AN: I told you I'd get to it. (Still don't own anything—do I really need to
add this disclaimer at every chapter? Better safe than sorry I guess...)
*~*~*~*~*~*
The chief herald raised a golden trumpet and sounded a light fanfare. Arwen saw Aragorn rise and head to the high table. Time for dinner! She and Eowyn walked back into the Great Hall, holding their heads high and pretending nonchalance at their disappearance.
But their minor breach of etiquette was not the only reason people were staring. Arwen had hundreds of years of experience, and knew how to look magnificent when the occasion called for it, but she was pleasantly thrilled at Eowyn's appearance that evening. Men were openly gawking at the unattached (technically) lady. Women were floored by Eowyn's transformation from bumbling Shieldmaiden to a lovely courtier. Those dancing lessons really paid off! Arwen thought. The superlative dress didn't hurt either.
Arwen took her seat next to Aragorn. Examining the arrangements, she saw that Eomer had been at work again: Eowyn and Faramir were as very nearly opposite as two people could be seated at a long table. She mentally rolled her eyes at his efforts.
The banquet progressed without incident (unless one counted a slightly tipsy Imrahil attempting to woo the serving-girl bringing his wine). Arwen managed to distract Eomer from noticing the naturally-quiet Lothiriel until they rose to go to the ballroom. Darting into the crowd, she pulled the Princess aside to speak.
"Lothiriel! How wonderful you look tonight!" Arwen began truthfully. The young lady was splendid in white silk. She had dark auburn hair and large blue eyes. Though she had a reputation for being quiet, she was by no means shy. "Are you enjoying your stay in Minas Tirith?"
"We've only just arrived. I barely had time to look around before we came to the banquet." Perfect! Arwen thought.
"Lothiriel...I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Eowyn and I, actually." Lothiriel looked at her curiously. "You see, Eowyn's older brother is being a bit of an overbearing, well, bore, and we would appreciate it every so much if you could just..."
Lothiriel's eyes snapped up to hers with instant understanding. "Ah. This would be Eomer of Rohan we're discussing, then?" Arwen nodded. Lothiriel looked suddenly apprehensive. "Since you never do anything halfway, from what I hear, I must assume that you have a reason for choosing me, specifically, out of everyone here, to perform this, er, distraction?" Was it Arwen's imagination or did the young woman appear slightly eager?
"You're right, of course." Arwen began slyly. "You obviously remember Eomer from your meeting in Rohan weeks ago...what you don't know is that he was quite taken with you, from all accounts." She smiled smugly at Lothiriel's sudden blush.
"He was? You're not just telling me this to get me to help you? No, you wouldn't do that." The Princess glanced over at her shoulder at Eomer and his entourage, still oblivious to her presence.
Arwen gave her a slight nudge towards them. "He hasn't noticed that you're here yet. Now, here's what I have planned..."
*~*~*
The Queen watched from across the room as her plan was executed. Lothiriel, strategically placed several feet from an empty balcony and scarcely one behind Eomer, bent over slightly and began gasping. With a dramatic cry, she abruptly fell over. Exactly as planned, Eomer turned to assist her. Arwen even fancied she could see the look of surprise and sudden concern on his face as he helped her to the balcony to 'get some air'.
At the same time, unnoticed by her otherwise occupied brother, Eowyn grabbed Faramir's arm and pulled him into the hallway.
My work here is done. The rest is up to my partners-in-crime. With that, Arwen took her husband's arm and allowed herself to be escorted to the ballroom.
*~*~*~*~*~* Author: Coming soon- Lothiriel's chapter and Eowyn's rendezvous! Sorry this was short, if anyone's still reading this... :)
*~*~*~*~*~*
The chief herald raised a golden trumpet and sounded a light fanfare. Arwen saw Aragorn rise and head to the high table. Time for dinner! She and Eowyn walked back into the Great Hall, holding their heads high and pretending nonchalance at their disappearance.
But their minor breach of etiquette was not the only reason people were staring. Arwen had hundreds of years of experience, and knew how to look magnificent when the occasion called for it, but she was pleasantly thrilled at Eowyn's appearance that evening. Men were openly gawking at the unattached (technically) lady. Women were floored by Eowyn's transformation from bumbling Shieldmaiden to a lovely courtier. Those dancing lessons really paid off! Arwen thought. The superlative dress didn't hurt either.
Arwen took her seat next to Aragorn. Examining the arrangements, she saw that Eomer had been at work again: Eowyn and Faramir were as very nearly opposite as two people could be seated at a long table. She mentally rolled her eyes at his efforts.
The banquet progressed without incident (unless one counted a slightly tipsy Imrahil attempting to woo the serving-girl bringing his wine). Arwen managed to distract Eomer from noticing the naturally-quiet Lothiriel until they rose to go to the ballroom. Darting into the crowd, she pulled the Princess aside to speak.
"Lothiriel! How wonderful you look tonight!" Arwen began truthfully. The young lady was splendid in white silk. She had dark auburn hair and large blue eyes. Though she had a reputation for being quiet, she was by no means shy. "Are you enjoying your stay in Minas Tirith?"
"We've only just arrived. I barely had time to look around before we came to the banquet." Perfect! Arwen thought.
"Lothiriel...I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Eowyn and I, actually." Lothiriel looked at her curiously. "You see, Eowyn's older brother is being a bit of an overbearing, well, bore, and we would appreciate it every so much if you could just..."
Lothiriel's eyes snapped up to hers with instant understanding. "Ah. This would be Eomer of Rohan we're discussing, then?" Arwen nodded. Lothiriel looked suddenly apprehensive. "Since you never do anything halfway, from what I hear, I must assume that you have a reason for choosing me, specifically, out of everyone here, to perform this, er, distraction?" Was it Arwen's imagination or did the young woman appear slightly eager?
"You're right, of course." Arwen began slyly. "You obviously remember Eomer from your meeting in Rohan weeks ago...what you don't know is that he was quite taken with you, from all accounts." She smiled smugly at Lothiriel's sudden blush.
"He was? You're not just telling me this to get me to help you? No, you wouldn't do that." The Princess glanced over at her shoulder at Eomer and his entourage, still oblivious to her presence.
Arwen gave her a slight nudge towards them. "He hasn't noticed that you're here yet. Now, here's what I have planned..."
*~*~*
The Queen watched from across the room as her plan was executed. Lothiriel, strategically placed several feet from an empty balcony and scarcely one behind Eomer, bent over slightly and began gasping. With a dramatic cry, she abruptly fell over. Exactly as planned, Eomer turned to assist her. Arwen even fancied she could see the look of surprise and sudden concern on his face as he helped her to the balcony to 'get some air'.
At the same time, unnoticed by her otherwise occupied brother, Eowyn grabbed Faramir's arm and pulled him into the hallway.
My work here is done. The rest is up to my partners-in-crime. With that, Arwen took her husband's arm and allowed herself to be escorted to the ballroom.
*~*~*~*~*~* Author: Coming soon- Lothiriel's chapter and Eowyn's rendezvous! Sorry this was short, if anyone's still reading this... :)