A/N: Happened to reread "Journey" the other day and then this came to mind. I didn't really know where it was going at the outset, but I'm rather pleased with how it turned out.

I considered posting this on its own, but decided it might be better attached to the main story and kept together.

Perpetuity

How had it come to this? She did not believe she could truly put her finger on a single moment where this course became inevitable; rather it had been an accumulation of tiny things over a period of time. She was cold and miserable, so she mistakenly challenged him. He was tired and beleaguered, so he did not humor her in his response. Thus her life had taken a turn, and she could not honestly think that was a bad thing.

Marvelous experiences had come to her ever since that moment, and she had found herself to be far more capable and worthwhile than she ever imagined. Her worth before had hinged on who she was and her bloodline; now it keyed upon what she was, what she said and did, and how she acted. Before, she had looked inward, and concerned herself with personal comfort and amusement, but now her eyes inexorably noticed the needy around her. Something deep inside would no longer allow her to turn a blind eye and walk away, and though she could not change the world, she could make a difference in the small portion of it that she occupied.

And now the new person that she had become was being given the opportunity to do even more – as the queen of Rohan. Had anyone suggested, upon her first acquaintance with Eomer King, that she would end up his wife, she would have scathingly disabused them of such a notion. He appealed to her no more than she did to him, and both had been delighted to part company after the funeral of his uncle. But he had planted seeds in her thoughts, and along with the changes she made in her life, she discovered a new appreciation for the man who had sparked her introspection. As she had slowly evolved, it had seemed unlikely he would be willing to overlook the past and reevaluate her quality, but he had readily done so.

Still, she had not been prepared to love him, particularly not so passionately as it turned out she did. She had found comfort in his embrace, but yet thought him only a friend. Not until he startled her with a kiss, after they had been separated for months, did her feelings burst forth into full flame, causing her to realize the depth of her emotions. It seemed he had come to it quicker than she, but she did not allow that tardiness to impede her response. No matter that he was a king; no matter that he was a great warrior. The only item of consequence was the love burning inside her, and which clearly matched his own. He was a man, and she a woman – what could be more simple than that. That society considered them a perfect pairing was of no import.

So, on this day of days, she made her way to the Golden Hall on the arm of her father. He was beaming with joy at this course of events, but his own expression was a pale reflection of hers. Had any other bride ever been more radiant?

Eomer stood from his seat upon his throne as she entered the Hall, and all eyes turned to gaze admiringly upon her, but her eyes saw only one. Him! Her breath caught in her throat at the wondrousness of it all, but she forced herself to relax and evenly draw in air to calm herself. A few more steps and she would be at his side; a few more moments and she would belong to him; a few more hours and they would begin their life together.

What a wonderful journey her life was proving to be!

THE END

1/3/08