A lot has happened since the last update.

I have passed all exams and now have a job.

So now I have looooooooots of time to keep writing...

and knitting. Finally managed to make a hat. Small steps towards big achievements.

Anyway enjoy this chapter :)

Thank you for your patience

"The men return!" a man shouted over the rooftops of Edoras. "Open the gate!"

The wood of the doors groaned when they opened them and many women, followed by children, ran to greet the riders. As the men rode in and dismounted, their wives came crying with tears of joy others with tears of grieve. Eomer looked over his people as they rejoiced with the reunion of their families or mourned the return of their bodies. Everyone had someone waiting for them. Everyone except Eomer himself. He walked up the steps to the halls of Meduseld and paused before its doors. With a glance over his shoulder loneliness crept over his heart. Had everything gone how it should have, then his sister would have welcomed him home. Now he has left her in Minas Tirith. Behind him the escort carried the body of Theoden up the steps.

"Bring him to the king's quarters," Eomer commanded. "Have his body washed and dressed. We will hold the funeral tonight by starlight."

The men and women bowed and did as they were told. While mumbling to each other they took the body with them. The grave was prepared and when the sun kissed the ground Eomer got himself dressed like everyone else. In dark colours. When the stars began to show themselves after the sun's mighty shine was blocked by the horizon, the preparations came to a close. Shrouded in dark colours, the men and women of Rohan lined the path to the graves of kings, each holding a candle to allow more light to shine on the last path of Theoden King, son of Thengel. A woman wailed the song of the passing kings, a blessing in their native tongue.

"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended. Giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende on Meduselde. Thæt he ma no wære, his dryhtne dyrest. And maga deorost. Bealo."

Amidst the crowd a babe began to cry, Eothain's newborn, a kicking little lad. His friend's wife shushed the child and Eomer gazed up to the clear starry sky. The night felt refreshing as a calm wind made the grass around them dance along with the flames of the torches. Eomer felt it in that moment. Theoden was smiling down at him. He was the new King now and as the body disappeared under the green hill of the grave, Eomer felt the responsibility over thousands of men weighing down his shoulders. At the same time the grave was blocked with the heavy thud of a gravestone falling into place. Now the title of King had been passed to Eomer. A few people in the crowd looked at him but gave him no attention as they all made their way back to their homes. Only Eothain, Gamling, Hama and a few guards remained behind with him.

"May he find peace in death," Eomer muttered, remembering the words of Lothriel at his cousins grave.

It was in that moment that he missed her more than ever. She always chose the right words to soothe the pain in his heart like she had done the last time he stood before the graves of his forefathers. In the moonlight the white flowers had a slight glow to their beauty. It reminded him of the white streak in Lothriel's hair. Everything appeared to remind him of her.

In silence he returned to his bedchamber but he could not find sleep. The wind carried a song over the plains, a song he had heard Lothiriel sing before. But it could not be, she was too far away. He started to wonder what she was doing right now. Had she already arrived in Dol Amroth or was she sleeping under the stars. He imagined her sitting by an endless body of water on top of white stone. The stars shimmering in the water and the moon bathing her in a silver light. How beautiful she must look. How lonely she could be. Sleep soon took him while his heart longed for her in his arms.

The next morning was busy. Eomer gave out messages and orders to be delivered and followed. The tents and fires around the city had grown. The wild men had destroyed many homes and with the return of the men, the city was overcrowded with its residence and refugees.

"The city needs to be expanded," Eomer commanded. "Erect a third wall around the city. Allow enough space for homes and farmland. Edoras needs to thrive again."

"We also need to prepare the coronation, my lord Eomer," Hama noted. "That should be done first."

And as it was told Eomer was crowned King of Rohan on a warm summer's day. The following days were days of labour. Wood and stone was gathered. Cattle and sheep were herded. New homes and farms rose from the ground and a new wall was reinforced with stone. The dark days may be over but it was never hurtful to be cautious. This process was faster than first anticipated. Within a year the first step of the project was complete and new tasks followed. The news of the rebuilding drew the attention of many more refugees.

Eomer gazed over the city once more. The days have been peaceful, but there were still whispers of wild men and orcs roaming in small numbers. Yet they posed no immediate threat and so Eomer concentrated on the wellbeing of his people and on rebuilding Edoras. The people began to call him Eomer Éadig, the blessèd, for under his rule Rohan became strong and fruitful once more. The men in his council however wanted him to concentrate on yet another matter.

"What will become of the wedding, my king?" Gamling asked. "The lady Lothriel still has to return."

Eomer turned his head to the man, his eyes wandering between the faces awaiting his response. Eothain smiled at him knowingly. It was a decision that only had one answer. Rohan needed a queen to bare an heir and many had only one woman in mind.

"The wedding I will talk to her about it first. She hasn't exactly agreed to it yet." Eomer confessed.

Hama raised his eyebrows, as did Eothain and Gamling.

"She hasn't? Then why is she to return here?" Hama asked.

Eomer smiled and his sight wandered over the endless plains of Rohan. Memories of their ride came flooding back. The hunting for the rabbits, the chase around the lake. Pleasant memories.

"She loves these lands and the people who live here." Eomer explained. "She always talked about wanting to return here."

"I see. I do hear her name spoken amongst the people," Hama noted. "They crave for her presence,"

"They aren't alone," Eothain smiled, thinking about the children she had befriended. "If she does decide to become Queen one day, she will have the love of the people on her side."

"I think she already has," Eomer mumbled. "Without being crowned."

It was in the beginning of September when an escort from Gondor arrived in Edoras. It was Faramir with Eowyn, who was heavily pregnant. Already married Eowyn had voiced her desire to bare her first child in the golden halls of Meduseld. Eomer welcomed his sister with open arms.

"That crown suits you," she noted with a bright smile.

"Thanks, and the colours of Gondor also suit you," Eomer answered in return.

Eowyn laughed and hugged her brother.

"I still prefer the colour of the plains," she admitted. "But I don't want to stand out too much in that foreign city."

"You could always return," he offered.

"That I know, dear brother," she told him. "But my heart lies with Faramir and his duties are in Minas Tirith."

"Indeed," he sighed.

"Don't be sad brother," she encouraged. "Joy will find you soon, I am sure of it."

Eothain and his wife showed Eowyn their son, whom they have named Ethandol, who was now walking around, exploring the halls. And so the end of the third Age passed and the fourth Age began. News of Eldarion's birth, son of Aragon and Arwen reached them not shortly after. During the time of Eowyn's and Faramir's stay Eomer spent time with his new brother-in-law but even he hadn't heard a word from Dol Amroth. It saddened him yet joy briefly returned. In the halls of Meduseld new life began as Elboron, son of Eowyn and Faramir was born in spring. It was a halcyon day for all. Eomer was overjoyed to hold his nephew in his arms.

"I told you that joy would find you soon," Eowyn said. "And it will come again."

After a month of growing, newborn Elboron departed with his parents and escort to return to Minas Tirith. Eomer's heart grew heavy. With his sister leaving once more and no news of his love he started to lose faith happiness and in Lothriel ever returning to his side. And yet hope remained. He had seen her love for Rohan glistening in her eyes. Every time the sun set in the west he told himself she would return the next day and after every morning he waited throughout the day.

Half a year passed after Eowyn and Faramir departed, when a small convoy closed in on Edoras. One guard saw them emerge from the mountains, south of Edoras. Like it was done with every visitor they were inspected and asked for their business. Two men, heavily armoured, and two women, all cloaked to shield them from the summer heat.

"Business with the King," the leading woman said and smiled at the guard.

Delighted to see a familiar face the guard sent a messenger along with the escort. The escort was impressed with the new Edoras. Farms were their first sight behind the gate. Then came many wooden homes followed by the second gate. The messenger allowed them the pass and after that the halls of Meduseld lay before them in their glory. While the messenger went ahead to announce their arrival, the escort gave away their horses to the stable.

"Firefoot," the woman greeted the stallion. "Greetings, my friend."

"My lady, place stop talking to the horses," the other woman spoke. "It is unbecoming of a princess to do such things."

"Peace, Alia," the first woman sighed. "You mean well, I know this but we aren't in Gondor anymore. This is Rohan and horses are the way of life here."

"You may be right, my lady, but you are still Gondorian."

"Born but not raised," she reminded her.

Alia stayed quiet and along with the two guards she followed the woman up the steps to the halls of Meduseld. The doors creaked open before they reached the top, a man gazing down at them.

"You took your time," Eothain said to the woman.

"Yet here I am," she responded, bowing to him.

Eothain raised an eyebrow and then began to laugh. He hugged the woman and stepped aside.

"Go on," he said and featured at the still open door.

The woman nodded and turned to her companions. As ordered they stayed where they stood and the woman took off her hood and stepped into the hall, the doors closing behind her.

"My King, the lady Lothiriel has returned," a guard announced.

Eomer gazed up from the table immediately and saw the woman approach. Hama and Gamling smirked when they looked at their kings face. His eyes were wide, his lips parted, his gaze fixed upon her as she approached.

"My King." she greeted as she bowed low.

"Please, you don't have to bow before me." Eomer insisted and she stood.

While they looked at each other, everyone else in the room left slowly and silently. They knew what Lothriel was to the King and they didn't want to disturb their reunion. They stood alone for a moment, gazing at each other, looking for changes since it had been so long. Eomer was well groomed as ever, his hair neatly combed, his clothes neat. Although his beard seemed to have grown a little thicker. Lothriel's hair had grown a little longer and instead of green she wore blue clothes, the white ship of Dol Amroth on her tunic. They smiled at each other when Lothriel was the first to break the silence.

"How was your coronation?" she asked.

"Eventful, but I didn't have my love by my side. It dulled the moment greatly." he answered and saw the shy smile play on her lips from his sweet words. "How was your reunion with your family?"

"Mother cried a lot, but she was more than happy to see me. Father was right, we do look a lot alike. I even have three older brothers and the eldest has a son. I am an aunt and I didn't know." she told him. "Dol Amroth is a beautiful city, magnificent." she said and could see the panic in his eyes. She smiled. "But Edoras has a beauty that cannot be beaten."

"I have missed you," Eomer muttered almost a whisper, stepping closer to her.

"I have missed you, too," she replied when he stood before her and with a sigh of relief, he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her hair and neck.

She also wrapped her arms around his broad frame, glad to smell his scent again. Oh, how she had missed him. When he pulled away to look at her, she was still in his arms and seconds later their lips were locked. It was a slow and passionate kiss, overwhelmed with tenderness and longing, his fingers knotted into her hair. When they parted, Eomer placed a kiss on her cheek, temple and forehead before hugging her tightly again.

"I feared that you wouldn't return to me." he whispered into her ear and they looked at each other again. "That you would remain with your family."

"I did promise you I would return," she giggled. "And promises I keep."