A/N: MBDTA asked and I thought the rest of you might be interested. Tolkien indicated that Theoden had four sisters, of which Theodwyn was the youngest. Minleoth is one of them. I am assuming one has died and the other is in ill health. Presumably, none of them had male children (at least none that survived to 3019) or theoretically they would have superceded Eomer as being next in line to the throne (being sons of the elder sisters). I couldn't find anything that indicated Tolkien ever named Theoden's other three sisters, so Minleoth is my name for one of them.

Chapter 4

This version of married life was not so bad, Eomer thought, as he lay stretched in bed a sennight after his wedding. Largely due to Lothiriel's tractable nature, things had worked out better than he had ever dared hope. Even Eowyn, once the deed was done, seemed to resign herself to the fact and wished them sincerely well. He was sorry to have upset his sister by this, but he'd truly felt it was necessary and right to take this step.

His aunt had attempted to maintain control of Elfwine a little longer, claiming she desired to free them to honeymoon as long as they liked, but Lothiriel had made it known that she wished to form a maternal bond with her new son as soon as possible, and therefore wished to have him near, even now. Minleoth hadn't liked it, but she'd had little choice in the matter. For his part, Eomer was pleased that it was so. Already he had seen more of his son, without argument, than in the previous fortnight. At least once a day, Lothiriel arrived in his study, bearing Elfwine in her arms, and enticed him into a walk with the two of them in the garden.

A slow smile slid over his face. No, this was not his parents' marriage, but it was agreeable, all the same. Though he had not love, he had affection and that would be sufficient.

Later that day, however, his pleasure slipped away after hearing there had been an altercation between Lothiriel and Meduseld's head housekeeper, Eledferth. The woman had practically raised him, so he was surprised that she would not do all she could to support him in his marriage. Sending for Lothiriel, he determined to learn the difficulty.

She arrived moments later, and he waved her to a chair in front of his desk. "I hear there was some sort of mishap with Eledferth. What happened?" His brow knit with concern as he awaited her answer.

"We had a disagreement, that is all. Do not let it trouble you," she answered carefully, revealing no details.

He could guess, though, that there was more to it than that. He was not oblivious to the reserved manner of the servants toward this new person in charge, especially after it had been voiced around that the two were not sharing a bed. Feeling he needed to reassure her he would support her without reservation he said, "I will not tolerate any disrespect toward you. You are my wife and the queen, regardless of whether anyone approves!"

"Eomer, they care about you, and are concerned for your happiness. It is not surprising they would balk at our unusual arrangement if they do not feel it is in your best interest. Do not judge them too harshly," she admonished.

He sighed and sat down heavily in his chair, rubbing wearily at his temple. Slowly Lothiriel rose and drew near the front of his desk. "It will be well. I can manage this, Eomer. This is not the first recalcitrant servant I have had to deal with in my life, nor the first to challenge my authority. I promise you I will let you know if I require your assistance in the matter, but otherwise I want you to put it out of your head. I am here to help you, not add to your burdens. Please, trust me on this."

He raised grateful eyes to smile at her. Just like Eowyn, she eased his heart of worry. While Eowyn attacked problems in a much different manner, Lothiriel's quiet confidence was both consoling and reassuring. All her family members were competent leaders; he would trust that she was as well. Nodding, he rose and came around to take her hands in his. "Thank you! I do appreciate your willingness to deal with these troubles. I just do not like to have you suffer because of me. I feel so guilty about all that you are being put through on my behalf."

"Eomer, do not forget that I chose this. You did not coerce me into it, nor lure me with false promises. I knew going in what difficulties I might face. One of the reasons you chose me was your belief that I was equal to the challenge, and I am." She smiled gently at him and raised his hand to press a kiss to it. "We will be a brilliant team, but you must learn to work with me, rather than doing everything for me!"

He chuckled at the comment and nodded, "Very well, my queen. I shall not gainsay you, in this or anything else." Impulsively, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Thank you!"

xxx

"You wished to see me...my lady?" Eledferth asked stiffly.

"Yes," Lothiriel replied, gesturing for the woman to be seated. Rather than the couch, the woman chose the hardest chair in the room and sat rigidly erect, avoiding looking directly at her queen.

Lothiriel drew a slow steadying breath at the clear signs of intractableness. Taking a seat in a nearby chair so she was facing the housekeeper, she said quietly, "I am not the enemy, Eledferth. I know it may seem as though I have invaded your territory, but it is not so. I am here to help the king, and make his life less difficult. You do a brilliant job of ordering Meduseld and I find no fault with it – for the most part. But I know that some things are done out of habit, and I believe that between us we can find better, more efficient ways for proceeding in the future. There seem to be several unnecessary tasks that take time and energy, time and energy that could be better focused elsewhere. The needs of King Theoden's household were different than those of King Eomer's. You, even more than I, should see that is so."

She watched carefully, and could see a slight relaxing of the woman's tense posture. She continued, "I am sure it is no secret around Meduseld that my marriage to the king was not a love match. He needed a queen and a mother to his child; I was suitable for the responsibility. But even though that is the case, it does not mean that I do not care about him and Elfwine and Rohan. I am utterly committed to fulfilling my roles to the very best of my ability. I am determined to ease the king's burdens and help him enjoy life once more. From what Lady Eowyn has told me of him, he has grown quite grim and dispirited since the War, as he has been overwhelmed with obligations. There is no avoiding some of that when a man is king, but it should not beleaguer him as it does. I want to change that, also, but I will need help to accomplish it. If all around me are fighting my efforts, I am doomed to failure, and that would not be in Eomer or Rohan's best interest. Please, may I count on your support. I do not ask you to like me, or the situation, but may we work together to do what is best for Meduseld?"

Eledferth's jaw twitched and a lone tear trickled from one eye, though she was able to restrain any further show of emotion. She had not expected this. After their earlier confrontation, she had fully expected the new queen to soundly chastize her, even seek the king's assistance in disciplining her, or demand her dismissal. Instead, to be approached so gently, and her assistance pled for, was most astonishing.

"There are...perhaps...a few things that are unnecessary and should be changed," she reluctantly admitted.

Lothiriel bit back a smile and nodded. "May I rely on you to make recommendations in that regard? I will offer what suggestions I can, but you are better positioned to know if my ideas are workable or not, and more likely to know whether something is not required. I should like for us to work together in helping Meduseld regain its full former glory."

Eledferth gave a quick, jerking nod of her head, not able to entirely soften her stance just yet. Lothiriel rose, and the housekeeper took that as a signal that their interview was ended and stood also.

"Thank you," Lothiriel told her sincerely, and again she answered with only a nod and slight curtsy before moving toward the door.

Just as the housekeeper reached for the latch, the queen added, "I truly do care about him, Eledferth. Do not doubt that. I would never wish to hurt him in any way."

Without turning or looking back, the older woman lifted the latch and left the room. As the door clicked shut behind her, she took a dozen steps then stopped in the middle of the hall, giving a startled gasp. The queen was in love with Eomer! Why had she not noticed before? Because she refused to look, or because the woman hid it so well? Either way, she was certain it was so. This may have been a marriage of convenience for Rohan's king, but the princess from Dol Amroth wed for love. There had been much speculation about why she had agreed to the match, and most had chalked it up to Gondor's penchant for political marriages, but now she was inclined to think they had sorely misjudged their queen in the matter. Her resentment of the woman gave way to sympathy, and a measure of pity, for her situation. It could not be easy to give up all you had known to come to a foreign place, with a people that had not been entirely welcoming, to enter a marriage without the expectation of love, and to do it because you had lost your heart to a man who might never return your affections. Eledferth might be aged, but she still understood what such things could do to a woman's heart.

She had known Eomer since his birth, even more so after his mother died and she had essentially been the one to raise him and his sister. She had very much wanted to see him happy, and so had disapproved of this travesty which was not likely to bring it about. Now, she desperately wanted both the king and the queen to find happiness. Upon closer look, the queen was a good woman and Eomer needed such, not as a figurehead but as a true wife. Perhaps in time he would see that. Slowly she continued on her way, determined to do all she could to bring the couple together. If his people accepted her, then perhaps eventually Eomer could accept her into his heart.

xxx

One of the last to depart after Eomer's wedding was his Aunt Minleoth, who resided in Aldburg. He had almost gotten the impression she lingered so as to be available when it all fell apart. Though she'd kept her comments largely private – at least he hoped that was the case – she had made it clear to Eomer that she thought it ludicrous for him to marry a woman he barely knew, especially one who obviously knew nothing about the proper way to rear children.

She had not been pleased by Lothiriel's apparent complacency about adhering to Minleoth's recommendations regarding Elfwine. As far as she was concerned, between Eomer and Lothiriel's care of the child, he would grow up completely unmanageable and shiftless. Though Eomer tried to ignore her dire predictions for Elfwine's future, and wanted to believe Lothiriel would prove a capable mother and able to offset any missteps he took, he could not easily dismiss the possibility he might fail his son.

The concern about it preyed upon his mind, and often woke him at night to keep him awake fretting about it. The day Minleoth finally departed, her ominous forecast yet ringing in his ears, was such a time. He had stewed about it all afternoon, despite every attempt to put it from his thoughts, and was awake shortly after midnight, unable to keep it at bay any longer.

For a while he restlessly tossed in his bed, before finally rising and going to sit in the nursery to watch his son sleeping, lit by a shaft of moonlight through the window. He was not sure how long he had been sitting there when, at the swish of fabric behind him, Eomer turned. "Is Elfwine well?" Lothiriel asked from the doorway.

Eomer nodded. "He is fine – sound asleep."

She gave him a look of curiosity and he explained, "I, however, could not sleep." He turned back toward the crib, asking over his shoulder, "Did I disturb you? My apologies."

Slowly she entered the room to stand nearby. "No, you did not disturb me. I went to use the chamber pot and thought to check on Elfwine while I was up." She hesitated, then asked, "Does something trouble you? Would you wish to speak of it?"

The gentle questions were more than he could bear just then. He had steeled his emotions when he had spotted her at the door, attempting to conceal his distress, but her words undid him. It was a struggle to hold in the tears that wanted to come, but all that he was feeling welled up inside, pushing to the surface like a pot heated to boiling over. Clenching a fist to hang onto a shred of control, he stammered, "I...I am just concerned about what kind of father I will be. My own father died when I was young, and though Theoden was like a father to me, it was not a typical family situation. I do not know how to do this!" He turned to her with eyes pleading for understanding. "I want to do right by my son, but I do not know how! I feel even more out of my depth with fatherhood than I do as king."

He slumped dejectedly back in the chair where he sat, and for several moments Lothiriel just stood staring at him, wondering how to console him. At length, she tentatively moved behind him and laid a hand on his shoulder, frantically hoping the words would come that would offer him reassurance. "Eomer, no one is trained to be a parent. We learn as best we can from the parents around us what we do or do not wish to do with our own children. But, in the end, it always comes down to doing the best we can each day. You are still very new to this, and it will take time for you to feel you have your feet under you. At this age, all Elfwine truly requires is a clean diaper, food in his belly and someone to hold him when he cries. By the time his needs are greater, you will likely be more comfortable with the role you must fill in his life. You are not alone. I will help you all that I can, though I am learning my way also. Trust your instincts, and be willing to listen to good advice but, mostly, be willing to believe that you will do fine, just as many men before you have who were no more prepared than you going into it."

They remained silent for several moments, and almost without realizing what she was doing, Lothiriel's hands slid down his shoulders toward his chest as she moved closer behind him. "You are a fine father and a fine king. Do not let others make you doubt that. Look around you – those who question everything you do are the older ones. Likely they still see the boy you were rather than the man you have become. You assume you should heed their counsel simply because they are 'older and wiser' than you, and you have always heeded them in the past. You did not need them telling you how to lead your eoreds as Third Marshal, nor how to head your men in battle. You are grown now, and have been schooled and trained. It is time you take your life into your own hands; help them understand you are full grown, and perfectly able to make your own choices and decisions. You may value their opinion, when you think it appropriate, but do not assume they are right and you are wrong."

Eomer reached up and caught her hands, wrapping them close about his neck, both wanting and needing that physical contact. How long had it been since anyone had held and comforted him? How long since anyone had perceived his need for them to do so? Whatever benign agreements had brought them together, he was grateful for her compassion at this moment, and her willingness to show tenderness to a man she barely knew. That was his fault, really. He had made her his wife, but nothing more. If they were to share a life, it was time he got to know her better. What foods did she like or dislike? What pleased or displeased her? They might never be deeply in love as most marriage partners were, but they did not have to walk beside one another as wedded strangers. She had done all he had required of her and more; he owed her a more pleasant companion than he had been until now.

They remained unmoving for quite some time, and then he murmured, "I should let you get your rest. Thank you for…being here."

Her hand squeezed his shoulder in response, and she told him quietly, "I will always be here, Eomer. Do not hesitate to speak with me if it will ease your mind."

As she removed her hands and began to move away, he suddenly felt cold and bereft. "Stay with me." There was no passion in the plea, only a desperate need not to be alone tonight.

For an instant, there was silence, and then she nodded. Unable to express his gratitude, he rose and took her hand, leading her to his bedchamber. Settling in a large chair nearby he told her, "You take the bed. I will be fine here."

Whatever her thoughts, she made no comment. Removing her robe, she climbed under the covers, laying on her side facing him. With a smile at her, Eomer leaned back and closed his eyes. Her voice broke the stillness, "Tell me something of yourself, Eomer. A happy memory."

His eyes blinked open for a moment, then reclosed. At length, he said, "When I was six, my father got me my first pony. I rode that pony every chance I got, from sun up to sun down. If anyone was looking for me, they needed to look no further than the stables. When I was not riding him, I was brushing him – what I could reach of him – or just sitting in his stall talking to him. I suppose I became such a good rider because I spent so much time practicing. Eowyn was the same way when she was old enough to ride." His mouth was curved in a grin at the memory she had conjured by her question.

Opening his eyes, he said, "Now it is your turn. Tell me something you remember."

It was some while later before they both drifted off to sleep. Come the morning, Eomer woke with an unfamiliar weight on his shoulder and discovered Lothiriel's head there. Sometime in the night he must have left the chair to return to his bed, forgetting it was already occupied.

He had never noticed that faint fragrance to her hair, probably coming from whatever soap she used to wash it. It was rather pleasant, he mused, as was her presence lying beside him. At that thought, he wakened sufficiently to realize that Lothiriel might not find it so pleasing. He had given her every reason not to expect this, so why would she think it was innocent? Easing away from her so as not to disturb her sleep, he moved back over to sit on the chair. He would not wish her to awaken and think he had been dishonorable. He had promised there would be nothing between them without their mutual consent, and he had meant that.

And, in truth, he did not think this signaled any change in his feelings for her. He had merely needed her comforting presence last night, and she had graciously consented to stay and provide succor. That was all it had been.

A moment later, she came awake, frowning slightly in disorientation until she seemed to remember where she was. As their eyes met, he said quietly, "Thank you for staying. It meant a great deal to me."

Sitting up, she brushed her hair back from her face and smiled. "I was happy to do so, Eomer. As I have told you, we are in this together. I do hope you will rely on me whenever I can be of help to you." She stretched and then reached for the robe she had laid at the foot of the bed. "And now, if you will excuse me, I will check on Elfwine and then dress."

Eomer watched her leave as her words from the previous night returned to him. His jaw set as he stood to begin his own day. This day would see a change. She was absolutely correct in her observations. He had been allowing others to confuse and lead him about. It was time he took charge of his life and of his kingship. Perhaps he would make mistakes along the way, but they would be his mistakes, not those of well-intentioned advisers or friends. He knew what kind of father he wanted to be and, with Lothiriel's help, he would find the way to do it. He had never shrunk from a challenge before, and he would not do so now. A new day was dawning in Rohan.

xxxxx

To say that not everyone was pleased with the changed Eomer was an understatement. He had plenty of battles from those trying to convince him to continue following their lead, rather than forging ahead in his own right. But his mind was firmly set in this matter, and he stood his ground.

Lothiriel seemed to recognize the altered situation, and provided vocal and moral support whenever she could. Best of all, she did not hesitate to make him aware when she thought he might be in error, but unlike the others who sometimes publicly debated him, she was always very particular to do it in private. That afforded him the opportunity to discuss it with her, think about it and then present any change in stance he made as his own decision rather than a bowing to pressure from outside sources.

His wife had been right about Elfwine also. While she sought him out to witness Elfwine's milestones – such as finally walking, something that had concerned him by its seeming tardiness – Elfwine's needs were rather simple. The child was content to have Eomer lie on the floor or bed, and be allowed to crawl all over his father. When he was younger, Eomer had done a bit of whittling, and he had resumed it during the winter. Consequently he had crafted a half dozen wooden horses for the boy, and Elfwine enthusiastically bashed them about. As yet, he seemed to have no notion of their natural movement, but Lothiriel had assured Eomer that would eventually come.

Eomer allowed himself to be content with the situation at present, accepting that Lothiriel had correctly noted there was little he could do wrong at this point in Elfwine's life. He had also thought quite a bit about her comments as to learning from the parents he had known in his own lifetime, and he was already formulating ideas on how he wanted to raise his son.

By the time summer arrived, Eomer was far more comfortable with his role as king and as a father. Just as his wife had predicted, once he held firm to his own convictions, his advisers had fallen into line. Some grumbled and did not like it, but they had come to realize that the king was no longer a pushover. If they wanted him to consider doing things their way, they had to make a very convincing argument to him about why it was desirable. Not unexpectedly, they tended to lay the blame for Eomer's firmer stance on 'that queen he found in Gondor', but since Eomer had made it very clear he would not tolerate any disrespect toward his wife, they dared not openly attack her.

Lothiriel was not oblivious to the fact that she was taking the blame for anything anyone did not like about how Rohan was being ruled, but she was content to allow it. In time, the people would learn to trust Eomer's judgement and not believe she was swaying it to her own purposes. If it made them more compliant to be able to focus their annoyance on her, while doing as the king commanded, so be it.

Because of the friction between the queen and a number of Eomer's advisers, it almost felt like a reward for all she had suffered when Eomer announced he would finally make a visit to Dol Amroth to see her home. The journey was planned for early July, and already Lothiriel was eagerly anticipating returning to the seaside, and being reunited with her family. It had been a difficult three months in Edoras, but she was proud of the progress she had made there.

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)