens or hurry home to eat at their own table.

As the kitchen's emptied and settled Aedre rose from the stool she had been sat upon in aid of staying out of the busy paths of the serving women, and began to walk towards the doorway. She needed to change her dress and find a clean apron so she could serve the king's meal. Tonight Éomer had wanted his meal serving later, Aedre supposed this was to cause less suspicion in the others, no one would notice if she did not return from her task at a later hour, they would assume she had retired to her bed.

"Aedre." She turned at the sound of her name being called. Sunniva stood by the fireside with two bowls of fresh, steaming hot stew. "I thought we would eat together, the autumn winds are becoming brisk and it may be our last chance to enjoy the air while we eat before winter comes." Sunniva held out the bowl towards her, her face hopeful.

Aedre hesitated but quickly relented and retraced her steps, taking the bowl that was offered. The two women descended the few steps that led to the small side doorway. The door was often used for food deliveries and was the way most servants left once their days were over. The serving women and men of the Golden Hall who did not reside within its walls did not like to walk through the great hall at the end of their day in case they were stopped and asked for other work to be performed; this way insured they got back to their homes and family quickly.

The cool air greeted them as Sunniva opened the heavy, thick wooden door. As always the guards stationed at the far points of the hall turned their heads in suspicion but soon relaxed and resumed their watch. Sunniva went to the edge of the narrow stone platform and eased herself down, dangling her legs over the edge. Aedre joined her and they both began to eat their meal. The stew was fresh and delicious and Aedre soon found she released the ball of worry that she was not rushing to be by Éomer's side, instead she felt content to relax within the older woman's company for a short while. It seemed a long time since she and Sunniva had sat and talked in such a carefree manner and Aedre loved to listen to her friend's warm voice as she talked of minor things that had happened within the hall.

The moment was simple as the soft song of birds drifted in from the grasslands outside the city walls and their bowls were soon emptied and set aside in favour of light talk. Sunniva could hardly control her chuckles as she related a tale from the past week of finding two of the younger girls attempting to make honey bread.

"But their folly was using too much yeast in the dough." Sunniva's blue eyes crinkled in amusement. "When they came to find me they were near tears, bless them, the bread was bursting from the oven."

Aedre too had begun to giggle at the image the words conjured.

"It took two brooms and a good bucket of water to finally fight back that monster; I made them clean it out mind, before they left." Sunniva touched Aedre's hand gently. "Not that they minded, they thought I would be very harsh upon them." She smiled and gazed out across their surroundings once again before turning her attention back to the young woman sat beside her. Her eye caught the glint of gold caught in the sunlight and her brow furrowed, for she knew only too well that no serving maid of Aedre's age could afford such a pretty trinket.

"What is this about your neck?" She tried to keep her voice calm, knowing that the answer would not please her.

Aedre's hand instinctively grasped at the pendant beneath her clothes as if by this action she could somehow protect it and keep it away from prying eyes.

"Aedre girl, you have nought to fear from me, do you not trust me?" She smiled kindly and Aedre's resolve loosened, of course she trusted her friend, her protector since she had come to this place.

Slowly she retrieved the pendant and held it out for Sunniva to see. Sunniva did not have to take a close look to know what the pendant was, where it had come from and what it meant to see it in the possession of this young girl. She nodded her head slowly.

"Éomer gave you this, did he not?"

Aedre couldn't help the flicker of a smile touching her lips as she nodded in reply.

"It is very beautiful, just as you are." She patted Aedre's knee tenderly. "I remember his mother wearing it often."

Aedre's eyes became wider in awe and wonder at the mention of this.

"It means much to him, as must you..." She studied the scarred woman before her. "It suits you well." She smiled her warm smile and opened her arms out for Aedre to come into her embrace, which the young girl did only gladly, snuggling into the comforting arms offered. Sunniva caressed Aedre's hair with soft strokes before allowing her gaze to find the sun once again as it hid behind a large white cloud. "All things must change with time," she mumbled, feeling that same motherly swell she had felt many times for the poor girl now nestled within her arms, "even Rohan must change one day." She pressed her lips lightly to the girl's hair, her mind already decided.

---

Éomer awaited his evening meal impatiently. It was not just his grumbling stomach that caused the restlessness but the arrival of the woman he loved. The new emotions the open declaration had brought him gave his heart a peaceful joy and he knew just seeing her face again would bring that wonderful feeling back to him fully.

When the knock upon his door came he was on his feet and reaching out to turn the handle and greet her within a moment, abandoning all else around him. His face registered plain shock and surprise at the sight that met him. In the doorway not only stood Aedre but Sunniva and Éomer felt his heart sink a little. It seemed he and Sunniva's rift had lasted weeks, not only the day that had passed and how he detested not having her to turn to, as a son would turn to a beloved mother. He gave a low sigh and opened the door wide, silently inviting them both in.

Aedre walked into the chamber without a pause, putting the tray of food carefully down near the chair he liked to eat in before turning to face them both.

"Éomer King." Sunniva was the first to speak and Éomer turned to her, his continued silence inviting her to speak. "I cannot say I am fully happy with your choices and I do not say such things to be harsh, things would go easier for us all if you did as tradition and the nobles willed... but..."

Éomer's brow had been setting into a deeper frown with each word she spoke but with the mention of more to come his annoyance lessened. "I love you and Aedre; she is a good girl and will make any man a fine mate." She glanced at the young girl who watched on with a confused expression. "If I had to wish her a life with anyone it would be with you and I think she will make you a fine wife..."

Before Sunniva could continue her well thought out speech Éomer had grabbed hold of her around her waist and lifted her off the ground as he twirled them both in a circle, a large grin lighting up his face. Sunniva gave a squeal of surprise before closing her eyes as the world about her spun. "Éomer, Éomer!" She squeaked highly. "Put me down you foolish boy." Laughter and amusement coated her tone but Éomer finally relented and allowed her to stand on her own unsteady feet.

Sunniva quickly regained herself and straightened her skirts. "You did not allow me to finish" she scolded, not fully able to chase away the joy the moment had brought to all three people standing within the room.

"It will not be easy and the nobles will fight you, I cannot say if all will turn out as you wish, some things cannot be changed Éomer..." She paused, seeing the smile falter a little upon his lips. "But for all it is worth you have my help and my blessing."

Éomer swept the older woman into his arms and embraced her tightly. As he drew back he kissed her lightly upon her cheek. "Your blessing means more to me than all the nobles in the Golden Hall Sunniva."

Sunniva smiled warmly at him. "You must be careful, we all must be careful to not let this become a scandal." She nodded as if thinking. "I will bring Aedre each evening and collect her each morn if she stays with you, it will stop suspicion as it will seem she is always with me."

Éomer nodded in agreement. "Yes, I know I have become reckless of late." He pressed a finger to his lips in thought. "I have decided I will go before the council in the next few weeks and put my thoughts before them."

"And if they refuse you?"

Éomer smiled. "Then I will put it to my people, there must be a way Sunniva, having you stand with us gives me renewed hope."

Sunniva gave a small nod. "Yes, but I love you both dearly. The people know nothing of Aedre, only tradition." She gave a small sigh. "But let us not dwell upon such thoughts; let us be content with this good moment."

Éomer grinned. "Yes, let us be content." He motioned for Aedre to come to his side and wrapped an arm about her shoulders.