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

AN: thanks for the reviews!!!! Oh, and I didn't know Idhren was the translation for Travis, but I do know the meaning, hehe =]

Chapter 10: Getting to Know You

A Few Days Later...

Lothiriel sat in the palace garden, watching as the sun began to slowly set beyond the horizon. She recalled having had a late night conversation with her cousin, Faramir, the other night; mostly about their mothers and the humorous childhood experiences they shared together. The recollecting was soothing for her, and she would truly miss her cousin's, as well as Eowyn's, company in Dol Amroth. The couple had left in the morning, and as Idhren surely felt the same way, the palace seemed a bit empty without Eowyn's warm smile, or Faramir's comforting laughter.

She smiled to herself, reminiscing over the events of the past week, and it tickled her heart as she giggled lightly. The wind blew gently, brushing her pink cheeks and softly swaying her hair. Lothiriel closed her eyes, relaxing her shoulders and lifting her head up slightly, enjoying the feel of the cool breeze. Just then she felt two arms come from behind slowly wrap around her waist, and a light kiss placed upon her cheek. Lothiriel turned, smiling as she saw Eomer smile back.

"You left in a bit of a rush after dinner," he said to her, as he made his way to sit beside her on the bench.

"I wanted to see the sunset. It is quite breathtaking, is it not?" she replied, keeping her gaze on the sun that was now almost completely out of sight.

"Indeed," he replied, noticing that Lothiriel had shivered slightly, the gentle breeze becoming much more cooler. Eomer extended his arm and pulled her to him, holding the end of his cloak as he did so to wrap her. Lothiriel complied and rested her head upon his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist as she did so, hugging him lightly.

After a moment of silence and a release of sighs from each of them, Eomer looked to Lothiriel and spoke. "What were you thinking of, as the sun set?"

"I was remembering my cousin Eowyn. We will truly miss them here in Dol Amroth, I was quite saddened to see them go."

"As was I, but I am afraid that I have began to over welcome my stay here, and I, too, must leave. I plan to ride out with my company as soon as tomorrow afternoon."

"But you will return to Dol Amroth in a week or so, right?" Lothiriel asked looking up to Eomer with anxious eyes. It warmed Eomer's heart to see her so worried over the matter; it showed that she truly enjoyed his presence.

"Of course," he replied, placing a light kiss upon her lips. Lothiriel's anxiety melted away, and she smiled, once again resting her head on his shoulders.

Yet again there was a short pause amidst their conversation, and Eomer broke the silence once more. "What else did you think of, Lothiriel?" It had been a few days since their official courtship began, and Lothiriel insisted that he address her personally, and Eomer only agreed if Lothiriel would do the same.

"What ever gave you the idea that I thought of more?" she asked softly, not looking to him, but instead keeping her head rested and placing her hand upon his chest. Lothiriel could hear him breathe, the sound rhythmic and relaxing.

"I do not know exactly. Only a guess I suppose."

"I thought of a conversation I had with Faramir the other night, about our mothers, my mother. I miss her..." she trailed off, hugging him gently as she spoke.

"Aye, I know the feeling," Eomer replied compassionately.

"You do?" she asked rather surprised.

"Yes, I too lost my mother at a young age."

Lothiriel sat up and looked to him with troubled eyes. "I am sorry Eomer. If I sparked any painful memory I surely did not mean..." But Eomer only lulled her distress, and placed a light kiss on her lips to hinder her apologies, which were unneeded. Lothiriel only gave him a confused look.

"There is no need to apologize, really. I only wanted to tell you that I empathize with your loss. It is quite the burden to bear upon your heart," he responded after they pulled apart.

"Truly" she agreed solemnly, nodding. "If I may, how did she pass?" Lothiriel approached the question rather cautiously, and she released her words as gently and as respectful as she could.

Eomer smiled to her to calm her nerves, touched that she cared so greatly. "Illness, but I believe it was a mixture of illness and grief. She passed away shortly after my father. I am surprised you did not know that Eowyn and I were orphaned," he replied calmly, having accepted the past, though the memory of his parents still grieved his heart, as it should of.

"I, I admit I did not think to ask. I suppose it was of minor detail." Lothiriel paused for a moment, reviewing her words, and realizing the offense they made. "Oh no. I am sorry Eomer; I did not mean it is of no importance, I just meant that it is a rather personal detail and..."

Eomer only chuckled and calmed her dismay once again. "It is quite alright, Lothiriel, I know you meant no insult. Now, if I may, how did your mother pass?" he asked gently, equally not wanting to be disrespectful in any way.

Lothiriel paused for a moment, her mother's death being one of the hardest experiences of her life. So remembering the ordeal was rather difficult for Lothiriel. After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke. "Illness as well. My father awoke one morning to find her hovered above the washbowl, her nose bleeding profusely. From then on she was ill beyond healing, as her nose would bleed more often than naught, and small cuts would bleed for what seemed like forever. I remember laying at her beside; she caressed my cheek, called me Beautiful, and told me that she would think her life incomplete had it not been for my Father, my Brothers and I. She wished for me the best life, 'a life worth living' were her exact words. The next morning she died. I was but ten and three years old..." Lothiriel remained silent after that, Eomer noticing a single tear run down her cheek, as she quickly wiped the tear away.

Eomer's heart sank, and he pulled Lothiriel to him to embrace her, gently caressing her hair as he held her. Eomer did not hear her weep, but he knew Lothiriel was crying, for he felt the sensation of warm tears wetting his tunic. Suddenly, Eomer could feel tears begin to fall upon his cheeks as well. He was surprised, in truth not knowing whether he cried in compassion or cried because he remembered his own mother, and father as well, and the pain he felt when knowing their deaths. He decided it was for both reasons, gently rocking Lothiriel as he held her in his arms, attempting to soothe her distress.

Lothiriel felt safe in his arms. She did not recount the story of her mother's death to just anyone, nor did she do it often. Somehow, however, she felt secure in telling Eomer, as if it was a commonality they shared, though the worst possible kind, but a commonality nonetheless. 'We could comfort each other' she thought to herself, as she buried her face in his shoulder, wanting him to never let go.

Elsewhere...

The moon had already risen, and moonlight shined light upon the gardens of the palace of Dol Amroth, making a beautiful scene. Imrahil stood in the garden, watching from a distance as Eomer held his daughter in his arms, gently rocking her. He wondered what they had spoken of, though what it was exactly was of no great importance to the Prince at the present moment. In truth, Imrahil was happy to see that Eomer's courtship was not based on physical attraction alone, for the Prince had encountered many suitors of that nature. No, Imrahil could tell Eomer would be different, and he did not admit that to himself simply based on the fact that Eomer was a dear friend. It made much sense really, if Imrahil put true thought into it. They had both lost their mothers, both were rather proud and a bit hard headed at times, both were quite passionate in their own respects, and they were both rather handsome people, their contrast in features complimenting each other.

Imrahil hated to confess it, but Eomer was rather perfect for Lothiriel, and if it came to it, Imrahil would more than welcome a marriage proposal from Eomer for Lothiriel's hand. However, there was still a nagging in the back of his mind. Lothiriel was quite young, and often times a young heart is quick to be mistaken. Not only that, but Lothiriel still had a bit of maturing to do, if she must rule a country as Queen. But Imrahil pushed that idea aside, feeling it was looking too far ahead into the future. However, the fact that Lothiriel was young was Imrahil's main concern. 'What if she mistakes this to be love, like she had before?' he thought to himself, but soon rejected the idea as well, remembering that Lothiriel had yet to say whether or not she felt it was love. Imrahil sighed, knowing that he could only wait and see what his daughter's heart had in store.

hehe, hope you liked. I'm rather pleased with this chapter, and I think I feel myself getting back into track. please keep reviewing!!! they rock and they truly keep me going.=]