Lothiriel hummed along with the clock as it sounded in the hallway. It was half past ten and while she should be readying herself for bed, instead she is lounging in the warmest bathwater that could be mustered. Her muscles were sore from riding all day and her mind was talking about things that she needed a long bath to organize and ponder.
She had rinsed herself off in Eowyn's bathroom before dinner; which both Eowyn and Eomer had insisted they stay for, before putting on her dress from the previous night. Her brothers, Eowyn, and Eomer all had to clean up before dinner so once she was ready she made her way back to the study. Lothiriel opened the door slowly to see Eomer leaning over the desk with his hands on either corner. This was the Eomer she was accustomed to. Powerful, overbearing, business, cigarette smoke wafted toward her from where he was standing. The tie he had apparently put on for dinner was pulled away from his neck and he was in deep thought over whatever it was that he was reading. As she turned to leave the floor creaked and she felt instantly terrible at having disturbed him.
"Miss Dol Amroth." He acknowledged lifting only his eyes to her for a moment.
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to disturb you." She apologized holding up a hand and moving to close the door.
"No it is quite alright. Come in." He was looking back at the desk again. She pressed her lips together and fidgeted trying to decided what she should do. Timidly she walked into the room past the couch and fireplace to where he was standing. "You have done well on these documents." He said, again without lifting his head. "Thank you." Lothiriel jerked her head up, of all the words he could have said those were not the ones she expected to hear.
"You're welcome." She whispered. The urge she had to touch him last night was only intensified now. "I was going to work some more..." she stopped talking because she was unsure of how to finish the sentence but she knew for sure that she was glad that the desk stood between them. She reached out and took the smoke he had abandoned in the ashtray and took a draw of it.
"Erchirion is right, you smoke too much."
"I do not." She insisted but this time he did look up at her long enough to then look down at her cigarette case where she had left it earlier in the day next to the cemetery of cigarette butts that lingered the ashtray.
"You don't have to work anymore today if you don't want to." He said restaking the papers and putting them back into the folder then setting them next to the typewriter on his way around the desk. Out of habit she backed up to put more space between them. Lothiriel instantly regretted her movements; his face clouded over with an unreadable expression that faded into pain. Pain greater than when she had kicked him in the head earlier. But he recovered quickly and picked up the ashtray and dumped it contents into the fireplace. They stood looking at one another, neither one of them wanting to break the spell of the moment by moving or saying anything.
"Your tie, let me help." Lothiriel stuttered and with all the grace of a newborn foal took a few steps toward him, threw the remainder of the smoke into the fire, and reached for his tie. Eomer lifted his chin but eyed her knowingly; she was making up for backing away. She fiddled with it more than was necessary as an excuse to be near him but not actually touching him.
"Dinner you two." Erchirion said sticking his head in the door and then looking embarrassed he had interrupted them.
In her moment of reflection in the bath she decided that powerful Eomer was not necessarily a bad Eomer, nor a scary Eomer. She also decided that she would work on being comfortable with subtle physical contact. Like what? she asked herself before ducking into the water to wash her hair. Squeezing his hand when he kissed hers, that was his favorite greeting for her so he was sure to do that and no one else would see. She came up for air, I can't do anything that makes me see incompetent though, I'm not that type of girl. She felt her face flush as she thought about what it might be like to kiss him. That is not subtle! Her inner voice screamed. There had been someone she kissed before but he had not come back from the War, or if he had he did not feel the need to contact her. Of course that was a good thing since she could no longer continue the budding romantic feelings she had for him before the War. But at this moment she could hardly remember the shape of his face or the smell of his skin. It all smelled faintly of earth and leather and his boyish sweet face grew more contours and rigid lines.
Tomorrow instead of going to Rohan she would instead go downtown and buy Christmas presents for the family; her father mentioned that Eowyn and Eomer would be present which currently sat well in her stomach. Or it did, until she realized that she had no clue what to buy Eomer. She thought about the possibilities until the water was cold and she went to bed still debating on what to get for him. She spent the majority of the next week and a half at Rohan, most days working but one day she took Alphros up to ride and play with Hasufel and Arod. The rhythm of the week was comfortable she had made considerable progress on the documents from the previous years. Every now and then Eomer would come in, she would smell him first but pretend not to notice, and he would lean over her shoulder placing a hand next to the typewriter and read what she was doing. He would stay like this only a moment but she never objected and she never asked him to stop.
On the day of Christmas Eve Lothiriel stayed home, deciding since everyone was going to be at their house for the evening and next day there was no real reason to travel so far. She spent the day decorating the Christmas tree and main parts of the house with Alphros; what that really meant is she attempted to keep him from destroying everything. At last he laid down for a nap and she went to read in the parlor next to the fire. The warmer weather had vanished into an almost bleak cold but she would not allow that to ruin the season. She stretched out on the couch with her book, contented with the appearance of the house and the smells of Christmas Eve dinner coming from the back. Her toes were lacquered red and she stretched them closer to the fire allowing one to dangle delicately off of the couch. Within just a few moments her eyes grew heavy and her book fell against her chest.
"Excuse me Miss Lothiriel." Geoffrey said softly. Lothiriel cracked an eye at him; could he not she see had only just fallen asleep?
"Yes, Geoffrey?" She asked her eyes still adjusting to the dim light of the room and they were not trying to focus on the two people behind Geoffrey.
"The Marshalls have arrived." Lothiriel narrowed her eyes and then sprang up from the couch upon understanding of what Geoffrey had said. She quickly greeted Eowyn with a hug and then turned to Eomer, who was, she tilted her head to the side because she was almost certain the corners of his mouth were turned up. It was not a full smile but it made her knees feel like they were made of marmalade. He took her hand and kissed the top.
"Did you have a pleasant nap?" He asked with the corners of his mouth still pulling up a bit.
"Yes, I did." She answered giving his hand a soft squeeze before he let it go.
"EOMER!" Alphros called running into the parlor.
"Hey there little guy." He said stooping down to pick Alphros up. "Are you ready for Christmas?" Lothiriel loved the growth she had seen in his behavior toward Alphros. As the two of them talked she thought about how awkward he had been the first time he met him and now Alphros loved Eomer because Eomer treated him like a person. Eowyn gave a gentle cough and Lothiriel realized that she was coughing because Lothiriel had what Faramir called "doe eyes."
"Where are the rest of your family?" Eowyn asked as Geoffrey took their bags upstairs to their rooms. Eowyn and Lothiriel would be sharing again and Eomer would be taking the free guest bedroom.
"Farther is at the warehouse, my two brothers that work with you are buying last minute gifts with mother, and Elphir and Faramir have not yet returned from work; although they should be here within the half hour." Soon her home would be full of cheer and family; just the way she liked it.
"Oh, I have one of your presents." Eomer said setting down Alphros.
"Mine?" Lothiriel questioned.
"Yes."
"One of?"
"Yes, I got you two." He seemed like no further answer was needed. "This one is very sensitive though; so you need to open it now." He said reaching out and taking her hand to lead her into the hallway. By the door a large box wrapped in silver paper sat waiting. "Go ahead open it." She looked at Eowyn who wore a blank expression. Lothiriel leaned in and ran her hands over the smooth paper. She curled her fingers under the lid and slowly, although full of anticipation, pulled the lid off and handed down to Alphros who was just as excited as she was. Peering into the box she was greeted by a pair of large eyes and a wagging tail.
"You got me a puppy?" She asked as her voice raised an octave. She reached in and pulled out her gift, complete with giant red bow. The dog was blue in color, with long legs and tail, and slender frame. "Hello you." She said nuzzling the puppy to her neck. "Thank you very much." Lothiriel cooed turned and wrapping her free arm around Eomer who seemed like this was an outcome he had never thought of. He momentarily wondered how tomorrow's present would go over but decided he simply wanted to be surprised.
"You're welcome but she comes with rules." Lothiriel frowned taking off her bow but listened intently. "You can keep her here with you when you are home but when you're not she has to come stay with me on the farm. If you come to the farm for the day she needs to come with you. I had to beg your mother to let me get her for you. She's a Great Dane, so you'll have to work with her because they are quite stubborn. I wanted to get you a Wolfhound like the boys but no one I know was having any puppies. I'll help you train her but you have to do what I say." He was using his business voice but Lothiriel didn't care, he had her best interest at heart. The puppy licked at her face and her heart warmed even more. Eowyn opened her arms to hold her and nuzzle her.
"Can I pet?" Alphros asked looking sheepishly at Lothiriel.
"Of course little prince." She said picking him up and holding him so that he could pet her new friend. Lothiriel glanced up at Eomer who seemed pleased with himself. "Be gentle." She encouraged as Alphros reached his hand out and rubbed the puppy from her ears to Eowyn's arm.
"Does she have a name?" He asked looking at Eomer.
"That's up to your Aunt Thi." Lothiriel leaned her head to the side. Eomer have never called her that before and was did not particularly like what it did to her stomach. It was too familiar, although she reasoned that he probably felt very comfortable.
"What do you think I should name her?" Lothiriel asked adding some space between her and Eomer.
"Elsa." The three adults looked at him.
"Where did you get that name?" Eowyn asked for them.
"Miss Elizabeth's sister. She's eight and brings me candy and grandmother says I cannot have any, but we sneak it when we play castle." This was a great and wonderful news to Lothiriel who worried that Alphros did not have opportunities with children his own age. This was a thought that plagued Lothiriel as Alphros ever drew closer to the age where he would be sent to boarding school. If one cannot make friends boarding school is a very scary place to exist. She already worried they would pick on him for not having a mother, although many of them would be attending without a father or mother given the current world events.
Slowly the remaining family members arrived, most heavy laden with last minute presents wrapped in gold paper with bright bows. The staff of the house was all a flutter, it was hard not to enjoy Christmas around Lothiriel who, with everything she did sang all of the carols she knew and her excitement was more contagious that the dreaded influenza. The help didn't seem to mind the large puppy who ran behind Lothiriel anywhere she went; even her mother, while she wouldn't outright admit it, thought this puppy was rather wonderful.
"Have you given your lady her present yet?" Lothiriel whispered to Erchirion who was unlacing his boots at the door.
"Hush will you." He said looking around to make sure that no one else was nearby. "No, not yet, I haven't had the occasion. She's busy at the moment with," he took a pause clearly looking for the right word, "with her family." He knew that technically this was truth but hope that he had acted through it because if anyone could pick up on the fact he was telling even a white lie it was Lothiriel.
"Well, I insist that you tell me if she likes it." Lothiriel cooed before picking up Elsa and going back to the parlor. Erchirion had requisitioned Lothiriel's help earlier in the week to procure a gift for his very secret lady friend. Erchirion refused to speak of her name, who her family was, or anything about her, he only said that he had never met anyone in his entire life who he could see loving forever, except her. He also made some comment about the fact that her letters had helped him through the war. Lothiriel smirked at him over the jewelry case in Moria Jewelers but envied his sweet romanticism. They had looked both in Moria and Erebor Jewelers finally finding a beautiful blue opal pendant wreathed in white gold scrolls and a white gold chain. He requested that it be wrapped in a simple brown paper, which Lothiriel thought odd since it was such a marvelous gift. Lothiriel thought about all of this as she was sitting down on the settee next to Eomer who was reading Alphros A Christmas Carol. A warm sense of familiarity washed over Lothiriel and she felt that even though things had not turned out according to her plans they had turned out acceptably.
Dinner was peaceful, ordinary, something Lothiriel had quite learned to appreciate. Eomer made Elsa lay on the floor between his and Lothiriel's feet under the table, where she curled up and quickly fell asleep. After their meal they returned to the parlor for the lighting of the Christmas tree, which was a family favorite. Once the tree was lit the doused all of the other lights in the house and just sat sipping eggnog and talking for hours. While they took turn lighting the tree Eomer snuck his smallest finger around Lothiriel's but did not look away from the festivities. She squeezed his gently but also kept her calm composure. Eventually Alphros fell asleep and Elphir carried him out to the carriage house where they lived. Her parents went to bed reminding them that tomorrow was a big day and everyone needed their sleep. At last the remaining occupants filed themselves away, Lothiriel taking Elsa with her of course.
Lothiriel woke with a start. It was still very dark outside and Eowyn was breathing softly next to her. She desperately wanted a drink of water so she stood quietly pulling the covers up so Eowyn wouldn't get cold. She pulled on her robe and made her way to the washroom at the end of the hallway. She noticed the door to the back balcony open and made a mental note to stop to see why Faramir was also up at, she looked quickly at the clock, two-thirty in the morning. After getting a drink of water and using the restroom she made her way to the balcony, picking up a blanket off the couch in the hall since she anticipated a long conversation if he was out this late.
"Faramir, it's two-thirty you shouldn't," but she let her sentence fall, Faramir was not on the balcony. Instead she saw a mess of blonde hair and smelt Eomer's particular brand of tobacco wafting up through the air. His head was planted on his knees with his arms holding them. He was in a thin nightshirt and trousers so there was no way he could be warm. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." She stammered out while backing up slowly. "I'll go." She turned quickly but he reached his free hand out and grabbed her.
"Stay?" He sounded small and vulnerable and that made her uneasy. He was supposed to be strong and unmoving. She shivered and told herself that it was against the cold and not this new side of Eomer she had never seen. Slowly she lowered herself to sit next to him and wrapped the quilt around them. She might actually die of hypothermia, she thought scooting inappropriately close to him. She could feel him grow tense at how close she was sitting but then relax. Lothiriel fit neatly in the place his arm had vacated and he looked at her while still resting his head on it.
"What's wrong?" She asked softly.
"Faramir asked if he could marry Eowyn." Lothiriel smiled but hid her face by breathing onto her hands.
"What did you tell him?"
"I said he had my blessing of course. How could I deny my sister such a happiness?" He said, his eyes piercing through her as if her were actually searching her brain for answers.
"The problem being? You don't like Faramir?"
"I adore your cousin. I have never seen my sister so alive. But, my home is huge, I will be so lonely when she's gone." He looked so empty.
"I do not think she will get married tomorrow, don't worry about something until it arrives." Out of instinct she took his hand in hers. The tips of his fingers were freezing cold so she rubbed them slowly between her hands. Being this intimate made her uncomfortable. Her stomach warmed but her ideas of propriety made her skin crawl. She was conflicted and ultimately let his hand fall after a few moments.
"You'll be leaving in a few weeks." He commented only adding to the somber mood.
"But I'll write you and if you're in Raleigh for business you can always stop by." She mused imaging her school friends faces when they saw him. "I'd cut class to spend the afternoon with you." Lothiriel had meant to keep that final thought to herself. Eomer knew how dedicated she wa to her lessons and that statement alone revealed a lot about her current feelings.
"Have I bewitched you so?" He asked with a little mirth in his voice.
"Depends on how long it will have been since I saw you last."
"How do you deal with Boromir's death?" Eomer asked suddenly causing Lothiriel to suck in a worried breath. She rolled the thought around in her head, Boromir's death, it wasn't something she thought of often mostly because a pain would seize her heart and so instead of dealing with it she simply ignored it.
"He's not dead." Her words came out of her mouth but with little conviction.
"Lothiriel. You know that he is." Eomer coaxed.
"Then you have your answer." She turned away from him and took one of his cigarettes and lit it with a match.
"It is harder for you this way." This time his voice was soothing and calm. She did not reply, she simply took long dags on her cigarette and wiped away the tears the pooled in her eyes. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. I was just thinking of Theodred and how much he would have liked your family. Then of course how much I miss him because it's Christmas Eve and he's not here." Lothiriel just let him talk, there was nothing she could say anyway. "I did not mean to make you sad." He said slipping his hand back over hers. She wanted to pull it away this time and not be so intimate, mostly because the conversation was being pushed toward her. They were wonderful at having fun and their work relationship was on par, but deep emotional conversations full of vulnerability and expectations were not what she had in mind. Touching him now, it made this whole situation more real, less dream like. They fell into a silence that ate at her heart; she knew she needed to say something but what was there to say?
"You were just being honest." She finally came up with. Eomer sighed and this time he looked away.
"Why did you stay out here?" He asked abruptly.
"You had hold of my wrist."
"You could have pulled away." That was true, he would never force her to stay, but she would rather lay it on him.
"You," she paused looking at him in the darkness, "I," she wracked her brain for what to say, "didn't want you to be cold." It would never hold much water but she didn't think he really needed it to. He was looking at her, then her mouth, then back at her eyes. For a month they had building to this moment; what was she going to do? She could feel her brain screaming at her to make a decision. She leaned forward and kissed his bottom lip. It was soft, softer than she had imagined, even with his growing in stubble. It lasted only a moment before they parted; both with wide surprised eyes. When she would later tell Faramir about this moment she said that she knew the minute she sat down that it was going to be worth sitting out in the cold for.
Eomer stood up first and reached his hands down to Lothiriel to help her up. He wants to speak, to thank her, but the magic of the moment shouldn't be cheapened with useless words. He decides that, whether she knows it or not, tomorrow's present will pale in comparison to what she has just given him. He pulls the door shut tightly behind them and walks her to her room. She looks up at him, and to Lothiriel, she was seeing him for the first time again. Tall, confident, handsome, and broken. The broken she had missed the first time; now it only served to make him more desirable to her. Eomer's cold fingers cupped her cheek as he leaned down and gently kissed her again before walking to the room he had been assigned. When she looked at the clock in her room it read three-thirty in the morning and she softly whispered a "Merry Christmas" to Eomer, though she knew he could not hear it.
This time when Lothiriel opened her eyes the sun was still not up; but she knew it was later in the morning. She pointed her toes in a stretch, careful not to wake Eowyn, and quietly put on her robe then tip-toed out into the hallway. The grandfather clock said six in the morning. At least she got a little sleep. The puppy lying in her arms was still mostly asleep and so she quietly made her way to the kitchen to make herself some tea. She set Elsa down on the newspapers on the porch and waited patiently; Lothiriel wasn't about to leave her darling outside in the cold while she made tea. Elsa seemed to understand and in no time was vying to be picked back up. Inside Lothiriel filled the kettle with water and set it on the stove to warm up.
"Good King Wenceslas look out on the..." Emma, Roxie's mother and head chef, came in singing and carrying a tray of eggs. "Oh Miss Lothiriel, what can I get for you?"
"Nothing, I'm just making some tea." She smiled warmly at this women who had take a considerable amount of care of her.
"You are up awful early."
"I couldn't sleep." She said honestly. Although she probably couldn't sleep because she had kissed Eomer, or was it because he had brought up Boromir? Perhaps just a general excitement for the day.
"Breakfast, according to your father, isn't planned for at least another two hours. I'll make you some camomile tea and get Roxie to check the fire in the library."
"Oh please don't wake Roxie. She deserves to sleep in. She's been so helpful lately."
"Very well, Geoffrey's up, he'll check the fire for you." Emma disappeared for a moment and came back when the kettle began singing. Elsa tilted her head back and forth at this new high pitched sound. With her tea and puppy in hand Lothiriel made her way to the library. She picked up her very tattered copy of Pride and Prejudice and opened to the middle. She wasn't entirely sure where she had stopped reading last time, but that didn't much matter to her anyway. Elsa curled up on the floor and Lothiriel laid down after taking several sips from her tea. Slowly her words blurred together until she was again asleep.
This sleep was not restful though. Her eyes saw images of Boromir and her sweetheart. She felt cold in her dream and vulnerable. She cried out for them; to save them, but nothing happened she could never reach them in time. Even in her dream she could feel how fast her physical heart was pounding. Seeing Boromir shot down and trying to run to him she jumped and sat upright on the couch. Elsa was missing and Lothiriel was covered in a blanket.
"You were shivering." Lothiriel didn't turn her head, she knew, Eomer. She heard him stand and walk over to her and set Elsa down on the floor. Her tiny nails clicked softly over to where they were. "You dreamed of Boromir?" He asked sitting down at her feet and reaching his hand out to her face. "And someone else. Edmund?" She felt a tear run down her face and he gently wiped it away with his thumb. "I know you don't want to talk about it." He leaned in and kissed her forehead and then stood. "It is almost eight your father will be ready for breakfast soon." She took his hand and ran quickly upstairs to get dressed.
It felt odd to eat in the dining room for breakfast. But Lothiriel understood the necessity. There simply was not room in the conservatory for all of them. Alphors had been crying and when Lothiriel tried to find out why she was promptly shut down by Elphir who in no uncertain terms reminded her that he was the boy's parent not her. This small argument only made Alphors cry anew. She gave up the argument. Her brother was insufferable, she wanted nothing more than to award him the slap that he deserved. Alas it was Christmas and she wouldn't cause a row at this time because it ultimately wasn't worth it.
When breakfast was over they filed into the parlor and all found their seats. Gathered around like this it made her uncomfortable to think of how angry she was at Elphir. Eomer had not sat next to her but rather across the room in a wingback chair. He, as always, seemed to be sitting on a childs chair. She smiled at him, remembering their soft kisses in the moonlight but Eomer only returned her smile with a raised eyebrow. Alphros was allowed to open all of his presents first so that he would be occupied while the others opened theirs. His favorite gift was from Eomer, who had a wooden horse and sword made for him. They then went in order oldest to youngest.
"Lothiriel, I suppose that you know what your gift from your mother and me is." She looked at the tree but nothing stood out to her. "We're allowing you, at the great behest of Eomer, to return to Meredith in a few weeks." No one had actually confirmed this for her until now. Her voice caught in her throat. The air in the room stopped moving.
"Thank you." Lothiriel said softly; trying to maintain her emotions. She swallowed then stood and hugged her parents. "Really thank you."
Eowyn's gift was by far the best. Faramir presented her with a large box wrapped in beautiful green ribbons. He made like it was the heaviest thing he had ever carried. Once she had the box open though she found yet another box inside along with a few rocks. This continued for five more boxes until she, in a very frustrated manner opened the last one. She picked up a tiny slip of paper and read it.
"Put me down and look up." When she did Faramir was kneeling on one knee with his mother's marquise diamond ring in his hand.
"Oh my!" Lothiriel gasped with the biggest smile she could muster. Eowyn blinked and then shook her head.
"Will you, Eowyn Marshall, do me the great honor of being my wife?" Faramir asked, tears forming in his eyes as he slipped the ring onto her left hand.
"Yes." It was a hoarse whisper buried under emotions that Eowyn didn't even know she had. She threw her arms around Faramir and placed a frantic kiss on his lips. If Lothiriel had died in that moment she would have done so very happy. It was the most beautiful thing she had seen other than Alphros as a baby. That was Eowyn's last gift which meant that it was time for Lothiriel to give and receive her last presents.
She pulled an envelope out of the tree. It was hidden behind an ornament that had been her great grandmothers. The envelope was velum and the script was written in an elegant calligraphy, which meant Lothiriel had most assuredly not written it herself. Eomer's name was scrawled over the front. He looked a little disappointed when she handed it to him but carefully opened it and read what the paper enclosed said.
"At the behest of Miss Lothiriel Dol Amroth, Buckleberry Saddlery offers you the honor of a custom made Saddle; all expenses paid. Please come to our place of business at your earliest convenience." He looked up with surprise. Eomer had no idea what he expected to find in the envelope but this was beyond anything he could have come up with. She looked at him demurely through her eyelashes.
"I was at a loss as to what to get you. Then I noticed your saddle the other day and asked Eowyn hold old it was." She rambled on even though one should never discuss their gift.
"That means it is time for the final present." Lothiriel looked at the tree, but there were no more presents so she was unsure as to what Eomer was talking about. He walked over to the small in wall bookshelf and pulled down something Lothiriel, and everyone else had failed to notice.
"When did you hide that there?" Elphir asked in a tone that hinted he was offended something had been pulled on him.
"Yesterday." Eomer smirked at his moment of genius. Elsa was a selfish gift for him to give because he wanted a puppy too, and training her would me that he got to see Lothiriel more often. But this gift was the one he knew he was going to give her the first night she came to Rohan. It was very obviously a book, Lothiriel thought holding it in her lap. The paper was so beautiful she hated to open it but did so anyway. But stopped once she saw the red corner and gold filigreed outline.
"I cannot accept this." She said refusing to open it further and refusing to meet Eomer's gaze.
"Lothiriel." Her mother hushed her.
"Library please." She stood and walked out of the parlor; she could hear Eomer walking behind her quickly but she could also hear Elphir's comment about her being ungrateful all of the time. "I cannot accept this." She said once Eomer had the library door closed.
"It's a gift Lothiriel." He replied pushing the book away from himself.
"This is a first edition of the Through the Looking Glass. I simply cannot." She felt like she was going to cry. She would do it too if that meant he would take it back.
"I want you to have it. You appreciate it so much more than I ever could." He crossed his arms and refused to budge from his decision.
"It is too much." The tears she was choking back were from excitement and pleasure and exasperation. How dare he offer her something so priceless; so important. It didn't matter the she would undoubtedly appreciate it more than he. The point was that it was an extravagant gift.
"You offend me by refusing to take it." He said so harshly she took a step back. "I want you to have it. It is my book to give away if I so please." Eomer took two steps toward her closing the space between them. He took her chin in his fingers and forced her to look at him. "It is your book now. If you wish to throw it into the fire that is your business."
"I would never!" She exclaimed a look of horror crossing her face.
"I know you wouldn't. Plus, if you think about it logically," he started walking away from her, "we'll be married and what books are in my library will become your books. So if you must think of it as a loan; even though it is your book." Lothiriel stared at the back of his head. The book that she used to determine that she did in fact hate him was now being used to determine that she may in fact now love him. He turned around when she did not respond. "Is that acceptable?" Lothiriel threw the book down onto the couch, crossed to him, took his face in her hands and pulled him down for a kiss. This was not like the kiss she gave him last night. No, this one was hungry; full of emotion. Her fingers gripped the back of his neck as Eomer nipped at her bottom lip.
"Thank you." She breathed once she got control over her emotions and her behavior. "I'm sorry, that was very inappropriate." The paisley design on the rug below her feet because the most interesting thing in the room.
"You're very welcome Miss Dol Amroth." Eomer replied tipping her chin up again. This time he awarded her the best Christmas present. A smile crossed his face. His cheeks raised slightly making his eyes smaller but yet they were full of life and the still surprised at her forwardness. In that moment Eomer Marshall was the most beautiful man she had ever seen; the smile changed everything.
