Chapter 8

After the party, a long talk was had and the air cleared with it. Lothíriel told her boyfriend how it had hurt her to see him pulling away and getting more entangled in painful memory, and how helpless she had felt when she did not know how to help him overcome it She explained how lonely she had started to feel, even when he was in the same room with her. Éomer confessed how difficult it was to both want to leave his past behind, and yet feel trapped by it. He spoke of his desire to spare her from it all, though now he realised it was not a viable option. And after a while, he said to her in a quiet voice how it terrified him to think of driving her away without really seeing what he was doing.

They both promised to do better and try harder to make this work.

Night passed as they sat up talking. In fact, the sunrise came as bit of a surprise, though by that time most important things had already been given words and voice. When both felt calm and content, they went to bed. Lothíriel passed out almost as soon as her head fell on his shoulder.

In retrospect, she really did feel pretty foolish about the whole affair. All it had taken was just telling him honestly how she felt, and he had opened up to her once more. She supposed it was a lesson for them both. There were still things they needed to learn about being a team.

All the same, on Sunday after the engagement party, things felt normal once again. They made breakfast together, spent a lazy couple of hours before going for a long walk in the harbour, and got back home to make some dinner and watch a film before getting to bed. A sense of relief still came to her at times, and she thought she could see something similar in his eyes when their gazes met.

Seeing they had now talked things through, Lothíriel also decided to relay her father a certain piece of information. It had to do with the notorious Bill Ferny, who in some ways was responsible for nearly destroying her relationship with Éomer. She had not forgotten what the odious reporter had said to her and it worried her for more reasons than just the possibility of causing trouble for the man she loved. If Mr Ferny did go through with his plan on writing a piece on her boyfriend, then Father ought to know of it and be prepared for possible consequences.

It was Monday when she called him to explain the issue to him. He listened to her in silence, and when she had finished, he let out a frustrated sigh.

"That is a troubling thing indeed. Were I a more ruthless man, I would contact an old friend of mine who sits in the board of directors for that paper... but it's no good thing for people of my standing to try and silence reporters – no matter how unwise or malicious their actions may be. But do not worry, dearest daughter. At the very least, I can have my lawyer explain to this man that if he bothers you again, he will have me to deal with", Father spoke, and towards the end of his speech, he sounded quite intimidating indeed.

Lothíriel shuddered a little bit. No matter how impudent Mr Ferny was, she could not imagine him faring well if Father decided to get involved.

She worried her lower lip for a second before she asked him, "Are you very put out about this, Father? I mean, the chance that our family might get that kind of publicity?"

Father seemed to know what it really was that made her uneasy.

"Of course I'm put out with him. That man should know better than to go digging for ancient dirt on decent people. But if you're asking if I'm displeased with Éomer, then no. It has been made very clear to me that he's not responsible for other people's actions", he answered. His voice grew even slightly amused and she knew why. She hadn't forgotten her little outburst at the restaurant while defending her boyfriend.

She let out a soft little laugh. Still, if she was entirely honest, she did feel relieved. It felt like Éomer was finally accepted into the family.

"I'm glad you think so", she said, smiling as she spoke.

"Indeed I do. All the same, I can't say that I like the idea of our family getting caught in the middle of some scandal. However, we have endured worse, and this Ferny person will soon realise we are a force to be reckoned with", Father said. He sounded like he might even enjoy such challenge.

"When you say it like that, I almost feel bad for the man", Lothíriel said with a slight shake of her head. "By the way, are you free for lunch tomorrow?"

"I believe so. I have a meeting in the morning, but I'll let you know if it runs late", he responded, and after a bit more small talk, they hung up.

Truth be told, Lothíriel felt much easier about Mr Ferny and his articles now that she knew that her father had her and Éomer's back.

Thump thump thump.

There was something very satisfying about the sound of fists pounding against a punching bag. The rapid fire of contact thrummed through his hands and arms, beat by beat, until he felt like the very strikes, his heart, and his breathing were all following that rhythm. His t-shirt was glued against his back and sweat trickled down his neck. Éomer rather enjoyed this sensation, the strain in his muscles that proved just what he could do. On the other hand, it had often been his chief method of stress relief. Difficult emotions were easier to handle that way – or ignore, like he was learning now that he was talking to the department's shrink.

However, this particular session was not about stress relief. He felt strong and energetic and purposeful. Now that things were back to normal with Lothíriel and he was finally dealing with all the trauma of his past, he felt like a new leaf had truly been turned.

He finished another bout and reached for his water bottle. After a couple quick sips, he rolled his shoulders and arms in preparation. Then he fell on the punching bag with renewed vigour.

In retrospect, even he had hard time understanding why he had behaved in such a manner. It was as if he had walked in a dark haze, unable to feel anything except anger. Lothíriel didn't deserve to be treated so no matter what his own troubles were, especially when she had done nothing but supported and cared for him. Well, he supposed he still had a lot to learn about being a good partner, and a lot of baggage to sort out. All the same, he had already sworn to himself he would never get so self-absorbed again, or forget what she meant to him. Perhaps it all went back to this deep-seated fear that she would leave him, too – and that slanderous articles by Bill Ferny would only hasten the eventual fallout. Now he realised that his own actions had impacted her much more than Ferny's skulking. Talk about life's small ironies.

Fortunately for him, Lothíriel was not a vindictive person. She was already back to her usual, sweet and caring self. It felt like she didn't even recall the affair anymore, and there was no reservation when she reached her hands to him and curled up against his side. At times, it still made him feel nearly dizzy with relief.

His pace became faster and faster. It felt like the punching bag was almost vibrating at the sheer rate and force of his blows. They did not come with frustrated energy, but with something that was eager and brimming. When had he last felt so full of life and resolution? Éomer could not answer that question.

"Seriously, lad, what did that bag ever do to you?" a voice asked behind him.

He turned around to see the owner of the gym, a man named Elfhelm. He was a smiling, bearded fellow in his forties – and with the meanest right hook Éomer had ever seen.

He cracked a smile at the older man. Having frequented the gym for some time now, they were becoming fast friends.

"It looked at me the wrong way", he quipped and Elfhelm let out a low, gravelly laugh.

"You ever think of becoming a professional? You've got the makings for it, I think", Elfhelm noted and seemed to size him up for a moment, as though already planning an illustrious career in sports for him.

"Not really. I prefer my current job", Éomer replied and began to undo his boxing gloves. As much as he had enjoyed this session, he'd have to get going soon. He was meeting Éowyn for coffee before heading home.

"Such a pity", Elfhelm said regretfully, but he did smile. Then in a softer tone, he added, "Glad to see you in better mood, though."

"Yeah. I decided some things have to change", said the younger of the two men. He met his friend's eyes in a way that bordered on defiant. But Elfhelm just smiled, like he had heard something that pleased him.

"That's the spirit", he said and reached to pat Éomer's shoulder. He cast a quizzical look at him, "Want to spar for a bit?"

"I'd love to, but I need to get going. I'm meeting my sister and she has a great love for punctuality", Éomer replied and picked up his water bottle and gloves.

"Another time, then", Elfhelm said and smiled arrogantly. "If you dare."

"How could I refuse, you cocky old bugger?" Éomer chortled and headed for the locker room.

After a quick shower and changing his clothes, he hurriedly made his way outside. Some twenty minutes later, he was on the front of that same café where he and Lothíriel had had their first official date. It was his favourite one now.

Éowyn was already there when he stepped inside. She waved her arm to catch his eyes, and he gave her a big smile and a nod of his head to let her know he had seen her. Then he headed for the counter to order. Once he had a big cup of coffee, he went to join his sister.

For a bit they were engaged in small talk and such, sharing the every day news of their lives. Éowyn looked hale and happy, much as she was these days. She chatted excitedly about her life and Faramir, and Éomer was glad to listen.

"You know", she said suddenly, "Only the othe day, a little bird told me that you won't have to be worried about Bill Ferny anymore. It's because his editor refused to print anything that is even slightly disrespectful towards this family. As it happens, our uncle is something of a hero these days. After all, he put away the most notorious criminal in this town's history, and did so at great personal cost", she told him in serious tones. Her grey eyes were more intense than her tone, and Éomer knew this was very important to her.

Be that as it may, she had read him right. She knew he had been worried about Bill Ferny as of late, and the fact this news would come to him as a relief. While Éomer knew now that Lothíriel – or any other important part of his life – could not be driven away by Ferny's story-spinning, he was still glad to hear that the hateful reporter's stories would not be printed.

He took a deep breath.

"Would this little bird be Faramir?" Éomer asked quietly. At the same time, he was slowly savouring the idea that their uncle was finally getting the credit he had deserved all along. If only the old man could be here to enjoy it.

"Of course it is. Faramir gets around quite a bit, you know", Éowyn said and grinned with unveiled pride.

"Good for him, I suppose", Éomer said; he was not surprised that such things would get to the ears of his sister's fiancé. Faramir and Aragorn – well, there was a pair to notice and discover just about anything.

"By the way, there was something else I wanted to talk about", she said suddenly and put down her mug. She lowered her tone as if to relay some kind of a serious secret, "You know we have been looking for a house for some time now. We really want to be settled down before the wedding, and the other day we finally found the right place. We'll be signing the deed of sale later this week."

"I'm glad to hear it. You'll have to tell me everything about this house", he said and smiled at her. His sister's happiness was one of the most important things in the world to him. Éowyn was bent on raising a big family; it was her way of coping with what they had lost. He suspected it was Faramir's method, too.

"And I will. But before I get to that, I was wondering... look, our landlady was sad to hear we're going. She was asking if I knew of anyone looking for a place to rent. And I immediately thought of you and Lothíriel. You keep complaining how cramped you are at her flat. There would be more space for you at my old flat", Éowyn explained and gestured about herself, as if to emphasise her argument – as if they were sitting in her living room right now. And she was right. Her place surely had a lot more space, her kitchen could be used by two people without constant collisions, and there was a spare bedroom which Éowyn had been using as her study.

Éomer admitted he was tempted by the idea. He and Lothíriel really were in the need of some additional space, and if things kept going smoothly... well, sooner or later they would have to think of it. She had been saying she wanted to do more painting at home, and the spare bedroom would be perfect for it. And he knew there was a so called hobby room in the basement, which would be perfect for tinkering projects.

"I'll have to talk to Lothíriel about it. I don't think she'd be opposed, though", he said at length and emptied his cup in a long swig.

"How are things going, anyway?" Éowyn asked and rested her chin on the cup of her hand.

"It's pretty good. There was bit of a rough batch, but we sorted things out. Thankfully", he replied and stared at the bottom of his cup and the dark remainders of coffee. His sister nodded empathically.

"I sensed there was something off for a bit. But I'm happy you made up. You hold on to that girl, Éomer. I don't know if you realise how much good she has done to you since you came home", said his sister in a serious tone.

"I have some inkling", Éomer replied softly. He knew well he would be much worse off if he hadn't met her, lonely and fractured and directionless. Without her, where would he be now? Still sleeping on his sister's couch, living irregularly and desperately looking for work? Altogether it was a debt he didn't think he could ever repay.

"That is good. The sweet ones never get enough credit for the good they bring into this world", Éowyn said firmly, got up on her feet, and went to get them refills.

Lothíriel did not jump at the idea of moving as quickly as Éomer himself had, though she did agree in the end. Before their recent difficulties, he might have thought it was because she felt ambivalent about the idea of really moving in with him. However, his trust in her was now more solid than ever, and perhaps was also his understanding of her character.

She was not slow to agree because she doubted the idea of a shared home. It was because she was feeling nostalgic about her flat and the idea of leaving it behind. It had been her first own home. What it came down to was that she needed to say goodbye.

However, after a chance to think it over, she told him they should take up Éowyn's offer. They needed more space, she liked the flat, and yes, she really did want to get more painting done at home. So it was decided.

The next couple weeks were busy with arrangements. Different kind of contracts needed to be terminated or made anew, notifications to civil registry, moving boxes obtained and cars rented... it was all more maddening than Lothíriel recalled from the first time. Thankfully, Faramir and Éowyn were going through the same thing, and so they were able to give one another a lot of good advice on which official to avoid and how to get paperwork processed with as little bother as possible.

The entire circle of friends was in a bit of an uproar over calls for aid and not one but two moves. First, there was Faramir and Éowyn packing up their old life and moving to the house they had bought. Second, Lothíriel and Éomer were to follow up by their relocation. Thankfully, she and him had fewer and smaller furniture than Éowyn and Faramir, who were already comfortably settled down, and Éomer was apparently able to summon a whole horde of not only off-duty police officers, but also several paramedics. As such, there was no shortage of helping hands – or bad jokes by Amrothos.

"Man, Éomer is really the most thoughtful guy I ever met. I mean, who else is prepared both for crime and accidents happening on his own moving day?" he would tell anybody who made the mistake of stopping to listen to him.

It was as hectic as could be expected. People walking in and out, excited chatter and noise as random pieces of furniture were moved, minor squabbles between a couple of know-it-alls who did not agree on how the bed should be carried down the stairs, Amrothos fluttering about in a hundred places at once to give advice nobody needed, and laughter by the rather miscellaneous moving crew as they bustled in and out of the apartment... it was all kind of bittersweet.

Lothíriel had very much agreed that a bigger flat was needed. Still, the actual move was more difficult than she had imagined. She had lived in her small flat for two years and grown a little bit attached to it. It was the place she had first spent a night with Éomer. In fact, it was their first home together. But even then, she was well aware they could not actually grow if they did not move out.

With the eager and vigorous company, their things were quickly moved out. So it was not long that the flat was empty, leaving her standing at the entryway, from where she could see both the living room and the bedroom. It looked so different now without the furniture.

Lothíriel felt a gentle hand on her waist.

"Look. I was sitting there where you found out you had aced that lab course", Éomer whispered in her ear. He was pointing at the spot where the love-seat had sat. It was gone now, and it wasn't going to make it to the new flat. It was too small. They needed more space for themselves and the guests in the new flat.

But there were also a thousand other things. Their first night together, all the breakfasts they had taken together, all those vital moments in the beginning... where he had knelt after their first fight.

"Yeah", she agreed softly, turning around to look at him. "It all feels overwhelming. I've lived in this flat since I moved out."

"I know", he replied with a warm smile and bent down his head to kiss her.

They both gave one more look around them. Both wanted to remember. However, moving on was as important as remembering. That fact was quite clear at this point.

The site of their new home was also a site of chaos. There were people, boxes, people, furniture, people... Amrothos was explaining something in a loud voice, though Lothíriel wasn't sure he had moved a single object while this move was going on. All the same, she and Éomer had provided the crew with beer and pizza. There was a general sense of fellowship and accomplishment when they finally sat around on floors or boxes, eating and drinking and laughing.

It did not stop feeling weird when the crowd was gone. While their belongings had already been brought in, and the floors were covered by boxes and such, the flat itself had an empty feeling to it. The living room especially was a work in progress. A new sofa was on its way, and they needed a new lamp and also a coffee table.

After a long day, the only thing they had energy left for was to search for clean linens, set up the bed in their new bedroom, and collapse there. For a while, they merely lay there, savouring the mood of this first night in their new home.

"Is it just me, or does it smell strange in here?" she asked him at length.

"It's just the building. Every place has a scent of their own. You probably didn't notice any at your own flat because you were used to it", he replied lazily, hands clasped under his head.

"Hmm. I guess", she agreed and turned on her side to face him. "It's much quieter here than at the old place."

"Yeah. I like it, too", he said and glanced at her with a smile. "Good for your painting, no?"

"Very much. It's hard to get in to that frame of mind when it's noisy", she said with a small grimace.

He made a soft sound at the back of his throat, turned towards her, and put his arms around her. For a while they remained so, each just drinking in this moment.

"Can you believe it?" she whispered at length. "This is really our first own home."

"It does make you a bit dizzy", Éomer agreed softly and pressed a kiss on her brow. "I'm glad to share it with you."

"As am I", Lothíriel said and lifted her face to kiss him properly. Then, pulling back, she gave him a quizzical look, "Do you think we need to buy a bigger bed, too?"

"Whatever for?" he muttered back and kissed her again.

"Because someone seems to think they're a starfish whenever they sleep", she said breathlessly when he allowed her a moment to get some air.

Éomer let out a low chuckle.

"And if someone minded it, they wouldn't behave like a proper constrictor", he replied against her lips.

"It's the only way I can get any sleep", Lothíriel shot back, although it was getting difficult to keep up the banter.

"Then what's the problem?" he asked good-naturedly, but at that point, she was simply too excited to come up with a clever answer. So she just pushed him on his back, straddled his hips, and shut him up with a kiss.

It was a good life.

Surely, it was much better than anything Éomer had dared to imagine when he had first come home from overseas with a weary, fractured heart and mind left with no more illusions. Was it too much to say that Lothíriel had saved him? Well, maybe nothing so dramatic. Rather, she had simply helped him to get on a better path.

They setted down in the new flat soon enough. First it had a bare, empty feeling to it: there was so much space compared to the old place. However, life has a way of growing and amassing. The new sofa arrived, and then other furniture there had not been a place for until now, and soon enough she set up her easel in the spare bedroom. Her brothers gave them prints of some of her favourite paintings as a house-warming gift, and Lothíriel framed the pictures. He set them up on walls and though he couldn't call himself a man with a fine taste in arts, he still thought they brought colour and life to their new home. Then Éowyn contracted Lothíriel with an enthusiasm for houseplants, and soon enough all the window boards were filled with many kinds of greenery.

The flat began to have a lived-in feeling in it.

It took Éomer only half a year to earn his detective's badge. True, it was not easily done, or without some long hours at work, but Lothíriel was there for him every step of the way. Though he knew she didn't enjoy his absence, she put aside her own misgivings and had his back as patiently as she ever had in other things. And Éomer was determined on making it up to her for as long as she would let him walk with her.

So went their days and weeks together, and little by little he learnt more of her, and she of him. She took him to art shows and theatre, teaching him more about culture than he had ever known before. Thanks to him, she developed an appreciation for sports, and when his first boxing match in the local amateur's league came, she was there cheering him as fiercely as any seasoned enthusiast.

And eventually, he really began to feel like her family was his, too. Dinners and holidays at her father's house became less unnerving, and more and more often Imrahil smiled at him with something that felt like approval.

Then there was her. A calm, gentle presence by his side, leading the way to a less chaotic and more whole existence. He loved her for it, just as he loved her smile, or her wit, or her joy of living that had stirred him awake, too.

As he looked ahead and imagined future, it was easier to see what shapes it might take. And, after so many noisy, mad years, what else could he ask for?

A bright autumn's day had turned into a golden afternoon. It was some two weeks after he and Lothíriel had spent their first anniversary together, and the memory of their celebrations of that event still brought a smile to his face.

He was climbing the stairs two at a time, eager to get to her after a busy day at work. In one hand, he carried a bottle of wine for the dinner tonight, which they would cook together. Under her guidance, he was becoming something of a decent cook – an event which would have surprised him a couple of years ago. Éomer allowed himself a private grin. He almost loved his job as much as he loved his girlfriend.

The flat was quiet when he entered, but he guessed she was just painting again, oblivious to the world in the middle of a burst of inspiration. It would not surprise him. Their home generally had a very good light – something she often praised – but today's bright rain of autumn sun was extraordinary even to an untrained eye.

"I'm home!" he announced himself as he kicked off his boots and hung up his jacket. No answer. Maybe she had gone to pick up the groceries?

As such, he didn't expect to discover Lothíriel sitting on the sofa. Her hair was in a messy braid and she was wearing one of his t-shirts and sweatpants. It was rare to see her in such state. While she wasn't particularly interested in fashion, she usually picked up her clothes rather carefully.

He also noticed her colour was off and she was staring straight ahead a bit like a deer would at a car's headlights. A number of worrisome thoughts instantly filled his mind. Was she ill? Maybe she had got some bad news?

"Hey there. Is something the matter?" Éomer asked, leaving the wine bottle on the dinner table.

"I'm fine", Lothíriel replied quickly. Her voice was high and shrill in pitch – most unlike her usual tone.

He went to take seat next to her and directed a keen, steady look at her.

"You don't look fine", he pointed out. While he wasn't so quick to lose his shit these days, this sliver of doubt still lived deep down in his soul. However, some time and a few intense sessions with a shrink had helped him to understand and check it without hysterical overreactions.

She seemed to take a deep breath and she closed her eyes for a moment. Then, as she opened them again, she lifted her hand. In it, she was holding a white, plastic object. And he was worldly enough to know what it was.

"It's positive", she said and somehow, her voice grew even higher. "I'm pregnant."

For a second, his brain simply shut down. He had no idea of what to do or what to say, so he just stared at her face in complete shock and surprise. She stared right back with wide, startled eyes and was still clutching the pregnancy test in her hand. When his faculties of thought began to return, his first instinct was to wonder at how this had happened, seeing they generally took precautions. But then he recalled a night few weeks back, stumbling home from a party at Éothain and Scýne, both blindingly drunk... no, they definitely had not been careful then. Just once was all it took.

And then Éomer felt like something warm and wondrous began to beat in his chest. Surprise and wonder made way to a steady acceptance of her news as a fact. He had never much thought about becoming a father – he had usually put it away for some unforeseeable date in future. However, right now he was considering it with every fibre of his being and he realised that he wanted it like he wanted air to breathe.

Ever so gently he reached his arms around her. Quickly she fell against him, trembling and terrified, as if she were in the need of his protection.

"Lothíriel", he said in a weak, shaky voice, "I want you to know that no matter what happens now, I'm right here. You don't have to be scared, okay? Whatever you want to do, I'll have your back."

She let out a small sob as she buried her face against his shoulder. Her hands held on to him very tightly and he could feel the uneven way she was breathing. No wonder she was in shock. She had probably thought about children even less than him.

"What are we going to do? Are we going to keep it?" she stammered at length.

"I... I would like that", Éomer admitted out loud and felt like his heart missed a beat. "But it's not just my decision. What do you want to do?"

"I honestly don't know", she replied, half hysterical, and clutched him even more tightly.

"Well, you don't have to say anything right away. I know it's a lot to take in", he reassured her gently and began to run his hand against her hair. "Are you okay?"

"Ask me tomorrow. Or maybe next week", she replied and let out a hysterical little laugh. The sound ended as a sob, and she whispered, "I'm scared, Éomer."

"No need to be. Modern medicine is very sensible about these things and we are two responsible adults, capable of taking care of each other and a baby. Like I said, you're not going to have to do this on your own", he reassured her firmly, and he felt like she relaxed a little bit in his lap. She let out a small sigh.

"I guess I just thought we had more time before this. I didn't think it would happen so quickly, even if... if I don't really mind having kids with you. But are we ready for this?" she asked him quietly.

He considered it for a moment before answering.

"Is anybody ever ready?" he asked back. "We make a decent living between our paychecks, our home has plenty of room, and we love each other. People have children in much worse conditions all the time, love, but we can actually give the little gremlin a good and safe home."

"Little gremlin? That's how you're going to call our baby?" she asked, laughing despite herself.

"Yeah. I think I will", Éomer said, smiling, and bent his head to kiss the top of her head. Our baby. He really liked the sound of that.

"So you really do want to do this", she stated, still resting her head against his shoulder.

"I do. Is that okay? You need to tell me right now, if it isn't. Lothíriel, I don't want you to feel like I'm pushing you into this", he told her evenly, although there was a slight twinge in his heart at the idea that she didn't want the child.

"I know that, love. Don't you worry about it. I'm not so stupid that I would have a child I didn't want just to appease to you. Look, I don't hate the idea of starting a family with you. I know you'll be a wonderful dad. This past year, it's like I've been watching you rebuild yourself in the front of my very eyes, and for me that's proof enough that you can do anything. I guess I'm just worried I'm not ready for this, or... or that I'll be a horrible mother and ruin the poor thing's life somehow", she admitted and glanced up quickly at him. Her eyes were damp and puffy and he loved her more than he could ever tell her.

"Honestly, I don't think you could ruin anything. You're the sweetest, most loving person I know and any kid would be lucky to have you for a mother", Éomer said. His heart was still racing in his chest, but at least his voice came out calm. With a gentle finger, he lifted her chin so that their eyes met, "Hey, there's no need to freak out. We'll figure this out together."

"... yeah", she agreed in a soft voice at last and raised herself so that she could kiss him. It was a slow, lingering one, and so he kept it on his own part, though he would dearly have liked to let her know just how happy a man she had made him.

Eventually, she settled down again and put her head on his shoulder. There they basked in that embrace, all dinner plans entirely forgotten.

"You know, I meant to marry you first", he said after a while. Now that the first shock had passed, he felt like a fit of laughter was starting to bubble deep inside his chest.

She scoffed gently.

"Let's not do that while I have a hard time fitting in most dresses", said Lothíriel in the voice of someone who is beginning to see all the humour in a situation that has previously disturbed them – and maybe accepting it as well.

"We could elope", he suggested half-seriously.

"And deny my family the megalomaniac wedding they are probably already planning? They would never forgive us", she replied.

"When you put it like that, I'm even more willing to risk it", Éomer shot back, and she laughed softly, her breath vibrating against his neck.

"Don't tempt me", she muttered and tightened the hold of her arm around him. "Though if I'm completely serious, I'd like to do it the old-fashioned way. Show the Bill Fernys of this town that it's time to turn a page."

Éomer knew what she meant. While Bill Ferny had been leaving them alone for a while now, the past still lay unburied. This union, this alliance between his family and hers, might be what it took to finally put the old scandals to rest. He didn't want to think in clichés but what was a better symbol for it than the baby she was carrying?

"Hold your horses. I haven't even proposed to you yet", he said and was surprised his voice did not sound more choked with emotion. He was already thinking of building the crib with his own hands – even if that was getting ahead of himself. Yet just imagining it made his heart beat a little faster.

Lothíriel cast him a smile.

"Who says you're the one who gets to propose?" she asked him sweetly, and he could not help but laugh. In this day and age, she was completely right.

"Nobody, I guess", Éomer replied and pulled her into a kiss once more.

In a way, it would be his greatest challenge yet. A child was a life-long responsibility and he did not think that raising one was going to be easy. However, in this moment it was not possible for him to feel unsure or afraid. If anything, he was hopeful and glad. And he would make sure that his son or daughter would get to live without the weight of the past.

Several years later

Lothíriel bounded down the stairs of her childhood home, stretching her arms and rolling her shoulders. It was Saturday, but a university teacher often had to put down fires even when "normal people" were enjoying a day off. Academia attracted some truly brilliant people, but they also tended to be workaholics or just lived in a whole another schedule than the rest of the world. As such, she sometimes had to work on the weekends, but thanks to modern technology, she could do it from her old bedroom even while visiting her father.

She loved her job. It had been offered to her when she had graduated, much to her own delight and Éomer's fierce pride. There was such clarity in the science itself and sometimes when she was out on university's boat or in the lab, she felt almost child-like wonder at how all things were connected. But she also loved teaching new students and watching them discover the vast, wondrous life that the sea supported in its lap.

Yet, as much as she loved the sea and her study of it, there was one thing she loved even more.

She came across Father in the hallway. He had a mug of coffee and a gardening magazine in his hand. Lothíriel hid her smile. Thus armed, he would be dead to the world for at least an hour. Now that Elphir was participating more in the family business, it allowed Father more time with his beloved hobby. How the professionals gardeners he had hired endured his enthusiasm, she wasn't sure – perhaps he was simply paying them enough.

"Well, how's the sea?" he asked pleasantly when he saw her.

"Still exists", she replied and tiptoed to kiss his cheek quickly. "Where are they?"

"Where do you think? You may want to go and make sure that some sea monster has not snatched them", he urged her, nodding towards the door.

"Against the will of Sergeant Éomundson? I don't think so", she laughed as she made her way to the entry hall.

It was a fair, warm day of summer. Father's garden was truly beautiful at this time of year with its multitude of colour and life. Although Lothíriel was eager to get to spend the rest of the afternoon with her family, she could not help but slow down a little bit to enjoy the sights and smells of the garden. Yet soon enough she began to near the path that lead down the hill and to the beach, and then she heard two very familiar voices. A big smile crept to her face.

Lothíriel discovered her husband and son on the beach. Judging by a cluster of bucket-shaped sand mounds, they were in the process of building some kind of a sand town. Éomer was digging a proper moat for the village, while Elfwine happily filled yet another bucket with damp sand. Both looked to have dipped in the sea at least once and she imagined she would be finding sand in their home for several weeks to come.

"Mama!" Elfwine exclaimed. His little face was lit by a huge smile and clumsily he got up on his feet to come meet her.

He was four years old. His dark hair was a messy cloud about his face, which already bore a striking resemblance to her own father, who was as proud of his grandson as could be imagined. Elfwine's eyes were, however, as deep and dark as Éomer's, and there was something about the child's air that keenly reminded her of her husband.

"There you are, sweetie! Are you having fun?" she asked him as he dashed into her arms, and she lifted him up. He was getting so big these days, it wouldn't be long before he was going to be too heavy for her.

"Yeah! We're building Helm's Deep!" Elfwine said excitedly and began to explain in broken sentences the whole building process.

Lothíriel smiled at her husband, who was on his feet now, over the child's shoulder.

"Is Helm's Deep supposed to have a moat?" she asked him good-naturedly. She wasn't surprised he was telling Elfwine stories about his side of the family. Their history certainly was more adventurous than her own. Éomer surely knew how to spend his days off duty, even if his continuing rise through the ranks meant more responsibility and being ready for duty in case of emergencies on his free days. It was not always easy, but the years had taught Lothíriel valuable lessons about partnership. You could not own the person you loved, and by always making them choose between you and their calling was a sure way to lose them.

"It does now", Éomer replied with a shrug and a charming grin.

Laughing softly, she eased Elfwine back on the soft sand of the beach. He hurried back to the building project and resumed filling up his bright green bucket.

"Are you done for the day? And the university is still standing?" asked Éomer as he snaked his arms around her.

"I should think so, but you never know with scientists", Lothíriel replied and tiptoed to kiss him. He snorted in laughter, probably recalling the way she had gone a bit mad while finishing her thesis before graduating.

"Indeed", he said and readily returned her kiss.

"Just wait until I get my professorship", she said in mock warning.

"How is that a bad thing? I can't wait for when I get to introduce you as 'my wife, the Professor'", Éomer stated cheerfully. She couldn't help but laugh.

The afternoon passed quietly in the endeavour of building the sand version of Helm's Deep. Lothíriel enjoyed the calmness of it; between her and Éomer's jobs, it wasn't always easy to find time for just the three of them. At least Elfwine had a big enough family never to feel left alone, and it was moderately easy to find him babysitters when his parents were working long hours. In fact, Lothíriel felt like her father might just quit his day job in order to look after his grandchildren, if she simply asked.

Helm's Deep ended up having quite an impressive mass of buildings, agricultural designs complete with watering systems for the fields, and it probably had little to do with the real thing. However, watching the glee on the faces of her two builders, she was glad.

They headed back to the house when Elfwine started to get hungry. Father had prepared a meal, which they took with him once most of the sand had been brushed off and Elfwine had got a quick wash and a change of clothes. When they were seated around the dining table, he started to excitedly tell his grandfather about the sandcastle. Imrahil had no shortage of indulging questions or warm interest in Elfwine's stories.

Lothíriel watched her son as much as she did her husband. Seeing the peaceful look in his eyes when he regarded his little family, something dear and grateful grew in her own breast. Gone was that raw restlessness he had worn like a second skin in the early days of their relationship, and even his anger was softer and slower these days. He had grown and changed, and was now twice the man he had ever been. Becoming a father had transformed him in subtle, but profound ways.

When they had eaten dinner and the table was cleared, Father promised to look after Elfwine and put him to bed. No doubt he would soon be nodding off anyway, having spent most of the day on the beach.

Lothíriel and Éomer were quick to accept the offer. If moments for the family were precious these days, so were the times they could be alone with one another.

In silent agreement they made their way back to the beach. The sun was setting, but the air was still and balmy. She hadn't bothered to put on any shoes, and it would have been unnecessary anyway, as the sand was still warm from sunlight. It was quite pleasant – and rather romantic, as Lothíriel silently noted in approval.

They made their way slowly down the beach, talking quietly of everyday matters and sometimes falling into a companionable silence. In a hectic life of work and child-rearing, such a peaceful moment was a treasure.

After a while Éomer grew quiet. His hand remained in hers, but his expression was thoughtful, like he was looking deep inside rather than ahead.

"What are you thinking of?" she asked him and squeezed his hand gently.

He turned his head to look at her and a faint smile appeared on his features.

"I was just remembering", he said softly, almost incredulously. "And thinking of when we first met. The day I sat in that library... and finding you staring at me when I looked up. Little did I guess then that I was looking at the woman I would marry."

She blushed at that memory.

"You must have thought I was such a weirdo", she said and let out an awkward little laugh.

He leant down to quickly kiss her temple.

"I was and am hardly in a position to judge that. Lothíriel, I was a homeless, broken thing when we first met. And yet you never hesitated when you took me in and let me in your life. I wonder if you even realise what you did for me – what you still do. Who knows where I would be now without you and Elfwine?" he said to her seriously, and his eyes had a keen, burning light in them.

Her chest felt tight with emotion and a dampness crept to her eyes. Quickly she wrapped her arms around him and hid her face in his chest. His arms came around her in that same instant.

"Well, I'm glad I did. I think we pushed one another to better paths than the ones we were walking on at the time", she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. She thought of the way she had struggled with her studies, and how seeing him rebuild his life and himself had inspired her to work harder.

It was no small thing, finding the person who inspired you to do better.

Lothíriel lifted her head and met his eyes, which were regarding her with that warmth and tenderness that never faltered. She gave him a big smile.

"And truth is, it has been amazing to watch you rise again, and to see the way you shine. You have proven every nay-sayer in this town how wrong they are about you and your family", she said, hoping that her expression would reveal her pride for his sake as much as her words. In a softer tone she added, "I think your uncle would be proud of you."

The years had softened the pain of Théoden's passing, turning it into a gentle grief and acceptance. It glowed now in Éomer's eyes, and yet it was mingled with the love he still had for the man who had raised him. He said nothing – he merely cupped her face between his hands and pressed a soft, lingering kiss on her brow. Then he pressed his forehead against the top of her head, and so they stood there as the sun slowly fell beneath the waves and evening deepened.

"Thank you for giving me that chance", he whispered at last, quiet but full of wonder.

"No need to thank me", she uttered back, smiling brightly as she did. He returned it and gave her one more kiss.

His hand found hers in the deepening shadow of evening and in silent agreement they continued their walk down the beach. There was a faint breath in the air now and she thought she could smell rain in it. But for the time being, it was warm and pleasant, Elfwine was safe and sound with her father, and she and her husband had a whole night before them.

Indeed, it was a good life.

The End.

A/N: Here is the final chapter of this story! I admit I did not really have anything more to say about this particular plotline, so I decided to finish it here. Moreover, there is actually a new story I want to spend more time working on. The first chapter of it is already done, so I think I will be publishing it fairly soon.

As ever, I am grateful for all your favourites, follows and comments. Thank you for joining me on yet another Éothiriel journey!

Catspector - That is quite true! Life does have its hardships, but they are more than willing to work through them! :)

EStrunk - Yes, it was a bit difficult for me to write as well. But also interesting to see how they would react in that situation.

xXMizz Alec VolturiXx - Thank you! :)

Rho67 - Glad to hear you think so! And though it was not the easiest thing to write, I also think it was something that would happen sooner or later - and he would have to face these issues eventually.

Jo - Thanks! :)

Guest - Glad you liked it! :)