It was hours later and Monica was tired, but she had started this, so she would finish it. He hadn't said 6 words to her all night and she felt stupid. She wasn't mad, well a little, but not at him, at herself. But mostly she just felt stupid. Stupid because had even let herself think for a moment that she could get his attention away from Eowyn. She saw more and more how much he dotted on the woman and she was worried for Faramir. But he was doing it in front of his brother, so many it wasn't something that bothered him. She hadn't mentioned it to Eomer before to be spiteful, not really, not for revenge or to get a better standing with Boromir. She truly cared for Eowyn and Faramir and wanted nothing more then to see them happy. Eowyn had been through too much in her short life and she just wanted to protect her.

It is odd really, she thinks as she picks up some more plates, stacking them in her arms to take into the back, she was younger then Eowyn yet she wanted to protect her. It might have to do with the fact that she had seen a different side of Eowyn since she had fallen in love with Faramir, a side that everyone thought would be gone when her Uncle died. The soft, loving side, the side that had been lost when her parents died and only showed around her brother or Uncle, or cousin.... her cousin. Monica is saddened once again over his death. It had hit Eowyn deeply. When she had sang at the funeral they all had felt her pain, though it was clearly evident in her voice. Both her and Eomer had taken to Theodred not as a cousin but as another brother, even though he was almost 17 years older then Eowyn. The three were often seen together, Theodred would be teaching Eomer to fight and Eowyn refused to be left out. So the much older man had taken her under his wing and taught her how as well. At times it was as if they were inseparable, Theodred almost taking them on as his own children, wanting to keep them safe. Especially when it came to Eowyn. There was something about her, even though she could now stand on her own two feet, fight some of the most skilled with the sword and win, she had something about her that made men want to protect her. Monica had seen it with Aragorn, how he had been torn because he wanted to protect Eowyn, even though he loved Arwen. Now it was Faramir's turn, hopefully he would not take it too hard or be too harsh on his brother when he found out that his brother cared about Eowyn. Hopefully he would see it for what it really was, the fact that men always wanted to protect her and keep her safe. She wished that someone wanted to protect her, and she wished that someone was Boromir. Monica wondered if indeed someone would ever want to take care of her and her eyes settle on Boromir who was talking to the others at the moment, not even noticing her.

She is taken from her thoughts when someone bumps into her back. "OH!" She turns, about to yell at the person, her nerves frazzled when she sees Wesley, a young man that worked in the kitchens.

"Sorry, sorry," he rubs at the front of Monica's shirt. "I didn't mean to do that."

She pushes his hand off her shirt. "You bumped into my back, not my front. Nothing happened, don't worry." She doesn't yell because he always was bumping into things. Yelling at him would only hurt his feelings and she didn't feel like being cruel to anyone tonight. Not to someone as simple as Wes. "I have to go, excuse me." She pushes past him and moves into the back, taking the plates to the sink and setting them near it for the washer.

Eowyn looks around, reaching behind her to hand Monica her plate when she asks for it. She isn't paying enough attention to the two brothers it would seem as she hears someone clear their throat a few times, but she was looking at Monica and catches that last look she throws Baramir. She feels a hand on her shoulder and she looks back at the two men, her eyes going straight to the hand on her shoulder. "I was listening to you both. I heard every word that was said. My eyes just happened to be elsewhere." She looks out over the dance floor, smiling. Maybe one last dance before retiring. The party had thinned out somewhat, people drifting outside and to their homes or beds. Right now she really could use a bed, she was worn out from the dancing and the wine.

She looks at the wine in her glass and sighs again. Yes, the wine. Some had had too much while some not enough. You could always tell those that had too much, most of the time. They were loud and insistent. A smile touches her lips. That described Faramir and Boromir without the wine! She laughs at the thought, then quiets, not wanting to draw attention to herself, they were having fun enough on their own, as long as she looked like she was paying attention.

"She is not listening, Faramir. Come, have another drink." Boromir smirks holding out another goblet of wine to Faramir, who was just as drunk as him. He pouts though when Eowyn takes the goblets of wine from them, saying she thought they both had had enough. He smiles and sighs, shaking his head he looks at Faramir. "Quite a woman you got there, Faramir. Too bad she is only one of a kind." He smiles, looking over at Eowyn. Yes, too bad indeed. Then he could have her. He notices Monica was back and cleaning up. He felt the need to talk to her. Maybe she could get him another glass of wine. He gets up and limps over to where Monica was finishing clearing the table. he taps her shoulder gently. "Monica?"

Monica almost jumps when he taps her shoulder, having not thought he noticed her this was her last trip before bed and the last thing she thought would happen was for him to come to her. So she stands there, her mouth open, all the thoughts going through her head when she suddenly realizes what she must look like standing there like that. "What can I get you, Lord Boromir?" she asks with a slight bow.

"I am not drunk, Eowyn." Faramir smiles at her, shaking his head as she takes away the goblet of wine Boromir had been about to pass him. "I am merely clearing my system so that you may kiss me again. Or do you rather not kiss me?" He reaches out and takes her hand when she returns. He tugs her down onto his lap, not really thinking about how it might look to the others in the room. And really he didn't care either. He wraps his arms around her waist and leans in. "Shall I have my kiss now?"

Eowyn puts a hand between them, pushing on his chest and shaking her head. "To tell you the truth Faramir?" she waits for his nod, "No, I really don't want to kiss you with you that drunk. I would hate for you to get sick after kissing me and that will forever be in your memory. No no no, I much rather we wait " She pushes enough to get him away from her and sighs. "I think you need to go to bed." She sees his hurt look and suddenly hugs him, whispering in his ear. "I do not mean any f this as a punishment, merely because I don't want you to look back on this with bad memories, me either. And kissing a drunk man is not at the top of that list.

Boromir smiles, nodding. "I would like another glass of wine. Lady Eowyn stole my last one and will not give me another. She says I am far to drunk." He snorts, shaking his head. "I am no more drunk than my brother." He nods. He looked funny really. His eyes were closed a bit and his words were slurred. And he was swaying on his feet, yet he still didn't believe he was drunk. "And I would like if you would dance with me. If you do no mind my limp I have?" He smiles at her, looking quite charming, yet still drunk.

Monica wants so bad to say yes, to go dance with him, but she is afraid that in his current condition he would indeed fall... and repeatedly. "Lord Boromir," she says, putting a hand to hesitantly touch his arm. "Why don't you come with me and I will get you something to drink back in the kitchen." She would give him some hot coffee if she could talk him into it. "Then maybe one dance before I have to go."

Boromir brightens as she makes her suggestion, having been frowning when he could see she wouldn't dance with him. The frown was more because she was reminding him of his disability then because she wasn't going to dance with him. But when she suggests he go with her to the kitchens he can't help but smile. He nods and lets her take his arm, following her as she pulls him out of the room and down to the kitchens. Once there he looks around and takes a seat at one of the tables used for preparing food. It had been cleaned off and was now being filled with clean dishes.

When he takes his seat at the table, Monica moves over to the stove messing with a few things before she comes back with two steaming cups of coffee, sitting one down in front of him and she herself sitting in her seat to sip on the hot liquid gold. It definitely woke her up, she would need that to get the rest of this kitchen done. "You really should hit the hay, Lord Boromir." Then she looks shocked and she shakes her head, her hand going out, palm up towards him. "I am sorry, Lord Boromir, I should not have spoken so freely before asking permission. Forgive me?" She had started to slip into a familiarity with him due to her nursing him, more so now that Faramir was back. It was a familiarity that she was NOT supposed to know and she had to quickly correct it.

Boromir looks at the cup of coffee before him, staring at it as if it were a foreign object. "What is this?" He looks up at Monica when she says it is coffee. "But I asked for wine. Why this?" He sees her frown and grabs her hand when she goes to take it away, realizing she was just trying to help. "No no. I think I would like the coffee." He smiles at her, gesturing to her seat. "Will you be helping me to sleep again tonight?" His mind being clouded with the alcohol, he wasn't thinking about what he was saying or to who, he was just speaking the truth. He picks up his cup and sips it. He wasn't one for tea or coffee, he preferred wine or ale. But he had to admit, this was good. "What is in this? It is very good."

Monica shakes her head and shrugs. "I do not know. The King used to have it brought in from across the seas." She takes a sip and lets her breath out in a sigh. "It is very strong, he liked it that way, much stronger then the other drinks, especially the way I make it. I thought that you would need it more so then the other, the shape in which you are in." She once again realizes she has crossed the line and lowers her eyes and her voice. "I am sorry, My Lord, I did not mean anything by it." Shit! She was bound and determined to get her head cut off tonight wasn't she?

"It is very good. And I do not prefer to drink coffee or tea." Boromir smiles at her, then looks confused when she suddenly apologizes. The coffee had yet to take it's desired effect so his tongue and mind were still loose, causing him to speak and do things he would not normally do. He reaches out and lifts her chin, having to set down the cup as he only had one free hand. "You do not need to be so formal with me, Monica. And you may say whatever you wish. I very much like it when you...care for me." It wasn't exactly what he wanted to say. The words order and mind him had crossed his mind, but cared seemed to fit better. He drops his hand and picks up the cup again, drinking some more of the contents. "It more than likely tastes better than what my poor brother must drink." He looks up at the girl. "Do you know of him? My brother? Why of course you do. He is just up in the hall. No. What I mean to say is, do you know of what happened to him. Yes yes. That is it. What happened to him. Why must he drink special tea that makes him grimace? And why does he favor his shoulder. And...." He is silenced by her fingers on his lips. He frowns a little when she removes them and then tells him it was not her place to tell him such things, but Faramir's. He sighs. "But he will not tell me. I have asked and he simply changes the subject or tells me not to worry. But I must worry. He is not himself. He seems.....troubled. And his eyes are dull. Though not because there is no life in him, more because he is struggling with something physical." He finishes the coffee and pushes the cup towards her. "More please?"

Monica can't believe what he is saying. She had caught the 'care for me' statement, as well as how he said that she didn't have to be so formal with him. He was confusing her with what he was saying, but she keeps listening, unable to stop herself for any reason. Did she know his brother? That made her instantly think that he meant in the Biblical sense and is relieved when he clarifies that. But she still wouldn't tell him, it wasn't for her to say, even if she wanted to tell him, wanted to do something for him that only she could do and he would love her because of it, but still, even with that, she could not do it. Finally in the end she refills his coffee and moves around to kneel in front of him, her hands resting on his knees as she looks up into his face. "Boromir," she says softly, waiting for him to look at her before she goes on. In a way she hoped that he would be drunk enough still that he would not remember this. "I am glad that you like the way that I care for you, because I do care for you. I care a lot." She gets scared and hurries on when he goes to say something. "And I do not mind taking care of you. It is like second nature now, to treat your wounds and make sure your bandages are well taken care of. In fact I do not think that I would trust anyone else to do it but for Eowyn." She bites her tongue so that she doesn't say what she wanted to about Eowyn. "But she isn't going to be around as much since Faramir is here and she needs to take care of him. So please, do me a favor, do not wait for her to help you. If you need the help, call me because I can be here within moments and have you taken care of in no time. Promise me that, Boromir. Promise to come to me first." She hoped, she prayed that she would be able to convince him to always come to her. It would not only help out Faramir and Eowyn, but it would get him thinking more and more about her.

Boromir stares at her for a moment, his mind still clouded by alcohol, though less now. He nods after a moment of silence. "Yes. Alright. I suppose that would be fine." He didn't understand why he felt better about having her look after him, if Eowyn could not. With another nod he turns and uses his good hand to pick up his cup of coffee again, downing all of it quickly. He then looks back at her. "Will you dance with me now? As I asked you to before and I am done the drink now."

Monica looks at him up and down slowly, then holds out her hand as she smiles at him. "I suppose that I could dance with you a couple songs"

Boromir smiles and stands, then takes her hand and limps out of the kitchens with her, heading back up to the great hall. Once there he doesn't take notice to how deserted it had gotten. Most of the people were now starting to leave. But he doesn't notice. He glances at Monica. "I shall have to warn you, I do know how to dance, but not with my knees the way they are. And before you object to dancing, I assure you, I am fine. Your feet after the dance however, I do not know."

Monica stops arguing finally, letting him lead her onto the dance floor with a smile. She threads her fingers with his as the music starts up again, their bodies moving slowly against each other. There wasn't a lot left to begin with and even fewer when they start to dance. But she suddenly doesn't care any more. As she lets herself be taken over by the music, she lets him hold her a little closer without objecting. She can feel her heart skip a beat and she wonders if she will be able to hold on that long. She had wanted to have him sweep her off her feet in her dreams. Now it was happening, at least in a small way, and she wanted nothing more then to hold onto the dream for just a little longer. To dance with him like this for a little longer, before she eventually gave up the dream and went to bed.

Her mind was on other things, so if he stepped on her toes she didn't notice. But she did notice the time after the third dance came and went. That and that she was parched. So she stops and looks up into his eyes, a new life suddenly shining in hers. "Is that enough, Boromir?" she asks breathless.

Boromir was having a very good time dancing with Monica. And he had yet to step on her feet so he was happy about that. After the third dance, he nods to her when she asks if that was enough. Really it was. He felt tired but very content and happy. "Yes. I think that shall be enough for tonight. I am feeling a little sleepy. Perhaps you will walk me to my room?" He hoped she would. He hoped she would stay as well. He fell asleep better when she was there with him and singing her songs.

Monica instantly nods at his question because she wanted to settle him into bed herself. That way she could tell what needed to be taken care of tonight and what could wait till morning and the healers. "You did really well for a man with as many brushes as you have at the present time." She is careful when she holds onto his hand as they start back to the estate.

Boromir smiles and nods, letting her help him back to his room. "Though as much as I enjoyed that, I fear I will be sore by the morning." Once back to his room he allows her to help him undress, wincing as he steps out of his pants. He smiles slightly, watching her as she brings over the leggings he wore to sleep. When he is finally dressed in them, he sits on the bed like she instructs him to. He then watches as she removes his bandages and uses warm, soapy water to clean his wounds and his bad arm and hand. "Do you think my brother hates me?" He had noticed how Faramir, though he seemed happy to have him back, he had noticed how Faramir was still always apprehensive around him. Almost guilty.

Monica carefully undresses him, being extra careful with his leggings because of all the open wounds. It takes time, but she doesn't mind and it shows on her face. She was actually smiling as she stands up to take his dirty clothes over to the bucket by the door. She would take it down when she left him for the night. But for now she sits on the bed near him. She shakes her head, unable to stop herself she reaches out and caresses his cheek. "Your brother doesn't hate you. He has no reason to hate you. You have done nothing wrong. So do not worry so." She moves around behind him her legs wrapping around his middle. "You wanted a massage, right?" she asks him as she leans down closer to him to whisper in his ear.

Boromir nods. "Please. I am already starting to feel sore." He tilts his head forward when she begins to massage his shoulders, wincing when she presses on his bad shoulder. When she moves her hand away he sighs. "Do you know when my brother is to leave? I will most likely have to......ah right there." He groans softly. She'd just hit a rather painful muscle cramp and her hands were working wonders to relieve the pain there.

Monica smiles almost smugly when she hears his comments. She leans into her movements now, pressing harder and rotating her hands so that the balls of her palms were giving him a deep muscle massage. She had been practicing, wanting to be able to really massage him when she got the chance. "Is that helping any?" she asks innocently before going on. "He hasn't told me when he was leaving. But I think that he is not staying long."

"And I will have to go back with him, I am sure. That is unless the healers say I am unfit for the journey." Boromir couldn't help hoping that the healers would tell him to stay, yet a part of him wanted to go home as well. "Yes it is helping. Very much." He shifts as she passes her hand over a tender spot, then he yawns. "I believe that is good for now, thank you." He yawns again, lying back on the bed when she tells him to.

Monica frowns, shaking her head. "No, you will wake up stiff if I leave it as it is. So why don't you just lay there," she says as she straddle his hips, resting her bottom on his upper thighs as she starts to massage his upper chest and shoulders, half leaning and half laying over him. "I am just glad that I could help, Boromir."

He nods and smiles, watching her for a moment and wondering for a second why he liked having her in the position she was in. "I am grateful for your help." He yawns again, then closes his eyes, mumbling as he starts to fall asleep. "Very.....grateful."



Lothiriel had danced until she thought her legs would fall off. Most of the dances had been with her love, but then some of the men from the village and the castle asked to dance with her and soon she didn't have a single moment to herself, or to rest. So she had stolen away, slipping out after one of the dances to steal up to the top of the stairs coming up to the castle. The wind that was blowing lifted her hair and skirt and finally she set down to hold the folds of her skirt down. Though the cool breeze was nice she didn't need everyone to see under her skirts and the wind was a rather stiff one tonight.

She sits there for awhile, wondering when she would have to go in before she is missed, looking out over the lands, a smile on her lips.

Eomer walks out of the room, having finally been given a chance to. He had seen Lothiriel escape only a few minutes before. He can't help but laugh as he passes Beregond standing by the door. He nods to his comment on Boromir and Faramir having a little too much to drink. "Indeed they have. If Boromir collapses, have Monica help you bring him to his room." He then leaves the room completely and sees Lothiriel. He walks over to her and leans down to gently kiss her cheek. "Hello. Come for some fresh air?"

She smiles softly up at him when he kisses her cheek. "Hello, Darling." She looks out over the land and nods. "Something like that." She pats the ground next to her and waits until he is sitting down before she leans against him. "I was just thinking about how tired I was, to be honest. I hadn't gotten much of a break once your men and such started to ask me to dance. You didn't get much of a shot either, to dance with me, but I haven't stopped in over an hour and I am hot and tired, and probably sweaty." The last word is said as a whisper, as if it was a word a lady should never speak of.

He sits beside her, smiling when she leans against him. "You have made many of my men happy tonight I am sure. Do not worry Lothiriel. You do not need to dance with me tonight. There will be plenty of time for a dance." He turns and kisses the top of her head gently, able to since she was resting her head on his shoulder. "If you are tired, I will walk you to your room. The feast is over soon."

She threads her arms through his so that she can hug it as she has her head on his shoulder. Cuddled against his side like that she sighs softly. "I think that I would just like to sit here for a little longer. I do not wish to part so soon. But I do not wish to go back in there either," she says with another soft smile. "I rather spend all this time with you."

He smiles and watches the clouds moving across the moon. "I do not wish to depart from you just yet either." There is silence for a few moments, then he speaks. "Your cousins seem to have drunk most of my store of wine. Faramir's guard was commenting on it before I left. My sister thankfully confiscated the last of their wine."

She sighs and looks down, ashamed over what the two men had done. Even though it wasn't her problem, they were her kin. "I am sorry, Eomer. I am sure they will fix anything they break tomorrow." She gives him a sheepish grin and sees that he isn't mad so the throws her arms around his neck and kisses him soundly, sighing as she leans her forehead against his when she is done, smiling. "That is something I have been wanting to do all night. But I had to be the prim and proper fiancé." The word makes her blush and she can't meet his eyes totally.

He smiles at her, shaking his head. "Or you and I could be like my sister and her fiancé." He laughs along with her, then wraps his arms around her and holds her close. "Do not worry about your cousins. They will soon be family so I do not mind their actions. I wish to ask you though, about your family. When do you think I will be able to meet them?"

She looks at him in shock when he suggests that they make love and blinks a few times. She knew many women who could do that, but she couldn't. She looks away quickly and is glad when he changes the subject, hoping he didn't take her reaction as repulsion or anything. By far she was not repulsed at all, she just didn't know if she could do it. She had never done it and she always planned to never loose her virginity till her wedding night. She had been naive back then and her dream also had her husband a virgin, just as unsure of himself as she was. And they would learn it all together, neither embarrassed, as they both were new at it. She knew that wasn't going to be the case with Eomer. Women could be so jealous at times. And because it wasn't even a lady from Rohan that was to wed their King there had already been several conversations that were 'accidentally' heard by her. The speakers making sure she could hear them, about how certain women would be upset to learn their lover had taken another for his wife. She would never mention these to Eomer, they would be things she would forever keep hidden, they were her cross to bear. She was also not stupid enough to believe most of it, knowing some was said out of spite. But also on the other hand she wasn't stupid enough to think he was a virgin. It was okay for men, especially men of power like Eomer, to take a mistress well before they marry, a coming of age ceremony sometimes would happen when they turned 18 and they would buy the woman that time. The whole thing disgusted her. Not because of what the women did but because of the way that society looked down on them. Why was it okay for the men to do it but the women were shunned for their part in it? Who would the men do it with if not for a woman? A goat?

This thought makes her giggle and brings her back to the here and now, as her eyes rest on Eomer's again. "I will return to Gondor with my cousins when they leave and give the news to my father and mother in person. They would expect no less of me. I know you are a busy man, but if you could take a few days off to come see them and ask for my hand proper like..... It might go over better." She smiles and shakes her head. "Not that their daughter becoming a queen is not enough for them."

He smiles at her, nodding. He had caught her silence after he said they could be more like Eowyn and Faramir if she wished. He hadn't quite meant it like that though. He takes her hand and rubs his thumb gently against it. "Lothiriel, I wish to tell you something. And I hope you will not be offended for I only say it because I wish not to be exactly like Faramir and my sister in their relationship. I....was hoping that you and I could wait till our wedding night. As much as I desire you, I wish nothing more than to make it the perfect night. And I can wait." When she goes to speak he holds up his hand to stop her. "I know what you have heard tonight. And I assure you, I have not been with as many women as they wish you to think. Actually....it may be hard for you to believe but..." He leans in and whispers to her, not wishing for any of his men to hear. "I have not bedded any women. I...will not lie to you. I have told a few lies that I have been with women. But only because I felt the need to. I can wait because I do not wish to make a fool of myself now and have you decide I am not the husband you wish for. Oh but do not tell my sister please. Even she thinks I know the pleasure of a woman." He looks away, glad it was dark. He felt dread running through him. What would she think now. Everyone thought him experienced in this sort of thing, and true, he could be charming and he knew how to court a woman. But all that was told and taught to him by his cousin, by watching Theodred with his own love. In public anyway. And Theodred was the only one who knew his secret. Till now. He could not even tell Eowyn for fear of her laughter. Theodred often wondered why he felt so self-conscious about this sort of thing. He couldn't tell him anything, other than he felt the need to be pure for his wife. He would want nothing more from his wife, why rob her of that precious gift as well. He felt stupid for thinking it.

She listens to him closely, at first thinking that she was hearing things. Then as it sinks in, that what he was telling her was that he was a virgin, he had lied to his men rather then let them think he was a virgin, but he really was.

She suddenly throws hr arms around his neck, hugging him as tight as she can before loosening her hold on him and crying into his neck. She doesn't know what he was thinking as he tries to untangle himself from her hold. His face was blurry to her tear filled eyes. She can't tell if it was anger or joy, so she leans in quickly to whisper in his ear. "You have just made me the happiest woman on this planet."

He doesn't notice his sister, he was too shocked with what Lothiriel had said. His inadequacy made her happy? "But.....do you not want a husband who knows how to pleasure a woman?" He frowns slightly. "You do not think of me as....strange?" Truth was he had been interested in woman, as any normal male would. But he had been more interested in preparing to protect his country and doing so. He really didn't have time to take a lover. "You are not upset? Or.....or disappointed?"

She hadn't seen Eowyn either and right then all she could see anyway was Eomer's lovely face. "I am thrilled, Eomer! I am not disappointed! I am so NOT upset that I could not be happier! Eomer," she says, urgency in her voice, wanting him to understand just how important what she was about to say was. "Eomer, ever since I was a teenager, thinking of my wedding night and what I wanted and what I expected, it was always the same. I wanted my husband to be a virgin too. I wanted us BOTH to be virgins. That way on our wedding night, when I am unsure of myself, it will be okay, because you too will be unsure of yourself. Neither of us will be embarrassed because we both will be new, learning it all together. It will make it all the more special because we will be able to learn as we go and we will have been the only ones to touch the other. No one will be every able to take that away from us. Do you understand what I am saying, Eomer? Can you see why it is so important." She gives him a lopsided grin. "On that night, when a man touches me for the first time, it will be you. And," she feels tears course down her cheeks, "if you are not lying to me, you will be giving me the best gift that you could ever have given me."

He smiles slightly. "So....you are not upset with me? You do not mind that I will have no experience on our wedding night?" He sees her shake her head and leans in, kissing her deeply. When he pulls back he smiles and wipes at her tears, kissing her lightly again. "It means very much to me to know you are not upset by this." He holds her close, then smiles. "You will not tell anyone will you?"

She shakes her head, holding his hands against her chest, her eyes searching his. "Oh, Eomer! I will not tell not only because you will soon be my husband but because this is something that I want to keep dear to my heart. You still do not comprehend just what this means to me, do you?" She looks at him in awe, unable to believe he did not get it. Then she gets an idea. "Think of it this way, Eomer. How do you feel, knowing that you are going to be the first and last lover I will ever have? Think of that, and then you will know why I feel the way I do about being your first and last lover.

He smiles at her, leaning in to kiss her again. "Yes. I very much like the thought of I being your first and only lover." He lets go of her hand and reaches up to caress her cheek. And I am glad you feel the same about me." He gently kisses her once more, before smiling. "Are you tired? Would you like me to walk you to your room now?"

She sighs against his lips and nods, indeed very tired, it had been a big day. It had started out like any other, but it had not ended like any other. No indeed, this one had ended with her engaged to be married. "I think that it would be very nice to have you with me, walking me back, my future husband." She blushes at the words, her hand slipping into his and threading her fingers through his..

He smiles at her and stands, holding her hand and helping her up. "Come. I will bring you to your room and say goodnight, then retire to mine. And tomorrow morning we shall have breakfast together if you wish." He starts to walk with her back into the building, taking her towards her room. Once there he opens her door then lets her go inside. "If you wish, after breakfast, you may help me with the never ending paper work, then I may finish early and we can go to the river for lunch. If it is a nice day that is."

She walks with him in silence, thinking about how short the walk really was. When they finally stop outside the door she gazes up into his eyes, searching, for something, she doesn't know what. Maybe it was what she finds there when she looks deep into his eyes. Maybe it was exactly that which she finds there, that which makes her heart skip a beat. Love. There was love in his eyes and it brings tears to hers. He really did love her! She almost couldn't believe it herself because it wasn't just this once, but now was every time that she looked into his eyes. "If you keep looking at me like that, I don't know that I will be able to seem my standing," she teases him playfully, gazing up at him with her own look of love, a look that she only had for him.

He smiles at her, shaking his head. "I can not help the way I look at you, Lothiriel." He leans in and kisses her gently. "Off you go to sleep, Dear. You know where my room is if you need me." He reaches up and caresses her cheek. "And Faramir is just across the hall."

"But it is not Faramir that I would wish to see," Lothiriel says with a sigh. She reaches up and pulls his hand from her face before getting on her tippy toes to kiss him rather passionately. She then pulls away and steps back, her eyes dry for once. "Soon we will not have to say goodnight." She blushes at that one and turns quickly so that she can leave before he stops her and then she can't leave.

He smiles at her, shaking his head in amusement when she turns and closes the door. He whispers goodnight to her door before turning and heading back to his room. Once there he pulls off the crown on his head and places it down on the cushion on top of his dresser. With a sigh he goes about getting changed into his night clothes. Once done he walks around his room, blowing out the candles and lanterns till the room is dark again. He preferred it that way really. Climbing into bed he yawns and smiles to himself. He was getting married. And to a woman who made him feel nothing like he ever had before. His smile widens at the thought.

She heads over to the bed and flops down on it, fully clothed and not caring, the smile on her face shining brightly as she thinks about Eomer. She was going to get married to the man she loves more then life itself. She didn't even think of the fact she would be a Queen, she doesn't think about the fact she would be moving to a whole different territory. All she thought about was that she was going to marry Eomer. And that is how she falls asleep, laying on her bed, fully clothed, a smile on her face as she dreams of her wedding day.

He smiles to himself, turning onto his side and closing his eyes. He was going to sleep well tonight. Unless the city was attacked he wasn't going to worry about anything. He was just going to think about his beloved Lothiriel. And that is just what he does until he falls asleep.



Faramir frowns, his mind clouded by alcohol, making him wonder why she was rejecting him. "But I...." When she explains it to him he smiles, thinking maybe she just wanted to kiss him in private. "Yes. I should go lay down. Come." He stands up, setting her down on her feet before he takes her hand and begins pulling her from the room.

Eowyn laughs, pulling back on his hand. "Faramir! Let me go!" She laughs as se pulls on her hands. "There are people that I have to say goodbye to, one of them at least my brother. But if I just take off, there will be some hurt feelings left behind. So we need to at least say goodnight to my brother." She was leaning left and to try to get a view of Eomer.

He smiles and keeps pulling her. "But you said I should be sleeping. Will you not join me?" He pouts when she finally breaks free of his hold. "Eowyn...." He sighs and watches as she walks away and starts speaking with others. He crosses his arms over his chest, then looks at Beregond as he comes to stand beside him. "I am not drunk." He hears a laugh and then the words yes he was. He sighs and shakes his head. "I did not have that much to drink." Again, the laugh and yes you did. "It was Boromir's fault." Yet another laugh and this time a hard clap to the back, along with yes of course it was. He smiles and looks towards his guard. "You will not tell the king of this will you?" He sighs when the man nods and again repeats that it was not his fault.

She was walking around trying to find Eomer, all the while wondering what she was going to do with a drunk Faramir. She wasn't worried about Boromir, well she was but only slightly. She notices Monica leave the room with him and sighs, relieved, because now he would have someone to watch him, for she was certain it was indeed her.

She feels a hand on her arm and smiles at Faramir over her shoulder. "I just found out he is outside with his Love. Seems she ran out there upset and he ran after her, at least that is what someone told me they saw. I better go check and find out the real reason. Then you can walk me to my room."

He walks over to Eowyn, touching her arm lightly. "Perhaps you should leave them alone and let me take you to my room right now?" He smiles innocently, hoping she agrees. He really did want to get her back to his room. When she shakes her head he sighs deeply. "Eowyn...he is fine. Come with me."

She shakes her head, frowning. "They are just outside, let me look." She tugs on her arm, not liking that he was holding her lie thing. So she compromises. "I will just look outside, Faramir. If they are out there and I can see them and no one is yelling, then I will leave them alone and you and I can retire to my bedchambers. However, if there is yelling or crying, I must make sure everything is okay." She had made it to the back door and was about to open it but she was waiting to see what he agreed on because if they were having a quiet fight Faramir could break that up and they wouldn't have the poof they need.

He frowns and nods, letting her go reluctantly. "I will wait here. Hurry back please." He moves over to a chair and sits down, then he leans his head forward, his eyes closed. He was no longer drunk. Instead he felt rather sick and in pain. The headache had returned. He looks up as he feels a hand on his shoulder. Seeing Beregond he takes the offered cup and drinks it down without thinking. When he finally notices the taste he looks at his personal guard with wonder.

As always Beregond had kept a close eye on his charge through out the whole feast. He had watches the younger man with his brother, smiling as they seemed to slide right back into their old ways, but always he noticed the way Faramir kept his hand out of sight of Boromir, as if he were hiding the ring he wore from his brother's sight. When would the young ranger learn. Boromir had never wanted the Stewardship. He wanted nothing more than to be the Captain-General of Gondor's army. Boromir had told Beregond that, once while they were stationed on guard one night, during Boromir's fifth year in the army. He had said simply, that this was where he wished to be. Outside, on guard for Gondor. It was Faramir who would be better suited for the Stewardship. Now why couldn't young Faramir see that for himself? Or was he really so much like Denethor? With a sigh he watches as Faramir pretty much hounds Eowyn to leave with him. Shaking his head he watches as the young woman firmly stands her ground. He then watches as she disappears through the door and Faramir almost sways on his feet. Oh he knew what that meant. He quickly stops a passing servant and asks for a warm cup of water quickly. When it is brought to him he drops a few herbs from a small pouch in his pocket into the water and then takes the cup over to Faramir. This wasn't the herbs that were fighting the poison. These were a sort of painkiller. The warden at the house of healing in Minas Tirith had insisted Faramir take it. When refused he gave the bag to Faramir's personal guard, Beregond himself. He reaches down and offers the cup to Faramir, who takes it and downs all the contents quickly. When the young man looks up at him he just shrugs and smiles. "The Warden said you would need this. You have also drank too much, my Lord. Come. I will take you to your room. You need your rest." At the nod he helps Faramir up and then starts to lead him from the room. When he asks of Eowyn, Beregond smiles. "I will inform her where you are once you are settled, Lord Faramir. For now you need your rest." He leaves the hall with Faramir. When they are halfway to the room he asks. "Is there no way for the poison to leave completely?"

He doesn't answer, not until he is in his room and laying on his bed. He lets out a soft sigh, the cool sheets and room feeling nice. "Not that they have found. Even the King can do nothing. It is....strange, this poison. Queen Arwen has suggested that I consult with her father but I do not wish to burden anyone else with my problem. Besides, a little pain and suffering is not something I deem to be important. I have been through much worse." He closes his eyes. "Please go find Lady Eowyn and inform her of where I am." He grabs hold of Beregond's arm when he turns to leave. "Only where I am. If she asks, I collapsed from too much drink. Do not worry her needlessly, Beregond." He waits for the nod then releases Beregond's arm and rests his aching head back against the pillows again. At least the headache the next morning would not be so bad.

She finally gets away from Faramir and heads outside. She is careful when she goes through the second set of doors. Careful to not interrupt them should it be an emotional time, but still able to hear what is going on so that she could react properly.

In the end when she comes outside she notices that they were in an embrace on the stairs and no one seemed to be yelling or crying. But she couldn't see their faces in the dark so she couldn't tell as far as that was concerned. However, as she listens, feeling like she was intruding, she hears a laugh. It seemed thick with tears, but it was definitely a laugh and it had come from Lothiriel. So she leaves, knowing whomever had said that to her about the fight had been wrong.

Heading back in she can't find Faramir and it causes her to became upset. Where was he? He had been going to stick around here, wasn't he? But she can't fin him anywhere and soon she is becoming rather upset, her frantic look going all over the palace. Finally she sees Beregond coming towards her and she relaxes because she knew where Beregond was, Faramir wasn't far behind, at least not now days.

"Beregond, I can't find Faramir," she says with a frown as she stops in front of him.

Beregond puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He is okay, he is laying down right now. He passed out and I took him back to his room." He says it with a laugh, doing just as he had been told to by Faramir.

She lets her breath out slowly, closing her eyes. "At least he was with you. Thank you Beregond." She pats his shoulder, then motions with her head down the hall. "Is he in his room?"

Beregond nods and then leads her back to Faramir's room, where he leaves her alone with Faramir, who was still lying on his bed. He then takes his station outside Faramir's door, wanting to be close incase the Lord Faramir needed more cups of tea.

He hears the door open and turns his head towards it. Opening his eyes for all of a second to see who it was. He saw Eowyn and Beregond. Good. With his eyes closed again, one hand resting behind his head, the other on his stomach, with one leg bent and the other stretched out. He was still fully clothed except for his boots which he had kicked off before really laying down. His head still hurt a little but it wasn't anything he couldn't deal with. He hears the door close and waits a moment before he opens his eyes and looks at Eowyn, just standing there, watching him. He gives her an innocent smile. "Too much to drink perhaps?"

She doesn't move from her position at the door, her arms crossed over her chest as she looks at him. "Oh, I do know that you had too much to drink. Too bad that wasn't how you got here. Remember, I was with you when you tried to get me into your bed tonight. And I went to say goodnight to my brother, whom by the way is okay, and I returned to find that you were no longer there. Tired of me already?" She wasn't really mad at him, but she was upset at him for doing what he had done.

He watches her carefully noticing she was upset. "No. I could never tire of you. I merely passed out and was brought here so as not to make a fool of myself anymore than I already had. Be grateful I have not vomited. Then you yourself would wish I had not been here I am sure." He gives her a tired smile, with a tinge of pain to it. He sits up and then winces and holds his head as it starts to pound again, waiting for the pain and dizziness to leave him. When it does, only then does he start to get undressed.

She rushes over to him and pushes him back onto the bed. "Do not get up, Faramir! You are in no condition to be doing things like that." When he looks at her in shock and laughs, asking if he shouldn't undress himself she rolls her eyes at him and she huffs at him. "Yyyyyyeeeeeeessssssss, getting undressed! You are hurting, and the Gods only know just how bad it is because you won't even truthfully tell me where it all hurts." She was undressing him ever so gently as she speaks, and in the same breath dressing him into his PJs as his clothes drop to the floor.

He sighs. "It is nothing, Love. Just my head." He was pretty sober now. These headaches worked wonders if he was drunk. The pain sobered him quickly. When he finally is in his nightclothes he lays back on the bed, but not before pulling Eowyn down with him. "I just wish for you to stay with me tonight. I am not expecting to make love if that is what you think. No. At this moment I would much rather have you run your fingers through my hair and sing to me or tell me stories. It helps to take my mind off the pain."

She carefully helps him out of his clothes, sighing at a few new bruises. "How did you get those?" She runs her fingers not through his hair but carefully over a new bruise on his chest. She frowns when he winces. She keeps watching him, not answering him yet, expecting her own answer before she committed to him.

"It is nothing, Love. I merely fell while walking down a dark stairway." He sees her look and takes her hand, smiling. "It was either me or stepping on a cat that had made the stairs it's bed." He smiles at her. "As you know I would rather the creature not be hurt." He closes his eyes. It wasn't really the truth, but again it wasn't really a lie either. He had fallen down the stairs that lead to and from his chambers in Minas Tirith. And he had fallen because he didn't want to step on the cat. But what he wasn't telling her was they he just had not been able to catch himself in time and keep from falling. He'd seen the cat and went to step over it but had missed the next step and fallen. His mind hadn't been on it. Luckily Beregond stopped him before he could seriously hurt himself. And that was yet another thing he had made the older man promise not to tell anyone. He was embarrassed really. After all, he was a grown man. He should know how to walk down a stairs without falling.

Something about the whole tale didn't wash right with Eowyn. He sounded strained when he spoke. So she starts to care for his wounds, even though some were rather old, they needed to be taken are of. When she realizes that he was staring at her she pauses, a hand hovering over his chest. "Yes?" She smiles at him softly, her other hand resting on his thigh. He had said he wanted her to stay with him tonight, but she didn't know about that. She did know however if she did stay she would have to be very careful and not get caught.

"It is the truth. I did trip over a cat." Faramir smiles at her, then sighs and closes his eyes again, yawning a little. He felt tired. And the pain was slowly starting to become less in his head. "You will stay will you not? If we are both fully clothed, I do not think that there will be a problem."

She had him out of his clothes, well most of them, he still had on a pair of long underwear, which was good because she didn't know if she could hold either of them back had he been fully naked and in a cuddling mood.

She helps him into some leggings and a tunic top, shaking her head at the bruises that were on him. She leaves him on the bed, not saying a word but rather she just listens to him, nodding when needed or tossing him a smile. She pulls out one of his larger tunic styled shirts and finally speaks. "Do you mind if I wear this tonight? I figure it will go to my knees, so that should be enough to keep us decent. We will still have to keep it hidden, since it could easily be no cloths the way your hands wander." She gives him a knowing look.,

He shakes his head, then winces and lays his hand on his forehead, his eyes shut. "No. You may wear what you wish. And it was not I who initiated our love making earlier." He smiles and looks at her, turning his head towards her when he feels the bed move as she sits down on the other side. He moves around till he is under the covers, then looks at her. "Will you sing for me? So I may hear something to take my mind off the pain in my head." Which were almost gone thanks to the herbs Beregond had given him. But still, he loved to hear her sing. He wondered if she did in the morning.

She nods, heading over to his dresser. "If you really want me to." Then as she pulls some clothes out of his dresser she starts to sing, the tune light and soft, keeping it soothing but not too slow and not too fast. She sings a love story about a jester and a lady. Soon she is laying on the bed next to him on her side, one hand propping her up under her elbow and the other lightly massaging his back as she pushes him gently onto his side, his back to her. When the song is over she doesn't say anything, just listens to his breathing and keep rubbing his back.

He lies on his side; closing his eyes and letting her voice and her hand rubbing against his back start to sooth him. It still amazed him how easily she could take his pain away. Or at least get his mind off it. With a smile he starts to fall asleep, sighing with content and mumbling softly. "I love you, Eowyn."