A/N: Gee, didn't you folks believe me when I said this story was unusual? (snicker) At least you all seem to be enjoying this "variation on a theme" as much as I did in writing it.

By the way, there are 6 chapters and a very short one page epilogue. Don't be confused by the "completed" tag on it - that simply means the story is completely written, even if it is not all posted yet. When you reach the end of my stories, you will see "The End" (this one being the exception, since there is an Epilogue - something I virtually never write).

Chapter 3

Writing to Lothiriel was difficult for Eomer. While the Rohirrim rarely used a written language, his uncle had been born and raised in Gondor. Thus, Theodred, Eomer and Eowyn had all been taught to read and write Sindarin. Even so, Eomer was not comfortable expressing himself in the written word. He preferred to see a person's face. It was far too easy to conceal thoughts and intent in writing.

Each letter he produced was a struggle, but he persisted in the effort since he felt he owed it to Lothiriel to stay in touch, and respond to her many questions. At least in that, it was easier. She seemed to understand his reticence, and used her queries to spur their discourse.

If he was honest, he very much enjoyed her letters to him. They were long and detailed, keeping him up on news from Gondor as well as inquiring after Rohan, Elfwine and Eomer himself. While his life did not offer a great deal of free time to compose letters, Lothiriel's epistles always left him with an urge to answer right away, even if he found the process itself laborious.

By the time came for their return to Minas Tirith for Eowyn's wedding, Eomer discovered he was looking forward to seeing Lothiriel again. He had not realized how much he missed her relaxing presence and their strolls with Elfwine. It had given him more relief from his burdens and worries than anything else had done, and for a fortnight he could once again be succored by her.

Originally, he had hoped to travel to Dol Amroth for a visit, after the wedding, but with winter drawing near and much still to be done on the homefront, he dared not spare the time for it just now. Perhaps next fall, after they had been wed, Lothiriel would enjoy a visit home and he could then have the opportunity to see her birthplace, reunite with her family and look upon the sea for the first time in his life. She had written much about the sea in her letters, and he was eager to experience it firsthand.

Eowyn's mood during their travel to Gondor alternated between excitement over her own wedding, and continued disapproval of his betrothal. She still had not given up on trying to convince either him or Lothiriel that this was madness, and that they should not go through with the wedding. Nothing he had said appeased her in the slightest, and he knew Lothiriel had also unsuccessfully attempted to help Eowyn accept their decision. Well, she would have to accept it. He would not turn aside from this course he had chosen. Whether or not she liked it, he was convinced it was a wise decision, and that he was unlikely to find anyone better than Lothiriel to fill the proscribed roles in his life.

Indeed, what man in his right mind would reject the lady of Dol Amroth. She had the elven beauty of her rumored ancestry, was extremely accomplished and completely affable. But more even than that, she was down-to-earth. He would not have expected a Gondorian noblewoman to readily fit into Rohirric society, but she had done so with ease. Imrahil's daughter had none of the conceited airs about her he had always mentally associated with the nobility. No, a man could do far worse than claim her as his wife.

As Minas Tirith came into sight on the horizon, Eowyn seemed to either forgive him his bad decision, or simply forget it in the wake of her own pending nuptials. The ride across the Pelennor was less tense than the entire trip prior to that point, and Eomer was grateful to be able to turn his attention to his sister's happiness and not focus on his own.

The majority of the Rohirrim camped on the Pelennor, along with quite a few others who had traveled to the White City for this event. With rebuilding still underway, housing was yet at a premium within Minas Tirith and only the highest ranking guests could be assured of a room.

Not until supper did Eomer get a glimpse of his own betrothed. Looking as lovely and composed as ever, she came to warmly greet him before they were seated.

"Eomer, it is good to see you again," she smiled.

Catching her hand, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "You as well. Have you been here long?"

"We arrived yesterday. Father and my brothers wanted to provide moral support to Faramir. As joyous as he is because of this blessed event, he still keenly feels the absence of his dear brother to share this moment with him."

Eomer nodded in understanding. "That is reasonable. I am glad he still has family to be with him for the occasion."

"And what of you? Who comes from Rohan to be with Eowyn? Your aunt and Elfwine, I hope, in addition to the most important person – you."

With a grin, Eomer laughed. "I am not certain Eowyn would notice if I was missing! She is so excited about this that all else is forgotten. But, yes, my aunt Minleoth and Elfwine are here as well. Our other aunt was not well enough to make the long journey."

Just then, they were joined by a servant who directed them to their seats and the meal began. This was a smaller gathering, mostly just for family. Over the next few days, the betrothed couple would be hosted at several feasts leading up to the wedding banquet itself, but Elessar and Faramir had elected to have at least one private family gathering first.

xxx

Though Eomer was largely free to walk about Edoras unattended, with the large influx of visitors for the wedding, it was deemed unwise for him to venture out into the city without a small guard. It was not exactly what he would have envisioned as desirable when escorting his betrothed for a day of window-shopping, but the two men maintained a discreet distance so they were not too obtrusive.

With great relief, Eomer quickly noted that Lothiriel did not intend to drag him into every millinery or dress shop in the city. His tolerance for such things was not great, and she readily seemed to understand that. She did stop at a few windows and ask his opinion on the sorts of dresses that would be suitable for her to wear in Rohan on a daily basis, and though not considering himself anything of an expert, he did spy one or two that he thought were not unlike what women commonly wore. Still, he recommended that she speak to Eowyn on the matter for better advice.

Lothiriel also led him to some shops she thought he might find of interest, including a swordmaker and men's clothing shop. The latter he found filled with Gondorian styles that he could not picture himself wearing, though he did purchase one tunic that appealed to him.

As for the swordmaker, it was traditional in Rohan to present a dagger to the prospective husband of one's daughter or sister, representing entrusting her to his care. He had had one made in Rohan, but was not entirely satisfied with it. Now his eyes fell on an exquisite blade, and impulsively he purchased it. He would still have to dispose of the other dagger lest the maker spot it still in his possession and be offended, but he could remedy that by gifting it to Imrahil. The new blade then required an appropriate sheath, so they made their way to a leather shop for such.

As it was a pleasant autumn day, they had their dinner at an outside table of a tavern Lothiriel knew. Eomer had been tempted to bring Elfwine with him on this outing, and he knew Lothiriel would have encouraged it, but had decided they might have their hands full with packages. Besides, it would give the couple some time alone to become better acquainted.

To Eomer's surprise, their conversation when Elfwine was not present was vastly different. Or perhaps it was their new status as a betrothed couple that caused the change. Either way, it was more personal and, after the letters they had written, they knew more about one another in order to talk freely. That Lothiriel was well-informed and easily expressed herself was not astonishing; he would have expected nothing less. And Imrahil had been correct when he claimed she would want to study up on Rohan, for her questions and comments demonstrated she had done so.

After some time, he realized he felt some relief that she did not appear to perceive his people as backward or barbaric. He had sometimes gotten the impression that the nobility of Gondor looked down upon Rohan and its less polished society. There was no evidence that she shared that opinion, and it pleased him greatly. Despite all he had seen of her, and all he knew of her family, he had worried about how well she would fit into life at Meduseld. He knew it was not like life at the royal court in Minas Tirith, so likely was not similar to Dol Amroth either. No matter what, surely it would be quite an adjustment for her, but she made it plain that she was not daunted by the prospect.

Despite Eomer's betrothal to Lothiriel, Lady Minleoth had not particularly warmed to her. Still, given the status Eomer had credited her with by the offer of marriage, she had little choice but to acknowledge the woman as Eomer's future wife and her future queen. For the duration of their visit to Minas Tirith, Minleoth sought to mold Lothiriel in her own image.

It rather amused Lothiriel at how Eomer's aunt tried to persuade her that Elfwine should be raised in the manner Minleoth prescribed, even knowing the child's father opposed it. Perhaps she felt her only chance to see the boy raised right was to win Lothiriel over to her way of thinking. Though Lothiriel listened pleasantly to her many discourses on child-rearing, she mentally knew she had no intention of adhering to most of the notions Minleoth expounded. She was in agreement with Eomer that his son should not be kept distant from him, and while most of Gondor raised their children more along the lines Minleoth voiced, her own father had been warm and loving. She had long ago determined she hoped to have a husband who would wish to be likewise. Eomer seemed to be such a man.

xxx

At length, Faramir and Eowyn's waiting was ended and they were wed. After the formal ceremony in the Citadel, they embarked on a ride through the city to greet well-wishers, of which there were many. Eowyn and her attendants returned laden with flowers bestowed upon her by the populace who adored her new husband, and were grateful for her bringing him such happiness. Ever since meeting her, Faramir had been a changed man. The War and the uncomfortable relationship with his father had made him sober and quiet, but when Eowyn caught his affections the change was tangible. It warmed many hearts to see him laugh and smile so easily these past few months.

The couple departed the next day to spend several days honeymooning in Ithilien. The home Faramir was building for them in Emyn Arnen was not complete, but he had rented a cottage nearby for their use, and the couple spent time walking and riding the vicinity so Eowyn could become acquainted with her new home.

Though Eomer had been away from his sister on many occasions in the past, this time it struck home that the separation was permanent. They would visit, it was true, but never again would she truly call Rohan her home. Knowing he would soon return to Meduseld alone disheartened him, even though he realized it was only a few short months until he would welcome his own bride there. A long, cold winter still needed to be weathered, and Lothiriel could not come to him soon enough to satisfy the ache in his heart. Only she seemed to have a knack for easing his mind and his melancholy about the changes in his life. Sometimes he wondered if the rumored elven blood in her family was true, and she was able to wield elvish magic in soothing him. It seemed impossible that anyone who knew him so little could have such a profound effect on his mood, but she had done so time and again.

As the day of his return to Rohan drew nearer, he found leaving Lothiriel behind in Gondor was almost as difficult as leaving Eowyn. He was not looking forward to enduring the winter with just his aunt for company. He had a feeling he would work long hours to avoid her, and having to listen to her very vocal opinions on just about every subject. Regardless of what she said, he fully intended to close himself in his study with Elfwine on occasion and merely enjoy playing with his son without her intervention. Lothiriel had already assured him his desire to do so was not in error, so he did not intend to let his aunt convince him otherwise.

xxxxx

Lothiriel had been right. Eomer had attempted introducing Elfwine to the first snow of the season, and it had pretty much unfolded exactly as she had described. The child did little more than bat at it with his hands, until he became cold and wet and cried until Eomer took him back inside. Ah well, at least they'd had a few moments together. Next year Lothiriel could join them and help them both better enjoy the experience.

The wedding had been planned for late March, to give the roads time to dry out somewhat after the spring rains and make travel easier. It had been awkward to do so, but Eomer had broached the subject with Lothiriel about their sleeping arrangements after their marriage. He knew that in Gondor, a husband and wife often shared a bed only on occasions when a child was desired, but such was not the case in Rohan. He had seen Elessar's suite of chambers prior to the king's marriage and been shown what they called 'the queen's chamber'. To his eyes, it was a completely separate room, where the queen could live and rarely even see her husband if they chose.

There was nothing similar at Meduseld, but under the circumstances, he had not thought Lothiriel would particularly want to share his bed, and he was not entirely comfortable with the idea either. It suggested an intimacy with her that he did not yet feel, and did not think would come simply by virtue of their wedding vows. Perhaps in time, they would reach a point where they would desire to unite and produce more children, but suggesting this odd marriage was difficult enough. Expecting the woman to lie with him was unthinkable. To do so without love, in his mind, would be the same as visiting a tavern and accepting the attentions of a woman for hire. He would not disrespect his wife in such a way.

Meduseld did have several rooms attached to the king's bedchamber, and Eomer had determined that, with the connecting doors, he could make a workable solution. There was a smaller dressing chamber between his bedchamber and a large sitting room. He had the sitting room outfitted as Lothiriel's bedchamber and turned the dressing chamber into a nursery for Elfwine. That would give both of them access to the boy without invading each other's privacy. When he wrote to her of his plans, even going so far as to sketch it out for her, she had responded approvingly, indicating she thought it a good remedy to their circumstance.

For some reason, her approval left him slightly depressed. It took several days for him to work out what was bothering him, and finally he realized that he did not like this going through the motions of a marriage without it truly being one. It felt so cold-hearted to be making all these decisions with rational forethought, but complete lack of emotion. That was not what his parents' marriage had been and he had not wished his own to be that way either.

xxxxx

Incredibly, the three months were gone before he knew it, and now Eomer stood watching the party from Dol Amroth riding up toward Meduseld. He would have thought, with all the time he'd had to prepare, that he'd feel more ready for this than he did, but a knot had settled in the pit of his stomach and he hadn't slept well the past sennight.

He kept reminding himself how soothing he found Lothiriel's presence, and told himself her arrival would ease his stress, but he knew that this time would be different. This time she would be the source of his tension, and it was unlikely she could do much about it.

In a flurry of salutations, the wedding guests were soon inside and settling in rooms. Eomer had gotten little more than a glimpse of Lothiriel, and a brief greeting with his kiss to her hand. It did nothing to relax him, and he now found himself trying to pay attention as Imrahil spoke to him about Rohan's improved circumstances. Thankfully, the prince did not linger, but made for his room to wash and rest before supper, and Eomer was able to retreat to the solitude of his study.

He had not been there long before he was disturbed by a rap on the door. With a sigh, he called out, "Yes?"

Through the door, he just barely made out Lothiriel's voice, asking, "My lord, may I speak with you?"

Arching an eyebrow in surprise, he rose and moved to open the door to her, breaking into a grin when he spotted Elfwine in her arms. Smiling smugly at him, she raised a questioning eyebrow and he waved her into the room before closing the door. "I see you have not forgotten how to win favor with me," he teased.

"I have not forgotten how to restore your good humor, is what you mean," she told him pointedly, and he suddenly realized she had been aware of his earlier stiffness and tension, despite their brief encounter.

Sheepishly, he nodded. "True. And I thank you. This is...difficult, even if I did instigate it myself."

"I know," she answered softly. "It is for me as well, but we will manage. The wedding is the most arduous aspect." She paused, handing him his son and then moving to the window. Continuing, she asked, "How do you envision this happening, my lord?"

"Please, call me Eomer. I do not wish my wife to be so formal." He licked his lips nervously, then added, "I do not care to make a public announcement of the reason behind our marriage, though I am certain soon enough the servants will realize it is not as usual. That cannot be helped, but I intend to go through all the motions just as if we were wedding for love. After the ceremony, we will have the wedding feast and during the course of the evening you and I will retire, though to our own chambers. In the morning, we will go to breakfast together just as if we had consummated the marriage the previous night and all was as expected."

She nodded her understanding, then ventured, "Do you anticipate...I would think eventually you will wish more children."

He averted his eyes, pretending to focus on Elfwine as he answered, "We will see how things go between us. I will not make that decision without your consent."

Clearing her throat nervously, she replied, "I am prepared to honor my marriage in all respects...Eomer."

His eyes flicked up to meet hers, and then he told her quietly, "Perhaps, but I would prefer we share feelings for one another before we are...intimate. If you do not mind. It is how I was raised."

She nodded and gave him a slight smile. "I would prefer that also. Thank you."

He had not expected to have this conversation, but suddenly he felt much easier. Restraining a chuckle, he noted she had indeed relaxed him, as always, despite the unusual circumstances.

88888

Minleoth - "my song"

Alcathir - "shining face"

Eledferth – head housekeeper - "fiery spirit"

Cafliss - "quick joy"

Eomer married in April of 3018; his wife bears a son in his absence and dies during childbirth (in Jan 3019)