A/N: Someone left an anonymous review for Chapter 4, questioning the scene in which Lothiriel verbally attacks Eomer for his not reconciling with Morwen. Some of the reviewers points are valid, such as Lothiriel's lack of objectivity and possibly she came on too strong. But, in real life, people often "over-react" and speak too quickly. Lothiriel hasn't really considered how she might feel if she were in a similar situation with a grandmother, or that Morwen hasn't particularly reached out to her grandchildren in a friendly way since meeting them. I intended Eomer's rather favorable reaction to the attack more as an indication of his reasonable, fair nature than that Lothiriel was absolutely right in what she said. You will learn more about what is driving Lothiriel (and the others) later in the story.
Spoils of War
Chapter 5
The great hall of Meduseld was quiet with all the guests departed, but Eomer had little time to notice. Winter would be upon them soon and there was much work to be done in readying his people for it. The supplies brought from Gondor had quickly been moved to the areas most in need, and he was grateful that Aragorn and Faramir had assured him more would be coming as soon as possible.
Eowyn was on a cleaning frenzy within the hall itself, seeming determined not to leave for her new home until all was in order here. He was also grateful for that, even though he found it amusing. Despite that, it was good to see her so full of life and happy. He made a few teasing remarks about her new-found domesticity, but aside from some pretended anger, she took them in her stride. They usually spent the evenings quietly talking in his study, going over what had been accomplished and what still needed doing, making plans for who would do what.
When they were younger, they had been close and confided in one another, especially after their parents had died. Over the years, particularly after Eomer joined an eored and was away more and more often, they had gotten away from that. Now they returned to the old habit. It took a while before each was comfortable saying much of what they felt, but gradually they settled back into a familiar closeness. It was bittersweet for the both of them, knowing that they would soon be parted, not to see a great deal of one another.
It was on a cold winter evening in January that Eowyn broached a subject that had been much on her mind. She could not help believing that her departure would be easier for Eomer if he found a wife to stand beside him, and certainly he needed to consider starting a family now that he was nearly thirty years. The Mark would need an heir, but more importantly her brother would need a loving companion.
"Have you given any thought to marriage?" she asked, not one to bandy words.
"Not appreciably, no. There is too much to do at present for such things. All in good time, Eowyn." He hoped he had said it firmly enough to discourage her pursuing this conversation, though he realized the hope was likely folly.
He was proved correct. "Once I am gone, you will need someone to run Meduseld. A wife isn't a frivolity, Eomer, she is a necessity. And I would not see you alone. Is there no one that you might desire?" Eowyn persisted.
With a shrug, he shook his head. "I cannot say that anyone has caught my eye, though certainly enough of them have tried – both here and in Gondor. As I said, all in good time."
"What about Lothiriel?" Eowyn offered.
"What about her?" Eomer replied, pointedly pretending not to understand her meaning.
"Eomer, above all other women she is most appropriate to be your bride, and –"
He cut her off. "Eowyn, Lothiriel is a fine and pleasant girl, I grant you, but she is far too young and inexperienced to be acceptable as queen of the Mark. Surely you can see that." He looked away, annoyed with the entire discussion.
"Very well, then," his sister persisted, "if not Lothiriel, who do you have in mind? As you said, certainly there are enough women eager to gain your notice. Even if you do not presently love any of them, surely there is someone who might warrant further attention from you. Until you make some effort, you are unlikely to love anyone since you do not know anyone well enough to love them."
"Why must I have anyone in mind?" he asked with a sigh. "I have only been king for a few months, and the Mark has greater needs than a wife for me. That will happen in due course, but not now."
"That is not entirely true, brother. Though the people of the Mark presently struggle, they will not be easy until you and I are not the last remaining descendants of Eorl. Which means either or both of us needs to produce offspring as soon as possible," Eowyn explained, though she was sure he already understood the situation.
"Fine. Then as your king, I assign the task to you and Faramir!" Eomer retorted, looking somewhat smug about his solution to the problem.
Eowyn was not about to let him off so easy. "As you wish, your majesty! I shall ride to Gondor and seek Faramir directly, so we may begin the process at once. I trust you will not object if we proceed without benefit of a wedding first!"
"Eowyn!" he snapped, irritated that she had bested him in the argument, even though he felt sure she did not truly mean to follow through on the suggestion she had made.
"Eomer!" she retorted, not willing to yield.
They sat glaring at one another until finally Eowyn sighed and crossed her arms. "Eomer, marriage is not a selfish act. You need someone beside you, not only to run Meduseld and manage the household, but also to strengthen you in the days ahead. I see how you struggle not to be discouraged by all that must be overcome. A wife could make that easier to bear. Please, do look around you and try to find someone. If not Lothiriel, then whoever does appeal to you. I want you to be happy, and it will make the Mark stronger, I assure you."
He looked away, unable to avoid the truth of her words. "I know all that, Eowyn, truly I do. But falling in love is not so simple as you make it seem. You should understand that. I am not rejecting the possibility outright, there just is not anyone who claims my affections at present. When someone does come along, I will not hesitate to act – I promise you that."
Relenting, Eowyn reached over to lay a hand on her brother's arm. "That is all I am asking. It lessens my happiness to see you so overwhelmed and have there be nothing I can do about it. I worry about how you will fare when I am married and gone from Meduseld." She rose to go sit on the arm of his chair, and laid her head against his with a sigh.
He slipped his arm around her waist. "Do not fret. I am made of sterner stuff than that, and I will manage without you – though I will not like it very much. It will be very difficult not having you near as you have been all of my life. Faramir had better make you blissfully happy! At the first sign of trouble, I will ride to Gondor and bring you home!" he vowed, causing her to laugh and lean into him.
More than he would have wished, the conversation stayed in Eomer's mind, coming to his thoughts at the most annoying times. A wife was desirable, but he disagreed that he needed to focus on it at this very moment. When they had made it successfully through the winter, and he had seen Eowyn married, then he would give thought to his own personal situation. And, as the time drew nearer for their return to Gondor, the flurry of activity increased, leaving even less time to ponder such matters. Eowyn was almost frantic, afraid she would forget to do something or pack everything, despite Eomer's assurances that their housekeeper would be capable in her absence, and he could send on anything that she forgot (though he half-teasingly told her she was always welcome to come home and fetch forgotten articles in person).
Having been kept indoors so much by the business of being king and the winter weather, it felt good to be back in the saddle and on the road once more. He had missed the freedom of being on horseback, riding out. True, those around him were not merely fellow soldiers now but guards to protect the king. Most he also counted as friends, though, to one degree or another and so that detail could be overlooked. Even as Third Marshal they would have guarded his safety, as they would any of their fellow Riders.
The farther south that they rode, the more they saw evidence of spring in the warmer climate. New leaves and buds on trees, along with wildflowers beginning to appear, added a festive touch to their journey. The Pelennor looked much improved from when last they had seen it. Crops had been resown and already poked through the ground. Some of the farms and homesteads had been rebuilt, and farmers paused in their work to wave at their passing. An area had been kept reserved for the encampment of their guard, though Eomer and Eowyn would be staying within the City. Eothain took charge of settling everyone in as the siblings rode on with their attending servants.
Eomer had felt very strange having a manservant wait upon him. Having taken care of himself all these years, it seemed silly and useless, but more and more he had come to appreciate having one. His day was full enough without having to attend to cleaning his armor and ordering his wardrobe. Better yet, Haldor was discreet, and seemed to know when to leave him alone and when to help. If a king required such things, then certainly Haldor was an excellent choice.
Eomer was more delighted to see his friends again than he had expected. He knew he missed their company, but the rush of pleasure as he and Aragorn embraced was stronger than he might have anticipated. A twinkle in his friend's eye suggested he was feeling something similar, and Eomer had to repress a chuckle. Perhaps it was not so unexpected. Only a year ago, both of them had merely been soldiers, and now each found himself sitting upon a throne and responsible for the welfare of a great many people. Friends – especially ones that completely understood you – were a rare thing.
Within an hour of their arrival, Eowyn had managed to disappear with Faramir, much to Eomer's amusement. Aragorn did not seem displeased by his Steward's absence, chuckling, "I cannot fault his sensibility in the matter, my friend! He has virtually been frothing at the mouth awaiting her – a rare thing for my somewhat staid Steward! But I – we, both of us – would be disappointed in him if he showed any less emotion! I recall what I felt when I saw Arwen riding to me across the Pelennor."
Eomer snickered. "A fine old married man you are! A gentle hand and a beguiling smile is all it takes for some men to be hopelessly lost!" He trailed the other man into his study, and went to settle on a couch while Aragorn poured wine for them.
Over his shoulder, Aragorn arched an eyebrow at him. "Methinks you speak of matters in which you have little experience, friend! There is far more to it than that. The gentle hand and beguiling smile might first draw our notice, but it takes much more to snare one's heart. And, with the right woman, what we gain far outweighs anything we must do in order to claim her for our own. I highly recommend the marriage state," he said sincerely.
His expression sobered, Eomer nodded. "Of course. I was only joking, my friend, and I have seen in your marriage that you speak truly."
"So, does that mean you are considering joining me in marital bliss?" the king inquired, a smirk twitching at his lips.
"Hold on!" Eomer exclaimed in mock horror. "Not you also. I have already been down this road with Eowyn! I will marry when the time, and the woman, is right. But I will not be rushed into it by anyone, not even the king of Gondor!"
Now Aragorn did let go a full-blown laugh. "Well said. And I do not seek to rush you. The right woman is well worth waiting for, as I know personally. But I would encourage you to look, however. Marriage is much on the minds of many, and the lady you desire may end up wed to someone else if you tarry too long in indecision. And a queen for the Mark would not go amiss, I am sure, along with a few children at your feet – preferably male!" He handed a goblet of wine to Eomer and eased into a nearby chair.
Eomer laughed with his friend. "Too true. Now that we have made it through the winter," he replied more seriously, "perhaps I can give some thought to my own affairs. Things are progressing nicely in restoring the Riddermark, and with Eowyn married I am sure it will be lonely at home. I will keep an eye out for any likely prospects."
Aragorn raised his glass of wine in a silent toast to Eomer's decision, and they both drank in agreeable silence.
As it happened, the subject of Eomer's finding a wife was being spoken of in other quarters as well. Eowyn had mentioned to Faramir her desire for her brother to find someone. "I only hope he will pursue the matter. I do not like to see him alone," she fretted.
Faramir leaned back on the garden bench, crossing his legs. "What about my cousin, Lothiriel? They seemed to get along well enough, and you appeared to like her. Would she not be appropriate?"
"She would if he would consider her," Eowyn replied, a note of frustration in her voice. Despite Eomer's objections, she thought Lothiriel suited her brother very well, more than he would admit.
"Eomer does not like Lothiriel?" Faramir asked in surprise. He had gotten the impression that the two found each other agreeable, despite the subject of Lady Morwen standing between them.
"Oh, I am certain he likes her well enough," Eowyn assured him, "but he dismisses her too lightly. He thinks her unequal to the challenge of being queen of Rohan. I personally think she would be excellent in the role. There is far more to her than readily meets the eye, but I think Eomer is looking mostly at the outward character of her. And there is the matter of affection. While Gondor is not averse to planned marriages, the Mark views affection as essential to any match. Whether he will admit it or not, I am sure Eomer hopes to find love rather than merely duty in marriage, and presently I cannot say that I perceive partiality toward any woman, including Lothiriel."
"Well, my sweet, do not despair. Perhaps in time that will change. They have not known each other for very long. And if not Lothiriel, certainly there are plenty of available women from which he may choose. We shall just have to introduce him to any that might appeal and then allow nature to take its course," Faramir said, rising to wrap his arms around his betrothed.
The action drew her notice back to him, and she smiled gratefully up at him. "Yes, that is all we may do. But I will not give up hope he may come to see Lothiriel in a better light. I do like her very much and think she would make a fine queen."
xx
"So, they are arrived, then?" Morwen said as Lothiriel entered the library.
"Yes," Lothiriel replied, going to sit in a chair near the queen. "They rode in about an hour ago. I should think they will come to call in the next day or so."
"Call on your father or brothers, perhaps, but not me – not by choice, anyway," Morwen stated benignly, concealing the hurt that pierced her, though Lothiriel suspected anyway.
"I…I think you should know –", she began, then faltered. When Morwen raised a questioning eyebrow, she took a deep breath and continued. "When we were in Rohan, just before we left, I am afraid I took Eomer King to task over his behavior toward you. I told him he was being unfair, and suggested he find out your reasons for tarrying in Gondor before he passed any judgement on you." Lothiriel favored Morwen with a guilty, apologetic look. "I am sorry if I overstepped my bounds, but I do not like to see you so at odds with your grandchildren. And I do think they are being unfair, particularly given what you have shared with me as to your reasons. I hope he or they will approach you on this. If they do, I beg you will condescend to tell them the truth. Let this unpleasantness be buried along with all those dead orcs and evils of Mordor. Find peace in your family as we have found in our lands."
Morwen considered her words, then smiled approvingly at the girl. "Quite the peacemaker you are, my dear, but I should have expected such from Imrahil's daughter. Yes, you are correct. This has gone on long enough, and I will try to be more patient and understanding with them. If either approaches me, I will tell them the truth. Just remember, though, that the Eorlingas are both proud and stubborn. It will not be easy for them to humble themselves enough to do as you suggest."
Lothiriel straightened in her chair, and smiled. "It has not been my experience that Dol Amroth is any less stubborn!" she laughed. "I shall prove most persistent in encouraging a settlement!"
xx
After a leisurely noon-day meal, Eomer had returned to his room in the king's house. He had considered taking a nap, but found he was too restless, so he stood on the balcony which overlooked the Pelennor. He could see the ribbon of silver that was the Anduin, glimmering in the afternoon sunlight, as his thoughts turned back to the recent conversation with Aragorn. His friend had been right, as had Eowyn during the winter. Eomer did need to consider finding a wife.
Despite his objections, Eowyn was not entirely wrong – a wife and queen was desirable, and sooner rather than later. While he had some hesitation about Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, in many ways she was the most apt choice. Her name had come up more than once in similar conversations regarding his marital status, when his advisers had thought it safe to nudge him in that direction. At least the girl was amiable. Indeed, he found her quite pleasant and did rather like her, even if his feelings were nothing stronger. Offering for her would remove at least this one burden from his shoulders, and Gondor seemed to prize marriages of alliance so he should be well received.
He gave a heavy sigh. This was not how he had envisioned doing things, but perhaps kings did not have the luxury to casually seek acquaintance with a woman and woo her slowly. Maybe he could have found a woman to love as his parents had loved – before he became king. Now he was not sure he could distinguish between those merely eager to gain the crown and those who truly cared for the man who wore it. He thought he could be reasonably happy with Lothiriel, if not deliriously so, and if nothing else, he had little concern over her intentions. Nothing in her behavior to this point suggested someone seeking to ingratiate themselves to him. She had been affable and friendly, but there was no hint of royal aspirations.
Tomorrow. He would approach her tomorrow. He decided quickly, then shoved the thought aside, before he could falter. This needed doing, and he would do whatever was required to secure the future of the Mark. He could be satisfied with Lothiriel as his bride.
xx
Aragorn had planned for a small supper, including only Imrahil's family and Lady Morwen. If he was to approach Lothiriel, Eomer thought it might be wise to act more cordially toward Morwen. Although he had considered the girl's words during the winter, more often than he had intended, he still was reluctant to act. He was almost tempted to question Lothiriel for the details of Morwen's life that led to her fleeing to Gondor, but he knew that was cowardly of him and would not attempt it. Maybe once he had approached Lothiriel, his grandmother would be more receptive to conversation with him. He hadn't said anything to Eowyn about Lothiriel's chastisement, though he planned to share with her anything that he learned if he thought it worthwhile.
If Morwen was surprised that Eomer made a greater attempt to converse pleasantly with her, she gave no indication. Lothiriel could not be sure of the reason behind his effort, but she was pleased all the same. It was a start, at any rate.
Much of the dinner discourse centered on the plans for the wedding. Aragorn had chosen to make it a much grander affair than was usual as a means to honor both Faramir and the king's sister. Both were held in such high esteem that he wanted to give the people yet another opportunity to celebrate. "I realize all this may be overwhelming, Lady Eowyn, as I have seen the usual manner of marriages in the Mark, but I know our people want to share in your joy and wish you well. I hope you do not mind."
"Not at all, my Lord. Their excitement was evident even as we rode into the City today, with greetings being called out. It would be a shame to exclude them. And their feelings toward Faramir are so warm that I would not want to deprive them. I shall endure whatever it takes to become his wife!" She smiled lovingly at the man beside her, who beamed in return and lifted her hand to kiss it.
Aragorn chuckled at the sight. "Good thing I have arranged for Faramir to take you away for a few days after the wedding. I have a feeling he would be all but useless to me if I tried to get any work out of him at present!"
Faramir smiled innocently at the king. "Not so, my Liege, I assure you. I am ever at your service!"
"I know," Aragorn affirmed with a smile. "I did not mean to suggest otherwise. But you have earned some time away, and I am sure Eowyn would wish to see where her new home is to be. Ithilien should be wonderful, now that it is more secure. How is the house progressing?"
"It comes along nicely," Faramir replied, taking a sip of wine. "It still needs work, but it will suffice to house us on our time away, so Eowyn may see its potential, and let me know of anything she particularly wishes done to it."
"You will not be living in the City?" Eomer asked. "I had thought as Steward you would be needed close at hand."
"Often, yes, but not all of the time. We will have the house here, but our main home will be out in the Ithilien countryside. After all, we cannot be Prince and Princess of Ithilien if we spend no time in the place. And I think Eowyn will find the green woods there more to her liking than all this stone, at least when it is possible."
"And Faramir says there is ample room for the garden I wish to put in," Eowyn added. She turned to Lothiriel. "Perhaps if you have time, you would be willing to help me with that. You did a remarkable job with the garden behind Meduseld."
"I should be happy to do so," Lothiriel answered with a smile. "It will give me a new project now that I am almost finished with Father's garden here in the City."
Eomer's brow knit as he asked, "I thought your father already had a garden, and quite a nice one at that. Remember, I saw it when I was here before."
"Yes, but Morlach was displeased with being penned out in it during part of each day and expressed his annoyance with digging. I had much to repair," Lothiriel said ruefully.
Eowyn's expression tightened as she asked, "Did he accompany you on this visit, Lady Morwen?" Yet another thing for her to dislike – foisting this annoying dog on others and allowing him to destroy their property.
Morwen eyed her coolly before replying, "No, I left him at home. I think he will be happier there. The City is too confining." She offered no apology to Eowyn, deeming it unnecessary. Only Imrahil and Lothiriel deserved such and she had already given it.
Within himself, Eomer sighed. This was not going to be easy. Their grandmother seemed determined not to have them like her, though possibly she did not even consider how they might react to her words or actions. Still, it increased his reluctance to approach her and attempt to learn her history.
Imrahil sought to ease the tension that had developed by telling a tale of his own dog, bought as a puppy many years before, who had a similar fondness for digging up the garden. His gardener was at his wit's end trying to keep the damage to a minimum until a friend had told him of a good dog trainer. After a couple of weeks with the man, the dog had returned well-behaved and never dug up the grounds again, to everyone's relief.
"Unlike that mutt of Lothiriel's who chewed up everything it could get its teeth into until you banished it from the house!" Erchirion interjected. "Even the dog trainer was unable to break that habit, and so Lothiriel had to resign herself to visiting him at the kennel and enjoying his company outside the castle."
"He was just high-spirited, that is all," Lothiriel argued, though in truth she had disliked the damaged clothes as much as anyone else. When the dog resisted curbing its behavior, even she had seen the wisdom of keeping him where he would not have the opportunity.
Amrothos snickered, and commented, "That is not what you said when he destroyed your favorite pair of dancing slippers! You ranted about that for days, as I recall."
She glared reprovingly at her brother and turned away, focusing on eating her dessert, though a smile lurked around her mouth at the memory he had evoked.
Eowyn glanced between the two of them, then said, "Our Uncle always had the hounds at Meduseld well in hand, though Theodred sometimes spoiled them. But when he got them doing things they should not, Uncle could readily set them to right with a look or sharp word. I think Eomer must have learned it from him, after seeing how effectively he dealt with Morlach. Theodred was always too soft-hearted to resist their pleading eyes."
Morwen's eyes had gotten misty as she listened to Eowyn's words. At length, she murmured, "Yes, his was a gentle heart. He was needed to be a soldier, but it was never his inclination. Given a choice, I think he would have preferred to raise horses and carve in wood than rule the Mark."
Silence followed this pronouncement, particularly since Eomer and Eowyn were so stunned by her keen observation. She had spoken truly – both knew it. Theodred was just as she described. While Theoden was not unsympathetic, he knew that ruling the Mark was not a matter of choice. The task would one day fall to his son and he must be ready, so in that sense he had pushed Theodred as a military leader. Fortunately, Theodred had been capable in what he needed to do. Sometimes life required things of you whether you wished it or not.
That thought made Eomer glance at Morwen. Had life forced choices on her that she might not otherwise have made? Was that what Lothiriel had been suggesting that day at Meduseld? He did not know, but more and more he felt sure that he must find out, once and for all.
TBC
Spoils of war - Any profits extracted as the result of winning a war or other military activity.
Halgeth – "tall woman" – maidservant to Morwen
Zimran – "adorned man" – Forlong's heir (Tolkien never named him so I did)
Minleoth - "my song" - name given to 1st dau of Thengel & Morwen
Ethelwyn – noble joy - name given to 2nd dau of Thengel & Morwen
Tamleoth – "gentle song" - name given to 3rd dau of Thengel & Morwen
Morlach – "black fire" - Morwen's dog
Betersel – "more happiness" – Eomer's housekeeper at Aldburg (also used in previous stories, ie. Juxtaposition)
Haldor - "sound door" – Eomer's manservant
Ungaphel – "daughter of shadow" – backbiting Dol Amroth noblewoman
Pethraen – "wandering words" – airheaded girl flirting with Eomer
Gaermith – "grey sea" - Lothiriel's horse that pulled a stifle
Frame of reference (details from Tolkien with gapfiller by me):
Aglahad, Prince of Dol Amroth, had two sons: Angelimir (the heir and grandfather to Imrahil) and a younger brother who was the father of Morwen. Morwen was born about 2922 and married Thengel in 2943. They had Minleoth (b 2945, m 2975, d 2989 – no children); Theoden (b 2948, m Elfhild 2976, d 3019 – one son, Theodred, b 2978, d 3019); Ethelwyn (b 2951, m 2982, d 2994 – one daughter, b 2986, died 2994); Tamleoth (b 2956, never married, d 2992); and Theodwyn (b 2963, married Eomund 2989, d 3002). Thengel became king in 2953 whereupon he and his family moved to Rohan, where he died in 2980.