Light of Edoras

Part II Chapter 2

Eomer sighed, his arm resting on his forehead. The celebrations in the golden Hall had come to a close many hours ago yet Eomer still lay awake. He stared into the richly embroidered hangings above his bed, a sense of uneasiness flowing through him. He had become so accustomed to seeing the stars above him when he was riding with his eored that now being under a roof, he yearned to be on the plains again.

With another heavy sigh, Eomer sat up and stared blankly out the window. The bed was too soft. He had slept on nothing more than the ground for the past few years. He grabbed whatever clothes were the closest to him and began dressing. He was about to reach for his armor when he paused. For the first time in a long time, he did not have to rush to battle. The threat of Sauron was still near, but for now, he was safe within the gates of Edoras. He ran his hand over his face and tiredly left his room, careful not to make a sound.

Most of the people in the hall were still in varying stages of being drunk and the only sound that accompanied Eomer's careful footsteps was the many snores that filled the hall. Eomer's eored, those of which did not have family in Edoras, lay spread around the hall. Gandalf and his company were nowhere to be seen, no doubt in a more private room in the hall celebrating that for the most part, they have reunited once again.

The moon provided enough light or Eomer to find his way to the door, not without attracting the attention of one of the many hounds that slept by the door. Eomer scratched the dog's ears absentmindedly as he opened the door and slipped from the hall. The dog followed, his tail wagging happily at the fact that he had found a new playmate. Eomer smiled. The silly lopsided grin the dog showed took his mind off the growing darkness. He picked up a small stick from a stack of firewood and threw it down the road hoping he had managed to avoid hitting the houses. There was not even a hint of pink over the mountains; the sun was not going to rise any time soon. Eomer walked after the dog, no destination in mind, only the need to be on the move.

Just as Eomer was about to throw the stick for the dog again, he looked up to see where his aimless wanderings had brought him. He stood on the edge of the city overlooking the large pastures that were now filled with the horses of the eoreds. A lone figure stood by the fence, their head resting against the horse that stood before her. Eomer dropped the stick to the ground; the dog flopped beside it panting.

Eomer slowly walked towards Lyrian. Firefoot who was only a few strides away from both Lyrian and Lightfoot looked up for a moment from his grazing, his ears forward as he surveyed the newcomer, only calming when he recognized Eomer. Eomer did not notice the stiffness Lyrian suddenly had as he drew closer, nor did he miss the subtle way she wiped her eyes. Eomer stopped next to her leaning against the fence, silent; his thoughts still lingering on the battle of the Hornburg and the endless skirmishes of the past years.

Lyrian remained quiet and did not turn to greet Eomer looking out in the fields. It seemed every time there was trouble in their lives, they would find themselves here, among the horses away from the troubles of the land. She sighed such a deep sigh that Eomer could feel the entire weight of her grief as if she had laid it over the plains.

Eomer cleared his throat softly, "I am truly sorry about your father," he said, still looking out in the fields, "he was a good man."

Lyrian nodded part of her wishing that Eomer would leave the topic of her father's death untouched.

Eomer turned to Lyrian, looking at her face for the first time that night, he could see the careful façade she wore, trying desperately not to show emotion when there were so many other people in Edoras suffering as she was. He reached out and gently lay his hand on her shoulder, "You do not have to mourn alone," he said softly.

Lyrian tore her eyes away from the pasture, her eyes welling with tears as she looked up at Eomer. For the first time in a long time, she did not have to be the strong one anymore, she could finally allow herself to succumb to the emotions that she had so carefully held on to for so many years.

Eomer pulled her into a strong embrace as she broke down. Sobbing for all that she had lost as she leaned against him. Eomer held her as though she would just disappear if he were to let go. The clouds shifted above them and the very beginnings of pink began to emerge over the mountains yet Eomer would not let go. Lyrian had stopped crying starting to feel at peace once more, but she could not bring herself from Eomer's embrace. She had never felt so safe, so secure than she did surrounded by his arms.

"First Theodred, then my father," she whispered softly barely audible, "all that I love is turning to ash."

Eomer took a deep breath, the words she spoke seemed to strike through him. He loosened his embrace and with one hand gently lifted her chin so she was looking at him.

"I will never leave you," he said with such authority Lyrian had no reason to doubt him, "In this life or the next, I will always come home to you."

Eomer held Lyrian in his gaze, his eyes filled with such emotion as Lyrian had never seen. Lyrian had awoken something within Eomer that he had not known was apart of him. He leaned forward and gently captured her lips in a kiss. Lyrian felt her heart race as she kissed back with such love she never would have believed she was able to give, yet at that moment, she could have sworn her heart had burst as Eomer kissed her with such care she realized just how much she had come to love the man standing in front of her. Only the need for air drew the two apart and Eomer rested his forehead against hers, both breathing deeply.

He looked into her eyes, "I will always come back to you," he whispered, just as the sun rose from the mountains.