DISCLAIMER: The names, places, things are Tolkien's. I think we can all figure out what is whose.
AN: the reviews are greatly appreciated! thanks so much!!! I apologize that this took me awhile to post, I couldn't log in this morning and haven't been able to log in since, until now. anyways, hope you enjoy! =]
Chapter 21: A Turn for the Better
It was dark, and cold, and quite the early hour; the cool morning breeze crisp to the touch. The sun had yet to rise, and in a few moments he would be leaving, but he wanted to say good-bye to Lothiriel before he did. He sat quietly in his chair, watching as she slept, the girl stirring slightly in her bed. He figured he should let her sleep in privacy, and stood to leave and make his way to the door, but not before kissing her lightly on her forehead, breathing "Good- bye" as he did so. Lothiriel began to awake at the feel of the kiss, moaning lightly then finally opening her eyes fully. She looked around her room for any sight of another person being there, but there was no one, only an empty chair at the side of her bed, and her door left ajar.
That Morning...
When Lothiriel had risen for the day, after having washed up and dressed, she immediately went in search of her Father. He was not in his room, where she had hoped he'd be, so she figured he was already at breakfast. Upon entering the dining hall, she was a bit surprised to find Elphir, not her Father, sitting at the table. Lothiriel knew it was too early for any of her brothers to be up, so she wondered what might have been amiss if Elphir had already risen for the day. As she stood in the entryway, Elphir looked up and smiled warmly.
"Good morning sister," he said cheerfully. Lothiriel half-smiled, and took a seat across from him at the table.
"You are up early, what brings you out of bed?" she asked, unfolding her napkin and placing it in her lap, as the server brought her tea.
"I believe I should ask you the same question," Elphir replied, raising an eyebrow at her.
"I meant to talk to Father. Where is he?" Lothiriel asked, taking a sip of tea after doing so.
"He left for Minas Tirith this morning," her brother answered. Lothiriel coughed having choked lightly on her tea in shock.
"He what? But, yesterday at dinner, he never mentioned anything. He would have said something would he not? And how could he have left so quickly with nothing prepared?"
"Oh, he was prepared, I suppose we did not know it. In truth, Idhren and I did not know until this morning either. He came to our quarters before dawn, bidding me good-bye and routinely giving me the responsibilities of the city. Idhren went back to sleep, but I knew I had an early day."
"Why did he not say anything?"
"I do not know I truly do not."
"I urgently needed to speak with him," she mumbled, Elphir noticing the distressed look on her face.
"About Ceredir?" he asked curiously. Lothiriel looked up and nodded.
"Did you know about it, Elphir? Because if you did so help me..." she began in a fiery tone.
"I did not know he sent him away, honestly. Like you had said before, I thought it was I who drove him away. But do not be so angry Lothiriel. Had Father not done what he did, you might have never found a new love, a greater one, in my opinion. It is as if everything seems to happen for a reason."
Lothiriel only contemplated his words. She surprisingly thought Elphir wise at that moment, which had never happened before. Suddenly her angered subsided, as she sat solemnly waiting for her breakfast. Wanting to change the subject and kill the amount of tension in the air, she again addressed her brother.
"Why does Father go to Minas Tirith so pressingly?"
"He said he had business to take care of in the city. He took Amrothos with him."
Lothiriel giggled lightly. "He took Amrothos?" she asked then whispered a "thank you" to the maid who had brought out their breakfast. Elphir did the same then returned his gaze to his sister.
"Yes, it is quite odd. Amrothos is not much of a politic or businessman. I suppose maybe Father wished him to have more experience."
"Where is Erchirion then, still asleep?"
"On the contrary, he has been up before anyone, I believe. He prepares to go to Ithilien, to Emyn Arnen. He sets out tomorrow morn."
Lothiriel looked up from her porridge, her eyes widened. "He goes to Emyn Arnen? Does he go to visit our cousin?"
Elphir nodded, "Yes, he does. I believe he meant to ask you if you wished to go."
Lothiriel looked away slightly. Erchirion would be going to Ithilien. The words made her heart skip a beat, for though she was excited to see her cousin and his wife, something else entered her mind. She lightly dabbed her napkin to her mouth, and pushed away her bowl.
"Do you know where he is, Elphir?" she asked, as she stood to take her leave. Elphir nodded, and mentioned to her the stables. She thanked him and quickly exited, as Elphir shook his head slightly at the sight of her then returned to finishing up his breakfast.
Moments Later...
Lothiriel entered the stables, and surveyed them for her brother. She immediately found him preparing his horse for the next day's journey, feeding the horse and marking sure he was not fatigued or weary for any reason. Lothiriel approached, Erchirion not noticing until she was face to face with him.
"Ah, Lothiriel, I was going to speak with you after I finished up with Roval. I did not expect you to be up this early."
"Yes, well, I did not expect to be up this early either. But of your trip to Ithilien, I wish to go, if I may."
"Of course, that is what I wished to speak to you of. I know you have been having a difficult time these past few months. I thought a trip to our dear cousin would cheer you up a bit."
Lothiriel smiled in appreciation, and continued. "There is something else that would cheer me up a bit as well," she said rather slyly, Erchirion giving her a puzzled look. "It is only you and I on this trip, is it not? Save a few loyal riders as accompaniment."
"Yes, that is correct. Why, Lothiriel, what are you planning?"
Lothiriel leaned in closer to her brother, looking around to make sure none of the others in the stables were listening. "What if before we go to Ithilien, we go to Rohan?"
"WHAT?" Erchirion cried, causing a few of the men to halt and stare.
"Shhh! Please Erchirion, I have yet to ask you for anything save for now."
"Lothiriel, it would take us longer to get to Rohan than it would take us to get to Ithilien, not to mention the easiest route to go to Rohan would be to pass through Ithilien anyway."
"So what if we do not stop in Ithilien, and just press on? Faramir need not know that we passed through."
Erchirion was shaking his head. "Lothiriel, no I do not like this. Faramir and Eowyn would worry for us, and Father is in Minas Tirith! You forget that we would pass the city if we were to go to Rohan."
"He need not know that we go to Rohan, and if I write to Eowyn I am sure she will understand."
"I have an ill feeling of this, I do not think it plausible. No, Lothiriel, do not give me that look, it is quite the chance to take, especially since Father would be angered at me more than he would you."
Lothiriel stamped her foot in frustration. 'Maybe this is why Father took Amrothos instead of Erchirion' she thought to herself, and persisted to persuade her brother.
"Erchirion please. I beg you, just one night in Rohan. PLEASE," Lothiriel pleaded, gripping his arm as he attempted to take his leave. She could not read his expression, his eyebrows furrowed furiously, and he seemed to be debating the idea in his mind.
Finally he sighed heavily, and turned to her. "One night?"
"One night, that is all."
"You swear to me? You will not change your mind once we get there and beg to stay longer..."
"No, one night, I swear..."
"Then prepare your things. If we can, we should try leaving this afternoon, but if not then we must leave before dawn the next day. Either way, it should allow us more time."
Lothiriel smiled widely, and grabbed her brother to lower him as she kissed his cheek. "Thank you so much, Erchirion, I will not forget this. I truly am grateful, you have no idea..."
"All right, all right, just, think nothing of it. Go on then, prepare your things."
Lothiriel nodded, and quickly exited the stables. Erchirion sighed heavily, wondering what exactly it was he got himself into. Was it wise to trust his sister's judgment? He did not know, and suddenly thoughts of how he would explain this to Elphir, or Father for that matter, flooded his mind as he gently stroked the mane of his horse.
hope you liked! =]