Chapter 2

Boromir sat on Lothìriel's bed grinning at her frown, "Come, Bregion, it's not that bad." She stuck her tongue out at him. "You're not the one who has to spend his evening with this," she wrinkled her nose in disgust, "how long has it been since it's been cleaned anyway?"

Boromir shrugged, "He's been on patrol, Bregion. Give the poor man a break."

Lothìriel rubbed fiercely at the leather vambraces with a slightly damp cloth. "It's going to take forever before I can even begin the oiling. I'm glad I already finished polishing the weapons. You think he's as picky as the Swan Knights?"

"I think he's probably worse."

She smacked his leg, "You are incorrigible. If you're going to be in here distracting me, you should be helping."

He held his hands up, "I can't. That would be cheating, what I can do is provide a brotherly distraction."

Lothìriel turned her head quickly to hide the distress that she knew would be evident.

"Ah. Right. Sorry, I know you miss them. I'm not proving to be a very good stand-in am I. Perhaps next time I see them I'll have to get some lessons in proper teasing."

Lothìriel sniffed, "It's probably a good thing that you aren't better at it. If you were I'd have to plan my revenge. As it is, you should be safe. As long as you actually leave tomorrow."

Boromir laughed easily and after a moment Lothìriel joined in. Boromir leaned over and ruffled her hair and she growled at him pushing his hand away, "Stop! Do you know how much a pain hair this length is? At least when it-" Boromir held up a hand, and she stopped abruptly before muttering, "Sorry…" She took a breath. "I would like to wear it as the Rohirrim do."

"You mean the Eorlingas?"

"Don't change the subject."

"You know why you can't."

She frowned again, "But men here wear their hair in that style."

Boromir leaned in to her, "You will look too feminine. Let me change the subject."

Lothìriel barked a short laugh, as she set down the second vambrace, and picked up the oil and a new rag.

"I'll change it. I'm glad I got a room to myself."

"You do realize that this is only so that you'll be at Éomer's beck and call for running his errands?"

"Yes, but it's still mine. And it will be more interesting this way, hopefully I'll be more informed than if I was stuck in the barracks…" her voice trailed off as she saw Boromir's eyes focusing somewhere else, "You wanted me to change the subject, are you even listening to me?" She tossed her oily rag at him when he failed to answer. His eyes snapped to her.

"Where does that door go?" He gestured to the door across from her bed, by her small desk.

She cast him a sly look, "Into Éomer's room. It's more convenient for the Lord Marshal if he can have the Esquire close to be at his beck and call."

It was Boromir's turn to frown, "I don't think that-"

"Jealous, Cousin?" she interrupted batting her eyelashes at him.

He looked startled before coughing out a laugh, "Lo-Bregion. Really." He slid off her bed and onto the floor next to her before murmuring lowly, "It is odd not to be able to complain about the propriety. And maybe if I weren't almost twenty years your senior I would be jealous, but alas and pity me. I am," then he added with a smile, "I give you full leave to like him. But do remember that you are supposed to be a boy," he raised an eyebrow at her, "so don't be obvious about it." Her lips twitched as she thought about that.

"Yes. That could be a bit of a problem. Worry not, Boromir, now that you have pointed out the trap I shall be on my guard." She tossed both vambraces down with a sigh, and leaned her back against him as he slung an arm over her shoulders, "Well, I suppose I should move onto the greaves."

Glancing up she caught him looking very seriously at her, "Lothìriel. It would not be a bad connection. He is a good man."

Her eyes narrowed and she spun around to face him. "Boromir, I shall not fall in love with him," she hissed, "or be forced into an arranged marriage either." Her eyes softened, "I…" She stopped as he held up a hand again.

"I am not trying to force you into feeling or thinking anything. Just letting you know that you would have my approval." Her eyes dropped and she bit back tears that threatened, she felt him press a light kiss on her brow. "I was hoping you would become at peace with hints, Lothì. But if it will help I will say it more plainly. We are not to be. I think that you know this within you already, and that you hold onto a dream of your girlhood. But," he lifted her chin and looked in her eyes, "You are not a girl anymore." Pain flickered through her eyes as she nodded.

She let no mask fall over her face as she said quietly, "I did hear your hints, but, I think that in part I was holding onto a girlhood dream because I wanted to know that…that you weren't still just seeing me as a girl anymore, that I wasn't still just your bothersome little cousin always tagging along and asking for tales." She saw his eyes widen a bit as she said that, and he considered her with a different look in his eyes.

"That was well said, Lothì. You truly are growing up." Reaching out he squeezed her hand. "I will think on what you've said. And you, think on what I've said." Lothìriel stayed still as he stood, "As you have not much left to do, and it's getting late, I'm going to bid you goodnight."

Lothìriel looked up and they held each other's gaze for a moment.

"Goodnight, Lothìriel," he said finally, breaking contact and moving out the door.

"Goodnight, Boromir," she said as the door fell shut. With a sigh she stood to get the greaves.

Lothìriel woke with a start as a low knock sounded at the door. The room was gray with the gloom that hung heavy before dawn. The knock sounded again and she stood, pulling on her tunic as she did so. Padding over to the door she opened it a crack to see Boromir standing there. She stepped back, yawning, as he pushed his way into the room a cup of steaming caf in one hand and a small plate with eggs and some links of meat in the other.

"Shut the door would you?" he asked as he set the items down on her desk. She closed it, then turned and stared at him quizzically.

"Surely Lord Éomer isn't wanting the trial to start this early?"

"No, no," Boromir said, sitting in her chair and tapping a finger on his thigh, "I just thought we could break our fast together."

Lothiriel yawned and ran both hands through her hair, wincing as she hit a tangle. She pulled the desk chair out and sat in it facing Boromir. He wouldn't look at her. She took a few sips of the caf and picked at the food, still too sleepy to be hungry. His finger kept tapping. She rubbed a hand over her eyes. Tap, tap, tap. Finally she could take it no more. "Boromir. What. is. it."

He stood abruptly to pace about the room, one lap, then two...she stood as well and planted herself firmly in his way. "Just say it."

He stopped in front of her, his eyes searching hers again, as they had the previous night. Then without warning or words, he cupped her face with his hands and kissed her lightly. She blinked once, then closed her eyes and leaned into him. She could feel her cheeks flush and a warmth in her, and then something was off and her hands were on his chest, pushing him away. She stared at him for a long moment wide-eyed, then both of them started laughing, and his arm was around her shoulder his other hand ruffling her hair. Leaning over and putting her hands on her knees to catch her breath, Lothìriel said, "Well, I guess that's that then."

Boromir nodded, "If I had a sister, I imagine that's about how awkward that would feel."

Lothìriel collapsed back onto her bed, "I hope my second kiss is more exciting than that." Boromir looked almost affronted at that, and she started to laugh anew at his expression, "You look as if I had just called your manhood into question."

He grinned wryly, "If the thought of trying that again wasn't so painful, I'd…"

"You'd prove the point is what you'd do!" She crowed.

A loud thump came from the connecting door and a call.

"Bregion! Since you've decided to wake early this morning, you can go fetch my breakfast from the kitchens!" Lothìriel sighed and wrinkled her nose at Boromir.

"Thanks a lot, Cousin. It's not my fault that he's awake, why couldn't you have waited for a more decent hour?"

He raised his eyebrows at her, and she laughed again then blushed. "Oh. Right. I guess getting breakfast for Lord Éomer isn't the worst that could have happened this morning." Lothìriel held out her hand and Boromir pulled her to her feet.

"I will walk you to the kitchen, Cousin. Then I must see to finishing up my packing."

Éomer groaned and rolled over to sit up slowly. Another half hour of sleep would have been welcome. He eased into his trousers and stretched before slumping back on his bed. A wisp of his dream floated through his mind, clear gray eyes that swirled with hints of blue and greens. He shook his head, where did that come from? Searching through his memory he tried to remember more. Nothing. Why is this even important? Standing again abruptly he made his way over to the wash bowl and scrubbed his face, letting the cool water chase away the last edges of fuzziness from his mind. A knock sounded at the door.

"Enter."

"I have your breakfast, my Lord," Bregion said as he entered.

"You can set it on my desk." Éomer glanced up at him just in time to see the lad flush bright red and avert his eyes.

"Yes, my Lord." The dishes clanked as Bregion set the tray down quickly, keeping his face turned he said, "If I may, my Lord, I will ensure my equipment is ready?"

Éomer glanced around quizzically, wondering what was making the lad so uneasy, "You may go." Bregion executed a half bow and half ran out of the room.

"Strange lad." Éomer muttered as he slipped his shirt over his head and sat down to eat his breakfast.

Éomer stared at the Bregion's bow, "I don't believe I've seen one of that make before. Where did you get it?"
Bregion hefted it lightly, "It's elvish, we met them in-" He stopped as Boromir flicked his fingers.

Éomer felt his mouth twist, "You might not want to tell the others that. We don't have much of a liking for elves." Bregion's eyes flashed at that and the color in them seemed to swirl for a moment, green to a cold grey.

"I don't think-" He began when Boromir stopped him again. Angrily, Bregion turned and faced Boromir, "I am not a child anymore, Boromir. I thought we had established that. Who do you think is going to stop me from sticking my foot in my mouth when you are gone?"

Éomer watched in bemusement as Boromir looked slightly abashed before grinning wryly at the lad, "It's easy to forget, Bregion, but I am sorry. Say on then."

Bregion took a breath before speaking again, "Perhaps, my Lord, it is time that your men learned that the elves are not to be feared, and can in fact be our friends."

Éomer raised his eyebrow, "And if I say not?"

"Then I will not say it. But I will still know it to be true."

Boromir burst out laughing, "Why don't you show him how the bow handles, Bregion, and then let him make his decision."

"Aye, Boromir." Swiftly Bregion knocked an arrow, turning drew it back, and without a pause let it fly. The arrow hummed through the air before hitting the target dead center. Bregion stepped back and sideways, letting another arrow go as he did so. This one landed an inch to the right of the first. Continuously moving, sideways or backwards or kneeling, he peppered the target until there was a small ring of arrows around the one in the center. When the last one had found its mark he turned to comment, "I have had to stop aiming at the center, the fletcher's were complaining that I was wasting too many arrows."

Éomer's eyes had twitched up in astonishment as soon as he had seen the pattern the lad was making and he now came back to himself as Boromir let out another laugh. "The lad's been a fairly hidden talent for a long while now, Éomer. He did not say that to boast, it was an actual complaint."

"Can you do that on horseback? With varying distances?"

Bregion shrugged, "Not quite as well. But, yes."

"When he says not quite as well, he means that his circle turns slightly egg shaped," Boromir interjected.

Éomer nodded slowly, "Can you do that with a regular horse bow as well?"

Bregion shrugged again, "It takes a bit more concentration, I am not quite as quick at it, but yes."

Éomer nodded again, "And the bow was a gift from a friend? Have you met other elves?"

"The bow was a gift from a friend and came with the blessing of those who traveled with him."

"I will trust you then to say what can be said to the other's about it, but bear in mind that their prejudice can run deep, and I do not want undue problems caused by you being belligerent." Éomer held Bregion's eyes as the lad nodded.

"Thank you, my Lord."

"Onto your horse riding then. Boromir, Eothain, and I will accompany you out of the city to the horses' grazing land where I've had a few small tests set up."