Here is the next installment! I don't have much to say as far as an introduction. Just make sure your email opt-in settings are on so you're getting notifications from your favorite stories and authors! Enjoy!
Chapter Seventeen (Mareke)
For weeks afterward, I thought of the toast Eomer had given in my honor at my birthday celebration. It had taken my breath away.
That, along with his treatment of me upon our return, allowed me to settle into the decision I had made to not annul our marriage and stay in Harad.
Unless he was truly detained, Eomer came back to our rooms to share a meal with his family in the evenings and as the months grew colder, we enjoyed the warmth of our hearth and watched the children play.
It seemed impossible that life had ever been any other way.
One evening, Eomer and I were both in the nursery. I had rocked Theomund to sleep and was laying him in his crib as Eomer sat on the edge of Artanis' bed. The little girl often liked to see how long she could delay going to sleep.
"Papa, I think when I come back from Dol Amroth in the spring, I should have my own rooms."
"Oh is that right?" Eomer asked.
I brushed my fingers over Theomund's plump cheek one more time before I stood behind Eomer and rested my hands on his broad shoulders.
"Yes," she said matter-of-factly. "I will be turning nine and then after that I will be ten and that is far too old to be sharing a nursery with a toddler."
Eomer made a noise in the back of his throat. "I shall consider it," he said before stamping a kiss on her forehead and rising. "Sleep well."
"Goodnight," I said as we made our exit.
Eomer was quiet as we went to our own bedroom.
"Her own chambers," he muttered, pulling the leather thong from his hair and tossing it on the vanity.
"She is not wrong, Eomer," I said gently, taking a seat at the vanity. "She will need her space and privacy as she becomes a young woman." I removed my earrings and necklace, before unpinning my hair.
"Artanis is just a child," he replied.
"For now," I said. "But she is showing more of an interest in what I do. She has been sitting with me while I dress and prepare for the day, following me around while I help run Meduseld."
Eomer sat heavily on the edge of the bed.
"Do not fret. I believe she will always be a shieldmaiden first." I stood and made my way to sit in his lap. "Besides," I began, stomach churning a bit. "Theomund will not be alone in the nursery."
My husband looked up at me. "There is to be another?" he asked somewhat flatly.
I nodded. "There is." I sat in his silence for a moment, palms sweating. "You do not seem excited at the prospect." My brows furrowed in confusion.
"No, of course I am," he replied, taking my hands in his. "I had just thought I might have some time to court you after everything. I was rather looking forward to that."
I gave a small smile. "I am here to bear you sons, Eomer, but the next one will not be here for a while."
"When?"
"March."
Eomer stood and I slipped off his lap, only barely righting myself before he disappeared into the washroom.
I was frozen in place, more confused than ever.
After a moment, I changed into my nightgown and settled on my side of the bed. I picked up my book, though I could not focus for my racing thoughts in regards to my husband's strange behavior.
Eomer eventually returned in a pair of soft sleeping breeches and a bare chest, his golden hair around his shoulders.
Without a word, he slipped into bed, propping the pillows behind his back. Though he took my hand in his, he stared straight forward.
"I realize I now have no choice," he began quietly, still not looking at me. "But this frightens me after everything."
"For our marriage?" I asked.
"No. For your very survival and that of the child."
I sat quietly as he continued.
"I have watched men die around me from a very young age and those who were older than me. Not until Lothiriel did I realize the trials and consequences that women face bearing children. I know it had to have happened before, but I never thought it would be my wife. Or my daughter."
I rested my head on his sturdy shoulder.
"If something were to happen to you, it would be my fault. I know the loss of our daughter was."
I shook my head. "There were many factors involved with her passing." I squeezed his hand. I knew I could not linger on that pain and blame if I wished to move forward in Rohan. "But I am healthy now. And this is what I am here to do. You have your heir, but more boys cannot hurt your reign or line."
"It would not be worth it if after all we have struggled against, something happened to you."
I heard the catch in his voice and pulled myself closer to his side.
"Let us not think such things." I looked up at him finally. "This is a happy time. I am glad our family is growing. I have always wanted more children."
Eomer nodded and kissed my forehead. He slid lower in the bed and pulled me so I was still tight against his side.
ooooOoooo
One afternoon a few days later, I made my way through the corridors of Meduseld towards Eomer's study, bearing a tray of light refreshments. Theomund had gone down for his afternoon nap and Artanis was in the practice rings with Aldrith, surely amusing the training eoreds to no end.
"This is a pleasant surprise," Eomer said, when I entered.
"I thought you might be hungry. I did not see you for the midday meal." I set the tray down and then settled myself in the chair across from him.
He shook his head. "Harvest has just begun and it takes all of my focus."
"I will not take too much of your time." I paused. "I was just thinking that we should tell Artanis of the babe soon. I cannot hide it much longer."
Eomer nodded, eyes glancing over my figure. Even with the dresses that tightened just under my bust, I was nearly halfway through the pregnancy and I carried large the children of Eomer.
"It is shameful, but over the years I have not spoken to her much of the passing of her mother. Or of her sister more recently."
"When I still carried Theomund, she worried for me before going to Dol Amroth. She seemed to be under the impression then that what happened to Lothiriel was her fault. I tried to assure her otherwise."
"She is too astute for her own good sometimes." Eomer shook his head. "She cannot have gotten that from me."
I smiled. "Shall we tell her after Theomund goes to sleep tonight? He at least will not understand until the babe is actually here."
After a moment of consideration, Eomer nodded. "Let us get it over with."
ooooOoooo
That evening, after the sun had set, I closed the nursery door softly behind me. Eomer was sitting on a sofa and Artanis was lying on her stomach working through a wooden puzzle Gimli had sent her.
I sat down, leaving enough space between Eomer and I for the little girl.
"Artanis," Eomer said his daughter's name gently. "Come up here with us for a moment."
The little girl happily agreed and skipped over, flopping back, snug between us.
Eomer rested a giant hand on her knee.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, immediately alarmed at her father's softness.
"No," I said quickly. "Something is very right."
She looked up at me expectantly. I glanced over her head at Eomer before looking back down into her brown eyes. "You are going to have another sibling," I said with a bright smile.
"Why?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
"We have Theomund now. He is the heir. We do not need any more babies since we have him. You can be safe now, Mareke."
"More sons would help the security of our family and people; of Rohan itself," I said.
"Artanis," Eomer said her name again. She turned toward her father, but not before I saw the tears welling in her eyes. "Before your mother passed and she was expecting you, she told me a great many times of how she had always dreamed of having a large family with many siblings for you to guide and teach and play with." He pushed her curls away from her face and swiped a tear away with the pad of his thumb.
I felt my own eyes welling at the sight. From the moment I had seen the two of them together, I had known that Eomer was an excellent father, doing far more than most men in his position would have done.
"We honor that wish now with Mareke and Theomund and your new sibling. We will not honor your mother's memory with fear. Do you agree?"
Artanis still looked uncertain. "What if something happens to this baby too?" she whispered.
"I wish I could promise you that everything will be fine, but that is outside of even my power. But we will do what we can to ensure a good outcome for everyone."
Eomer grasped my arm where it rested across Artanis' little shoulders.
"You and I will take care of Mareke the best we can to ensure she is in good spirits and health when this baby is born."
Artanis nodded at her father and then looked up at me. "When will the babe arrive?"
"March."
She sighed. "This is never good timing for me." She paused and folded her arms across her chest before looking at her father. "I will not go to Dol Amroth until after the bairn is here and I know everyone is alright. I will stay a bit later into the summer. You will write to my grandfather and tell him."
Eomer gave me an amused look over her head. It was more often than he would care to admit that he took orders from his young daughter.
I gave a nod of acquiescence.
"Very well," he agreed.
ooooOoooo
A month and a half later, harvest began and reports were coming in from the far reaches of the Realm with progress and updates.
While Eomer shared more with me than he had in the beginning, I did not insert myself into his rule or political matters.
I had helped my brother in some ways, but never thought of myself as particularly skilled in those areas. If anything, I had gone along to Minas Tirith with Na'man because I was more social and diplomatic than Fisrah, who had not been raised in a royal court.
One afternoon, Eomer joined the children and I for lunch, but I could tell he was not himself. His jaw was clenched, he ordered an ale, which he typically reserved for the evenings, and he hardly said a word as Artanis chatted to him about her morning.
Theomund stayed on my lap, when normally his father was eager to have him in his arms if he visited at midday.
"Artanis, would you take your brother into the nursery for a while?" I asked, setting Theomund on his chubby legs and nudging him toward his sister.
Artanis gave one last look at her father before reaching for her brother's pudgy hand.
I waited for the door to close behind them before reaching out and laying my hand over Eomer's. He curled it into a fist.
"Is something the matter, Eomer?" I asked quietly.
"I am frustrated," he muttered.
"With what?"
"With everything. Reports are slow to come in so I have no idea how our harvest looks. It needs to be bountiful to support those in Edoras. My councilors seem to have no more answers than I do which makes me want to wring their necks, the whole useless bunch. And I come here and there is no release."
He stopped speaking abruptly, looking at me. I saw the color rise on his neck and beneath his beard.
"No release here?" I asked, trying not to smile.
Eomer had not attempted to lie with me since I had told him of our impending babe, but I had thought he was busy with settling back into ruling and preparing for harvest.
He shook his head. "I hope you know I would not stray again. That was a careless thing to say. There is nothing you can do about the matter."
"Eomer?" I asked. "Who told you that we could not lie together while I am expecting?"
"It is common knowledge that it would hurt the bairn," he said.
I continued my attempt to stifle my laughter. "It would not," I replied.
In my Healing practice, I had never been a midwife, but I had learned enough in my training.
Eomer rose from his chair before I could say anything else. "You are sure?"
"Fairly positive." I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck as he pulled me against the length of his body.
"Why did you not tell me sooner?" he demanded, lifting me up and into his arms and heading for the bedroom. "I have been losing my mind without you." He kicked our door shut behind him.
The joy from a moment earlier briefly disappeared. "I thought you were not interested, like this." I waved my hand over my form.
I was a little over halfway through the pregnancy and had started to show quite a bit.
Eomer laid me on our bed gently. "You carry my child," he said lowly, hovering over me and kissing my neck and exposed collarbone. "How could I not want you?"
ooooOoooo
Harvest continued to be rather fraught for Eomer, but he no longer brought his frustration to our family chambers.
Wagons rolled into Edoras loaded down with crops and leading livestock that would help those in the capital withstand the long winter months. The storehouses would be full.
The snow began to fall and soon we were all enjoying the slower months of the year before planting season would be upon us as well as the birth of our child.
Late one afternoon, I trailed Artanis and Theomund back into Meduseld. We had spent an hour or so playing in the snow. Or they had. I had sat and watched, rubbing my gloved hands over the globe of my stomach.
Theomund had squealed in delight as Artanis had lobbed gentle snowballs at him. They had pieced together a snowman as best they could and when their noses had turned pink and their teeth were chattering, I bid them return to our rooms despite protestations from both.
A few servants greeted us when we returned and helped us to strip from our cloaks, the childrens' soaking wet with the snow.
I sent for some hot cocoa and bid the little ones sit in front of the blazing fire to warm themselves.
Carefully, lowering myself onto a sofa, I smiled as they continued to tussle about, knowing they would sleep well later.
The door opened and I glanced over, expecting to see the servant returning with a tray of refreshments. Instead, it was Eomer's chamberlain.
"Queen Mareke," he said, bowing respectfully at the waist. "His Majesty asks that you join him in his study at half past six this evening. He requests that the children be left with their governess."
Artanis swiveled around and scowled.
"Is everything alright?" I asked.
"I believe so." He bowed again and departed, making way for the servant bearing the childrens' cocoa and repast.
ooooOoooo
That evening I dressed in a deep blue wool dress and made sure the children were settled for dinner with Dernhild before leaving.
"Mama!" Theomund reached up for me. I took his chubby hands in mine and kissed them both.
"I will be back," I promised. "Artanis will take care of you."
My step-daughter still did not look very pleased to be left behind. She wanted to be anywhere and everywhere that something might even possibly be happening.
"I will see you both in the morning."
Theomund fussed as I closed the door behind me, but I continued on.
Before I could knock at Eomer's study, the door swung open and my husband stood there smiling down at me. I could not see behind his large frame, so I still had no idea for what he had summoned me.
He bent over and kissed me lightly before stepping aside.
"What is all this?" I asked, taking in the dining table that was laid out for our evening meal. Rather than torches, candles were lit all around Eomer's study. There was even an evergreen centerpiece on the small table.
"Well I said I would court you when we returned from Harad, but I have not yet made the time to do so. I thought to remedy that."
Eomer guided me to the table and pulled my chair out. When I was seated, he lingered, pressing one huge hand to my stomach. The child rolled and Eomer smiled before kissing me once more and taking his own seat.
"The children and I spent some time outside enjoying the snow this afternoon," I said, placing my napkin in my lap.
"I do not wish to speak of the children," Eomer said, beginning to fill his plate.
"No?"
"No. If I had courted you before," he paused. "There would have been no children to speak of."
"Artanis has always been with us," I said.
"And she would be all too pleased to know that we are speaking about her as often as we do."
I laughed. "You are right."
"A monster of my own creation, I am sure," he chuckled.
"Hardly a monster," I replied.
Eomer was silent as he pulled a bottle of wine toward him. "Would you like a taste? It was bottled when my mother was born."
"A taste could not hurt," I agreed.
Eomer poured a small glass and handed it to me. I took a small sip. I had not had much to drink in my years in Rohan. It had seemed I was almost always carrying a child.
"What was she like?" I asked, before my thoughts could carry me away.
"A shieldmaiden," Eomer responded.
"Like your sister?" I asked, trying not to let the scorn slip into my voice.
"No," he said. "There are similarities of course, but Eowyn is much more like my father in her recklessness. Though he died as any man of Rohan might wish to, it could have been avoided." Eomer paused. "It is hard to condemn my father when his impetuosity was fueled by his love of Rohan and his desire to protect our people. The threat grew in the Eastfold as Orcs began menacing the border from Morder. He went out with too few men and was slain."
"That must have been very difficult."
"It was. I found myself wanting to be just like him; to avenge him, but then I saw the toll it took on my mother…They loved each other so much that it was only a few years later that she succumbed and left us as well. But that was her. She loved deeply. She was our heart."
He gave me a sad smile. "She would have admired you greatly for all you have given to Rohan. She loved her homeland above all else."
"I wish I could have met her. Both of them," I said.
Eomer waved a hand. "That is enough of that."
We ate in silence for a moment.
"So have you gotten acclimated to the cold? You have now experienced a couple of Rohirric winters."
"I am not sure I will ever be acclimated," I responded. "But I do enjoy that it draws us all to the hearth. In Harad, with the sun always shining, life can be much more external throughout the year."
"It is nice to have a respite in the winter; a break between harvest and planting to relax." Eomer took a drink from his goblet. "Peace," he mused.
"Do you miss the days of the War?"
He thought for a moment. "I have purpose now, but there was an intensity to that time. A fire that drove every decision. But that fire consumed everything in its path. I do not miss the destruction.
"But I worry I am not a leader for peace times," he looked down at his plate. "It was easy to know the enemy during the War. Now it is harder to understand. As I told you, I am not a cunning man. It is a detriment when so many around me are. I do not understand the games."
"You seem defeated," I said.
Without looking at me, Eomer shook his head. "The power struggles among the council and nobles overwhelm me. All I want is for Rohan to thrive."
"Luckily for you, I was raised in the web of the Haradrim court. I know intimately the dangers that come in peace - ambitions, complacency, deception hidden behind courtesy. Let me help with diplomacy and the more subtle negotiations."
"I have been a fool to underestimate you," Eomer said, finally meeting my gaze.
I reached across the small table and took his hand in mine. "You are a fool to underestimate yourself."
ooooOoooo
Winter melted away and before I knew it, plans for planting season were beginning. This often kept Eomer in his council chambers late at night.
One such night, the winds were howling and beating against Meduseld. From the nursery, I heard Theomund begin to cry loudly, frightened awake.
I heaved myself from the bed where I had just been dozing off and made my way through our darkened chambers.
As I entered the nursery, Artanis was sitting up and blearily rubbing her eyes.
I scooped Theomund from his crib and soothed him against my shoulder, maneuvering him around my ever protruding stomach.
"Go back to sleep," I bid Artanis, who needed no further convincing.
"Ssshh. You are alright." I patted Theomund's back as he hiccupped.
Back in my bedchamber, I laid my son down in the middle of the bed. Menasreh had followed us from the nursery and he leapt into bed, curling around his toddler charge. It did not take long for both to drift back to sleep.
I, however, found that sleep eluded me. For months, comfort had been a far fetched dream and so I took a piece of parchment, a quill, and an ink bottle from the bedside drawer where I had taken to keeping my writing things. I placed a large book in my lap and began a letter to Fisrah.
I lost track of time as the words flowed onto the parchment. Before leaving Harad, I had promised to be more transparent, at least with my sister-in-law, and so I wrote to her of how my marriage had changed, how the children were, and anything else that came to mind. I desperately missed her company, especially since we had returned to Edoras and Oyna had departed once more with Eothain.
The door banged open and I jumped. Menasreh leapt to his feet. Theomund merely stirred, not bothered at all.
"I cannot stand this!" Eomer exclaimed.
"Eomer!" I whispered, indicating his son in our bed.
He rubbed his huge hands over his face, before moving toward the bed and lifting his heir into his arms. Menasreh followed Eomer with a sigh, taking his duties very seriously, but not afraid to express his displeasure at the interruption to his sleep.
As Eomer went to the nursery, I wondered if my heart would ever stop melting when I watched him with his children. From the moment I had met him, the way he handled fatherhood had drawn me to him despite all else.
I pressed my hands to my stomach, thinking of the new addition that would be imminently joining our family and how that might be different than before.
Eomer came back and tore his embroidered tunic over his head before kicking out of his boots and breeches. He slipped into his sleeping shirt and then joined me in bed.
I tried to turn and face him, but could not quite manage it. Eomer laid a huge hand on my thigh to still me.
"What is the matter?" I asked, placing my dark hand over his.
"I never imagined that kingship would include counting seeds and mediating between haggling landowners about who owns which pasture. I was not meant to be an old farmer."
Eomer had been king for several years, but it seemed the boredom and frustration had not eased with time.
"Planting is a campaign in its own way, Eomer," I said gently. "You are still the protector of your people. They need full food stores just as much as they need fierce warriors, if not more."
"Theodred was meant to be here. I was meant to be in the saddle."
"Your people trust your will in all things. What you do now is more arduous than leading an eored. Peace is more difficult to keep than war. You know which is a greater benefit to your people."
"I suppose you are right," he admitted, turning to face me.
"What if you let me handle the land negotiations and squabbles?"
"Would you?" he asked, countenance brightening. "I would rather face a hundred Uruk-hai alone, than go before another group of farmers."
"Then let me fight that battle for you. And when we have another successful harvest, it will be a victory we will share."
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know what you think. Unlike "The White Tree and Burning Sun," I have a lot of ideas for this family when the children are older, so if there's anything you'd like to see earlier, please let me know. I always love to hear your ideas!
Happy reading,
Avonmora