A/N Well, here it is... Another chapter and the end is very near...

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Chapter 30

Minas Tirith, later that day

It was way into the afternoon, when Lothíriel found herself home. She had taken more time than she had expected but there were so many familiar faces, so many conversations that she lost track of time. As she entered the house she found her father on his way to the kitchen.

"Ada."

Hearing his daughter's voice, he turned.

"Lothíriel! I was just coming to ask Nooran for some refreshments. We have a visitor. An old friend! Come!"

"Wait," she asked, "I have to leave some parcels in the kitchen and..."

"Oh, just leave them here! I'll ask someone to take them for you. Come."

Lothiríel took her father's arm and both walked to the inner garden.

"Ada, you're making me very suspicious... Who is it?"

"Oh... You'll see! Were you able to do all your chores?"

"Yes, thanks to you! All went good with Elfwine?"

"Oh yes, he behaved perfectly!"

Suddenly, as they entered the garden, Imrahil heard his daughter gasp.

Lothíriel felt her world slip... For nothing could ever prepare her for what she looked upon.

Siting on the grass, underneath the big almond tree, Éomer, King of the Mark, held her son...their son... as he slipped through the pages of a water color story book her father had just given to Elfwine that morning.

Lothíriel's heart stomped hard in her chest as she held her breath.

That image she would always keep... She would always save it...

Her father's voice brought her back to reality.

"There is nothing more magical than the bond of a father and his child, is there?"

"No..." she was able to say, unable to stop looking at her family. Then, suddendly, she realized what she had admitted. She turned to Imrahil and found him smiling.

"Ada..."

"I always knew, dear heart..." he interrupted. He placed his hand upon her cheek and caressed her face. "You had such affinity with each other. Well, maybe not at first, but you became close... I also remember the day in Rohan when you and Éomer said goodbye... I could see unspoken words between you. And then when you told us you were with child... I simply knew, my love... But it wasn't my place to interfere... I'm sure you had your reasons to keep it a secret."

As her father spoke, a single tear came freely down her face.

"I'm sorry, Ada… I never meant to disappoint you…"

"Hush now, Ninniach nín… You can never disappoint me... And I will not judge you if that's what you fear. I only ever wanted your happiness. It's what I want to all my children. I know you love him. And he loves you still… You must tell him now, daughter. He is the father... He has the right to enjoy all the marvelous things children can give us. And he already lost so many of those moments..."

Lothíriel shook her head.

"I don't have the heart to tell him... He will hate me for keeping this from him..."

"Perhaps he will be a little angry but he loves you... That I know... You should see the look in his face when I told him Elfwine was your son... It would be the same look if I had said that Sauron had returned and Middle Earth was doomed."

He still love her? Could she hope?

"Go to him..."

But Lothíriel seemed frozen. She could not move. There sat the man she had pledged her heart to and he looked as beautiful has he had ever been. Clad in dark green, with the royal robes of a king and two braids on each side of his head, he truly was a vision.

Raising his voice her father said. "Lothíriel! Here you are!"

Éomer's eyes fell on hers and she was breathless once again, as she continued to hear her father's voice in the background.

"Come see who's here. And could you be a dear a keep him company for a while. I have some things to attend... I'll be back in no time!"

Lothíriel walked through the garden and reached Éomer who was now rising with their son in his arms.

"My lady." he greeted.

"Éomer King..."

Elfwine giggled at the sound of his mother's voice and she smiled back at him, without thinking.

"Come here, my love." she reached for her son and Elfwine practically jumped to his mother's arms. She placed a kiss in his head.

"He's beautiful..." Éomer said.

"Isn't he? He takes out after his father." she said, before she could stop herself.

She raised her eyes and found him looking seriously at her.

Éomer's smile had faded. He placed a hand on Elfwine's blond head.

"I guess... Fair hair isn't a common trade in this parts... And not in your family either. But your father told me you went to live at Rivendell so... the elves..." he said, nervously. "Then again, I thought the elves there were not fair... Of hair, I mean! I... The elves are always fair... aren't they? Just look at Legolas, I fought side by side with him and never a hair was out of place, so... " he was rambling.

Classic, Éomer. He thought. A speech fit for a King.

Lothíriel smiled and lowered her face, kissing Elfwine again. Looking back at him she said. "I never said my son's father was from Imlandris."

"Of course not, I didn't mean to..."

"Nor that he was an elf..." she continued.

A moment of silence. She could see the torment in his eyes. She could say it now, all of it... that she missed him, that she loved him and that Elfwine of living proof of their love. But she could not speak… By the Valar, why couldn´t she speak...?

"Well, all the same... Congratulations are in order... He is a wonderful boy, you must be proud..."

She swallowed hard and found her voice.

"I am, very much so... He's the most precious thing I have..."

"And your... husband should be proud as well, to have such a beautiful family..." he added, sadness in his tone.

"Éomer..."

"He is a fortunate man indeed... But I guess he knows that already. I… I only wished..."

"What?" she almost whispered.

Distractingly, he raised his hand again and stroked the baby's head.

"Never mind..."

She could feel her eyes tear up… He looked just like a lost boy.

"Tell me..." she pushed.

He looked deep into her green eyes. He could see the tears welling up in them. He leaned into her. He could feel her smell, that lovely scent of lavander, flooding his brain. Her lips were so close... only a breath away...

What am I doing?...

Would any of this make any difference? It was too late now... Wasn't…? Too late for them…?

He stopped himself and stepped away. However, his heart would not be silent. Sighing before speaking, he uttered low.

"I only wish it was me..."

Sweet joy, Lothíriel thought.

Éomer dropped his hand and lowered his eyes. He picked his cloak from a nearby bench.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't say such things…" he said as he headed for the door.

He's leaving… Tell him! The voice inside her yelled.

"Éomer..."

"I... I have to go... Éowyn is... she needs my help..." He said as he hastingly headed to the door.

"No, Éomer... Wait..."

She had no time to stop him because as if on cue, her son started to cry.

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It was a sleepless night for Éomer. No matter what he tried, sleep kept eluding him all night long. Thoughts of Lothíriel and that beautiful baby boy… What joy they were sure to bring to the life of a man… And what a lucky bastard that man was… How he wished things to be different… How he wished that life was his… How he wished…

Sighing, he turned in his bed once more. It would not do. He sat on the bed and reached for a cup of water in his night stand.

Wishing will do me no good…

He would attend his sister's wedding and head straight back to Edoras. He would not linger in this city. It would be hard to explain to his men and mostly to his friends but he cared not. He had to get away from here as fast as he could and as soon as possible.

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Minas Tirith, 24th November 3012

Minas Tirith was a lively place to be in the early hours of the morning. The smell of fresh baked bread in the air, the beautiful colors of all sort of flowers everywhere, the shouts of the merchants to call out the buyers.

The city had regained all its splendors under the gentle but strong hand of Elessar. Lothíriel had decided to place a visit to her dear friends in the Houses of Healing and Nooran needed to go to the market. So, early that morning, both women, along with a very excited child, left their house on the 7th level and headed towards the city's centre.

It was almost midday when they came to stop at a small tea house for some rest.

Lothíriel asked for some cold tea to refresh them and suddenly Nooran slapped her own forehead.

"Oh no... Child, I forgot the rosemary! How am I supposed to cook your father's favorite lamb dish without rosemary!"

Lothíriel laughed at her outburst.

"Oh, Valar help us all! I believe Middle earth as we know it will fall!"

"Do not jest! It is important!"

"Well, why don't you stay here with Elfwine and let me get it for you?"

"Will you, my dear? I'm quite tired to be honest so I'll accept if you don't mind..."

"Of course I don't mind! Is it still in that small corner by the bakers'?"

"Yes, that's the one."

"All right, then. I'll be right back." She placed Elfwine in Nooran's lap and kissed his forehead.

"You stay here and take care of Nooran, will you my prince?"

"Thank you, child."

She eased herself among the mob to find the merchant of the herbs they always used. She found him in the same place as ever and purchased the rosemary for the roast. It was indeed her fathers' favorite so how could she deny a few moments to buy some herbs?

"Lady Lothíriel?" she heard as she was on the way back to the tea house.

"Éothain!" She embraced him friendly. "How are you? You look well!"

"So do you, as beautiful as ever, my lady!"

"Oh, drop that ' My lady' thing! We are old friends and you know I hate it!" she said lightly. "You came to Éowyn's marriage?"

"She is our White Lady of Rohan! And besides I known her since she was a child, I had to come."

"Of course."

"And you? All is well back home?"

"Yes, I believe so... I'm haven't been in Dol Amroth for quite some time... I'm living in Imladris now."

"Imladris?" he asked puzzled.

"Rivendell."

"Ah!" he said. But again he was puzzled. "Why?"

"Long story... I need to return Nooran is waiting for me."

"I'll keep you company then."

Éothain said and followed her through the crowd.

"And how are things back in Edoras?" she asked.

"You mean to say, how are things with Éomer..."

She gave him a surprised and sad look.

"I know him since he was a boy and I'm twelve years his senior. I could be considered a fatherly figure to him at times. He confides in me. He…He told me of you..." he thought it was be better not to tell her he had found them sleeping together on the lambskin rug by the fireplace the morning after the funeral. "And he told me of your quarrel the last day you where in Rohan... I believe it was the last day you saw each other..."

"He did...?"

"He is sorry... So very sorry for the things he said..."

"Well, if he was so sorry he could've come for me... or wrote!" she thought out loud.

"Lothíriel..."

"Nevermind... It's too late now..."

"Is it...? He still loves you, you know?"

Lothíriel stopped her stride and faced him.

Fate was indeed cruel...

"Let's not talk of things that were, my friend... So much has changed..."

They came to the tea house and Éothain recognized the governess of the royal house of Dol Amroth.

She was holding a child and when they approached, Lothíriel gathered the baby in her arms.

"I believe you met Nooran in the past."

Éothain bowed lightly to her. "Of course, I could never forget your cookings as long as I live, my dear lady."

Nooran blushed contently.

"Oh, Captain Éothain, you rascal!"

"And this is my son, Elfwine." she introduced.

As she turned the child to face him, Éothain felt time freeze. The noises all around him ceased and he felt he was being drawn to the past.

"Béma's balls!" he said between his teeth, with a look of utter disbelief in his face.

Panic shot through Lothíriel. Thinking rapidly, she turned to Nooran.

"Nooran, you're tired and I wish I could stay a little longer. I need a walk and Éothain will keep me company. We'll be fine. Why don't you head home?"

"Well, I won't say no, dear." Turning to Éothain, she said. "It was good to see you, Captain."

"Likewise..." he said absentmindingly.

As she left, Lothíriel looked thankfully at him.

"By Béma, he is Éomer's spitting image..." Éothain was mesmerized looking at Elfwine.

"Thank you... For not saying anything..."

Éothain simply nodded as he continued to stare at Elfwine.

"Shall we walk and go to a quieter place?" she added.

He nodded again and followed her through the crowd. She indicated a small secluded garden in the 4th level and as they sat by a tall tree in bloom he asked her.

"Does he know? About Elfwine?"

"He was at the house yesterday... He came to see my father and met him... I wasn't home at the time... When I arrived, I tried to talk to him but he left..."

Now Éomer's weird behavior it made sense to Éothain.

"Well... That explains it!"

"What?" she asked as she stroke distractingly her son's head.

"Éomer came fuming in the stables yesterday, grabbed Firefoot and left! Like there was a Ringwraith in his pursuit! It must've been after he came from your house."

"Oh..."

Éothain was once again drawn towards the boy.

"By all the Gods in this Earth, he truly is his fathers' son! One look will suffice to those who knew him when he was a child! But how..." he didn't know how to phrase it.

"How...?" she asked. "Éothain, I thought you were well educated in the matters of the world." she teased.

"Forgive me, that's not what I meant..."

She laughed at his embaracement.

"I know... When I got home from our journey to Edoras, after King Théoden's funeral I realized I was with child... I didn't tell him... I told no one... Eventually I had to tell my family… After all, my body was starting to change as he grew." She kissed her son's head and he turned to her. "And you were growing fast and so strong, my love."

Elfwine giggled and sighed at the sound of her voice.

"I told my father I wanted to have the child away from the city and I chose Imladris. We have good friends there... Still, I told no one... But yesterday, Ada said he had always known... That it was Éomer's child I was carrying..."

"Rohan's heir... "

Panic flooded Lothíriel's brain. "You mustn't tell him!"

Éothain stood and paced in front of her.

"Lothíriel, right now, he must... He worries me… He lives in permanent torment for letting you go... And now, he sees you… with a child… and he assumed you moved on... That you have a husband, a family... And he wanted that, with you... He's a man in despair. You must talk to him."

"Oh, where will I begin...?"

"In the beginning, it is as simple as that. Besides, he will discover any day now..."

"I know... Perhaps I should just leave..."

"Do you love him?" he asked bluntly.

She was silent.

"It's a simple question, Lothíriel..." he said as he kneeled in front of her. "Do you still love my King?"

"With all my heart..."

"Then go to him and tell him..."

Lothíriel didn't know what to think anymore. She was confused and felt her heart shrink inside her chest. A lonely tear came down her face.

Éothain decided it was time for him to leave. She needed some time alone to gather her thoughts and re-think her life. So he rose and said his goodbyes. He placed a kiss on Elfwine's head and turned his gaze to her.

"You are a brave lady... I respectfully kiss your hand." As he did, he turned and left.