N/A: I am soooooooo sorry for all this delay!

My life has gone crazy and I don't know what to do anymore T.T

Thank you so much for all the support and love you guys gave this story so far.

I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 10

Éomer would never trust Éowyn again. She'd made assurances about what she'd find out: if Lothíriel had the same dreams, how she felt towards him, what were her thoughts on a possible courtship…

When his sister came back from a meeting with the Princess –one she failed to inform him it would happen-, she told him she had nothing to report. At first, Éomer thought that Lothíriel hadn't felt comfortable confiding on Éowyn, but it soon became clear she had talked to Éowyn, and it was his sister who was merely refusing to share information.

The weight of the betrayal was crushing.

Éothain was still having way too much fun with all of this, even if he insisted that it all was just a big coincidence, and Éomer was just projecting his dreams on the poor princess.

And though he knew it was possible that he was… He didn't believe it, not anymore. Yes, it was possibly just a dream, but not for him. The end of the night had brought a new clarity to his mind, and he didn't care anymore if everybody thought he was mad. He was sure it wasn't just a dream. For him it was as certain as it could be; she was meant to be with him, the same way he was meant to be with her.

It was just a question of making her see that.

He'd have supper with Imrahil and his family that night. He wasn't eager to face his friend –especially because of Éowyn's comment the night before – but he did want to see the princess. He wanted to spend some time with her, get to know her.

The only information that Éowyn had passed along was that Princess Lothíriel had spent a long time under Denethor's rule, and that had affected her deeply. Éomer had only heard stories about the late steward, but he could only guess what he'd put his niece through.

He tried to calm himself as he made his way to Imrahil's house in Minas Tirith. He could do this. It was just supper.

He was received by a servant and taken to the parlor where Imrahil and his family stood waiting for him.

"Éomer, my friend." The Prince clasped his shoulder. It was a relief to Éomer how his friend never treated him differently, never tried to be formal with him, just because he was now a King. "It's a pleasure to have you here with us."

"Imrahil." He smiled. "Thank you for having me tonight."

"Please." Imrahil gave him a smile. "It's been too long since we've talked properly."

"That is true." Éomer conceded, before turning and saying his greetings to the princes and Lady Helga.

Until he was finally able to turn to the princess.

She was so breathtakingly beautiful in his eyes. He could see no flaw in her, and he wished he could say those words to her. He wished he could make clear she was magnificent, no matter what people said.

Not yet.

"Princess." He bowed to her.

"Your Majesty." She curtsied prettily, her eyes on the ground.

"My sister told me you spent the morning together." He told her. "I hope it was a good morning."

She raised her eyes to him, an honest smile on her face. "It was an incredible morning. Lady Éowyn is a fine friend."

"I'm glad to hear that." Éomer smiled at her. "She considers you a friend as well, and I enjoy seeing the two of you together."

She blushed, then her eyes went back to the ground. "Yes, your Majesty."

Éomer leaned a bit closer to her -painfully aware that her whole family was there watching their interaction. "Now, can't we be friends as well?"

Her eyes shot to his face, and a stronger blush started taking over her face. "We just met yesterday." She indicated. "Your Majesty." She completed quickly.

"You hadn't met Éowyn before." He indicated.

"But we exchanged letters." She argued, some fierceness creeping into her voice, and Éomer was charmed by it.

Of course, it was then that Amrothos decided to get in the way. "How's the visit so far, Éomer?"

His voice was strained, and it was obvious he said the first thing he could think about, just to break the conversation between Éomer and Lothíriel.

The King took a deep breath. "It's getting better by the minute." Let them take this in whatever way they wished.

XxX

Supper was a friendly affair for a while, but as the night carried on it became a bit strained. It was obvious that the Prince's family was keen on observing the interaction between Éomer and the Princess. Lady Helga and Amrothos in particular, kept looking from one to the other. As time passed, the scrutiny made Lothíriel close herself more and more.

This wasn't what Éomer wanted. At all.

He wanted to get to know her, but it was clear that it wouldn't be possible with so many people around, even if they were her family. He needed to get her alone, but he had no idea if it was appropriate. Knowing Gondorians it wouldn't be.

"Princess." He turned to her, desperate to strike some sort of conversation. "Can you ride?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." She answered simply.

"Would you give my sister and me the pleasure of your company tomorrow morning for a ride?" He asked. "Faramir is coming as well, so I have to chaperone. If you were there, maybe you could keep Éowyn some company and spare me of the lovebirds." He smiled gently at her.

She opened a smile and was preparing to answer, when Amrothos –damn that prick –cut again. "That's a lovely idea. I'd love a ride in the morning."

Lothíriel snapped her mouth shut again and Éomer wished he could throttle the princeling. Imrahil had other two sons, he certainly wouldn't miss this one.

"You weren't invited, Amrothos." Imrahil indicated. "Your sister was. And I think it's a lovely idea. She can spend a bit more time with lady Éowyn. You should go, daughter."

Now they were all looking expectantly, and she seemed beyond uncomfortable and Éomer had to curse himself again for putting all the attention on her like that.

She looked from her father to him and Éomer gave her an encouraging smile, and she –hesitantly- smiled back. "I'd like that, Your Majesty."

"It's settled then." Imrahil celebrated.

XxX

It seemed like an eternity later when Éomer finally got a moment alone with the princess. He was starting to think her family was playing some strange maneuvering game with them, because Lady Helga had just conspired to give them a minute. He'd spent the entire night thinking she was against Lothíriel and Éomer spending time alone, but suddenly, she convinced all of the man that the Princess should show him the tapestries of the house.

Éomer was confused, but he wasn't questioning his luck.

There was huge tapestry in the dining room –the one they had left barely half an hour ago –that depicted the palace of Dol Amroth and the shore. It was beautiful and very well taken care.

"This is a piece of art." He commented.

The princess was gently running her fingers over the threads. "My mother loved tapestries." She told him, her voice soft. "She was capable of making the most beautiful of them."

"Can you weave?" He asked, his eyes following her.

"Not as well as she could." She replied, finally turning to him. "Nowadays I dedicate myself to preserving the ones we have."

He nodded. "It's a thoughtful work. We have many tapestries in Meduseld, but –unfortunately –they weren't appropriately cared for in many years. Many of them are worn out."

She was frowning. "That's sad."

He had to clench his hand from preventing from reaching out and smoothing her frown. "It is. They tell the story of our people." He turned his eyes to the sea scene in front of them. "In the King's chamber… My room…" He corrected himself. "There's a tapestry that is bigger than this one. It takes a whole wall. It's worn as well, but it's my favorite. It has Béma in it; he's astride his horse Nahar…" He sighed.

"He's guiding the herd of Meharas into Edoras." Lothíriel whispered beside him, her voice absent-minded.

Éomer felt his heart lose a beat, as he turned to her. "How do you know that?"

The princess looked at him, shock clear in her eyes. She hadn't realized she'd spoken out loud. "I…"

"You've seen it." He murmured in awe.

"I've never been to Rohan." She hurried to say.

"No. But you've seen it anyway." Hope was growing on his chest like an open flame on dry straw. "You saw it on a dream."

The princess paled suddenly, and Éomer feared he pushed too hard and she was about to faint.

He shouldn't have worried; she just turned her back and fled.

N/A: NOW HE KNOWS!

Oh Lord, here we go.

Next chapter: the dreams are back, but not the way they were before. And we have... A kiss ;)

Let me know how you feel about this chapter!

I'm planning some naughty Eomer/Lothiriel fanfictions, because I think I enjoy these two being naughty so... Might have one ready soon enough.

xoxo