Chapter Text
When Lothíriel entered the halls of Meduseld, the first thing she noticed, besides the quaintness of the hall, was a small red haired boy sitting at one of the tables in the room. He sat listening to a blonde soldier tell him a story.
The boy's hair was fiery red, and shone like a ruby in sunlight. His sapphire eyes sparkled as he listened intently to the story. His face was freckled and plump, still not shed of baby fat.
The boy was undoubtedly Rohirrim, but he was unlike any she had seen before. Vibrant and glowing; a real gem.
After a moment, a thought flickered in her mind. Why did a child reside here, in Meduseld? Despite her best wishes, a flicker of doubt in her husband caught in her mind. An illegitimate child, perhaps?
As Éomer entered behind her, the child looked away from the golden haired soldier and beamed, "Éomer!!!" He jumped up from the table, his tiny little baby legs carrying him over to Lothíriel's husband.
She watched Éomer drop to one knee with open arms and a friendly smile, "Hullo Héred!" They embraced.
Lothíriel's brain immediately began fishing for hope that this was not an illegitimate child. First, he referred to Éomer as his first name. But also, he did not refer to Éomer as king, and did not show him the proper respect. Curious. Second, Héred's name did not follow the naming conventions of Rohan, in having similar sounding names to their father.
Hesitantly, she asked, "Who is he, Éomer?"
"Ah! Lothíriel. I forgot to mention him on our journey over. This is Héred," He displayed the boy proudly, who now seemed quite shy in being introduced to her. "He is the younger brother of a great friend of mine."
Her doubts lifted, "Ah, I see!" She bent at the waist to get closer to the boy's level, "It is lovely to meet you Héred! I am Lothi."
The boy blinked up at her in wonder. She could imagine how different she looked compared to what he was used to; dark haired, silver eyed, dressed in almost nothing but blues. An unusual woman, to be sure.
His tiny mouth opened to slowly forth the name she had given him, "Lo..thi?"
She nodded, "Yes! That is my name.
His face lit up and he reached out for her, "Lothi! Lothi!"
She took his small hands in hers and giggled as he continually repeated her name with joy as he danced around her, his tiny hands clutching hers.
Soon though, he tired of saying her name and turned to Éomer once more, "Éomer?"
Lothi let go of his hands to stand straight. As she smoothed out her skirts she heard Éomer reply. "Yes?"
"When is Héra coming back?"
Lothi froze again. Doubts rose once more. Héra was most definitely a woman's name.
"A few months from now, Héred. You have to wait a bit longer."
She looked at the boy. His face was no longer bright and joyful, but sad, impatient, and perhaps even lonely. Despite the jealousy that grew inside her at the thought of this 'Héra' woman, she couldn't help but feel bad for the kid.
Though his face was sad also, Éomer patted his shoulder comfortingly, "Come my boy, you'll see her soon enough."
Héred bowed his head as Élmer stood once more, "Fael!"
The golden haired soldier who had been at the table with Héred stood. "Yes sir?"
"Take Héred away from here for a moment please. I have some matters to discuss."
"Yes sir." Fael nodded then called Héred over. The little ruby went running, and hugged the soldier's leg. Fael picked up Héred and carried him away.
At last, Éomer turned to Lothíriel. "I'm sure you have many questions."
"Only a few." She smiled politely at her husband.
He took her hand and led her to one of the many tables within the hall,
"Ask."
"Who is Héra? Why is Héred here? Why is Héra not? Does Héred have no family? Is Héred a bastard child?" The questions escaped her before she could consider courtesy.
Éomer sat with his elbows on the table as he thought of how to explain. After a moment, he began: "Héra is Héred's older sister." Inside, Lothi breathed a sigh of relief. "No, Héred is not a bastard child. Who do you take me for?"
She raised an eyebrow at him, her mind flashing to the way they first met in Minas Tirith.
"Right." He grumbled, and she smiled, victorious.
He breathed deep, as if to steady some suppressed grief, then continued, "Héra was a Shieldmaiden of Rohan. She died upon the Pelannor."
The words struck Lothi harder than she expected. She knew a little of the Shieldmaidens; Éomer had explained their concept to her on their journey. Though she knew little about them beyond their job description and that there were few of them. To think one of few valiant women had perished was slightly heartbreaking.
"She was a dear friend." Éomer added, "Héred is here because she left him in mine and Fael's care. Fael is the soldier you witnessed take Héred away."
Lothi was silent for a long moment. Chiding herself quietly for ever doubting Éomer. Such a sad fate, Héra had held. And such a brave woman. She felt ashamed for even having thought her a whore. Then she thought of Héred and she only saddened further, "Poor boy, he doesn't know of his sister's passing, does he?"
Éomer shook his head, "It would be too much for the boy to tell him. Héred and Héra lost their mother to illness not long after the Hornburg was won. For him, the grief is still too near. And to tell her has lost yet another of those he cares about would break him wholly."
Lothíriel's heart ached with sympathy, "Does the boy have no father?"
Again, Éomer shook his head. "Do not ask me why, for I don't know. Héra never told me."
Lothi thought of his bright face, the way his eyes lit up when recognizing someone he knew and cared for. Those soft, childish cheeks. The innocent way he clung to hope. It nearly brought her to tears. The poor boy. He was alone.
Overwhelmed with sympathy and pity, Lothi was crying before she knew it. Éomer did nothing more than rub circles on her back. And that was precisely what she had needed. By the time her tears had dried, she had resolved to be the older sister Héred would be without. She would be there for him. It was the least she could do.