Lothiriel laid perfectly still, if she were lucky she could slip back into sleep and resume the dream she was having. The room smelled like sunshine, fire, and muffins when Lothiriel finally dared to crack an eyelid she almost fell off her bed upon realizing that Amrothos was sitting there, staring at her like some kind of wicked deviant; then she reminded herself it was Amrothos.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty." He said adding about eight extra "Os" into both "good" and "morning" so he sounded like a deviant too. She sat up slightly trying to catch her breath but still finding it in herself to give him the meanest look possible.

"I hope you live forever and are constipated the entire time." She snapped.

"Now, now, that's not very appropriate talk for a young lady. Goodness you're surly in the mornings." He bit into one of the muffins he was holding. "All I did was bring breakfast to my favorite sister."

"I'm your only sister and let me have one of those I'm famished."

"That is why it's called breakfast." His smirk was more annoying at this present moment than it ever had been before.

"My God man, how long have you been awake?" She snatched a muffin out of his hand and bit into it slowly savoring all the flavor it had. He waited until she had eaten over half of it to reply.

"Just long enough to make you fresh blueberry muffins, but not long enough to read your entire diary." He said holding up her black moleskin diary and then laughing as she almost spat her muffin out all over him and her fresh bed linens. "You have had a very uneventful two years lady; I am going to have to do something to get a little adventure into your life."

"You made muffins?" She questioned once her mouth was free to speak. "Before the servants got up?" He nodded warmly.

"They're good right? Although I am astonished that is what you're hung up on." He looked at her hopefully clearly trying to get a rise out of her.

"Yes they're wonderful, hence my shocked reaction. I am trying to ignore you blatant disrespect for my privacy."

"I think I offended the cook, I've never seen Thelma look so confused." He paused thoughtfully then added "I did allow her to cook father's eggs and bacon." He bent over and handed her a glass of milk from the floor. "I did not milk the cow though; they don't teach you how to do that in the Marines, although they probably should have."

"You are entirely too much right now; and for the record we don't have a cow." Amrothos only replied with a whimsical shrug.

"Now, get up and get dressed, father wants to talk to us in the library." He patted her knee and stood. She noticed that he was in a pair of linen pants and simple button down shirt. Perfect, she would be allowed to dress simply as well. Pushing back the covers she allowed herself a long stretch before touching her toes to the Persian rug that almost covered her whole bedroom. Looking around her closet then wardrobe she settled on a light pink house dress, no frills or fancy articles, she was only going to be with her family and then even just for a few hours before she had to get a much deserved bath and start preparing for the evening ahead. A 7:30 pm dinner meant they needed to be at the Mayor's house by 6:30 pm for proper idle time to socialize, by car it was a good thirty to forty-five minute drive so they would need to be ready by 5:30pm. It was entirely too early to do so much thinking, she scolded herself. She hurried downstairs barefoot and found herself the last to enter the library.

"Daughter I hope this is not an idea of what tonight will be like. It is almost 9:30 in the morning, why were you not up sooner?"

"I was sleeping." She realized that was an answer she would give to her brothers not her father. "Amrothos just sat there staring at me, not actually waking me up." Imrahil Dol Amroth cut his eyes to his youngest son with a fair amount of disdain but ultimately decided that some battles are better left unfought and chose to ignore the situation.

"Now about tonight, I want to leave the house," he paused, making eye contact with everyone, "leave the house no later than 5:30 by my watch." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Lothiriel, that means you need to be ready by 5pm. You can read while you wait or whatever else a lady has to do during that time." She smiled at him lovingly. "I do not think that I have to remind you that we are one of the oldest families in Charlotte, and I want you to act like it. Amrothos, I know that you have always been adored by the young ladies of the town, but no snogging in the closets." Lothiriel blushed, her father never spoke like that, but Amrothos' reputation did proceed him. "Lothiriel, do not drink too much; it is not becoming of a young lady to be a lush. Plus I do not like it when you drink." Lothiriel tried not to frown too much at this. What good was a celebration without a few drinks? "You are not children anymore, do not act like it. I have sent a letter to the Mayor asking if you boys are to be in uniform, he said yes. You know what that means." They all nodded. "Now, I want you all down her for lunch precisely at 12:00 pm."

Lothiriel made it to the parlor in no time. It was a great place to read. Unlike many other parlors she was carted around to on Sunday afternoons this one was draped in bright cornflower blue, it matched her mother's eyes and favorite chaise, and then a dark mahogany from the chair rail to the rich parquet floors. Isobelle Dol Amroth had great taste; this was not her favorite room in the house but definitely one of the, top three. Lothiriel relocated to the back settee and stretched out picking up her much bedraggled copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles. She was reading it again for the tenth time, she always felt like Doyle left a new clue for her to find, despite his pure distaste for his own character. The maids had pulled back the Pacific blue curtains and tied them with the silver ribbon her mother bought a few years ago on one of their trips to Wilmington. Why did she love blue and silver so much? She read until she was called for lunch. Every now and then she would stop and survey the room, listen to the sounds a full house made, and was comforted by the familiarity at which her family just fell back into pace.

The conservatory was warm and just bright enough. Her father loved to eat out here, for some reason, Lothiriel often thought it too stuffy for comfort; but today was nice which she attributed to the fact that the weather was unseasonably cold. The table was iron with a glass top and had a set of eight matching iron chairs. Both her mother and father's favorite plants were housed in this room, including a beautiful Lady's Slipper orchid that even young Alphros was too afraid to go near. The large bay window took up the entire east wall of the room and caught all of the morning to early afternoon sun. They had only a light meal, chicken and rice soup heaped with vegetables from their garden. They had so many vegetables because they quit buying them to help with the war effort even before America's involvement. They had fresh rolls and sweet butter with honey from the apiary out back. The help received a little extra pay for tending to the bees and making sure there was plenty of honey for them, the family and then some to be sold at the market in town. In fact Jacques the head gardener was just saying that he was going to need another hive soon as they were outgrowing the three in the garden. After lunch she was first to get in the bath. Roxie had already placed crushed rose petals in there for her. Once she was done she wrapped herself in one of the large bath sheets dried off and slipped into her robe.

Her mother had requested that Lothiriel's room be painted blue as well. Although this blue was the palest of blues she had ever seen, almost an eggshell white. At the top the molding was a few shades darker. Lothiriel shook her head and pulled on her bloomers. A soft rap came to the door and then Roxie poked her head in.

"Are you ready for me Misses Lothiriel?" she asked in a small voice. Lothiriel could tell she had been crying, there was no doubting it at all.

"Yes dear, come in." Lothiriel stepped behind her screen and pulled on her camisole to wear under her corset. The fashion industry really needed to find something other than a corset for women to wear, she thought to herself. "You can come back now. You may have to cinch it extra tight today, I'm not sure if I have put on any weight since the dress was made."

"Oh no you haven't misses; if anything you have gotten smaller." Lothiriel looked back and smiled over her shoulder. "Okay, here we go." The corset was already snug when she felt the first pull by Roxie. Lothiriel exhaled to make her stomach as small as possible and Roxie tightened even more. They repeated this over and over down her back until at long last they were at the end. Lothiriel looked down, at least the damned thing gave her more pronounced breasts. Looking in the mirror across from her she noted how she did in fact seem to be a bit smaller. Her waist was so narrow she was sure Elphir could wrap his hands around it and his fingers would be able to touch. "Would you like me to help you into your dress now or wait until you get your make-up on?"

"I think I would like to wait a moment." The exertion it took to get into a corset always wore her out. "Would you make sure my brows are all in order?" Lothiriel could pluck her own but there was some strange relaxation she found in having Roxie do this for her.

"Of course." Roxie lead her to her dressing table for a few moments apologizing whenever Lothiriel would scrunch up her face in discomfort. When the task was completed she dipped a cloth into the basin of water Lothiriel had poured in the morning and rubbed it over the now perfect brows.

"Not to make you do extra work but while I rest just a moment more and get started on my powder will you run and grab me a few rose petals and some body oil?" Roxie nodded and affirmed that it was not extra work at all. Lothiriel took to the arduous task of putting a thin layer of powder on her face; it had to be just right. She loathed those girls her age who wanted to look like painted porcelain dolls but she knew she needed a few dabs of powder to even out her skin tone just a bit. Once she was sure the minute blemishes were hidden she felt better. Her skin still looked its own, just slightly better. She never wore rouge, she felt that she blushed often enough not to need it and plus she had always had a nice complexion anyway. Roxie returned with a small knock on her door again. She had even remembered to bring a mortar and pestle, something that Lothiriel had forgotten to ask for. Lothiriel thanked her greatly for thinking of that and added a bit of water then crushed up two of the petals and applied the creamy paste to her lips.

"You always do that so perfectly." Roxie praised while starting on her hair. She would wear it half up and half down. She had natural loose hanging curls but at the top Roxie was weaving a bit of thin silver ribbon through her hair. Lothiriel then crushed a few more petals and added the oil and let it sit until Roxie was done. Roxie helped her into her stockings and buttoned them at the bottom of her bloomers with little bows. Next came the dress, stepping into it she felt more beautiful than she had in months. It hung off of her shoulders in an appropriate way, not too look beneath her and showed off a collarbone her father insisted she got from her mother. Roxie tied up the back and buttoned it for her. The Lothiriel applied the oil which now smelled sweetly of roses to her neck, wrists, and the bottom of her hair.

"What do you think? It is not too much is it?"

"No Misses Lothiriel, you look like dream." Roxie smiled at her. Lothiriel embraced her and thanked her for all of her help.

"I should be getting downstairs now, it is almost five and I do not want papa to be mad." As she was leaving she noted that Roxie had begun picking up her room some. Lothiriel made it about halfway down the stairs before she realized that she had no shoes on. She scurried back up the stairs to find Roxie waiting with the silver satin slippers in hand. Slipping her feet into the perfectly tailored shoes she was finally complete. The heels clicked as she embraced Roxie again and clipped down the stairs. Lothiriel still managed to be the first one into the parlor and so she turned on the victrola and hummed softly dancing alone looking at the family portrait that hung above the mantle. It was a photograph, though her father had wanted a painting, it even included Elphir's late wife. It had been some time since she danced other than last night's foray with her family. Her brothers and Faramir entered in a boisterous mob as if they were young teens. Even though they were in their stiff military garb they pushed her around the floor of the parlor, taking turns dancing with her and even practicing a few contra style dances. Her mother and father came in shortly afterward, her mother in a crisp chiffon champagne colored dress, that was perfectly tailored for a woman of her age and class. Her father had foregone his military dress and was instead pressed and dressed in a coat and tails. He looked as if time had ceased to age him for a moment and he was the man who stood behind his eldest son four years ago as he got married. A small lump formed in her throat and she pushed it down; tonight was a night of celebrations, not a night to worry about the past.

"Ah, now that we're all here together, Geoffrey will you come in please?" The butler appeared in his suit carrying a large box wrapped in gold metallic paper with silver and black ribbons. "I have a present for you daughter, something similar would have been bought for your debut but since it did not happen, I picked up this gem for you in Vienna on the way home." With Geoffrey still holding the box she gently pulled the paper and ribbons off then ran her fingers over the fine cedar box with a swan and lilies burned into it. She flipped the clasps open and was greeted with purple lavender scented tissue paper and black velvet lining; pulling those back she found a brilliant white ermine fur.

"Oh papa!" She pulled the fur out to reveal that it was stole which she promptly wrapped around her bare shoulders complete with a small twirl of excitement. "It is beautiful!" She threw her arms around her father and then her mother. "I absolutely love it."

"It looks perfect on you." Her mother said running her fingers through the fur, "You will be the talk of the night." Then Isobelle placed a soft kiss on her daughter's cheek.

"Now if we are all ready we should be underway." Geoffrey held the door for them and their footmen helped the ladies into separate cars. Her father, mother, and Elphir were in one car. Lothiriel knew Elphir had tuck Alphros safely into bed and kissed him goodnight. Faramir, Erchirion, Amrothos and herself rode in the second car. She was delighted to hear Charlotte alive and vibrant again. She peered out of the window to the city, furs and heels, suits and tails. Everyone was out for a well-deserved drink and an attempt to forget the two years of war and bloodshed that plagued the known world.

"So tell me, how did father get this fine ermine?"

"He bought it when we were leaving. No heroic story for you today." Erchirion said reaching over and rubbing the smooth hair between his fingers. "There will be plenty of time for those stories." The talked idly untile they reached the mayor's private residence. She had forgotten that he came from a considerable amount of money, money enough to have a private estate outside of the city. It was a large white plantation house with the ballroom taking up much of the downstairs. It was rumored that the young mayor had been estranged from the family and only after joining the War were the house and the land left for him.

"Oh, it is immaculate." She commented staring at the expansive house before her.

"He is a wonderful man, you'll love him." Faramir seemed to be glowing a bit.

"His wife is a real dame. Gorgeous head to foot." Amrothos elbowed Faramir.

"And I'm sure she has a winning personality too." Lothiriel's mouth pulled down in a frown of condemnation. "I hope you won't continue that kind of talk inside."

"Well look at you, Miss Prim and Proper." Amrothos chortled back as they all laughed. As soon as the car stopped rolling they were all business though. She put on a pleasant smile and took that hand of the footman to help her out of the carriage. There were cameras associated with all of the major papers in town, while it was a small dinner, it was still a social event. Faramir took her elbow and lead her into the house. Once inside and respectively in their places behind their father Lothiriel took notice of the man and woman at the front of the line. He was an attractive salt and pepper haired man with matching beard and soft sweet eyes. The woman next to him who seemed to be at least one decade his junior was simply lovely; high cheek bones, round full lips, wavy almost black hair, the fairest skin Lothiriel had ever seen, and crisp haunting blue eyes.

"Aye Mr. Dunedine, how wonderful to see you again." Her father greeted him with a shake of the hand. He still looked far too young to be a mayor.

"Mr. Dol Amroth, the pleasure is all mine indeed. What a lovely family you have here." Her mother dropped into a polite curtsey and donned her best winning smile. Each of her brothers shook his hand and she followed them with a curtsey. "You must be the lovely Dol Amroth daughter; Lothiriel is it?" She blushed at the fact that he knew who she was.

"Yes sir." He took her hand and kissed it gently.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. This is my wife Arwen." Lothiriel turned and gave her a small curtsey too.

"I love your dress." Lothiriel blurted without thinking. "It is simply stunning." It was a red satin dress with a round neckline that hung gently off of her shoulders. The top was rouched then led down to a flowing skirt.

"Thank you dear, but it is actually quite old. Three years. But aside from my wedding dress it is the best dress I have ever owned. But we will have to talk fashion later tonight." Lothiriel nodded knowing she had obligations first as a hostess to attend.

"I do hope you will enjoy yourselves." The mayor said as their family was departing. It was 6:45, dinner would be served soon, or at least they would be herded into the dining room soon. The grand hall was busting at the seams with people, Lothiriel smirked at this small dinner for a few. She then wondered how they were all going to fit at one table, but then assumed that one does not invite more people to dinner than one has room to accommodate. With her back to the door she began engaging Faramir and Amrothos in a etiquette approved conversation about champagne and brandy and their effect on society; as a woman she was required to abhor all forms of alcohol but as a young girl on the cusp of womanhood she adored a good champagne or a sweet dessert wine, and for moments of pure sadness a bottle of her father's oldest Scotch.

"Aye! My lady is here." Faramir said in a hushed voice before someone brushed passed Lothiriel. Whoever she was she wore a very tasteful green taffeta dress that dipped low in the back showing off her shoulder blades, it was a new dress, Lothiriel could tell by the lack of wear it had as well as the lines from it being in a box, that and the fact that it was very modern. Her hair was cropped short in the back and slanted down toward her face and it was curly part of it held back with only a pearled beret. Lothiriel took in her posture and almost too long hug that she gave her cousin. "Eowyn I would like for you to meet two of my cousins." Eowyn turned and Lothiriel had to remind herself it was rude to stare with one's mouth opened and even then Amrothos had to reach over and push her chin up for her to close her mouth. It was the girl from the train, now that she could better examine her she could see her arm was in a sling but her eyes were bright taking in everyone at the party at once yet focusing on the three people that surrounded her. "This is Amrothos, youngest male in the Dol Amroth family, and his younger sister Lothiriel." Amrothos took Eowyn's gloved hand and kissed it gently spouting something about it being nice to meet her. Then she turned to Lothiriel who was unsure of how her body began to move of its own volition to give this stunning woman a light hug and kiss on both cheeks.

"It is a joy to meet you." Lothiriel heard the words fall out of her mouth but was utterly unsure of where they came from. She had a very long list of questions for the lovely lady.

"And where is your brother?" Amrothos asked.

"Oh he stopped to talk to Mr. Dunedine and your father, but here he comes now." Eowyn said raising her good arm to wave behind Lothiriel. Lothiriel turned in the direction Eowyn waved and if she thought she had been speechless by the beauty and grace of the blonde Eowyn she was in no way prepared for the man approaching in great effortless strides across the room. He was simply breathtaking, she swore she would never use that to describe anything other than a beautiful landscape, a sweeping city, or a fantastic book but this man left her vocabulary very limited. Lothiriel's head swam as if she had drank too much wine yet Lothiriel knew she had yet to have a single drop. Once he joined the group he stood half a head taller than Faramir who was the tallest in their family at six foot even which means he was about six foot three inches. With her heels Lothiriel was lucky to reach five foot six inches, standing three inches shorter without them. His hair, blonde like his sister's, was parted drastically to the right of center and swooped ever so elegantly before resting just above his left temple. His cheekbones were set high and framed his straight nose which crowned his full emotionless lips. His look was completely somber and serious; which did nothing but turn Lothiriel's stomach into a churning uneasy pit of nervousness, he looked as if he had never known a happy day in his entire life.

"Lothiriel this is Eomer Marshall. Mr. Marshall this is my only female cousin and jewel of the Dol Amroth name." Now up close she would see that his Army Dress Greens brought out greatly the dark green flecks in his otherwise brown eyes. He took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, a warmth spread up her arm through her gloves and almost took her breath away, again. "And you remember Amrothos I'm sure." They both shook hands before Faramir and Eomer shook hands.

"Amrothos is the funny one right?" Eomer inquired without a smile at all which made Lothiriel think he had no idea what the word 'funny' meant. His voice was deep, much deeper than she had expected.

"On my best of days." Amrothos' arm was still in a sling similar to Eowyn's but he was ever good natured. Lothiriel realized that she was being most uncivilized and tried to rack her brain for something to say.

"Miss Marshall, I do love your dress." She managed to sputter out.

"Thank you, I was just admiring yours, who, may I ask, made it?"

"Oh Took Tailors downtown; I highly recommend them. I had it made a couple of years ago and simply have not had an occasion to wear it." She smoothed down the front of her dress. With Mr. Marshall standing next to her everything felt wrong. She felt that her conversation choice, while genuine, was vapid in nature especially considering she was talking to a war veteren. She was aware of every bit of clothing touching her. Her shoes felt too small, her corset too tight, her dress a shabby article despite its expensive price tag. The small amount of powder and lip stain made her feel like a painted whore. "Where did you get your dress?" She asked quietly; her throat seemed as dry as a rainless summer.

"Paris, before we left for home." She preened a little. "I saw it in a shop window and refused to leave without it."

"Oh how fabulous, I must say that I am quite jealous." Lothiriel moved a little to stand next to Eowyn so they could better talk without having to talk over the men, but her movements did not feel fluid, they felt jerky as if just waking from sleeping in a most uncomfortable position. Lothiriel was dying to know how Eowyn came to be in the War but dared not ask yet, it was rather impolite. When a waiter brought champagne around the group all took a flute and toasted to new friendships. Somewhere between the toast and her mouth Lothiriel managed to drop her flute of bubbly liquid and the crystal shattered all over the floor spilling some champagne on the bottom of her dress but most of it spilling out across the marble of the foyer under foot. Arwen Dunedine came to ask if anything was amiss but could hardly get a word in past Lothiriel's sincerest apologies. After she left and the servants were cleaning the area Lothiriel excused herself to the porch outside to get some much needed fresh air. Rifling through the hidden pockets of her dress she found her silver monogrammed cigarette case Erchirion had sent her from Europe took one out and lit it using one of the outdoor candles. A plume of gray smoke went up around her.

"Are you running a fever?!" Faramir scolded dashing out of the door she had only just crossed.

"Excuse me?" He closed the short space between them.

"What in heaven's name is wrong with you?" He gripped her elbow and lead her around away from the door and down the porch a ways.

"Well I didn't do it on purpose. Do you think I am not also embarrassed?" She snapped back only because no one else was on the porch with them.

"Please get it together. I really like her and I want a shot."

"Is everything alright dear?" Eowyn asked walking out onto the porch and wedging herself between Lothiriel and Faramir but speaking to Lothiriel.

"Yes, I'm not sure what came over me, it just slipped." She exhaled some smoke in the opposite direction of the other two. Eowyn took her cigarette and lit the end of her own. Lothiriel set her cigarette down and pulled her gloves off. They were too constricting and she figured she would let society think what they wanted.

"You are probably just as out of practice at this as I am." She soothed. "I always cared more about what my family thought than what society thought."

"Yes I agree." She took her cigarette back from Eowyn and drew in. "Although that does not really explain why my hands just did not want to cooperate."

"They seem just fine now; maybe you just had a spell." Lothiriel could see Faramir behind Eowyn, seething, he was gripping the porch rail and his knuckles were white with rage.

"Of course." Lothiriel knew though that it was not a simple spell or a burst of short breath, she knew that there was something about Eomer Marshall that made her feel uncomfortable, uneasy; although she did not know what. When they finished smoking the three of them headed back inside. Lothiriel noted that Faramir put a gentle caresses hand on Eowyn's lower back just before they crossed the threshold and then it was gone. She smiled at them, he was precious.

"If everyone will join us in the dining room, dinner will be served presently." A butler announced in his crisp suit.

"Finally, I'm famished." Lothiriel nearly jumped out of her dress, Amrothos had appeared next to her. "A little skiddish tonight are we?" He elbowed her playfully in the ribs.

"Yes, a little. Of course it doesn't help that you just appear out of thin air, or wake me up by staring at me." She said pressing her hand on her breast to stop her heart.

"Just trying to keep you on your toes." He gave her a gentle nudge into the dining room. The slightly vaulted ceiling gave the room an even larger appearance than it was and the three crystal chandeliers illuminated the room in a brilliant light. Incandescent lights, she thought to herself, what a pretty penny those must have cost. Dark oak paneling lined the chair rail and below and was topped with red and gold striped wallpaper. The floor was oak like the paneling but with an intricate swirling design around the perimeter. Her previous question about how to seat so many people was answered as there were eight round tables with ten chairs apiece pushed up to them. They were covered in various colored silk tablecloths and adored with autumn flowers and vases filled with floating candles.

"Oh my." She whispered noting that Amrothos wore the same look of awe that she did. Her family lived lavishly, her father's profession saw to that, not to mention the money he and her mother had inherited from their families but this was more than extravagant; this was luxury.

Her father who was ahead of them was seated at one of the tables and she noted that it bore a navy and hunter green silk tablecloth. She roamed around the table until she found her name. Amrothos was next to her on the left, then Erchirion, Elphir, their mother then her father was directly across from her. To her right was Faramir and then Eowyn took her seat next to him, which meant that Eomer would be to her father's left. She suppressed a groan, she did not particularly want to sit with him at dinner. The table next to them was occupied by four men who seemed to be some sort of relation. They were small, about her size, with curly hair and bright eyes. Sitting with them was a man a bit taller who had a bushy beard red beard and long hair of the same color. There was also a man who seemed to be about her age with almost white blonde hair and bright blue eyes. They were seated with Elessar and Arwen and a man who seemed far too old to have fought in the War. His face was wrinkled with age and his beard was longer than the red headed man's. Eomer stood still talking to Elessar, there was room for one more, perhaps he would sit with them; but as the servants brought out plates of food he returned to his seat. Lothiriel looked down at her salad and waited patiently. She sat in awe at the massive amounts of crystal and silver about the room. Everyone had the multiple forks, glasses, knives, spoons and plates.

"Friends, family, guests, thank you for joining us tonight, on such short notice. I do hope you all enjoy our time here. We will eat and there is plenty so please have your fill. After we dine we will adjourn to the back of the house for dancing and much needed revelry." He motioned with his hands for everyone to begin eating. She was waiting until her father started before she picked up her salad fork.

"Eomer, what is it you said you did again?" Elphir asked before eating a slice of tomato.

"I inherited my uncles horse farm. At one point our farm, Rohan, was the largest supplier of thoroughbred horses in America. However, due to some mismanagement on his manager Grima's part it has declined greatly. Although it is my goal to bring it back to its former glory." Lothiriel could ride a horse, she could do many things, her mother had seen to that, however horse riding was not her strongest point.

"If you need some help Erchirion and Amrothos would be more than willing to help." Imrahil chimed in to their conversation.

"Of course, I need people I can trust. I need a new manager, Erchirion would you be interested?" Eomer resumed his assault on his salad.

"Oh yes, indeed. What would I need to do?" Erchirion loved working, he always had. When they were little she remembered him helping the servants in the garden even when he didn't need to.

"Seeing to bills, paperwork, making sure the other workers are coming in on time and not leaving too early. My right hand." He said pausing only to eat more of his salad. "You know Imrahil, I think we could enter into some profitable business deals. I'll need lumber imported and horses imported and exported, with your railroad and ferry business we could do great things." Eomer tapped the end of his fork against his lips.

"Do you only deal in horses or do you also farm plants?" The question was out of Lothiriel's mouth before she had time to stop it. She looked up and noted that everyone was looking at her. She was unsure as to why other than her very intential silence thus far, she was a highly intelligent individual and she did honestly want to know.

"We also have some plant farming, it is a very large farm. We plant sage, wheat, corn, oats, and lavender. We also have a personal garden where we grow our own vegetables to eat and my mother worked very hard on a flower garden." He passed her question off as if anyone else had asked which was comforting. She quickly resumed eating, inwardly scolding herself for speaking yet preoccupied with imagining what this farm looked like. Faramir tapped her knee with his under the table in approval.

"Excellent," her father approved. "That would be even more ways we could be beneficial to one another." He smiled broadly and pushed his plate back. Lothiriel accidentally let go of her spoon and it dropped into her soup with a splash sending lobster and tomato bisque all over the linen tablecloth and flower arrangements.

"Oh my I'm so sorry." Servants flocked over with rags and quickly removed the table cloth. She sighed and looked down with her hands in her lap.

"Lothiriel, that is twice tonight. Do you need to go home?" Her mother whispered oddly patient with her daughter's newfound clumsiness.

"No, really I am quite alright." A new servant came through and added wine to each of their glasses then moved hers closer. "Thank you." She muttered under her breath. After a few moments their main course was served, roasted lamb with asparagus and honey sweetened carrots. Lothiriel realized that her hands were shaking, probably from how angry she was at herself. Somehow though she managed to get through dinner with no accidents, of course she only looked at her plate and not at Eomer. Dessert was brought out a rich cheesecake with dark chocolate crust. Fearing the worst she refrained from eating the crust. She ran her mind through visions where she smiled with black crust all over her teeth.

"Friends," Elessar stood and offered Arwen his arm. "If you will follow us though the house we will all enjoy a bit of music and dancing." The group followed behind the staircase in the hallway. It was carved to look as if vines were growing up it as you went so that they became smaller vines until at last at the top of the stairs they sprawled into the a great tree with seven eight pointed stars across the top.

"How lovely." Both Lothiriel and Eowyn gasped at the same time. In the back the house opened into an expansive ballroom with black marble pillars and white marble flooring. She touched the cool cylinder as she passed by. Desperately she wanted to see the rest of the house. She sighed contentedly noting the band in the back, they were a handsome bunch in their short tuxedos and their instruments. Waiters milled about carrying drinks, which Lothiriel decided to pass up this time.

"May I trouble you for a dance?" Erchirion asked offering her his hand.

"Oh it is trouble but I will dance just this once with you." A smile tugged at her lips before it gave way to a full grin. The first dance was a fox-trot, upbeat yet not too energetic. She loved moving around the room with him, he understood her you can always tell what people feel when they dance with you. It demands trust and confidence.

"So, please tell me what is going on in that pretty head of yours?" His grey eyes were worried about her, he was reading her, questioning.

"Nothing, honest." She knew he could see through the feeble attempt at a lie.

"Lothiriel in all the years I have known you, there is never 'nothing' going on in your head." He spun her a couple of times.

"I just want father to look good."

"And that tall blonde you keep casting sideways glances to before you spill something or tripping that has nothing to do with it?" He smirked as she missed a step and almost fell on him. "So there is something going on."

"He makes me uncomfortable. As if all of my clothes are too tight and I am a hobo hiding out in a train." She did not like this conversation but whispered a sincere bit of thanks for whoever decided that Erchirion should have this talk with her.

"So you think he's attractive?" He added some pressure to her back.

"Yes, he is attractive but he looks like a wolf. You don't want to keep one of those as a pet. They are oh so pretty but they could wring your neck in an instant." She wanted to look for the man in question but dared not take her eyes off of Erchirion who simply laughed at her description of Eomer. As the notes ended everyone applauded.

"He won't bite, unless you like it." Erchirion whispered.

"Erchirion!" She almost screeched. "That is out of line." She was being very serious; if anyone had overheard such a lewd comment it would reflect very poorly on their father. But after carefully looking around she determined no one was eavesdropping on their conversation she sighed and continued walking back into the crowd with Erchirion. "You were sent as a spy weren't you?" She asked looking up at him.

"We'll if we're all honest you have been most out of character tonight and they know I can talk to you without making you storm off; so yes." He kissed her gently on the temple. She did not have the chance to respond before she was whisked off into a dance with Elphir who was stoic and silent most of their dance. When she had made it twice around her family without stopping she demanded a break. Standing out on the veranda she lit herself another cigarette, what a happy night with family, she thought blowing a smoke ring into the night air. The chilly breeze felt wonderful to her after so much dancing. Turning with her back to the railing she watched the joyful scene inside; all the dancing, laughing, and life that existed in that one room. She chose to believe the all over the city things like this were happening. Deciding she had been away long enough, Lothiriel stubbed out her smoke and went back inside. Faramir was asking Eowyn to dance again and she was in the most flirty way possible pretending to decline.

"I hear the waltz is next would you join me?" Lothiriel nearly jumped over the railing. "Did I scare you?" He asked placing his hand on her elbow. His hand was warm but instead of steadying her it only seemed to make her more uneasy.

"Yes, but it is quite alright." She placed her right and on the throat in an effort to slow her breathing.

"Will you dance with me?" He repeated.

"Oh, I, well," she went through a quick internal struggle, "of course I, I will." Then after accepting his offer, mentally assaulted herself for transitioning from clumsy fool to a lady with a speech impediment. Eomer lead her out to the dance floor and then placed his hand on the small of her back then took her other hand in his, she wished she had put her gloves back on. The music started and they both counted before he lead her backwards across the floor. Lothiriel had to remind herself to breathe, but that took away from her ability to remember the steps of the waltz, which distracted her from paying attention to where he was leading her. Lothiriel found herself dreaming about touching his hair, the very bottom of it curled over the back of his collar. It was that realization that made her trip over nothing and stumble, only to have Eomer lift her slightly off the ground and help her correct herself. "Thank you." She muttered embarrassed at the return of her clumsiness.

"I have watched you dance all night; not once have you tripped." He observed not looking down when he spoke to her but out into the crowd.

"I, I, I have been drinking the whole time." She said weakly defending herself against his near accusation.

"Oh of course. That does often get the best of people." She rolled her eyes at his sarcastic tone. "Perhaps Imrahil did not do such a wonderful job raising his children as he thinks he did."

"Now wait just a damn minute." She started, but he cut her off.

"And curses too; my my my."

"He did a wonderful job raising us." She quipped. "I am just not having the best of nights." Her sudden defense of herself caused her to trip again.

"Daughter who can't dance, is obscenely clumsy, and cusses like she is one of her brothers, I am just waiting to be impressed." Lothiriel wanted to pull away and storm off but that would only further prove his point. She looked around the room and just followed the dance, not replying to him. "I am just joking with you. No need to be so defensive." He chuckled a little but his mouth never turned up in a smile.

"I found it most insensitive; I am trying to do my best." The song ended and with his hand still holding hers he dipped into a bow. "I am out of practice."

"My apologies misses, I mean no offense." She snatched her hand from his and stormed off toward her family. She could hear his laughter until she got back and firmly planted herself next to her mother and insisted that the dancing for her was over for the evening. However it did not cheapen the fact that she had the opportunity of watching the swirl of skirts and overall gaiety of the remainder of the evening. Despite herself whenever she saw Eomer dancing with someone else she couldn't help but feel a small pang of jealousy that it was not her. It was well past midnight when Elessar stood and nearly begged everyone to retire. You could hear the cars outside crank and start so that their passengers would not have to travel in such extreme colds. Then he took his position next to his wife at the entrance of the ball room and bid everyone goodnight as the throng made its way through their lovely house once more.

The stars sparkled against the cold sky above and while it was too cold for Lothiriel's taste she was happy to be out of so much stifling heat.

"Miss Dol Amroth!" She whipped her head around to see who called her only to be thoroughly disappointed at seeing Eomer run rather unceremoniously down the front steps while gripping tightly to his top hat.

"Yes?" She replied hoping that her face did not reveal the full level of distaste and distrust she had for him.

"I am very sorry for what I said earlier. I was only trying to lighten your mood." He took her hand and kissed the top of it.

"Well you have a very morbid sense of humor." She informed nearly snatching her hand away from him. In the process she did however throw herself off balance and fall forward into his chest. "Now if you will excuse me..." She defended smoothing her dress out before turning to walk back toward her family as calmly as possible. Lothiriel forced herself to unclench her fists and hold her head high. But she wanted nothing more than to sit on the curb and cry at how terrible she had been all night.

"Would you and one of your brothers, or maybe your cousin like to have lunch with Eowyn and I tomorrow?" Eomer said rushing to catch up with her.

"Of course, that would be fantastic!" Far amir exclaimed clapping Eomer on the shoulder.

"Most excellent. We were thinking of Tinvuiel's, my sister loved the resturant before the War and has been pestering me since Paris that we go."

"Wonderful, Lothiriel loves it as well. What do you say to 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon? It is afterall very late." Faramir said pulling out his pocket watch and checking the time.

"1:00 o'clock will do nicely." Eomer said shaking Faramir's hand. Lothiriel stood watching them talk aghast at what had just transpired. Eomer bid them all goodnight and waved politely as they drove off.

"What ever is wrong with you!?" Lothiriel shrieked once they were well down the driveway.

"What?" Faramir said trying to defend himself from her round of physical abuse.

"I did not want to have lunch with him. Why would you agree to that?!" Her voice rose two octaves.

"Because I want to have lunch with his sister." Lothiriel loved her cousin, and so for him she supposed she could endure one meal with Eomer.

Once they were home Lothiriel sighed contentedly on her way up the staircase to her room. It was over, thankfully, their first outing as a family again and despite her inability to function in society the evening had gone rather well she thought. But now that weariness was taking her she regretted telling Roxie she could have the night off. Lothiriel struggled out of her gown and corset luckily she this was one of her newer ones and the snaps were in the front. Slipping into her nightgown she looked out over the city one last time before climbing into bed and falling right to sleep.