DISCLAIMER: THE USUAL APPLIES! These characters were created by Tolkien !
NOTES: Thanks to all of you who read this and for your support! Hope you like this, though it might be very fluffy, but at least it´s long...so that´s good, right?
The song featured is a translation of Xaviour Naidoo´s beautiful song " Ich kenne nichts" ....
Hope you like!
IN LOVE AND HONOUR
" Do you ever wonder ….whether the choices you make are the right ones?"
Aragorn arched an eyebrow at his young friend, watching his profile while the king of Rohan stared into the fire. He took another sip of his mulled wine.
"How do you mean?"
Eomer turned to him, his face even more serious than usual.
"Do you ever worry …..if you are doing the right thing , for your country, your people? How your choices will influence their future?"
Aragorn chuckled, sipping again, and shook his head.
"Of course " He looked at his friend, matching Eomer´s expression.
"I think she will make a good queen. Lothiriel is a princess in her own right, she was raised for the prospect of such a station. Why would that worry you now?"
" It's not her I doubt…." Eomer said after a moment, looking at his feet.
"She was brought up for this, I was not. Not an hour goes by that I do not ask myself what my uncle would say ….what he would think."
"He would be proud of you, my friend." The King of Gondor told him, resting one of his hands on the younger man's shoulder. " It has been too long since the halls of Meduseld were graced by the warmth of a woman's touch since your sister left. Too long since these halls echoed with children's laughter."
"What made you so sure?" Eomer asked after a while, searching Aragorn's face. " In all those years, what made you so sure that the queen was the one for you?"
Aragorn smiled, thinking of his wife's beautiful face. He missed her and longed for her arrival.
" Because Arwen brought light to my eyes and ever since I knew her, my life has been the better for it."
In every man's life comes a time
When he gets struck
By the arrow of cupid
The love of God
Or the beauty of a woman
This love brings thunder to your life
And it takes the storm
To sing about it
She was radiant in the light of the torches and for a moment the sight of her waiting for him, stole Eomer´s breath. She wore a dark blue dress, the colour of the deep, dark sea, which brought out the peculiar colour of her eyes. The fine cloth bared her white shoulders and neck, fine strings of beaded pearls braided into her hair, setting off her fair complexion. The air outside on the terrace was cool, a soft breeze tugging at dresses and coats, billowing veils and capes, for it was there on the terrace of Meduseld where the official betrothal could take place in front of the gathered crowd. Fires were burning in Edoras and the great hall would not be the only place of festivity that night. They stood facing each other and Eomer held out his hand to her.
There is more to love than this
Love is more than just a kiss
Will we take it to that step?
Will we do more than just connect?
Lotihriel smiled, willing herself to breathe easy past the pulse racing in her throat. Putting her hand in his, she prayed that nobody would see her tremble, that he would not feel her hand shaking. He looked truly a king this night, dressed in the green and gold of Rohan. His face severe and serious as usual, hiding his thoughts and feelings. Lothiriel found that this calmed her somewhat; this was the man she had come to know …he did not pretend to be any more or less than himself and the thought warmed her heart. She hardly heard her father's speech, hardly saw Eowyn´s smile, as she returned his steadfast look across their joined hands.
And will you
Bring the thunder in my life
And the fire in my eyes?
Cause than there will be days of pleasure
And everything far will be so near
"It brings me great joy on this glorious night to announce the betrothal of princess Lothiriel of Doll Amroth to Eomer, King of Rohan. May their union be blessed under the heavens, may the bond between our two great houses be fruitful and strong. May the houses of Rohan and Dol Amroth be joined in love and honour."
There was a shadow of a smile on her lips, but a slight tremble in her hand and the way she took another breath, revealed to him how nervous she was. Hardly anyone would guess, Eomer marvelled. It made him see her in a different way, up until now Lothiriel had always seemed so sure, so determined and collected. It was what she had meant that day on the plains when they had gone riding, he realized. The crowd would see the fair princess with hair so red that it seemed part of the flames lighting the terrace, but he was close enough to see beyond that, see the excited young woman who was pledging her hand to him.
I have never felt thunder and lightning like this
I have never been struck by a wonder like this.
The thought crossed his mind that, had be still been his uncle's marshal, this girl who struck a special cord in him, would have been out of his reach. He might have met her, talked to her, but he could have never courted her….a princess. It brought the feelings of guilt he still carried to the surface again.
Then there were cheers, encouraging shouts from the Rohirrim and congratulations, and Eomer had to let those feelings go.
Lothiriel could feel her skin grow hot and hoped that the flush the occasion brought to skin was not too visible in the flickering light of the torches. Still he held her hand in a secure, firm grip.
"Princess…." He said in his dark, controlled voice, stepping closer.
" My lord …" Lothiriel whispered with a smile.
Eomer gave her a conspiring smile, leaning forward to brush his lips over the back of her hand.
" If I remember correctly, there is a feast awaiting us."
I could spend my days talking about you
Without mentioning your name even once
There are moments when
I can't stop whispering your name
In pain or tears
Your name could soothe all my fears.
He should have known, Eomer told himself. Of course there would be dancing after the feast and if there was one thing the king of Rohan really dreaded , dancing was that thing. He could just not see the merit in grown men, seasoned warriors hopping around on the dance-floor like lunatic colts. To her credit, his bride to be seemed to be informed about his dislikes, probably by his sister, and did not seem to mind. Eomer was glad to sit among his friends, as long as he was free to watch her dance instead. She was graceful, gracious even after the thirstiest of his Rohirrim had asked for a dance. She took it all in stride, with glittering eyes and merry laughter.
As the evening grew longer, Eomer lost sight of her, only to find her hiding behinda pillar next to one of the exits of the halls that led to a long corridor and from there directly to her quarters. Hiding herself from view, she gestured for him to follow her. As soon as she was sure to have caught his attention, and disappeared into the corridor. Eomer put down his goblet, looking around to reassure himself that he was not the centre of attention and slowly followed her. He almost passed her door, unable to see her in the darkened room.
"Milord…" her soft voice called to him from the shadows.
All of your movements are so full of grace
And each day spent with you is so worthwhile
Nothing compares to what you give,
With what you show, how you live, how you love
"I wanted to see you…..alone." Lothiriel said, watching him with intent eyes. "I wanted a moment with you, without hundreds of eyes watching every move, every gesture we make. Did I do this wrong?"
"No…" Eomer said sternly, looking over his shoulder to make sure he had not been followed, before he closed the door. She smiled, still watching him and for a moment he was sure to see relief washing over her face. Impulsively she met him half way, laying her hands around his face to draw him closer for a kiss. Eomer looked at her in surprise and they both started laughing. It was a loud sound in the silence of the room.
It was a hesitant laugh on his side, Lothiriel noted, almost as though he considered laughing as something he should not be allowed…..after all that had happened, all he had lost.
She raised her head to look into his eyes, meeting his steadfast gaze with her midnight blue eyes , only to find a vulnerability there,she had never beheld before.
"No…." he said again, his voice darker, lower in the shadows of the room. " You do everything right."
I know of nothing more beautiful than you
I ´ve never seen anything as beautiful as you
He stepped back to look at her whole appearance, taking in the rosy tint the slight flush had brought to her skin, the silken unmarred perfection of it. He longed to run his lips all over that long, graceful neck, her visible collarbone and everything that lay underneath, he realized. Lothiriel saw the change in his eyes, the conflicting emotions chasing each other over his solemn features. Gingerly she reached out and took his hand, nestling her face into it to lay a kiss on the inside.
"We made a pledge tonight…" she whispered softly. "I will be yours and you …will be mine." She looked up at him again, smoothing her warm, gentle hand over his with an almost shy, marvelling expression. "My lord, my liege, my king ….mine …I like the way that sounds."
Each day with you is precious
As precious as the path to the evenstar
I celebrate each hour in your company
For teaching me more about you with each breath I take
Right now, knowing you fullfills me
Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me
She let go of his hand, stepping into him. Her arms around his waist, Lothiriel leaned against him, her head nestled into the crook of his neck. Eomer´s brow knit together as he looked down at the top of her head, the fiery tresses still braided with tiny strings of pearls. It felt almost as though she was trying to comfort him, as though she had somehow guessed the dark thoughts on his mind. The delicate princess comforting the battled hardened warrior, it was an endearing thought, but in his mind this would just not do. He would not dwell on the past now. He had a duty to Rohan …and now …he had a duty to her as well. This was meant to be a night of celebration and he was alone with his future bride, at least for now.
Eomer slid his hands over her shoulders, one hand sliding down her side, the other to her face. He hooked one finger under her chin, lifting her face so that he could meet the sparkling, stormy gaze of her eyes. Lothiriel opened her mouth to say something, but he bent down, claiming her lips in a fierce, passionate kiss that made her knees weak. She could hear his sharp intake of breath as she weaved one hand into his blond hair. Pulling her closer to him, Eomer could feel her lips yielding under his. With a sigh, she opened her mouth to him.
Now that there was no more armour between them, only the cloth of their clothing, Lothiriel could feel his warmth, the muscle moving under his skin. He tasted of wine and heat, a mixture that intoxicated and enticed her. Pressed against his chest as she was, Eomer could not help but feel her the rapid rise and fall of her breasts, the going of her breath. Combined with her tantalizingly soft skin and her sweet, unique scent, the sensation was enough to make him loose his mind….and so far all he had done was kiss her! What was it about this girl that ignited a fire in his blood to rival the liquid fire of her hair?
His hand skimmed her neckline in a feather-light touch, grazing the top of her cleavage ever so slightly …
Eomer stepped back, jerking away from her as carefully as possible. Lothiriel swayed slightly, touching her lips in a fascinated manner, she looked at him ...flustered. They were both breathing heavily, looking at each other from a few feet apart.
And I'm looking for ways never to part from you
Have everything change and you still stay the same
Forgive me, but I have to say it again;
Whispering your name is the most beautiful sound
" Lothiriel…." He whispered, but it was a ragged, harsh sound. The princess swallowed, searching his darkened, heated gaze. It seemed as though she was conversing with herself for the time of a few breath, until she apparently came to a decision.
" If we would really be married according to Rohirrim tradition, completely …I mean ….not waiting a month…until everything is prepared and beyond reproach…."
He furrowed his brow, unsure where she was going.
Lothiriel looked at him, seemingly growing more collected.
" If we would be married in the old traditions of Rohan, would you take me to your bed tonight?"
She could not help but ask the question, hoping he would not think her too blunt or imprudent. For the longest time Eomer just stared at her, saying nothing, not sure if he had understood her words. He knew she was a virtuous young woman, who would not dream of shaming her father or her house. Still, this was the honesty, the directness he had admired about her from the start. Seeing his need, his passion, his longing echoed in her, so pure and unaffected stole his breath away. It made him want her so much more.
" Yes…" he finally whispered harshly, trying to contain his emotions. He made a note to apologize to Faramir, who must have gone through hell during the long months of courting Eowyn.
It relieved him, Eomer realised as he met her eyes across the room. She was in tone with her emotions, they did not scare her. She would never be a timid, anxious bride.
Lothiriel smiled her knowing, wise smile and the effect quite undid him.
I've never seen anything as beautiful as you
There is not a thing more beautiful than you
I know of nothing that could compare to you.
He bridged the distance between them in two quick strides, pulling her into his arms again, to kiss her slowly, but with ardour.
" Lothiriel?" yelled a female voice from the corridor. " Are you here…?"
She gave a frustrated little sound as they broke apart, both turning their heads to the knock on the door.
" Are you in there, Lothiriel?" Eowyn asked from outside.
Eomer closed his eyes, summoning all the patience he could muster, while his bride tried to smother a nervous giggle against his chest.
"Will she go away if I don't answer?" Lothiriel inquired softly.
"Most certainly not." Eomer ground out, looking around.
The knocking grew more insistent, especially after the attempt to open the door had been unsuccessful. Eomer had locked the door from the inside.
"Lothiriel…?"
"What shall we do then?"
Eomer took another look around, then turned back to his betrothed.
" I'm not going to hide in your cupboard or under the bed, Lothiriel!" he explained sternly.
The princess gave him a mischievous smile.
" Good! I would not want to marry a man who would!"
Eomer looked at her with serious eyes, taking her hand in his, he lead it to his lips.
" We are officially betrothed now. I want to be with you. I want you in my life, in my arms and …in my bed and I am never going to hide that." He said roughly, turning around to open the door.
Eowyn arched an eyebrow at her brother in mock surprise, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
" Sister…" he greeted her.
"Brother…"she returned ironically. Eomer turned to his bride, bowing to her.
" If you will excuse me, princess. I think it is time for me to get drunk now! I bid you a good night."
Lothiriel tried very hard to suppress another bout of laughter, giving him a little curtsy.
" Very well, my lord."