After a long time of not writing, I've completed the next chapter. I'm already working on the next one.
"Have the knights assemble near the stables, we will be departing shortly. I will not be riding my mare, she is no warhorse and therefore, unfit to ride into battle."
Lothíriel stood fidgeting with her wrist guards as she was instructing the knight standing in front of her. She was concentrating very hard, lightly pressing on one of them as if she was searching for something. Becoming frustrated, she gave up and turned her attention to the two small knives lying on the table. She picked up her whetstone and began sharpening one of them.
"Do not take my saddlebag; I still have a few things to put in it. The stable master already knows which horse I will be riding. Tell him that I won't need a bridle, just a leather strap to hold onto."
She set down the knife in her hand, picked up the other one, and started sharpening it. With a nod of her head, Lothíriel dismissed the knight. She ran the knife over the whetstone a few more times, taking note of the pair of blues eyes staring at her.
Avoiding Éomer's stare, Lothíriel put the knife down on the table and packed her whetstone into her saddle bag. It was only until after she had secured the straps through the buckles of the bag that she looked up into his eyes. Her heart started thumping faster, and she found it hard to catch her breath.
"I believe there is something you want to say to me, but you are afraid of sounding improper. Like my brother Rothy, I am not always concerned with social formalities."
Lothíriel's lips twitched slightly and her eyes sparkled brightly. A mischievous grin spread across Éomer's face. With his eyes fixed on Lothíriel, he slowly walked towards her. Try as she might, Lothíriel could not take her eyes off of Éomer. The look in his eyes frightened her and yet, started her heart pounding and sent a fire spreading over her body. Éomer stopped within arms-reach of Lothíriel. Because of his towering stature, she had to look up to see his face. Éomer's playful grin had disappeared, and there was something deep and dark in his eyes.
Lothíriel's cheeks flooded with color and she quickly looked down at the floor. Éomer reached his hand out and held Lothíriel's chin between his fingers. He gently pulled her face up so he could look into her eyes. Her lower lip started trembling as Éomer moved his thumb to caress her chin. Lothíriel heard movement in the hallway and hastily walked over to the table. Captain Harrick walked into the room escorted by two knights.
"My lady, the stable master seems to be having trouble saddling your horse and asks that you assist in calming him down."
"I will be there as soon as I can. First, there are a few things we need to discuss."
Captain Harrick instructed the two knights to wait outside. As they left the room, he motioned for a handful of archers to enter.
Lothíriel turned and faced the group of men. They wore green and brown and had light leather armour. Their clothes were just as worn and ragged as the men themselves, as they looked like they hadn't had a good night's rest in weeks.
"You are the best scouts and archers Dol Amroth has, do not fail in your mission or all is lost. Captain, pass me one of those bows."
Captain Harrick picked up a seemingly normal bow and gave it to Lothíriel. She ran her hands along the bow and stopped at a spot right in the middle of the bow. Éomer stood next to Lothíriel to examine it.
"There's something special about this bow", he said.
"Yes. Right there, is a piece of flint", she said running her finger over it.
Lothíriel grabbed an arrow from her quiver and strung it into the bow. Steadying herself, she aimed at the fireplace. She pulled the bowstring tight causing the arrow to rub against the flint and catch on fire. Quickly releasing the flaming arrow, it went flying through the air; it landed in the fireplace and was engulfed by the flames.
Putting the bow down she said, "It's a fire bow, something my grandfather came up with to dazzle his guests. I never thought I would be using a party trick in battle."
"Now, we must discuss the battle plan which I will share with the captains at the encampment. But what these men plan to do with the fire bow cannot leave this room."
