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

AN: thanks so much for the reviews!! I'm really glad you liked the last chapter. hope you enjoy this one, hehe =]

Chapter 15: Goodbyes Are Never Easy

Eomer was silent, as he walked hand in hand with Lothiriel to escort her to her room. The two had spent the entire day together, Lothiriel taking Eomer to see the boats along the shore, walking with him around the city and showing him to some of her favorite places. The young Rohirrim enjoyed it, though he might of enjoyed it a lot more had it not been for the Deal that he and Lothiriel's father had made that occupied his mind. He had no idea how he would tell Lothiriel, nor did he know what reasoning to give her. Eomer knew he had to tell her this night, however, for his men had already packed their things while he and the Princess were out all day, in preparation for their journey the next morning. He held off telling Lothiriel the truth, but he knew he could not hold out any longer.

"Eomer?"

Eomer recovered from his thoughts and turned to see Lothiriel look at him puzzled. They already arrived at her door, as Eomer had not noticed, and Lothiriel opened it to enter, but it seemed she paused before she did.

"Is everything all right, Eomer? You seem so distracted," she asked innocently. Eomer looked to her, and shook his head lightly from side to side. Lothiriel's eyebrows only furrowed deeper, as he motioned for the two of them to enter her room so that they could talk privately. Once in the room, Eomer closed the door, and led her to sit atop her bed to listen to him as he stood to speak to her. "Eomer what is it? You are starting to scare me, what is going on?"

Eomer slowly paced in front of her, in truth, afraid to tell her. But now was as good a time as any, and she would find out when morning came. "Lothiriel," he hesitated, and took a seat next to her on the bed, and took her hand within his. Her eyes widened in perplexity, and Eomer could feel his heart sink. She looked so beautiful, her hair let down idly, the dark color of it contrasting her lightface. He breathed in heavily, and continued, knowing he had to keep strong, for her sake at least. "Lothiriel, I am leaving tomorrow."

"What? Leaving tomorrow? What ever for? It seems like you have only just arrived. We have no had time together at all. The first thing you did when you got her was ride off with my brothers' company. Eomer, what is the matter? Why the sudden departure?" She had rushed her words, and now she felt a bit out of breath. Lothiriel did not care, however, and was more concerned about Eomer. Was he ill? Was something wrong in Rohan? 'Had I done something wrong?' she thought to herself, and returned her gaze to him, looking for an answer.

"There are things I need to take care of in Rohan. It is as simple as that," he replied, rather coldly. Lothiriel only nodded meekly, but Eomer's hardened expression faded at the sight of her cooperation and understanding, and he sighed heavily. "I am sorry, Lothiriel. This is just as hard for me, if not harder."

"'Tis all right," she replied unsteadily, obviously lying. "If you must go then you must, I suppose. When, then, will you return? Is it possible to have you return sooner than usual? Since our time this week has been cut short in so many ways," she suggested, her voice hopeful as she leaned upon his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Eomer pulled her close, hugging her with his arm and kissing her atop her head. He shut his eyes in desperation at the thought of her suggestion, for he had yet to tell her everything. "I fear it is not possible," he said softly, resting his head on hers, taking her hand within his own. "Lothiriel there is more," he said softly.

"Hmmm?" was all she replied, happily resting within his hold.

"After my departure tomorrow, I will not return for some months time," he began, and Lothiriel immediately sat up and pulled away from him, eyes intense with confusion.

"What? I do not understand... why? Why would you not return?"

"It is difficult to explain, I, I simply cannot give you an explanation."

"Cannot give me an explanation? Or you will not?"

"It does not matter, I just ask that you trust me..."

Lothiriel stood up from where she sat, pulling away her hands from his own. "Trust you? You ask that I trust you when you would not trust me to handle the truth? What is it that you hide? What is going on?" Her voice rose, as Eomer stood as well to address her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, attempting to calm her down, but she would not hear it.

"Lothiriel, please, do not make this any more difficult than it already is..."

"Make it difficult? Make it difficult for whom, Eomer, for you? Perish the thought," she said coldly, sarcasm dripping from every word. Eomer only winced at her retort, as Lothiriel turned away from him, crossing her arms in doing so.

Eomer sighed heavily. He could do nothing, and Lothiriel began to cry, making matters worse. Though he could not see her face with her back towards him, he could hear her sniffle, and watched as she raised her hands to wipe her cheeks. Eomer held his head low, ashamed of what he was doing and wishing that he could hold her to try and make things better, though he knew she would not let him touch her at the moment.

"...You would leave me like he did..." Eomer looked up suddenly, as he heard Lothiriel mumble the words, wondering what she was talking about, and more importantly: Who was 'he'?

"What did you say?" Eomer asked, walking closer towards her, her back still facing him.

Lothiriel turned, arms crossed and cheeks dampened with tears. "Nothing," she said sternly. "Go then, if you must. Do what you will, I care not..." she finished coldly, and ran out of the room before Eomer could say another word, closing the door behind her.

Eomer was left with his thoughts for only a few moments when the door opened once more and revealed Lothiriel. He lifted his head in hopes that she would say something comforting.

"I... this is my room," she stumbled, in a bit of embarrassment, the intensity of the moment causing her to forget. Her expression amused Eomer, though he dared not show it. "You go," she commanded, and Eomer nodded slightly in obedience. "I am so sorry," he whispered despairingly, not knowing what else to say. Lothiriel's eyes tightened shut and she shivered at his breath as she heard the door close behind her.

The Next Morning...

Clouds covered, what seemed, the entire whole of the sky. A light drizzle began, as Eomer was saying his formal goodbyes to the Prince and his family under the shelter of a small terrace at the entrance of the Palace, in front of the main doors of their home. His men were gathered and ready to leave, only waiting for their King to mount his horse and lead them back home.

"Have a safe journey, Eomer," Elphir told him, clasping his shoulder. Eomer thanked him and bowed his head slightly, smiling to Alphros and Idhren who stood next to Elphir. He then turned to Erchirion, who bowed his head silently at Eomer, and clasped his shoulder in sentiment. Eomer smiled and nodded, knowing Erchirion was not one to say much, especially when saying goodbye. Next was Amrothos, who was usually warm and friendly to anyone, especially friends like Eomer, but Amrothos was quiet this morning. Eomer knew by his expression that he had talked with Lothiriel the night before.

"Be safe, King," Amrothos told him, clasping his shoulder. Eomer nodded meekly, and turned to Imrahil. Imrahil smiled to him reassuringly, knowing that this was difficult for the young King. He pulled Eomer into a brotherly hug, and whispered in his ear, "It is for the best, trust me, my friend. I will not lead you astray." Eomer nodded, saying nothing, as they pulled apart.

Last in line was Lothiriel, who looked to him with eyes that burned through his heart. He opened his mouth to say something, but she was quicker to speak.

"My Lord King, I hope your journey is safe," she said in a polite tone, curtseying in mock formality. The whole ordeal made Eomer want to scream with frustration, but he kept his calm. He caught her gaze, and his eyes seemed to plead with her. Suddenly, Lothiriel turned away, feeling as if the barriers she had set up around her heart the night before crumbled to nothing. But Lothiriel refused to let her emotions get the best of her.

"Lothiriel," Eomer breathed softly, taking a step closer. He began to embrace her, but Lothiriel pushed him away and extended her hand to him. Eomer looked down at her hand in confusion, but realized that she wanted to shake hands.

"Goodbye, my Lord," Lothiriel said shakily. She felt her knees go weak and heard her voice crack at the words she spoke, but she kept up her façade, trying with every inch of her being to hold back tears.

Eomer sighed heavily, and shook her hand. "Goodbye Princess," he replied, shakily as well, flipping the hood of his cloak onto his head, and making his way into the rain to his company. He mounted his horse, as his men separated a bit to allow him to go to the head of the band. With a quick call to ready themselves, Eomer began at a leisurely pace, as if he was sight-seeing, secretly and desperately hoping in his heart that Imrahil would call to him and say that he changed his mind, though he knew it to only be a fantasy.

Lothiriel watched from the steps of her home, as Eomer slowly made his way into the city and farther away from the Palace. She could feel her heart break with every step Firefoot took, her tears no longer being able to be restrained. Her mind told her to stick her ground, to stay right where she was and dare not move even an inch towards his direction, but her heart screamed for her to go after him. She began to breathe faster, heart racing with emotion, and as her family turned to make their way inside, Lothiriel called out to Eomer as loudly as she could. Her family all turned to see Lothiriel run out into the rain, reaching the company and desperately trying to call to Eomer's attention at the head of it.

"My Lord!" Eomer turned to see his small band a few feet behind him and they seemed to be frozen in place.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked as he came closer to them, and they all parted a bit and turned to face a young woman, soaked from the rain and standing patiently, staring at Eomer. It was Lothiriel, and Eomer quickly dismounted his horse and ran to her, wrapping his arms around her to shield her from the rain with his cloak. "What are you doing?" he asked gently, trying to hold up his arms to create a makeshift shelter with his cloak, but Lothiriel pulled his arms down and hugged him tightly.

"I am so sorry... I am so sorry..." she repeated into his neck, holding him close. Eomer caressed her hair gently, trying to calm her, for she seemed out of breathe from crying. The tears were not evident, however, for her face was wet with rain. They pulled apart, Eomer wrapping his hands around her, trying desperately to keep her warm. Lothiriel stared into his eyes, not caring that it was raining and she was soaked, or that a few of the Dol Amrothians came out from their homes to watch the spectacle. "Please do not go, do not leave me..." she pleaded softly. Her shoulders drooped and her expression was one of complete and utter exhaustion. The words pierced through Eomer's heart and he wrapped his large arms around her once more, holding her closer than he had ever held her before.

"Do not leave, Eomer, please..." Lothiriel kept pleading, and Eomer felt short of breath. He was thankful for the rain, for it hid the fact that tears were streaming down his face; never had his emotions for one woman been so strong.

"Lothiriel," he said sternly, still holding her tight, her cheek pressed to his. "Lothiriel, I will return, I promise you I will. And when I do, I will make you my wife," he told her, kissing her on the cheek then turning to leave, daring not to take one more look at her, for fear he would never be able to pull himself from her. Lothiriel, however, grabbed him by his arm and turned him towards her, pulling him into a passionate kiss.

Imrahil and his sons watched from the steps of their home, for the company had not made it out of eyeshot. "Father, do something, she is making a scene," Elphir said to his Father, who seemed as immobile as a statue, only staring out and watching silently.

"Elphir!" Amrothos berated, as they all returned their gaze to Lothiriel, who finally pulled away from Eomer. The Rohirrim King reached his hand to caress her cheek, then turned and made his way to his horse, remounting it and calling out once more. Within minutes the company was off into the distance, Eomer leading his men at a fast pace, pushing Firefoot as if there was a race that needed to be won.

Lothiriel collapsed to the ground, falling on her knees, and immediately Idhren handed Alphros to Elphir and ran to her, Amrothos following, both coming to either side of Lothiriel. Amrothos held up his cloak to shelter the women while Idhren tried to calm her sister and get her to go inside, Lothiriel silent in words as she wept.

pretty long chapter. anyway, hope you liked! and keep reviewing!!! I love seeing them!! hehe =]