A week passed and while Eowyn came over a few times there was no sign of Eomer. He was spoken of but he didn't call, he didn't stop by, he didn't even write. She was happy she had the opportunity to spend the week with her family. Happy to just be with them without distraction, without worrying.

Lothiriel stood looking at the train that sat in front of her. Amrothos would be accompanying her on the trip back to school. She passed around kisses and hugs to everyone. Her mother looked sorry that she was leaving.

"Please be careful my darling." Her mother said kissing her cheeks.

"I'm always careful mama." Lothiriel replied almost entirely sure she had not alleviated her mother's worryings.

"I'm sorry my brother couldn't be here. He was called away to a meeting." Eowyn said hugging her friend.

"That's quite alright. Business first." Lothiriel replied suppressing the sigh of relief that was within her. She knelt down and scooped up Alphros who was holding his father's hand and hiding behind his thigh. "Come here you." She held him tight to her chest, kissing his ear and downy hair.

"Stay Aunt Thi." He begged grippin the back of her dress.

"I can't Little Prince. I am going to school. I will be home soon." Lothiriel promised leaning back and pushing her nephew's hair out of his face. "You will have to make sure the house is well looked after while I'm gone. And take care of Elsa."

"I promise." Alphros answer sniffling and wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "Iloveyou." He whispered kissing her cheeks then square on the mouth.

"I love you too. Be good." She set him down and boarded her train with Erchirion boarding behind her as her escort.

Lothiriel took her seat and waved goodbye to her family. The train lurched forward pulling out of the station. Her hand pressed against the cool glass as a final goodbye. Her eyes welling up with tears. The past two months had gone by so quickly and yet she resented her excitement at going back to school. How could she feel so excited when just two months ago she was weeping at the loss of her family. At the end of the train station stood a tall blonde man in tan breeches. Lothiriel nearly broke her neck turning her head to look to see if it was Eomer.

"Pity Eomer couldn't be there to see you off." Erchirion remarked plopping down on the plush velvet seat across from his sister.

"Yes," she answered sardonically, "how terribly awful."

"You know, you haven't spoken about New Year's Eve since it happened." he lit a cigarette and offered one to her.

"There's nothing to talk about." She returned leaning into his lighter and taking a few puffs.

"Of course; silly me." He leaned back and just watched her as she stared out of the window.

It was a four hour trip to Raleigh, in which they maintained a large amount of their silence. Mentioning the scenery, or the growth of the buildings. As they drew closer they began talking about how it had grown despite the war. The train station was bustling with girls about her age all donning their Meredith uniforms. They easily found a cab and he escorted her all of the way to the college. It stood there, brick, unchanged; much unlike herself. She was different now and she carried with her a secret that would sooner die than tell her friends. Erchirion bid her goodbye once her trunk was safely in her room. In truth she was sad to see him leave, the last remaining bit of her home.

Lothiriel's sudden moroseness was lost to the sound of squeals as girls found their best friends; many of whom had only communicated through writing or short phone calls. Even Lothiriel herself was wrapped up in happiness at seeing her beloved friend Lucretia. As the days of their reunion strayed out into weeks and she found her routine, Lothiriel fell into a true and unforced happiness. Here there was no pretending, no fake smiles, no acting less intelligent than she was. No one looked down on her for just wanting to sit in the library and read a book; especially if it was a particularly rainy day. There were friends she could speak in German, her father's newest taboo for her.

"You've been so quiet since you got back. What's going on?" Lucretia pressed a little over a month into their semester.

"Nothing. Just so much has happened. I'm still adjusting."

"Lotie if you don't vent I'm going to give you the silent treatment."

"I will. I promise. I'm just not ready."

And she wasn't ready. There was no way she could even begin explaining this to her friend. Where would she start? How can you explain something so irrational? The days passed on and still they didn't talk about Lothiriel's change in attitude. But she does try to amend her behavior to make it less shut off. Her family calls weekly, Alphros always seems to make her cry when he tells her that he misses his aunt.

It's a sunny day in March when Lothiriel makes the decision to call home to have her mother arrange her train tickets for Spring Break. Lothiriel knew she could probably handle it herself but she never had before. As she crossed the quad going on the conversation in her head she saw the dean scurrying along with a tall man. Lothiriel didn't even bat an eyelash at this. There were men who worked at the school, professors, maintenance personnel and the like. However when she arrived in her building and the dean was waiting in the lobby her curiosity rose.

"Miss Dol Amroth, fantastic, just who I was looking for." She was a stately older woman who bore her propriety like a mantel. Her intelligence was something Lothiriel hoped to achieve. She had streaked silver hair and a hooked nose. Her crows feet, Lothiriel was sure, had come from years at scowling at girls who refused to attend to their studies.

"Yes ma'am?" Lothiriel nervously shifted her books, she had never been specifically addressed by the dean. Once she and Lucretia had come close when they created a mural protesting the president's lack of giving women the right to vote but they promised to clean it up and spent four Saturday's helping the grounds staff in order to keep their parents from being called.

"I hope you have something nice to wear. You have a visitor." Lothiriel's brows furrowed. Who would be visiting her here? Her family knew that her Easter Break was just around the corner. Then her heart swelled, maybe her father had business and had stopped in to see her while he was in town.

"A visitor?"

"Yes, your father has called and given you permission to miss curfew tonight, and possibly tomorrow night as well. But I warn you, if you misbehave I will send for your father first thing in the morning."

"Mrs. Donahue I have no idea what you are talking about." Lothiriel answered honestly.

"She's talking about me." Eomer said walking out of the bathroom behind the dean just as Lucretia was walking in from her afternoon classes.

"Your fiance." Mrs. Donahue snapped impatiently. Lucretia stormed past them elbowing Lothiriel in the process. "You're going to dinner with him tonight, wear something nice. And while you're out remember that you are a Meredith girl. Try to behave yourself."

"I'll be in the library until you are done getting ready." He shifted his hat nervously in his hands before following the dean out of their building. Lothiriel rolled her eyes, this was absolutely perfect. She trudged the two flights of stairs to her dorm room where Lucretia was sitting with her back to the door and her face firmly planted in a book.

"Look I know you're mad."

"I'm not mad."

"Please, you've been my best friend for three years,"

"Which is why I'm sad. How could you not tell me?" Lucretia asked before slamming the book in her hands shut. She was more heavy set than Lothiriel and never hesitated to use her weight to her advantage.

"Because I'm ashamed." Lothiriel sighed unbraiding her hair and brushing through it. She knew her friend was waiting for an explanation but Lothiriel was trying to figure out how to explain the entire situation. "Papa and my brothers met him and his sister during the war. They own that farm, Rohan."

"That's Eomer Marshall? You're engaged to Eomer Marshall?"

"How do you know who he is?" Lothiriel asked as she started to change her clothes.

"Rohan has, in the past, produced some of the best horses. My father has three of them. He speaks so highly of the farm. I guess he knew Eomer's father?"

"Uncle most likely. I have no idea what to wear." Lucretia looked over to find Lothiriel had pulled almost everything out of her closet.

"Green dress that you love."

"Anyway, papa told me that he had entered into a marriage contract with Eomer and that I wouldn't be allowed back here. Obviously I was distraught; so Eomer tells me that he isn't able to end the agreement but he'll try to convince my father to let me come back to school. Of course I give in; I'd probably marry a cow if it meant I still got to finish school. Well then I find out that they didn't actually sign the paperwork until after I had agreed to marry Eomer on my own."

"Lothiriel, you're joking right?"

"No. If I were joking I would have confessed to you already that I am engaged to one of the most eligible bachelors around. Instead I'm sitting here because I tricked myself into agreeing to something that didn't even exist. Of course with my luck if I hadn't eventually agreed then father really would have not allowed me to come back and I would be at home miserable because all of my friends were having fun sitting in classes."

"Well you look beautiful. As always."

"Oh hush. Now for my look of moroseness." She forced her smile into a frown.

"You have to admit, he's the most handsome man you've ever seen."

"Oh, I'm not arguing that in any way. But looks aren't everything." She quickly rubbed khol over her eyes and bit of tubed lipstick on.

"You don't want to keep him waiting." Lothiriel scoffed at her friend as she grabbed her bag and ran out of the door.

The dogwoods were just blooming as she walked across the quad towards the library. The signs of spring were rampant across campus. She imagined that Geoffrey's garden would almost be in full bloom. The fields of Rohan would be ripe with green early wheat. Looking up at the dean's office she could see the shadow of the dean watching her walk across the quad. The library smelled so comforting that she almost forgot her purpose for being there. Surrounded by all of her friends and yet she was searching for the one thing that did not belong here.

"Mister Marshall?" Eomer was seated in a plush chair with his ankle crossed over his knee eyes scanning quickly over the book in his hand. Even when he was seated he exuded power, his presence was unmistakable. Lothiriel could feel all the eyes in the room on the two of them.

"Miss Dol Amroth, you look very nice." He stood and placed the book back on the shelf where he got it from. They walked out silently, the tension between them completely tangible.

"You couldn't write first?" She blurted impatiently. "Or call?"

"Your father thought you might find an excuse not to see me; not to have dinner with me."

"He's a smart man, my father." Lothiriel sighed as she slid into the car next to Eomer. The driver must have been sent to pick Eomer up at the train station. Despite how much she disliked him she fought against her physical attraction to him tooth and nail. She supposed she could just give in, accept her fate, her life would be easier. Her dramatic side highly resented this thought. Of course since tonight they were under the pretense of an actual engagement she reasoned she should at least appear some what enamored with Eomer. "I'll do what is expected you know."

"What do you mean?" Eomer asked adjusting his hat.

"We're engaged, I suppose I should act like it." Lothiriel noted slipping to turn and face him.

"I suppose you should, of course I don't expect you to continue the act when we're done." Eomer paused looking out the window of the car. "But I'm sure that you had already planned for it." It was sarcastic and cut deep. It was true but Eomer didn't have to say it. It drove home the fact that he was smitten with her and she cared little for him. "I haven't forgotten that you have not yet asked to see me. Which means you don't actually want to see me right now."

"We don't have to talk about this." She reached over and ran her fingers over his fingers.

"No one can see you right now. Save your energy." She turned away from him her eyes watching the city. The truth was her own doing. They rode in silence, something Lothiriel was growing good at. It was quite easy to stay angry at Eomer, easy to push him away. They pulled up in front of the finest hotel in the city. It's white columns were shining symbols of wealth and opulence. It was only appropriate that the finest businessmen would want to meet here. "I am representing my farm and your father's business."

"I know, I know. You represent us all, behave." She rolled her eyes and smoothed her dress. "Darling, I can't sit in this car forever." Just calling him darling filled her with self loathing. When Eomer opened the door for her she took his arm and walked into the hotel with him.

It was beautiful, marble, bronze, and gold. Crystal light fixtures sending rainbows across the room. She couldn't help but feel beautiful in this room, even if the company made her feel like little more than a wine glass bought to complete a set. When those in front of them were announced very few people turned and looked, however when her name was called with Eomer's the room grew silent. The power the two of them held was apparently much more potent than she had believed. The evening wore on, Lothiriel listened openly, gathering information on the inner workings of the business world. How intricately everything was connected. Many people propositioned Eomer to do business with them but he swore only allegiance with her father.

"I'll be right back." She whispered closely into Eomer's ear. She picked up her cigarette case with her. She never complained about being bored because ultimately this would be her business too. As the smoke filled her lungs she imagined how it might feel to be home in Charlotte with Eomer away in the city. Maybe there would be a blonde child she would have to look after. Would she have to worry about infidelity?

"Quite a show you put on last I saw you." A melodic voice called out breaking her from her reverie.

"Ah, Legolas Greenleaf, how nice to see you again." Lothiriel said smiling at him. His grey eyes following the movement of her hand to her lips.

"Did you ride all the way up here with Eomer?"

"No, I am in school at Meredith. It was convenient for him."

"As was your impending marriage, I think." Legolas was prying, but for what reason? Nonetheless Lothiriel was unable to keep her shock at her thin veiled secret being out.

"He's a good man."

"I never said he wasn't. He's a great fighter, very brave, very honorable." Legolas said peering in through the French doors. "Honor does not bring happiness."

"Neither does speculating about what might be or what could have been." She said stubbing out her cigarette in the ashtray and turning to leave from a conversation that could end badly.

"Perhaps you could be swayed to change your mind about your marriage?" Legolas took a step toward her and placed his hand on her elbow.

"I don't think I could. Just because it's convenient doesn't mean that I don't care for him." Her voice wavered slightly. There was no denying the attractiveness of the man in front of her but that would ruin her school and break more than just Eomer's heart.

"And the acting you're doing tonight? My father's very rich. You wouldn't need the deal with yours to continue your schooling." He stepped closer to her invading her space even more.

"I think that if you are so easily able to betray your friends, would you then not expect me to question your faithfulness to me?" She tilted her head to the side with a sly smile on her face. "I'll be clear with you. No. My engagement is just fine." She shook her arm free and turned again to go inside just as Eomer was coming out. Seeing him face to face after standing up for him made her heart swell a little.

"Care for another?" He asked offering one of his cigarettes and she took one leaning in as he lit it. "Legolas, friend, I didn't know you were here."

"Of course. Any meeting of this caliber you know my father wants a say in what's happening." Legolas was calm, collected, not at all acting like he had just tried to betray his friend.

"Your father is doing business with Imrahil and myself?" Eomer asked taking a drag on his cigarette.

"Yes. Two most successful people, able to come back from war and make money. He wouldn't dare miss the opportunity." Lothiriel stepped closer to Eomer, close enough to feel his body heat. Not at all like he had just tried to destroy his friend's relationship. She wasn't sure if it was for protection or because she wanted to show solidarity even if it was forced.

"Legolas, I wonder if you might give us a minute." Eomer asked placing his hand on Lothiriel's lower back. She jumped a little stifling a gasp. Legolas nodded before kissing Lothiriel's hand and walking back through the massive French doors. "Are you alright?" Eomer asked turning to face her.

"Yes, I'm fine." She answered a little indignantly.

"Sorry. You looked uncomfortable when you were talking to him." He raised his hand as if to tuck her hair or touch her cheek but stopped himself. "I didn't mean to offend you."

"I'm sorry I'm not what you want me to be." She looked down, scuffing her heel against the stone terrace. He gripped her chin and lifted her head up.

"I have no argument with you. Your anger is understandable." He let her face go. "We were almost happy."

"You were almost honest." The moment wafted away in the early spring breeze.

"I haven't lied to you since." Eomer said trying to get it back. "Of course there hasn't been much of an opportunity."

"No, there hasn't." She said her hand reaching out and straightening the lapels of his coat. Eomer put out his cigarette and returned inside. The night wore on into the early morning and before she knew it Lothiriel was trudging up the stairs of her dorm. He had walked her to the gate, after curfew he would not be permitted on campus, and simply kissed her hand as was his custom.

When dawn peaked through her windows Lothiriel rolled over with a groan. Breakfast was served promptly at seven and attendance was mandatory. Lucretia would want details, Lothiriel would either have to make them up or let her friend down. It was a wonderful party, everyone was beautiful, and she hated every moment of it. Which is exactly how breakfast went. Lothiriel had tried to hide in her homework she had not been able to complete but Lucretia was vehement that very detail be spilled. It wasn't until after lunch that Lothiriel had a moment to herself. Back to back classes kept her busy and the few minutes between classes were spent running to the next one to work on some unfinished assignment. So sitting under the dogwoods in the shade was peaceful; until a shadow crossed over her.

"Miss Dol Amroth, always so studious." Eomer said looking down at her.

"That is what college is for, no?" She quipped closing her book. "Would you like to sit?"

"No, I'm not staying. I just came to say goodbye." Lothiriel set her book to the side and stood, not that it made a great lot of difference.

"I thought,"

"Yes, well I am eager to return to Rohan and my sister hardly has time for farm issues when her head is so full of wedding plans." He laughed but it was dry and unfeeling. Last night, Lothiriel surmised, he had been acting as well.

"I see. Well I hope you have very safe travels back." She said looking up, her eyes scanning over Eomer's face, looking for anything that might give insight into his emotions.

"May I have a kiss to ensure my safety?" Lothiriel looked down at her feet, her face turning scarlet.

"Of course." She said taking a step closer to him, he smelled like leather and aftershave. How dare she deny him this when his kindness to her had been so obvious. That and she wanted the feel of his lips against hers again. It was soft, quick; lasting the briefest of moments. Their skin scarcely touching, the warmth of his lips still a memory.

The kiss haunted Lothiriel. It was a phantom in her dreams, a waking nightmare of want and desire. She found herself touching her lips during classes or while she was studying. Her longing for home and Easter Break was hampered by work and papers; poetry, German lessons, her senior paper outline and sources. Even on the day of her trip home she found herself trying to hide away her excitement at seeing Eomer again with the general thrill of going home; the joys of travel. Elphir picked her up at just past ten. The train ride was excruciating and she masked her anticipation with the pleasure she would find in seeing her family again. When the train pulled into the station at half past four she was saddened to see none of her family waiting for her; but assumed that their work schedules had kept them away. Although her mother could have brought Alphros to the station; she thought watching Elphir pull her bag from the train.

"Everyone should be home by the time we get there." He said comfortingly walking toward the family car with Geoffrey sitting in the front seat. She always loved the awe she felt staring at her home city as it unfolded before her. The crepe myrtles were in bloom, covering the city in pink and white blossoms. The cherry trees in the front yard were pale and perfect and the tulip magnolias sweet scent filled the open windows of the car. "Home sweet home." Elphir said opening the door.

"Aunt Thi!" Alphros screeched running from the back of the house. He caught her around the knees burying his face in her skirts.

"My handsome little prince." Lothiriel replied with equal vehemence before picking him up in her arms. Smelling his hair and his skin, the way it smelled like spring and innocence. "Look at how nice you look in your blue shirt."

"Aunt Thi's favorite shirt?"

"Yes, little one, my favorite." Lothiriel said burying her face in his neck. "I have missed you so much." She carried him into the house. Spring roses and peonies made the house smell warm and comforting.

"Daughter, how wonderful to see you." Her father said coming down the stairs; his suit pristine as ever.

"Papa!" She loved the first moments of a reunion; so intimate and honest. His hug was a hug from before her engagement.

"Your mother is in town with the cook. Full house for dinner today." Her father combed his hand through his growing beard and turned back upstairs.

Lothiriel took this time to go unpack. Two weeks at home and she tried not to bring every possible thing she had taken with her for the semester. But she did need to trade out her winter dresses for cooler spring ones. Her room smelled stale despite Roxie's attempts at freshening it up. Lothiriel promptly opened the windows to let a breeze through. She could feel her anticipation beginning to rise. She took time to get a bath and let her hair dry before dinner. She pulled it back in a simple braid and forewent the makeup for the evening. The sound of multiple car doors shutting brought her down stairs quickly. Everyone was gathered in the entryway; Erchirion and Amrothos, and Faramir and Eowyn.

"Look at this sweet little girl!" Faramir said scooping her up and spinning her before almost tossing her to her brothers who hugged her in their own way. Eowyn's hug was long and tight.

"You might write me every week but I am absolutely offended that you have stayed away so long." Eowyn said kissing her friend's cheeks.

"Well just another month or so and then I'll be home for three months." Lothiriel hardly finished the sentence before Eowyn let free a squeal of excitement.

"Three months of wedding planning! I know traditionally weddings are small but I want it to be right. I want it be perfect." Eowyn pulled Lothiriel into the parlor and sat on the sofa. "I was thinking about Thanksgiving, you'll be home. Blue dresses, the flowers have me all confused."

"I know a lot about flowers." Lothiriel said taking the wingback chair Eomer usually took. "Geoffrey was an excellent teacher." She beamed happily.

"Where's Eomer?" Faramir asked noticing finally that he was the only one from the group who was missing.

"He has a meeting, he might be late if he is able to come." Eowyn sighed. As far as anyone knew they were still in the middle of their falling out but Lothiriel ardently wanted to see him now, to talk to him and clear the air. "Plus he was not entirely sure he would be welcomed." This time Eowyn looked to Lothiriel pointedly. "If you've forgiven him you should let him know."

"This is my father's house. My father adores Eomer; of course he is welcome here." Lothiriel answered.

"You know that is not what I meant." Eowyn snapped back. Lothiriel couldn't blame her for the response; she would have been equally defensive of her brothers. "You told him you didn't want to see him. If you want to then call the house. If not deal with the fact that he's not here." Eowyn got up and walked to the window. "You two are completely exhausting."

But Eomer didn't come to dinner that night, or any other night in the two weeks she was home for Easter break. If Lothiriel went to the Rohan, Eomer was scarce. He would disappear to the barns or out into the fields. If she stayed for dinner Eomer would never show. Even as she was leaving again he was not present at the train station. She sighed unhappily as the train pulled out of the station.

"You're mopping." Lucretia said a week after her return.

"I am not." Lothiriel countered; her face firmly planted in one of her German textbooks.

"Lotie, I'm not an idiot. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just worried about my thesis approval." Lothiriel said with a sigh before turning the page. Lucretia let it go, thankfully, and the school year progressed without further discussion of Lothiriel's moodiness. And with no letters from Eomer. Lothiriel had written him several times and there was no reply. If she called Eomer always seemed to be out. Lothiriel found herself exhausted by the situation. It came as no surprise to her when her train pulled into the station on the twenty-fifth of May that Eomer was not there to greet her and so she demanded that Faramir take her to Rohan unexpectedly.

"He's not there." Faramir said putting her trunks into the car. "He's on business in Boston."

"Fuck." Lothiriel cursed loudly. "Take me home then." She sighed with resignation. "I've been trying to talk to him since I was home at Easter."

"You have greatly wounded his pride; he may be simply playing your game better than you are."

"When will he be back from Boston?"

"He left yesterday, probably by the fifteenth." Lothiriel sighed and laid her head against the window.

The next morning she drove herself to Rohan if for no other reason than to spend time with Eowyn. She deeply missed her friend and thought that perhaps Eowyn could shed some light on Eomer's current emotional state. The drive was longer than she remembered leaving her plenty of time to run through the conversation in her head. When she pulled into the circle of the driveway Eowyn stepped out on the porch to greet her.

"Well look who it is." Eowyn was holding a rose colored tea cup and her hair was pinned behind her ears.

"Hello, friend. I thought I might come check up on the paperwork around here, and spend the day with you." Eowyn laughed at her.

"You missed this place; and of course you missed me." Lothiriel walked closer to her and Eowyn handed her the tea cup in her hand. "Your brothers told me you were coming."

"Just the way I like it. You remembered." Lothiriel smiled up at her, the previous nights harsh words forgotten.

"Miss Marshall?" A familiar voice called from behind Lothiriel.

"Yes Edmund?" Eowyn asked peering around Lothiriel who was frozen in place.

"I was wondering if you wanted me to take Firefoot out for a ride today." His voice was the same as it had always been. Soft, constant, like a soft piano melody.

"No, Lothiriel and I will take him out. See if Erchirion needs you."

"Yes ma'am." When she heard his footsteps ebb away Lothiriel let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding. Eowyn watched her for a moment before turning and going into the house; the obvious implication that Lothiriel should follow.

"You know him." Her voice never wavered but the question was obvious.

"Yes. He should not be here." Lothiriel said as she tried to hide the emotions there. She had not looked at him and she didn't need to do so. "I need to speak with Erchirion."

"About Edmund?"

"He cannot work here." Lothiriel whispered her reply. "He," there were no words to convey her emotions.

"I'll go fetch him. Wait in the study."

Lothiriel did as she was told. She flipped through months of back paperwork. Clearly no one had dared to work on it without her. There was plenty of work to do here. She could catch up, show Eomer she still cared while he was away. But at the moment she only pretended to look at the papers while she thought about Edmund and what his presence would mean.

"What is so important you called me away from work?" Erchirion asked stamping into the study without his boots.

"Edmund?" Lothiriel set down the papers she was holding and pressed them into a nice pile.

"What about him?" Erchirion asked, clearly annoyed.

"How could you hire him? I thought, he didn't return on the train, he," her words rushed out of her mouth.

"Lothiriel what are you going on about?" He ran his hands through his hair in the manner that showed how exasperated he was.

"I loved him!" Lothiriel finally yelled. "He loved me! What have you done? You have to fire him. Things between Eomer and I are already rocky, you cannot have him here."

"Lothiriel I'm sure his feelings have dissipated."

"Erchirion I can assure they have not. He expected to come home to me and I am unable to give him what we agreed on. I promised I would marry him. Please." Her voice shook with fear.

"You'll have to explain it to him." Erchirion said turning to leave.

"Please." She tried once more before he disappeared. A tear slipped down her face. Of course she knew why he had been hired. He was a veteran, just like the others, and he had once been a great friend of her family. Erchirion had, without a doubt, vouched for his loyalty and his hardworking disposition. She would keep this secret. She would bare this alone, she had no other choice.

Lothiriel poured herself into her work; she made it through the first week without any interruption. She thought perhaps Eomer would return and she could discuss this delicate situation with him. That would be best, show her honesty and commitment.

"You've been avoiding me." Edmund stood in the doorway. "Why is that?" Eomer's dogs laid sleeping at her feet.

"I'm sure you know by now. This household does not keep secrets." She refused to look up at him anymore. His face bore a scar along his cheek.

"You are to be unhappily joined with the master of this house."

"I do not know about unhappily, but yes we are to be married." She watched his movement from the corner of her eye and nudged the sleeping dogs awake with her toes.

"And your promise to me?" He took a few steps towards her.

"That was a long time ago." Lothiriel finally looked up at him, praying one of her brothers or Eowyn would walk in. "I mourned your death many months ago."

"Was it a lie?" He pressed coming closer still.

"You shouldn't be here." She said not answering his question. "I have work to do, as do you." Lothiriel turned away, her back to him and waiting until she heard him exit before turning back.

For a week she avoided Edmund. If he was at the house she went down to the barn. If Edmund was in the field she made sure that Eowyn and herself found alternate places to ride. He never ventured into the garden and so there she found great solitude. Geoffrey had taught her a lot about flowering plants and growing things and so when she was not working on backlog of paperwork she was happy in the garden, restoring it, keeping it, making it more beautiful than when she first arrived.

As her second week home from school spanned out she spent an equal amount of time at her home in the city as she did at Rohan. The heat of the coming summer was already pressing in, the humidity creating extra pressure in the house. Windows were thrown open and screens placed where they belonged. A gust of wind sent papers flying about the study and Lothiriel bent to pick them up.

"Truly, you have lost all affections for me?" Edmund asked standing over her as she picked up March's invoices.

"Edmund, you should not be in here." She said stacking them neatly back where they belonged.

"You say that so frequently, you must dream it. But it doesn't answer the question."

"Yes. There are no affections left." Lothiriel walked around the table to put something between the two of them.

"You're a liar. Amrothos has told me of your troubles with Eomer." Edmund spat with anger.

"The business that lies between Mister Marshall and myself is none of your concern." Edmund rounded the table and grabbed her shoulders.

"You are my business, you have been for many years." He said, his grip tightening around her upper arms.

"Let go of me." She said trying to shake free. "You are part of my past, part of my life from before the war. I shall return the ring you gave to me. You may work here but there is nothing more between us." Lothiriel answered still unable to shake him off.

"How can you say such things?" A car door shut in the yard, Eowyn would be back from town. Lothiriel felt a renewed urgency to be rid of him.

"You never wrote me. No one knew of you. I assumed you dead. You did not return with the others. I have honor and duty to think of. You must move on, Edmund. Things will never again be as they were." Without warning he grasped her face and pressed his lips to hers. Lothiriel tried to pull away be he held her tight. Her fists beat against his chest, her feet kicked against his legs. Finally she gave in momentarily before biting his lip and drawing blood.

"Lothiriel." Edmund said wiping his lip on his sleeve, leaving a streak of blood across the white cuff. But Lothiriel's eyes were glued on the door, mouth open and covered with her hand. Edmund's head turned, his lip bleeding anew. "Mister Marshall, welcome home."