The Elf and Future King

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Muchas gracias to my most amazing beta Ellisk.
Disclaimer: Tolkien owns all except Amrun
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Chapter Fourteen
Royal Guests


Amrun and Éomer enjoyed a quiet dinner with their friends before retiring to their chambers. She requested a bath while he told Thengel a story and put him to bed. After the servants left, and knowing they had been told not to come unless requested, she undressed him slowly and pulled him to sit into the tub. Washing every inch of him while they kissed, she soon had him throbbing painfully with need for her. When he finished bathing and rose from the tub, Amrun dried him slowly, in a teasing seductive manner, playfully evading his hands when he reached for her.

He smiled and warned her, “You will pay for this, my sweet”

“Pay for what?” Amrun said, her face a mask of perfect innocence.

Amrun removed her robe slowly while Éomer lay casually on the bed and watched. She straddled his body and bent over to kiss him, her dark hair falling forward and tickling his face. As he pulled her down on him, she was stroking his tongue with her own and running her hands over the muscles of his chest and abdomen. He smiled at the fevered look in her eyes when she sat up. The sight of her on top of him was enough to drive him to madness as he slowly lifted her up by her hips and impaled her on his shaft. She rode him slow and easy for a long time before she moaned and he felt her tighten around him. Grabbing her hips tighter, he began to forcefully move her up and down his manhood as his passion overwhelmed his control. When he groaned, she arched her back and cried out, both of them climaxing in unison.

After they made love, he drew her into his arms, resting her head on his chest, and then covered them both with the blanket. They fell asleep still entangled in each other’s arms.

When she woke up the next morning, she was lying on her back and he was covering her breasts with hot kisses. He lazily kissed his way down her stomach, moving his body between her thighs. Amrun gasped and clutched the sheets when his torturous kisses rained along the inside of her right leg, beginning at her knee and moving up, his beard brushing against the sensitive skin. Teasingly, he nibbled high on her thigh before moving to her left knee and repeating the process on that leg. Her heart beating erratically, she whimpered when she felt his tongue’s sweet invasion into the wet heat of her sex. Moving his fingers rhythmically inside her, he flicked his tongue against her sensitive core driving her mad with desire.

Éomer removed his fingers and thrust his tongue deep inside her, causing her to writhe beneath him. He teased her, keeping her on the verge of completion under his oral torment until she pleaded with him to make love to her. When she thought she could stand no more, he sucked her swollen nub into his mouth as he thrust two fingers into her. She arched toward him, moaning, cresting in wave after wave of passion.

When she stopped trembling, Éomer moved to enter her and she met his downward thrust with her own. Amrun bit her lip to keep from crying out as he drove deep inside her until she moaned and closed her eyes. Kissing her passionately, he continued hard, rapid plunges into her until they reached a climax that left both of them breathless. When he rolled on the bed beside her, she snuggled up to him and giggled, “Good morning to you too.”

Looking over at her, Éomer said, “I have never met anyone as passionate as you. You drive me mad and I do not know if I want it to never stop or if I can stand another minute without dying.”

“It must stop sometime, so let it end but start all over again,” she smiled and wrapped her arm around him.

They both fell asleep again until Thengel woke them up. After Éomer was dressed, he sent in servants with water so she could take a bath. Éowyn, Faramir, and Arwen would be here today, so Amrun wanted to look her best. Tonight was the big feast and she was dreading it. She wish she and Éomer could just hide in their chambers with Thengel for the rest of their years. She did not care about being a queen and she would have married him if he were a stable boy.

But it was not to be. After Éomer left their chambers to attend to his morning duties, Léoma brought seamstresses to Amrun’s room because Éomer had insisted she have more gowns for formal events such as the feast tonight. He also wanted her to have riding clothes. She dreaded the thought that he was going to teach her to ride a horse. Both Theodred and Elrohir had tried and failed. Amrun was simply terrified of the animals and they sensed her discomfort, reacting poorly to it. Léoma also brought her a green cloak with Rohan’s standard that had belonged Éomer’s mother, Theodwyn. She was to wear the cloak when she was presented to the Rohirrim that night. Lying in the trunk along side her new cloak was a smaller version of it that had been Éomer’s when he was a child. Léoma told her it would now be Thengel’s. Tears flooded Amrun’s eyes when she saw it. The reality of the fact that she was the Queen of Rohan had not yet sunk in. Seeing the cloak for Thengel reminded her of her fears of his responsibilities as prince and future king.

That evening, as she prepared for the feast, her hands shook as she dressed. She felt like fleeing and wondered where she could hide until this evening was over.

Hearing noises in the Great Hall, she knew it was too late to hide and that the guests had already arrived. Éomer came in to confirm that belief. Kissing her, he urged her to hurry. She finished getting ready and, picking up Thengel, made her way to the Grand Hall but she stopped out of sight when she heard arguing.

“Éomer, this is madness. You cannot marry her and bring her son back here as your heir,” Éowyn was saying. “I adore Amrun, but last time she was here she was grieving for your cousin. Now she is your wife and her son is your heir.”

“Éowyn, he is not her son. He is our son.” Amrun could tell by the tone of his voice how angry he was.

“King Éomer, she is correct. The people will not accept her son as your heir,” Erkenbrand said adamantly.

“You keep saying ‘her son’ as if he is not my son,” Éomer said, his tone a warning.

“Well, he is not your son, is he? Is he not truly Theodred’s son? I understand you wanting to bring Theodred’s son home to Rohan but not like this, Éomer.” Éowyn asked confused.

“He is my son, not Theodred’s,” Éomer exclaimed, exasperated.

“But how is that possible?” Éowyn argued.

“Are you certain he is your son, or are you trusting her word? Why would she hide in Rivendell with your son?” another man that Amrun did not recognize asked.

“Why would you doubt her word? ” Arwen asked.

“She would lie so her son could become heir to the throne of Rohan,” Gamling said.

“No, she has no desire for that,” Aragorn intervened, speaking decisively. “She is not lying about Thengel’s parentage and I cannot believe you are questioning her.”

“She was last seen mourning for Theodred and now, five years later, she is with Éomer claiming this boy is his son. Why would she hide him from his own father?” Éowyn argued.

Éomer silenced further debate with a cold glare. “There is a simple answer to your objections,” he said, his voice tight. “I will step down from the throne. Then my heir will no longer be Rohan’s concern.”

“You cannot do that brother!” Éowyn shouted.

“I can do it and I will do it. I am not going to stand here and listen to you question me about this. I am not some misguided fool who would not know my own son. I will take them to go and live in Rivendell with their people where we were both accepted without question,” Éomer said as he started to leave the room. When he saw Amrun at the hallway, he cursed. She had tears flowing down her face and looked heartbroken. Walking over to her, he said, “Do not allow this to bother you. I vowed to you that I would not allow the crown to come between us. We will leave here tomorrow and return to Rivendell.” The others had still not seen her.

“Éomer, that is not the answer,” Aragorn started. “I blessed your wedding myself. I am in full support of this union and do not question your heir.”

“Aragorn, you have been a good friend and a great king, but I refuse to be king over a land that will not accept my wife and son.”

“He should not be questioned,” Arwen commented.

“I am not saying it is right that anyone is questioning Thengel, yet they will. Éomer needs to realize this,” Éowyn explained.

“Éowyn, you are right to be concerned about your brother, but if no one here doubts him or his decisions then the people of Rohan will behave the same way. If they know that we are divided on the issue, they will question it. But if we show everyone that their queen and the prince are deserving of our support, they will accept them. The people of Rohan love Éomer and they will love his wife and son as well.”

The room was quiet as everyone thought about what Aragorn said. Finally turning to Éomer, Erkenbrand said, “Pardon me, Éomer King for my comments. You have our allegiance today as you have always had our allegiance”

Éowyn stood and ran to Éomer, hugging him tightly. “Forgive me for behaving as a fool and doubting you.” When she pulled away everyone was watching Éomer. He turned and looked at Amrun and Thengel, still standing partially concealed.

“I must speak with my wife before I decide anything,” Éomer said walking away, taking her by the hand and leading her back to their suite. Éowyn started crying as she realized that Amrun had heard part, if not all, of their argument.

When Éomer came to the end of the hall and shut the door to their suite, he drew her into his embrace and held her tightly with Thengel in between them. “Amrun, I love you. If you wish to leave, we will leave. We can live in Rivendell or Gondor or anywhere you like. I will not lose you and Thengel again.”

“I do not want you to walk away from your birthright. I warned you this would happen and I was prepared. It did hurt me that Éowyn would think me capable of such deception, but I know she was merely concerned for you. If we leave now, we are saying that they were right to doubt us, to doubt your commitment to your duty and that I would give up anything to be with you. I did not come here to be Rohan’s well-loved queen. I came to be your wife.”

Éomer kissed her hard and said, “I love you so much. They will soon love you as well. We will stay, but if they ever doubt you again, we are leaving.” She nodded and they both laughed when they heard Thengel say, “You are squeezing me too tight, nana.” Éomer bent down and kissed him on his head and then took him from her.

“Come on Thengel. Let us go charm the ladies,” Éomer said taking Amrun’s hand. She wiped the tears off her cheeks as they walked down the hall.

Arwen was standing near the entrance and greeted her with a tight embrace. She whispered in her ear “Do not let them concern you. Give them time to come to know you and they will accept you.” Amrun smiled and nodded. Arwen looked at Thengel and said, “You are so delightful. Do you know my brothers Elladan and Elrohir?” Thengel laughed at their names and lurched out of Éomer’s arms into hers. He began to babble to her in Elvish and Amrun laughed at his excitement. Éomer introduced her to Faramir and he bowed with a smile. Éowyn reached out and took her hand.

“Amrun, please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you. I am so ashamed at how I have behaved.”

Amrun nodded and said, “I understand.” She could not forget her hurt over what Éowyn had said and what she had implied, but she gracefully accepted her apology.

When Arwen walked over to Éowyn with Thengel, Éowyn cried as she said, “He favors you so much, Éomer.” She reached out to take him from Arwen and he just looked at her.

He started speaking in Elvish again and Amrun said, “Thengel, no Elvish to anyone but Legolas, Arwen, and Nana.” He nodded solemnly and looked back at Éowyn with a huge grin. Then he looked over at Faramir and said sweetly, “Can I play with your sword?”

Legolas and Gimli laughed. Gimli said, “Watch out for that young rascal. He encourages you to do things he knows he is not allowed to do.”

Thengel giggled and whispered very loudly to Faramir. “That is Gimli. He is a dwarf, but Legolas said he is smarter than most dwarves.”

Everyone who heard this exchange laughed except Gimli, who glared at Legolas. Thengel insisted on giving everyone their presents from his uncles, so he dragged Amrun and Legolas down the hall to retrieve them.

While Thengel was scurrying about his room, Legolas watched Amrun for a moment before asking, “Are you alright?”

Armun nodded. “I was more worried about seeing Arwen then Éowyn because Arwen and I were not very close in Imladris and Éowyn and I had been friends. It was upsetting to hear her say those things about me. And Arwen has been very welcoming to me.”

“Arwen understands being an elleth in a Man’s world. Éowyn will never understand that. Yet I do not think that Éowyn spoke out of malice towards you. She is worried about Éomer. This situation is not something that the Rohirrim would have expected I am certain.”

“I know. They are not the only ones who did not expect to be in this situation. Yet I have had five years to grow accustomed to being the mother of the Prince of Rohan. If I could do things differently, I would, but it is too late for regrets.”

Finally finished gathering the gifts, they walked back to the great hall. Thengel dragged Legolas over to Faramir and they gave him his gift. Amrun brought the jewelry to both Arwen and Éowyn. Éowyn soon left them to talk with Éomer and Faramir.

Arwen took her hand and said, “I miss Imladris and my brothers. How are they?”

The two ellith sat and talked for a long time and Amrun was sorry she never got closer to Arwen in Imladris. She watched Thengel out of the corner of her eye as he was running around.

“That is so precious,” Arwen said.

Amrun glanced over and saw Éomer hugging and kissing Thengel. She smiled and said, “He is a wonderful father. I was a fool to think anything else.”

Arwen squeezed her hand and said, “Judging by what happened today, you were right to worry about how your son would be accepted. But it seems that everyone has accepted it now. If anyone doubts that Thengel is his son, all they have to do is look at the two of them. They look so much alike.”

Rising, Arwen suggested they go to Amrun’s chambers to speak privately. In Amrun’s sitting room, they spoke of being an elf in the world of men and how difficult it was. Arwen told her about adjusting to life in Gondor.

When their conversation was drawing to close, Éowyn appeared in the doorway and knocked softly as she looked into the room. Amrun invited her to join them. “I did not wish to intrude but I wanted to come and apologize again. I know how hurt and betrayed you must feel and I hate myself for causing those feelings.”

“I told her you were envious because you were not an elf as well,” Arwen smiled mischievously.

“Yes, when my skin is wrinkled and my hair gray like a wicked old hag, you two will look as you do now,” Éowyn said rolling her eyes. Arwen and Amrun looked at her sympathetically for a moment before the three of them burst into laughter.

After a while, Amrun said, “I am a horrible hostess. You two probably wish to rest and get changed. Has anyone shown you to your chambers?”

Éowyn smiled and said, “I made myself at home in my old ones.”

“Yes, Aragorn is staying in Eowyn’s mother’s chambers, which are on the other side of the Great Hall, but we can bypass the hall to get there if I can remember how. I am still trying to learn my way around here,” Amrun explained to Arwen.

“Do not trouble yourself. I need to retrieve my husband from the hall on the way anyway. I wish to spend a few moments alone with him away from his kingly duties,” Arwen said following Éowyn to the hall.

The women walked in the room and Legolas smiled as he walked over. “Do I need to start encouraging these unattached men to find other places to be?”

“Would you be so kind my fair friend?” Arwen said with a smile.

After Gimli and Legolas had disbursed the other men, Aragorn and Arwen went to their chambers and Éowyn went to hers with Faramir. The servants were beginning to set up for the celebration that night.

Éomer picked up Thengel from where he was climbing all over the throne and said, “Naptime for you my little prince.” Amrun smiled as she followed them down the hall. Thengel was too excited to sleep, so they convinced him to lie down with them. Éomer looked over Thengel at her and asked, “Are you certain you are well?”

“Yes. I am merely nervous about tonight.”

“Do not be. I think what Aragorn said today convinced them to accept this. I did not realize that others thought that Thengel was Theodred’s son. If I had known, I would have addressed it sooner. Yet it makes sense now that they would assume that, not knowing about us.” Éomer stroked her cheek and said, “It will be fine tonight. I want to make certain that every one sees my radiant wife. No one will question anything other than to wonder where I found someone so beautiful.”

Amrun smiled and said, “I truly hope you do not share that story. They already think the worst of me. Finding out about our meeting at the lake would confirm to them that you married a harlot.”

As she was finishing her preparations for the celebration, Amrun was shaking. She was glad Arwen and Legolas were there. The elf within her needed them nearby. When it was finally time to go to the hall, Éomer walked in and smiled.

“You look amazing.”

Amrun was wearing a gold and burgundy gown with the green Rohirrim cloak. She had left her hair loose and had purposely pulled her hair behind her ears. Éomer looked wonderful in his ceremonial clothing and Thengel was dressed in clothing much like his father’s along with his Rohirrim cloak.

“Are you ready?” he asked softly.

“It is too late to run and hide, so let us be done with it,” she said taking a deep breath.

Before they left the suite, Éomer gave her a deep and loving kiss. They walked out to the Great Hall and Arwen and Aragorn were waiting for them. Aragorn was wearing his ceremonial clothing and Arwen was wearing a deep blue gown with silver sleeves. Both wore cloaks with Aragorn’s standard of the white tree and stars.

Arwen smiled and squeezed Amrun’s hand and said, “You look very noble.”

“I feel very terrified,” Amrun said softly.

They walked towards the terrace and Erkenbrand announced Aragorn and Arwen to the crowd. Amrun watched Arwen’s graceful and regal demeanor enviously. The people of Edoras applauded and cheered loudly when they walked outside onto the terrace. Amrun’s hands were cold. Éomer leaned over and kissed her tenderly. When they heard Aragorn present them as the King and new Queen of Rohan and the Prince of Rohan, Amrun felt so nervous she wanted to run. Éomer picked up Thengel and they walked outside into the cool evening air. She was surprised that the crowd cheered them enthusiastically without hesitation.

Smiling shyly, she glanced up at Éomer then back at the crowd. Thengel waved happily and the crowd cheered even louder. Feeling overwhelmed, Amrun focused on Thengel. After a few moments, they returned to the hall. Legolas, who was standing with the others behind them on the terrace, gave her a wink. Once they were in the hall, the guests of the celebration started filing in and she and Éomer were required by etiquette to greet them all. Eventually Amrun gave Thengel to Legolas because he was overwhelmed.

Afterwards, they sat down to a feast that was bigger than anything she had ever seen. Éomer and Aragorn both sat in high chairs with Arwen and Amrun beside them. The rest of the people at their table were their friends together and Éomer’s closest friends. Thengel clung to Amrun or Éomer because the number of new people was frightening to him.

Amrun noticed one of the women at the table was observing her very closely. Finally the woman asked, “So how did you and Éomer meet?”

Amrun paused for a moment then replied, “I lived in the forest of Rohan a few years ago. I met Éomer and Theodred then.”

“Where did you live with your son before you came here?” the woman continued.

“In Rivendell.”

The woman leaned forward and asked quietly, “Does the boy’s father not mind Éomer raising his son? Or are you a widow?”

Amrun glanced at her and said, “Éomer is his father.”

The woman appeared shocked and blurted out without thinking, “Then why were you not with Éomer for the last five years?”

“That is none of your concern. But Thengel is Éomer’s son,” Amrun said, her expression proudly daring the woman to say anymore. Fortunately, the woman changed the subject and asked her what Rivendell was like.

When the meal was over and the food cleared, musicians began to play and everyone milled about talking or dancing. Arwen went with Amrun to her chambers to take an exhausted Thengel to his room. A young servant that Thengel liked was to read him a story then put him to bed.

Walking back towards the hall, Amrun saw the woman who had asked so many questions and another woman standing in the hallway. They were watching the Great Hall and talking. They did not see her or Arwen as they walked behind them. The inquisitive one was very pretty with long blonde hair and endowed to the point of almost overflowing her tight dress. The other one had brown hair and, while not as attractive, she was still beautiful in her own way.

The blonde one said to her friend, “As soon as he is over the fascination of his Elf whore, he will beg to be in my bed.”

Arwen put her hand on Amrun’s arm and shook her head encouraging her to stay silent. Amrun stood listening to them, enraged.

The other woman said, “The queen is incredibly beautiful, but you are correct. He will soon lose interest in her. Yet perhaps it will be my bed he prefers. Do not be so sure that he will want you. He has turned you down before.”

“Yes, but that was because we were interrupted, not because he did not want me. Believe me, I could tell he wanted me. Besides he was in my bed many times before and only turned me down that one time. He is an incredible lover,” she sighed. “Yes, our young king could have me anytime he wanted me. I will help him forget that elf exists. He is far too much of a man for her anyway. He needs real woman, not an elf.”

She looked at her friend with a smile then started to go back into the hall. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Amrun and gasped. The other woman turned as both of them bowed to her and Arwen. Amrun watched her with amusement hiding her rage.

“Do you always bow to an Elf whore, as you put it?”

“No, my lady, I bow to my queen and the Queen of Gondor,” the dark haired one said not looking up.

“Would you like to explain your comments about me or would you prefer to explain them to Éomer?” Amrun said losing all sense of amusement.

Neither said anything. “Look at me,” Amrun demanded and the two looked up at her.

“Your opinion matters little to me. But before you insult my people, you better look to the Queen of Gondor. Why do you think both kings married elves? Perhaps it is because of low class harlots like yourself, who wish to bed them because they are kings with no regard to who they are beyond that,” Amrun seethed. “I will tolerate your ignorance this time. But if you ever, I mean EVER, talk about my husband in that manner again, I will make you wish for death.”

“Yes, my lady,” they both said nervously.

“I think it is best if you leave the feast now and pray that I do not see you again. But before you leave, tell me your names.”

“Elenor,” the dark haired one answered hesitantly.

The blonde said softly, “Lily.”

“Well, Elenor and Lily, I suggest you return to the hole you crawled from and do not even think about my husband again except as your king,” she ordered. She watched as the two women scurried away. She had almost forgotten Arwen beside her until she heard her laughter.

“Well done, my friend. Those two will never show their face around you again, I am certain,” she put her arm around Amrun and patted her shoulder.

“This happened to you as well?”

“Yes, and even worse. One brazen woman even went so far as to try and seduce Aragorn outside our chambers. When I caught her, let me merely say I lost my elven grace and refinement for a few moments. I have not seen her since. Aragorn was quite amused by the whole affair, however. The women merely want them because they are kings.”

“No, that woman wanted him because he was a good-looking king,” Amrun smiled. They laughed and walked back into the hall.

Amrun went to stand with Éomer and he pulled her beside him with a smile. Soon he brought her into his embrace and they danced closely, almost forgetting those around them. The celebration lasted long into the night, with many dances and toasts. Late in the evening, the men erupted into drinking songs as their wives laughed. Finally, Amrun dragged her husband away from the crowd as Arwen and Éowyn had already done with their husbands.

Bringing him to their bedroom, Amrun stripped her husband of his clothes while he smiled. He was quite drunk and laughing a lot. She pushed him on the bed and proceeded to remove her clothing slowly and provocatively. Then she climbed onto the bed with him and crawled up his body letting her hair drape down and drag along his skin. When she kissed him deeply, he tasted of the ale. He grabbed her aggressively and pulled her to lie down on top of him. After a few passionate kisses, she kissed down his neck and throat as she dragged her fingernails across his chest. She continued to trail her kisses down his body, over his chest then his stomach muscles.

Éomer moaned when she started kissing his stomach while stroking his hardened manhood. When she began to kiss his hardness, he groaned loudly. She kissed and licked all over, enjoying his moans and gasps. Finally taking him in her hands, she slid him into her mouth as he tensed. As she sucked him, she swirled her tongue around the head. She was enjoying this immensely, having his pleasure totally in her control. He gently held the back of her head and slowly began to thrust into her mouth. Holding him so he did not thrust too deep, she sucked him hard as he slid more into her mouth. He moaned her name as he continued to thrust into her mouth.

Finally, he drew Amrun forcefully away him and to her knees, slamming into her from behind. As she braced herself on the bed, he continued to slam into her hard and fast as she cried out at each entry. Sitting back on his heels, he pulled her by her hips onto him. When she reached her peak, she moaned and once again, he slammed into her so forcefully, she screamed in pleasure. He drove her to another orgasm before he groaned and buried himself deep inside her as he climaxed. Moaning, he collapsed on the bed bringing her down with him. Both were gasping for air.

After they caught their breath, Éomer said, “Did I hurt you? I fear I was a little excited and out of control.”

Smiling, she said, “Yes, you were. I think I will need to stay in bed tomorrow to recover.”

“So I suppose that means, you do not feel well enough to allow me to make love to you again?” He smiled as he kissed her.

“Not quite so enthusiastically, I cannot.” Tracing his lips with her finger, she said, “But if you are gentle this time, I could possible be convinced.”

When Éomer made love to her the second time, he was very gentle, but it was just as wonderful and satisfying to her. She wondered if all men were such good lovers and felt lucky he was. Thinking back to those two women earlier at the feast, she grew angry again.

“Éomer, who is Lily?” Amrun felt him tense up beside her.

“She is a former lover, long before you. In fact, she was my lover when we first met, but I ended it shortly after.”

“And has she tried to seduce you since then?”

“Why are you asking me this? How did you find out about Lily?” he said looking down at her, concerned.

Amrun told him about her earlier encounter. Éomer sighed and said, “Yes, she tried to seduce me a few times, including before I came to Imladris, but I did not accept her advances.”

“Then she is the one that kissed you and touched you—the one that you talked about in Imladris?” Amrun tried to make her voice sound light, but she was hurting.

“Amrun, if I wanted her, I would have taken her. I would have taken her as my wife or simply a lover, but I did not. I told you, since you, I have wanted no other women.” He kissed her gently on the forehead.

After a few minutes, she asked, “So you have shared your bed with no other since we first became lovers?”

Éomer was silent for a long time and she knew the answer. Finally he said, “There was one in Minas Tirith after I received your letter. I was hurt and angry with you. But she was the only one and I felt nothing for her.”

Amrun pulled away from him and sat up. He rubbed her back and said, “Amrun, love, forgive me. I was hurt and I thought I had lost you forever.”

Amrun bit back tears as she said, “I was in Imladris with a broken heart, pregnant with your child and you were sleeping with other women. And then you invite a former lover to the celebration of our marriage to sit at our table. Everyone from Edoras probably knows of your previous relationship. Then I have to hear from her that she used to be your lover and still wants to be your lover. You have humiliated me in front of everyone. And I cannot help but wonder why you have kept this from me, if it is as innocent as you claim.”

“Amrun…”

She turned to him and said, “If I had not had Thengel, I would not be here now, would I?”

Before Éomer could answer, she jumped up. Grabbing a sleeping gown, she went into the third bedroom and locked the door. He knocked on the door and called her name for a long time. She knew he would not call too loudly for fear of waking Thengel. Eventually, he gave up and she cried herself to sleep.

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