Long chapter this time! I think you will like it.

I used a few Rohirric expressions in here, and I hope you find them acceptable and realistic.

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Chapter 5 - Visiting

L

'A message for you, my lady.'

'Thank you, Derebond.' Who is this from?

My dear Lothiriel,

Ah, Eowyn's handwriting.

I am afraid I must leave you for a time.

Oh no! Why?

My brother is, of course, King of Rohan now, and there are many urgent matters he must attend to at home. See, Eomer was meant to take the place of our father as Chief Marshal of the Riddermark, not the position of King. He did not learn of the office like my cousin did. I stayed often with Theodred for his lessons. Therefore, I learned a lot about what the king did. This is why I must go with Eomer. He needs my help, Loth, and Rohan needs my help. I am glad to provide another service to my people. I do wish to see you again, before we depart. Please write me when you have the time to meet somewhere. I will be leaving on the eighth.

All my love,

Eowyn

Am I to lose my friend so quickly? We have grown close these past weeks and here she is, leaving me. And Eomer is leaving, too? My eyes sting and my throat is tight. Am I going to weep, like a child? Ridiculous. A tear falls onto the letter, smudging her cousin's name. No, hold yourself together. This is not the end of your friendship. Just make sure they remember you. They? Have I already fallen for his charms? No, no, you simply want the king to remember your family fondly. This shouldn't be about you anyways. I take a deep breath and wipe my eyes.

A quick flash of my mother's face passes before my eyes. She was smiling in her bed. I'm not even sure if the memory is real. I hope it is. What would she do at a time like this? I sigh aloud. Only one person would be able to tell me.

'Father?' There he is, speaking to Amrothos.

'Just a minute, child.'

Just a minute, child. The phrase of my life.

'Hello, sister.'

'Hello, Amrothos.'

I fidget with my dress and try not to listen. They are arguing again. My brother has been having difficulty sleeping since the end of the War. I think that has contributed to his sore mood towards my father. "Battle sickness" they call it. He just hasn't been the same.

'You wish to speak with me, Lothiriel?'

I bring myself out of my thoughts as Amrothos storms away. I think about following him, but I turn to my father's attentions instead.

'Yes, Father, Eowyn and the Rohirrim are leaving the city in six days. I will miss her sorely, but I do not know what to do.'

'I do not believe you can do anything about it. Surely you knew they must leave to their own land?'

'I do not mean to stop them. But...' I search fruitlessly for the right words.

'Your mother never liked partings either.'

I look into his kind eyes, so different from my own.

'How did you know I was looking to talk about her?'

'You are just like her. She hated to say farewell and would often hold parting feasts.'

'Then shall we do so, too?'

'I do not think we need to. King Elessar will surely want to thank the fine warriors for their service.'

'Yes, of course. It is well to have a king, is it not?'

My father's usually reserved expression cracks into a soft smile.

'Indeed, my swan.' He cups my cheek in his hand.

I close my eyes at the small gesture.

'I love you, ada.'

'I love you, too, Lothiriel.'

E

I hope I am not wrong in appearing without an invitation. They are much more formal in Minas Tirith. But I am already here. Oh, go on, ask that man.

'Pardon me, sir.'

'Yes, my lady?'

'May I enter your master's house?' That sounded stupid.

'Certainly, follow me.'

So it is that easy.

Wow, I hadn't looked at their garden before. It is truly very beautiful. So green and lush. Of course, everything remotely green looks very healthy and lush here because of all the stone. How I hate this stone. So unfeeling, so uniform, so heartless.

Ah, we've made it to the hall.

'Eowyn, White Lady of Rohan, Prince Imrahil.'

Bow. That is still strange to hear. White Lady.

'Come, Lady Eowyn. What business have you here in my house?'

The words were cold, but his tone was friendly and welcoming. How did he do that?

'I wish to speak with your daughter. Is she available?'

'I will call for her. Forlion.'

'Yes, my lord?'

'Fetch my daughter, for she has a visitor.'

'Yes, sire.'

So that is not any different here than at home.

'I understand that you are leaving soon.'

'Yes, my brother and I, along with a number of Rohirrim, are leaving tomorrow.'

'There will be a great feast tonight in your honor, correct?'

'Indeed. I am still not used to being treated so well. It seems that, once Gondor loves you, you are loved forever.'

'That is mostly true, Shieldmaiden.'

'Eowyn!'

'Good to see you, Lothiriel.'

Her footsteps are light and quick across the grand hall. Her cheeks are slightly flushed and her eyes look sad.

'I cannot believe you are leaving so soon.'

'Neither can I. I will miss you very much.'

Loth has such a pretty smile.

'Let us go to my quarters, where we can talk more freely.'

I nod, turn to the Prince, and curtsy.

'Thank you for having me in your home, Prince Imrahil.'

'You are welcome any time, Lady Eowyn.'

I guess he really is nice, if a little haughty.

She takes my hand and leads me up the gorgeous spiral staircase. It is made of marble, but it doesn't bother me as much as the rest of the city. The speckles of scarlet make it more enjoyable.

'I like these stairs.'

'You should see our palace in Dol Amroth.' She sounds wistful.

'I would love to see the Bay of Belfalas.'

'You know of the Bay?' Her eyes are as wide as the Gap of Rohan.

'I do now. I asked for a book on your city because I knew almost nothing about it.'

'Is that so? Eowyn, you are too sweet!'

'Sweet?' I had to laugh. 'I do believe you are the only person to ever describe me thus!'

She frowns, not saying anything.

We turn a corner, straight into a large room with lilac curtains on two windows and a large bed with plum colored blankets and silver pillows.

'Wow,' I breathe as I look upon the lush furniture.

Lothiriel gives me a knowing smile and gestures to a set of plush chairs whose colors match the bed.

'What do you think, Lamb?' She had taken to calling me that out of irony.

'The colors are so rich and deep. You must have paid a fortune for someone to dye these so many times.' I touch the blankets on the bed. So soft!

'I am sure my father did. All I did was choose the color and-,' she waves her hands, 'here we are!'

'Loth, it is beautiful.'

'Just like you, Lamb.'

I snort and stick out my tongue at her. She giggles and clasps my hand, leading me to the sitting area.

'Now do not tell me you haven't seen luxury before. You had an even more royal childhood than I!'

'The luxury of Rohan is...different. Many more shades of green, horse motifs, rich earth colors, and gold. Here I see different colors, more of water, and silver.'

Loth nods, looking around the room.

'Perhaps I should change my palette, now that you are leaving me. Greens and golds. And I will hang a horse's head on my wall, to replace you when I am lonely.' Her lips quiver as she represses her urge to smirk.

I smack her tanned wrist before chuckling at her smart mouthing.

She smiles softly as she looks out of the window. I look, too. The sun is setting. For a few minutes, the White City turns golden. It has never looked so beautiful to me.

'Loth.' I keep my voice low.

She turns back to me, her face dark and grim before she hides her feelings with a smile. Dear little one. Always smiling.

'Yes, Lamb?'

'What is the matter? I know this cannot all be for my parting.'

She feigns surprise, as if to say, "whatever do you mean?"

I lower my head to look straight into her eyes.

'Don't get formal with me. You can tell me anything, Loth.' I envelop her hand in mine.

'I am being foolish.' She shakes her head dismissively.

'You are only being foolish for not telling me.'

This time, she nods.

'Alright. It is my cousin.'

'The Lord Faramir?' I spoke too suddenly, too loudly. Her eyebrows raise.

I try to rearrange my face, but all of the feelings that flooded my brain as I said his name could not be hindered. Lothiriel began to smirk. Suddenly we had switched places. She is now holding my hand.

'Indeed.' She doesn't say anything about my outburst, but I know this incident is not going away with haste.

I relax my muscles and my voice. My control has softened since my time with the Worm.

'What about him troubles you?'

Loth returns to her own mind. I feel slightly relieved.

'Well, it isn't just him.'

'No? Who else is involved?'

'Um…' She could be infuriating sometimes.

'By Brego, Loth, what is it?'

She bites her lip, looking at me. Really looking at me. Her eyes drop to our hands.

'I want to tell you before you leave. I just don't know how.'

I breathe in slowly, trying to control my temper.

'Lothiriel, whatever you have to tell me cannot be so bad.'

She still looks wary.

'Has something happened between you and- Faramir?' I stumble over his name. Stupid.

The princess shakes her head violently.

'Has something happened between him and someone else?'

Again, no. But she does raise her eyes to mine in curiosity, just for a second. I remember the kiss on the wall. I push the memory away.

'Has something happened between you and someone else?'

She hesitates, her eyes darting from side to side. Then she slowly shakes her head again.

'Lothiriel, you know I will not lecture you on anything you tell me.' I start to smirk, wondering.

'Who is he, Loth?'

Her eyes widen, but she continues to shake her head, more vigorously this time. I have never seen her so silent and intimidated. What is the matter?

'Alright. What happened? Did he make an advance?'

No again.

'Did you?' I try to keep the surprise out of my voice.

No.

'Lathspell, Loth. Did anything happen between you and Sir Secret?'

No? Then what in Eorl's name is she so nervous about?

'Then just tell me who he is.'

'Fine!' She's standing up, turning away from me. I don't move.

'Your brother, Eowyn. Your brother.'

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Hmm a cliffhanger ;) evil me!

-Anarwyn