Disclaimer from Chapter 1 remains valid until forever.

Thanks to those who responded to my shameless begging for reviews. kezya, Sam, Crimson, Aerin - Ask and ye shall be given. Papillon - Look out. It get even less glamourous ;) Pearl Took - thanks for the beta comments on this chapter. Shirebound - I wish I wrote beautifully but I just imitate shamelessly. :P

Not Quite Yet

They stood gazing at each other for some time, each thought bent on the puzzle of feelings within and without, trying to decipher the mere acquaintance standing before them. Finally, Lothiriel broke the spell with another glance to the door. "Do you think they might fall asleep?"

Eomer's eyes glinted mischievously a moment then he doubled over with barely contained laughter and collapsed onto the rug. After a few moments he regained enough control to say, "I did, the first time I was asked to witness. The woman with me claimed she had joined the marriage bed while I slept."

"No! She didn't!" gasped Lothiriel as she squatted down to his level.

"No, she didn't," confirmed Eomer as he tugged her hand so she lost her balance and sat beside him. "But I was younger then, and gullible. And we are lucky we get an actual door between us." He brought her hand to his lips again. "That's the last I want to hear about anything outside this room while this day yet lasts. Right now I'd rather a kiss from your lips than words."

"Me...Me kiss you?" she stammered. Pursing her lips together in determination, she leaned over and pressed her lips to his, very hard. After a couple of heartbeats she backed off and surveyed his reaction. His slight grimace as he raised a hand to his bruised lips brought a flush to her face. "I'm sorry. I did that wrong, didn't I? I don't know how to kiss properly. Do your teeth hurt? Mine do. Sorry. I just want you to know I want... I want just…I…"

"Sshh. You'll keep the others awake."

"I thought we weren't allowed to talk about them anymore."

"Grr. Be quiet and let me teach you how to kiss." And he stifled any further reply with his mouth on hers. His kiss was insistent too but softer and hungrier. After a little awkwardness, Lothiriel opened to his mouth and joined in the exploration. When the kiss was broken, Eomer asked, "Do you like that?"

"I thought it might taste different," she said matter of factly. "I knew all the songs about kisses like wine were silly of course but still I expected something different."

"Are you disappointed?" He kissed his way across her jaw to her ear and nibbled on the lobe.

In fact, she was beginning to think she was rather silly for not trying harder to escape the chaperones during this past week before the wedding. She was enjoying the sensation of Eomer's breath tickling her ear very much. She brushed his collar aside and dipped her head to lave his clavicle then experimentally licked her own wrist still at his shoulder. "Do I taste different from the other women you've kissed?"

"I don't want to remember just now," he said huskily. His gentle hand on her cheek brought her lips back to his. This time there was no hesitation as they tasted and nibbled and suckled on each other. For long minutes there was no sound but for moist kisses showered on face and neck and the rustle of fingers stroking on cloth.

She moaned slightly as the slightly rough linen beneath his left hand rubbed across her nipple. It was sending delightful shivers through her body that settled in the pit of her stomach, a dull throb of excited tension. As his other hand tugged on the fastenings at the back of her gown she snapped to full realization. That throbbing was familiar. Oh no. "I'm sorry my lord. I must beg a moment once more." And she grabbed the lamp again and ran to the privy leaving a perplexed and frustrated Eomer clenching his hands in the unfortunate fur rug.

She was gone even longer this time. "Are you planning to stay in there all night?" he called, trying to avoid sounding annoyed. Why was she responding so eagerly one moment then hiding like a deer the next?

At last she reappeared, eyes downcast, her free hand crumpling the material at her stomach. "Forgive me, my lord. I...We…" She trailed off, cringing.

"Are you frightened?" he inquired, doing his best to be sympathetic.

"Nervous, " she corrected, "but that's not it. I'm afraid I must disappoint you."

"No one expects you to be an expert lover the first time." Eomer patted the space beside him. She made no move from the privy entrance. "I promise everything will be all right."

"It's not!" she hissed. "Tell your witnesses to come back in a few days. We won't need them tonight." Her fist pounded the doorway as an angry tear rolled down her cheek.

Eomer got up and walked to her and caught her hand as it prepared to land another blow. He used it to draw her back into the room then proceeded to smooth out the dents in her smooth skin caused by the rough stone wall. "What's wrong? What happened? Of course we can wait if you truly wish it but please tell me if I have done anything to offend my lady."

She looked into his eyes and said, "You have given no offence my lord. My body is cursed with bad timing. The moon stream is flowing. I had hoped it wouldn't start for a couple more days but this month I am early. I...We can't."

TBC

Gack! Oh no! indeed. Evil, evil author. Leaving you all frustrated like that. What's poor Eomer going to do?