That spring morning was delightful, clear and bright. The pastures were green already, and the horses were scattered around. On his left Eomer noticed the new herds that were part of Emerald's dowry. Those horses with long and slim elegant legs were almost all black, and it was good, for Rohirrim lacked black horses after the orc raids of the past. But Eomer's heart didn't swell with joy or pride as it usually did when he saw that his land was prosperous and promising. He didn't sleep well that night.
It all started a while ago when his servants asked him if they can renew Theodred's chambers. He even heard something about "making room for an heir to come", which annoyed him. Emerald was still not with child, though since his return from the last march many a month had passed. But perhaps it would be right still, he thought, to look through his cousin's belongings himself, lest some careless maid ruined things, dear to his heart. So yesterday he at last went to Theodred's chambers. At first there were some bittersweet findings — some books he remembered, even their first swords. And then... there was it, put in Theodred's headboard — thin pile of paper. Eomer hesitated a bit, but decided to look through it in order to decide whether to keep it or not. Now he partly wished he hadn't noticed it at all. There were letters, written in a fancy handwriting, and almost from the very first words Eomer knew, who had written them. His wife. There were not so many of them, because times were hard and Theodred must have used his own messenger to get them. Eomer sat on the bed and faint-heartedly read them all. They were in Rohirric, but someteimes Emerald used Sindarin for poems. The letters were cheerful, brilliant and he knew now the woman who wrote them so well. It was her in every word, only... only not so restrained. And not so wistful. He felt a pang in his heart. Seldom did she get so lively with him. And he had no one to blame but himself. If it was Theodred whom she had married, he wouldn't check her and scorn her just because she was from Harad. Eomer read all the letters through several times, nearly mad with fear, that in some part his wife'd written about her feelings. But there was no romance, not even one word of her future hopes. Well then. He felt that his face was glowing with heat, and the same heat ate his heart.
That was yesterday. He took the letters with him and spent the night in his study. Emerald came there after the midnight, but he pretended to be fast asleep, so she just brushed his cheek with her soft fingers and went away. And in the morning he went for a ride at dawn. He couldn't face his wife, but he didn't know why exactly. He was just furious, but at the same time he longed to see her. But what if he sees in her eyes disappointment? What if he finds there yearn for Theodred?
...
Emerald felt her eyes burning with unshed tears. She got no sleep last night too, for her husband never joined her. She thought that they were finally beginning to get on, because Eomer not only enjoyed her company at night, but they also spent most of the days inseparably, sometimes even joking and laughing, while managing all the routine. And yesterday he just went to sleep in his study. Emerald went after him, but he pretended to be asleep. She was sure he was faking, she knew him now so well that even his breathing could tell her everything. So Eomer didn't want to see her, but why? She was so nervous that could not eat, and the glass of water made her nauseous. Or was it not because of the water?.. She wanted so much to go up to her room, but she didn't want to make servants suspicious. They were already talking, for their lord was not present at the table and it was quite unusual. So at least she should behave and not make a fool of herself, crying alone at her meal.
...
At sunset Eomer entered his chambers. He was absent all day and felt, that not only it would be wise to return, but also he began to miss Emerald immensely. And if she were sad that it was him, who entered and not his cousin — so be it.
Emerald sat by the window. She was not her usual upright self, she looked... defeated. But at his approaching she stood up, though her eyes were still diverted.
"Where've you been?" she asked flatly. And immediately she covered her face with her hands, as if frightened at her own bluntness.
"I was riding. In fact I am not surprised you don't seem very eager to welcome me. Perhaps you wished to have another one here", Eomer didn't want to say those stupid and insulting words, but they came out freely and he couldn't now take them back.
Emerald lifted her eyes to him aghast.
"What are you talking about, Eomer?"
He wanted to hold himself with dignity, but something inside him unraveled and he knew not how to keep it inside. Half of him didn't want to keep it, he wanted to hurt Emerald with his words.
"I say, too bad for you that you had to go with the second prize only. Too bad that Theodred died, and it is me whom you ended with".
He thought she would be angry. But she wasn't, she was just sad and perplexed.
"Did something happen?" asked she.
"Did it? Well, first things first, I found the letters to the love of your life," and he took out the letters and threw them on the bed.
The room was silent for several minutes. Eomer breathed heavily and regretted every single word he muttered.
"Those are not love letters, you can read them and make sure", Emerald said at last. She drew her breath.
"I was devastated when there were no news from Theodred. I knew that there could be only one reason for it. But I didn't love him, Eomer. I didn't have time to fall for him. Those were letters to a friend".
Eomer was so ashamed of himself and so relieved all at once that didn't even move.
"But you... your valor and heart, your thoughts and your deeds I love."
"You love me?" he asked incredulously.
Emerald smiled, but it looked strained and crooked.
"Didn't you know? Well then, please do not laugh at your foolish wife who had courage to love you", Emerald said, half jokingly, half in earnest, watching his reaction closely.
Eomer felt joy inside him, joy so big that there was no room for any other feeling at the moment.
"And seeing your jealousy... there is still hope that I may prove to be a beloved one for you some day", she concluded sardonically.
There was a pause.
"I knew not jealousy till yesterday", said Eomer at last, and both of them immediately knew that they were not the words she hoped for nor the words he wanted to say.
"I can promise you not to give you any reason for it, my king", said Emerald, and her tone was soft and sincere. "Let us get some sleep."