More Then you Seem

The midday air grew thicker and the heat drifted over the sands; this was the hottest part of the day in Dol Amroth and the group from Rohan was suffering from its effects. Deciding that it would be best to retire under shade Imrahil directed his guests to his private gardens where a cool sea breeze blew and the trees created much needed shade. In the garden Elfwine headed immediately for the fountain, dragging his new found friend Eomer with him.

“Elfwine, allow the good man peace,” Rufio shouted at the child but it did no good! He was amazed at how quickly Elfwine took to Eomer and how the horselord had returned favor to the boy. It made Rufio jealous, here was the boy he had grown to love as his own getting along well with his real father. Though neither one knew of the fraternal relationship.

“A dollar for your thoughts Lord Rufio?” Cerrywyn came up to him. She had longed to get a chance to talk to him about Lothiriel and Elfwine. Cerrywyn was not afraid to be bold in her questioning. She had been too long without child and her love for her husband was fading with each day she knew it was the same with him. “They have certainly taken to each other have they not?”

“Yes, I must admit that I was not prepared to be replaced so soon.” He said it jokingly but he knew that he really meant it. “It is amazing, you raise an infant and watch him grow into a man all the while wishing he was still the same babe that puked on you nightly.” Nostalgia was coming back to him.

Cerrywyn looked at him with a confused look. “Elfwine was not the healthiest of children when he was younger. Many days it was a struggle to keep his needs meet. But for his mother’s sake he outgrew his illnesses. I really do not know how Lothiriel managed during that time. Raising the child alone and,” he cut off. He was getting to personal with this stranger from Rohan; if he continued he might unknowingly reveal Elfwine’s secret.

“Just like a man to run from his parental duties,” Cerrywyn did not sound like she jested and Rufio jumped to defend himself.
“Madam I never shirked my parental duties as you have aptly called it. At times I had to leave them alone, I am an officer in the navy. I was needed often and for long periods of time. That is all I meant.”

“I did not mean to imply ill on your part Lord Rufio. I jest when I claimed you ran from your fatherly duties. It was not meant as a slander. Eomer is away often for long periods of time, I can understand how it is. How did Lothiriel manage? You seemed surprised that she did.”

Shaking his head, “My Lothiriel is stronger then most men. Her heart beats loud in her chest and she fears no obstacles. She was not ready to have a son but fate did not give her a chance to wait. Nine months later Elfwine was born and ever since she has been amazing as mother and wife.”

“You love her very much do you not?” Cerrywyn smiled. “She seems to be easy to love and hard to forget. To this day I would swear that Eomer has a flame for her. Have you noticed how he behaves when she is around? He is spellbound by her.” She faked sadness.

“Lothiriel is faithful, that I do not fear Eomer still holding a flame for her. Not to malign you my lady but if he still has some lingering admiration of her I do not blame him. But from what I have seen of you two he is very much in love with you.”

“Did they have a relationship in the past?”

“The past is not important in our marriage, the present and future are what we look toward. If they did have a relationship it is in the past and I am not concerned.”

“You sound so easy going but I have watched you today and seen the jealousy that runs through your veins at the closeness of Elfwine and Eomer. Eomer longs for a son. Often he apprentices to young boys in the art of horses and war; treating each child as if it was his own.”

Rufio was getting nervous at Cerrywyn’s words and feigned an excuse to dismiss himself from her company. Watching him go her mind wondered more about this young lord; something set him apart from the other men but she could not figure out what. The idea of his and Lothiriel’s perfect relationship bothered her. It was too perfect, almost to the point of being contrived.

Elfwine splashed water at Eomer and soon both were involved in a water fight. As the water sloshed out of the fountain the boys laughed harder. Eomer allowed Elfwine to push him down and declare himself the victor. The boy was as energetic as his mother in her youth. At times he found himself envying Rufio. Elfwine should have been his son, his and Lothiriel’s child. Not Lothiriel and Rufio’s son; but he had married another and did not blame Loti for her equally quick nuptials. If he could transverse time he would have changed that day. He would not have left Lothiriel on the morning of his wedding; he would have fought to stay with her. But it was in the past and all he could do now was remember her fondly, keep his love for her in his heart and remain faithful to his wife. It was getting late and Eomer looked around for Rufio. Elfwine seemed to sense his friend looking for his father.

“Rufio went with Christobal into the trees. They spend a lot of time in there. Mommy says not to disrupt them and I do not.”

Interested in what the child meant he said, “So your father spends a lot of time with his friend alone? And Lothiriel does not mind?”

“He is not my father; my father is called Rohan and lives northeast of here. But do not tell mommy I know. I am not suppose to know. Only Rufio, Christobal, mommy and aunty Eowyn know that my daddy is Rohan. But I love Rufio and Christobal as my fathers, I have never meet Rohan. Mommy whispers to me at night that he would love me very much. She thinks I am asleep but I am not. She says that someday he will know the truth and that she is sorry for her deceit but that things can not work out as she hoped. Then she cries herself to sleep. I do not like mommy crying so I hold her. I wish sometimes that Rohan would come home, then mommy would not be so sad.”

“Are you talking uncle Eomer’s ear off young man?” Elphir came up to them to take Elfwine off to get him dried and clothed before he had to see his mother. The boy shook his head no and then leapt into his uncle’s arms.

“Put me down!” Elfwine had to say something in private to Eomer. Running back to the deep in thought horselord he said, “Remember do not tell mommy I know.”

Eomer winked at the boy and smiled. “Do not worry, I will not tell your mommy.” That satisfied the child and he rejoined his uncle.

Under his breath Eomer said, “But I do intend to speak to aunty Eowyn tonight.”