Author's Note: You should know this by now, but just to avoid confusion: I
own none of this; it all belongs to Tolkien, yadda yadda yadda. Thanks
again to everyone who has written reviews, you're very inspiring. This
chapter will be the last, but an epilogue of sorts will follow. Because I
just don't know when to quit... :) But don't worry, I'm getting ideas of
another fanfic (*watches as readers run away in fear*) Right. Onward.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lothiriel leaned heavily on Eomer's arm as he led her out onto the balcony. She didn't really need the assistance, but it was best to keep up the sweet-and-delicate-I-need-a-big-strong-man routine to give Eowyn and Faramir as long as possible. Fanning herself, she did some fake gasping, as though she weren't getting enough air. Eomer deposited her on a wicker bench overlooking the City and stood to her side.
"Feeling any better, milady?" Eomer looked at her intently; Lothiriel was suddenly- really- short of breath. She fanned herself harder.
"Yes, quite. I thank you for your aid, sir. Might I inquire as to your name?" She played dumb.
Eomer frowned slightly. "You don't remember me, then? We met at Edoras some time ago... Eomer of Rohan, at your service."
Lothiriel remembered him perfectly. Though he'd been preoccupied with his sister, and the ordering of his new kingdom, they had been introduced and had shared a few polite conversations. Nothing significant except the way she hadn't stopped thinking about him since.
"Oh!" Still keeping up the charade, Lothiriel feigned surprise. "My lord! I do apologize for not recognizing you sooner, but I was a bit light- headed. I hope you will forgive my rudeness?" She stole a glance at the young King. He looked inordinately pleased that she had remembered who he was.
"There is nothing to forgive, my lady Lothiriel." Eomer gave an exaggerated court bow and the Princess couldn't help laughing. "Ah!" Eomer pounced. "You ARE feeling restored! Good, then I can initiate a real conversation." Lothiriel felt him grab both her hands and pull her to her feet. He tucked one of her arms through his and began a stately stroll beside the railing. She was silent.
"I can see I'm not going to get any help from you. Very well- what brings you to Minas Tirith?"
"I'm here for the wedding."
"Wedding?" Apparently Lothiriel had distracted him more than she'd thought. Grinning, she hinted.
"Yes...wedding...your sister's marriage to Captain Faramir, my cousin?"
An expression of shock stole over Eomer's face. "My sister! Faramir...oh, no. Excuse me, Lothiriel, I have to go..." Realizing that she'd inadvertently reminded Eomer of his plan to keep his sister under his eye at all times Lothiriel was appalled. Scarcely enough time had passed to let the couple reach Arwen's garden, let alone straighten things out. As Eomer began drawing away from her, Lothiriel remembered that she was a Princess of Dol Amroth, and she had given her word to distract Eomer. Well! Distract him she would! The instant Eomer released her arm, she raised her hands to clasp his head and dragged his face to hers. Closing her eyes and steeling herself, she kissed him full on the lips.
Lothiriel felt Eomer freeze in shock. A second passed, then another, as she wondered frantically if this was going to work. Then, without warning, she found her back pressed against the railing, and suddenly she was the one being kissed. Pleasant- no, more than pleasant- sensations coursed through her. She twined her arms around Eomer's neck and kissed him back. Her knees weakened. Mortified, she realized that she had moaned. Oh, goodness...this isn't at all what I had in mind...Was her last coherent thought before she drifted to a place where her mind had no business; only her body and heart were involved.
Lothiriel had no idea how long they stood like that, kissing passionately underneath the stars. She only knew when Eomer stiffened and pulled away from her. Embarrassed, she started to move away, but found herself trapped between two rather iron-like arms.
"Let me go!" She started to struggle, but Eomer only tightened his grip.
"Shh." He whispered. "They're looking for us, and I really don't want them to find you looking like you've just been, uh, well..."
Lothiriel calmed down. I am a serene princess, she reminded herself. I am upset by nothing. "Then perhaps you should release me, so they don't find us here, like this."
"No."
"Why ever not?" She was baffled by Eomer's lack of logic.
"Because I don't want to."
"Oh, well, THAT's a good reason." Lothiriel glared at him and allowed the sarcasm to ooze from her voice. "And I'm sure my father will be only too happy to hear that that's why you're out here, imprisoning me in an affectionate embrace, when he finds us and feels obligated to do something drastic, like send me to Rivendell again, because he doesn't like my 'wild, unladylike behavior'." Eomer looked baffled. "Yes, it's all right for YOU to be here with me. No one will think twice about YOU trying to seduce a lady on a balcony because you're a man, and King to boot. But I'M an altogether different story."
"I'm not seduc—"But Lothiriel was too far gone in her ranting to allow herself to be interrupted. She was panicking at the thought of being sent away again.
"I've already been banished once, Eomer, and I don't want to go through it again! Yes, to you and everyone else in there I'm just the quiet, perfect little Princess of Dol Amroth, with the serene beauty and perfect manners. Well, I'm not! I'm wild and reckless and I follow my brothers around and get muddy. So much, in fact, that my father sent me to Rivendell for an entire year to be 'finished!' Do you know how awful it is to sit around doing nothing but embroidery and singing archaic songs all day long? No. You don't. Because you can do whatever you want. Well I can't. And if my father finds me out here with you, like this, he'll be convinced that it was my doing and he'll feel obligated to send me somewhere boring again."
"It was your own doing." Eomer pointed out. "You kissed me, I just took advantage of it. You didn't think I wouldn't, did you? I suppose I should apologize for taking advantage of your innocence, or something like that..." He stepped back and Lothiriel took the opportunity to put some distance between them. She frantically straightened her gown, smoothed her hair, and took deep breaths to compose herself.
She interrupted Eomer's non-apology. "You will now please escort me back into the ballroom as thought nothing out of the ordinary has happened."
Eomer obligingly took her arm and led her back inside, but as he released her into her father's chaperonage he whispered, "oh, but something HAS happened, princess," and promptly asked her to dance.
Lothiriel was saved from having to dance with Eomer by Faramir and Eowyn's re-entrance into the room. She saw Eomer's face darken as he realized they had managed to find time alone together, and grabbed his arm to hold him back when he started to stalk towards them.
"Wait! Eomer," She saw her father's raised eyebrow. "I mean, My Lord Eomer! They're beginning the Dance of Love, you can't interrupt now!" Lothiriel planted her feet firmly and refused to let go of his arm. Eomer glowered at her.
"You planned this all along, didn't you?" Lothiriel blushed but didn't answer. He sighed. "I might as well give up, then. If you're in on it, then Arwen must be, and there's no way I can win against the the two of you AND my sister."
Lothiriel fought the urge to laugh.
*~*~*
They danced beautifully. Body and soul, heart and spirit poured into the movements. Women in the crowd grew tearful. Men gruffly held their hands. At the conclusion of the dance, Faramir and Eowyn solemnly clasped hand and kissed. The throng applauded.
Eomer sighed, defeated. When he was approached by the deliriously happy couple, he waved them aside. "Oh, go away. I've obviously failed as a guardian in keeping you two a safe distance from each other. There's only two weeks until your wedding, drool over each other as much as you want." Eowyn laughed at his petulance and began teasing him. Faramir simply raised his eyebrows at the sight of Lothiriel's hand on Eomer's arm, but decided not to mention it.
Arwen glided over to the group. After congratulating Eowyn and Faramir, she drew Lothiriel and Eowyn aside to officially invite the Princess of Dol Amroth to the next session of Lady Lessons.
"Eowyn's promised to teach me how to ride astride, and I daresay you'll be able to give me a few pointers yourself."
Lothiriel accepted.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lothiriel leaned heavily on Eomer's arm as he led her out onto the balcony. She didn't really need the assistance, but it was best to keep up the sweet-and-delicate-I-need-a-big-strong-man routine to give Eowyn and Faramir as long as possible. Fanning herself, she did some fake gasping, as though she weren't getting enough air. Eomer deposited her on a wicker bench overlooking the City and stood to her side.
"Feeling any better, milady?" Eomer looked at her intently; Lothiriel was suddenly- really- short of breath. She fanned herself harder.
"Yes, quite. I thank you for your aid, sir. Might I inquire as to your name?" She played dumb.
Eomer frowned slightly. "You don't remember me, then? We met at Edoras some time ago... Eomer of Rohan, at your service."
Lothiriel remembered him perfectly. Though he'd been preoccupied with his sister, and the ordering of his new kingdom, they had been introduced and had shared a few polite conversations. Nothing significant except the way she hadn't stopped thinking about him since.
"Oh!" Still keeping up the charade, Lothiriel feigned surprise. "My lord! I do apologize for not recognizing you sooner, but I was a bit light- headed. I hope you will forgive my rudeness?" She stole a glance at the young King. He looked inordinately pleased that she had remembered who he was.
"There is nothing to forgive, my lady Lothiriel." Eomer gave an exaggerated court bow and the Princess couldn't help laughing. "Ah!" Eomer pounced. "You ARE feeling restored! Good, then I can initiate a real conversation." Lothiriel felt him grab both her hands and pull her to her feet. He tucked one of her arms through his and began a stately stroll beside the railing. She was silent.
"I can see I'm not going to get any help from you. Very well- what brings you to Minas Tirith?"
"I'm here for the wedding."
"Wedding?" Apparently Lothiriel had distracted him more than she'd thought. Grinning, she hinted.
"Yes...wedding...your sister's marriage to Captain Faramir, my cousin?"
An expression of shock stole over Eomer's face. "My sister! Faramir...oh, no. Excuse me, Lothiriel, I have to go..." Realizing that she'd inadvertently reminded Eomer of his plan to keep his sister under his eye at all times Lothiriel was appalled. Scarcely enough time had passed to let the couple reach Arwen's garden, let alone straighten things out. As Eomer began drawing away from her, Lothiriel remembered that she was a Princess of Dol Amroth, and she had given her word to distract Eomer. Well! Distract him she would! The instant Eomer released her arm, she raised her hands to clasp his head and dragged his face to hers. Closing her eyes and steeling herself, she kissed him full on the lips.
Lothiriel felt Eomer freeze in shock. A second passed, then another, as she wondered frantically if this was going to work. Then, without warning, she found her back pressed against the railing, and suddenly she was the one being kissed. Pleasant- no, more than pleasant- sensations coursed through her. She twined her arms around Eomer's neck and kissed him back. Her knees weakened. Mortified, she realized that she had moaned. Oh, goodness...this isn't at all what I had in mind...Was her last coherent thought before she drifted to a place where her mind had no business; only her body and heart were involved.
Lothiriel had no idea how long they stood like that, kissing passionately underneath the stars. She only knew when Eomer stiffened and pulled away from her. Embarrassed, she started to move away, but found herself trapped between two rather iron-like arms.
"Let me go!" She started to struggle, but Eomer only tightened his grip.
"Shh." He whispered. "They're looking for us, and I really don't want them to find you looking like you've just been, uh, well..."
Lothiriel calmed down. I am a serene princess, she reminded herself. I am upset by nothing. "Then perhaps you should release me, so they don't find us here, like this."
"No."
"Why ever not?" She was baffled by Eomer's lack of logic.
"Because I don't want to."
"Oh, well, THAT's a good reason." Lothiriel glared at him and allowed the sarcasm to ooze from her voice. "And I'm sure my father will be only too happy to hear that that's why you're out here, imprisoning me in an affectionate embrace, when he finds us and feels obligated to do something drastic, like send me to Rivendell again, because he doesn't like my 'wild, unladylike behavior'." Eomer looked baffled. "Yes, it's all right for YOU to be here with me. No one will think twice about YOU trying to seduce a lady on a balcony because you're a man, and King to boot. But I'M an altogether different story."
"I'm not seduc—"But Lothiriel was too far gone in her ranting to allow herself to be interrupted. She was panicking at the thought of being sent away again.
"I've already been banished once, Eomer, and I don't want to go through it again! Yes, to you and everyone else in there I'm just the quiet, perfect little Princess of Dol Amroth, with the serene beauty and perfect manners. Well, I'm not! I'm wild and reckless and I follow my brothers around and get muddy. So much, in fact, that my father sent me to Rivendell for an entire year to be 'finished!' Do you know how awful it is to sit around doing nothing but embroidery and singing archaic songs all day long? No. You don't. Because you can do whatever you want. Well I can't. And if my father finds me out here with you, like this, he'll be convinced that it was my doing and he'll feel obligated to send me somewhere boring again."
"It was your own doing." Eomer pointed out. "You kissed me, I just took advantage of it. You didn't think I wouldn't, did you? I suppose I should apologize for taking advantage of your innocence, or something like that..." He stepped back and Lothiriel took the opportunity to put some distance between them. She frantically straightened her gown, smoothed her hair, and took deep breaths to compose herself.
She interrupted Eomer's non-apology. "You will now please escort me back into the ballroom as thought nothing out of the ordinary has happened."
Eomer obligingly took her arm and led her back inside, but as he released her into her father's chaperonage he whispered, "oh, but something HAS happened, princess," and promptly asked her to dance.
Lothiriel was saved from having to dance with Eomer by Faramir and Eowyn's re-entrance into the room. She saw Eomer's face darken as he realized they had managed to find time alone together, and grabbed his arm to hold him back when he started to stalk towards them.
"Wait! Eomer," She saw her father's raised eyebrow. "I mean, My Lord Eomer! They're beginning the Dance of Love, you can't interrupt now!" Lothiriel planted her feet firmly and refused to let go of his arm. Eomer glowered at her.
"You planned this all along, didn't you?" Lothiriel blushed but didn't answer. He sighed. "I might as well give up, then. If you're in on it, then Arwen must be, and there's no way I can win against the the two of you AND my sister."
Lothiriel fought the urge to laugh.
*~*~*
They danced beautifully. Body and soul, heart and spirit poured into the movements. Women in the crowd grew tearful. Men gruffly held their hands. At the conclusion of the dance, Faramir and Eowyn solemnly clasped hand and kissed. The throng applauded.
Eomer sighed, defeated. When he was approached by the deliriously happy couple, he waved them aside. "Oh, go away. I've obviously failed as a guardian in keeping you two a safe distance from each other. There's only two weeks until your wedding, drool over each other as much as you want." Eowyn laughed at his petulance and began teasing him. Faramir simply raised his eyebrows at the sight of Lothiriel's hand on Eomer's arm, but decided not to mention it.
Arwen glided over to the group. After congratulating Eowyn and Faramir, she drew Lothiriel and Eowyn aside to officially invite the Princess of Dol Amroth to the next session of Lady Lessons.
"Eowyn's promised to teach me how to ride astride, and I daresay you'll be able to give me a few pointers yourself."
Lothiriel accepted.