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Of Swans and Horses : Queen of the Riddermark	By : lynnwood84 Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > General Views: 5558 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings book series and movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter Seven
The Day Fast Approaches
~~*~~

�� Eomer
stood out on the terrace of Meduseld five days after his return, troubled eyes
staring at nowhere in particular. They drifted across the grasslands, touched
on the peaks of the Misty Mountains, but his thoughts were not of them. They
were instead consumed by his exasperatingly confusing betrothed and they
refused to shake free of her, no matter how hard he tried.
�� That
first day he had thought her timid, but not unapproachable. She had actually been
quite pleasant company, fun to tease but not so wilting she couldn�t give a
little back. That is, before Faramir showed up. Then something had happened
after that morning, for now she no longer seemed to show any interest in what
was around her at all. Faramir had said she was eager to learn anything new,
yet so far she had kept herself mostly confined to her room, only coming out at
meal times and when she was directly asked. And when she did make an
appearance, she was distant and cold instead of the sweetly shy and curious
creature that had first drawn his eye. Imrahil and Faramir both tried to assure
him when he�d asked that she was not upset or angry, yet her actions directly
contradicted them.
�� What
had happened to sour her against him? Or was her delight in the Mark at
Dunharrow merely feigned, and now she could no longer hide her distaste for
what was to be her new home? His advisors were growing restless with their
uncertainty, questioning his decision to marry her. No one wanted to appoint a
Queen who hated her country.
�� Yet
Eomer feared he was fast approaching a point where he would have no other choice
in the matter.
�� The
King faced into the strong wind, letting it tear at his cloak and hair,
bringing water to his eyes, hoping the force would tear away the frustration and
anger that ate at him as well. Would that he could grow to dislike or hate her
because of this behavior. He would promptly return the supplies Imrahil had
given and profess that this marriage had been a mistake, then send them home
with Aragorn.
�� Yet
. . . he couldn�t. No matter how hard he tried, how firmly he attempted to
steel himself against her, telling himself that she had been playing him false
and wanted nothing to do with him or the Mark, it wouldn�t work. Loth�riel had
done something to him, under the mountain. Carved out a place for herself in
him, and now he couldn�t seem to get her back out. Every once in a while he
would glance at her and catch a glimpse of interest on her heart-shaped face,
her wide blue-gray eyes lit up and fixed eagerly on some curious thing. He
would begin to doubt himself all over again, and then she would go back to
being cold and disinterested in everything once more.
�� And,
damn him, but he wanted her.
�� Ever
since he�d ridden with her on Firefoot and discovered that he could be
physically attracted to such a tiny little female, it had been eating at him
constantly. Thoughts of her plagued him during the day, making any councils or
meetings with his subjects practically useless. And at night . . . He groaned
now, raising a hand to scrub at his face. At night his dreams were haunted by
visions of her, granting him little or no rest at all, his body so bound up in
knots he thought he�d never come undone again. He refused to take another to
his bed to ease his frustration, either. He had sworn a vow to the little
princess when he had promised to wed with her, and until such time as death
claimed him or they absolved that vow, he would be touching no other female. It
was simply killing him, however, that he couldn�t touch her.
�� And
it was reaching a point where Eomer feared he might ignore his avowal not to
put another woman through his mother and sister�s hell, that he might marry her
anyway despite her distaste, if just for the chance of getting her in his bed. Eomer
groaned again. He sounded the worst sort of lecher, and he felt worse. Yet
nothing was helping.
�� Eowyn
had had her own suggestions, when she had noticed his despondency after the
evening feast.
�� It
had been a grander affair than usual, as King Elessar and Queen Arwen had just
arrived. His impossible sister had finally decided to make her announcement
that night, to everyone�s overly shocked dismay and disbelief. Eomer suspected
Faramir had had to have his discussion with more than just him. Yet Eowyn
remained blissfully oblivious to the deception, and Eomer was truly glad for
the happiness he could see in her face as she and Faramir stood to accept
Aragorn�s toast.
�� The
dark-haired King of Gondor had raised his tankard and grinned.
�� I
have wished you joy from the first moment I saw you, Lady Eowyn,� he murmured
sincerely. �It does my heart well to see that you have found it. Congratulations,
and may the babe you carry be blessed for all of its days.�
�� The
Queen had stood to raise her goblet as well, and Eomer had tensed at the
mischievous twinkle in the normally very serene elf-maid�s blue eyes.
�� Indeed,
the Kingdom of Gondor shall be doubly blessed, in five months time.�
�� Eomer
had gaped, as many others did around him. It had taken a moment for Aragorn to
catch up. He had whirled, eyes wide, and Arwen had burst out laughing at the stupefied
expression on his face. The hall had erupted into thunderous cheering, so loud
it was hard to hear anything over the din. In that moment King Elessar took his
Queen into his arms and lovingly confirmed her condition, then turned back to
the assembly to raise another toast, near to bursting his seams with pride. The
Rohirrim were more than happy to comply.
�� Yet
afterward Eowyn had noticed that Eomer was less than delighted. His thoughts
had turned dark, wondering if he married Loth�riel, would he even have a chance
to sire his own children? Or would she avoid him and fight, and curse him to a
cold and lonely future. His meddlesome sister would not leave it alone until he
confided in her what troubled him. She had started to say something, then
seemed to change her mind, and instead bade him to seek out the princess and
speak to her himself.
�� If
you are troubled by her feelings and intentions, then ask of them. Do not sit
over here in the corner brooding yourself into an early grave wondering what
she is thinking. Go and find out!�
�� Of
course, it sounded easy enough. The reality of it was far more
complicated.
�� Wherever
he turned, it seemed the fates and everyone else around him were conspiring
against him. When he did manage to pry himself free of council meetings and
feast preparations, he could not seem to get Loth�riel alone long enough to
speak to her. What was more, she obviously was not inclined to the notion
herself. It seemed she went out of her way to prevent it. So where did that
leave him now? Did he marry an unwilling woman, or did he break the betrothal
and send her home?
�� Eomer�s
attention was suddenly caught by the sight of three lone riders approaching the
gate. One looked to be a painfully white-robed individual astride a silver
horse, barebacked. The other two were notably smaller, riding ponies that
struggled to keep up with Shadowfax�s greater strides. Eomer smirked. Gandalf
and the Hobbits had arrived. His smirk soon fell again, however, as he realized
that they were the last of their guests. A huge feast would be held tonight,
and tomorrow . . . he would either wed the Princess of Gondor or send her home.
~~*~~

�� Loth�riel
glanced up from where she was feeding Gyldenfax an apple when the sound of
hooves reached her ears. She did just in time to see a white-robed man astride
a saddleless silver stallion enter in a roll of thunder. The great horse reared
to a stop well away from her. The robed man sighed contentedly, patting his
horse, then he suddenly peered down at her and gave a warm smile.
�� She
returned it somewhat uncertainly, not sure who he was exactly. Her attention
was taken off the bearded man when two smaller ponies rushed in after him.
�� Ah,
here at last,� one of the small boys announced cheerily. �Just in time for
elevensies.�
�� He
had curly brown hair and an elfin appearance, wearing a fine blue wool jacket
and silver silk waistcoat beneath, a dark green scarf wound around his neck.
His companion�s curls were more strawberry blonde, wearing a dark maroon jacket
and a gold waistcoat. Both had on black knee trousers, and they both had furry
bare feet she suddenly realized with a gasp. Their ears were also large and
pointed. They must be two of the Halflings that her brothers had told her
about, not children as she�d first assumed. Hobbits of the Shire.
�� They
don�t have elevensies here, Pip,� the blonde one droned with a roll of
his eyes, then he dismounted his gray pony. The one he�d called Pip got a
rather disgruntled look on his face, then heaved a sad sigh and carefully got
off his chestnut pony.
�� No
elevensies,� he groaned, �no second breakfast, no dinner and supper. It�s
just not natural, I tell you. I�m starving, and now I�ll have to wait at
least three hours before the feast!�
�� The
older man glanced down at his companions and shook his head with a sigh and a
muttered, �Hobbits.�
�� Then
he dismounted his huge stallion, and she noticed then the pearly white staff he
had in one hand and the sword strapped around his waist. Something about that
tickled her brain, yet she still couldn�t quite place it. He patted the horse
again and murmured something to it she didn�t catch, and then the silvery-white
creature ambled right into an empty stall all on his own.
�� Rohirrim
stable boys came to see the ponies unsaddled and cared for. Meanwhile, the
blonde had noticed her standing a little ways away. He cocked his head
slightly, then suddenly reached out and tugged on the older man�s robes. The
man bent down, and the blonde murmured something. The bearded man glanced at
her, smiled a little, then nodded. The Hobbit grinned, then motioned to his friend
and both of them started toward her. The white robed man just chuckled and
turned to leave the stable.
�� Loth�riel
soon found herself being sized up by two little men no taller than her
breastbone.
�� Hello
my lady,� the blonde one called. �Given your manner of dress and colorings, I
assume that you must be the Gondorian princess that Eomer is to wed.�
�� I
am she,� she confirmed somewhat uncertainly, her hand still resting on
Gyldenfax�s neck. �I am the Lady Loth�riel, Princess of Dol Amroth.�
�� At
this their grins broadened.
�� Well,
it is an honor to meet you,� the other piped up.
�� I
am Meriadoc Brandybuck, Knight of Rohan,� the blonde announced
officiously.
�� And
I am Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel of Minas Tirith,� the other cut in
eagerly, obviously struggling to sound as important if not more so than his
fellow. They both extended their hands and, bemused, Loth�riel found herself
shaking them both. The blonde chuckled then.
�� You
can just call us Merry and Pippin though, everyone else does.� She nodded.
�� I
am honored to meet you, sirs,� she murmured. �Ah . . . who was the man who
accompanied you?�
�� Oh,
that�s just Gandalf,� Pippin announced with a dismissive wave of his hand. Her
eyes rounded.
�� The
White Wizard? Mithrandir?� They both nodded, oblivious.
�� Loth�riel
groaned. She had just been in the presence of one of the most powerful and
influential beings on Middle Earth, and she had stood there staring at him as if
he were some nameless traveler. Perhaps that was why he had smiled at her,
amused at her lack of manners or intelligence.
�� So,
what brings you to Rohan and Eomer�s company?� Merry questioned eagerly.
�� We
were most curious to find out just what sort of woman would brave a man like him,�
Pippin cut in.
�� Loth�riel
frowned. �And what is wrong with Eo�the King?� she quickly corrected herself,
blushing. The Hobbits didn�t seem to notice her misstep, shrugging nearly in synchronization.
�� Nothing
really, except that he�s a mite . . . .� Merry glanced at Pippin for
assistance. They shrugged again, then turned back with a mischievous twinkle in
their eyes and announced together,
�� Grumpy.�
�� If
I am grumpy,� came a deep growl from behind her, �it is from having to deal
with exasperatingly annoying Hobbits like you.�
�� Loth�riel
whirled, heart in her throat. For a moment she thought that Eomer might truly
be wroth. But his black look lasted only until both of the Halflings in
question called his name excitedly and then rushed forward. She watched,
bemused, as the King of Rohan grinned and knelt to the ground so that he could
accept Merry�s warm hug of obvious friendship, and Pippin�s hearty handshake.
�� She
realized then that they must have seen him approaching, and had said those
things only to tease him. She shook her head a little, for the moment forgotten
by the other three. It boggled her mind that anyone would dare to tease a man
such as Eomer. Yet it obviously did him good. For just a moment, the darkness
that had lurked in his eyes of late had faded, his smile was just a little
easier to come, and he actually looked his relatively young twenty-nine years.
�� You
three are the last to arrive,� Eomer was saying pleasantly, getting back to his
full height. �Faramir and my sister, as well as Aragorn and Lady Arwen are
already here.�
�� Excellent!
I should like the chance to see Faramir again,� Pippin exclaimed, and Merry
nodded.
�� Aye,
and Lady Eowyn as well. We have to give our congratulations. Gandalf said that
she is expecting her first child.�
�� At
that Eomer laughed. �Poor Eowyn, it seems only she thought her pregnancy was
still a secret.�
�� Where
are you off to, then?� Merry questioned, taking note of Eomer�s manner of
dress, which was less fancy than usual now that he was a King. The blonde man
shrugged.
�� I
was thinking of taking Firefoot outside the city walls for a while.� Loth�riel
tensed as he suddenly glanced in her direction. �Perhaps the princess would
like to accompany me.�
�� A
ride outside the city sounded heavenly after nearly a week of being practically
confined to her room. It was one of the reasons she had risked Elphir�s
displeasure by sneaking out here to the stables by herself in the first place.
She couldn�t give into the temptation, however. So instead she bowed her head.
�� I
am sorry my lord, perhaps another time. I . . . I do not feel so well. I think
I will retire back to my room until tonight.�
�� She
quickly turned about, then hurried back out of the stables. Therefore she
completely missed the Hobbits� shared looks of confusion, or Eomer�s black
scowl.

~~*~~
�� The
feast that night was a grand affair. It was the pre-wedding celebration, she
had been told, a taste of things to come on the morrow. Ale and good food were
plentiful, and in the very center of the hall the tables had been cleared away
from the hearth and a merry round dance was currently being preformed along
with minstrel�s instruments.
�� Meduseld
seemed stuffed to its capacity, as everyone who could manage to get invited was
here. Kings and wizards rubbed elbows with soldiers and common men, and the
mood of the hall was undeniably festive.
�� One
good thing about the amount of people was that it had been quite simple to
become lost in the press and overlooked.
�� Loth�riel
sagged with relief near the perimeter of the room, half-hidden in the shadows.
She let out a deep sigh, praying that her nerves might one day come unwound and
she would again remember the feel of tranquility and contentment. Right now
they were nothing more than a distant memory.
�� Having
to stand on the dais earlier, in between her father and Eomer had been a trying
experience. The tension in the room had been almost palpable as the King of
Rohan had officially announced their betrothal and his intentions to make the
union official on the morrow. She had done her best to maintain her serene
mask, yet it was very hard, especially when the feeling of the room had been
anything but joyous. If anything, the people of Rohan seemed skeptical at best,
hostile at worst. Her very worst fears confirmed.
�� She
raised a hand to her elaborate hair dressing, wincing as the weight and the
pins were beginning to make her scalp sting. Despite Freda�s reluctance,
Loth�riel had insisted on the complicated style, though now she was beginning
to regret it. Her thigh-length hair had been completely bound up in intricate
coils, held in place by sapphire-topped pins, jeweled strings and silver
netting, matching the deep sapphire velvet and silver silk gown she was wearing.
She had looked a vision in the looking glass she had brought with her from Dol
Amroth, yet now she felt over-dressed and out of place among the other Rohirrim
women. Only Lady Eowyn, Queen Arwen and her sister-in-law had dressed anywhere
near as fancily as she had, and even they had not gone to such legnths.
�� She
had heard no complaints as to her look, yet Loth�riel couldn�t help but feel
like a fool. She stared out at the happy people surrounding her, and very
suddenly she felt near tears.
�� Lady
Loth�riel.�
�� The
princess gasped so hard she nearly choked, whirling to see Eomer standing in
the shadows of one of the larger pillars behind her, largely hidden from the
rest of the room. It was one thing for her to disappear in the crowd, but how a
man so large or so important managed to skulk around and remain completely
unnoticed she would never know. �Loth�, come,� he suddenly urged, his face and
his voice strangely fierce. �I would speak with you alone for a moment. Now.�
�� The
look on his face and the sound of his voice whispering her pet name was nearly
stronger than she could bear. Yet she held firm somehow, desperately trying to
remain strong.
�� I
cannot, my lord,� she whispered back, praying no one near by would turn to
witness their covert conversation. His expression darkened. Desperate to make
him understand, she sent him a pleading glance. �Please, sire, it would not be
proper!� He scowled then, his anger coming full out.
�� �Hang
proper!�
�� Before
Loth�riel could even blink, Eomer reached down and took her by the wrist,
faster than an adder strike. She couldn�t even manage to yelp in protest, as in
the very next breath the larger man was yanking her into the shadows and out of
the hall completely.

~~*~~
�� Despite
the young King�s best efforts, his departure did not go completely unnoticed.
Riana turned when she felt her husband�s body go completely stiff at her side.
She glanced up and saw his expression one of rigid anger, eyes seething. She
turned quickly to see where it was he was staring, and just managed to catch a
glimpse of Lord Eomer disappearing down a darkened hallway, pulling Loth�riel
off behind him. She smiled at the sight, then reached out and grabbed Elphir�s
tunic when he made to go after them.
�� Release
me, Riana,� he growled. She met his glower with her own pointed stare however,
her grip remaining firm.
�� Leave
them be, Elphir,� she advised softly.
�� He
cannot just drag her off into who knows where�,�
�� In
several hours time he will be her husband,� she interrupted sternly, frowning.
�You have already risked much, interfering as you have. Elphir . . . you are
going to have to learn to let her go. Loth�riel is a woman now, or soon will
be. She cannot remain your little Loth� forever.�
�� Where
most would have seen an overprotective, stodgy man concerned only with
reputations, Riana saw a fiercely loving brother terrified to loose his baby
sister to another man. She saw the pain flash in his silver eyes, and the
indecision. Her smile was sad as she reached up, laying her palm across his
cheek, fingers sifting through his black curls.
�� I
know it is hard, beloved, but it is for the best. Trust her to know how to make
the right decisions for herself. Let her go.�
�� Elphir
hesitated a moment longer, then his entire body loosened again with a weary
sigh. He nodded, though obviously pained. Then he smiled a little, and raised
his hand to hers. At first she thought he would pull it away, though she would
not have been offended. Riana had learned long ago that Elphir was not a man
who easily showed softer emotions or affection in public. He was not nearly so
shy behind closed doors, however, and she had two healthy babies to attest to
that fact. That was enough for her.
�� Yet
he surprised her this time by merely capturing her hand in his, then he turned
his head to press a kiss to the center of her palm.
�� I
do not know where I would be without you, ninor�,� he murmured for her
alone, his deep voice gruff with emotion. Riana felt her eyes tear, but her
smile was as wide and light-hearted as ever.
�� After
all, her gruff husband would be a very sad man indeed without her constant
teasing to force him out of his black moods.
�� You
would be alive and well I am sure, my lord,� she murmured, eyes twinkling. �But
I venture to say you would not be near as happy.� He chuckled, then bent to
press a� kiss to her brow.
�� And
I venture to say that you would be right.�
- 7
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Of Swans and Horses : Queen of the Riddermark