The battle over, Eomer's mind slowed as the battle-fever left him. Aiding with the dead and wounded, he gave each face a glance, heart thumping at the face he dreaded - or hoped? - to find. For nearly a day it seemed they stacked and burned what was left of the orc army, and buried and gathered what was left of their own.
He passed Eowyn seveal times, but they did not have a chance to talk. The look she gave him was a sad one, though he could nt tell if it were a general sadness as the great loss, or something deeper. Finally, as the sun rose the morn after the battle, Eomer began his search in earnest.
Row after row of wounded and none with the face he saught. The hardest part of his exile was being parted from his lover, for his lover chose to stay at Edoras. If all those loyal to Eomer fled with him, there'd be naught but a few guards and beggers left to keep the king safe. No, Eomer's lover, not yet exiled, stayed at Edoras.
Near the end f one of the last row - those who had been taken to the healers frist - the injuries changed. No more were these the slashings and crushing of Uruk-Hai blades and bodes. These were the clawings of bears or giant wolves. Some of the men were already dead and Eomer gently closed their eyes, as he had done for many others in his search for his beloved.
Finally, at the end of the row, Eomer found what he was searching for. His heart nearly stopped as he feared his lover was dead, the face so pale, eyes closed, Eomer couldn't make out the flutter of breath.
Trembling, Eomer reached a hand to stroke golden hair, fearing it to be for the last time.
"Mmmmm ..." A raspy, dry croak emitted from the dry lips of Eomer's lover.
The heir to Rohan all but suqeaked as he took his lover's hand. "You're alive!" He tried to keep his voice down, his heart thuddin wildly.
"Yes," the smile that always lit Eomer's life, since they were children. "I-" The effort of speaking was too much and a coughing fit ensued.
"Shhh, drink this," Eomer held a mug of water to his beloved's lips. "I ... I thought you were dead," Eomer tried to keep the tears frm his eyes, though he couldn't keep them from his voice.
"So did I," that smile again, weak, but it was enough for Eomer. He gave his lover another drink, squeezed his hand. Uncaring for the first time who saw them together, and who deduced he true nature of their relationship.
"You have every right to leave me," he caressed his lover's cheek. "I abandoned you,"
Hama lifed his head to protest and that triggered a violent caughing fit. Sitting back , panting, he fixed Eomer with a look that clearly said "We'll talk about that later," Weakly, he gestured to the water, and Eomer gratefully helped him drink. "I love you," he murmured, brushihng Hama's golden hair back from his face."
"I love you too," Hama retured, with only a tiny cough at the end, and a slight smile.
