Lothiriel muffled a groan as her stomach gave yet another uneasy lurch. She cast her sleeping husband a quick look before easing herself out of bed. Eomer's face was peaceful in sleep, and Lothiriel felt a great wave of tenderness and pressed a quick kiss to his forehead. She made her way to the window, rubbing her stomach as she walked.
You're just not going to let me get any sleep, are you little one?
She could have sworn her still-flat stomach gave another twinge in response. Stifling a small chuckle, she looked out the window at the just-rising sun. Lothiriel had to suppress a gasp of surprise; she had seen many beautiful sunrises in Dol Amroth, but something about the light on the plains of Rohan was especially breathtaking. She wasn't sure how long she stood there, smiling like a fool, until she felt arms wrap around her.
"You're up early, my love." Eomer said. Lothiriel leaned back against him.
"Your child has decided I am not to sleep past dawn. And with such a pretty view, who am I to argue?"
She felt rather than heard the deep rumble of his laughter against her back.
"Still. It is quite early, and I for one would like to put off starting the day for a few more hours. Come back to bed."
Lothiriel stifled a grin and shook her head.
"I think I shall stay here, my lord."
She barely had a moment's notice before he swept her up into his arms and carried her back to their bed.
"It wasn't a request, love."
"So I see." She giggled.
Eomer gently put her back on the bed and then flopped down beside her. He propped himself on his elbows and hovered over her. Lothiriel gave him an amused look.
"For not wanting to start the day early, you seem far from going back to sleep, Eomer."
He ignored her and kissed her cheek. Then along her jaw. Her eyelids (which had fluttered shut), her nose (which elicited a giggle from her), until finally her lips. Lothiriel's fingers tangled themselves of their own accord into Eomer's hair. After a few minutes, she pulled back and cocked her head to the side curiously. "You're in a suspiciously good mood this morning."
Eomer raised an eyebrow at her.
"I can't kiss my wife without being in a 'suspiciously good mood'?"
"This early in the morning? Not likely, a'maelamin."
Eomer chuckled and rested his forehead against hers.
"Have you forgotten already?"
Instantly Lothiriel was alarmed.
"Forgotten what?"
Eomer abruptly kissed her again.
"Today, Lothiriel, your charming brother goes home."
Later, the serving girls would tell her that they had heard her laughter all the way out in the Hall.
oOo
Unlike the King and Queen, the Prince of Dol Amroth had slept well past dawn. Lothiriel had to stifle laughter at Eomer's outraged face when Frea informed him that, at nearly noon, Amrothos had yet to awaken.
"Go and wake him then." Eomer grumbled. Frea and Lothiriel exchanged an amused look, and Frea went back down the corridor. He had scarcely gotten ten feet when Amrothos appeared, smirking.
"Relax, my dear brother, I have arrived. I will be out of your rather long mane of hair momentarily."
Lothiriel warily looked back and forth between brother and husband. After his injury, they had begun to form somewhat of a friendship (not without teasing and tormenting, of course), but as Amrothos' extended stay had passed the point of healing, it had deteriorated as quickly as it had sprung up. Now they had returned to the old bickering and glaring, once disagreeing so violently Lothiriel had been sure if not for her intervention, it would have resulted in blows. Looking to ease the tension, she scoffed and made her way over to her brother and gave his hair a tug.
"Yours hair isn't what I'd call short either, Amrothos dear."
Amrothos gave her a smile and attempted to pick her up, ignoring her squeak of protest and something of a growl coming from Eomer. "Amrothos! Put me down!"
"Tch, sister, married life seems to make you quite irritable."
"If anything makes me irritable, it's you, Am." Lothiriel grumbled. Amrothos frowned.
"So you're not going to miss me at all, Thiri?"
Lothiriel's face softened and she wrapped her arms around her brother in a hug.
"Of course I'll miss you. You promise to write me?"
"Every day, if you want. And you promise to keep me up to date with my future niece or nephew?"
Lothiriel scoffed and nudged him with her shoulder.
"As if you have to ask. Give Father my love. And Erchirion, Elphir and Artanis."
Amrothos nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Amin mela lle."
"And I you, troublesome brother. You had better be leaving before my husband decides to part you from your other arm."
He laughed, gave her one last squeeze, and then moved across the room to offer Eomer his hand. Eomer grudgingly shook it.
"Farewell, brother, and thank you for the hospitality." Amrothos said, a grin on his face. Eomer did not reply, ignoring the pointed looks Lothiriel was shooting him over her brother's shoulder. The entire room seemed to freeze, waiting for whomever would speak next. Amrothos' face fell and he laid his hand on Eomer's shoulder instead. "Truly, Eomer, I am very grateful. Not only for allowing me to remain in your home for so long, but for proving me wrong. Very wrong."
Eomer's eyebrow raised at this and Amrothos continued, "I see now that there is no man alive better for my sister. No one could ever make her as happy as you do, care for her, love her, protect her…and I regret my behavior towards you. What I am trying to say is—"
"You're a great git and are sorry for being such a beast?" Lothiriel offered, feigning innocence. Eomer's lips twitched up into a smile and Amrothos flushed, but nodded all the same.
"Exactly."
Eomer relented and gave Amrothos a hearty thump on the back.
"Ride safely, my brother. Try not to cause another war on the way home."
Amrothos laughed, gave Eomer a one armed hug. He exited the Hall, yelling behind him, "No promises, I'm afraid!"
Lothiriel laughed softly. Eomer drew his arm around her shoulders, and together they went outside to watch Amrothos and his company ride away.
oOo
It wasn't until much later that Lothiriel realized Aelwen had been suspiciously absent from her brother's departure. She realized this after dinner, when she and Aelwen would usually abscond by the fire to whisper and giggle to one another about a variety of subjects (typically books, men, or ongoing shenanigans), and yet her friend was nowhere to be found. Ignoring the looks she was receiving from Eomer, who was currently being detained by three advisors, Lothiriel slipped out of the dining hall and towards Aelwen's room. She knocked on the door gently. After a few seconds and no reply was given, she tentatively opened the door. Aelwen's head shot up from where she had been laying on the bed, her eyes red-rimmed and cheeks tear-streaked.
"Oh Aelwen." Lothiriel said softly. Aelwen bit her lip, willing herself not to cry in front of her Queen. Lothiriel sat beside her and moved Aelwen's head into her lap. "Did he not bid you farewell?"
"I-it's not that…" Aelwen sniffled. "By Bema, Lothiriel how did you survive?"
Lothiriel brushed her hand over Aelwen's hair soothingly.
"Survive what, melamin?"
Aelwen looked up at her, tears sparkling in her eyes again.
"Missing him."
Lothiriel smiled down sympathetically at her friend. Aelwen watched as Lothiriel's eyes clouded over, lost in memories.
"It will ache. And at moments, when you think you think you have defeated it, that you are fine and he is a distant thought, it will rear up so suddenly your breath will catch in your chest. Missing is not an easy thing to do, especially when you love someone so." Lothiriel blinked and gave Aelwen's hair another stroke. "I do not only speak of Eomer. I have missed my brothers thus, my father, my cousins…even my mother, whose face blurs more into memory with each passing year. But do not let it trouble you; I know he misses you as much as you miss him."
Aelwen nodded, smiling sadly at her friend. They sat in companionable silence. Lothiriel stroked Aelwen's hair, humming a soft Gondorian lullaby under her breath. Aelwen's breathing had almost reached the deep, even level of sleep when there was a knock at the door. Aelwen's eyes shot open; the two women exchanged a look before they called out in unison,
"Enter!"
Hyrde, Aelwen's father entered, looking flustered until he caught sight of Lothiriel.
"My lady! I beg your pardon—"
Lothiriel waved away his apology.
"It is my fault, Lord Hyrde, for not announcing my presence. Do you wish to speak to your daughter alone? I will leave if you would like to speak in private."
Hyrde looked at his daughter and the back to the Queen. Sighing, he sank into the nearest chair.
"No, my lady, it would be better if you stay. These matters involve you, to an extent, and I would rather you hear them from me than anyone else."
Lothiriel and Aelwen shared a confused look before looking back to the advisor. Sensing he had both of their full attention, Hyrde began.
"Aelwen, Lord Amrothos, before he left, asked me for your hand."
Aelwen scarcely stifled a gasp; Lothiriel clapped a hand to her mouth. "Aelwen, I couldn't give him an answer without knowing your feelings…do you even know this man?"
Aelwen hesitated on the edge of speech. Lothiriel nudged her, motioning for her to speak. Hyrde gave his daughter a stern look. "Spit it out, child! Do you know the man or not?"
"I love him, Papa!" Aelwen exploded. "I love him; adore, desire, treasure; I have never been so sure of anything in my life. If I am forced to marry another, any other, I will never be as happy as I could be. Please, Papa. I have not asked for much in my life, but I am asking now. I am begging, now. Tell him yes! Send a rider, this instant and give him my answer."
Lothiriel watched Hyrde carefully; the emotion registering in his face seemed to be shock. She attempted to edge out of the room, but was stopped by the terrified look Aelwen shot her.
"My dear daughter…" Hyrde said softly, moving to kneel in font of Aelwen, "why did you not tell me?"
"I knew you wanted me to marry Lord Theol…" Aelwen whispered. Hyrde tipped his daughter's chin up so their eyes met.
"Marry Theol? If there was no other option, if it was the only way to prevent you from being alone…but if Amrothos makes you happy, I will not object."
Aelwen stood and hugged her father. Aelwen murmured her thanks and her father pressed a kiss to her forehead. Lothiriel smiled at the sight.
"So shall we send a rider with our answer, Papa?"
Hyrde chuckled.
"I think we shall do one better than that."
oOo
Lothiriel was curled in bed, still smiling at the night's events. She did not look up from her book as her husband entered, lost in thought. Having been lost in thought, she did not notice his approach until the bed sank in response to his added weight.
"Perhaps you would like to explain why Aelwen and two of my men have just ridden off in the dead of night, wife."
Lothiriel smirked, shutting her book slowly.
"Mayhap I might…then again, perhaps not." She reopened her book with a grin, studiously ignoring Eomer's scowl. Quickly the book was snatched from her hands and deposited unceremoniously on the floor. She opened her mouth to admonish him when he leaned over her and kissed her fiercely. Her hands moved to his shoulders and pulled him closer; when he finally pulled away, her face was flushed and eyes sparkling.
"Care to elaborate now, my love?"
Lothiriel shrugged, looking quite mischievous.
"That depends."
"On?"
"Will I be receiving another kiss like that if I tell you?"
Eomer smirked, drawing closer to murmur huskily in her ear.
"I can promise more than a kiss."
She grinned.
"Aelwen, and your men, are riding to catch up with my brother, so that when they reach Dol Amroth, she and Amrothos will be wed."
Eomer stared at her for a few moments before chuckling.
"Leave it to Amrothos to have his bride-to-be come to him, instead of he going to her."
Lothiriel rolled her eyes.
"Thank the Valar I have a much more traditional husband." She teased. Eomer nodded in agreement.
"I should say so, love. While I do not doubt your brother's ability to charm women, I highly doubt he even knows the words ever thine, ever mine, ever ours."
"Ah! A few of my favorite words. Such a considerate husband I have, as well."
Eomer smirked before kissing her once again.
"I can be far more considerate than that."
And he spent the rest of the night showing her just how much more.
oOo
The months passed uneventfully, with the exception of the slow growth of Eomer and Lothiriel's unborn child. Amrothos and Aelwen had married, (happily) surprising many in Gondor, and in her many letters to Lothiriel, married life appeared to be treating them both very well. In May, they had received news that Arwen had given birth to a son, and Gondor had an heir.
…Eldarion is his name, and he is a most beautiful child. Of course, with his parents being Arwen Undomiel and King Elessar, how could he not be? Arwen is most anxious for you to meet him, though she thoroughly understands that in your present condition, it would be ill-advised for you to travel. She (and Aragorn) send their love. The country is beside itself with happiness; this is the first future King born in many years. As such, the excitement is becoming too much for some of our more permanent visitors (or so they say); Legolas and Gimli intend to visit you soon. Hopefully, Eomer does not object too much to their presence. Eowyn wishes to request the return of the Collection of Love Letters; how you managed to convince Eofor to steal it for you is beyond me. Though, now that I think about it, you probably just batted your eyes at him and asked in that sweet voice of yours if he would mind doing a favor for you. I should know, you pulled that trick on me many times in the library, past your bedtime, using those dastardly puppy-dog eyes against me. I miss you cousin. Perhaps Eowyn and I will make a visit to Edoras as well; she has not said so, but I know she misses her country, her brother, and you. I hope all is well.
All my love,
Faramir
Lothiriel smiled at the letter. She left her room, walking slowly down the hall to Eomer's study. Her stomach had grown, and often she teasingly complained of how much it impeded her movement about Meduseld. ("I'll never understand how you can even bear to been in the same room as me, let alone the same bed." She had bemoaned to Eomer one night. He had chuckled at her, running a tender hand over her stomach. "My love, I would never allow you to be anywhere else. You are always beautiful to me." She had scoffed, but the flush in her cheeks gave away how much his words touched her.)
"Good morning my lady." Gamling said, smiling softly at her.
"Good morning Gamling. Might I steal a few minutes of my husband's time?"
Gamling opened the door and peered inside for a few seconds before turning back to Lothiriel with a nod. Lothiriel gave him a gentle pat on the arm before breezing past him into the room. Eomer was slouched in his chair, brooding into the fire. Sighing, she stood next to him and ran her fingers through his hair.
"What's troubling you, a'maelamin?"
Eomer rested his head against her, groaning.
"I must ride out to a village on the edge of the Dimholt. They're being tormented by the Dunlendings and their leaders believe if we show that they are a true city of Rohan, they will not be under such a constant barrage of attack."
Lothiriel sighed and kissed the top of his head.
"Then you must go. Innocent people should not be made to suffer when relief can be brought so easily."
"Lothiriel, I would not leave you—"
"Eomer." She silenced him with a finger to his lips. "You are King. I knew what that would mean when I married you. I am not so selfish that I would keep you from your people," she gave him a pointed look when he tried to interrupt, "even now, while I am with child." She leaned down to kiss him gently on the lips. "And besides," she said, pulling away, "Legolas and Gimli will be here to keep me company."
Lothiriel watched in amusement as Eomer's eyebrows drew together in irritation.
"The Elf will be here and I will not?" His scowl deepened. "Wonderful."
Lothiriel rolled her eyes.
"The Elf is my friend. And he would be your friend if you would relinquish this silly grudge against him."
Eomer still looked angry, muttering something about dances and pointy ears and smooth-talker. Lothiriel sighed. "It should be clear that you have nothing to fret about, silly King." She turned his face to look at her. "I made my choice, if there ever was one. And I would make it a thousand times over again. I love you. No one else could even come close."
Eomer stood and pulled her into his arms, softly running his knuckle over her cheek. Neither spoke for a moment. Both were trying to keep the unpleasant thoughts that always arose whenever Eomer would be leaving for a time; worries about each other, for the people of Rohan, for the country itself, and now for their unborn child. Finally the silence became too much, and Eomer chuckled to break the tension.
"At least I will be leaving you in capable hands. Gimli will no doubt keep you from ever being bored."
Lothiriel nodded in agreement, smiling into Eomer's chest.
"If there's anything our dear Master Dwarf is good at, it is keeping people entertained with those stories of his." She stretched up to press a kiss to his cheek and then untangled herself from his grasp. "I should go, Eomer. You have much to do before you leave, and I have rooms to prepare for our guests."
"Your guests, you mean." Eomer teased. Lothiriel rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"If you insist, a'maelamin. Continue with your Kingly duties!" And with a wink she swept from the room, leaving Eomer snickering in her wake.
oOo
Lothiriel was sitting in the main hall, humming to herself while sewing a tiny blanket. The doors swung open with a bang, causing Frea and Eofor, who had been eating breakfast, to jump and knock their mugs of water to the floor. It was the twin stable boys, Bedwyn and Bedwyr, with faces flush with excitement.
"My lady!" They cried in unison.
"A horse approaches!" Bedwyn said.
"With two riders." Bedwyr clarified.
"The first rider is slender and very fair,"
"And the second is plump and bearded."
"Do you welcome them, my lady?" The twins asked. Frea and Eofor were chuckling at their way of speaking for one another, and Lothiriel had difficulty holding back a smile.
"Yes, please lead them here. They are my dear friends. I trust you can manage their horse, gentlemen?"
The boys looked honored and tripped over themselves, nodding happily.
"We shan't let you down my lady!" They chorused, vanishing back outside. Frea and Eofor burst into open laughter now that the younger boys were gone. Lothiriel gave a tiny snort and returned her attention to the half-made blanket in her lap. The minutes ticked by until the doors opened again. Legolas and Gimli entered, looking wind-swept but happy. Lothiriel slowly rose to her feet, grinning all the while. Gimli gave a loud laugh.
"It seems to me that our dear Hobbits will owe me money! They thought they would be invited back to Edoras before I!"
"We were not invited, Gimli." Legolas said, "We merely arrived, and Lothiriel is being very kind to allow us entry into her home."
Gimli harrumphed at the Elf's point, and Lothiriel laughed moving close to hug both of them.
"It's so wonderful to see you! Both of you. You are always welcome here, an invitation is not needed."
"You're not the only one with a say in that."
All three gave a tiny start; Eomer was standing beside them, in armor and riding gear, a smirk evident on his face. Legolas held out his hand and the two shook. Gimli moved forward and shook Eomer's hand as well. Lothiriel smiled affectionately at all of them. "I trust you'll take care of Lothiriel while I am away?"
Gimli chuckled. "I hardly doubt the lady needs taking care of, but should she need an entertaining companion, I think I can find time for that."
Lothiriel grinned at the Dwarf. Legolas, however, nodded solemnly at Eomer.
"Thank you for allowing us a place to stay, Eomer King."
Eomer gave a curt nod and picked up his helmet from where he had placed it on the nearest table. Lothiriel's face, previously alight and happy, drained of color and joy.
"Are you leaving now?"
Eomer nodded. Legolas and Gimli, realizing it would be best to make themselves scarce, moved away, taking their things to the rooms they would be staying in. The hall was empty of any other people (Frea and Eofor were leaving with Eomer as well, and had gone outside to the stables). Lothiriel wrapped her arms around Eomer's waist, burying her face into his chest. She hated when he wore his armor; it always made him bigger, colder, harder, a slight but noticeable change from the body she was used to holding at night.
"I'll miss you." She whispered tearfully. Eomer ran his fingers though her hair.
"No tears, my love." His hands were on either side of her face, and his eyes bore into hers. He crouched to kiss her, and her hands tangled in his hair, desperate to hold him, keep him here, safe, alive—but he broke away, smiling indulgently at her. Quite suddenly, he knelt in front of her and pressed a kiss to her stomach. The tears that had just begun to subside welled up again. "Try not to cause too much trouble for your mother while I'm away, little one." Eomer rose, kissed her again, amongst her tears. "I love you, Thiri."
And with that, he was gone, leaving Lothiriel to hug her stomach close to herself, tears still streaming down her face.
oOo
"And then, amongst all this chaos, the damned Elf asks me if I would like a box! A box!—to see over the wall, to see the Orcs!" Gimli laughed. Legolas rolled his eyes, but Lothiriel was giggling (the desired effect). Eomer had been gone nearly a week, and both Elf and Dwarf were saddened by Lothiriel's uncharacteristic melancholia.
"I do recall you saying you couldn't see. A box seemed the most logical option." Legolas said calmly. Lothiriel's giggling increased, especially when Gimli began to rant about the 'impudence of Elvish Princlings'. Quite suddenly, she gasped. Both Elf and Dwarf froze and looked at her in alarm.
"Lothiriel?"
"Mellonamin? Mani naa ta?"
"I-I-I," Lothiriel stuttered; both were staring at her in horror, and Lothiriel grabbed Legolas' hand (who was closest) and put it on her stomach. Legolas looked very confused until he felt a tiny flutter under his fingertips. And then a stronger pressure. Until finally, a strong kick was felt. He looked up at Lothiriel, who was beaming at him. Gimli exploded, irritated at the unspoken conversation occurring between them.
"What on Middle Earth is going on? I am not a mind reader, Master Elf, kindly elaborate on why you are touching Lothiriel's stomach!"
"The child is moving, Gimli." Legolas said. Gimli's irritated face quickly morphed into delight.
"The wee bairn! May I lassie?"
Lothiriel nodded, and Gimli's hand replaced Legolas'. Lothiriel could not help but smile at Gimli's immense joy at her child's movement.
"He was just as excited with Eldarion." Legolas chuckled. "I believe he's going soft."
Gimli's head jerked up and he glared at Legolas.
"Soft? Coming from the Elf who cooed silly nothings into Eldarion's ear for hours? Master Elf, I believe it is you who has gone soft."
The duo began to bicker playfully once more, and Lothiriel laughed.
oOo
It wasn't until later, when she was alone in her room, that it hit her.
Legolas and Gimli, not Eomer, had witnessed their child's first movement.
And that thought alone sent her to her knees, crying as if her heart was breaking.
She knew it was irrational, blaming hormones, the late hours she'd been keeping, trying to fall asleep without the wall of heat that was Eomer, but no matter how she twisted it, she could not overcome the undeniable feeling of loss.
Of course there would be other kicks, other babies too, but this was their first child, and he had missed a first.
Falling to sleep that night took even longer than the previous one.
oOo
The next morning, Lothiriel blearily opened her eyes and rolled over. Much to her surprise, Eowyn was smiling down at her.
"Eomer wrote before he left. He didn't seem to think that Legolas and Gimli would be suitable enough for you, and thought you would like some female companionship." Eowyn explained. Lothiriel gave an excited shriek and leaped (as quickly as she could) from the bed to hug her friend.
"I've missed you so, Eowyn! I am so glad you are here…is Fara here as well?"
"Yes, but he's only staying for a short while. I will be here until your babe is born." Eowyn smile, softly touching Lothiriel's cheek.
"Eowyn." Lothiriel's eyebrows had drawn together. "I do not want to separate you and Faramir! I will be fine."
Eowyn laughed. "You say that now, dearest, but wait until the birthing pains come and you have no hand to hold! As much as Eomer loves you, which is very much, no man is brave enough to withstand the sound of the woman he loves being in pain. Not even Aragorn. Faramir had to restrain the King himself; silly men, what could they do to help?"
"It was them who get their wives into this position in the first place." Lothiriel giggled. Eowyn grinned and the two hugged again.
The crushing sadness that had surfaced last night seemed like a dim memory, and Lothiriel quickly dressed so that she could greet her cousin and spend the morning with her friends.
oOo
Author's Note: Again, so, so, so, SO sorry for the HORRIBLE delay. Nearly two months, I don't know how I've lived with myself!
But on a happier note, ET, EM, EO passed the 100th review mark! Whoo-hoo! Thank you all so much for your continued support of this story :)
Anywho, so I tried to make this chapter a bit longer to make up for lost time. Lothiriel's around seven months pregnant at the end of the chapter, and to cheer the poor dear up (oof Lothiriel on a hormone-induced rage, scary stuff!). More Legolas-Gimli banter, which is so fun to write, the return of Eomer-Lothiriel fluff (sorry for the lack in previous chapters!)
As always, I hope you all enjoy!
I only expect two, three more chapters out of this story, but I have another project (actually multiple ones) waiting in the wings.