Hey everyone! Since I (sort of) finished Heralds of Light, I am now working on my first modern AU. I am really excited for this one. Probably because I think I can work this idea into another idea I have.

So, because this is modern, most of the characters have modern names.

Éomer - Edward Marshal-King

Lothíriel - Lottie Prince

Faramir - Francis Steward

Eowyn - Evelyn Marshal-King

Theoden - Thaddeus King

Theodred - Theodore King

Theodowyn - Theodora Marshal

Eomund - Edmund Marshal

I tried to make the modern counterpart of the names sound like the originals. Enjoy, and please leave me a review!

On a fine September morning, Lottie Prince drove towards the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for a special exhibit. With a lot of string pulling, she landed on a job as a fashion designer for Prada. She also worked a smaller job as a hand-to-hand combat trainer. After all, her brothers trained her, so she figured better keep it up. Soon, she arrived at the museum. She parked her car and dutifully paid the fee to enter the exhibit. Her main goal was to find inspiration for next year's autumn collection. When something caught her eye, she pulled out phone and took a picture of it. Soon, her mind buzzed with ideas.

Then she spotted a magnificent tapestry behind a glass display. It was at least eight feet tall and nine feet wide. Green, gold, and small white flowers bordered the edges. Two riders galloped on handsome horses across the foreground with hilly green plains in the background. Lottie found herself especially drawn towards the riders' faces. One was male with a jaw beneath a full golden beard. He seemed peaceful and like he was enjoying himself. His gaze was fondly directed towards a female rider beside him. The female rider's eyes danced merrily, and a smile on her lips hinting at a secret. Hair as black as a raven's wing streamed behind her, mixing with her companion's shorter, gold tresses.

Lottie glanced at the plaque beside the tapestry. It read, "Éomer and Lothíriel: Woven in 100 F.A."

Lottie looked back at the tapestry, focusing on Lothíriel. She vowed, "I shall find your secret."

Before exiting the exhibit, she asked a curator, "Excuse me, do you know where the exhibit comes from?"

The curator answered, "Tis a collection from Edward Marshal-King. His family has a streak for collecting historical items, and he is now allowing select museums display said collection."

"Thank you," said Lottie.

As soon as she arrived home, she pulled out her computer and googled the tapestry title. After much hunting, she found a decent article and saved it for later reading. Then she searched for Edward Marshal-King, not paying attention to any of the photos.

A website described him thus: Edward Marshal-King. At the age of 27, Marshal-King is already a war veteran and a millionaire, having inherited his fortune from his parents and uncle. His father, Sergeant Edmund Marshal, died in action, and his mother, Theodora Marshall, passed away soon after from grief, leaving eleven year old Edward and his seven year old sister, Evelyn, orphaned. Their uncle, Thaddeus King adopted them into his family. Growing up, Edward often looked up to his older cousin, Theodore, even following him into the army. When Edward was twenty-four, Theodore was also killed in action, and his uncle passed away from a sudden heart attack. Not long after, Edward found himself the possessor of millions of dollars and interesting collection of artifacts from the early Fourth Age. He resigned from the army and, with help from his sister, launched a successful automobile company, Mearas.

Checking her watch, she realized she needed to finish a design for a custom order. She moved from her desk to her workroom where she finished a 3D design and printed it out.

As she cooked dinner, the phone rang. She picked it up, saying, "Hey Francis, what's up?"

"Well, I've got a girlfriend, and she's coming to New York in a couple of weeks," he began, "and I would like her to meet you."

"So, I assume you are home from a mission?"

"Yeah, been back for awhile. Anyways, any recommendations?"

Lottie paused a minute before asking, "Do you want something low-key or fancy?"

"Fancy," he immediately responded. "I'd prefer a quieter ambiance so you can get to know each other."

"Ok, then how about Eleven Madison Park?" Lottie suggested. "I'll have to make a reservation, you know. How about October 28th at five?"

"Alright, make the reservation for four," Francis answered. "Her brother is coming. Oh, and I can reimburse you."

"We'll go by halves," countered Lottie. "Besides, I think I can afford it. See you in October." Lottie then made the reservation and carefully added the date to her calendar.

The month flew by. Lottie hardly had time to think of the tapestry, though it hung in the back of her mind. She worked especially hard in hopes for a promotion. Plus, she also had to keep up with her other job. By the afternoon of October 28th, she realized she needed to find a dress for that night's dinner. She hunted her closet and found her bridesmaid dress from her eldest brother's wedding. It was simple, but elegant. Just the thing for tonight's occasion. She opted for a natural look in her makeup and decided to at least have a smoky eye. She grabbed her phone and some necessities and threw other necessities into a clutch before hailing a cab.

With the traffic, Lottie ended up five minutes late. Her cousin and his guests sat in the lobby. They rose when she arrived. Ferdinand approached her.

"I am so sorry I'm late," she said, "and the traffic was worse than usual."

"No worries, cousin," Francis responded. "They wouldn't seat us until the one who made the reservation arrived, but we are totally alright." He led her to his companions. "Lottie, this is my girlfriend, Evelyn Marshall-King, and her brother, Edward."

To all who have already read this story when I first posted, I changed Faramir's modern name from Ferdinand to Francis upon suggestion of earthdragon.

Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome!