More Then you Seem

So, Prince Rufio was not Elfwine’s father. At first Eomer surely thought he had misunderstood, but then again the lad said his father was named Rohan. He knew no one of that name but guessed that the child meant from Rohan; which brought up a shadow in Eomer’s mind. If one of his uncle’s eored or anyone above or below him had abandoned Lothiriel to the humiliation of a child out of wedlock he would see justice served, and swiftly at that! Then his anger slipped into fear, fear that deep down he knew was impossible. He had always cherished the night Loti and he had spent together before his wedding; a little over six years ago. Elfwine was a little over six years old. The coincidence was amazing, but he knew that he was not able to get a woman with child. Cerrywyn had made him live with that fact everyday after their wedding night.

He had so desperately wanted children. Perhaps it was because he had been orphaned so young that he wanted to nurture a son, see him grow to manhood, be there for him. But after six years of trying for a child he had resigned himself to the fact that he was not able to get Cerrywyn with a babe. He knew she had been pregnant before, even knew that she had slept with one of his eored, if not more. Eomer did not blame her, they had sex regularly, his seed just never took root.

The soon to be marshal needed air and walked out onto the balcony. From there he had a commanding view of the courtyard and he saw Lothiriel and Elfwine playing below. His gaze followed their every move. So wrapped up in the scene below he did not notice Theodred come up behind him. His cousin’s hand on his shoulder brought his thoughts away from Lothiriel and her child. Following Eomer’s eyes, Theodred looked at the mother and child and his countenance grew heavy. How long would it take for his cousin to stop his pining of the princess? “Will you ever stop loving her,” he asked?

He was honest with Theodred, “Never.”

“She is married, she has a son with a prince of Dol Amroth,” Eomer cut him off

“Elfwine is not prince Rufio’s child.” He turned to gauge his cousin’s expression. “The child himself told me today that his father is from Rohan. I must admit my blood chilled at his words; someone from Rohan got my Lothiriel with child and then abandoned her to her fate!” Eomer was angry and his cousin shocked.

Without flinching Theodred replied, “He is Rohirric? He is six years old. You slept with Lothiriel a little over six years ago.”

Eomer laughed, “I can not have children. And if I was the father Lothiriel would not keep it a secret from me. Eowyn knows who Elfwine belongs to, but she has gone sailing with Amrothos so I will not know until tomorrow at best.” Eomer was upset with his cousin for suggesting that he was the father; though the thought had crossed his mind once and it was one he did not regret.


Theodred wanted to smack his cousin repeatedly until he realized the truth of the situation! “You slept with her on the eve of your wedding to Cerrywyn, I know that, father knows that. That was six years ago, Elfwine is six. The child even looks like you Eomer, look!”

Looking at the child Theodred knew his cousin saw the resemblance between Elfwine and himself. Eomer's whole stature changed and his jaw clinched.

“Eomer, what if he is your son?”

Spitting angrily at Theodred he said, “Loti would never, NEVER keep that a secret from me! She knows I love her, she knows I would welcome Elfwine into our family. He is not mine but I will swear to you that I will find out who is responsible and he will be brought to justice!”

“Humor me, what IF he is your son?” Theodred was desperately trying to get Eomer to understand what might be before him. There was nothing to be regretful about if Eomer was indeed Elfwine’s father, the royal family of Rohan would be thrilled with the prospect!

“Then life has dealt me the cruelest blow since my parent’s death. I love Lothiriel. I have no heir with my lawful wife but the woman that should have been my wife has raised our son alone. War is coming and I may die upon the field. Imrahil despises me and would never allow me to see her again if it is true. Not to mention what he would do to mother and child. What CAN I DO EVEN IF HE IS MY SON?”

Calmly Theodred said, “You know he is your son. You said it yourself. Imrahil despises you and things would be dire for Loti and Elfwine if it was known that you were his father. She had to have feared her father first Eomer, even before you.”

“She had nothing to fear from me. I would have made things right, somehow!”

A rustle behind the curtain hushed him up. The gentle perfume that his wife wore wafted out to the balcony. How much had she heard?




TBC – Eomer confronts Eowyn about Elfwine’s father, Elfwine disappears and Grima’s treachery is revealed.