Title: Forgiven
Series: The Rohirric Cycle
Sequel to: Rider of the Mark
Characters: Éothain /ofc, various canon and already introduced OCs
Disclaimer: I am Not Tolkien. No money, no suey. I'll give them back when there's nothing left of them. Except Gamling and Éomer. I'm keeping them.
Timeline: Immediately following the war. End of the 3rd age.
Setting: Rohan. Follows immediately after chapter 46 of Rider of the Mark
Warnings: Dark themes: hints and discussion of underage incestuous child abuse.
Spoilers:
Beta: Alex-Cat
Author's notes: You will want to read Rider of the Mark first. It will explain a lot.

Dedication: Blessed is he who is patient

Summary:Eadlyn lived a life in a living hell and as a result, alienated the one person she needed on her side. By order of the king, all was ripped from her until she could learn to manage her hall and make nice with her sister-in-law. Éothain was the energetic, over-exuberant young captain, sent to take over the small garrison on her property and begin her son's training. Could he help her possibly break through the remnants of her brother's insanity?

Forgiven

Prologue

Eadlyn stood in the Great Hall of Meduseld, head down, concentrating on the beautiful marble floors. To say she was terrified was an understatement. Her brother had been taken to the Wold, dragged to his death, her sister-in-law's home, Woldenfeld cleansed of miscreants. Many blamed Eadlyn for what happened and Eadlyn couldn't rightly blame them. She was weak, terrified of her own shadow most days, although the cause of her fear was now dead. But she had done things, horrible things, to protect herself and her son, things that were crimes against the citizens of the Riddermark and right now, this moment, she stood in front of the King of Rohan, where he would pronounce judgment.

Éomer sat on his throne, holding her very fate in his hands. He could kill her. Béma, she wouldn't blame him if he killed her. She only worried about her son. Chances are if he had her executed, Aefre and her husband, Gamling, would take over the raising of her son. She sighed. Despite all that was wrong with her relationship with Aefre, she knew he would be raised well and taken care of.

But would she love him…

The last of the King's advisors left the dais, whispering, whispering. Gamling was there, the King's right hand. He was unreadable. For not the first time, Eadlyn wondered about his relationship with Aefre. Lufian always laughed, always had a smile on his face. This one was stoic. Both he and the King stared hard at her. From somewhere, a hand took hers. Éowyn, the king's sister, stood next to her and smiled gently. "I won't let you stand alone, Eadlyn," she whispered in her ear.

"Eadlyn of the Wold," Éomer's voice boomed, carried across the Great Hall. Well, so much for her desire for a quiet, private sentencing. "Widow of Beadorouf, you are charged with serious crimes against Rohan."

"My lord, please. I would beg for mercy." Where Eadlyn found her voice, she didn't know.

"You may plead all you wish, I have already come to a decision." Éowyn squeezed her hand. Éomer leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I am aware there are extenuating circumstances and I am deeply grieved of the atrocities committed by your brother that caused you and your son harm. I understand," he stated pointedly, "that you have lived in fear much of your life. We do not blame you in that. However, you put others in danger by your actions and your secrecy, therefore I am ordering changes in your household."

Changes? Household? She wasn't to be executed?

"Gamling is now Marshal of the Wold and he is now your immediate overlord, answerable to me. If you have problems with him, I would suggest you talk to his wife, before you come to me."

Eadlyn caught her breath. Aefre? Go to Aefre? But Aefre hated her… and for good reason!

"Also there have been reports and complaints about your ability to maintain a hall. You are no longer in charge of it." Eadlyn opened her mouth to protest, but Éomer cut her off. "Your son's inheritance is not jeopardy, however, until such time it is felt by the Marshal that you are capable of running your hall, your servants will answer to him and whomever he appoints to the day to day running of it. I would heavily suggest," and he stressed the world 'heavily', "that you allow his wife to aid you in that. I know you and Aefre have a history, but perhaps it is time for healing to begin." He leaned over to Gamling. "How is your daughter, Gamling?"

"She's beautiful." Gamling smiled, his entire visage changed, body relaxed; obviously a proud, doting father. "Healthy and screams all night if not fed quickly enough."

Éomer grinned. "Ah, takes after you!" He punched him good-naturedly in the arm. "Look at my esteemed Marshal! You are already a puddle of goo!" He turned his attention back to Eadlyn, his finger pointing to Gamling. "Have you met Gamling and Aefre's daughter yet?"

Eadlyn knew this wouldn't bode well. "No sire." She inhaled sharply. "I am afraid that Aefre would not let me in the room." She glanced up at Gamling, before averting her eyes. "I am glad she had a safe delivery. She was a great help to me when I had my son and I am afraid I was not gracious at the time. I am still grateful to her for that." There was a pause. "I forgot she was grieving as well."

There was silence as those in the Hall contemplated her words. Eadlyn's husband, Aefre's only sibling, along with her husband and her father, had been killed in an ambush discovered to have been orchestrated by Eadlyn's brother, Gifre, causing Eadlyn to deliver a moon and a half early. Gamling cleared his throat and spoke quietly. "She will see you. I will make sure of it." Eadlyn nodded morosely.

"In addition," Éomer continued, "your son is in need of a firm male hand. Gamling will aid in that, however, I am retiring the captain of your garrison. According to records, Aldhelm is in his 80's and well deserving of his desire to live the rest of his life quietly. I've granted him that request. I will be sending a new captain in the spring, to relieve him. That captain will teach him to ride, among other things. I am also sending Riders, Riders with families, so much of what he was missing, as well as you, will be rectified."

"Thank you, sire."

"Don't thank me, yet," Éomer was jovial at this pronouncement. "When he reaches twelve summers, your son is to be fostered-"

Eadlyn's head jerked up, her eyes wide in terror. "NO! Please sire! He is all I have!"

Despite her distress, Éomer began to laugh and playfully backhanded his Marshal on the arm. "She thinks she has a choice or that I will be swayed!" He continued to smile down at the distressed woman. Éowyn persisted to squeeze her hand, in attempt to calm her fears. "He will be sent to Woldenfeld to train under Gamling's command. He won't be far." Eadlyn did not relax, but her breathing steadied out. "Gamling, when do you leave for the Wold?"

"We plan to leave in the spring, in time for spring planting."

Éomer slapped the armrest of his chair. "Good. Éothain is currently with Erkenbrand and will be ready to take command from Aldhelm when you leave for the Wold. You," he directed the statement to Eadlyn, "and your son will remain here until that time. Perhaps healing can begin." He crooked his finger, beckoning Eadlyn to come closer and leaned down, so that only she and Gamling could hear. "I am so sorry for what you went through. If I could go back and change that, I would. You are made of strong Rohirrim stock to survive such. Now, we need to convince you of it." He looked down, studying his hands. "Aefre is-"

"Aefre hates me, Sire. We have never gotten along."

"Then that needs to change." Blue eyes pierced her to her soul. "That woman standing by your side is my sister. I find her bothersome most days and a pain in my arse the others." Éowyn smirked at him and he winked at her and continued. "However, when I found her on Pelannor Fields, near dead, I thought my very life was over. Brat that she is, she is all the family I have left. Your son is all Aefre has left of her father's family. Use that to your advantage." He leaned back, obviously through. He waved her off. "Go eat. Béma, I'm thirsty. Gamling, what kind of King's man are you, letting me talk myself into a parched throat?"

Quietly, Eadlyn left the Hall, heading to the room she had been assigned. They were preparing to serve supper in the Hall, but she had no appetite. She breathed a sigh of relief; grateful she was not to be executed, but the punishment…

The punishment might be equally difficult to deal with.

tbc