I've been pleasantly surprised to see reviews still coming in long after this fic has drifted off the front page of recent updates. Thank you to all! Particularly Auror198 who gave me another poke to post.

Chapter 3 What next? We could sit and watch each other's hair grow ;)

Eomer felt his stomach drop at her announcement. no no no no no. She couldn't do that to him. Not over something as minor as a moon cycle. "Please, don't worry about that. It is not an obstacle to the joining of spouses."

Lothiriel blanched slightly and hoped she successfully fought down the wave of disgust before it showed on her face. "My lord, it is embarrassing enough to tell something of this nature. I would prefer not to share more than that." Paradoxically, her embarrassment gave her strength as she locked eyes with Eomer. After many heartbeats, he could see could see there was no convincing her that an unknown pleasure was worth breaking a deeply ingrained taboo. He looked away first as he refocussed on a small idea scratching away at a corner of his mind. She took a step toward the door and called out, "Hello there."

Eomer's strangled cry of surprise burst out only slightly faster than the hand he clamped over her mouth. "Don't be so hasty," he growled into her ear as he pulled her against his chest.

"My lady?" The sliver of light under the door flickered as the unseen witnesses scuttled to their feet.

Eomer continued to press close and whispered, "Tell them we need another bottle of wine but do NOT send them home." He slowly lowered his hand. "I have a plan."

Lothiriel took a moment to consider then decided to go along with it. "My lord husband is thirsty." She winced at the slight squeak in her voice and tried to assume a more commanding tone as befitted the daughter of a prince. No, the wife of a king. "Bring us some brandy."

"As you wish, my lady." One of the shadows departed.

"What are you thinking?" Annoyed, she pushed away from him. And immediately regretted the cool air that replaced the warmth of his embrace. "Have I not made myself clear?"

"My lady wife was perfectly clear and I hope soon I shall be. I am trying to ease one of your worries. If the witnesses are satisfied tonight they need not sit on the edges of your mind any other night. They expect certain evidences and they shall have it but our first joining shall be on any night of your choosing."

Lothiriel pondered that a moment before saying, "Tell me more for I do wish to make the best of this unfortunate start."

"Good. It will take some time to fetch the brandy. So," he touched the elegant sleeve of her gown," when the wine arrives, you should look ready for bed, not ready for holding audiences."

She chuckled, "If my lips look at all like to yours, my lord, I am certain they will have no doubts about what kind of audiences' we are holding here." She gently brushed her fingers across his swollen lips then thoughtfully touched her own in comparison. "Although I suppose it is obvious that no lady goes to bed with so much metal at her scalp." She pulled out some pins and two of her six braids fell down to swing at her back. She reached for more of them but her hand was blocked by Eomer's.

"Let me." He pulled a tall-backed chair out from its dark corner and she sat down sideways on it so he could work freely. Starting from the bottom of the two loose braids he finger-combed and shook out the ropes of her hair.

She had forgotten just how low-cut her gown was in the back until she felt his hands brushing across her sensitized skin as he worked. Wonderful tingles started to sprinkle across the back of her head as random strands caught and released their tangles. This is so much better than the handmaids who are always in a hurry and merely yank and tug. She curved her neck to provide better access as Eomer's hands finally stroked to the very roots. She startled slightly as an open mouth touched her hairline. More kisses followed a path beside the final comb-through as far as skin was exposed.

After a moment's perusal to determine which pin to remove next, Eomer released the next braid and repeated his ministrations until all were released in a curtain of warm brown. He noted with satisfaction the goose flesh subtly rough under his hands and her not so subtle squirming upon her seat. At last he stood before her and beckoned her to stand.

He softly rearranged her hair like a cape about her shoulders, brushing lightly against the sides of her breasts as he smoothed it. "I will hate to spoil it." He swiftly tousled her hair and stepped back to study the effect. "Mm. Perhaps too much."

"Now you will have to smooth it again." She blushed as she said it but her gaze was steady. Once more he ran his hands down her hair and she briefly closed her eyes as he lingered at her breasts. "Now yours too." She reached behind his head to pull free the thong that held his hair back and delighted to feel that he was trembling too as she pressed her length against him. She smiled and rumpled his hair, then found herself swiftly crushed to him in a kiss of raw desire. She crushed him back with a want that surprised her. No no. Wait. I can't. With that thought, she broke the kiss and, thumping a fist on his chest, she bemoaned, "Oh, it's not fair." She sat back down on the chair with all the grace of one of the Mearas with a broken leg.

Eomer found her frustration secretly arousing, knowing that her desires unleashed held formidable promise. Until but a short time ago he had only the vaguest of hopes for a happy alliance beyond the political. Where before he hoped for a companionable marriage, now he anticipated a truly compatible union.

"Perhaps we are not so misfortunate that the current runs against us. We can use the time to learn more of things not written in occasional letters." A knock sounded on the door. "Is that the brandy already?" He went to the door, barely opening it enough to admit the bottle. Even so Lothiriel could see the curious eyes trying for a glimpse into the room. Eomer walked back and carefully poured them each a goblet of the heady liquor before gesturing to the spot before the fire. "Tell me more about your parents. Was their marriage arranged, too?" At this, Lothiriel nodded, eliciting a raised eyebrow from her husband. "Your father was always most anxious to return home from any councils with Rohan while she yet lived."

"Yes, well, Mother came from a rather stern family. She agreed to the suggested betrothal only so she could leave home sooner rather than wait for another suitable prospect to be found. She said she never truly loved him until their first child - my brother - died in the crib. Through shared grief for my brother, Mother at last saw how much love Father had for them both." A sad smile crossed her face and was gone. "I was afraid I would lose him to grief when she died."

"He is a man of great heart. He could not help but raise a loving family. I hope we shall grow that close. I regret that the times have not allowed a proper courtship for us."

"I also. Tell me more of your home. You lost your mother and then your foster mother so young. How did you learn there is more to life than horse and spear?" The brandy was beginning to have an effect and she settled comfortably against Eomer's side, listening raptly to the tale of that which shaped the man she wanted to know.

TBC

A/N Yes, they will get nekkid next update.