Counting the Years - Eomer x Reader
Authors Notes: This is for my sweet Emma’s birthday challenge!! @girl-next-door-writes For you my wonderful Steve!
Prompt: “Life is too short to be lived counting the years.”
Word count: 2.5 K
Notes/Warnings: Fluff, tears, implications of husband and wife time ( but nothing graphic or outrageous), mentions of drinking (be of legal age kids) and if you look really really hard, angst.
Éomer had planned a month long journey, for just the two of you, to a cabin far from the royal halls of Rohan. The ride hadn’t been too taxing and the snow had waited until your arrival to fall. Your horse and Éomer’s had traveled swiftly and you’d made it to the cabin in just a matter of days.
The weeks following had been bliss. There was a peace in that cabin that you couldn’t get in the great wooden halls and it was with a heavy heart that you packed your things and prepared for the cold journey home.
After three days of riding you could see the glimmer of flames from Rohan in the navy blue of night. The full moon guided you and your horses and you were thankful that you were almost home.
Éomer slowed his horse to keep pace with yours. “Did you enjoy your time?” He asked.
You tugged on your heavy fur, making sure it covered your shoulders, and smiled at him. “It was perfect, love. Thank you.”
“You don’t look happy.” He observed with a slight smirk.
You looked ahead and sighed. “We just get so busy here at home. The cabin was so nice, just you and I, no distractions or town gatherings. No small talk with men who need showers or women who want to bed you.”
Éomer scoffed.
“Don’t pretend you don’t notice how heavily they bat their eyelashes at you, love. Those women are probably hoping I got lost out here and you’d return home with a broken heart for them to mend.” You rolled your eyes at how dramatic you were being, but there was truth behind your words.
“I know of whom you speak but those women mean nothing to me.” He guided his horse impossibly close to yours so that he could reach out and take your hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing your wedding band.
“I know, but that doesn’t make it any more enjoyable to witness.” You smiled and squeezed his hand before letting go and returning to your reigns.
“You will feel better when you have a warm bath. The cold ones of the cabin are enough to spoil any mood.” He chuckled.
“My mood isn’t spoiled.” You defended yourself with a grin. You knew perfectly well that a warm bath would be perfect, right now.
“Good.” He tossed a side eye to you and his hands gripped his reigns a little tighter.
You caught the subtle movement and before he could say anything you kicked your horse into a gallop, leaving your husband in bellowing laughs behind you.
You were grateful to wake in your own bed. You palmed the furs above and beneath you, blindly discerning the differences between beasts. Deer, Bear, Warg. All cleaned and providing warmth on this wintry morning.
You opened your eyes with a few blinks and turned your head to the closed window, little tufts of snow slipped through the narrow cracks of the shutters. Light flowed through the same slots and you rolled to your stomach reaching an arm out to find your husband. Only he wasn’t there.
You pushed yourself up and scanned the room. “Éomer?” Your voice soft from sleep. A knock on the door had you pulling the furs up high to cover your chest.
“My Lady?” You recognized the quiet voice of your hand maiden, Rhema, on the other side of your door.
“Come in.” You called.
She came in and closed the door quickly with a smile. “I am so glad for your safe return, Lady (Y/N). I trust your trip was pleasant?”
You grinned at the memories of fire warmed evenings with your husband. “Yes, quite.” You reached your hand out. “Though I did miss you. Tell me, where is my husband this morning?”
She stumbled over a rug but regained her composure quickly. “He’s asked me to have you bathed and your hair braided. He wouldn’t say anything more.” She took your hand, grabbing your robe from the end of the bed and giving it to you. She squeezed your hand and said, “Happy birthday, Lady (Y/N).”
You smiled but your mind was lost of the mystery of your husband. Still, you didn’t argue her and followed Rhema to the steaming bath she had prepared for you.
She allowed you to be leisurely in your soak and she sat and spoke of the goings-on that you’d missed during your holiday. Nothing of importance, thankfully. The people had been, for the most part civil in your absence, but still you couldn’t understand where Éomer had gone off to.
Usually, he lingered with you in the morning light, rubbing his fingers along the bare skin of your arms. Kissing your forehead tenderly and whispering sweet reassurances of his love for you. He’d do that until there was a strong banging on the door by a guard or servant who needed his attention. Then, he’d begrudgingly slide from the sheets and ready himself for the day.
Rhema helped you from the bath and back into your robe. You sat at your vanity and closed your eyes as she brushed and braided your hair. About halfway through, there was another knock on your bedroom door.
“I’ll be right back.” She smiled. It was the kind of smile that said she knew exactly what was going on.
“Rhema?” You said slowly and suspiciously but she hurried of before answering you.
She opened the door slighty, making sure no one could see in, or was it to keep you from seeing out? She pulled a large package from the other side of the door, smiled to it’s deliverer and shut the door. She whirled around with a beaming smile and placed the ribboned box on your bed.
“What’s that?” You asked.
Rhema bit her lips in a weak attempt to stifle her grin, before answering with, “Hold still, M’Lady.” She turned your head forward to continue to work on your hair. “You’ll see later.“
The next twenty minutes were agonizing. Rhema talked on and on about some trivial family gathering that had happened recently, while you were left staring at the box on your bed in the mirrors reflection. But you didn’t ask again and you didn’t interrupt her. Instead, you tried your best to let your mind wander back to the memories of the last month.
“All finished.” She finally announced. “Would you like to see what’s on the bed?”
“Yes, please.” You said as nonchalantly as you could while admiring the beautiful work she’d done on your hair. You rose from your seat and made your way to the foot of the bed. You pulled on the ribbon and removed the top from the box with a gasp.
“Happy Birthday!” Rhema giggled with a small and excited bounce.
You were stunned. The gown was beautiful and almost too extravagant. “Oh, right. My birthday.” Between the absence of Éomer this morning, and the surprise package, you’d forgotten.
“Aren’t you pleased, M’Lady?” Rhema’s smile faltered and you quickly plastered on one of your own.
“It’s beautiful.” You took her in a hug. “Thank you.” When you pulled away, you were happy to see here smile had returned in it’s fullest.
“I’m so glad you like it! It was made special for today.”
“And what is today?” You raised a brow at her.
Without missing a beat, she looked down, busing herself with cleaning up the wrapping and simply said, “Your birthday, of course.”
You could still see the secret hiding at the corners of her mouth but decided that you’d better leave it be. She was stubborn and not one to give in easily, there was no sense is trying to pry it out of her.
She helped you dawn the beautiful gown and pick out earrings and a necklace to match. “You’re simply stunning.” She complimented.
You didn’t say it out loud but you agreed. Though, perhaps too stunning. “This seems like too much. It’s just one day, and I haven’t even planned a party or a dinner.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that.” She smirked.
Before you could ask her anything there was a knock at you door.
“My, at the amount of visitors you’ve had today.” Rhema tried to keep from smiling. “I wonder who that could be.”
She rushed to the door and opened it, revealing Éomer, dressed in burgundy and gold, his hair falling into his face.
He grinned at the sight of you but waited for Rhema to curtsy and leave the two of you alone.
“You look…” He smiled and crossed the room taking you in. “Beautiful.” He took your chin for a soft kiss and whispered, “Happy birthday.” against your lips.
You pulled back and crossed your arms playfully . “And where have you been?”
“I’m a busy man.” He smiled.
“Are you?” You narrowed your eyes as he pulled you towards the door.
“Mhmm.” He paused with his hand on the knob. “Happy Birthday, (Y/N).”
“That again.” You rolled your eyes.
He didn’t entertain your pout and opened the door leading you to the great hall. As the two of you got nearer, you could hear hushed voices, the crackling of fire and the clanking of metal cups.
A servant caught sight of the two of you and ran into the hall. Hushes were shortly heard before the hallway fell silent.
“What have you done?” You tilted your head to one side and tried to resist his tug. He spun around and was behind you, pushing you to the great hall, before you could protest.
When you rounded the corner you froze in his grasp.
“SURPRISE!!” The crowd cheered.
Your hand flew your mouth and your eyes watered. Among the crowd were many of your dearest friends. Aragron had come accompanied by Faramir and Legolas. Thorin had come in his furs and crown with his nephews and Dwalin beside him, their dwarvish beards all grey or white. The White wizard stood with a smile as he rested on on his staff and you saw a small spark flutter in the shape of a butterfly towards you before it disappeared.
Éomer wrapped his hands around you and you felt his short beard tickle your ears. “Happy Birthday, my love.”
“You did all of this?” Your eyes shed tears when you whipped around to face him.
“Why do you think I took you out to the cabin for a month only to arrive home in the dead of night? Your guests arrived at different times. And what kind of surprise would it be if you knew they were here?” He grinned proudly.
You jumped up and kissed him hard, much to the crowds enjoyment. They cheered and raised glasses to you and your happiness. You pulled away and bushed under wet cheeks.
One by one your guest greeted you and wished you a happy birthday and even people you didn’t know, like a few elves who had come to protect Legolas and Aragorn. They were, of course, beautiful and elegant and you found yourself stealing glances at the beings whom you so rarely saw.
The rest of the day was spent in the hall eating laughing, drinking and then eating some more. By the time the moon was at its peak, your guests had mostly disappeared back to where they were staying or were passed out at the tables or on floors.
You’d made your way out to the front steps to bid farewell to a small group of elves who had decided to start their journey home. As they left the gates you felt Éomer tug you inside and out of the cold.
Once inside, he took your fur cape from you and held you close as he lead you back to your shared chambers.
You all but collapsed down on the bed and Éomer helped remove the ribbons and braids from your hair.
“Thank you for all of this.” You mumbled.
“You deserved it.” You could hear him smiling.
You sighed, louder than you meant to and Éomer lay down beside you. He pulled you close to him and you nuzzled your nose into his neck.
“What’s on your mind, love?” He asked with a kiss to the top of your head.
You shook your head and were thankful he couldn’t see your solemn expression. “Another year older.”
You felt him chuckle. “You are still young.”
“Not compared to the elves. I am closer to death than they are.”
“(Y/N), why is death on your mind?” His tone revealed concern and you looked up at him reassuringly.
“I’m not. It’s just the wine.”
He leaned down and gave you one of his heart stopping kisses, the kind you knew expressed his ldeepest love for you. “My love,” He cupped your face in his hands, shifting his weight to cradle your jaw. His hair fell over the both of you, like a curtain for your faces. “Life is too short to be lived counting the years. Cherish these days, go on adventures, live your life in such a way that you won’t have time to tell all of your exciting tales. Fret not over the end for we both know that might very well just be the beginning.” You nodded but that was all you had time to do before his mouth connected with yours again.
You knew he was right and you planned on doing just that.
And, oh, did you.
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