More Then you Seem

Rufio, Lothiriel, and Elfwine boarded the boat that would take them to the mainland. King Théoden and his family had arrived earlier that morning and now everyone would meet up at dinner. As the boat anchored at the dock Lothiriel was visibly shaking. It was only made known to her a few hours ago that Eomer was among the party from Edoras.

Putting his arm around his wife Rufio said, “It shall be ok Loti, I promise I will not mess this up for you or Elfwine. I will be the model husband during Eomer’s visit. If that is what you wish.” He was hoping that she would find the courage to tell Eomer, but he knew that things had evolved from scandal to Eomer had missed out on six years of his son’s life. Lothiriel would never tell him the truth about Elfwine; but then again he also had secrets that he would never tell. No wonder they were a perfect match.

“What are you laughing at,” she asked as they walked down the gangplank?

With a kiss to her cheek he whispered into her ear, “Our secrets make us perfect for each other do they not.” Lothiriel made a little chuckle and locked arms with her husband.

“We are an odd family are we not?” She was laughing nervously now.

“Yes, but we are a family.” Rufio picked up Elfwine as they walked to the castle.

Looking out on the arrival of the princess and her family was Eowyn, Eomer and Cerrywyn. Cerrywyn remarked how lovely Lothiriel and her husband looked together and how adorable Elfwine was.

“He looks like his father,” she exclaimed as the child wiggled out of Rufio’s arms and ran to meet his grandfather!

Eowyn bit her bottom lip hard. Cerrywyn had no idea how close she was on Elfwine’s looks. She saw Eomer in Elfwine so why did her brother and sister-in-law not? Perhaps it was because Eowyn knew. Eowyn had known for six years but had promised to keep it silent. At first she did not mind keeping such a huge secret from her brother since he was now occupied with someone else. However as the years went by and no heir was born to Eomer and Cerrywyn she felt the need to tell him grow. But she admired Lothiriel and had vowed to keep her secret from him. This trip to Dol Amroth was supposed to be one of relaxation; but Eowyn would be anything but relaxed around her friend and brother.

Dinner was a very tense affair for Lothiriel and Eowyn. They were friendly and talkative to each other but there was the lingering feeling that something was not quiet right with the friends. Elfwine had taken to Eowyn immediately calling her auntie Eowyn and refusing to give the shield maiden a moments rest. Rufio was attentive as he could be to his wife and child. Cerrywyn was beginning to feel more welcomed, especially when Elfwine began to call her auntie Cerry. Her father, brothers, the king and Eomer sat together talking. Every now and then Rufio or Lothiriel would notice Eomer starring at them. Rufio was glad when everyone retired for the night.

“Eomer is going to kill me is he not Lothiriel? Did you see the scathing looks he gave me tonight?”

“I am sure that those looks were directed at me. Eowyn noted how much Elfwine looks like her brother; it is only logical to guess that he has seen it too. I can deal with Eomer’s hatred of me, but not Elfwine. Elfwine is innocent.”

“I am sure Eomer has the same desire for you that he had the night Elfwine was conceived.”

“He was not married then and neither was I. Things have changed we are both married now and I admire Cerrywyn for her strength. She has been with Eomer six years and still has hope that she will give him an heir. I do not want to destroy that.”

Getting hateful to her Rufio said, “It is not about her feelings Loti! It is about a six year old boy who has been lied to by the ones he trusts the most.”

“How dare you! I am protecting him.”

“Protecting him from what? A father that would be beside himself with happiness knowing that he had a son, a son with the woman he loves.”

“He loves Cerrywyn, not me. Cerrywyn is his wife Rufio.”

“And you are the mother of his child.”

Avoiding further conflict Lothiriel put on her robe and went to sleep in Elfwine’s nursery. Her heart stopped for the second seeing Cerrywyn rocking Elfwine! Fear turned to pity upon looking at Cerrywyn’s tear streaked face. Lothiriel’s uneasiness disappeared as she went to comfort the other woman in Eomer’s life.

Crying on Loti’s shoulder she said, “I have tried so hard to have a child my lady. We have tried so hard but nothing has worked. Beginning on our wedding night up till now we have tried in vain. And here I come to your land and see you and Lord Rufio so happy with your son that was conceived on your wedding night and I am fearful that I will never give Eomer a child.”

“Perhaps you are trying to hard. Trying so hard might be what is preventing you from getting pregnant.” Lothiriel was trying to calm the younger lady down.

With reserve Cerrywyn said, “I have tried. I know that it is not me that can not get with child. I had two before Eomer. I am afraid that he is the one at fault but how can I tell him? You do not know Rohirric men princess but if I place the fault on him things would get ugly at home. Men, especially royal men are supposed to be virile so I have taken the blame but it is killing me inside! I know I can have children, if I get with a man that can seed me!”

Lothiriel’s head was spinning. “You mean it is Eomer fault?”

Desperately Cerrywyn said, “It has to be! I carried two children to term before I married, though both died shortly after birth. I even slept with one of his eored to see if he could get me pregnant and he did! I lost it though in the second month. “IT IS NOT ME!” She was screaming hysterically now and Elfwine woke with a start.

“I can have children! I CAN!”

Lothiriel did not realize how stressful it had been on Eomer’s wife not being able to boast about their own children. Now she was once again helping the woman of the man she loved. “Have patients love, things take time. Do not question Eomer or yourself. Things that are meant to be happen.”


TBC