It was almost three weeks since the wedding when the four riders swept through the gates of Éomer’s family home in Aldburg. Such was Lothíriel’s connection with Hadán, she was waiting for them at the entrance. She had been most concerned that Assa may have strained herself in her condition, despite the extreme care both Gallend and Hadán would have taken of her. She was therefore relieved to see her descend Gallend’s horse with ease and approach her with her typical impatience.
‘It was done, to my satisfaction. You may now tell Éomer if you still wish. Personally I do not think it is his business, but this is your decision. I am hungry, and a little tired.’ With that she left for the kitchens while Lothíriel greeted Fimlon warmly and thanked him for his service. He had no love of large gatherings and had been only too pleased to have had an excuse not to attend the wedding celebrations, besides, he had been intrigued to see the great Fortress of Sennebar and its underground caves. He had been proud to act on his cousin Gimli’s behalf and perform his first duty for the King of Rohan and his new Queen.
As Gallend had followed Assa to report to Éomer in his study after their initial greeting, he left Lothíriel in a heartfelt embrace with Hadán, who gave her all the information she needed to know.
‘Would you ask Éomer to meet me on the island when he has finished his business with the council?’ she asked him. ‘I think he already suspects what I need to tell him. We will see you at supper tonight and leave for Edoras tomorrow. Genting is waiting impatiently for you. His mother too. Éomer has given you both leave from your duties until the end of next month and after that we both want you to stay close to Assa as she nears the end of her term.’ Hadán hugged her even more tightly to him to register his appreciation.
Lothíriel was calm as she heard Éomer ascend Maglor’s steps to the top chamber. She tripped over to her husband to seek the comfort of his embrace and feel his kisses. She held his face in her hands and looked deeply into his eyes before saying, ‘I know you wondered why I asked that Turallien was kept away from us both and my family. It was partly because his arrogance was such that to deny him the prestige he craved would be the greater punishment, and one he richly deserved, but it was also to ensure that he received justice and not vengeance.’ Éomer took her by the hand and sat with her on Maglor’s bed. He caressed her face and cradled her to him.
‘You are the bravest, wisest person I know. When I saw all your faces and reactions on leaving the barrow mound and the way he was looking at you, I knew that you had met Turallien before. It wasn’t difficult to understand that it was most likely he who had abused you.’ She held on to him more closely in confirmation of what he had surmised.
‘Does your father know?’ he asked her gently. She nodded, ‘And my brothers, but not yet Faramir and Tuor. Tuor would never have let Assa take him had he known. His fury would have been too great.’
‘So, I fear, would have been mine had I faced him…’ he confessed.
‘We are truly free. I am at such peace, such happiness I never thought possible, not for me. And, my love, it is too early to tell but I am over a week late with my monthly cycle. Truly I had hoped we might enjoy each other for a while longer before my body changed, but my instinct tells me that we may have sooner need ourselves of the nursery in Meduseld than we were expecting…’
Éomer’s face changed from loving concern to surprised excitement and delight. He swept her up to him as she laughed at his sudden elation. He lay her down on the bed to examine if there were any tell-tale changes to her body even at such an early stage, a study he intended to make at every opportunity he could in future, and he made love to her slowly, revelling in their ever-deepening intimacy.