Summary: In the Mark horses always seem to know best. Eomer and Lothíriel are force to come to terms with a known legend that a horse may chose their rider's partner. So when Firefoot's wild dash leads to Lothíriel will the couple accept their fate or deny it? Soulmate-ish fic.

Prelude

There was a saying in the Mark that a trusted horse may find his rider's wife before his rider could even blink. Often women quoted the saying as a way of men blind and dumb when it comes to matters of love. Men when drunk oft said the saying changing the world horse to stallion along with a reference to their manhood for a cheap laugh.

But there were those who believed the saying for in every village there was at least one love story that described such a moment. A warhorse leading its unconscious warrior right to the house of his future beloved, a young horse who was spooked away into the farm land of a home were a young maiden lived, a battle stallion running away to mate with a filly who belonged to a beautiful maiden who would eventually mate with the stallion's rider. All those happy couples happily passed down their love stories reinforcing the people's belief. Any indirect or direct way that a horse was involved in a couple's love story was celebrated. For if you asked, you would be told that every couple that was guided together by a horse would be happy in marriage forever.

There was a time in Edoras that a Mearas dictating a match for a royal mate was an act that was an honor to even witness. A sign of prosperity on the royal home and any that bore witness. But there were few that could have ever claimed to have witnessed such an event ever and none that had still lived. For such a public act had not occurred in over a century. While there had been a private matches none that the people had known or witnessed. So the while the legend had been passed down to the Eorlingas no Mearas had ever publicly declared his rider's mate in over century. Yet, the people all knew the stories from childhood. Many may joke of the saying but all knew the knowledge of the Mearas was vast and not completely understood or trifled.

So when the King's steed Firefoot broke out of his stables and came charging up to Meduseld ayy people jumped out of his way and pulled their children to safety but then they quickly broke into a run after the horse. A chant grew among the people as they raced behind the fast horse. The somberness of the week and the cloud of grey over the city had momentarily lifted. Their King will soon have a wife for their Queen had come today; his horse will be the first to greet her.

'Who is she' 'Where is she' 'Where is Eomer King' people whispered, shouted and asked their neighbors as they hurried after the horse.

The murmur grew louder and even those who had not witnessed the horse's mad dash were caught up in the crowd. As Firefoot made his way to the golden hall the shock of the visitors from Gondor were visible on the faces of the guest. Few men from Gondor not knowing of myth had taken out their swords and some just jumped out of his way. The King who stood at the front steps of Meduseld shouted at his loyal horse his trusted commands but the horse did not take heed. Instead he turned left straight towards a women who had just dismounted from her own horse. Never placing her back to the horse she stood afraid unable to move or back away. He came at her. Her brothers and father took up their swords but the people cried at them to stop. Eomer realizing what was happening begin to say they were in no harm when Firefoot finally stopped mid run.

Firefoot lowered his head and bowed to his future queen. The men lowered their swords but were still braced for action. Lothíriel, Princess of Dol Amroth felt her fear leave her as she stared into the eyes of the horse who descended from the kings of horses. The entire courtyard was quiet.

"He means you no harm," Eomer finally was able to say as tried to take in everything that had just happened as he walked to his guest. "He comes to say hi to you."

"Are all guests greeted so?" Erchirion asked warily.

Lothíriel reached out to the pet the horse who nuzzled her hand and neighed happily making her chuckle. She moved closer to the horse with the intelligent eyes.

"Lothíriel what is happening?" Amrothos her brother whispered to her.

Lothíriel took her eyes off of the horse and notice the Rohirrim around her. She had heard them to be a joyous loud group but she knew they were in their midst of their sorrow. For with the funeral of their past king tomorrow they had seemed unfazed by her and her brothers entrance into the city. Now the whole city seemed to wait at their feet. The silence in the crowd was frightening. Riders had place their hands over their heart and bowed. Older men and women had inclined their heads. Children were silent peeking up at her with their bowed head down. Some had even thrown themselves to the ground weeping.

Suddenly there was a murmur in the crowd. Lothíriel heard her name lowly at first. Soon it seemed like the whole of the people were chanting her name. But not just her name. "Lothíriel Queen" "Hail Lothíriel Queen".

"You must be Lothíriel," Eomer said quite dumbly as he moved closer to her family unsure of his own words and feelings.

"Yes but I pretty sure I am just a princess. Clearly there is some confusion." Lothíriel said trying to joke hoping she did not sound rude to the King.

"No. No confusion. Firefoot sought you out," glancing at the horse with with curious eyes. His horse never disobeyed a command or acted so recklessly. There must only be a greater power at work here Eomer knew.

"I thought he just wanted to say hi?" Imrahil said a teasing sound in his voice but with a nervous look as he took in the crowd and their chants that were growing louder.

"Yes. Just hi to my soulmate- I mean... It is an old myth in the Mark. I am sorry but to meet you like this- you see," Eomer tried to explain never taking his eyes off Lothíriel. Watching her flinch when he said soulmate he tried to explain but couldn't find the words.

Lothíriel in shocked pulled away from the horse as if he had bitten her when Eomer had said soulmate.

"A horse master lets his horse pick his wife?" Erchirion asked sarcasm dripping from his words his hand on the shoulder of his baby sister.

"Yes." Eomer said without hesitation his eyes never leaving Lothíriel's. His hand reach out to take her hand that hovered unsure in the air when she pulled away from Firefoot. "Welcome home- I mean welcome to Meduseld Princess Lothíriel." A light blush actually touched the king's cheeks.

Amrothos groaned.

Eomer is a bit flabbergasted at the moment is shocked that this just occurred so his character may seem a bit off in the prelude. I tried to create the feeling that this is a extremely rare event making him completely off balance. He won't be so tongue tied in the future. There is a reason why Lothíriel is a day behind the funeral procession of Theoden that will be explained. This is her first time meeting the King or Firefoot.

F.Y.I in my story regular horses of the mark can find a rider's mate but it is so rare for a member of the royal house. Also unsure if Firefoot is a complete Meara or half or not at all. I debated a lot over this question. I know Mearas are ridden by the sons of the king but assuming when Eomer received him he was only a nephew to the king but he was a son of the house of Eorl so I went with Firefoot is a Meara or at least sired by one. So in this story assume he is full or half depending on whichever logic you ascribe to. Or if you have an opinion on the matter one way or another leave a comment to sway me and I could clarify his lineage in coming chapters.