Warnings: injuries, battle (and my absolute lack of skills in writing it)
Word count: 2412
Other: -
Requested: by TheAnduin and Kalumiko425 . For the first time ever I combined two requests because they were so similar that it would have been silly repetition to write both.
Eomer keeps popping up in your life in times you wouldn't expect.
Eomer had gotten shot with an arrow fired by a straggler orc. The men he had left Edoras after his banishment had killed it quickly, but the damage had already been done. The arrow was sunk deep, and it was clear that it needed tending to after the arrow was removed. So he just grits his teeth and powers through the pain. He tried to keep the shoulder as relaxed as possible, but the slightest of moves shifted the arrow and shot a flash of pain through the whole arm, making it impossible to use. He could ride with one hand, but it was hard and the constant movements of the horse were not helping the wound to heal.
One early morning, three days after Eomer was shot they spotted a warm glow of a fire coming from the edge of the forest. The forest was too calm for it to be orcs, there were no shouts of aggression, no rowdy laughter, and no pained cries of animals. They decided to approach, and it came as a slight suprise when they saw the woman sitting next to the fire. Dressed from head to toe in pale brown leather, the hood covered her head but not her eyes, which were bright and easily visible, even in the slowly illuminating morning. Eomer was instantly intrigued.
"Can I help you in some way, gentlemen?" Her voice was smooth and pleasant to the ear. Eomer landed from his horse with a grunt, sitting down heavily next to the fire.
"I was wondering if I could warm up some water to clean my wound and then we'll be on our way and out of yours." Your smile turned into a frown and you slid your hood off your head, revealing your h/c hair, as you inched forward.
"You're injured?" Eomer nodded numbly and your eyes softened.
"There is no reason to leave, I enjoy the company, as I mostly travel alone." You introduced yourself as his men jumped down from their horses. Some of them left to take the horses to the lake and the rest sat down to rest their eyes for a moment before the journey continued.
"I could take a look at your wound if you'll allow me. I have a few gifts in the art of healing?" At your words, he turned slightly and allowed you to take a look at his back.
You clicked your tongue when you saw the wound and the arrow still sticking out of it. Most of the stem of the arrow had been broken off, but the head and a short part of the stem were still embedded into him.
"This should have been shown to a healer the moment you got it, the arrow is in deep." Your hands prodded the area around the arrow gently, and Eomer felt his heart jump as your eyes studied him with practiced hands. They were so gentle and careful not to cause him any unnecessary pain.
As your hands slid across the plain of his bare back, binding the wound after removing the arrow, you couldn't help but admire the clear and defined muscles under the fabric. Eomer, as he had introduced himself, was handsome, in a rugged way, but there was clearly more to him. The way that he carried himself was proud, almost royal, and you suspected there was more to him than he was telling you, but you didn't want to prod. You had just met him, you didn't want to prod.
"There, all wrapped up. I put little herbs to the wound to quicken the healing, but you should rinse it in a few days and keep it clean to keep out infections." You slipped the end of the bandage hidden, making sure it was secure so it wouldn't come off when he was moving.
Eomer stood up to test the range of his movements and found it surprisingly good, all the while you tried to yourself from unabashedly staring at his bare chest but still snuck peaks of him as you collected your supplies.
"Thank you." His words were genuine as he carefully tugged his shirt over his head, observing as you packed your herbs and other medications back into the small leather pouch. He couldn't help but admire the poise your hands worked in, every movement was thought out and careful.
"Who do you travel with?" Eomer tried to appear nonchalant, but he knew that you traveled alone, there was no indication of anyone else traveling with you, and all your supplies were only enough for one person. He just wanted to know why.
"No one, most of the time it's just me and my thoughts." You muttered, tightening the pull strings around the pouch that held your medicine before you tossed it inside the bag that held the rest of your equipment.
"It must be lonely." Eomer quipped, picking up his jacket and dusting off the few stray blades of grass that clung to it.
"At times it is, yes, but you get used to it. When you do, you truly don't miss the company, you can just be at peace with your own thoughts." You picked up your bag and swung it to your back, a small smile on your lips.
"Remember to extinguish the fire when you are leaving." You had taken a few steps before Eomer found his voice after his astonishment.
"You're leaving already? But- I- We..." Eomer was panicking, you couldn't just leave! There were so many questions he wanted to ask.
"You and your men are heading north, my heart yearns for the south. But I hope that our paths will cross." And you truly did. You truly hoped that this was not the last time you would see the blond-haired rider.
- -
And it wasn't. You met sooner than neither of you could anticipate.
Your original plan had not involved venturing anywhere near the fortress, but you had met Gandalf and your route had changed. He had been searching for Eomer and his men, and you had told them where you had seen them and where they had seemed to be heading, and he had, in turn, pointed you in the direction of the fortress, telling that healers would be needed there and you could get a warm meal and a place to sleep as a thank you for your efforts. You had been welcomed with open arms after Aragorn, or Strider as you knew him, vouched for you and told everyone of your skills as a healer.
The battle in Helm's deep had just ended, and you were being bombarded with wounded. But you were both at the fortress now, and Eomer was walking to you to show the deep gash on his shoulder to you. When your eyes landed on him, the corners of your lips twisted upwards and your eyes got a warm glow as you gestured for him to sit.
"I told you we would meet again." You quipped as you dapped the blood and dirt away from the wound, trying to be gentle. You could see he was in pain, even though he was trying his hardest to hide it. You bound the wound and ran your fingers on the healing arrow wound that you had mended. It was healing nicely but could use some salve.
"Do you mind if I put salve on the arrow round as well?" You asked, picking the small pot up as Eomer shook his head.
"Don't bother, it's almost healed." You scoffed but the smile remained on your lips.
"And which of us is the healer again?" A teasing tone had made its way into your voice, and Eomer huffed out a small laugh and allowed you to look at his wound.
"It's healing nicely but I'll put a light layer over it and it should be gone in a matter of days now." Your thumb slid on the wound that was slightly elevated from the rest of his skin, and Eomer had to hold in a shudder. Your fingers were so gentle as they slid across his skin, it was partly hard to feel them as the touch was so featherlight.
As your fingers left his skin he slowly turned around to face you, his eyes staring straight into yours. Neither of you spoke, no words were needed. His eyes slipped to your lips, a small smile grazing them before they snapped back to your eyes. Both of you leaned forward slightly, you were holding your breath, his nose almost touching yours. Your eyes slipped closed and you could almost feel his lips on yours, but a loud call of your name startled the two of you and you practically leaped apart, a bright blush on your faces.
"I... I need to go." You scampered into the crowd where you had heard a call for your name, and Eomer was left sitting alone, still trying to understand what had just happened. The words had been on the tip of his tongue, even before the apparent almost kiss had happened, but somehow he hadn't been able to squeeze them out, his tongue had not listened. And now you were rushing away, and he watched your retreating back with a bitter taste in his mouth. Maybe he would see you again today.
The two of you didn't see each other at Helm's deep again. You got called away to tend to someone, and the next thing you knew, Gandalf had whisked you away to ride to Gondor. The wizard hadn't specified why you needed to go with him, and you soon realized it was hopeless to try and demand an answer from him, so you just settled for riding in silence.
- - -
Eomer was hacking orcs down by the dozen, the creatures falling to the strikes of his blade. The battlefield seemed endless as wave after wave of orcs approached, their weapons raised and faces twisted into a malicious smirk. They were at a disadvantage, the orcs overpowered them easily, at least dozen to one. But they still kept fighting, they knew they could not lose this battle. Eomer dug his heels into Firefoot's sides, the grey stallion shaking its head as it charged.
Someone else beat Eomer to the group of orcs, the white stallion carrying and unidentified rider cut them down with ease, some falling to the rider's blade, some falling and got pummeled by the horse's hooves. Eomer stared at the rider as they approached, shaking their sword to shed most of the blood staining the blade.
"Evening, Rohaner. How's the shoulder?" The voice falling from the newcomer's lips was brighter than he had expected, and it was familiar. Also, the grin on their lips was telling enough.
"Y/N?" The bright laugh was an answer in itself.
"We meet again, Eomer. Let us hope it isn't for the last time now." With that, you urged your horse into a gallop again, disappearing into the battle in a blink of an eye.
-
Eomer didn't waste a moment to find you when the battle ended. You were already in the healer's tent, helping the best you could as he approached, waiting for you to meet his eyes. He had gotten hit with an arrow again, but this time it was to his thigh. When you noticed him and saw the arrow in his leg, you couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"What is it with you and getting hit with arrows?" You shook your head and gestured to the bed at the corner of the room.
"Sit, I'll get it out in a minute." You disappeared out of the corner that had been reserved for you, the light brown cloths hanging from the beams above giving you and your patients a little privacy. The room also held a small stool that looked unsteady and a ragged, dainty desk that was filled to the brim with ointments.
You returned soon with a roll of bandages and without saying a word, kicked the stool next to the bed and sat down.
"Y/N, I-" He started, but you silenced him with a gentle finger to his lips, your eyes gentle as you examined his face. They traveled from the stubble on his jaw to the small nick at the bridge of his nose to his eyes, the brown color bright and hopeful. His lips parted as he leaned forward, but before he could connect your lips, he jerked and cried out in pain.
Your fingers had wrapped around the stem of the arrow without him even noticing it, and you tossed it to the vacant corner.
"I'm sorry, I find it that the pain isn't as worse when the patient doesn't anticipate it." You apologized, wiping the wound clean. You wrapped a few layers of bandages around it as Eomer watched your every move intently, his eyes not straining from your form for one moment. You finished quickly and lifted your head up, leaning forward.
"Now..." You trailed off as you leaned to him fully, finally colliding your lips with his for a light kiss. Eomer froze for a heartbeat as it was finally happening, but he recovered quickly, lifting his hands to cup your jaw.
The kiss didn't last very long as your name was called. You sighed and stood up, but Eomer grasped your wrist before you walked away.
"Go for a walk with me. Sundown. Please." He finally managed to cough out the question, and you gave him a bright smile as you leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"Or course." And with that, you were gone. But this time, Eomer didn't mind one bit and remained seated, grinning like an idiot.
Sorry about so many time skips, but I cannot write battle for the death of me and I didn't want to subject you to that any more than I needed to.
Only a few more requests to go on this line! Also, I just got a big school thing done so hopefully I will get myself to write a little more often now!