More Then you Seem

Imrahil sat in his chamber with King Théoden, Theodred and Grima discussing how best to get trade flowing from Dol Amroth to Rohan. Dol Amroth conducted trade up river with Minas Tirith and adding Rohan would increase profits while benefiting those in Théoden’s kingdom that had been attacked by the foul creatures that now terrorized the free lands. As they discussed the trade deals Imrahil could not help notice that the king looked haggard and drained of life. This brought concern to his mind and he reminded himself to speak to Theodred about his father’s condition when the time was appropriate.

Things were almost finalized when Grima stopped the king from signing the trade agreement. “My lord, you are tired. Return to your chambers and rest this evening. There is no urgency to sign the agreement tonight; it will still be here in the morning.”

Grima was desperate to stop Théoden from signing the document and forming new alliances with Dol Amroth. His master, Saruman, did not want another kingdom meddling in the affairs of Rohan. Another kingdom would make it more difficult for him to completely control the royal family of Rohan.

“You are my father’s advisor Grima Wormtongue, nothing more. My father wishes to sign tonight and he shall sign tonight.” Theodred took the quill, dipped it in ink and placed it in his father’s hand.

He had noticed the change that was beginning to take hold on his father. His father was becoming more of Grima’s puppet it seemed then the great king he once was. Though there were times when he glimpsed the normal Théoden those times it seemed were fleeting. Grima was evil and was working with the enemy to destroy his kingdom; he just had to prove that to his father.

Seeing that he had lost, Grima decided to attack Dol Amroth directly. “Prince Imrahil, how is it that your grandson is so fair? Your family has dark hair, and skin, yet the princeling has blonde hair and fair skin. Is their Rohirric blood in your family?"

His words were twofold; first he wanted to bring up the fact that Elfwine did not look like a child from Dol Amroth and second if there were blood ties then the trade agreement would not have to be enforced and Saruman would not have to deal with Dol Amroth butting into Rohan’s affairs. He had not yet perfected his craft, but he was giving it his best attempt.

Imrahil shot him a nasty look and Theodred made to knock Grima in the mouth. Théoden stopped his son from assaulting Grima and in a very controlled, monotone voice said, “Yes, I was noticing the child is fairer then his playmates. He reminds me of Eomer when he was that age.”

Grima could not believe that his will over the king was so complete! He was looking forward to bringing Prince Imrahil down, bringing out the prince’s family’s secrets. His conversation earlier in the day with Lothiriel and then with a very upset Cerrywyn had solidified in his mind that Elfwine was definitely Eomer’s son. All he had to do was to inform Imrahil about it and as a protective father the prince would banish his daughter and grandson out of shame to the family and probably get rid of Eomer as well. But he did not expect what happened next.

Imrahil chuckled and began to laugh. “I was wondering when my grandson’s other family would figure it out. You have been around the child for a few days and only when you think it would be beneficial to ‘tell’ me something I already knew. Something that you believed would bring me to anger do you bring it up. I am not surprised at you Grima, but you King Théoden. I thought you would have more decorum, especially for your nephew’s son.”

Theodred coughed to focus attention onto himself. “You know that Elfwine is Eomer’s son? And you have allowed him in your presence? Does Lothiriel know you are aware of the child’s father?”

“No, Lothiriel does not know I am the wiser to Elfwine’s father. As for knowing the parentage of my grandson, it has been two years since I found out. At first I was livid, knowing that my daughter had given birth to a child whose father was only a common horse lord from Rohan, who at best will only be a Marshal of the Mark. Then I saw the love my daughter had for her son, for Rufio, for me and I could not stay angry. I have accepted that Elfwine is in my life because of my stubbornness, because I did not see that Lothiriel loves Eomer and that Eomer loves my daughter in return.”

The prince walked over to Théoden and put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “You were right old man, and I have realized the error of my way before it ended in disaster. I can not allow my daughter to be with your nephew, but I do not despise him.” He then walked to Grima and stared him down.

“My stubbornness is the reason I have my darling grandson and I would never change that for all of Middle Earth. I LOVE my daughter, I LOVE my grandson and in time I will allow Eomer into our lives. He is an outstanding warrior and unknowing father. He has given much of his happiness to allow my Loti to be in peace. Though I can not do anything to bring my grandson and daughter together with him I support them.” Prince Imrahil hoped that he had been stern enough to get that message through Grima’s ugly head.

Grima gasped and Théoden seemed to be shaken out of his trance-like state. Hissing at the princes and king Grima slithered out of the chamber toward his own. He had failed tonight, failed to create a rift between Rohan and Dol Amroth. But he would not completely fail his master; there was still one person whom he could count on to bring Rohan’s royal family down while also striking a major blow to Prince Imrahil. Now all he had to do was find Cerrywyn and play upon her already jealous, hysterical state of mind. He would not fail a second time.
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Eowyn and Amrothos had returned from sailing earlier in the evening and it was late when Eomer finally got a chance to speak to his sister. Eowyn had had a wonderful day with Prince Amrothos and was looking forward to telling first Eomer, then Lothiriel about her adventure. However the look on her brother’s face caused her to pause and brought a very uneasy feeling to her soul. She knew that look well; Eomer was manic about something and not thinking logically about it. She would have to calm him down first, as usual. Yet, this time Eomer was assaulting her with questions in a very commanding voice and it took her by surprise! He would not let her get a word in edge wise as he asked over and over again, “WHO IS ELFWINE’S FATHER?”

Finally able to get a word in with her brother she shouted back, “YOU! YOU ARE ELFWINE’S FATHER!” She did not mean to betray Lothiriel’s trust in her but she had become so defensive against her brother’s actions that she wanted to hurt him. She could not explain it, why she felt that telling him would hurt him, but he was acting like a total idiot and she wanted him to stop! He would stop if he was surprised and hurt, and he did. But he looked so hurt Eowyn felt horrible for causing it.

Just as the siblings were reaching for each other a Swan Knight came into the room. “Is Prince Elfwine with you Lady Eowyn?” The knight paid no attention to the screaming that he had to have heard as he was coming down the hall toward the room.

Shaking her head Eowyn replied, “No, I have not seen the child today. Why?”

In two steps Eomer was in front of the knight. “What is wrong, where is the child?”

Disregarding Eomer’s questions he asked one to the horse lord in return, “Where is your wife Master Eomer? One of the servants said that they saw the prince with a woman from the Rohirric party that is staying at the castle. Since he is not with Lady Eowyn I am left to assume he is with Lady Cerrywyn. Where is she sir? Elfwine has been missing most of the evening and the family, especially his mother, is very worried. We can not find him anywhere.”

Without looking to his sister he pushed past the knight and went in search of his wife. He knew she had overheard him and Theodred talking today about Elfwine being his son, but he did not expect her to take the child. The knight had to be wrong, Cerrywyn would never harm Elfwine it was all a misunderstanding. She was not in their chamber but on his way out he ran into Lothiriel; she was terrified at seeing him.

“So Elfwine is not with Eowyn or yourself. Where is he Eomer?” She was getting hysterical again. “Where is Cerrywyn? Someone said they saw him last with her, is she in?”

He shook his head no. “I have not seen her recently.”

“She would not hurt him, would she?” Loti was needing Eomer to confirm that Elfwine was in no danger. She would believe him. “I know she would not hurt him.”

Eomer took the mother of his son into his arms and tried to comfort her. “Loti,” he was having a hard time controlling his emotions. “Lothiriel, I promise you I will get our son back.” His words lightened her heart for a moment.

Looking into his face she said, “Our son. Yes, OUR SON Eomer. Please get him back! Please! The child does not need to be punished for my indiscretion, please bring him safely home.” She clung to him. It mattered not that he now knew Elfwine was his son, it being out in the open and them being together in their desperation was comforting in a way.

Whispering into her ear he said, “I am equally at fault in his birth Loti, he was conceived out of our love for each other. We are not being punished and neither is he. Love will bring him back, love will win in the end.”

He let her go and went in search of his wife. Lothiriel watched his form disappear down the hall and then continued on with her search of her precious son. Of THEIR precious son.

TBC - Grima triumphs for evil, things are not as they seem at first