DISCLAIMER: The names, places, things are Tolkien's. I think we can all figure out what is who's.

AN: thanks again for the reviews!! I realize, after reading reviews, that in the other chapter having Lothiriel go from moping to dance crazy was, in fact, odd. I think the problem was that I overly described her emotions from on extreme to the next. What I was thinking of was that she just felt left out, and she couldn't bring herself to really try, and pushing her to try made it worse. A bit of pride and a bit of fear all rolled into one. Then with the sudden excitement, it was supposed to be like, something to get her mind off of what was going on, so I probably needed to of gone into depth on that aspect. Just wanted to clear that up. Other than that, hope you all enjoy =].

Chapter 6: And So it Begins

It had been two days after the wedding, and Lothiriel stood out on the terrace of her room looking over the plains. She would be leaving the next day with her Father and Brothers, and, as promised, in a week or two Faramir and Eowyn would be staying in Dol Amroth for a visit. Lothiriel watched as the tall grass of the plains swayed gently, and in such a peaceful moment, she remembered her mother. Her mother used to walk with her in tall grassed fields. How she missed the gentle touch of her mother's hand holding her own.

"Lothiriel?" Lothiriel turned to see Daerien smile at her. She smiled back in response. "Your things are packed, my Lady. I left out your clothes for tomorrow."

"Thank you, Daerien."

"If I may, were you thinking of him, and the dance you shared?" Daerien asked, smiling widely. Lothiriel chuckled, as she made her way to her bed where her boots lay beside it.

She sat on the bed and began to lace up her boots. "I told you numerous times, Daerien. It was but one dance, and a very awful one at that. It was only in fun, it meant nothing to me," she replied, as she stood and made her way to her dresser, searching for a leather tie for her hair.

"Yes well, it might of meant nothing, but it certainly has caused quite a stir among the ladies and lords of the courts, or so the fellow handmaids say. Why, think of it Lothiriel, Queen of Rohan. The title carries quite a ring to it, does it not?"

Lothiriel rolled her eyes, as she tied all of her hair back with the thin leather strap. "I suppose, but I do not wish to marry a man for simply a title. It is quite a waste of life, for only a title. It makes no sense to me."

"Yes of course, I did not mean marry the man for title alone, I mean, there is the factor of a general liking for each other."

"Which, in the case of Eomer and I, is highly questionable as our first meeting would prove."

"I would not be so sure, Lothiriel. You two seem to cross paths more often than not, and you do not always reject his presence. I only present it as an option, and a highly recommended one at that."

"Well, I'll be sure to consider your suggestion, but I assure you my heart does not stir over this man. I am sorry to have to disappoint you, or any lady of the court," Lothiriel replied, clasping her cloak around her neck.

"And where are you off to in such a hurry?" Daerien asked before Lothiriel completely exited the room.

"I want to see the City one more time before leaving. I will not go far, maybe to the fifth circle and back. I shall try my best to be prompt for supper, but I make no promises. Tell my Father I have gone," she replied, exiting and making her way to the citadel's main doors.

ELSEWHERE...

Eomer sighed, mentally exhausted from such a long day. The morning was filled with meetings and political talks, as it was Imrahil's last day in Minas Tirith, and Aragorn felt that Eomer, Faramir and other nobles should gather to have counsel with him. All the talks and debates had tired Eomer's mind, and the weather did not help to lift his mood. It was rather cloudy and dreary, though the clouds did not seem dark enough for rain, he concluded. As he wandered the halls, he felt a great need to relax and gather his thoughts, so he decided to take a ride out into the city, or maybe even the Pelennor Fields, if time allowed him before supper.

Moments later he had made his way to the stables, mounted Firefoot, and rode off into the city. Atop Firefoot, he leisurely trekked through the streets, observing and admiring the city life as he did so. After descending one circle, he noticed Lothiriel ascending the streets, approaching him from the opposite direction. Lothiriel noticed Eomer as well, and refrained from walking any further. Eomer sighed, and made his way towards the Princess.

He bowed his head to her, and she greeted him in the same fashion. He then dismounted his horse, and turned to her. "I did not expect to see you about the city, Princess," he said.

"I did not expect to see you either, King. I would of thought you'd be in counsel along with my father and brothers."

"I was. They ended only an hour or so ago, and I needed to relax from such a tiring morning, so I decided to ride out. And you, my Lady?"

"I only needed a breath of fresh air, and I wanted to see the City before my departure. It is quite beautiful and I am very fond of the White Walls," she replied, her eyes wandering around her to look upon the city.

Eomer watched her, as she turned her head to the side, noticing her blushed cheeks and, what he considered to be, Elven features.

Lothiriel turned to face him once more and she noticed that he was staring at her. "What is it? Why do you look at me so?"

Eomer shook his head lightly, and smiled to ease her curiosity. "My apologies, it is nothing. Are you returning to the citadel?"

"Yes, I did not wish to be late for supper. Well, in honesty, had it been my choice I would have skipped supper altogether, but I do not wish the King or Queen, or my Father for that matter, to think ill of me."

Eomer nodded in agreement, and Lothiriel took her leave of him. She bowed her head, and passed Eomer to ascend to the next level of the City, when Eomer suddenly turned and called out to her.

"Lothiriel!" Lothiriel turned to look at him, puzzled. "Would you like to accompany me? Out riding to the Pelennor Fields, that is. I suppose we would have to miss supper, but if any questions are asked, I will vouch for you, and take blame if necessary. If you would allow me, I would like to compensate for our first meeting."

Lothiriel pondered this for a moment. If she hadn't of known better, she would have sworn that Eomer's proud eyes were pleading with her. She smiled, chuckling lightly to approach the King once more to reply. She was truly flattered by his offer, and she admitted that the idea tempted her greatly. "I am sorry, I must decline. It is not that I do not want to be in your company, it is just, I do not wish to ride a horse."

Eomer's eyes widened and he gasped lightly. "You do not like horses?" he asked in shocked.

"No, no, it is not that I do not like horses, it is just, I am not very good at riding one. And I admit, I am a bit afraid when I sit atop a horse." She gave a look to Eomer as if to say she was sorry, and Eomer smiled when her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

"Afraid? I assure you Lothiriel there is nothing to fear. You will be riding with the King of the Horse Lords. I assure you, you will be safe."

Lothiriel was silent for a moment, but once again Eomer's eyes seem to plead with her, and she felt her heart skip a beat when her eyes met deadlocked with his own. She gradually began to nod and finally agreed. Eomer smiled as he took her hand and helped her atop the horse. Lothiriel left space in front of her where she wished Eomer to sit, for she preferred to hold on tight rather than be held on to. She spoke to him as he mounted the horse.

"I am terrible at riding, and I admit I do not enjoy it much because I am terrible. Just please do not go too qui...aahhhhhhhh!!" she cried, swiftly grabbing and holding on tightly to Eomer's waist. He commanded Firefoot to ride quickly, on purpose, so that it would not be too dark when they had reached outside the City Gates.

Moments later... When they had finally reached the Pelennor, Eomer halted Firefoot. Though the sun had not completely set, it was becoming rather dark. However, Eomer knew his horse needed to rest, and so the two sat on the Pelennor Fields, looking towards the river as Firefoot rested his legs.

"I remember fighting alongside your Father on this very field," Eomer said, finally breaking the silence. "He is a great warrior."

"I admit, I never favored my Father as a warrior. I hated seeing him leave; especially when I was younger I never enjoyed the experience of having to watch him ride out of Dol Amroth. He is very dear to me." They did not turn to each other. They only kept their eyes on the River, and spoke aloud for the other to hear, each content with sitting next to the other.

"Aye, he is dear to me as well. I imagine what you felt when your Father would leave, is much like what my sister would feel when I, or Theodred, or my uncle for that matter, would leave her behind in Meduseld. How she hated to be left behind."

Lothiriel looked at Eomer, whose gaze was in the direction of the water. She noticed his distant expression, and his eyes heavy with sadness. "You will truly miss her, will you not?"

"Yes. I will miss her greatly."

"As you should, she is your sister. But do not fret; my cousin loves her dearly, as well. He would give Arda to her if she wished for it. She is very lucky to have found a love so pure."

Eomer turned to look at Lothiriel, who was looking towards the sky. He could see in her eyes the longing for that sort of love, the pure love that his sister had found. She looked so beautiful, all her dark hair tied back to reveal her fair complexion. He felt he needed to tell her, and suddenly his palms grew warm and his heart began to race. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, how simply and utterly breathtaking she looked to him. "Lothiriel..." he finally breathed.

"Hmm?"

"Y-you... you look..." but before he could finish he felt a drop of water splat on his head. Lothiriel felt one as well, looking straight up at the rain clouds that had gathered. Suddenly it began to rain heavily, and both stood quickly, Eomer extending his cloak over Lothiriel, but she pushed his hand away. He looked at her puzzled, as she was laughing innocently. "Let us retreat to shelter, quickly!" he called, but Lothiriel shook her head.

"Let us dance!! The temperature is perfect! Come, we must enjoy it!" she called back, the pattering of the drops making quite a noise.

Eomer chuckled, admiring her spirit. "Then enjoy it we shall!" he responded, running to her and lifting her up by her legs. Lothiriel laughed merrily as Eomer began to spin; arms stretched out and her head facing the sky.

An hour or so later...

The King and the Princess returned to the citadel, completely soaked. After returning Firefoot to the stables, Eomer agreed to walk Lothiriel to her room. It seemed that most of the citadel had retired for the evening, save a few servants and counselors that walked about. As they made their way to the Princess's quarters, they talked and laughed merrily, mostly about having danced in the rain; Lothiriel recalled how Eomer had slipped, retaining his balance but dropping his cloak in the mud. She could never forget the look on his face, when he thought he would slip and land on the ground.

When they finally reached her door, Lothiriel turned to the King, smiling happily. "Thank you, very much. It was truly memorable."

"It was my pleasure, Princess, though the rain was not planned on my part. But I am happy to know that you enjoyed yourself," he replied, smiling as widely as she.

"Goodnight then, Eomer King."

"Good night Princess." He bowed his head slightly, and she watched as he made his way to his own room. Lothiriel lightly bit her bottom lip, her heart racing with excitement.

She stood silent for a moment, wondering what exactly it was she was feeling, but her fatigue got the better of her, and she decided to save the analyzing for another day. She turned the knob of her door, pushing the door open and gasping in shock at what she saw sitting on her bed.

"Father..."

I hope you enjoyed! started off to a bit of a slow start, but I hope you liked it anyway. remember to keep reviewing!! because I enjoy them a lot, hehe =]