Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)
Title: Sacrifices (#1457)
Author: krazykataave
Chapters: 17
Archive: Tolkien
Category: Alternate Universe (AU)
Description: The War of the Ring is over, peoples of Middle Earth are rebuilding broken lives. Kings have returned to their thrones and the stories continue.
Published: 20 Dec 2004
Updated: 09 Jan 2006
Warnings: Mild battle violence, language, stronger adult the
Type: Romance
Characters: Eomer; Lothiriel
Chapter 1 - Victory
NOTE - Sorry for not adding this before hand; the age of Lothiriel is different from what has been written in text as a device by me for the story. I just could not handle another little sister figure, so i put her the same age as Eomer, and made her second oldest among the four siblings. Enjoy.
The Dark Lord had been cast down; the War of the Ring was over. Slowly the third age was ending, giving rise to the fourth age, the age of man. The glorious day of the forces of good triumph over evil was 15 March III 3019. On that day kings reclaimed their rightful thrones and peace began to settle over the lands.
It was a hard victory, many lives were lost, many more wounded, and the horses of the Rohirrim were depleted. The Healing Houses of Minas Tirith was filled with the wounded. Among them the Steward’s son, Faramir, and the new King of Rohan’s sister, Eowyn along with her squire Merry a halfling. During Faramir’s healing, temporary stewardship was given to Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. Imrahil was the brother-in-law to Denethor II whom had married Imrahil’s sister Finduilas, only to have her fade away 12 years later leaving two young sons.
The prince’s sons, Erchirion, and Amrothos were already in attendance to their father, they had fought upon the fields before the White City for the freemen of Middle Earth. Soon they would be heading home, carrying the dead back to their final resting place. Two of the prince’s children had stayed behind at Dol Amroth; Lothiriel and eldest brother Elphir. Both were involved in affairs of their land since their father had rode arms to Gondor.
Into the days after the victory the mood of the peoples grew lighter. Soon the reunited kingdoms were having a large celebration, marking not only the marriage of the King to his elven bride, but also of the other unions that followed. The land was healing, old wounds were closing people were actually free and were taking advantage of the newfound peace to rekindle old acquaintances.
At Edoras the King of the Mark was celebrating the news that his sister was doing well and had taken an interest in Faramir. Although he doubted that she had been the one to be taken by Faramir. Knowing his sister Faramir had had a hard fight to win her hand.
His heart had broken on the fields as he thought her dead. Relief filled him when he was told she could be healed. He had lost so much he did not want to lose the last thing precious in his life. During Eowyn’s healing rumor circled that she was being courted by the soon to be King of Ithilien, things were looking well for his small house. Peace would come to the lands, but there would still be injustices that would need righted. Eomer never completely had removed King from warrior.
In the Golden Hall Théoden had his funeral. There were many great houses in attendance, along with the fair citizens of Edoras and surrounding country. After the funeral those that were instrumental in the success of throwing down the dark powers were enjoying the king’s hospitality. Eomer was overwhelmed by the quick succession of battles, the thousands of dead, the burnings of the once lush land, and the small number of horses that had made it through the battles alive.
His eyes never lost their cold look and an uneasy peace filled the room. Eowyn was considered something of an ice queen in her realm, and the people thought that she must have gotten it from her older brother. Around him were those that helped secure the victory of man, those that were loyal to him through the end. One in particular came over to him, bowed and requested a moment of the king’s time. It was Prince Imrahil from Dol Amroth.
“My lord Eomer you look weary. Is there any way I can be of service to you?” The prince of Dol Amroth and his sons had saved Eomer’s worthless skin several times during the battles and Eomer valued his friendship.
“There is much that weighs on my mind friend Imrahil. The fighting is not but a few months over, my uncle and cousin now buried, and my coming to the throne. Does life ever get easier?”
Imrahil put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Eomer life is never easy. You just have to continue on with what you know. Never give up King of Rohan, you have friends. You have protected these people for years and they will look to you for leadership. Be the man that Theoden knew you were.”
The king was happy indeed for Imrahil and his son’s presence. After listening to the prince’s rousing speech his heart felt lighter. Just as he was about to ask leave from the prince to go to his chamber a woman come up to them.
Judging by her physical characteristics she was one of Imrahil’s relations. Dark hair, eyes and skin were the race that inhabited the Southwest of Gondor.
“Ada, have you seen Elphir? I fear he might have fallen victim to a game of chance with the dwarf Gimli and his elven friend.”
“Lothiriel my daughter, Elphir will be alright. He will keep his wits about him.” He chuckled at his daughter's concern.
“Gimli and Legolas are no threat to your brother.” The king spoke.
She looked at the king and then back at her father and smiled. Giving both men a deep bow she left them to look for some other diversion. Since Elphir had promised he would not leave her alone among strangers at Meduseld and was no where to be seen someone else would have to keep her occupied. She spied two happy Halflings and decided to join them in their play.
“My lord,” Imrahil began. But the king’s eyes were watching the prince’s daughter move away through the crowd. Imrahil raised an eyebrow and then continued, “Now that you are king of Rohan you shall be seeking advisors. I offer my services to the land of the horse-lords.” He bowed to the king and presented his sword hilt to him.
Taking Imrahil on his offer Eomer told him to rise. “You services have proven invaluable before and I would have them again. You are a brother to me prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, together we shall keep our lands free and peaceful of the vileness that has been. You will not bow to me for we are equals. But now I feel weariness coming on and must take leave of the party. There are a lot of goodbyes to say before I sleep.”
The king left the prince pondering the looks that he had given Lothiriel moments before. He had seen a spark in his eyes when he looked upon her. Eomer might not have noticed but it was obvious to Imrahil that after the quick glance the king cast his eyes down to his daughter, in a jesture of humbleness. Even while speaking.
Returning to the party he smiled as he came upon his sons, he watched them partake of the hospitality. There would be no better man for the princess of Dol Amroth then the King of the Mark. Eomer had proven himself time and time again as reliable and honest. His mind was made, the king's mind was made, now to convince his daughter.
Chapter 2 - Heavy Heart
Loti was comfortably sitting in front of a large fire reading a book of poetry when a knock came to her chamber door. “Enter!”
Her father announced himself, just to make sure she was descent. Once he received word it was fine he walked in and made his way toward her. Even though she sat in front of a fire she was wrapped up in one thick fur pelt. The winters in Dol Amroth were not cold by other realms standards, but the air was chilled and the princess usually wore thick pelts and robes during this time of season.
“Lothiriel, you have been so quiet since we have returned from Edoras. What is troubling you my love?” He sat down beside her as she shut the book.
She looked at her father; there was deep sadness in her eyes. “There were so many of our men killed in battle, the grief is overwhelming. Children are fatherless, young brides without their husbands; old women denied long life with their mates.” Letting out a sigh she pulled the wrap tighter to her.
She was quiet for several minutes. He knew she had something on her mind and hoped that she would tell it. Whenever his daughter, and second oldest, was thinking she would get quiet, as if trying to put together all the rights and wrongs before she spoke. That trait made her a wonderful ambassador to foreign realms in the past, without her help peace would be questionable in Dol Amroth.
“I can not shut out their wails father, the women mourning their loved ones, wringing their hands in sorrow. I first heard it when our men returned with our fallen soldiers and the wounded. It grew louder at Edoras constantly troubling my mind. Now it will not leave! Every where I walk there is grief, and I feel that I should be doing something to help, but I do not know what to do,” she was frustrated at the feeling of helplessness.
Imrahil put his arm around her to offer some comfort. She continued her laments.
“Rufio fell in battle father. His body was laid without ceremony in a mass grave. He should have been buried in his ancestor’s mound, but no one was here when the deed was done. He was buried while we attended the funeral of King Théoden. I never got to say goodbye, Elphir never got to say goodbye. It just hurts knowing such a great warrior went to his grave unsung. There has to be something you could do to right it?”
“He might have been unceremoniously buried, but he was definitely loved. Rufio knew that Loti, he knew your heart before battle. Do not feel guilt, he loved you and Elphir. I was not there when he was hewn under, but I rode with him many nights and days. He knew you loved him, but sometimes men must risk much to protect those they love.”
At that she hugged her father and cried onto his shoulder. Imrahil held his daughter as she cried. He wondered how difficult it had been for his children to rule in his steed during those long months. They had to rule under such harsh times, it could not have been good for either of them. He felt guilty for leaving them alone in the first place, but they were adults.
“Does Elphir know of his friends passing?” He wondered how his oldest son would handle the news that his lifelong friend was dead.
“No.”
“Father, I loved Rufio and he returned my love.”
Imrahil hugged his daughter tightly. He had seen glimpses that had passed between his daughter and one of the captains. Young love he thought, and young love it indeed was. When Loti lost her heart, as she was bound to do often, she lost it hard and heartbreak took time to heal.
She wanted to tell her father everything, but did not have the courage at the moment. It would have caused a slight stirring among those in her house when they came before her father after the battles were over. Yet to tell him now that she had indeed taken vows to one considered below her class and in secret had performed the proper rites, would set the houses venomous tongues raging!
“Fate decided against our union, I too feel widowed and alone. I will not see his dark hair and fair form walking on the beaches again. Why?” She cried harder. No one would ever know her secret now.
Imrahil’s mind was conflicted; they had spoken of Rufio before, he was a childhood friend of both his daughter and Elphir. For many years they were inseparable, but Rufio was not titled by birth and when his daughter came to him he refused her request. Now he began to hate himself for being so short-sighted. He never should have come between their love. Rufio was and worthy man, a good and loyal soldier and now he was gone. He hoped her heart would heal.
That pain made it more difficult to tell her what he had come to speak of. Courage failed him too and instead of saying what he had to say he placed a small tome down on the floor beside her.
“I will leave you to your grief for now love. I will send Elphir to you soon and you two shall weep together. I am so sorry my daughter, forgive me.”
“Forgive you for what father?”
“For my short comings.” The look on his daughter’s face was one of confusion.
He tapped his finger on the tome on the floor, she looked at it. “Loti, please do me the favor of reading this book.”
What kind of a father was he? Here his only daughter had lost her love, suffered for her kingdom, was ill with grief and now he was asking her to read a book that would give her the history of her soon to be husband’s family.
“The House of Eorl the Young,” she said out loud as she traced the gilt lettering with her finger. Hiccups came as she spoke.
“Are you forming alliances with them? I *hiccup* shall do my best to have it finished soon. I think a diversion would do me well father.”
She opened the book; the first pages were family trees. Her mind was not into the history and lineages of the House of Eorl but she would do what she could for her father.
She stopped, and suddenly looked to her father’s retreating form. “Father, *hiccup* this is the House of Rohan’s history. You have good alliances with them already, why do you need me? There is nothing I can do that you have not already done to secure alliances with The King of the Mark.”
Lothiriel continued as she walked toward him and pressed the book into his hands, “The King calls you brother and kin *hiccup*. He knows you will come to him in time of need. He might never have trusting eyes, but he has trust in you and my brothers. You worry too much.” Her smile devastated his heart! He was a horrible father! But her hiccups brought a smile to his face, for a moment.
“Loti love, Rohan is a strong ally to Dol Amroth you should know the histories of all houses and peoples of Rohan as well as you do Gondor. It will serve you well one day.”
“Ada, how will it serve me well if you have no problems with Rohan?” She knew that something odd was going on and that it concerned her. She was not easily fooled, and she knew her father’s expressions well.
“You came in here not to comfort me, but to give me reading material, the history of Rohan, the kingdom you have already allied with. In the past you have turned to me as an advisor on foreign realms and as a liaison, now what would you have me do? Everything is already done.”
He closed his eyes courage again was failing him, like her brothers she had inherited a temper from his side of the family. Imrahil hated to see her angry, especially at him. His heart tore into when any of his children showed displeasure, and now since he was at fault it completely ripped apart.
“Lothiriel, the King and I have been talking.” He did not finish his thoughts Elphir came into the room and grabbed his sister. Crying he crashed both to the floor!
Between bitter sobs he managed to say, “He’s dead Loti, dead. This is a dream it can’t be real, not real.” He cried more and his sister tried to sooth him the best she could, but finally gave into her pain. The sight was too much for Imrahil to bear; he turned and left his children to their grief.
Death had caused his children to grieve; he himself would be the only person responsible for his grief to come. With heavy step he walked to his chamber, his heart was torn asunder; he had betrayed his only daughter’s trust to the point where it might never be healed.
In a few months, when the King of the Mark came to take his daughter away, he knew that his grief was going to be great. They had lost a dear friend to uncontrollable circumstances; he would first lose his only daughter to a new home far away, and second the trust of his children once the deed was done. That he would have to live with for many years to come; but his mind held firm, he was doing what was in both kingdoms best interest, but still he cried.
Chapter 3 - Of Siblings
He met his children at breakfast the next morning. Imrahil’s face was ashen and his eyes red from many tears. Since they were all together he would make his announcement, fear could no longer be allowed to rule his soul. He had done the proper thing, someday they would realize that. Patience was what he had to have now, and maybe a little luck.
Inside his chest his heart beat quickly, his hands were clammy and sweat formed on his forehead. His children had seen this behavior before, when he had ill tidings to tell. Now they sat quietly waiting for the news that had to be terrible to make their war hardened father shake like a leaf in the fall winds.
In a soft, broken voice he began his news. “The House of Dol Amroth has been blessed with many peaceful years and many allies at our side. A few months ago the great evil was defeated, but evil walks still in the united kingdoms.”
He had to take a drink before he could continue. “Gondor, Rohan, and Ithilien are now occupied by mighty men. Our lands begin to prosper. We need to continue our allegiances; Dol Amroth is ruled by a prince. What can a prince do among so many great warrior kings?”
Everyone listening knew that that was not the case. The Kings valued and needed their father’s help, he had already given much they wondered what more he had to give?
“A month after we departed Edoras the King asked me to counsel. Things were discussed that I can not mention here in the open. But one thing was discussed and on that is what I have to tell.” He looked at his daughter, who was fixed upon his every word, the fork still halfway from her charger to her mouth.
“It has come to my attention, by the King of the Mark himself,” he tried to embellish the title. “That he desires Lothiriel’s hand in marriage,” he spoke quickly; almost too quickly for his children to comprehend what he said.
He closed his eyes tightly and waited for the barrage of words and tempers to fill the air. Strangely all was quiet. The silence was broken by Loti herself as her fork crashed onto the charger.
“Father, what will you have me do?” Her voice was tired; she knew she had lost the opportunity to fight whatever her father had decided. His actions in the past few days told her as much. But she had to get in some remarks; her feelings had to be known on this matter.
“Am I, so recently grieved, to be forced out of my home, my comfort into foreign land? When did I stop being Lothiriel Princess of Dom Amroth and daughter of the great prince of peace Imrahil and turn into a political pawn?” She was fuming with anger!
“I do not know the King of the Mark and yet what I have seen of him gives me no hope that I would be happy in that union. He sits cold and stern upon the throne. His heart is ice some say. He would rather spend his time with his horses and men out hunting the wild things that harm his lands then have a wife. WHY? Why would he even think I would make him a good mate? We have to be as different as the moon and sun, with no common day to help us transition. He knows me less then I know of him father. WHAT GOOD CAN COME OF THIS?”
Imrahil had honestly expected more malice from his daughter. But since she was calmer then what he thought he would receive his mind went to his three sons. Surly he would hear far worse from their mouths. Looking at each of them his heart sank deeper. Elphir looked to his father with the malice that he thought would come from Loti. Amrothos was stunned, only Erchirion broke the silence.
“Eomer is a good man, brave in deed and noble in thought. Loyal he would be to our dear sister, just as he is loyal to Rohan and all those that ally with her.”
“Stop the poetics Erchirion,” Loti yelled at him! “You could not paint him in a light that I would like, so save your honeyed words!”
The prince knew that his children would soon be arguing amongst themselves if he did not intervene. Yelling now to get heard over Loti and Erchirion he called for order! His children silenced themselves, even though there were malice glances going back and forth between Elphir and Erchirion.
“The eve his uncle was entombed we were talking together. You came up and asked if we had seen Elphir. I saw a spark in the king’s eyes when he looked upon you Lothiriel. He ignored my words as you walked away, focused only on you and a smile came to his harden face.”
Turning her seething to Elphir, her dearest brother she said, “If you had not gone off, enamored with that elf and his games I would not have been looking for you. If you had kept your promise!”
Imrahil broke up the harsh words of his daughter. “There was no promise Elphir could have kept or broken that the King of the Mark would not have noticed you Loti. By nature alone you stood out among the fairer women. Short as you are you were exotic among them.”
“And?” She knew what had happened next, her father had already mentioned the meeting, but she decided to make him suffer by having to tell it himself, again.
“We talked some more and then he asked about your status. I told him you were not taken. That pleased him immensely and he asked to be allowed your hand. I told him that it would be an honor if he chose to take my daughter as his wife and queen. He asked me properly Loti. What could I do in a situation like that?”
She did not answer with anything, he was forced to confess.
“I came to speak to you but you seemed distant. Thinking to make the transition easier for you love, I had the history of Rohan sent for you to read. To familiarize yourself with the land you will help govern.” His daughter breathed short breaths and her jaw was set. In his mind he knew that there was no way his deed would have a happy ending.
“Loti, I could not once I knew you had loved and lost Rufio bring myself to tell you about the arrangement. But today it is three months until the King himself comes to Dol Amroth.”
“So I am an arrangement? ARRANGEMENT!” Her temper was flaring; she shook at the very core of her being. Trying to control the rage inside her she stormed off from the table, turning over her dishes.
Imrahil sat down with tears in his eyes, his sons ignored his sadness so angered by this message that he had kept hidden. Elphir especially was angry at the mention of his dear friend in such careless manner.
Although they knew Eomer was a deserving man and would make their sister a suitable husband, the way their father had handled it left only bitterness on their parts, even Erchirion glared at his father, when he could take his eyes off of Elphir.
Frustrated Elphir chased after his sister. The rest ate what the felt like in silence.
“LOTI” he called! He could see her form walking along the path to the beach. He followed her, keeping away at first until he could judge her mood and thus her actions.
“I am too angry to scream out, too hurt to shed a single tear brother! WHY? Why would he do this? I have only been the faithful daughter, doing my royal duties to the best of my ability, serving my prince and country. Why!?” She fell to her knees on the sand.
“Is it because I dared to love someone else? Did our secret vows and our passion led to this? How can I be guilty enough to deserve this type of punishment when I loved Rufio with a pure heart? True love is supposed to endure death, or have the fairy stories been deceiving us since childhood?”
Putting his arm around his sister’s shoulder he spoke softly in her ear, “You have the right to be angry Loti, but do not look upon this arrangement as you call it as a punishment. Forming political alliances is part of doing your royal duty. Do you think that if the roles were reversed that father would not have one of us brothers arranged to marry a queen?”
Pulling her close he continued, “Rufio loved you just as much as you loved him. I knew from the moment he came of age that he had eyes only for my sister. It took you longer to see that you had your heart set only for him, and once you did were not the years sweet? Twelve years of love, a few months of being in the union of man and woman. Fate gave you love, she does not look upon you for punishment. Have heart my sweet, gentle sister; fate may still yet bring love into your life. His memory will never die in your heart, but while we are still young should we not grab at what life gives us anew?”
“Your speech is as flowery as Erchirion’s,” here she found herself laughing through the tears. “We have always been each others counsel; I will take your counsel now. What should I do?”
Chapter 4 - Finduilas
The lands of southern Gondor were very fertile due to the many rivers that flowed through it as they raced out to the sea; but what good were fertile lands without anyone to tend them? Belfalas had been spared from the extensive devastation of war. Southern Gondor saw a few minor battles; but it was like the other lands in that it had been depleted of able-bodied men. Some of its most fertile lands had been scorched by the enemies of the free peoples, and enemies still spilled upon the plains at times. Fishing in the many rivers that ran out to meet the sea was now the primary source of subsistence until the trade routes could once again be set up, the burnt fields had time to mend, and the people worked through their many sorrows.
It was this despairing situation that brought out the humanity in the people, brought out compassion and the will to help heal. All fiefdoms in Gondor were working hard to help out the other and to send food and supplies, as they could spare, into the region of Rohan and the battle devastated villages in the areas surrounding Minas Tirith. It was the beginning of Ringare 3019 and everyone feared what the winter month would bring.
This question weighed especially heavy on the prince’s mind. Dol Amroth had sea trade to offset the lack of land, but this same trade put the kingdom under immense pressure. They were the ones responsible to get the supplies up the rivers to the needed areas however man power was scarce and it looked like the anticipated supplies would be delayed in reaching the northern parts before the winter set in.
Deep in thought Imrahil did not hear the soft steps of his daughter coming up behind him. He jumped when she touched his shoulder!
“I am sorry to startle you father, but it has been brought to my attention that there is a shortage of hands to help move the trade along the rivers. I have a solution to your problem.”
The prince was interested in hearing his daughter’s advice. He was at his wits end and would be extremely glad to have Loti back in his confidence.
“There is a large population of windows camped in tents by the shore; we could use them to navigate the ships upriver and load the goods. Their backs are strong and they have already endured a harsh life. It would make them feel like they are part of the healing process instead of wards of the kingdom relying on hand outs. I know for a fact that there are women willing to do the work, they just want a chance. And they have almost all grown up along the rivers or the sea, they know how to navigate. It just makes the most sense.”
She was pleading her case afraid that her father would hold onto the outdated notion that women were best used in the home.
“Loti, that is a brilliant idea!” The burden he had been carrying was washed away. Supplies could be delivered before the winter winds and snows and those that had previously been wards of the kingdom would find a useful way to help rebuild what had been taken from them.
“It is sound advice Lothiriel. You know of women that are willing to do the work required?” He knew she had taken on the welfare of the tented widow’s community a few months back. To stop the wailing in her head she had told him, but he had a feeling it was for something more.
“I know of 15 women who are ready at your command to load up the supplies and help navigate up river.” Loti was beaming! Her father had surprised her by agreeing to her idea and it seemed that things were mending between them!
Lothiriel wasted no time in bringing the news to the widows. As she was walking toward the tent occupied by the elder widows someone spoke to her.
“So our princess is to be married to the King of Rohan,” a woman said as Loti passed by.
Not recognizing this newcomer to the widow’s community Lothiriel stopped to engage the woman in conversation.
“Yes, the King of Rohan will be here before Mettare. You are new here are you not? What is your name?” She wanted to divert conversation away from her upcoming marriage.
“The villages are all celebrating the coming of the King of the Mark; the news spread like fire as soon as your father made it public. Not a bad choice of a man if I might be so bold to say.”
“Obviously you are bold enough to say. Do you know the king?”
“As for my name it is Finduilas. I am newly arrived from Lebennin. My husband and one son were lost in the war; my other son is missing and I fear I will never see him again.” The woman had turned the tables on the princess; she was now avoiding any conversation of the king.
Lothiriel was dying to know what this woman knew about her upcoming marriage but the lady was silent on the matter, which Loti thought was probably best so she said, “You could not have sons old enough to fight; you barely look in your 18th year”
“The princess flatters me, I am well in my 30s. Both sons were barely in their teens.”
Lothiriel felt pity for this newly arrived widow who had lost everything. The story was too painfully familiar in her head; women losing their husbands and sons and being unable to make ends meet forced to migrate to the shores where more opportunity awaited them. She was lucky, she was a princess and did not have to worry about survival; but that did not stop the pain of losing Rufio. She still mourned for the man that had captivated her since childhood, the only man outside her family that she knew she would ever be able to love.
A feeling deep inside her told her that Finduilas was somehow connected and needed in her life; perhaps to fill a space.
“Finduilas was the name of my aunt,” she tried to dismiss the feeling; after all she was going to be leaving Dol Amroth. “She died years ago leaving behind two sons and a bereft husband.” Changing the topic of conversation once again was not working, no matter how she tried to rationalize the feeling it grew stronger. Soon it became almost a panic to Loti not to have this woman by her side! She could not understand what was causing the emotion to be so strong, but she knew what she should do about it.
“I am in need of a lady; perhaps fate has brought us together. Although I can not explain it I feel that I have known you for years and that we are good friends.” The princess was stumbling over her words.
“Yes, you are in need of a lady Princess Lothiriel of Dol Amroth. More so then you know; soon you will need my level head to help you through.”
“You are bold indeed Finduilas of Lebennin speaking to me as if I was unable to take care of myself!” She was amused more then angry at the widow. “Will you Finduilas of Lebennin be my lady in waiting then? I know it is asking you to travel with me to Rohan but…” She did not finish before Finduilas had accepted her offer.
“I have nothing left but painful memories; a new life is exactly what both of us are in need of. Widows must stay together if they are to survive.” Finduilas watched Loti intensely to see what effect her words had upon the princess.
Lothiriel was stunned and embarrassed. She thought that she had misheard Finduilas. “What did you say?”
“Do not worry; your secret is safe with me; it always has been.” Here Finduilas took Loti’s hand and looked into her eyes. “You are a very special woman Lothiriel Queen, many have been watching you since birth to see how you would grow into a woman fit to rule. You have not let us down.”
Seeing confusion in the princesses’ eyes Finduilas smiled. There was so much that Lothiriel did not know that explaining now would be too overwhelming. “Do not be afraid.”
Loti was beyond afraid at how much this woman knew and how she had mentioned that others had been watching her apparently her entire life! But Finduilas’ words soothed her fears, even though she knew not how or why.
“I believe you were delivering good news to the widows; you do not want to keep them waiting. They too have destinies to fulfill.”
Chapter 5 - Eomer's Best Laid Plan
Rohan was preparing for the wintering times. Villagers were repairing houses and buildings the best they could to stop the chilled winter winds from blowing through. Food was being collected and stored in root cellars to keep decay from taking over what little had been scrounged. In the stables the horses were being tended too and a large supply of hay was being stockpiled for them during the dark months. The Rohirrim cherished their horses as much as men and it was said that the royal horses indeed had it better then the villagers of Edoras.
Eomer, and Eowyn had helped lead their people back to some form of balance after the war. Now Eowyn was with her intended in Ithilien bringing her nobility and grace to those of that far land; and the rule of Rohan rested on his shoulders. He was ascending the throne at a young age, younger then most kings of the Mark. No one was there to guide him in being King; he had to learn from his memories of Théoden. There were lots of times Eomer remembered about how Théoden King had wisely led his country through difficult times; but he feared he would not be able to do the same. He could command armies of men, leading them into battle; but he was having a difficult time leading thousands in everyday life! He was thankful that he had Eothain, Erkenbrand, and Elfhelm to help counsel him during the transition and beyond. Yet there was something missing in the Golden Hall of Meduseld, the presence of a royal woman.
His advisors had mentioned that he should take a queen soon, to replace the White Lady of Rohan’s absence. There was already a female presence at the Golden Hall, but it was not what Rohan or Eomer needed. He cursed himself daily for ever agreeing to allow the unwelcome wench into his household. She was the daughter of a soldier that had fallen in battle at the first conflict at Isen; when his beloved cousin and rightful heir to Rohan’s throne had died. This woman had brazenly come to his uncle asking to be taken care of until word came of her fiancé who was away fighting. Théoden was still under the power of evil and it had been Eowyn that had decided to take on this pathetic creature. The White Lady was in need of company and she thought that Creirwy would make the dark days more tolerable. It had been Eowyn’s and Théoden’s agreement, not his! And when it became obvious that this creature was extending her claws farther then even Wormtongue ever thought about Eowyn he believed lost and the king was dead. Only out of grief to honor the memory of his sister he allowed Creirwy to stay.
Things were going well enough for his people it seemed, but Meduseld’s household was slowly devouring his sanity. Creirwy had taken over Eowyn’s domestic tasks and for a few days it seemed like it would work out in his favor, but as luck seemed ever against him the days in the Golden Hall began to grow dark. Creirwy questioned him at every turning since he had become king. She had ordered deeds done in his name that he had had to repeal immediately before civil unrest broke out. Creirwy had attempted to turn the elders of the villages against him when she grew angry at him for rebuking her in front of the other servants. Recently she had dared to slip into his private chambers to seduce him during the night. But what finally broke the king’s patients was when she took possession of his mother’s clothes and jewels; that were his sister’s by right while Eowyn was healing. Then she told everyone that Eomer had given them to her as a wedding gift and that Rohan had a new Queen. Her lies were no longer going to be tolerated he thought to himself as he escaped into the early morning air; too plagued by other matters of state to deal with the harpy this morning.
The air had a hint of chill in it and the king could see his breath in the air. He looked down from the balcony at the villagers beginning their morning routines. Today he would be among them, helping them with their tasks. Making sure that everything was coming along to plan. Then the next day he would set ride to Dol Amroth; to wed Prince Imrahil’s daughter Lothiriel. He cringed as he imagined the response that would get out of Creirwy; for now she did not know of the king’s plan and hopefully she would be gone by the time Lothiriel returned to take up residency in Edoras.
His mind turned to his people. He had delegated tasks to various men in his service; Erkenbrand was now the Marshal of the West-Mark, Elfhelm Marshal of the East-Mark and he was also looking into reinstating a group of elders in the villages. The king knew that enemies; though diminished, still stalked upon the plains of Rohan and that he would be called out to fight them as well as ride with Aragorn into battle with those that harmed Gondor. He would be taking his marshals with him at times so someone would have to stay behind and govern from the Golden Hall. He had wished that Eowyn would have stayed in the kingdom, but she had other business to attend and the fact remained that Rohan did need a queen to take the place of the White Lady. This would be Lothiriel’s duty; to govern when he was gone and to replace his sister’s absence to the villagers. He wondered if she was up to the task, was he up to the task?
“My lord you seem lost in thought,” a familiar voice said beside him.
Eomer did not realize that Eothain had followed him onto the balcony of the Golden Hall. His friend focused his gaze on the busy villagers below him and their ever moving forms.
“Eothain?” Eomer became aware of his surroundings again.
“It is I my king, what brings you out this morning?”
“Thoughts,” was all the king said as he followed Eothain’s eyes to gaze at his people.
“And what thoughts cloud the king’s mind that makes him oblivious to his surroundings? That is not a good habit to fall into Eomer.” Eothain was trying to gently tell him that he should get himself and his thoughts under control before trouble arose in the Golden Hall.
“They say that you have not slept and you barely eat or drink of late. You roam the halls and burial mounds by night. I know that things are difficult right now, but you must pull yourself together; if not for yourself then for your people. They need a king that is not constantly punishing himself for events that were out of his control.”
“You think it is guilt?” The king raised his voice to his old friend! If only Eothain knew of the torment he had to endure in his own household right now he would not say it was guilt, but survival. He took his meals at Gamling’s house to avoid the potions that Creirwy often placed into his food. As for sleep, he was not use to sleeping in a soft bed so the floor or ground was fine with him.
“I think it is your stubbornness conflicting with your duties and your heart. Let it out, grieve and then get on with your life Eomer. No one wants a king in your condition.” Eothain was exasperated as he spoke. Nothing seemed to be getting through to his friend that the path he was on was spiraling downward.
After what seemed like an age of silence the king spoke, “You are right Eothain; my people need me fit and capable of rule. My heart is heavier since Eowyn has left Edoras. She was the calm to my storm even though I did not see the storm raging inside her. I would have made things different if I had known her heart then.”
“And you say it is not guilt,” Eothain had placed his cards on the table. “She has weathered the storm; much better then you have my friend.” He placed his hand on the king’s shoulder and squeezed. “There are many things you have to look forward to my lord; does not that give you heart? Even as I walked up to you I noticed a softer countenance on your face.”
Eomer was thinking about Lothiriel again as Eothain had stepped beside him. He had been doing that a lot in the past few months. When stress got too much for him he would slip outside and think back to the first time he had seen her. It was the eve of his uncle’s burial. She was with her brothers; having just arrived in the Golden Hall and a joyous family reunion was taking place. At first he felt a ting of pain in his heart to see relatives reunited, knowing he would never be given that chance again but then the smile on her face of seeing her family ran any thought of sorrow away.
Eomer was sad and burdened but her father’s speech had given him heart. Then she came up, radiating warmth, charm and beauty. She literally for a moment took away his gloom and what a moment it was. A moment of reflection and his mind was at peace! Eowyn had noticed the change of mood in her brother’s countenance as well when Lothiriel was in his presence and that brought a smile to her face; seeing her brother happy. Out of sisterly concern Eowyn had attempted to put the princess of Dol Amroth in her brother’s presence as much as possible that night, but Lothiriel was not cooperating; much to Eomer’s displeasure.
The king’s blank stare convinced Eothain that he needed reminded of the positives that were happening in Rohan since he became king. “The people are beginning to prosper, the provisions from Belfalas will arrive shortly which will stave off hunger in Rohan until the spring, you sister marries the man she loves, and you yourself will be married by the end of the year.”
The slight smile that the king allowed showed Eothain that he had gotten through to his friend, at least somewhat. “Or do you wish for more war and battle over calm and peace?”
It had been hard for Eomer to remove himself from the warrior that had been his constant visage since his youth. He was not sure that he would ever be able to separate it from his new life; but he had to try for the sake of Rohan.
“You speak truly as always my friend. I have already begun to prepare for the journey to Dol Amroth to bring back the princess. We leave in two days.” The king was set in his words.
“We?” This was news to Eothain.
“Yes, you will be riding with me and an eored to Minas Tirith. There we will visit the King of Gondor. Aragorn has agreed to accompany us to Dol Amroth. Erkenbrand will remain behind to govern with Gamling as his counselor.”
Eothain could not refuse his king. “I will be ready to ride in two days my lord.” He bowed to Eomer and then left the king to his thoughts.
Eomer’s thoughts again turned from the present to a not too distant past and too more pleasant thoughts; his bride to be. From what he had heard from her father and brothers she was well versed in ruling a large kingdom; her and her brother had been ruling Dol Amroth since their father had ridden with him to aid Gondor. And from what he had observed himself she was amazingly beautiful. Some said that the blood of elves ran through her veins.
There had not been much time for idle chat along the war roads but when that pleasantry did come he enjoyed hearing Amrothos and Erchirion talk about their days on the beaches. They had painted a vivid picture of Belfalas and Dol Amroth with its beaches and ships and exotic trade goods; things he had never heard of before and could not imagine. Realizing now that he had become curious about the southwestern part of Gondor he was anxiously waiting for the journey to begin. Even though he was conflicted at every point in his life and it seemed the warrior would never leave him his adventurous spirit was longing for something other then war.
Barely four months ago was Imrahil in Rohan working out a deal for trade to come into the kingdom from Belfalas. Eomer was certain that his good friend knew that he had his heart set on his daughter and he wasted no time; there was no use to be shy in his request war had destroyed formalities. Imrahil was all too ready to tell him everything ending with the words he hoped to hear, “She is not taken my friend. It would be an honor if you took her hand.”
After negotiations Imrahil returned to Dol Amroth to tell his daughter of her marriage to the King of Rohan. Eomer did not know what Lothiriel’s reaction had been; but if she was like his sister he knew it had been very vocal. It did not give him heart that she had managed to avoid him after that brief encounter the remainder of her stay in Edoras. He was nervous about taking a foreign bride to begin with. How would his people welcome an outsider? But not knowing if she willingly or not came to be the queen was torture!
“My king,” the voice said breathlessly from running. “What madness is this?” The voice was the shrill pitch of an angry female. “You can not possibly be thinking of taking a foreign princess as queen of the Mark!” The voice never lost its shrill tone. “I am the only queen here my king.” She threw herself at him but he managed to move. She caught his leg and held tight
With all the things he must deal with and confront this was not one of them. He had hoped that the harpy would not find out about his riding until after he was gone and he had had her removed from Edoras. He had thought about Aldburg as a final home for Creirwy but that was still too close to Edoras for his comfort. Now it looked like she herself was going to make the king’s choice easy.
“You the queen? YOU THE QUEEN? Who is the king then for I certainly did not marry you! As for me taking a bride from Gondor that is none of your concern wench!”
He hated this creature that had taken so much from his sister’s hospitality! She had deceived them all and he was no longer going to allow her presence to be in the Golden Hall, not even Edoras. There was no place far enough away he could send this bitch, but he was going to send her away tonight. Even if it took a host of eored to drag her kicking and screaming out of Edoras!
She purred as she crawled up his leg, not heeding anything that he had said. “You promised to make me queen Eomer.” She was whining now.
“I promised nothing to you. I have allowed you to live under my roof long enough! Eowyn does not want your company and Edoras will soon have no need of it.” He pushed her away.
”Pack you belongings Creirwy; you are no longer a welcome guest here or in Edoras. Go home; wherever that may be I care not. By nightfall you will not be in Edoras upon penalty of forfeiture of land or life.” He had never talked to a woman in such a manner before but to him Creirwy was no woman, she was a parasite that drew the life out of its hosts slowly. Then he noticed what she was wearing and his temper flared!
“That is NOT FOR YOU!” He yanked the pendent from her neck; the silk cord giving easily to his strong hand. “Much too long have you taken what is not yours. GET OUT!”
Her eyes grew wide at his order to have her removed from his sight, his house, his seat of power! “EOMER! How dare you?” He saw the animal come out in her as she lunged for him. Her fingernails making contact with his chest ripping his tunic and leaving four long red streaks. “You have given me permission to dwell in the Golden Hall with you! I AM THE QUEEN!” She was angry and was ranting it to herself.
“I granted you permission out of the memory of my sister; she lives and does not want your company. There is no reason for you to stay here any longer. Go find word of your fiancé, or is that a lie too?” The king had wrestled her hands down to her sides and held them there. For a woman she had incredible strength when she was in one of her moods.
Creirwy’s face turned blood red. She knew she had been caught and the look and tone of the king’s face and voice told her that violence would only come if she stayed. Attempting to save grace she stopped struggling and asked the king to let her go. He gladly did so and she quickly walked away. However she stopped short and addressed the king.
“You do not know what a mistake you make Eomer of the Mark! Your days will not be restful; the peace you desire for your kingdom will never be as long as you forsake me. Your precious bride will never walk through the door of Meduseld! I will kill her myself before your eyes! You will regret this Eomer King!” She attempted to leave but two guards caught her. They had been charged to follow her wherever she roamed, now they had concluded their task.
The tallest guard spoke, “You majesty, what shall we do with her?” Creirwy struggled to get free from their hold.
“She has attacked the king.” Her marks on his chest were now oozing blood. “;And did you not hear the words she just spoke?” He knew that the guards had heard everything.
“Yes your majesty, she threatened not only you but your kingdom and the life of the princess of Dol Amroth as well. That itself would cause a political upheaval. I think that would mark her as a traitor.”Again the tallest guard spoke while looking smugly at the captive.
“So it would Anon. Lock up the traitor in the prison of Aldburg. They have long been out of use and she will find them quiet comfortable, being set up like the Golden Hall themselves.” The king’s judgment was law and Creirwy knew she had no hope; at least no hope as of now.
The last he saw of her the guards were taking her away to load her on a cart to Aldburg. She fought them unmercifully, but it did not matter they were stronger and she was finally gone from the king’s life. He hoped that there would never be another Creirwy in Rohan and reminded himself to send word to Eowyn that their bane was locked up in Aldburg's prison.
Chapter 6 - The Ride of Eomer Part I
At the beginning of the third week of Ringare Eomer and his eored were ready to ride. The king had planed twelve days to reach Dol Amroth; with the winter coming speed was a necessity. They would camp four nights on the road before reaching Minas Tirith. The first night would bring him and his men to Aldburg, the king’s former home. Heading from Aldburg they would next camp inside the border of Gondor, along the Mering Stream in Firien Wood. He heard that Aragorn had set up an outpost garrisoned with 30 men and weapons near the stream; he hoped that the Gondor soldiers would be helpful to his men when they camped. The next two nights would be spent in the shadows of the beacons Erelas and Amon Din. By the setting of the sun on the fifth day they would arrive at Minas Tirith.
The horses were ready for the ride. A normal walking pace for the common horse would get the horse and rider four miles in an hour; the descendents of the Maeras could double any normal horse’s speed. Taking the horses at a trot with frequent rests along the North-South road would get the riders 18 miles in an hour. Eomer had hopes of traveling up to 70 miles or more a day while the weather was fair and there was plenty of fresh water and food for the horses. He was not sure of the conditions he would find for the horses or his men after they passed Minas Tirith so he wished to make up time on the first leg of the trip.
Firefoot was awaiting his master in the stables, he could sense his master’s mood as Eomer mounted. It was not the familiar emotions of war the magnificent grey stallion felt, nor was it the jovial exercise feeling; this was something different. Firefoot felt saddened for the king, he seemed weighed down with burden and cares. What ever was wrong with his master it would be his duty to carry him safely to the end of his journey. Wherever that might be. He proudly galloped out of the stables and down the long winding road to the foot of Edoras. There one hundred and twenty men were awaiting the king, Eothain among them. The king addressed his company.
“My friends we make haste to Minas Tirith not to do battle with the enemies of the free peoples but to rejoice in the prosperity that has fallen now that King Elessar and his bride rule Gondor.” Eomer was proud that he and the king had drawn swords together for freedom.
“Some of you have volunteered to stay the wintering months in Gondor to help strengthen the forces; you have my deepest honor and respect. Be assured that your families will be taken care of in your absence.” He did not like to see families separated so soon after war, but there were not enough provisions for all the men to stay in Edoras. Sending them into various parts of Gondor where trade with the southwest was more frequent would ease the burden of feeding so many during the winter.
The king continued, “the rest will ride with me and King Aragorn Elessar to Dol Amroth where you will be among the first Rohirrim to meet the new Queen of the Mark, the daughter of our great friend Prince Imrahil. I do not need to remind you heathens to be on your best behavior.” He trusted his men completely in battle and affairs of the state, but they were an uncouth lot compared to the more gentle Gondorians. He could not help but laugh at the thoughts of drunken brawls and bawdy tales that his men were oft to get into.
“Now we ride for the future of Rohan!”
It had been many weeks since he had properly exercised Firefoot himself and now the horse and rider were yearning to make up for lost times. The king in front with Eothain urged Firefoot on at an all out run; the rest of the Mearas followed their leader. As the sun went down on the first night they had not yet reached Aldburg, as the moon was large in the sky they finally arrived.
The townspeople were not expecting their king and no one greeting them as they came into the street and filed up to the old seat of power. The king was home, however it did not seem like he had ever lived there. Those memories were far away now, and were replaced with a nervousness that something was out of place in the hall. Something he could not figure out.
As the men ate and drank a familiar face appeared at the hall door, it was Anon. The king dismissed himself and went to speak to his old guard.
“The lady Creirwy has been placed in the prison underneath the hall my lord.” Eomer now knew why there was nervousness, he did not trust Creirwy at all and now she was staying at the seat of his command before he became king.
Aldburg was a sacred place to him and his people and this filth was defiling it with her presence. But there was nothing he could do about it; he had ordered her locked up at Aldburg. It seemed like a good idea considering the stress he was under when he commanded it; now it was causing him more stress. He feared she would harm the place somehow.
Anon continued, “for the past two nights she has been heard singing and mumbling words that no one can comprehend, her moods have gotten violent since she learned that you were on your way here and had finally arrived at Aldburg. I fear she may harm herself my lord, what is your command?”
“Keep her quite and keep her comfortable, but do not under any circumstances allow her to roam freely through the prison cells. Confine her to her own cell and chain her to the wall if you fear she may harm herself during one of her moods. I have washed my hands of her Anon. No longer will she haunt my steps and attempt to stab me and Eowyn in the back; she deserves worse then imprisonment but I have no time to deal with her.” Eomer was speaking the truth, he had no time right now to deal with Creirwy but his heart was softening. Even though she was still a vile creature she was a woman that along with the rest of Rohan had suffered much during the war.
“If I did not fear that she could cause harm to the queen I would not have banished her from Edoras; I would have found another opportunity for her. Everyone has suffered enough as is but some people you just can not reach. When she accosted me on the balcony that morning her mood frightened me; I knew then she had to go if Lothiriel was to have peace in the Golden Hall. I might have made it worse on the queen by not banishing her completely from Rohan, but I am not cruel. Her home is in the Mark and she will be allowed to remain; but she will be imprisoned for the time.”
“My king you are just. I will tell her in the morning after you have left.” He started to leave but Eomer stopped him.
“She is cunning Anon; do not fall under her charms. I will not suffer traitors to me, my queen or my men to live.” With that warning he let the guard go back to his prisoner while he himself went to find rest in his old bed.
Unlike Meduseld, Aldburg was divided into several rooms instead of one long hall. He removed his traveling clothes and slipped under the covers. The bed had not been changed in a while but it was softer then the earth or floor, although it did not smell as fresh as the earth. After his talk with Anon he felt less nervous. Trying to relax his travel worn body and mind he began to think of the fair princess of Dol Amroth. Their union would bring peace and prosperity to Rohan but being a man his thoughts soon strayed into lustful images of his bride to be and himself. With a smile on his face he went to sleep taking comfort in the surroundings.
The next day the sun was shining but a cold wind was blowing over the Eastfold. If all went as planned they would be camping inside the border of Gondor tonight along the Mering Stream in the Firien Wood. The wood was rich in Rohan history but haste was of the essence. The king made a mental note to himself to show Lothiriel some of the deeper parts of the forest when time allowed and tell her the tale of the great boar that haunted the woods long ago.
The rumor had been true, Aragorn had set up an outpost along the woods and the Gondorian soldiers greeted the Horselords as brothers. Food and drink were merry and lasted late into the night. Finally Eomer passed out from drink; Firefoot woke him an hour before the sun rose. Eomer, knowing his horse, knew that it was out of spite for not paying attention to him during the evening and letting a young Gondorian squire take care of his grooming and rest.
During the third day of the trip Eomer and Eothain could not shake the feeling that they were being followed; every night’s watch had yielded nothing but quiet, every day the scouts reported nothing ahead. The Firien outpost had seen nothing out of the ordinary; but still the feeling would not leave the battled weary warriors. They carried little with them besides provisions and daily needs. The weapons they had were their trusted swords, bows, and shields. Eomer did not expect to have to come to blows with enemies along the road; it was well protected, but the feeling would not leave.
The third night came and the group found themselves camping under the beacon of Erelas. The mood again was jovial with stories, songs and drink flowing thanks to the kindness of the Firien outpost that had supplied them with enough ale to last till they reached Minas Tirith. Eomer was still too nervous from his feelings of being followed to join in the merriment. It was Elfhelm that dragged his king into the middle of the party.
“My king,” he said drunkenly. “Why do you stare out into the night? There has been nothing reported day or night, come enjoy your last ride of freedom,” here the eored laughed. Elfhelm had already offered the king a tankard of Gondorian ale and the king had to accept to save dignity in front of his men. But the king was going to have to save much more dignity before the night was over.
Eomer did not see the humor in Elfhelm’s words, “his last ride of freedom.” He would still ride out to protect his people and their livelihood from foes. Aragorn and he would draw swords together again many times in the name of freedom. What did Elfhelm mean this would be his “last ride of freedom.”? His question was answered soon enough.
“A toast!” Elfhelm was up and toasting the king before Eomer could take the first sip.
“To Eomer King of the Mark and his last nights and days of bachelorhood! May the wenches in Minas Tirith keep his tankard and his bed filled before he goes to his doom?” Elfhelm could not keep from swaying back and forth as he spoke. Eomer pushed his friend and he fell to the ground spilling his ale. The men laughed harder at seeing their ringleader go down.
“Friend Elfhelm I do not see my up coming marriage as a doom. Some of you have seen her have you not?” The men answered with yeas to their king.
“Is she not beautiful, a curvaceous creature with just the right amount of flesh to hold tight during the night?” The king made a thrusting motion with his hips after he spoke.
“Is there one that would believe having that beautiful creature in my bed nightly is a doom?” Here the men answered with many nays. “I will have her bedded before our Rohirric wedding night that I promise you my good fellows! She will never take my freedom, that is something that the Men of Rohan cherish above all else. Her freedom will be spent with the heirs to the throne.” The men roared to the king’s words.
Eomer was releasing steam in front of his men, but was unaware of the disrespect he was showering on his bride to be. His men expected their leader to be a womanizing whore that put the queen in her place. Tonight he would give them what they wanted.
“Would you say that being of the weaker, gentler sex that she would be able to prevent me from riding out in freedom when ever I wished?” Again the men answered with nays.
“Then Elfhelm why do you say this is my last ride of freedom? Just because I will have a wife does not mean that my swords must stay in one place.” The king laughed at his last statement as the men broke out in wild laughter and song. He felt that he had saved his dignity enough for the night, he refrained from mentioning the queen again as he joined in the drink and songs.
The only one that did not participate in the king’s merriment was Eothain who was too shocked at hearing the disrespectful words the king had spoken about the soon to be queen. When they had been in the privacy of Eomer’s own chamber at Edoras the king had nothing but sweetness and respect to speak for the woman who would be Rohan’s queen.
Eothain was talking to himself as he walked away from the company. “Eomer was even daring enough to call her his lover and helpmate, without even knowing her heart.”
Eothain was upset with himself because he believed that his friend had finally settled down in his ways; even though they were not wild ways to begin with. He had even gone so far as to think that Eomer truly was in love with Lothiriel and held her in the utmost respect! Shaking his head he went to keep watch as the others partied; sad that he had thought his king capable of loving someone else other then himself, Firefoot or his sister. He pitied the Belfalas princess tonight; but the king did say something true. Lothiriel was beautiful and it would be an honor to have someone as sweet and cherished as herself in his bed at night. “In my bed,” Eothain said out loud.
Looking into the empty night Eothain vowed that if the king mistreated Lothiriel he would be there for her; mending the wrongs Eomer had done. Making the foreign princess feel welcomed and loved in Edoras. He had kept his feelings of admiration for her quiet once he saw Eomer’s look of lust toward her at Théoden’s funeral. He had put all hope of getting to know the exotic swan away once the king had decided to marry her. He kept his heart locked now. Anger rose in him as he thought back on the times the king had made him believe that he loved the princess when he only was stroking his own ego! Now a beautiful person inside and out was going to be given as a sacrificial offering to a brute! But this brute was his best friend! His conflict grew in him so; he did not hear Eomer behind him.
“Eothain, what brings you away from the fire?” To his surprise Eomer was not drunk; which only added more malice to what he felt toward the king. He could understand the disrespect if the king had been drinking, but Eomer was sober!
Anger eating at him he could no longer hold in his feelings he let lose a barrage of profanity and curses toward the king! Confused Eomer stood silently as Eothain spilled his thoughts.
“So Lothiriel is just a beauty to serve you when you feel the need to bed someone! Weaker and gentler sex she may be but she will not stay that way long under your roof! The swan will become stronger and hardened by your ill treatment. How dare you get off on disrespecting her?”
Eomer was still silent.
“How dare you take a swan and choke all life and vitality out of her? To take her freedom by keeping her with child to where her life is slowly consumed in a cage. Does that sound familiar my king? ”
Eothain was shaking now and Eomer was still too shocked to respond. “You would sacrifice the princess of Dol Amroth, the daughter of your friend for your own gain. You do not deserve her, you never did! What could you know of love and respect for a woman of Lothiriel’s status? You did not even respect your sister enough to let her have a life!” Here Eothain had gone too far; that he could clearly see in Eomer's eyes but he continued.
“Eowyn wanted to die for fame and glory from you. You let her too, to egotistical in your ways to see her heart. You told me once that if you had known her heart you would have made things different. You lied then and you lie now, your sister will forgive you; I do not think Imrahil and his sons will be so forgiving knowing that you desire their sister in the way you proclaimed! She deserves much better then the King of the Horselords! She should be married to a prince of Gondor; not a brute that disrespects her. She should live her life in the land of her birth surrounded by the things that give her comfort. What will you give her? A nightly screwing to make sure she stays with child and does not interfere with your freedom?” He was not even close to finished but Eomer had had enough, with one well placed punch he knocked Eothain out cold.
It was early morning when Eothain woke from his stupor; Eomer was standing over him and yanked him up off the ground.
“Listen well Eothain,” the king hissed at him. “Never speak to me in the manner you did last night or I will not be so kind next time!” He let him go.
“I never believed nor do I believe that Lothiriel is something for me to take when I need my bed filled. She shall have the freedom she needs I will never force her into a cage! I never will disrespect that glorious woman that will be my wife Eothain! You speak of what you know nothing of my friend and I warn you to keep your tongue to yourself.”
In a calmer mood the king walked toward his friend and Eothain cowered before him. “I can not be angry at you for I know how I must have come across last night by the fire. Men joke when drunk and I did not mean disrespect for my wife. The words spoken in private to you are truth. Last night you showed me the error of my ways. I respect the princess of Dol Amroth and have confessed to you and my sister my intent to make her life as happy as possible. But I caution you friend, do not come between me and Lothiriel. I can only show you how I feel toward the princess since my words have so grievously wounded you. Do not follow the path you spoke of last night, she will need no man to catch her as her brutish husband shuns her and values his freedom more then her own. That situation will never happen Eothain.”
The king left his friend to get ready for the days ride. He had been beyond angry at him last night but after thinking back on his words he knew why Eothain would be upset. However he did not know the feelings Eothain harbored for Lothiriel; Eomer had heard much of his friend’s conversation to himself before he made his presence known. A rival from Gondor the king could deal with; but his own friend and a trusted one at that he could not. Eothain solidified the fact that Eomer needed to work hard to make Lothiriel’s transition to Rohan easy and her life peaceful. He now feared that she was sought after by too many men for him to mess this up. The Mark needed a queen and she would fill the void nicely. He would not mess this up.
Chapter 7 - Ride of Eomer Part II
NOTE: I apologize in advance for this chapter; it has been the hardest to get to flow and transition so far and i feel is very choppy. Any critiques would be appreciated.
The ride to Amon Din was uneventful. Eothain kept his distance from Eomer who was now riding with Elfhelm. The two friends had not spoken since the early morning. As they were setting up camp for the night under the watchful beacon Eothain decided to speak to his friend and king. However the king had decided to help with the first watch and Eothain would have to wait.
Eomer was getting more nervous and wanted to confront whatever might be hunting them head on. He guessed it was probably a party of orc. He had heard from the Gondorian soldiers that there were small parties of rambling orc walking the country side, but so far they had not caused any harm. His men knew that much weighed on Eomer's mind, and his nervousness was affecting them too. Many wished that what ever was stalking them would show itself so that it might be quickly disposed of instead of creating the tension it did now.
All was quiet during the king’s watch. At midnight Elfhelm and Eothain took over from Eomer. The king returned to his tent but could not find rest; even thinking of Lothiriel did not comfort him as it had in the past. Something was watching them, its evil eyes following their every move. He sat quietly in the dark reflecting on the events since they had left Edoras; trying to find something that he might have overlooked. A hint as to what was following them. A few minutes later he was brought out of his thoughts by the sounds of his men shouting!
Springing to his feet he had Guthwine drawn and ready for action; years of living in war had honed his reflexes. Rushing out into the cold night he finally saw the enemy, about 25 orc. It was this group that had followed them from Rohan to Gondor unseen and unheard, even unchecked by Gondorian soldiers. Now under the shadow of the signal beacon they had decided to attack!
Normally the eored would have easily bested the small band of orc; but things were not going in the Rohirrim’s favor. These orc looked like normal creatures breed for evil, were armed like their brothers had been upon the fields but they were not going down by arrow or sword! A hundred and twenty-two warriors to 25 orc should have made the battle over almost before it began; but the Rohirrim were losing.
It seemed as if by some sorcery these creatures were protected from the men’s blows. The eored was now in disarray, and things were quickly falling to the orc’s favor. The king did not know how many men and horses were already lost but he could see lifeless bodies around him. Just as two orc jumped on the king a horn blew in the distance and the creatures stopped their assault upon the men. The orc raised up and sniffed the air, terror filled their eyes. What ever or whoever was coming to the Rohirrim’s aid frightened the hideous beasts. The orc began to retreat. The two that had taken the king down stayed to finish him off but their death blows were stopped by well placed arrows.
Eomer had been injured in his shoulder and thigh but could still swing his sword. He feared that whatever frightened off the orc and had managed to kill them would be far worse then the orc themselves. However the sound of hooves filled the cold, early morning air and his fears left him; men were coming to their aid. As the sounds drew closer he could hear the voices of many men, one rang clearer above the others. Aragorn had come just in time!
Eomer was greatly relieved when his old friend arrived at his side. Elessar rode with 100 men, one elf and one dwarf. It was the elf’s well aimed arrows that had saved Eomer’s life.
“Good to see you old friends,” the young king said as Aragorn helped him to his feet. Legolas recovered his arrows from the orcs making a bow of friendship toward Eomer.
“It is good to see you safe and unmolested by these vile beasts.” Aragorn said as he left Eomer’s side to look at the carnage the orc had managed to inflict upon the men of Rohan.
“My life is owed to you Legolas.” Eomer bowed low to the elf to thank him for his help. Legolas nodded and continued to search the orcs that had fallen.
“What sorcery is at work with these creatures Aragorn? Our arrows bounced off of their hides, our swords could not even chink their flesh. Has a new plague been released upon Gondor?”
“A new plague? No my friend, these beasts are the same that we slew on the fields before the White City. The only difference is that they have come across some new form of armor that I liken to mithril; though I am sure no dwarf supplies these beasts.” He looked to Gimli as he assured Eomer that no dwarf supplied these creatures.
The king looked for signs on the ground as he continued to speak, “The armor matches their putrid flesh and is almost invisible for mortal eyes to see. I do not know where it came from but we have figured out their weakness with it. The head and eyes, those they do not have a covering over and an arrow or sword directed at those spots will kill the creatures. We have not received many reports of orc of this type roaming around. I have men looking into where they come from and how to stop them from getting their armor before their numbers grow.”
“Aragorn, we take leave of you now,” Legolas spoke as he helped Gimli onto their horse. “We must overtake the surviving orc ere the morning or I fear all might be lost.” Legolas mounted and with a swift goodbye to the kings he set sail after the fleeing orc.
“The carnage of battle will never end Aragorn. It looks like even our fair elven friend flies to find it.” Eomer looked to those that had been lost to the orc. He looked at the dead and wounded around him. He counted the loss of 22 great men to these foes and five fine horses. Grief and guilt filled him. They had ridden out on their journey in high spirits, now as the dead and wounded were attended to all joy was gone. The previous nights meant nothing, the easy days of riding meaningless. Tonight they had battled and had lost. The king could not take it anymore he let out a piercing scream into the dark night and fell to his knees in despair!
Sensing the emotions running so violently in his friend Aragorn called the remaining soldiers that had not rode with Legolas back to him to gather the fallen horselords and take them to the Minas Tirith. The horses would be immortalized in flame and from that day forward those that past by the sight would always be aware of the brave Rohirrim that had died. The king now directed his attention to his young friend; trying to sooth and heal the young king’s soul and body.
For those that remained there was still part of a days ride before they reached the White City.
Aragorn arrived at his home before noon, bringing with him the surviving Rohirrim and their king. Eomer was taken to the Houses of Healing to reunite with his men that had been wounded and to have his own wounds looked at.
Eothain had sustained a concussion and when Eomer knew of his friend’s status he joked with him. “Now maybe there will be sense knocked in your stubborn head Eothain and you will mind your tongue.” Eothain did not find Eomer’s joke funny, but at least they were on friendlier terms now. Elfhelm overheard the joke and wanted to know what it was about but both remained silent on the events a few nights back.
The hall was beautifully adorned with murals and lights. At the head of the table sat Aragorn and Arwen, as usual the queen was radiant! Eomer had a difficult time diverting his eyes from constantly staring at his friend’s wife. But the King and Queen of Gondor seemed not to mind. This evening it would only be the king, queen, and Eomer dining in the hall since Legolas and Gimli had left to pursue orc. The smallness of the group pleased the Rohan lord who now desired peace and quiet.
As the first course was served and the drinks poured Arwen spoke to Eomer. “You have ridden many miles my friend. Please find the shelter you desire under our roof, it is yours for as long as you wish it.”
“The queen speaks words that I am not deserving of,” he spoke but had his eyes cast down. “I will gladly accept your hospitality for the eve and tomorrow, but my task carries me on the next morn.”
At this Arwen smiled broadly and looked at her lover, then at Eomer. “Your task carries you to the chief city and port of Belfalas, Dol Amroth.”
“Yes my lady, there I will wed princess Lothiriel of said city and bring her back to be queen of Rohan.” He looked to Aragorn as if seeking conformation that he was doing the right thing.
“But you will only be married in Belfalas tradition, when do you plan on marrying her in your own custom? "
“That shall depend on the princess herself my lady.” He was now looking at Arwen as he spoke. “We will be husband and wife in Gondor’s eyes before the end of the year; however I will wait until she has learned the ways of my country before I marry her in our style. Even if I have to wait until the end of 3020, my lady’s comfort will come first.”
“You speak well Eomer of the Mark,” Arwen said “Lothiriel is honored to have a husband that admires her so much as you have spoken this evening. I am concerned though, you do not know the princess other then a quick meeting and from words spoken by her family. She does not know anything of you besides what her father has spoken of your character. How do you plan on making a union work under these circumstances?”
Aragorn gently nudged his wife trying to get her to be silent on that matter, but the question had already been posed and Eomer thought it would be bad form not to answer.
“Honestly I do not know my lady…” he did not get another word out.
“Honesty is exactly how you will make the union work Eomer. From your very first meeting in Dol Amroth till your deathbed you must be honest and speak your heart to your lady to be. She is giving up her life for you, being honest is the least you can do for her. Love her, honor her, cherish her and be honest with her.”
Eomer bowed at the lady’s words. “I will forever keep your words in my heart my glorious lady of Gondor. Be assured that I will love, honor and cherish her.”
Again the lady of the hall spoke, “What if she does not return your feelings as quickly as you give them, what then?” Aragorn pinched his wife now to get her to stop tormenting the young king.
“Then I will work harder to earn her love.” That answer satisfied the queen. The remainder of the meal was eaten among friendly banter.
Chapter 8 - Countdown
(December 16 by our reckoning)
It was now one week till Mettare and according to the news that traveled from Minas Tirith to Belfalas the King of Gondor and the King of Rohan had set out with 50 men toward Dol Amroth. The King of the Mark was on time and Lothiriel’s stay in Dol Amroth grew shorter; but she did not have too much time to dwell on that fact; there was much to be done.
The gentry from the surrounding fiefdoms were arriving in the city and soon there was no more room to be afforded to them at the castle. Those that wondered into the city past midweek had to seek hospitality elsewhere. Now, a few days before the princess’ wedding the city was filling up quicker. Extra guards were added to the patrols to watch for any trouble that might surface. To the prince’s relief all was quiet in the city, however the castle was another story.
(December 19 by our reckoning)
“Look at this ceremony Finduilas! It is a tome in itself! There is a special ceremony for ceremonies even!” Lothiriel tossed the book down as her father came in. He could not help but be amused at his only daughter, and proud of her too.
“Understand that this is the first ceremony Belfalas has participated in since the war ended Loti. Everyone is excited by the renewing of the year, their princess’ upcoming marriage to a king, and hope. They are very excited that hope has now returned.” Imrahil walked to his daughter and took her hands.
Breathing out a long sigh she said, “You are right father; the people have hope. A celebration is a much needed respite. I just wish this celebration did not drain so many resources. How can I be a queen of a war torn land if I have elaborate celebrations held in my name?"
“Loti, the kingdom does everything for you freely. They cherish you and want to be apart of your day. It is no burden on us to supply our princess with fineries and parties. The whole kingdom has come together over your marriage; it is a beautiful thing to see.” He was trying to sooth her worries away.
“I marry in two days and I have no idea what I am doing! I know you and mother were an arranged couple and had not even been given a chance to look upon each other before your wedding day and it turned out wonderful, did it not?”
“Very wonderful Loti. We struggled at first, but all marriages have hard times during the first few years. Once you get adjusted to having someone around constantly it becomes easier. You learn to overlook and manage those things that use to drive you crazy in your partner. Love grows and each day you will find your husband more and more perfect; just as he will you. But do not expect things to be perfect, even after years of marriage. Marriage takes a lot of work.” He rose up to walk his daughter down to breakfast.
“Your nerves are being stretched, just try to relax. Things will get done.” He kissed her hand as they left Finduilas to tend to some of Loti’s belongings that would be traveling to Rohan.
The walk to breakfast and the meal itself she ate in silence. Her father had been called away and she did not feel like eating with the guests so she took her food out into the garden.
Her father had given her advice on marriage after the fact. She knew all the things that it required; what she did not know was how things would work with the king. That was what she wanted sound advice on. How to make marriage work with a king when you do not know their customs, language, or the man himself? “Of course it takes work. Everyone knows that.” She said out loud as she ate a banana.
“I am going to miss you,” she said to the banana as she threw the peel away. Rohan was far from trade routes and far from the climate that bananas grew in. She was going to be giving up her beautiful city, her country and the foods she dearly loved. “What am I doing?” She laid her head back against the tree she had eaten under.
Evening came and Lothiriel returned to her chambers. It had been a very bad day after breakfast. Her first engagement was with a party from Linhir for early teas. That had been the most mind-numbing gathering she had ever had to sit through! Then she had to attend some court cases in which widows were involved. Next she was the honoree at a party given by the ladies from Anfalas. Although a good party the gossip they spread and the endless advice they gave the princess annoyed her. If she was still a virgin the advice they felt so inclined to give would make her not want to bed her husband, ever! To top the day off she had an encounter with Bregon and Bealin. The twin sons of her father’s second in command. Bealin had asked for her hand in marriage not long ago and she had refused. They had been at the castle for three days and Loti felt lucky not to have to speak to them. However it seemed luck had run out.
“Your majesty may we have a word?” Bregon was being very civil. He was always sweet and civil and if it had just been him Loti probably would have stopped to listen; but his brother was with him and that fact ruined Bregon's chance to have the princess' ear.
“My ears are listening to others right now; perhaps you will find Elphir or one of my other brothers able to listen to your words. I can not do anything right now except prepare for my wedding.”
“That is what we wish to discuss.” Bealin was forward. The princess remembered now that that was one of the reasons she did not like him. He had an ego and thought that he was the best thing to come out of Anfalas and that all women admired and wanted him.
“I am sorry, but I will not discuss my wedding with you. Goodbye.” She went to leave but Bealin blocked her. In an instant her guards were on both young men.
“My Bealin, you are not so cocky now are you?” She mused as she left them to the guards. “Take them before my father, tell them what you witnessed and let him decide what to do with them. Tell him to go easy on Bregon though, he is not like his brother."
Finally back in her chamber she let her frustrations out to Finduilas.
“I would rather the king and I go off and consummate the marriage in some field or on some beach then put up with this! That is what it comes down to anyway right? The marriage is not official until the man claims his wife according to law; so all this ceremony is a waste of time. And the guests! Oh do not get me going down that path!”
“It is an archaic tradition dating back to when women were considered nothing more then servants to their husbands and fathers. Imagine a man or woman being a virgin on their wedding night in this age.” Finduilas was joking with Loti.
“But was it not something special with Rufio?” Finduilas was trying to get her friend to think upon positive memories, happy ones. No one in the castle was going to be able to take much more of the princess if she did not calm down.
A fond look of remembrance came to her face. “Yes, our first time was painful and I was not sure I would ever let him touch me again. But after that it was special and wonderful each time. I really liked it when he was still sweaty and dirty from training or after he had come in from watch. He was something.” Lothiriel was still in her daydream but was slowly coming back to reality.
“So I will be expected to perform for the King of Rohan on our wedding night. If I am this tired he will get nothing. Perhaps I should make him do all the work.”
“Lothiriel!” Finduilas was laughing with her. For a moment Finduilas saw her smile with her; but it did not last.
The princess’ mood became somber. “Finduilas, in all seriousness I do fear that I will not be able to allow the king to touch me. I do not know him, and I am no brothel wench that screws anyone with something between his legs. How am I suppose to let Eomer make love to me and have it mean anything? Does not having sex on your wedding night because it is expected cheapen the whole experience? Should you not first be willing and in love with you husband?”
“You are no inexperienced young woman princess and when the time comes you will know what to do. Do not worry about your wedding night right now. You have to actually get through the wedding for that to happen and we are wasting time.”
Finduilas looked out the window onto the city and groaned. “And you have to survive the guests.” Lothiriel stood beside her friend and looked out the window. Some of the men were assembled outside smoking and drinking.
“Half of those assembled on the courtyard I have refused to marry. A few more then once.” She was smiling again.
“You refused a lot from what I have been told. Now you can not refuse the king’s proposal. They are going to be a lot of snakes in the castle tonight. But I do not think anyone will pose much of a threat to Eomer in his endeavors. A horselord would be a dreadful sight for their eyes to see; being so different from your father’s armies. Yet the king I would imagine would be more dreadful to look upon if someone had mischief on his mind toward his lady.”
“Let us hope that there is no mischief tonight or when the king arrives. Even though I would not mind seeing some of the lords down there get their egos handed to them by the king.”
(December 20)
For the most part the gentry were agreeable and not overly greedy to take the hospitality that Imrahil and his family offered. In the morning there would be simple foods set for the guests to eat at their leisure; anything else they desired they had to buy at the market. The city was prospering from the influx of people, and that set Imrahil’s mind at some ease.
Dinners and evening parties were attended by everyone, with the guest of honor always being Princess Lothiriel. It was these affairs that she grew tired of and came to despise by the week's end. It seemed that every lord’s family wished to throw their princess a party and each party grew in size and pomp in order to out do the previous one. It was all done to seek favor from her father; but it was so wasteful she thought.
The prince watched his daughter from his throne. No matter how annoyed Loti became at the guests she was always the epitome of grace. The prince admired his daughter’s reserve and patients. She had to listen to a lot of voices this week; voices giving her advice on how to conduct her wedding ceremony, how to behave in front of her husband, what to expect on her wedding night, and many rumors concerning the King of Rohan.
She also had to prepare for her wedding with only the help of Finduilas and a few other maids, greet and help with the guests, and arrange for a few of her belongings to be packed so she could leave her home behind to go with a stranger to a strange land. Imrahil wondered how she managed it. He guessed that it was only a façade, that inside she was an emotional shipwreck waiting to happen. Today was the final fitting of her wedding dress; he hoped he would get a chance to speak with her.
The prince walked up to Lothiriel’s chamber door and saw that it was cracked. He thought about leaving because he could see the dress fitting was going on but he heard his daughter’s voice say.
“Finduilas, I grow tired with this pomp! If I had known how much trouble this would be I would have sooner gone off with the King of Rohan and just consummate the marriage in some field or on some beach. This is getting ridiculous!” She was not standing still for Finduilas as the lady attempted to alter the princess’ wedding gown.
“Stand still Lothiriel! You are going to cause me to jab a needle in your hide if you do not stand still! And stop with the running off and consummating your marriage in a field or the beach; I have heard that enough.”
“I have not had a full nights sleep in a week and it is eating at my nerves Finduilas.” Looking in the mirror she saw that she had dark circles under her eyes. “I hope the King of the Mark likes his woman with dark circles under their eyes and stressed skin. To be a woman!”
“Stand STILL! How many times do I have to tell you to stand still?”
Quieting herself down the best she could she stood motionless for her friend. She had heard her maid’s comment about stopping with the consummating in the field but had ignored it. That was honestly what she felt like at this time.
“Finduilas, we have both been married before. Did you love your husband at first or did it take time?”
At hearing what the princess spoke the prince grew white and thought that he would lose his ability to breath. He was not aware of this! Not that he could do anything now with the king coming tomorrow; but he desperately wanted to know! She had not trusted him in the matter, he had never given her a reason not to come to him. Had he? Then he thought about how his daughter had acted about Rufio and knew then that he was the man in question.
He had given Loti a reason not to trust him; he had been against her request to marry the captain and his unwillingess to see how much she loved him had led to this situation. Imrahil loved his daughter and wanted her happy, if he had just not been so stubborn. He would ask, no interrogate Elphir until he gave him the answers he needed to hear. If anyone knew about the princess’ first marriage it would be her brother. Imrahil quietly left to seek Elphir out. The conversation continued in the chamber.
“He courted me properly for a few months before he asked for my hand. I had time to get to know him before our wedding day. Our wedding came and went and our years were happy at first. Then the shadow of war began to loom and with it my husband’s mood. By the time the last child was born he no longer was the man I had married.”
“I asked for reassurance, not for that gloomy story. What am I doing?” Loti was visibly shaking now from her nerves.
“You are helping your country Lothiriel. That is what you are doing.” She put the last touches on the dress, “All finished!”
The two women looked at the dress in the mirror. “It is lovely Finduilas, you have out done yourself!” The princess was thrilled with the outcome of the dress. It had been her mother’s evening gown and now thanks to Finduilas’ able hands it was her wedding gown.
“You look beautiful my lady,” Finduilas remarked as she stepped out of the mirror’s view so Loti could have it to herself. The gown was dark blue with a V neckline, Finduilas had added silver embellishments along the neckline, sleeve hems and the bottom of the skirt. To finish it the princess had asked that her grandmother’s sapphire be set in it where the V ended and the dress began. Finduilas had done a remarkable job!
“I feel, like a princess.” Loti laughed at herself. “Now the prince will come on his magnificent white stallion to carry me away. We will be in love at first sight and shall live happily ever after with many, many children at our feet.” She let out a big sigh.
“Why do they tell us those tales? Everyone knows that they are not true. There is no such thing as love at first sight. The prince carries the princess off to a strange land, and then they expect them to live happily ever after? Men must have first written and told those tales.”
Turning to Finduilas, “Do you think I will have a happy ending?”
“That is up to you child.”
“I am scared, so very afraid of what is happening. I am already married and widowed and now to be married again. I knew Rufio for a very long time and we were meant for each other. This arrangement just seems. I do not know what it seems!” She was removing the dress and changing into daily clothes.
“Am I a horrible person?”
“No Lothiriel love, you are not a horrible person. You have loved, you have lost. Now is the time to move on.” Finduilas hugged her friend tightly. Loti was now crying.
“Just let it all out love,” Finduilas began rocking her as they stood and started singing softly in elvish.
Elphir came into the room frantic! “Loti father knows about Rufio! He knows everything! He overheard you talking earlier this morning!”
Lothiriel cried harder into Finduilas’ shoulder.
Chapter 9 - Sounds in the Night
NOTE: The song Loti recognizes is an actual song. It has been sung and used by various artists over many years and I am not sure of the original composer but I am pretty sure it came from the British Isle. The verse spoken is from Loreena Mckennitt's 'The Mask and the Mirror' song entitled 'The Bonnie Swans'. (1994) Quinlan Road Limited Canada. With Imrahil's banner being a swan and swan ship it just fit. But this is NOT a song fic chapter.
The evening festivities wore on Loti's nerves, this was the final party before her wedding day and it was grand and boring. Where the other parties had been informal for the most part this one was strictly formal protocol; which led to it being very boring. Lothiriel excused herself claiming a headache and promised to be back down when she felt better. Finduilas was ready to go with her back to her chamber but the princess insisted her friend stay.
There was no headache; she could not handle being in the same room with her father since they had not spoken of the matter at hand. Loti hoped that her father would follow her cue and leave as well so that they could talk in private, but he never came to her room. Lothiriel woke up in the night to the sound of a harp playing in the castle. The music was slow and mournful and seemed to eerily match her mood.
Following the sound of the music Loti found herself standing at her father's chambers. Giving him the respect he did not show her she knocked first, but entered before he had given permission. He was not surprised to see his daughter; he knew she would come to him and he knew she was intrigued by her love of the harp.
"Do you recognize the song Loti? There was no malice in her father's voice. It has been so long since I played this old thing that I am afraid it is out of tune. And these fingers are not what they once were; it probably is hard to tell what it is."
"I recognize it, The Swan Harp." She stood beside her father's harp watching him play the fine crafted instrument.
"Do you remember the words to it?"
"A farmer their lived in the old country, and he had daughters one, two, three." She repeated the first line in normal speech. You know father that I can not sing."
"Rest his soul if any of his daughters were like mine, let alone all three! I always thought it would be your brother's that would cause me the most grief. Getting women with child, giving me bastard heirs to the throne, warring with their father for control, dying in battle. Alas no, I am blessed and cursed to have a daughter thrown into the mix and she alone has managed to age her father faster then any one of her brothers!"
"I am sorry father." She did not know where this conversation with her father was going and she was nervous.
"There is no reason to apologize. The deed is done, the outcome has played out. You will marry Eomer today and there will be no mention of Rufio in the castle from this day forward. That is my only command."
"Yes love, today you marry and he can deal with your stubbornness, willfulness, courageous and proud self. But what were you thinking in the first place Loti? I need to know."
_____________________________________________________________________
The ride from Minas Tirith was not what Eomer and the 25 men from his eored had expected. A nice road extended from the citadel south and there were many small streams for them to rest and refresh. The king noticed that the lands he was traveling through were not any different from the Mark. Rivers crossed the plains and the same kinds of flowers and animals dwelled in Gondor as in his homeland. He hoped this was a good sign, that it meant Rohan would not be such a change for the princess.
Traveling in Gondor had been good so far; the weather was fine for riding, the roads were good and flat and the villages they passed through were welcoming. The King of the Mark felt at home, until Linhir. There Eomer glimpsed the great sea for the first time and was absolutely taken by the sight! Bright colored boats of red, blue, yellow and orange were in the bay. To a man from a land lock country the first glimpse was astounding. The smells were vastly different from Edoras and the people dressed as vibrantly as their boats. Yet he could not escape the sound of the sea with its calm rolling waves crashing on shore. He made a mental note to stop by this place anytime he was in Dol Amroth.
Their brief stay in Linhir got Eomer wondering how Lothiriel could give up such wondrous sights. But she had grown up among this culture and his amazement with boats and the sounds of the sea would seem silly to her. He wondered how she felt about horses. Did she ride or was she taken around in ships? One thing he knew, he could not wait to see Dol Amroth or Lothiriel again.
They had one more night to camp under the stars before they arrived in Dol Amroth. The king was interested in learning about Gondor so the princess would not think he was a total dunce. The rumor that horselords were illiterate, while true for the majority of the populace, was not true for him. He had received a sound education, even though at the time he was being schooled he wondered when he would ever have use for it.
"Gondorian women; especially ones with the blood of the elves are truly a tricky situation to master Eomer." Aragorn said as he puffed on his pipe.
"So it is true she carries elven blood in her veins, many had told me it was just a story to help bolster the line of the princes."
"Lothlorien blood runs through her veins. Even Legolas recognized it in her father. Of course Numenorean blood composes the other half of her lineage so you my friend are in for serious trouble if things go ill."
Aragorn continued, getting an odd enjoyment out of Eomer's discomfort. "She is not young Eomer, and I do not expect her to be blind to the ways of men."
Eomer shifted more at his friend's words. "She might have experienced the ways of the men of Gondor, but she has not had the pleasure of knowing the ways of the Horselords of Rohan." He smiled but still showed worry on his face.
Aragorn looked slyly at Eomer and let out a smoke ring. "You wanted to know about the women of Gondor did you not? Do not interrupt me," he joked.
"Remember she is being taken from her home by a strange man from the North. While most of the people rejoice at this a few disapprove of their prince's blood mingling with outsiders. Just as I am sure it is the same in your kingdom."
"I do not know if she rides well or not. If luck is on your side that will be the biggest problem in your union."
"Luck is never on my side Aragorn." He stirred the fire. "And if she does not like what she sees, then what?"
Playfully twisting the knife into Eomer's back Aragorn replied, "Then she will help you rule, but take a more pleasing type to her side. A consort."
"Never! We will work through that if it comes. I think that I am handsome enough; the many women of Rohan think I am handsome. So why should Lothiriel not think the same thing?" He was playing back to his friend.
"Lothiriel has been ruling in her father's absence for years so I do not think you will have to be gentle in affairs of state. When we ride out to meet our foes she will be able to rule Rohan easily. She has conducted many treaties for her father and Gondor; she knows how to conduct her affairs."
"That is something that has greatly drawn me to her. She seems able to take care of affairs quickly and wisely from what her father has told me. I could have chosen a woman from a house in Rohan but I do not think any would make a fit ruler in my absence, except my sister. Once I saw her I knew she would be Rohan's queen and my wife. At least that is the thought Eowyn placed into my head."
It seemed as if a dam had burst in Eomer's head and let out all his pent up emotions. "I am going to be married tomorrow! What am I thinking?"
Aragorn knocked out the remains of his pipe and put it away. Amused at his friend's realization. "You are thinking you are in love. If she is like her female ancestors she will be stubborn, almost if not more stubborn then yourself, but she is also reasonable to logic. Clash of wills I fear will cause some conflict in the Golden Hall. Thinking about it that really might be your biggest problem at first." Here Aragorn laughed.
Eomer had a confused and worried look on his face.
"Do not worry Eomer; you have charm, good looks, and a quick wit about you. You will be able to sweep her off her feet."
"I thank you for your words Aragorn, but I do not know if they give me heart or not. I could not sweep her off her feet at Edoras a few months back." He laughed as he got up to head to his tent.
Aragorn heard the whizzing of arrows but did not have enough time to push Eomer to safety. Three silver arrows hit the King of the Mark in the back, the fourth clanked off the rock that Aragorn had been leaning against.
Chapter 10 - The Arrows Return Home
As Aragorn arrived at the city gates the sun was beginning to rise, creating the illusion that the brilliant red-orange sphere was coming out of the sea. He supported the young King of the Mark in front of him; Eomer’s lifeless body bouncing limply with each step the horse took. Riding beside Aragorn was Elfhelm on Eomer’s faithful Firefoot, behind him were a small host of Aragorn’s Gondorian soldiers. Aragorn considered Eomer’s eored a liability to the city in the mood that they had come under since the king was shot so they stayed behind to break down camp and search for clues to the identity of Eomer’s assassin. To keep balance Eothain volunteered to stay with the eored until they arrived in Dol Amroth later in the day.
Aragorn whispered into Eomer’s ear as they entered the city, “I wish you could see this friend. Linhir falls short of the beauty of Dol Amroth. The inlet of Cobas Haven is reflecting the early morning sun on its surface. Tirith Aear rises majestically from the city’s center. Prince Imrahil’s blue and silver banners are flying from every building along with brightly colored garlands. You would love the sights.”
Their early arrival in the city brought the citizens out to see what was going on. They quickly lined the streets; no one had seen the King of Rohan before so confusion was everywhere and soon escalated to drama. The citizens recognized their king and the colors of his soldier’s armor, but the young man in front of Aragorn was a stranger to them. Several women whispered that the lifeless form had to be the princess’ groom and began to shout out “Make way for the kings!” Soon the entire city was following the king toward the castle.
Aragorn knew the arrows were from the prince’s armory; the characteristic silver shaft with a blue tip made that fact clear. The archer’s of Dol Amroth had been valuable upon the field of war and last night one of them showed their deadly accuracy again. Aragorn had a lot of questions on his mind and he hoped to have them answered soon. But for now he had to get Eomer somewhere where his body would be safe from prying eyes and further harm. He arrived at the castle and was taken to the prince and his sons.
Imrahil and his sons were in the library when it was announced that King Elessar had arrived and requested a meeting with them. Surprised but not alarmed at the early arrival the princes invited Aragorn into the library. The mood was joyous until Aragorn appeared with the king’s lifeless body.
“What has happened?” Imrahil rushed to his dear friend not believing that Eomer was dead.
“We were ambushed last night about 50 miles out of the city. These are the arrows that hit the king.” Aragorn motioned to Elfhelm to show Imrahil and his sons the arrows that had pierced the king’s armor. The prince gasped!
“These are arrows from my armory Aragorn! I do not think that any man of mine would have done such a horrific deed. I can not believe it, I will not believe it!” He gripped the arrows tightly in his hand. “Where are the tips?”
“Those are still embedded in Eomer, my prince. I did not want to dig them out as he lay dying. There will be time when his body is prepared to remove the tips.” Aragorn was stoic and not once cast his eyes to Eomer’s body.
“Lay him on the couch.” Amrothos pointed to a couch in front of a window. “Poor Loti,” he said as he adjusted the king on the cushion. “My dear sister will not take this well father. First Rufio and now the King of Rohan. I fear she will be overcome with grief.” He looked to Imrahil for comfort. “Poor Loti.”
“No, I do not think she needs to know of this as of now. We will close the library off while the king’s body rests in state. Aragorn, I will do what ever you wish of me.” Imrahil spoke with a slight quiver in his voice.
“Keep the library guarded; I do not want anyone prying at the king. Erchirion, Elphir take me to the armory. Amrothos talk to your men to see if they might know anything about the attack on the king. Imrahil, keep your daughter content for now. Elfhelm will prepare for the remainder of the eored to come into the city.”
“There will be time to grieve for our dear friend later Imrahil.” Aragorn had to pull the prince away from Eomer’s body. “Right now we need to find out who pulled off the attack and what else they might have in store. Even the princess might be in danger." He was trying to get Imrahil to focus on something other then Eomer’s still body and when he mentioned that Loti could be in danger the prince snapped out of his stupor.
“Lothiriel in danger?” It seemed as if he had never thought that while in his castle his daughter could be in danger. The thought shocked him into action.
Chapter 11 - Raising the Dead
Lothiriel sat in the warm salt water bath trying to relax. Finduilas had seen to every last detail to make her bridal bath soothing, even adding oils to the water to create a mellow scent. With eyes closed she thought about the events leading up to this day and what she really felt. Looking back to the first days after her father had made his announcement she was angry and hurt. She considered herself nothing more then a political pawn to be moved to the most convenient location. She still felt like a pawn in a game of mighty men but there were two ways she could manage her situation. First fight it and show her people that she was a spoiled brat who did not deserve to rule; or second try to look for some silver-lining in the turmoil. She chose the second option; at least she would have some control over her own life that way.
For the last few months the facts that she was going to be married and leaving Dol Amroth were the dominate thoughts on her mind. Her brother’s had taken over her royal tasks and Finduilas had taken it upon herself to arrange daily life in the castle. This left the princess with her only duties being to prepare for her new life. Soon she found that the idea of going to another land excited her; even though she would be bound to a man she did not know. That too was creating an odd sense of excitement in her, getting to know the King of the Mark and having the title of queen. If she stayed in Dol Amroth Elphir’s wife would become the princess of the city and her role would be diminished. Being a queen however was something that she knew she could do well; she had been doing just that for years.
She breathed deeply when the king entered her thoughts. Eomer, or at least her idea of him, had gradually sneaked into her mind in the past few weeks. Loti remembered his looks, how could anyone forget the King of Rohan? His blond hair hanging loosely over his shoulders and little wisps of blond framing his fair face. She had not seen the king in enough light to see the color of his eyes, but she knew that they were dark. To be a rustic horselord she was amazed that his beard and mustache were well groomed and that his hard body stood proudly even weighed down with armor. Yet he was aged with cares it seemed and she was disappointed that he did not show expressions on his face. He had looked so stern the whole time she had been in his presence that she had a hard time believing her father when he said that the king’s face lit up when she was around and that Eomer smiled just at the mention of her name. Loti wondered what first drew the king to her. He could have had any woman he wished for in his own land, so why had he decided to pick one of foreign birth to be his wife and queen? Again the thought of being a pawn came into her mind.
Regardless of what she felt she had formed an image of the king in her mind and it was this image that she fantasized about. Fantasies about her life with him in Rohan; how cold and distant he would be, how she would try to melt his heart and tame his wild spirit. Silly girl thoughts that she was too old to think, but delighted in them anyway. Somehow she would have to cope with the probability that her marriage would be loveless and emotionally empty and her fantasy world had always helped her in the past. But she had heard from several that Eomer actually believed he was in love with her and that gave her a slight bit of hope.
“What is wrong with the female mind?” Loti said out loud as she opened her eyes to see Finduilas; but her maid was not alone.
Finduilas came to help Loti get dressed for her meeting with the king, but on her way in she had been forcefully grabbed by Bregon who now held an evil looking knife blade to Finduilas’ throat.
“Make one sound to alert the guards princess and her blood will be on your hands.” His words had the desired effect on Lothiriel; she made no sound as she followed his commands.
“Out Loti, out of the tub I have something I want to show you. Something I think you will like to see.” He allowed her enough courtesy to put on a robe.
“This way princess and remember, anything to tip the guards off and Finduilas will die in front of your eyes.” He seemed to be delighting in his evilness.
Lothiriel looked to Finduilas who was held tightly in Bregon’s arms with the blade of the knife biting into her skin. She would allow no one to harm her friend; especially a weak little coward like Bregon. “Your father would be very disappointed in his son’s actions.” She spat at him.
He led the women out of the room and down the hall into the library. Inside the library Bealin awaited his brother. He had managed to get rid of the guards and now took over being Finduilas' captor so Bregon could torment the princess. Bregon now held the knife to Lothiriel’s throat and walked her to where her groom lay.
“So this is the great king of horses.” He sneered at her. For the first time in months Lothiriel gazed at the King of the Mark, she felt weak in her knees but Bregon would not let her fall. “Stay up princess. Look upon him.”
“Bregon, why?” She said softly to emotionally drained to speak louder. He was just as she had imagined in her mind and seeing him in death devastated her heart. “No, no, no. Why?”
“The why will come in time; do you not want to know how I killed him? Do you not want to know why you shed your tears over him?” He pushed Loti to her knees as he knelt behind her dragging the blade down her neck and talking into her ear. “Four arrows dipped in nightshade I let fly at the king. Three hit him in the back; you know what nightshade does to the body. By my guess the arrow wounds did not kill him but the poison as it ran through his body would cause a most agonizing death.” He kissed her neck and she cringed.
“Bregon, stop it! Why are you doing this? You little coward! Not brave enough to face a mighty king one to one. You are pathetic! Having to shoot him in the back under the cover of night.”
“Shut up princess unless you want to watch your maid die.” Bealin hissed to her as he pushed the knife into Finduilas’ throat and a trickle of blood ran down her white skin.
With one hand securing the knife to the princess' throat Bregon took his other hand and ran it through Eomer’s hair, mockingly making the king presentable. “Do you judge him fair to look upon Lothiriel?”
“He is dead.” She reached her free hand out to touch Eomer but Bregon caught it and held it behind her back. “Yes he is fair to look upon. Fair in life as in death.” She would not let Bregon and Bealin win.
“Do you honestly believe that the princess of Dol Amroth would be happy in a union with such a poor kingdom as Rohan? Rohan would offer you nothing but cold nights and horrid days filled with the filth that make up the kingdom of horses. You are use to luxuries and warmth. You would be nothing more then chattel to be took whenever the king or his men felt the need. That is not the life deserved for a princess. Rohan is a kingdom of vulgar, nasty men and the women are not much more then whores. You would become a whore to be a queen?”
“You speak nothing but lies Bregon! Yes, he could make me happy. As for yourself you can rot.” She tried to dislodge his weight but failed. He held her with more force as a small cry escaped Finduilas’ lips. Bregon would not let Loti turn her head to see her friend; he kept it focused on the king.
“You just do not learn do you princess. Someone needs to teach you how to obey!” He pushed her head onto Eomer’s chest and continued. “He thought he could make you obey. I heard the conversation he held with the king of Gondor. They were talking about how stubborn you were and how the king would teach you to obey; it was graphic princess, even you would break under his terms. Does it pain you to know that he only wanted you to solidify alliances with Gondor?”
“I do not believe a word you say Bregon! Even if I am nothing more then a political pawn at least I can live my life with dignity. I am my own self and no one will own me!”
“Did you think you would learn to love him?” He pulled her head up off the king’s chest.
“Yes, I know I could love him Bregon. Everything about him and his kingdom too. He is the one I am destined to be with; my father has made that clear and seeing him now speaks to my heart. So either kill me now so I may go to him and have in death what life denied us or prepare to die.”
Laughing he pulled the princess up to her feet so quickly she got dizzy. You are in no position to fight me Loti, neither is Finduilas. He turned them to see where his brother and Finduilas were. Blood was running down her maid’s neck but it did not seem life threatening.
“I had not planned on it.” She felt his grip loosen and her first action was to help Finduilas get Bealin under control. Which with the shock of seeing his twin ran through was easy.
The gurgling of Bregon could be heard throughout the library. Eomer had ran him through when Bregon had turned to look at his brother and now Bregon’s life was slowly slipping away. With one brother down he came toward the other that was being held by the princess and her maid.
“I do not know your part in this conspiracy so you shall live for now.” He took control of Bealin and once he was tied up he addressed the princess.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“And you?” He asked Finduilas who also said no. It was only a small shallow cut on her neck and the bleeding had stopped.
“But you were dead?” Finduilas was confused by the events that had just taken place.
“I could not stay dead knowing my loved one was in danger.” He walked over to Lothiriel and embraced her. “And I do love you Lothiriel of Dol Amroth. Bregon’s words were venomous lies. I would never harm you or your spirit; both are too precious to me.” It was difficult for him to not kiss her but he was restrained enough to suffice with a deep embrace.
“Finduilas, when Bregon pushed me onto the king I felt his breath in my ear and heard his heart beating strong. I knew he was not dead.” Loti added more to Eomer’s story. Finduilas nodded her head in acceptance and saw the loving looks that passed between her princess and the king.
“I shall get the prince and bring in the guards. I am sure that your father will be very displeased in the sons of his second in command.” Finduilas said as she left the couple, a huge smile on her face regardless of the previous incident.
Eomer looked at Lothiriel and rested his head on hers, his hands began to rub her back and his arms gave her security.
"Mmmm," Loti purred as she wrapped herself tighter in the king's arms. "I find comfort and security in your embrace Eomer."
"And you shall always find it in my arms." He kissed the top of her head.
Only when the prince and the rest of the party came did she reluctantly allow him to leave her side so he could explain how the dead could rise.
Lothiriel knew her feelings for the King of Rohan were growing stronger. He had rescued her and gently comforted her after the ordeal; gentleness was a beautiful trait. He had acheived his justice but had not gone wild with bloodlust as some believed of the Rohirrim; he had stayed focused and restrained and so handsome and calm. She wanted him now, but there were still hours before the evening wedding ceremony!
Chapter 12 - Chance and Fate
Before sunset the wedding party made their way toward the beach. Imrahil escorted his daughter and Finduilas walked a few steps behind; making sure that everything went as planned. The citizens lining the streets threw flower petals at the procession and laid flowers in front of their feet. The procession moved closer to the beach and Lothiriel could see Eomer waiting for her. He looked uncomfortable in his royal garments and constantly rocked back and forth. She could not lie to herself any longer, she was terrified at the prospects this union created but Eomer’s smile melted away some of her fears. Everyone took their places on the beach. Lothiriel had Finduilas standing beside her; Eomer had Eothain on his side. The judge welcomed the guests and the ceremony began.
Lothiriel could not help but laugh many times during the ceremony as something on the beach caught the king’s attention; be it the dolphins that swam in the water or gulls flying low. He was like a little boy who got distracted at anything and he did not hear what he was to speak. The ceremony lasted longer then anticipated because of the king’s distractions. Finally the vows were spoken and the couple united with a kiss. It was over and the princess looked around to the guests and smiled, Eomer was pale and shaky but managed to smile at the crowd also.
The feast that followed was a merry event despite the trials that had taken place earlier in the day. Bregon had been taken to his family’s house to prepare his body for funeral rites while Bealin was placed under arrest and locked in the dungeon. With the perpetrators taken care of everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The eored were especially ecstatic to see that their king was not dead and many blessed Eomer’s luck. At the feast Eomer had to repeat his story many times for his men and curious eavesdroppers.
“Bregon in his haste to execute me did not check his arrow tips and instead of shooting me with the poisoned tips he spoke to Lothiriel of I was hit with blunted practice tips. The type that boys just learning to shot are given to use, they did not even pierce my armor. But Aragorn and I thought it best to pretend that he was successful to catch the culprit.” Eomer wondered how many times he would have to tell the story tonight. Finally Eomer was called away from his men to take his place at the head table.
At the head table sat the royal family and close friends. The eored had been placed against a far back wall but were treated graciously. The prim Gondorian women at the feast did not know what to make of the horselords at first. But as drink flowed and the music began it was obvious that something was running through their proper minds. Several shyly started conversations with the men and many more flirted through the night. Eomer, aware of the action going on with his men whispered to his bride, “My men will want to come to Dol Amroth more often, they have not gotten this much action in years.” His grin made Loti burst out in laughter.
“I am afraid that after tonight there will be many little horselords running through Dol Amroth in 9 months. You truly did strengthen alliances.” It was Eomer’s turn to laugh, but she had brought up a point that he would like to discuss with her.
“So how many little horselords should we expect running around Meduseld?” His question was honest enough but it took the queen by complete surprise.
She did not know what to say. She had thought about children when she would see babies in their mother’s arms but for herself she had never gotten the urge to procreate.
“I have never given childrearing serious thought my lord.” She watched his face for a reaction. All she saw was thoughtfulness, as if he was trying to decipher her words. He was a lot like her in the fact that he seemed to think of all the consequences before he spoke. However Loti feared that they had come onto a subject that would have the potential to cause arguments in the not so distant future.
Eomer took her hand and kissed it. Looking into her eyes he said, “We will handle children when that time comes. Tonight is for us and I desperately want to get to know my queen better.” He kissed her as the remaining eored shouted out their approval.
People from every walk of life were allowed at the feast and many people blessed the new couple; a few showed their distain of the union by not speaking to the couple or their family but partaking in the hospitality that was offered . Harpers and musicians kept the crowd entertained way into the night, the dancing was lively and everyone seemed to be having a good time. That was what the royal family wanted, everyone to share their fortune and be happy with them.
As the people proceeded to congratulate Lothiriel and Eomer the queen saw a very familiar face coming toward her. Her heart skipped a few beats and her hands began to sweat. It was Rufio’s aunt and Loti believed that the woman knew more then she let on about the romance between herself and her nephew. There was no time for Loti to excuse herself Mabd was already standing in front of her.
“Mabd, it is good to see you again.” Loti spoke hoping to get a jovial response back from the woman.
“It is good to see you too Loti. Good to see you happy again. Our house has been so empty without Rufio,” tears formed in Mabd’s eyes.
Consoling her lover’s aunt Lothiriel hugged the woman tightly. “Oh Loti! Why did Rufio have to go? Why did he have to die far from home?” Mabd cried and Loti felt like joining her. It took reserve for the queen not let lose the floodgate of tears she had so far managed to suppress.
“He was very honorable Mabd, very honorable. He was loyal to his country and his prince, king and family. Rufio did what he felt he needed to do.”
“He loved you so much.” Mabd dried her eyes and tried to smile as she remembered happier memories of Rufio and Lothiriel. She looked at Eomer and gave him the best smile she could and bowed. “I have known this woman since she was an infant. She is much loved in our city and I hope that love will be with you always.”
Eomer returned the woman’s bow and said, “I thank you for your kind words my lady. Lothiriel means a lot to her kingdom and be assured that I will do everything to keep her happy.”
Mabd smiled, shook Loti’s hand and then proceeded down to the prince and his sons. Eomer saw the tears in his wife’s eyes and wondered what was said to bring Lothiriel to tears. He did not have to wait long for an answer. Loti had seen his concerned look and told him what had passed between Mabd and herself.
“Her name is Mabd and she is the aunt of a dear friend of Elphir’s and mine, Rufio. He was a captain in my father’s army and rode with him to protect the White City and the free peoples.” Lothiriel’s voice was sad.
A look of remembrance came into the king’s eyes. “I remember him. He rode with your brothers and when time allowed we would all talk of Dol Amroth and the beaches. He was a very fine soldier. He gave his life for me. As I led my men into an impossible position for escape he and your father came to our aid. I tried to stop the orc from slaying him but could not reach him in time. I am truly sorry for her lose. Do you think I should go and tell her about her nephew’s sacrifice?”
Lothiriel was speechless at hearing that Eomer knew Rufio. “Fate brings us all together and chance casts her lots,” she finally managed to say. It was taking amazing composure on her part to not just fall to pieces.
“Yes, you should tell her. I am going to get some air, it is hot in here.” Loti had to get away, she felt like she could not draw breath and she did not want Eomer to come with her. “Go talk to her Eomer, she is a very nice lady.” She pushed him toward Mabd and then briskly walked out into the night. Leaving her husband and guests confused.
Outside the queen ran toward the shore, the sea had always been her retreat and she needed to hear its soothing sounds now; her soul was torn in two. It was low tide and Loti sat on an exposed rock. She was shaking from cold and tears ran down her face but she needed to hear the sea. Soon there was a presence behind her, turning to look she was not surprised to see Elphir standing, looking at her.
“What is wrong sweet? You left the king confused and worried when departed. I told him that I would find you and bring you back. So what has happened in the few hours that you have been married to cause you to flee your husband and cry into the sea?” He joined her on the rock.
“In a very strange coincidence of fate Eomer knows of Rufio.”
Elphir looked concerned. “And he is alright with that?”
“No, he does not know about us but he met Rufio when father joined his troops to come to Gondor’s aid. Rufio rode with Amrothos and Erchirion and they apparently had conversations with Eomer about Dol Amroth.
“Fate is an odd mistress.”
“Rufio died rescuing Eomer Elphir! Eomer admitted that he saw Rufio ride to his aid along with father. He saw the creature that took him down but could not save him.”
Elphir took his sister’s hand. “Loti! Your hand is as ice! You are freezing. We need to go back in.”
“I can not. Do you not see that I can not look upon Eomer know without having feelings of loathing? I do not want to hate my husband but right now I can not reconcile being married to the man that caused my first husband to die!”
“He did not cause Rufio to die Loti. Rufio knew the risks and was willing to take them. I am sure that he and Eomer were friends and friends, especially brothers-in-arms, protect each other to the very end. Eomer is not at fault for Rufio’s death.”
Looking coldly at her brother, “Father told me about the “rescue” of the men of the Mark. Eomer led them into a suicide battle where he knew he could not win. He wanted to die Elphir, for what I do not know, but if he had not acting irrational Rufio might still be alive.”
“Might be alive Loti, might is the key word. And if he was alive then how would you get out of being promised to the King of Rohan?”
“That does not balance the scales brother.”
He was confused at her words. “What do you mean by not balance the scales?”
“Rufio dying so I can freely marry a man I do not know just because he is a king does not balance out Rufio giving his life while protecting the man that his wife was forced to marry.”
“I thought you were falling for Eomer.”
“I was, I am falling for him but right now I need time to reconcile this news in my head. Just give me some time alone. I promise that I will be back inside soon. Do not let Eomer find me.”
“I will not lie for you Loti, not to your husband. If he asks I will tell him where you are; but I will let you tell him why you are here.”
Elphir returned to the castle and Loti sat desperately trying to sort out her feelings about what she had just found out. In deep thought she lost track of time and only realized the lateness when she heard Eomer shout her name.
“Lothiriel! Come inside love. It is late and the guests are concerned about you. I am very concerned about you.”
Mumbling under her breath she said, “Great, just what I do not need right now.”
“Lothiriel! How did you manage to get out to that rock?”
Looking around she saw that the tide was coming in and the beach that had allowed for her to walk out to the rock was now covered in water. She had been out a long time if the tide was rising, but it had not rose so much that she could not wade back to shore. On the shore Eomer held his breath not knowing what to do. He had never been in the sea before, he did not even know if he remembered how to swim and now the woman he vowed to protect was walking up to her knees in that cold black water. It did not come to him that she could swim and he started wading into the water.
“Eomer! Do not come in. I will be on the shore in a second.” She saw him stop and was relieved. There would be no way she could pull him out of the sea if something happened and he lost his footing.
Walking up to him she took his hand and walked to dry land. “That was a noble thing you were going to do Eomer, but you must realize I was raised by the sea. I know how the sea works you could have been swept away.”
“I thought I vowed to protect you.”
“It goes both ways my king.” She heard herself say ‘my king’ and it irritated her. It was going to take more time for her to reconcile the thoughts in her head and until then she would have to put forth the best diplomatic demeanor she could manage. They arrived back at the feast and were greeted questionably due to their wet clothes.
Chapter 13 - First Fight
Soon exhaustion began to overcome the queen and king and they agreed that it was best to say their goodbyes and retire for the evening. Tomorrow they would leave for Rohan to avoid the harsh winter weather that was predicted. Eomer wanted to get Lothiriel back to the Mark as soon as he could; he was missing his home and wanted to show off his bride. As they said their goodbyes prince Imrahil could not help but smile broadly. He had indeed chosen well for his daughter; Lothiriel looked upon Eomer with admiration and he looked upon her with sincere love.
Back in the bridal suite Lothiriel slumped into a chair in front of the fireplace. “I am exhausted Eomer. Who would have believed that the bride would be this tired on her wedding night?”
“It has been a very eventful day for us. Tomorrow we leave for Rohan we should be well rested. The journey is not difficult but it is long and tiring at times.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and lightly kissed her neck.
It was true she was tired, and it was also true Eomer was starting to drive her crazy with his well placed kisses. Loti wondered how long her diplomacy could last under these circumstances. Then the conflict came; head verses heart. Her head was trying to reconcile the fact that Eomer did not cause Rufio’s death and that even though things were painful it seemed to have worked out for the best. Loti’s heart, while joyous at being with the king, was beginning to grieve again for Rufio and what could have been. Then there was the sex. Eomer was definitely succeeding in seducing her and it was their wedding night. It had been months and he was driving her wild with his kisses and caresses; but her head overruled desire. She pulled away from him, leaving him confused.
“I am sorry Eomer but this is…is…” she could not find an appropriate word to describe the feelings that ran through her. “This is too quick.” There, she had found a word that although did not show her emotions it brought up a reason why they should go slow.
“Too quickly? This morning you desired nothing else but to be in my arms and now you say I move to quickly? I have desires as well and if I have read you wrong that is not my fault.”
“I…it is…I do not know what to say or do Eomer. Everything has happened so quickly that I have not had time to settle my thoughts. I do desire you my king, but there is so much more going on that I can not give myself to you the way we both deserve.” Loti hoped he understood.
Eomer stood thoughtful for a moment, looking as if he was remembering something in the past. “That lady that made you upset tonight, Mabd the aunt to your friend I noticed that after you spoke with her you did not smile anymore. I also noticed that when I told of my acquaintance with her nephew you looked as if you were becoming ill.”
Loti did not know what to say or do. “I am glad that you are so perceptive Eomer.”
“You mock me?” He thought that his wife had made an off center retort to his ability to notice things.
“No, I do not mock you. You saw rightly that I was upset, that is all I meant.” She reached for him and this time he pulled away.
“We are married Lothiriel Queen of Rohan. You should be able to tell me anything. I want to know what made my wife so upset tonight. What did I say or do to put you in such a melancholy mood? I know that you are giving up home and family for me and I understand that that is traumatic for you but I had an interesting conversation with Mabd Lothiriel. What is the connection between you and her nephew?”
“Who is Rufio?” He finally came out and asked.
“It is a long story Eomer, one that spans my lifetime.”
“I want to hear it.”
“It is sad Eomer and will only bring us down.”
“You are already down my lady. Tell me!” He did not mean to sound so stern when he spoke and his tone clearly startled Lothiriel.
Lothiriel knew that she should tell Eomer the truth but she did not know how he would take it. How would a man so use to war and bloodlust handle the fact that his wife loved the man responsible for his rescue? What did Mabd say to him? She thought back on his actions during the day and felt that it would be ok to tell him everything.
Eomer sat on the bed listening to his wife’s story of Rufio, Elphir and herself in childhood. Lothiriel paced as she spoke and not once looked him directly in the eye, something he found lacking in her character and he made it known.
Interrupting Lothiriel’s story he demanded that she stop pacing and look at him when she spoke. It was bothering him greatly that she was behaving so disrespectfully toward him.
“I am giving you the answer you desire so I would advise you to shut up and let me finish it on my own terms.” Eomer’s command that she stop pacing and look at him angered her. Here she was telling him her deepest secrets and he had not the respect to hear her out.
“I can not read you when you turn away from me. How can I trust you to tell me the truth if I can not see your face and read your eyes?” It sounded so logical to him; that was how it was in his eored. The men spoke looking him in the eye so he could read what they were saying between the lines. Lothiriel was not doing that and it was irritating.
“I am telling you the truth Eomer, why do you not stop thinking about yourself and listen to me.”
“Thinking about myself? Wanting to hear about my wife’s past is thinking about me?”
“You are not wanting to hear my past my lord; you want to interrogate me, make me humble to you. No, that is not how this relationship will work so get over yourself and realize that they are two people united.”
“I just can not believe that someone as beautiful as you would stay faithful to a man for so long, especially in your youth. It is impossible to believe that only one man has known you.”
“What? When did this become about my sexual past? How many women have known you? And are you saying because I am pretty that I can not remain faithful to someone I love dearly? That I am some wench that professes love to one man while bedding another?” She was trying to get her point across that Eomer was being ridiculous in his accusations but he did not understand.
Eomer could not explain the sudden surge of energy that raged in him. It felt like he was going into battle with the darkest of foes. Jealousy took over and all logic left him. “You said it yourself. My suspicions have been confirmed.” His ego was hurting right now.
“Did you even hear what I said?” Loti was very angry. It was apparent that he did not listen to her story about Rufio and that he was not listening to her now.
“I heard that you have a problem remaining faithful to one man.” In his mind he was debating if he had heard it or not, but his ego was now desperately trying to recover itself, from what he could not fathom. He tried to stop what came out of his mouth next but he could not.
“I will let you in on my secret Lothiriel, I married you out of political pressure. Do you think that I would not have chosen a woman of Rohan before I chose a brat such as yourself? It is political Lothiriel, arranged by your father and Aragorn. I agreed to it simply to get my advisors off my back. Rohan needs a queen and it just so happened that a marriage to you would strengthen alliances between Rohan and Gondor. That is all there is to it Lothiriel.” He stormed out of the chamber!
In the hallway Eomer ran into Finduilas who knew immediately that something was wrong. He passed by her and headed to Aragorn’s room.
The knock on his door brought the king out of his book. “Enter” he was not expecting Eomer.
“Eomer? What brings you to my room on your wedding night?”
“She would not stop pacing and look me in the eyes as she was telling me some story about her past relationship with a man. I overheard her and a lady during the feast and when I confronted her about it she began telling me these lies.”
“How do you know they are lies?” Aragorn was suspicious of his friend.
“She would not look me in the eyes Aragorn. You know that is a common trait of liars.”
Everything became clear to Aragorn. “You can not treat her as you do one of your men Eomer. I do not know where you even thought that was a good idea. Did you ever stop to think that her memories were painful ones that she did not want to share but shared anyway because you two are now married?”
It was as if someone had smacked the King of Rohan up the side of the head. His pride left and he became aware of what was truly going on in the chamber before he became such a jerk. He did not know how to treat his wife so treating her like one of his men seemed like an easy out. They were always respectful to his wishes to get inside their heads, Lothiriel was not and he had not realized the difference.
He wondered what exactly he had heard and what he had selected to ignore out of his wife’s mouth. “I let pride get in the way and said words to her in anger that I did not mean. I have been married less then half a day and have already messed it up probably beyond repair.”
“Yes, you have messed up,” came a voice from the hall. “She is absolutely livid yet crushed at the same time. Not a good combination in my princess. King Elessar, perhaps you may be able to intervene in this affair.” Finduilas was crafty that much Aragorn knew.
“I will explain it to you on my lady’s behalf.” She quoted Eomer’s final words to the princess verbatim. ‘I will let you in on my secret Lothiriel, I married you out of political pressure. Do you think that I would not have chosen a woman of Rohan before I chose a brat such as yourself? It is political Lothiriel, arranged by your father and Aragorn. I agreed to it simply to get my advisors off my back. Rohan needs a queen and it just so happened that a marriage to you would strengthen alliances between Rohan and Gondor. That is all there is to it Lothiriel.”
“No love, no respect, no compassion and only selfishness that is not the way to start off a marriage.” Finduilas looked to Aragorn for support.
Aragorn looked at Eomer. “She is correct Eomer; those things that you said are enough to destroy any chance you might have had to start off on the right footing.”
Weakly Eomer pleaded to Aragorn. “Aragorn what can I do? I did not mean what I spoke to her, you know that. You know that I love Lothiriel and cherish her and have pledged my life to her. It was a misunderstanding; we are still getting to know each other. Do I not get a second chance?”
Getting up to follow Finduilas to the bridal chamber Aragorn put his hand on Eomer’s shoulder. “I do not know if you will get a second chance my friend. I warned you about her temper.”
Inside the chamber Loti sat with Elphir; as of now only Finduilas, Eomer, Aragorn, Elphir and she knew of the argument that had taken place.
Eomer stormed into the chamber ahead of Aragorn. His presence was not welcomed and Elphir made that fact known. It was Aragorn that stopped the two from coming to blows, but what Aragorn stopped Eomer continued.
Realizing that the only thing he could do was apologize profusely he begged Loti to forgive him.
“I am not political pawn Eomer. You have created a mess out of my life and I will not forgive or forget that.” To add more sting to her words she paraphrased the king’s earlier remark.
“I married you out of political pressure Eomer. Do you think that I would not have chosen a man of Gondor if I had been given the opportunity before I chose a bastard such as yourself? It is political Eomer arranged by my father. I had no say in the matter and my attempt to make the best out of the situation was wrong. I was wrong to do so and I will not suffer being wrong again.”
Eomer knew he was not going to get out of this one by conventional means; he needed action not words at this time. But she was angry and unpredictable so he had to act quickly. He hoped that Aragorn would back him up, but if not he knew he could not let Lothiriel go without a fight.
Chapter 14 - The People Decide
Taking a deep breath he fatefully plunged himself into the sea of emotions that was his wife. Even her screams did not deter him from carrying the princess down the hall and out into the night air. Aragorn had backed him up after all for there were no guards to hinder him, even Elphir did not impede his way.
“If I can not get your forgiveness with words then I will show you with actions.” They stood in the plaza and Eomer began to shout to get the attention of the sleeping villagers.
“Good people of Dol Amroth! I am Eomer of the Mark and I have recently been wedded to your princess.” While he shouted his words Loti had no idea what was going to come out of this. Her anger was now replaced with embarrassment.
“On this night, our first night together I have insulted your princess to the point where annulment is assured if I can not win her back.”
“Do not air our private life to the people Eomer!” She said through gritted teeth. He paid her no attention.
“I let my pride and ego overrule my love for Lothiriel. I did not understand how she should be treated and treated her no different then the men under my command. That is not how to treat a woman as stunning as your princess.”
From somewhere in the night a lone female voice replied. “You just figured that out?”
The king ignored the remark, “She poured her soul out to me in trust and honesty and I tore it asunder in my pride. I refused to listen to her words, hearing only what my ego allowed me to. I told her I married her out of political pressure from my advisors and that I did not love her. That is not the truth.”
He looked to Lothiriel pleadingly, she remained cold.
“Try harder Eomer” he told himself.
“I was the fool and I admit it before all of you good citizens of Dol Amroth. I was a bastard that destroyed the beautiful gift that I had been given and I now plead for your forgiveness. I can not have Lothiriel forgive me until you forgive me people of Dol Amroth.” He doubted even then that Lothiriel would forgive him and not annul the marriage.
“I will proclaim in every village my undying love for my wife. I will admit my follies to anyone that will listen and I will humbly ask for forgiveness everyday for the rest of my life.”
“Do you forgive me?”
The people of Dol Amroth had taken pity upon hearing the pleading in the king’s voice. Shouts back to the couple came quickly, “You are forgiven.”
“Thank you people of Dol Amroth now I must get the forgiveness of my queen.” He looked to Lothiriel and noticed she was not as cold toward him. Eomer hoped that was a good sign.
“Forgive him princess.” Was shouted from every window it seemed. She was silent for a moment.
“The people have spoken Eomer King. The will of the people overrides any will of my own. I forgive you for your foolish pride.” He picked her up and kissed her as the citizens cheered.
Chapter 15 - The End is Just the Beginning
The Royal Swan ship traveled quickly over the calm waters of Cobas Haven as it made its way out to sea. It was escorted by smaller trading vessels and flanked by small vessels of war, which protected the trades. Lothiriel stood on the deck watching Minas Aear grow smaller and smaller as they traveled further out to sea and farther away from her homeland. The sea was anything but calm and its turbulence seemed to match the queen’s emotions well. While her excitement was pushing her forward sadness at leaving kept her down for most of the trip. Her husband was a wonderful man and she knew she would be happy with him in Rohan, but it was going to take time. Which at that moment she did not have much of. A weakened voice shouted for her from down below; she followed it to their chamber.
Getting Eomer to agree to take a ship back to Minas Tirith was not an easy task. She knew he was fascinated with boats but not quiet fearless enough to get on one. He made excuses about his eored, their horses, Aragorn, and anything else he could think of but the docks of Dol Amroth had an answer for each of his problems. She delighted in watching his uneasiness as he allowed the horses onto a trading vessel meant for livestock. Soon it would be her turn to be uneasy, and her uneasiness would last a lot longer then the three days that it took to reach Minas Tirith. Getting him and his men on the ship took some doing; but once Aragorn and his men boarded without fear the eored did not want to be outdone and with trepidation boarded. Appealing to her king's logical side she had mentioned the time it took off of the trip. It was a large amount that travel by boat would shave off, and would put them back in Rohan three days before travel on foot. Hopefully beating the snows.
The king and most of his men spent all of the first day out at sea ill. Lothiriel was busy tending to mostly Eomer, but at times the others as well. Finduilas was working as hard as she could to keep events from turning into chaos. Once they began up river the ship did not roll as much and everyone was fine. As they past by villages the inhabitants waved at the royal ship. Soon the flowery vale of Lossarnach was in sight and that meant that Minas Tirith was not far away. As the couple watched from the deck Eomer explained some of the history of the vale that connected with Rohan.
“My grandmother Morwen came from Lossarnach and for a while Thengel King lived with her until he inherited the kingship of Rohan.” He spoke proudly of his grandparents and Loti smiled. “She bore five children with him, and he in his old years too. My mother came from them and she bore only two.”
“So if I was to keep up with your grandmother we will need at least five little horselords running around. Childbirth is very dangerous my king. Even queens do not often survive with their children.” He was learning that he could count on Loti to state the pros and cons of everything.
The thought that childbirth was not easy had not occurred to him and the thought that his queen might end up in her grave because of it alarmed him. “We will have what we have Loti love.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.
“May the blood of the elves keep me,” she said. Then she let her eyes close and revealed in the senses that Eomer was making her feel.
“Into the room now!” She shouted as she pushed him backward. He followed her without hesitation.
She lay on the bed and pulled him down to her. Soon his body was covering hers and the kisses, love bites and touching escalated. Both sighed as they pulled each others clothes off and haphazardly discarded them beside the bed. The cabin was small but it did not matter. They would be sharing the space soon enough. Lothiriel moaned as Eomer entered her and let her body move with his. She reversed their position to where she was riding him and the sensation he got pushed him over the edge. Breathlessly both collapsed and all was still for a while.
Eomer broke the silence with a laugh. “What is it love,” Lothiriel asked?
“Perhaps we are already on our way to our first little horselord.” He was beaming at the thought!
“We have only been married four days; you are amazing Eomer King if there is a little one on the way.” She wrapped her arms around him and both fell to sleep.
THE END
Chapter 16 - How do I Help you Say Goodbye
Note: Appendex to the story helping close one chapter of Lothiriel's life and giving Eomer a little more deepth after his nasty fight with his wife. I'm thinking about adding "lost" letters and the like also...to bolster some of the plots to come in Sacrifices Book II. Hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave feedback.
The King of Rohan knew that his newly wedded wife had been the wife of another; one who had died in battle protecting him. He saw the many conflicted emotions that went through her expressed on her beautiful face. Sometimes she would be smiling, the next minute in deep thought as tears formed in her eyes. But no matter what her mood or expression she was being the perfect wife for a king. Perhaps she was using him to block out the painful memories; perhaps she was trying to get on with her life and that was why she had agreed to marry him. Lothiriel was in no way cold to him, she lay beside him, had accepted him into her, but sometimes it seemed she was just not in the moment. And it pained Eomer to know that as of now he did not have her whole attention. He kept wondering how he could show his support to her, his love for her. Somehow there had to be a way that he could help her say goodbye to her first love.
On the way to the ships that would take them to Minas Tirith they past a vast cemetery. The people of Dol Amroth buried their dead simply in the ground and constructed monuments of stone over them. Various animal and ship shapes dotted the landscape but he noticed one newly dug grave had nothing over it. It was a huge pit and he assumed it contained the remains of those that had died in battle but not claimed by family; or so decayed that identification was impossible. He looked to Lothiriel to see her reaction at the sights and saw she wept silently, holding a hand over her mouth so no one could see the contortions that her crying made to her countenance. Now was his time, now was his chance to be the friend she needed, coming up closer to her he spoke.
“Lothiriel Queen I know why you cry and I do not want to be part of it. I do not want you to despise me while your first husband lies in the ground. Would you like to stop here, take some time to say goodbye?” He was terrified of what response his words would get; he was so new to everything. But she took his hand and squeezed gently, looking at him she smiled.
“Yes, that would be nice.”
Her eyes focused past his to the large mass grave in the cemetery. He helped her dismount and bade Finduilas to follow her mistress into the cemetery. Eomer stayed outside the cemetery but watched his wife with sorrow and admiration. He saw her walk to the graves of many and kneel before them, making a symbol on the surface of each. When she finally approached the mass grave he saw Finduilas help Lothiriel steady herself. Memories of his loses came to him as he watched her perform the same rite she had on the other graves.
He had laid his uncle and cousin to rest in the mighty mounds of his ancestors. As a boy he had played among the mounds, never did he realize that one day his beloved parents would be interred inside one. After their deaths he became more familiar with the purpose of the mounds and his once happy play place became one he refused to visit. Then his uncle and cousin had been hewn down in battle and once they were interred, and the realization that he was king was fully upon him, he found the mounds comforting. There, wandering around them he was close to his uncle, he could meditate on his uncle’s rule and gain wisdom and understanding from those inside the mounds. He knew how important it was to say goodbye; now he hoped that Lothiriel would be able to say goodbye and draw wisdom from him buried inside the earth in her own way.
To say he was not jealous of Rufio, her first husband would be false. He was still very jealous that another had been so involved in his queen’s life but everyone had lost so much he would not be selfish and keep her to himself. She was now coming out of the cemetery and toward him.
Eomer saw that she was fatigued, and her cheeks streaked with tears but his heart and his pride swelled. She was still content to go with him to a new place, a completely strange world to her; leaving everything behind her to start a new life with him.
And he knew that he would try his best to make sure that she was always happy with him, that she was always happy to be queen to his people. Then something began to eat at him, what if his people do not like her? That was not possible he thought, no one could not love Lothiriel. His daydream was interrupted by Aragorn and Lothiriel’s return to her horse at the same time.
Aragorn smiled at him sympathetically and said, “Give her time.”
Lothiriel took her husband’s hand and whispered, “thank you Eomer love.”
All he could do was kiss her hand and get as close to her as he could. This woman was going to be a new start for both Rohan and himself and he would fight to keep her.
Chapter 17 - August 10th 3019
This musing clarifies some of the feelings Eomer felt toward Lothiriel upon first seeing her. His feelings were explained in Chapter 1 - Victory but I thought that a precursor up to the festivities would help to solidify Eomer's feelings for the princess and it also was a chance to bring in several characters that appear at later times and give them some background.
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August 10th – The Feast day after the burial of King Théoden
Today was going to be the grandest feast ever seen at the Golden Hall. Eowyn had seen to it that the tapestries were dusted, the hearths cleaned and relit and that the brilliant sunlight filled her ancestral hall. She had gladly done her duties as White Lady of Rohan, and now with her impending engagement to the Prince of Ithilien she hoped that her brother would be able to find someone to fill her absence. But Eowyn prayed that her replacement in Meduseld would not be Cerrywyn.
Cerrywyn had shown her true self during the time Grima held the hall's occupants in his control. Eowyn knew she had been lied to by this ‘helpless’ woman who had lost everything during the war; or so she had led everyone to believe. She only hoped her brother would realize the falseness in Cerrywyn before things got too far out of his control. The woman was a harpy, feeding on the scraps of whomever she could. With the major duties of king taking his time he would not be able to handle her ill doings. Eowyn regretted she would be leaving Edoras behind, but she had to continue on with her life. Eomer would be fine.
Planning and helping her brother had pushed the sadness of losing her uncle and cousin to the back of her mind. Of course she still wept and felt an immense emptiness in her soul; but she had her duties to her people. Soon she would have new duties to her husband’s people. With so much going on she seldom grieved after King Théoden was laid to rest. Today she found herself at the burial mounds, simply wondering around them. It was noon and the festivities would officially get underway in a few hours; but for now she enjoyed the solitude.
During her reflection she spied Faramir and his uncle’s family sitting outside their tent. Prince Imrahil and his family had been in Minas Tirith for those festivities and now they had supported Eomer and herself and followed into Edoras. Imrahil, his sons and daughter were the only family Faramir had left now and she knew she should get to know them better. Time had always been against her though, until now. Getting up and dusting herself off she walked toward the silver and blue hued tents that had the Swan banners flying proudly around them.
Faramir saw his intended coming toward him and straightened up, he had been joking with Amrothos and Lothiriel about some family matters. Eowyn needed not to be involved with the jokes; soon she would be accepted into his family and then she would learn all the history and nuisances that came along with her Gondorian kin. Now all she needed to know was that he loved her and that they accepted her completely. He did not have much time to spend with Eowyn before the festival, a fact he regretted. However Lothiriel would be left alone at the tent soon and female companionship would do both women well. Eowyn had only been briefly introduced to Lothiriel at Minas Tirith, now was a chance for the soon to be cousins to get to know each other better.
He embraced his betrothed in a tight hug before he re-introduced her to his family. She went to bow before the prince and princess but Lothiriel would not have it.
“We are cousins Lady Eowyn.” Was the excuse she gave to keep the meeting very informal. “I hope with your leave we shall get to know each other better.”
Faramir saw his chance to leave Eowyn in his cousin’s care for now and took his leave. Amrothos followed Faramir as they walked to the tent that was Imrahil’s. There they would be meeting with King Elessar and King Eomer in a few minutes and both men wanted to be ready. Lothiriel and Eowyn sat outside enjoying the day. Chatting of this and that and having a good time in each other’s company; until Eomer’s shadow blocked out the sunlight.
His sister realized he was beyond frazzled and about to snap; even though he was fighting to keep his composure and had everyone else fooled. He could not fool her and she felt her stomach churn as she wondered what fresh hell this encounter would bring. However she was shocked when he only smiled; bowed gently at them and then calmly asked a favor or her. All the while stealing glances at the princess who had bowed deeply to the King of Rohan. Eowyn thought it unfair that Lothiriel felt the necessity to bow low before her brother, but he was a king after all Lothiriel had been surrounded by princes all her life.
“Cerrywyn has made a mess of the kitchen Eowyn. Could you please restore order before I go on a rampage and take out half the serving staff and then some?”
“Only if you deal heavy handed with Cerrywyn over this Eomer. She is going to make things impossible for you if you do not end her ‘reign’ soon.” Eowyn was being truthful to her brother and he knew it.
Lothiriel was hearing everything and sensed the tension in the king, not to mention the foul mood Eowyn was no in over the mentioning of this Cerrywyn.
“Eomer King of Rohan if you would allow your sister some help I gladly offer my assistance.” She looked him straight in the eye and Eowyn raised an eyebrow at the look she saw on his face.
“My father and brothers have offered their services to you. I can not offer counsel or might but I can offer Lady Eowyn help in domestic affairs. I do not want to be left out of my family’s allegiance to Rohan.”
“Princess Lothiriel, you are a guest at Edoras. Your family is invaluable to me and I am honored to have you in my country. I can not have royal guests troubling themselves at our expense.”
Eowyn was fighting back a grin. Eomer was acting very out of character now with Lothiriel. She repeated, “I can not have royal guests troubling themselves…” to herself and eventually could not contain her smile.
“It is no trouble at all your highness. I am extremely bored sitting in my tent watching people scurry by. Go to your meetings. If Eowyn allows me to assist her we will have everything in order for tonight.” She ignored Eomer’s words and looked at Eowyn with a wink.
“It would be an honor to have help Princess Lothiriel. Pay no attention to my brother; he’s just trying to be polite.” She gave him a look that said, “I see what you are doing brother and you will not get the princess that way.”
Eomer was wise enough to realize that he was beaten; not only by Eowyn but by this dark haired beauty that had captured his attention when he first saw her greet her family at Minas Tirith.
“As you wish Princess Lothiriel,” he bowed to her. “I do not have time for this Eowyn,” he said gruffly to his sister. Eowyn paid him no mind but once he had walked into Imrahil’s tent she let out a laugh that was echoed by Lothiriel.
Eomer heard the laughs but quickly dismissed them. Women, he thought as the meeting was called to order. But somewhere in the back of his thoughts Prince Imrahil’s pretty daughter lingered; and all was good within. Eowyn and Lothiriel would take care of the ‘female’ things before the festivities began in earnest tonight.
Walking into the hall and toward the kitchen Lothiriel followed her soon to be cousin silently. Meduseld was laid out a lot different then her castle or the citadel at Minas Tirith. It was one long, continuous room with holes in the ceiling for smoke to escape from the hearths. Her interest was peaked by the Golden Hall and she hoped she would have some time to tour it’s grandeur before she returned to Dol Amroth and began serving her people in post war duty.
Eowyn entertained the idea that perhaps Lothiriel would be a suitable replacement for herself in the Golden Hall and she could not wait to discuss the possibility with Faramir tonight. For some odd reason she did not doubt the princess’ abilities or her loyalty. Eowyn seemed to just know Lothiriel was a good person, one that would make Eomer happy. Once she heard what Faramir thought she would but a bug into Eomer’s ear that Lothiriel would make Rohan and himself a good queen. Not once did it enter the White Lady’s mind that perhaps the princess had someone else in her life and would not be interested in her brother.
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