DISCLAIMER: The names, places, things are Tolkien's. I think we can all figure out what is whose.
AN: thanks for the reviews guys! sorry this is late in coming. hope you enjoy.
Chapter 23: A Change of Plans
Some Days Later...Dearest Eowyn,
By the time you receive this letter, my brother and I should be a few days away from our destination: Rohan. I hope that this letter has come in haste so as not to worry you too much. I am sorry for such a change of plans, cousin, and Erchirion and I truly mean no harm, but if anyone would understand me I would hope it to be you. I do not suppose you know the full details of what is going on, and you must wonder why I would go to see your brother in secrecy, but I promise to explain everything when Erchirion and I arrive in Ithilien. We only mean to stay in Rohan for a day, and not a moment longer. Thank you for understanding, and I will see you soon.
Love,
Lothiriel.
Eowyn refolded the letter, and could not help but laugh hysterically. In truth, the letter had arrived a day later than when the party from Dol Amroth was expected, and though Eowyn and Faramir did worry, in the end Eowyn was glad they had not worried terribly. She was still laughing, as a result of the letter, when her husband entered the room and shut the door behind him.
"What is so funny?" he asked her, having kissed her lightly on the forehead. The sun had already fully risen though Eowyn had yet to change out of her bedclothes.
"You are not going to believe this husband," she said, still chuckling. Faramir only looked at her puzzled, as he began to change out of his bedclothes, having snuck off to the kitchen for a glass of water before preparing for the day.
"Well?" he called, as he pulled his nightshirt off over his head, looking to Eowyn who sat atop the bed. "I am listening."
"Lothiriel and Erchirion have gone to Rohan," she replied, a huge smile across her face.
Faramir began to chuckle as he repeated the words. "Gone to Rohan? At least we know they are not lost, but to Rohan then?" he said once more, laughing as he did so.
Eowyn chortled in return. "Yes. Oh, Faramir we have made a mess of things," she told him, her laughter subsiding a bit as she rested her cheek in her palm. Faramir, amused by his wife's expression, took a seat next to her and wrapped his arm around her as she continued. "Had we not written to my brother and told him Lothiriel would be coming to Ithilien, he would not be in Ithilien. He would be in Rohan where your cousin has gone."
"Do not fret, we can fix this. Your brother will not leave lest he knows Lothiriel is safe. I fear he worried all night that she did not come yesterday. If we just tell him that she is in Rohan..."
"No!" Eowyn suddenly interrupted. Faramir looked at her, puzzled. "No, we should not tell him that she is in Rohan, for by your cousin's letter something tells me that she goes to Rohan in complete secrecy, even to my brother."
"That does not make sense. She would travel to Rohan for only a glimpse then?"
"Maybe, or maybe she means it to be a surprise. Either way, we must get Eomer out of Ithilien and traveling to Rohan as soon as possible. But it is like you said, he will not go lest he knows where Lothiriel is."
"Then tell him she remains in Dol Amroth. Say that she is ill and decided not to make the journey."
"What if he wishes to stay in Ithilien for a few days more?"
"What would it hurt?"
"Lothiriel and Erchirion will only stay in Rohan for a day, and not a moment more."
"Oh. Then if he wishes to stay, the most he could stay would be a day or two longer. I do not suppose my cousins have arrived yet, but I imagine they approach quickly."
"Let us hope that the news of Lothiriel's non arrival will drive him to leave Ithilien this day, or by the next morn. If not, I suppose I could make up some excuse to have him return." She looked up to her husband, who returned her gaze with loving eyes. Eowyn laughed merrily, pulling her husband into an embrace as they fell back on their bed then sharing a kiss. Both looked to each other with passionate eyes, until Eowyn disrupted the moment.
"We'd better get dressed for the day, my Brother may be expecting us for breakfast by now," she said, as she sat up from the bed. Faramir only grumbled and mumbled, causing Eowyn to giggle at her husband.
Moments Later...
Eomer looked out of the dining hall window, the sunlight shining through, causing an array of colors to show on the table. He waited patiently for his sister and brother to arrive, telling the server that he would begin when they had. The silence was boring, and he wondered what had kept them so. It was rather early, he did admit, but he could not wait to start the day, having not received much sleep the night before. He worried for Lothiriel, and it bothered him that neither Eowyn nor Faramir seemed to worry as much as he. They said that perhaps the party would only be a day late or so, but what if it was more than that?
Before Eomer could question and analyze the situation any further, his sister and her husband finally arrived at the table, smiling and chattering happily.
"Good morning brother," Eowyn said cheerfully, Faramir pulling a chair for her as she sat.
"Good morning Eowyn, Faramir," he replied to the both of them, bowing his head lightly to each as Faramir took a seat.
"Did you sleep well, Brother?" Faramir asked, and Eomer wondered if the man mocked him or truly wished to know.
"Hardly," Eomer stated, causing Faramir and Eowyn to hold back their laughter as the servers brought out some tea and bread.
"Well, you need not worry and sulk anymore Brother, for I received word today of Lothiriel and Erchirion," Eowyn told him. Eomer's eyes widened as he looked to his sister.
"And??" he asked, a bit impatient.
"And, I am sorry to say that they will not make the trip to Ithilien as planned, she has fallen ill," his sister replied.
"Ill? Will she be all right, how ill?"
"Not ill enough to threaten her entire health, but ill to where she cannot travel," Faramir coolly said. Eomer nodded in response. He paused for a moment; obvious that he was pondering the turn of events.
"I think that I should return to Edoras, come the morning then. Let us admit, though I am always happy to see my sister and her husband, my sole purpose in coming here was to see Lothiriel, and since she will not come, I suppose I should not intrude any longer," Eomer announced solemnly. Immediately Faramir and Eowyn looked to each other, knowing what the other was thinking.
"Well, if that is what you feel is best, though you know that you are always welcome here in our home," Faramir told him, as Eowyn nodded in accord.
"Yes, I know, and I do thank you kindly," he replied, as he started on his meal that was newly served, not noticing Faramir and Eowyn smiling happily to each other.
a filler I suppose, but I hope you liked. thanks again for the reviews, and keep them up!! they truly rock and always keep me going. thanks again! =]