Author's Note: This series is the brainchild of LothirielofRohan. She had read a book done all in letters, and thought we could do something with the idea in the Middle Earth world. She chose Eowyn and Lothiriel as the two writers (she is being Eowyn, I am doing Lothiriel – which actually is a bit confusing in this case…). The series won't include every single letter ever written, but will be more "snapshots" over the years of the more interesting elements of their lives. They may reference "letters" that you never saw (and won't see). We don't know how long we will sustain this, or how/when it will end, but hopefully you will enjoy it along the way. I may pull elements in from my other stories (like names for people), but this series is NOT directly connected to any of my other stories.

Also, LothirielofRohan is reposting some of her stories and they are really quite good. Trot on over and have a look. If you haven't read them before, you'll likely enjoy them, and if you're like me, you'll enjoy rereading them! She's on my Favorite Authors list if you want a link to find her. (I especially love her Boromir story which is presently reposting. It is the story that got me interested in LOTR so that I watched the movies, bought the books and started writing LOTR fanfiction – so you have her to thank/blame for all this!)

Leaves of Our Lives

Emyn Arnen

10 Narvinye

Dear Lothiriel,

My husband has suggested that, as you are married to my brother and I to your cousin, we should know each other better. We met only briefly at your wedding and mine, but Faramir assures me that we have much in common, though not (as I suggested) merely being married to uncivilized barbarians! (By the by, does Eomer leave his clothing strewn all over the bedchamber at night, or is that habit unique to my own husband?)

I hope you do not think that I am reluctant in writing this letter, or that I do it only at my husband's bidding. Faramir is fond of you, and I confess that any woman equal to the task of life with my brother has my most profound respect and admiration. I had hoped that we would have time to become better acquainted before our marriages, but with Eomer keeping you to himself most of the time, and Faramir and I no less reclusive, it did not come to pass. Perhaps now, with life more settled, we can form an acquaintance through letters.

How do you find Edoras? You are more fortunate than I in that you became acquainted with your new home before even considering marrying my brother. I came to Emyn Arnen with no idea of what to expect, and you may be sure that nothing could have prepared me for what I found here. Even Faramir admitted that, had he known in what condition we would find the place, he would have insisted on my staying in Minas Tirith with Elessar and Arwen until improvements could be made. Having once seen our new home, however, I became madly infatuated with it and insisted on staying.

Emyn Arnen is quite beautiful. The surrounding hills and forest give it a feeling of isolation and peace, which is helped as well by the river which passes by us in the west. After the hustle and bustle of Edoras, and the crowded streets of Minas Tirith, it was a welcome change to find myself alone with Faramir. Of course, there are also about forty men quartered here with us, but save for some teasing about "newlyweds", they have mostly left us alone when work is done for the day.

Oh, Lothiriel, you have no idea how I envy you! Moving into a home which has been in continuous use over the past centuries, with a full staff of servants and cooks, and a village at your disposal, you cannot have any suspicion of the work required to turn an enormous, newly-built house into a home. Our foremost aim was to furnish the main bedchamber and parlor on the first floor, so that we would not have to sleep in a tent any longer. I told Faramir that I did not mind, but he insisted that we should have a bedchamber to ourselves, and be comfortable. It is a change to be treated with such delicacy, but I confess I rather enjoy it.

The exterior is of white-painted wood, with a sweeping staircase leading up to double doors of darker wood. Inside all is bare boards and unpolished floors, though I hope in time to procure enough rugs and furniture to make it warm and inviting. Even as I write this, half of the craftsmen of Gondor are busy with the requests I have sent to them over the past fortnight. The Queen was kind enough to send with us the furnishings from Faramir's old quarters in Minas Tirith, since without them we would have nowhere to sleep, or to sit, save upon the ground.

The Elf Legolas, whom I believe you met at some point either in Minas Tirith or in Edoras, has promised to come in the spring and help me with the gardens. Faramir has invited him to bring some of his kin, and settle in Ithilien if they wish, which seemed pleasing to him.

I must restrain myself here, or I will talk at such length about my new home and my plans for it that you will think me incapable of intelligent thought. I hope that all is well with you, and life with my brother is all you had hoped it would be. I will not take up any more of your time with this letter, but I do hope that you are amenable to our correspondence, and will respond when you find the time.

Eowyn

Edoras

19 Narvinye

Dearest Eowyn,

I was delighted to receive your letter and welcome the notion of corresponding with you. It will be good to hear news of home, as I am sure it will be for you as well.

Uncivilized barbarians, indeed! Aye, Eomer does indeed tend to leave his clothes wherever they fall at the end of the day. We are working on that, and he has progressed to the point of at least looking sheepish when I bring it to his attention. Which is not to say I have noticed much improvement in his aiming anything toward the basket for laundry!

I am rather amazed to discover that my dear cousin has become so slovenly! He must have been corrupted in his many years living out in the wild with nothing but a lot of ragged soldiers for company. Last I remember, he was quite a rather tidy fellow - or at least he managed to appear as such whenever I was around to see!

I find I am adjusting well to life in Rohan, though it is vastly different than what I have known all my life. I confess, I do miss the sea and the sound of the waves on the shore, but to be Eomer's wife is well worth the sacrifice. I fear he has misled you all your life. He has actually proven himself quite a loving and considerate husband, perhaps a far cry from what you knew him to be as a brother! I am not suggesting, of course, that he was not a good brother, but I would suspect that like my own brothers, he delighted in tormenting his sister whenever possible.

It has been a challenge accustoming myself to the more relaxed setting of Edoras. Much in Dol Amroth, like in Minas Tirith, is stiff and formal, particularly among the nobility. I find Edoras to be far more appealing in that regard, and the people have been both warm and friendly, as well as accepting of this stranger and her odd ways. Durucwen has been most patient in teaching me about the household and my place in it. That is one thing I wish I might have had the opportunity to discuss with you before my marriage, but as you pointed out, there seemed to be so little time and we all selfishly spent what time we had with our loved ones rather than gathering information.

I have not seen Emyn Arnen personally, though I have several times heard Faramir speak fondly of the place. I do hope in the not too distant future Eomer and I shall be able to visit you and see your new home. I know he is anxious to satisfy himself that you are well and happy. Much as he likes Faramir, and trusts my word and judgement, he still finds it difficult to give up your care and keeping to another man.

As you indicated, I do not have a home that must be furnished from scratch, but I do have the formidable task of attempting to bring a woman's touch to my surroundings. As you well know, Edoras has long been an essentially all male bastion, and some refinements have waned appreciably over the years. I am sure it will take time, as I do not wish to effect too much change all at once, but eventually I hope to make this a warmer, homier setting.

Men! Are they not amusing! Eomer tries to treat me as a delicate flower also. While it is endearing, it completely ignores all those years that I stood alongside my father and brothers in ruling Dol Amroth, and ran the household there in my dear mother's stead. Neither you nor I are unable to easily care for our own needs, but like you, I do rather enjoy the special treatment. My own family was not so inclined to coddle me. I know Eomer recognizes my strength and abilities, but I am also pleased that he wishes to take care of me, even though he knows I do not need it.

Please, do not hesitate to share with me any news of your new home, as well as your plans and progress with it. And, if you should gather any news of my family, please do pass it along. I am sure you understand that I cannot count on men to provide me with much news, and my family in particular seems to be terrible at writing letters. Also, I welcome any news of the city - Mundburg, as you would call it. Here we have a new king and queen after so many, many years, and I am not there to witness the changes that will bring about.

Feel free to inquire about any here you particularly wish to know of, and I will attempt to keep you informed.

In the meantime, I am sure Eomer sends his love. You would be so proud of him and the way he has begun to grow into his role as king. I often think he underestimates himself and his abilities, but he is a fine leader and I can readily see how loved he is by his people.

Do take care, give my love to Faramir, and write again when you are free to do so. I look forward to our correspondence.

Lothiriel

Oh, perhaps it is too soon to speak of this, but I think I may possibly be with child. By the next letter, it could be that I will know for certain. Let us hope the Valar grant this - I should so like to give Eomer a son and Rohan an heir.