Hi there! I don't have much to say about this one except enjoy!
Chapter Eight (Mareke)
"Good morning," I cooed, taking my son from the night time wetnurse as she entered my chambers early one morning.
Theomund was squirming in his swaddling, trying desperately to free his limbs from the tight confines of the blanket.
Two weeks had passed with my son and I knew that I had never been more in love with anyone in my life. Regretfully, at night I laid him in his cradle in the nursery, knowing I would not see him for many hours. When the sun rose, I greeted him with joy I had never experienced before.
Though I hated to part with him, I knew my body needed the rest after Theomund's delivery. Two weeks had passed and I still ached. The midwife had been to see me several times and she had shown some concern at the slow healing.
"Thank you," I said to the wetnurse as I settled us in a chair near the window of my bedchambers.
Immediately, Theoden was grunting and pressing his face against my breast. "You are greedy, little one," I murmured, deftly unlacing the bodice of my gown and freeing myself to his hungry mouth.
My son's body went slack in my arms as he suckled contentedly. I patted his bottom and watched as he began to doze off. Everytime he did so, he would shake himself awake and go back to his work.
When he had had his fill, Theomund allowed himself to rest and he fell soundly asleep. I could have risen and put him in his cradle or laid him in the middle of my bed, but instead I kept him with me.
Servants came in a while later with lunch and I picked at it from where I sat, but I did not move much more than that. A few times, Oyna entered the room and peered over my shoulder at the babe, but she said nothing and went about her business.
Just as I finished nursing Theomund once more, I heard the door open behind me and glanced up to see Eomer. Wordlessly, I relinquished the hold on my son as Eomer bent and took him from me. There was no request, just an expectation that I would hand him my entire heart.
It was not only my body that still ached, but my heart as well. I had stowed away the fabrics and jewels he had sent me as a reward for providing him with an heir, but they still lingered in my mind. Material things were all well and good, but they were not what I craved, especially as my body struggled to right itself after the birth of Theomund.
I craved some comfort and recognition for what I had done for Eomer and his Realm. I craved a conversation, a stroll through the garden, a private dinner. I only saw Eomer when he came to visit his son at midday most days. With Artanis gone and Oyna more and more occupied with her betrothed, I felt very isolated.
I rose from the chair, stretching my limbs after sitting for so long.
"He is well?" Eomer asked, not taking his eyes away from the bundle in his arms.
I watched with a smile as Theomund gave a wide, gummy yawn.
"He is." I responded to the only question Eomer had asked me since the birth of Rohan's Crown Prince.
Apparently the anxiety that Eomer had felt before the birth had not gone away, but only transferred itself to the health and safety of his son.
Wrapping my arms around my middle, I watched as Eomer paced around the room, gently bouncing Theomund in his huge arms.
I had not seen Eomer as a father when Artanis was an infant, but I had watched him closely with our son. It was a side of him I had never expected to see. He was so tender, but very capable. He did not rush to hand our son back to me or a nurse when Theomund fussed.
"It is not as bad as all that," he murmured as the babe began to cry.
With ease, he moved Theomund so he was pressed against his shoulder and began patting him firmly until the trapped air from his recent feeding was released in a tiny burp.
"Much better, see?" Eomer whispered. Theomund rubbed his face against the soft velvet of his father's tunic before giving a contented sigh and closing his eyes once more.
Still Eomer and I said nothing to one another and I watched as he rubbed his huge hand over the tiny back of our son.
I bit my cheek to keep from crying at the unjustness of it all.
"I must return for another meeting," Eomer said in a low voice so as not to disturb the dozing babe on his shoulder.
I nodded, but kept my eyes averted so he would not see the pools of emotion there. Gently, he placed Theomund back in my arms. Our son did not stir at all as I cradled him snugly against my chest, not watching Eomer leave the room.
Once more we sat in our chair. I stared down at the babe that I had created with the stranger that had been in the bedchamber only a moment before. A lifetime of feeling so alone was looming over me and I saw no solution.
I had truly hoped that bearing Eomer's child might bring us closer, but I had been mistaken. We seemed further apart than ever.
How were we supposed to raise the child that was already a beautiful blend of both of us, if we said hardly more than ten words to one another in a given day?
"Are you alright?"
I jumped, causing a tear to fall on the babe's cheek. I had not heard Oyna enter the room.
"Is there another option?" I asked, wiping the back of my hand across my face.
"Why do you not rest with the Prince for a while?"
By that point, I was too upset to argue and so I allowed Oyna to take Theomund from me, laying him in the middle of the bed and surrounding him with pillows.
"I will wake you in an hour or so if he does not," she whispered, pulling the curtains down and then retreating from the bedchamber.
ooooOoooo
When Oyna returned, I was already up and standing at the window, nursing Theomund once more. The sun was just about to set and the plains were turning a beautiful gold. The beauty of Rohan struck me anew nearly every day.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement amongst the hills to the southwest and a broad smile came to my face.
We had been expecting Artanis and her retinue back for a couple of days. Eomer had received a messenger six days after Theomund's birth and we were expecting it would take them at least a week.
"Your sister is home," I whispered.
Half an hour later, I was pacing our sitting room anxiously, having laid Theomund in the cradle at the foot of our bed. He did not sleep there through the night, but he often napped there.
The door crashed up and I looked up to see Artanis running full speed toward me. The collision took my breath away and there was a fair amount of pain, but I said nothing, allowing her to wrap her arms tightly around me and bury her face in my stomach wordlessly.
I looked up to see Eomer striding into the room after his daughter, but did not say anything, instead bending my head back over Artanis, stroking her travel tangled hair.
When she finally looked up at me, she was beaming.
"I missed you," I said quietly, running the backs of my fingers over her soft cheeks.
"I missed you too," she replied. Artanis peeled herself away from me and her eyes darted around the room.
"Would you like to meet your brother?" Eomer asked.
Artanis nodded eagerly and I took her hand, guiding her to her father and I's bedchamber.
When we entered the room, all three of us stood over the cradle and to my surprise Theomund was not asleep, nor was he crying to be fed. He was staring up at us with his baby blue eyes, kicking his feet and waving his tiny fists.
Artanis was in awe. She reached over the edge of the cradle and brushed her brother's knuckles and then laughed as he wrapped his fingers tight around one of hers.
"He looks like you," Artanis said, looking up at me.
She was not wrong. The babe had an abundance of dark hair and his complexion was much darker than his father's. I wondered if his eyes would go from the blue they were then all the way the pitch of mine, or if they would stop around the warm brown of Eomer's.
There was much of his father about him as well, not least of all his size. I was still feeling the effects of having carried and delivered such a large infant and I wondered if I would ever heal completely.
"Why do you not have a seat and really get acquainted?" I suggested.
Artanis did as I bid and sat in the chair I had occupied for most of the day. As I lifted Theomund, I could not resist burying my nose in the folds of his neck and inhaling deeply the damp scent of him.
"What if I drop him?" Artanis asked, looking between her father and I nervously.
Eomer merely chuckled.
"You will not," I replied, depositing the bundle in her arms. "You can relax a little." The little girl had gone rigid in her seat and was peering down at her brother with wide eyes.
"He is the Prince of the Rohirrim," Eomer said, kneeling next to Artanis and Theomund. "He is already tough."
It was a sweet sight, I had to admit. I only wondered why Eomer refused to show me even a sliver of the affection he gave to his children.
With a sigh, I briefly left the room to send for dinner. I knew Artanis would be starving after her long travels.
"Mareke?" Eomer peeked out from the bedroom. "He is hungry."
With my back to him, I gathered myself and gave a nod. "Dinner shall be here shortly. I will join you and Artanis in a bit."
I gingerly lifted Theomund from Artanis' lap and sent her on her way. "I am glad you are home," I called after her.
She gave me a quick smile before disappearing to freshen up for dinner.
ooooOoooo
Two days later, I was preparing to celebrate Artanis' belated seventh birthday. Caladwyn was back, preparing my hair as Oyna rifled through my closet to find something suitable to wear.
I had not been in public since Theomund's birth and I was nervous at facing Eomer's court once more, though I hoped the reception might be warmer since I had provided the much needed heir.
Luckily, Leofwyn was still in Edoras. She had helped a great deal with the planning of the Princess' celebration. It was to be fairly calm with a dinner and some music and dancing, but I knew that Artanis looked forward to it a great deal every year when she returned from Dol Amroth.
As Caladwyn finished braiding my hair, she placed a heavy, gold coronet around my head and stood back to admire her work.
"Thank you," I said.
As Caladwyn left, Artanis entered. She wore a beautiful emerald dress with cloth of gold braided through her hair.
"Are you almost ready?" she asked. "Papa said he would meet us outside the feasting hall."
"I just need to change," I said, rising from the low stool with some difficulty.
I joined Oyna in the large closet and looked over the dresses she had selected. "I still do not look like myself," I lamented.
"I thought this might be flattering," Oyna said, holding out a deep navy dress. There were delicate gold ribbons that laced across the chest and tied in an elegant bow under the bust. "It will not be too tight and, let us be frank, it will draw the eyes upwards," she glanced at my chest that was considerably larger from nursing Theomund.
My cheeks flamed, but I nodded regardless.
Oyna helped pull the dress over my head and made sure all was laying smoothly before tying the ribbons.
"I do not think anyone will notice that you had a baby mere weeks ago," she said with a jesting grin. I stepped out of the closet and stood before the full length mirror in the corner of my bedchamber.
"Is this not inappropriate?" I asked in Haradrim so Artanis could not understand, eyeing my cleavage that was abundantly visible in the low, square neck of the gown.
"All things considered, that is probably the best thing for people to be looking at," Oyna replied in our tongue, blunt as usual.
I sighed. "Very well."
"Let us meet your father," I turned to Artanis and resumed speaking so she could understand.
"Is Theomund not coming?" she asked, as we exited our rooms.
"He is still too little for such an occasion," I replied as she slipped her hand into mine. "Soon he will be celebrating with us."
"Papa!" Artanis exclaimed as we rounded a corner and saw Eomer standing outside the doors to the banquet hall.
I tugged at the dress as Artanis launched herself into her father's arms.
"You look lovely," he said to her when he sat his daughter back on her feet.
"And?" she asked.
"And…"
Artanis glanced, not quite as sneakily as she thought, in my direction.
"Of course," Eomer replied, looking at me as well. "As does Mareke." His gaze lingered on the neckline of my gown and once more I flushed.
"Shall we?" He held out an arm to me and offered his other hand to Artanis.
I rested my hand on his forearm and allowed him to lead us to the head table where we would share a meal.
Applause broke out when those gathered caught sight of their king. Eomer, as always, was the gracious host, waving to those who were not near to him and clasping the forearms and speaking to those who were.
As dinner began, Artanis told me all about her birthday celebrations in Dol Amroth as Eomer spoke with Eothain.
"Perhaps one day, you could come with me to Dol Amroth," Artanis suggested as plates were being carried away by servants. "I bet you would like the sea."
"I am sure you are right," I replied, giving neither an affirmative or negative response to her invitation.
A moment later, music began and Eomer leaned across me. "Would you open the dancing with your old Papa, little princess?" he asked.
Artanis nodded excitedly and leapt from her chair, reaching once more for her father's hand.
I watched with a small smile as the pair moved around the dancefloor, Artanis beaming up into Eomer's broad features.
When the first song ended, I watched as Artanis snuck off with Aldrith and Eomer was taken to the side by a group of his councilors.
"Your Majesty?"
I looked up to see Folcred, the Captain of Eomer's household eored.
"Captain," I responded with a gentle smile.
"Might I have this dance?" he asked, holding his hand out to me.
"Oh," I said, completely surprised by the request. I had been in Edoras for nearly a year and though I had attended many events and celebrations, I could count on one hand the times I had stepped foot on the dancefloor. I glanced at where Eomer had taken a seat at a different table, leaving me between two empty chairs at the high table.
"It would be an honor," Folcred insisted. "The King will not mind."
I turned back to him and rose, placing my hand in his.
Like most of the Rohirrim, Folcred was tall and broad with long fair hair. His eyes were a striking blue and his face was weatherbeaten from years in the saddle outdoors. I was not sure, but I guessed that he was almost a decade younger than Eomer.
"The people should see more of you," he said, twirling me under his arm and then pulling me back into his arms. "You have saved us with the birth of the Crown Prince."
"That is kind of you to say," I replied.
"It is the truth. I am not a flatterer. It has been a privilege to serve His Majesty's household since you have arrived. You have done much for the Realm, the King, and Princess Artanis."
"It is not very different from performing the duties ascribed to your position, Captain. They are just things we must do."
"You are quite modest, Your Majesty." He stared down at me and the intensity in his gaze made me somewhat uncomfortable. "I hope it is not too presumptuous for me to say, but having served in your household since your arrival, it is quite apparent that the King does not appreciate what he has."
"That is too presumptuous," I responded, trying to sound dignified, though I could hear the waver in my voice.
We turned on the dancefloor and I saw Eomer over Folcred's shoulder, but he was laughing with his men, paying no attention to me.
Of course, Folcred was correct. The King did not appreciate me, the sacrifices I had made, or what I had given him in his son. They were all things he thought he was owed. It would have been easy to agree with the Captain of our household guard, but if I did, I was very nearly committing treason and I had no interest in finding out how Eomer would handle that. In our marriage there had not yet been any indication that he would not seek an easy way to get rid of me.
"My apologies, Your Majesty, for overstepping. It is hard not to when I have you here in my arms." He looked down at me and then his gaze went further down.
The song ended and I pulled out of his arms. "I am quite tired and think I shall retire for the evening."
"Your Majesty," he bent over my hand and kissed it. I extricated myself as quickly as I could, gesturing for Oyna to join me.
I could not say anything to her as Folcred had taken it upon himself to escort us back to my chambers.
"Goodnight, Your Majesty," he said in a low voice as we went through the door.
Oyna immediately questioned me and I filled her in on my encounter with the Captain. She urged me to tread lightly where he was concerned.
I nodded and sent her on her way back to rejoin Eothain and enjoy the rest of Artanis' festivities before I went to the nursery to check on Theomund one more time.
ooooOoooo
Less than a week later, I was woken from a deep sleep in the middle of the night by a horn blast that was so deep, it seemed to shake the Golden Hall.
Groggily, I rolled over to see that Eomer had shot straight up in bed, wide-eyed and alert.
"You must get up and dress!" he ordered.
"What?"
"We are being invaded!" he exclaimed, as he vaulted from the bed.
Servants had flooded into our chambers and Eomer began issuing commands, sending for his armor, having the children brought to our bedroom, mustering the eoreds of the Kingstead.
Oyna rushed into the bedchamber and looked around wildly.
"Help me dress!"
She was quite disheveled, but had managed to put on her riding clothes.
Eomer's squire had also entered the bedchamber with my husband's heavy armor and as soon as Eomer had put on his underclothes, the man began to tie the pieces into place.
"Mareke," Eomer said.
I looked over my shoulder at him.
"As the Queen it is your duty to lead the women, children, and infirm to Helm's Deep for safety. Leofwyn will help you, but you must not show any fear to the people."
I could only nod mutely, not at all understanding what I must do.
"Papa?" Artanis joined the melee, rubbing her eyes, ready to go in her riding outfit.
Eomer froze, looking down at his daughter.
"What is going on?" she asked.
"You are going to go with Mareke and the women and children to Helm's Deep while I handle a threat here."
The little girl's eyes began to well.
"No tears," Eomer said quickly, kneeling before her and taking her upper arms in his huge hands.
Though he had urged his daughter to be stoic, I could see great emotion rippling within him as well.
"We have talked about this many times. You must be brave. You are my daughter and the people will look to you to lead them in uncertain and frightening times."
Artanis pursed her lips to keep from crying and nodded.
"Do you have your blade?" Eomer asked.
"Both." Artanis patted her the sheath at her hip and turned her right ankle out to show her father the knife that was stowed in her boot.
My eyes widened as I looked at the little shieldmaiden, ready to defend herself if need be. I wondered if her father had explained to her that there were worse things than death and that she was to fight tooth and nail if necessary.
As Eomer continued to speak with Artanis about what would happen, Theomund's night nurse came in with my son.
Oyna already held the binding that would keep the babe securely tied to my chest and we worked together, trying not to wake my dozing son.
"Eothain will be in the stables, Lady Oyna," Eomer said when he rose from speaking with Artanis and had finished fastening his armor. "Please take Artanis with you."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Oyna bobbed a quick curtsy. Though she was not the Princess' biggest fan, she offered the little girl a hand and they set off, leaving Eomer and I alone.
"You will protect him? And Artanis if something happens?" Eomer asked rawly. He strode toward me and laid a huge hand on Theomund's dark hair. Though he did not meet my eyes, I could see a tear roll down his cheek into his golden beard.
"With my life, Eomer," I replied, frightened for the first time since I had been unceremoniously woken.
I had never expected to see Eomer in such a state. He had been calm, even eager when going to hunt the Uruk-hai, but this was different. His home was being threatened and therefore his children.
He nodded and attempted to gather himself. "Go," he bid me. "The people will be waiting to the West of the city. The Hornburg is a day and a half ride at a quick pace. Leofwyn will lead you there. All you need do is ride at the head of the people. They will look to the Queen for comfort and assurance that all will be well."
"Alright," I said weakly.
Eomer nudged me toward the door, grazing his fingers one last time over his son's tiny back.
"Be safe," I said over my shoulder, before hurrying to the stables and Arroch.
"Hurry, Your Majesty!" Leofwyn bid me as I entered the stables. She gestured at my horse that was already saddled and waiting with Oyna and Artanis. Eothain was standing next to Oyna's mount and he gave me a shallow bow.
A stablehand quickly helped me mount so that I did not hurt Theomund as I did so. He was just shy of a month old and I had never ridden with him.
I winced as I got situated in the saddle, still not quite recovered. Oyna gave me a questioning look, but I waved her concern away.
"Ready?" I asked Artanis who merely gave me a resolute nod in response.
I rode at Leofwyn's side and we headed West out of the stables. Already I could hear the clanging of weapons, but I did not look over my shoulder and instead we found the group that would be leaving Edoras with us. They had already begun moving and so Leofwyn urged our small group to the head of the column, forcing us to gallop, which exacerbated the pain I was in.
We had only the moon to light our way at first as we had all been roused from our sleep in the middle of the night.
An hour into the journey, Theomund began to fuss for the first time. Until then the motion of the horse had kept him lulled into a sleep.
"Leofwyn," I said over the clattering of the horses' hooves on the path. "We must stop. I have to feed him."
"We cannot," she replied. "You will have to do it in the saddle."
I looked at her, confused.
"Just pull your dress down and your cloak over him. No one can see you in the dark and you are far enough ahead of the rest. You will not be the only one doing such a thing. It will endear you to them."
I had seen other young mothers as we rode up the column mounted with babes as young as Theomund as well as other young children either riding with them or beside them.
Carefully, I did as I was instructed, freeing my chest to Theomund's hungry mouth. He settled down quickly, though I still felt exposed and uncomfortable.
"We will stop around midday for a few hours to rest the horses," Leofwyn said, a couple of hours later as the sun was beginning to rise. "We are far enough away for that."
I nodded, no idea how she knew such a thing. As I had ridden through the night, I began to truly realize what shieldmaidens were made of and what it meant to be the Queen of them.
ooooOoooo
As Eomer had said, we rode for a day and a half and rode up to the Hornburg as the sun rose the following day.
I had never been so exhausted in my entire life, nor had I ever been in so much physical misery. I felt far worse than I had immediately following the birth of Theomund.
The heavy wooden gates to the Hornburg were drawn up as our party made its way up the cobbled path. A scout had gone before us to alert Erkenbrand, Marshall of the West-Mark, and his wife, Bronwyn, of our arrival and the couple stood, ready to greet us.
They were not as old as Elfhelm and Leofwyn, but they were likely a decade older than Eomer.
"Your Majesty," Erkenbrand folded at the waist as I was helped from my saddle, careful not to disturb Theomund. I stumbled ungracefully after having been mounted for so long mere weeks after giving birth. Oyna grabbed my arm to steady me and our hosts tactfully turned their attention to Artanis. "Your Highness." The little girl was in much better shape than I was after our journey.
"We shall see to those you have brought with you. We have been preparing food and bedding since the scout arrived," Bronwyn said.
"I should go with you," I said.
Leofwyn shook her head. "Tend to the King's children. Make sure they are clean and rested and then you might join us to see what is to be done."
"I will see you to your chambers and then be back to join you, husband," Bronwyn said, leading Oyna, Artanis, and myself deep into the fortress.
ooooOoooo
All of us slept until evening and the sun was setting once more when I emerged from the chambers. I left Oyna with Theomund and Artanis and I went to find where everyone else had been settled.
Oyna had tried to dissuade me, knowing that I was in pain and what I truly needed was more rest but I felt called to tend to my new people.
"Do you think Papa is alright?" Artanis asked quietly, slipping her hand into mine as a soldier guided us through the corridors.
"I think he is just fine," I responded. "He will be here soon to collect us."
As we entered the large hall, I spotted Leofwyn walking among long tables, passing out food and kind words. When she saw us, she hurried over.
"How can we help?" I asked.
"Are you up to it?" she replied, raising an eyebrow.
"I have to be," I replied. "I do not want to be known as the Queen that hid in her chambers in times of strife. I am not an ornament."
Leofwyn nodded. "They will bed down once the meal is over," she said, indicating the rest of the hall that was dedicated to sleeping pallets. "Bronwyn has produced an astonishing amount of blankets. You could pass those out."
Artanis and I made our way to the corner of the hall where the blankets were piled. Many of the women had brought their own things, but we walked among the pallets and handed the blankets to those who needed them.
For most of them, common women as they were, it was the first time they had seen me up close. In Edoras, I had not journeyed far outside of Meduseld very often and so I was still the exotic Queen of their imaginings.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," they said over and over, watching me with wide eyes.
"Of course," I would reply.
As often as I could, I asked them questions about the children they had with them, trying to seem relatable as a young mother myself.
"Hopefully we will be back home soon," I said as I passed out the last blanket.
The sun had set and the sky was dark when Artanis and I emerged into the cool spring air to return to our chambers.
ooooOoooo
Three days later, once more after nightfall, Oyna entered my bedchamber and roused me from sleep. "The men are here!" she exclaimed.
I had left with very little of my things and so the only option I had to wear to greet Eomer was a plain, gray dress that had been hastily packed before our departure from Edoras. Oyna helped me into it and then tamed my sleep ruffled curls. I pinched my cheeks to bring some color to them.
Then we waited.
Half an hour later, Eomer came through the doorway. Despite Theomund's wetnurse having also left Edoras, I had kept him with me, taking comfort in his proximity in those uncertain days.
Oyna curtsied, but Eomer paid no mind to either of us as he hurried to look down at his son who was safe and sound and sleeping peacefully.
"Where is Artanis?" he asked, not turning to look at me.
"Sleeping. Safe as well," I promised.
Only then did Eomer approach me.
The breath was forced from my chest as he wrapped his arms around me and lifted my feet from the ground, the metal of his armor bruising me. I might have passed out from the shock, if it had not been for Oyna urging my husband to put me down and the pain that once more surged through me.
"Your Majesty!" she exclaimed. "The Queen is a little worse for the wear, all things considered."
Eomer set me on my feet and looked away bashfully. "Of course. I am sorry."
It was then that Eomer began to sway on his feet.
"Eomer!" I exclaimed as he reached for the bed post. "Are you injured?"
"Perhaps," he murmured, gesturing vaguely at his left side.
I turned to Oyna. "Fetch clean water and rags," I bid her. I hurried and found my healing supplies before going back to Eomer and untying his chest plate.
"I need to take your shirts off," I said quietly. I knew better than to get behind him and so I made sure he knew that I had no interest in the scars on his back. I would make sure that Oyna did not see them either.
Eomer gingerly lifted his arms and winced. His heavy tunic came off without issue, but his linen undershirt was stuck to his left side with his blood.
Oyna came back with the water, and I gestured for her to stand behind me. Before I began to clean the wound, I dipped a cup into the water and forced it into Eomer's right hand. "Drink that," I bid.
"Nothing stronger?" he asked.
I smiled, but shook my head. "Not yet."
His humor was a good sign and as I cleaned the wound, I saw that it was only superficial. While he had lost a decent amount of blood during his travels, he would be alright and would only have a slight scar.
"Eothain will be wanting to see you, Lady Oyna," he said. "I think her Majesty can handle it from here."
All too eager to be dismissed, Oyna dropped another quick curtsy and was out the door.
"Was everything resolved satisfactorily?" I asked, running a needle through a candle flame and then threading it with catgut thread.
"Luckily, the Dunlendings are much weaker than before the War, but they are just as disgruntled. We were able to stop them before too much damage was done to the northern part of Edoras. After being driven into the Mountains, they seemed to have moved along our northeast border before heading south for their attack."
It was more than Eomer had said to me in our entire marriage and I could only nod.
"We will be able to return in a few days once I have spoken with Erkenbrand and made sure that my men are rested and cared for."
"I know the women will be eager to return home," I murmured, tying a knot to finish the stitching of the cut on my husband's side.
When I was through, Eomer rose once more, steadier on his feet than when he had arrived.
"I did not have time to pack anything so I will have to see if Erkenbrand might spare a shirt." He stood over the cradle once more and stared down at his son. "I must speak with him before I retire."
I knew I could not question him or insist that he rest, so instead I merely nodded and watched him leave our chambers once more.
ooooOoooo
More times than not that week, I was woken in the middle of the night. I had fallen into a deep sleep after Eomer had departed to speak with Erkenbrand, but I was woken by his return.
In Edoras, I almost never heard when he returned to our rooms. He always moved silently and disturbed me as little as possible.
That night in the Hornburg, however, the door banged open and Eomer came stumbling in, stomping around in his heavy boots.
I did not say anything as he closed the door just as loudly. I kept my eyes closed until I felt the bed shift.
"What are you doing?" I asked, startled. Eomer had taken a seat on my side of the bed. I could only barely see his face in the moonlight that was streaming through the window.
"I must have you," he said huskily.
An unfamiliar scent reached my nose and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. Quickly, I realized my husband was drunk and it was not ale I smelled. It was something sharper and it clearly had more of an effect.
Before I could protest, Eomer had leaned over me and was kissing me hard, bruising my lips under his.
I knew my body was not ready to couple with him, but as he hovered over me, covering my body with his considerable weight, there was nothing I could do. There was no way I could have stopped him.
Hastily, Eomer kicked his boots off and began fiddling with his breeches. He threw the blankets off of me and shoved my shift to my waist, settling between my legs.
My body tensed, but there was nothing I could do as he entered me, forcefully, with a low groan. I was in agony, nearly blinded with it. Biting into the muscle of Eomer's shoulder was the only way I could keep from screaming.
My husband, though, took that for encouragement. His hands slipped under my backside so that he could bury himself deeper within me, growling into my neck as he pounded in and out.
Tears streamed down my face and I only hoped that it would be over quickly.
After the War was over, I had heard whispers from other women of how their husbands and lovers had come to their women needing to lose themselves after the horrors they had seen and the losses they had experienced.
Realizing that Eomer had likely just been through something similar did not soften me to him, but there was perhaps an understanding.
His pace quickened and he panted into my neck, before growling into his release and coming to a stop within me.
Without a word, he rolled off of me and threw an arm over his eyes. In the moonlight, I could see that he was bleeding once more, but he did not notice and I did not volunteer to help after his brutality.
I stood carefully, wincing all the while and I glanced down to see a bloodstain on the linen where I had been lying.
"Perhaps the next time you are heartsick with killing, Eomer-King, you might seek your release and absolution elsewhere."
I did not wait to hear his response before I went into the lavatory to tend to myself.
ooooOoooo
After we returned to Edoras, I was more tired than I had ever been in my life. I could not make it through my days without napping and once, while walking with Artanis in the gardens, I had thought I would pass out from the fatigue.
In addition, I was starving all of the time, but found that I could not eat due to a lingering feeling of nausea.
A month and a half after Theomund's birth, the midwife was in our rooms looking him over.
"He looks as healthy as ever. Quite robust," she assured me and I smiled wanly. "And you, Your Majesty?"
"I have not been feeling well," I admitted.
"No? What ails you?"
"I have been so tired and unable to eat. My stomach has felt off since our return."
The midwife arched her brow. "There is no chance you could be pregnant is there? So soon?"
"I am nursing the Prince," I replied.
"But not all of the time, correct? He still has his night time wetnurse?"
I nodded.
"And have you been intimate with His Majesty already?"
My palms went clammy in my lap. "Once," I whispered.
The midwife nodded, though she offered no congratulations.
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Avonmora