A/N. I'm so sorry! I know it's been forever. I hope this chapter makes it up to you. Special Note: This chapter contains context that might possibly upset some people because of the violence and the situation it which it takes place.

JadeGoddess - You have a new job as a hit woman. Thanks for the review!

TigerLily713 - Don't worry, Eomer will strike back. Thanks for the review!

Andrea - Thank you for such a nice review! I'm so glad you liked my attempts to be funny.

Elf Ears - I hope you like this chapter and I'm glad you like Eomer fics. They're the best! Thanks for the review!

Kalythianna - Wow, thanks for the offer. I know nothing about horses (other than that they're pretty) so I might take you up on it. Thanks for the review!

Aerin - I totally agree that we need more Eomer romance. Thanks for the review!

Shy - I hope you like this chapter! Thanks for the review!

Liz - Oh my gosh, your review is the nicest review I have ever gotten. I had a bit of writer's block on this chapter, and if it weren't for your review, I still wouldn't have a chapter. Thanks so much! I truly appreciate it!

Lotr_junkie - Your review made me laugh out loud. Thanks!

Evening Nightshade - As always, your review was so kind and warm. Thanks for the encouragement and the review!

Hellga - Don't worry, there will be a lot of romance later on. Thanks for the review!

Isa - I hope your fingers aren't cramped from keeping them crossed this long. (wink) Thanks for the review!

Bean02 - I think that you and JadeGoddess will have to fight it out over the personal hit woman job. Thanks for the review and I hope you write a sequel for your story!

Shel Bel1983 - I've been thinking about adding some flashing in my story, but I don't really know how. I'm still pushing Leroy, but I don't want any questions about the baby's paternity coming up. It'd be like Sally in Middle Earth (hmm, not a bad idea). Thanks for the review!

Keyza - It's here, it's here! Finally! Sorry to keep you waiting. Thanks for the review!

Auror198 - It continues! Thanks for the review!

As Eomer left the tent, the three remaining men stared at Aerilyn. Slowly, they began to process everything that had just happened. Sighing, Aragorn signaled for his guard to come in and watch the maid while he conferred with Faramir and Imrahil.

"What are we going to do with her?" Aragorn asked. "She is nothing but a traitor and a spy. But I cannot risk leaving a group of my men behind to watch her." He turned to Imrahil. "She is a servant of your household. What do you suggest we do?"

Imrahil turned to Aerilyn with a look of pure disgust on his face. Slowly, he began to walk towards her.

~

Aerilyn heard the Prince of Dol Amroth approach from behind her. Slowly she began to reach for the dagger that she had hidden beneath her skirts. Damrod had given it to her with clear instructions on what to do with it. She smiled inwardly, knowing that she would finally be able to carry out part of his plan.

As Imrahil cam to stand beside her, Aerilyn whipped out the dagger. Moving quicker than anyone judged possible, she twisted her arm and plunged the dagger into Imrahil. Then she leapt from the chair to run from the tent, only to run into what she thought was a wall. She only caught a glimpse of light hair before passing out.

~

Aragorn and Faramir rushed to support Imrahil. He was gritting his teeth in pain, but upon inspection, the wound was not as bad as it seemed. Luckily, Aerilyn had misjudged her aim, and Imrahil had caught the dagger in the thigh rather than the stomach. Faramir sent the guard to find a healer and then turned to Eomer who was looking rather bewildered.

"What had happened?" he cried. "I leave for a moment and upon my return everything is in chaos." He went to Imrahil's side while the healer examined him. After a glance at the wound, Eomer grimaced and turned to Imrahil. "Well, I do not think you will be riding with us."

"If I was to take into account my current condition," Imrahil retorted, "I would advise you to take in yours. You have no heir, and yet you are willing to jump into battle."

The healer was clearing the wound then, and Imrahil hissed in pain and gripped Faramir's arm. Aragorn glanced over at them from where he was overseeing his soldiers, who were binding Aerilyn and watching as a healer helped her regain consciousness. Aragorn smiled wryly.

"I think that is why Eomer is riding to battle. You see, he cannot create an heir without a wife."

Eomer turned an interesting shade of red at that statement and Faramir laughed. The healer finished, and Aerilyn was taken to a different tent where Aragorn placed guards to watch her. Imrahil was taken to another tent to rest. Aragorn, Faramir, and Eomer were looking at maps and planning a strategy when a healer appeared, saying that Imrahil had sent for Eomer.

As they walked towards Imrahil's tent, Eomer began to question the healer.

"How does he fare?"

"He is well," the healer said. "He just said that he wished to speak with you before you rode out."

They had reached the tent by then. The healer threw back the flap to reveal Imrahil, who was sitting up in bed, and drinking a glass of wine. Eomer visibly relaxed upon the sight of him and stood before him. Imrahil looked up at him and motioned for him to sit in a chair beside the bed. Eomer sat and looked into Imrahil's eyes.

"You sent for me," he said. "You wish to give me advice, but I fear it is not a war strategy."

Imrahil laughed and then winced as he tried to move his position.

"You know me well, Eomer King," he said.

Eomer glanced down at Imrahil's bandaged leg, and then back up at the Prince of Dol Amroth.

"We have fought beside each other many times," Eomer said. "You are usually not relaxed and drinking wine before a battle."

"I am not worried about Damrod and his men," Imrahil said. "The full wrath of Gondor and Rohan will sweep down on them before they will even be able to draw their swords." He shifted uncomfortably again. "I am, however, worried about my daughter. I fear that we have ridden into a trap. I would not see her harmed just for a small victory."

"If she is harmed in any way," Eomer said, "I will personally seek vengeance on the hand that violated her."

Imrahil looked hard at the King of Rohan. "You love her." It was not a question. "I can tell. You have loved her since you laid eyes on her."

Eomer stood and walked around the tent. "Before I came to Gondor," he began, "my greatest fear was that I would be unable to produce an heir because I would never find a woman to love." He sighed. "Now my greatest fear is that I have lost the only woman I love." He turned to Imrahil. "I would like your permission."

"For what?" Imrahil scoffed. "To love her? To court her? You may do any of these. I cannot think of a better possible match. But right now I want you to bring her back home."

Eomer walked to the front of the tent. "I will bring her back," he said, turning to leave. "I will bring her back to be my queen."

~

Lothiriel was beginning to nod off from pure exhaustion when Damrod strode into the tent again. He seemed agitated as he leaned down close to her face and whispered ferociously in her ear.

"Before I actually had to pretend I was in love with you," he spat, "my plan seemed easy. But then I actually had to sit with you, to speak with you, to touch you. And I realized that you disgusted me farther than even my imagination could possibly take me." He straightened up and looked down on her with eyes full of malice. "I wish to make sure that you are never happy again. I want you to become a shell of your former self. I want to make you so hideous that no one, especially not your Rohirric King, will ever want to look upon you again."

Lothiriel's eyes widened as she realized that he was going to torture her. Then she became defiant. "Go ahead and do whatever your evil lord wills you to," she said. "But be aware that when my father and the King of Rohan find me, they will tear you limb from limb."

Damrod threw his head back and laughed. "You stupid wench," he said bitterly. "By now, your father has probably been slain by Aerilyn's hand. And as for you King, he will probably throw you back to me once he sees your face."

And with that, he struck her. His blow landed on her lower jaw and she turned her head. As she fought back tears, she thought of Eomer and tried to transport her mind back to dusk in the garden in Minas Tirith. As Damrod landed another fist across her face, she thought of Eomer's lips on hers and wondered if she would ever feel them again.