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

AN: thanks so much for all the great reviews guys! and sorry I left you all in suspense, hehe. hope you enjoy this chapter!! =]

Chapter 26: Mystery, Mystery and More Mystery

"We...well...Funny thing..." Lothiriel stumbled with her words. Her mind was racing, as Eomer's eyes seemed to be staring straight through her soul. 'Say something! Anything!' she thought.

"Speak..." Eomer commanded, in more of a confused tone rather than a fierce one. He could not help but gaze at the woman's eyes. Lothiriel noticed this, of course, and tried desperately to dodge his stares. "Where are you from?" Eomer asked once again, his patience thinning with every second gone by.

"We are from..." Erchirion started, in his high-pitched tone, but his mind went blank. He could think of nowhere but Dol Amroth.

"HARAD!" Lothiriel finally answered, Eomer and Beornwyn, who stood next to him, both giving looks of confusion and shock.

"Harad?" Eomer repeated, raising an eyebrow at the two.

"Um, yes, Harad? We come in peace, my Lord," Erchirion explained, shocked as well at the answer his sister gave.

"I was not aware that women of Harad were social beings," Beornwyn said, looking to the two. Lothiriel stared back at the woman, wondering just who she was.

"I was not aware of Haradrim women at all..." Eomer mumbled, as Beornwyn continued.

"And your garbs are quite, interesting. Is it a custom to cover yourselves so?"

"Um, yes, quite the custom really," Lothiriel responded.

"Tell me, what are two women of Harad doing in Rohan? More importantly, how were you let into the Mark?" Eomer asked, watching as the two mysterious women looked to each other. He could tell they grew more nervous by the minute.

"Uh, we were allowed in for the ball, of course. Word spreads quickly, my Lord, and far. My sister and I are looking for a better life, in a better land," Lothiriel lied. She was not sure whether or not Eomer would believe her story, especially since it was clearly ridiculous. 'Why could I not of said Gondor? Or Tolfalas? Or any place but Harad! What am I thinking?'

"Well, I hope you find Rohan to be welcoming. If you will excuse me," Beornwyn declared, politely taking her leave of the party and making her way through the crowd. Eomer was not given a chance to say something to her before she left, as he watched her walk away. Lothiriel noticed this, as Erchirion pulled at her arm, taking Eomer's distraction to be a perfect time to sneak away. His sister, however, let curiosity, and maybe a bit of jealousy, get the best of her, and pushed away his hand.

"Are you fond of her, my Lord?" Lothiriel asked Eomer, as Eomer turned to face her. His eyebrows furrowed a bit.

"In a way. I commiserate with what she is going through, and so my heart goes out to her and in that sense I am fond of her. Why do you ask?"

"I am only curious. She is rather beautiful, and you seem to enjoy her company. I thought that perhaps the King of Rohan had found himself a bride."

Eomer chuckled lightly. "Well, perhaps what you thought was right. But I did not find myself a bride in Beornwyn."

Lothiriel felt her heart skip a beat. "And if I may, who then is the woman you've found your bride in?"

"A Princess, of Dol Amroth."

Lothiriel smiled widely, though Eomer could not see it. "She sounds wonderful," Lothiriel responded, causing Eomer to laugh.

"I've yet to tell you anything about her, save for the fact that she is a Princess of Dol Amroth. And to you she is wonderful?"

"Yes. I can tell much from little things. She sounds intelligent, and kind, and awfully beautiful..." Lothiriel continued, causing her "sister" to scoff.

"She also sounds imaginative and awfully conceited to me," Erchirion finished, as Lothiriel glared at him.

Eomer only chuckled lightly at the display, unable to shake the feeling that he had met this woman before. "Miss, I must tell you that I feel as if I know you from somewhere, which sounds outrageous in my mind, but in my heart I do not doubt it. It is your eyes; I swear I have seen them before. Tell me, what is your name?"

'MY NAME??! Sweet Eru, what am I to say???' Lothiriel thought frantically, but to her fortune she did not need to answer. At that moment Elfhelm approached Eomer, and called to him. Eomer looked away, and when he did so, Lothiriel was obedient to follow her brother's lead and escape Eomer's presence.

"Hold a moment, Elfhelm," Eomer told him, and turned to address the two "Haradrim" but they were gone; lost in the crowd.

"Is something the matter?" Elfhelm asked, noticing Eomer's confused look, as he seemed to be searching for someone amidst the crowd.

"Tell me, Elfhelm, what do you know of these two women from Harad?" Eomer asked, still hoping to catch a glimpse of where they may be.

"Harad??? Haradrim here, my Lord???"

"Relax, they come in peace. You did not send invitation, then, to women in Harad?"

"Well, the invitation was open to all, but mostly to Rohirrim women. It may be possible word spread that far, but I doubt it. It is only you, after all," Elfhelm replied, the latter in jest. Eomer only chuckled. "What of these two women, Eomer? Do not tell me you wish to fill the Queen of Rohan's seat with a Haradrim?"

"If that be the case, then it would be my choice. But it is not the case; I have told you who that seat is reserved for. But I cannot help but feel intrigued with that Haradrim woman. Her eyes, Elfhelm; I have seen them before, I know it."

ELSEWHERE...

Erchirion leaned against a wall, taking a breath after having escaped Eomer's sight so quickly. His sister leaned next to him, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

"Did you hear him, Erchirion? You are my witness, he wants to marry me," she said, her brother hearing her smile as she did.

"Yes, I heard. Harad, Lothiriel? This has gone far enough, the night is nearly through, come, let us go back to the inn..."

"No, I must see who he dances last with, or retires with for the night," Lothiriel said firmly. Erchirion's eyes widened at her.

"Are you mad? Do you not think Eomer is suspicious of us already? We have caused enough trouble."

"I must see, Erchirion. If you wish to go, fine, but I am staying."

"You are impossible. Do you think that he will choose you, Lothiriel? He does not even know it is you!"

"He feels it, I know he does. It is no matter who or what he sees me as. He can feel me here."

Erchirion only rolled his eyes at his romanticized sister. "This is insane."

Later...

Ceorl and Erkenbrand approached Eomer, as Elfhelm was already conversing with him. For a moment both were silent, Eomer watching their awkwardness in amusement.

"Well?" Eomer asked, knowing one of them wished to say something.

Ceorl cleared his throat. "Well, my Lord. The evening is coming to a close, and you refuse to dance one last time. So that only leaves..."

All three men fidgeted, trying to decide what to say. Eomer laughed, knowing exactly what they wished for him to do. He stayed silent for some moments, pretending to be deep in thought. Finally, after what seemed like forever to the three men, he spoke.

"I will retire then for the night, and go to my chambers. I would like that you send the Haradrim woman in, an hour or so after I have departed," Eomer told them. The men stood in shock.

"The Haradrim woman, Eomer?" Elfhelm repeated, unbelieving to what he was hearing. Ceorl and Erkenbrand still said nothing.

"Yes, that is right. Tell her I wish to see her," Eomer commanded. Elfhelm only nodded silently, and took his leave to find the woman. Eomer, however, called to him before he was out of earshot, laughing a bit as he did so. "Oh, Elfhelm, I nearly forgot. There are two Haradrim women here this evening, both dressed similarly. I wish for you to call to my room, the taller of the two."

TBC...

wow, I'm really getting used to this suspense thing. I couldn't help myself though! It was a perfect place to end it. hehe, hope you enjoyed!! =]