Story Summary:
When Theodred's true love comes to Edoras in
mourning, Eomer must deal with his own desires towards her. As her need
for his comfort increases, she must decide what role he will play in
her future. She betrays him with a lie that will change his life
forever but he must forgive her or sacrifice his happiness.
Warning: explicit consensual sex
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
The room was still, not even the wood crackled in the fireplace, as if
it knew it would be an intrusion on Amrun’s thoughts. She was in the
bedroom that had original been Èomer’s before he was king. She
preferred sleeping there now to the bed she had once shared with him.
The room remained the same as it had the day he first brought her to
Edoras after Theodred’s death.
Although her face was untouched by age, she knew that she no longer
looked as she once had. Èomer’s death had taken all of the spirit and
passion for life completely out of her. She remained a shadow of who
she once was. While she knew when she fell in love with a mortal that
she would eventually have to suffer his loss, nothing could have
prepared her for the emptiness inside.
Her son and daughter, Eodric and Eodeva, had returned from their lands
in time to join their brother and say farewell to their father. And
Merry and Pippin had been summoned as well. Although the twin sons of
Elrond were not here, she had faith that Elrohir would be here soon.
They had promised her that when Èomer’s final years were spent, they
would come and bring her back to Imladris. From there, they would all
eventually sail to the Undying Lands. Her children had tried to
encourage her to stay in Rohan, her home for most of her life, with
them and their families, reminding her that she was the beloved queen
of King Èomer and the mother to his children, including their current
king, King Thengal. But Amrun needed to leave these lands for there
were too many memories here.
“Naneth?” Thengal said from the doorway. When Amrun turned to look at
him, it pained him to see how dispirited she was. “The scouts have
reported a party from Imladris will be at the gates soon.”
“Elrohir has come,” she nodded. “I knew he would.”
“I wish you would reconsider and stay here. Your family is here, your friends.”
“Thengal, I cannot remain here where every corner I turn I expect to
see his face. You know I love you and your brother and sister. I love
all of your children. But your father’s death has defeated me. I cannot
suffer each day endlessly. Forgive me for abandoning you,” Amrun said
sadly. She never wanted to hurt her children and she knew they did not
understand why she could not remain for them at least.
“You have not abandoned us. I merely wish you would remain here. But I
understand why you cannot. I love you and wish you peace if you cannot
have happiness.” Thengal took his mother’s hands in his own. She was
un-aged, beautiful still as the day he was born. He had watched his
father age while the years had not touched his mother’s fair face.
Thengel knew she would not change her mind. Not now. He rose and kissed
her gently on the top of the head. At the door he lingered for a moment
before nodding curtly and leaving.
Èomer’s death had left her bereft of all desire to remain in Meduseld.
It was no longer home to her. Everywhere she walked in these halls
reminded her of her husband. She listened for his footsteps outside her
door each night. Her bed had lost his woody scent. No, she did not
belong in Rohan any longer.
“My queen, the men have returned from the errand you had requested,” a maid said from the doorway.
“Has it been taken care of?”
“Yes. The family was very joyous with your gift,” the servant replied then disappeared into the hallway.
The cabin, her cabin, had been her gift to a man, his wife, and son
after the man had become injured and unable to keep up his obligations
in Edoras. She wanted the cabin to be loved by someone as much as she
and Èomer had loved escaping their duties when they were there. And now
a child would grow up there, as she had. She had requested that Thengel
make sure that the cabin was maintained for the family.
Rising, she straightened her skirt then closed the last trunk she had
packed. With one final look around the room, she sighed and wiped her
tears away.
It was time to leave with only her memories to keep her warm at night.
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