A/N
A new chapter.
Firstly I would like to thank everyone that left a review or sent me a message. Seriously Thank You The care and support you've all shown really helped me. I wanted to reply to each of you to say thanks but at the same time I don't want to dwell upon the way I was feeling then so I hope that's ok (I feel so clumsy just talking about it here)
I only read all of them recently as the urge to write slowly began to come back. I feel really honoured and lucky to have so many people who care about me and the story I'm writing. I will not be taking the story down, it was a complete knee jerk over reaction to the situation I was in, and I will be planning to finish it at some point, although, thanks to your words I will take my time, not rush or freak out when I'm not updating quickly and just focus on telling the story I want to tell... and of course hope you all enjoy it too lol
Again thank you... I've said it already but it really is from my heart... thank you :)
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Éomer strode down the corridor, Baal by his side. Once again the young scholar held a large pile of rolled parchment in his arms. Éomer had deliberately taken longer with his meal than needed, it was childish and insolent and he knew it to be true, but he found he received a warm pleasure from making the council wait upon him, in his mind it showed them that he was indeed king and they would have to abide his actions. Perhaps it was his own small way of paying them in kind for their sudden meeting, he would go, but by his own time and terms.
Things would not be aided by the recent murder that had taken place in the stables. All knew that none had access to the stables save for those dwelling in the Golden Hall. His people had become lax, the War of the One Ring had weighed upon Rohan's shoulders for so long that as soon as a glimmer of normality returned life to how it once had been, feasts and merriment had taken a hold with passion, and responsibilities given only a glance. This Éomer had already addressed over the past days, his time taken up by the repercussions, questions and fear that many of his people felt. He knew he had none to blame but himself, he had been lenient, enjoying the same freedom of peaceful times that so many felt. Now things had to change, one murder had awoken him to this fact and all would be set right, the person who committed the crime sentenced to pay for what he had done. Whether the victim had been a noble or a lowly stable boy, all would be treated with the same judgement beneath his rule. His thoughts drifted for a short moment to Guene, he had seen her that night, rebuked her advances. Many years past things had been different, when he was young and his heart still sore from the loss of Mildryth, a woman he had perhaps loved in the folly of youth. Guene had been his distraction, only a few years younger than he, with wild dreams of love and lust, her carefree ways had lessened the blow of loss. But now Guene was dead, lying beneath the ground: still, lifeless, never to laugh that bell-like laugh again, just like Mildryth. He felt a sudden inward sting of emotion; he forced himself never to dwell on that part of his life, never to dwell on that face...
"My Lord?" Baal's voice shook him out of his thoughts and he was glad of it.
"Hm?"
"We are stood at the door" Baal said, a little unsurely.
Éomer became aware that they had been stood outside of the council chambers in silence for many minutes. He cleared his throat, hiding his embarrassment.
"Yes, I was lost in thought."
"I see" Baal said, with a smile he hoped was reassuring. "Shall we enter?"
Éomer nodded. "We can do no more than we have done; let us face whatever the old men deem to throw our way." He grinned and the young man smiled back.
Within, the council was already gathered, as Éomer had expected they looked irritated by the king's lateness but stood in respect as he and Baal entered and took their seats at the table. The council members followed suit, waiting patiently for their king to speak.
"My Lords" Éomer began, giving them a respectful incline of his head as he addressed them. "I have come as you asked, to hear your decision; I pray it is one we can both be content with."
Raynar was the first to speak, he had, it seemed, appointed himself head speaker in this matter for some time. "Yes Éomer King, I hope it will please you as well as us."
Éomer nodded. "Then I shall hear you with an open heart and mind."
"We are grateful" Raynar said formally, with a small bow. "We have discussed upon the matter many a day and night, as we promised; we have given your words and desires much thought and our final decision is that the king should be allowed to have a say in whom he will marry."
Éomer felt his heartbeat quicken slightly but remained still in body and expression.
"But we also feel that the people of Rohan should also have a say, it is also our land and future which depend upon the royal line."
Éomer couldn't help a sneer, he knew when they spoke of the people of Rohan having a say they meant themselves. They would have it that what they willed was the wish of the people, but Éomer reined his emotions back, fighting with the council today over such trivial words may endanger his entire cause.
"Our minds are not yet fully decided, as we know your judgement to be wise and do not doubt the woman you have chosen has many admirable qualities that would bring us strong heirs and happiness, and if it is your most ardent wish that she and no other remains at your side, then we will again discuss and try to find a path which would mean your wishes are fulfilled."
Éomer scowled, they were saying all the right words but he felt no real truth behind them, they had a plan, a plan he would not like. They would pretend to placate him while they weaved a web around him, if they could not make him adhere to their wishes with words then they would use other means.
"I am glad to hear that" Éomer said with a slight sourness, "but it seems as if you would say more." He leant back against his chair, for all eyes relaxed and unconcerned with what was being discussed.
"Yes, my Lord" Raynar said, glancing at the other council members who nodded in agreement and perhaps encouragement. "We would will you to give us two seasons."
"Two seasons?" Éomer interrupted, a frown fleetingly gracing his brow. "For what end?"
"We wish for the Lady Eowyn and Lord Faramir to come to Edoras."
Éomer's understanding came in a wave and he had to suppress a laugh. These old men thought his own sister could be an ally to their wants, that she could talk and coerce him into submission. How quickly these men's memories faded, had they forgotten Eowyn's own hatred of men like them, of Wormtongue and his betrayal? No, Eowyn would not be so easily led.
"Their visit to Rohan together with their son is long overdue, but of course could not be helped; Lord Faramir has had much to attend to in his own lands."
Éomer rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I agree, their presence in Edoras would lift the people's spirits and my own."
Raynar smiled, showing his missing teeth, which was not uncommon in a man of so many years. "I am glad the idea pleases you, after the recent disruption I think it will do much good."
Éomer nodded, knowing he spoke of Guene's murder.
"If this is your decision and you have no more to discuss in the present moment I will leave you to your duties." Éomer knew he could hope for no more today but it had not been wholly bad, he placed his palms on the arms of his chair, ready to rise, but Raynar raised a hand in a call for stillness and Éomer relaxed once again. His eyes watched the old man; uncertain and suspicious of what would be said next.
"We also think it would be a great chance for the Princess Lothiriel to tour the lands of Rohan, she is currently visiting Lady Eowyn and the timing could not be better."
Éomer's eyebrow rose in surprise. Once again he was forced to quell the anger that so readily wished to take hold of him. So this was their real game, not only to bring his kin back to Edoras, but the very woman they wished for him to marry.
"Your thoughts are clear" Éomer finally said stingingly, gritting his teeth.
"I think you mistake me, Éomer King, the princess has long desired to visit the lands of her cousin's wife; the lady Eowyn must talk in glowing praise of Rohan and Edoras for the princess to have such a desire." Raynar smiled again, but this time he didn't look like an old man with black gaps where teeth once were, now he looked cunning, manipulative and he knew full well he had cornered Éomer into a bargain he could not retreat from. He saw the king hesitate in his response and a sly smile hinted on his lips. "Surely Éomer King, if your will is steadfast her appearance amongst us will do no harm, but will do good in bringing the lands of Gondor and Rohan closer together."
Éomer's face tensed in surprise, unbelieving for a moment what his ears had heard. His frown deepened, his expression set in anger that he could no longer keep at bay and he stood from his seat violently, knocking the chair he had been seated upon heavily to the floor. It seemed all men in the room started at the noise and turned their shocked eyes from Raynar to the king, uncertain what to say or do in this suddenly dangerous climate.
"You over speak and over step your bounds Raynar!" Éomer roared. "You think I am of such a petty mind that any comely wench that passes my way will take my eye! You think too ill of me to call me king do you not?"
Raynar had cowed a little from the king's reaction, knowing he had indeed spoken too much, and ill words at that.
"No, my Lord, I think no such thing" he said, his tone high pitched and pleading. "I only meant..."
"I have done no more in my chambers and no less than any other man of Rohan that graced this throne; I see no wrong in it. But I am not a man of feeble thinking, nor do I make my choices on a light whim! When I have chosen my path, whatever that be, by Brom I will fight for it as I fought in battle for my own people. Who shall be my wife, the queen of Rohan, the mother of my heirs is no light undertaking. Do not think me a fool Raynar, to do so is a dangerous misreckoning." Éomer continued to scowl darkly at the older man.
"Éomer King." Another voice broke into the sudden fetid silence. Éomer's gaze snapped in the direction the sound had come from, fully ready to vent his venom further if needed. The man who spoke was Elric, a younger member of the council, not yet past his forty fifth winter. "I speak for all here when I beg your forgiveness, Raynar spoke unwisely and he does not speak our thoughts. We know you are a great man, a true warrior, and no decision you make would be careless." He glanced at Raynar and his eyes burned with spite that he had brought the meeting down to such a level with lowly words. "I think what preys upon Raynar's mind to make him speak so unwisely is that we know so little of your chosen lady, it is hard for old men with many worries to not think the worst in all things."
Raynar gave a low bow. "Yes, forgive my tongue Éomer King, I was wrong, I know not what came over me to speak so. I beg your forgiveness for an old man's foolishness."
Éomer stood with his hands heavily laid palm down upon the table, he felt as if the rage within had made his whole body gain a great weight that pressed unrelentingly upon his shoulders. But Elric's words and Raynar's apology seemed to do a little to quell him from lashing out again. He also felt the steady calm gaze of Baal; his eyes spoke of the way not being barred, not yet, if Éomer could gain back his temper, no matter how right his feelings were about all that had been said.
Éomer said no more but turned and righted his chair before sitting upon it. His gaze scanned the many faces of the council members, all seemed shocked and disturbed by the events and the uncomfortable silence was near choking. Éomer knew he must push on, he had no choice, but the only words that came to his mind to speak were coarse and angry.
"My Lords."
Éomer felt his breath escape in a deep but unseen sigh of relief, Baal had been his saviour.
"Lord Raynar, perhaps your words meant no ill will, but the meaning was lost in the rash way you spoke them" Baal said, his tone confident.
Raynar bowed his head as if shamed.
"It seems the current atmosphere lies heavy upon your heart Lord Raynar, perhaps choosing another speaker may give you less cause to worry."
"I will speak on behalf of our wishes." Elric had stood from his seat.
Éomer gave a stiff nod, acknowledging that he was content with that.
Baal cleared his throat. "You say you wish for the Princess Lothiriel to visit Edoras?"
Elric gave a certain nod. "The lady has made her wishes clear; her desire is to see these lands with the Lady Eowyn, although the timing may seem suspect, I can assure our king that it was not our intention to bring her here."
"I see," Baal said. "How do you come about such information as to the lady's wants my lord Elric?"
"I have many contacts in the realms of Gondor."
"I see" Baal repeated, and silence once again fell over the table. "I hesitate, my lord Elric, because all here know that your choice for a queen of Rohan would be the Princess Lothiriel, it does seem strange that she would so ardently want to come here with no other wants than to see Rohan, it is a tiring journey for a young maiden to make."
It was Elric's turn to hesitate. "Her father has expressed a wish for Éomer King and his daughter to meet, his heart desires an alliance, it is true, of this fact I cannot not deny. But such wishes were made many years ago, no such mention of a union has been made in relation to this visit from the princess."
"Then the lady will be most welcomed into Rohan and Edoras," Éomer put in gruffly. "She will find warmth and friendship here, but no more."
