Lady Istalri - Wow! I am so glad you enjoy the story so much! Perhaps I will write more for these characters one day...

Luinwen-2013 - I think she does :)

Thank you, all reviewers. Well, here it is: the last chapter. I won't say anything more until the end. Enjoy!

Chapter 20 - Discovering

L

After a full day of thinking about him, my stomach turning every which way and my mind turning even more, I have decided to somehow corner this man. I cannot live here as an unwelcome guest. I need to find out what I did wrong and set it straight. Unless you did nothing wrong. Maybe he just doesn't want you anymore.

I push the ugly thoughts from my head.

Tonight. After supper. I know not how, but I will find a way to be alone with him.

Maybe I should drink again.

Because it worked out so well last time?

Right. I will just have to pluck up the courage, then.

He would appreciate that.

The King dines with his captains tonight. Everyone must presume that the men are discussing defense strategies or how things ought to be done in this new regime. I, however, rather think the King wishes to sit as far from me as possible. Unfortunately for him, he won't get away so easily. I make sure to sit next to my cousin, facing his table, where I am able to keep an eye on him at all times. As soon as he rises, I intend to excuse myself for some fresh air. All I can do is hope that he needs a breather, too.

I barely eat my food, as I have done all day. I make sure to laugh and talk as much as I can to distract from the misery that would otherwise surely be evident on my face. Father and Eowyn have bought my play, but Faramir has been curiously watchful of me. I wonder if Eowyn told him about last night. If I was quiet for a little too long, or if I missed laughing at a joke, his grey eyes found my honey-brown ones. I would smile back reassuringly, but I always got the impression that he did not believe me. Yet every time, he says nothing.

I begin to think Eomer will never leave his comrades, when he suddenly stands and walks to his throne. What is he doing? This is not part of the plan!

'My lords and ladies, please continue to eat and drink. I myself will retire for a while. If anyone should need me- do not bother!' The room chuckles in appreciation and understanding.

Great. He is going off on his own to be sure, but if I leave now I will look very suspicious indeed. What to do?!

I watch him carefully, trying to guess where he might be headed.

'Try the back garden.' A whisper from beside me.

I look back at Faramir, wonder in my mind.

'Trust me.'

I nod, taking his fingers in gratitude, and excuse myself for the latrine.

I head in the right direction, but instead of making my last turn, I walk straight out the doors. Just as Faramir said, the King was walking around the garden perimeter. At first I do not want to disturb his thoughts. My heart is thumping however, and I tell myself that I must have courage.

'My Lord Eomer.' He stops in his tracks, slowly turning back to face me.

'Princess.' His eyes are cold. I try not to recoil, but shuffle closer to him.

I take a deep breath through my nose.

'Have I wronged you?'

He leans against the wall, rubbing his temples with one hand.

'I do not need this, Lothiriel.'

My chin lifts in indignation.

'But I do. I wish to know what offense I have committed and how I might remedy it.'

'Why do you care?'

'I do not-do not like to see you hurt.' I had not meant to be so direct.

His hand drops and he crosses his arms.

'You should have left with the other powerful men. Perhaps they are in better spirits.'

I simply stare at him, my mouth slightly agape. He turns his head to look at the setting sun.

'You know, that blonde elf is a prince. Perhaps he will become a king, too. I know not their ways in that matter.'

My mind is racing. Is he insinuating that I want-?

'Nor do I...my lord, are you under the impression that I am, er, only interested in your...power?'

He snorts, still staring into the colorful sky.

'I am a princess, how could you think power impresses me?'

'You seemed quite interested in such last night, asking me about my realm and talking of my duty as king. And do not think I have forgotten your cold shoulder to me all the journey here. Yet now that I have been proclaimed king, you suddenly seek my company. You no longer "wish to see me hurt.'''

'I never wanted to see you hurt! I was intimidated by you, that is all. A great warrior, not to mention king, like you would intimidate anyone.'

'I feel far from a great warrior tonight. I am tired, like an old warhorse who has seen too much evil.'

It worries me to see him so...distraught. Could this be the same man who bested my cousin just a few weeks ago?

'Tired? Old? Sir, you are brave, strong, courteous. You are a hero, a leader of men: not because you were born to it, but because you have earned their respect. Earned my respect.'

He looks back at me. Is that a smirk? Or a frown?

'Then I have seen this before, too. You admire a man of prestige, that is all. Everyone falls prey to it sometime. Even my strong-headed sister would not listen to me. She did not know what love is, and neither do you.'

Love? Who said anything about love? By now my face is heated. He is treating me like a child. I will not stand for it. What does he know about how I feel?

'And you? Do you know what love means, Eomer King?' I can tell that my temper is rising, my voice is almost shaking.

'I know not.' He almost spat the words.

Infuriating! And yet, despite my pride, my heart breaks to hear him say it.

'Then you do not love me.'

'Lothiriel.' His voice softens, like in my dream so long ago.

'If you do not love me, why do you torture me?'

'It is not as you say.'

'I cannot believe this.'

'Believe what?'

'You, a coward.'

'What did you call me?' He stands at his full height, blue eyes flashing in anger. But I stand my ground. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense.

'Yes! And I shall say it again, if need be. You are afraid of what love is! You do not understand it, so you run from it!'

'Princess, I-' But a fire has grown in my body, a rage I have never experienced before.

'This! This is the difference between our people! You may be expert horsemen and brave in the face of battle, but in your hearts you are weak, shallow, defensive!'

I might have expected him to shake me, to throw me to the ground in a fit of rage.

No such actions followed my outburst. The man before me squatted in the grass, his face buried in his huge hands. My rage turns to concern in an instant.

'What can I do?' The muffled question barely reaches my ears.

'Eomer?'

He lifts his head. His eyes are watery, but his face is dry.

'You know, I hardly knew my parents.'

I lower myself beside him. I want to comfort him, but I am afraid to touch him.

He takes a deep breath and releases it.

'They say my father had a temper. I have fleeting memories of him shouting when he was home.' He smiles a little. 'But not all the memories are bad.'

I wait in silence, unsure of what to do.

'My mother, though. I remember her better. She would read to me, and Wyn. We cooked together, sang together, missed Father together.'

I smile back, knowing what he meant.

'I can see them both so clearly in my mind. But never really saw them together. Or perhaps I was just unaware. I knew they loved each other, but I missed the subtleties. They left me too soon. Left us.' His head falls into his hands again, sitting fully on the ground now.

This time, I rest a hand on his shoulder. He turns to me. His light eyes are rimmed with red.

'I am sorry. I have placed my own shortcomings upon you.'

I shake my head, still searching for the right words.

'I lost my mother, too.'

Our eyes meet. No more words are necessary. We embrace each other tightly, as though in our suffering, we become one. His fingernails dig into the back of my dress. I bury my wet face in his hair. The world freezes, the sun falls behind the hills.

All is black, and nothing remains but his body pressed against mine.

When we return to the Hall, most people have left. Servants have begun clearing away the empty tankards. A few men are asleep at the tables. Queen Arwen is surrounded by curious women of Rohan in a corner. I am sure Eowyn and Faramir are elsewhere, perhaps walking in the light of the full moon.

Eomer offers me a seat. I take it as he sits opposite me. We don't speak. He reaches his hand out and I reciprocate. I long to hold him again. His thumb glides back and forth against the back of my hand.

After several minutes, he squeezes my fingers and asks me if I am ready to retire to my room. I nod, suddenly feeling quite exhausted. My cheeks ache from grinning. He smiles softly, helps me out of my chair, and walks me to my door.

'I wish you could stay with me.' The whisper escapes my lips before I know what I am saying.

Eomer only chuckles, kissing my knuckles in response.

'I love you, Lothiriel of Dol Amroth.'

I close my eyes, barely able to believe my ears.

'I love you, Eomer, son of Eomund.'

He bows low, kissing my hand again, before he walks back down the hall. I watch him go. I sigh, missing him already. And yet, hope has arisen in my heart. A light is shining now in the midst of this dark corridor. I find that I am swimming in happy memories as I enter my bed chamber. I sit down, remove my shoes, and lie back on the pillows. The memory of seeing our hands intertwined appears behind my eyelids. His beautiful, blue eyes pierce me again. My lips stretch as I take a deep breath.

Suddenly, I find myself no longer in need of sleep.

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I want to thank all of you, readers. Without you, this story would never have left my head. A special thanks to my consistent reviewers, you all were quite encouraging and helpful. I will miss this story and these characters very much. Although maybe I will write an epilogue or something, if anyone wants that.

As always, leave me a review or private message me, if you'd like. Maybe tell me which chapter was your favorite!

Love always,

-Anarwyn