Okay, let's hope I get the formatting right on the first try this time.

LSOA: Yeah, I'm a sucker for balance. If one person is miserable, another person has to be happy in my stories. But don't worry, I usually make sure everyone's happy at the end and this one will be no different. I agree that Eomer must have some demons left over from the war that took most of his remaining family. I'm sure that while Lothiriel didn't really take part until the Siege, she must also have something that keeps her up every once in a while and you'll see my version of that in this chapter.

Christy: I'd be honored to submit New Memories to Countries United. I've read most of the fanfic archived there and it's all great. I love that there's an Eomer/Lothiriel site on the web.

Julia: I love E/L stories too! :)

EC: Since I'm updating, I think it's only fair that you update as well. Hee hee hee.

Shallindra and Faerion: Thank you!

Chipcm: Being blessed doesn't mean they can't have some angst along the way, right?

Chapter 3: Revelations in the Dark

Eomer drifted awake to the pitter-pat of rain against the leaves. He sat up and looked around quickly. Everything was as it had been before he had fallen asleep, or as much as he could tell. Chastising himself for not being more vigilant, especially having Lothiriel with him, he pulled his breeches back on.

He could see the light waning in the sky above the trees and concluded that it was almost dusk. He whistled lightly, as to not disturb his lover, and was whistled with a neigh that was almost as soft. Eomer smiled, thinking of his loyal horse. Thank Eru Firefoot continued to be mindful while his master's thoughts were... elsewhere.

Suddenly, he wondered what Imrahil would think of the marriage. He had discussed it with the older Prince, who had intimated that there had been some talk between himself and Theoden years ago about the possibility of joining Lothiriel and Theodred in marriage. Theodred had called a halt to the entire affair after meeting Lothiriel, proclaiming her far too young for him.

Eomer remembered the cool annoyance with which Theoden had taken his son's decision, though Eomer had never before known exactly what his cousin had done to earn Theoden's ire.

The young king turned to gaze at the sleeping form of his princess and frowned when he saw her trembling. Touching her shoulder gently, he found her to be perfectly warm and pulled the blanket up to cover her fully. Leaning over her, he nudged her soft hair aside to kiss her neck and froze when he encountered warm moisture on her cheeks.

Lothiriel was crying. In her sleep.

Eomer's heart broke as he listened to the barely audible whimpers escaping from her lips, interspersed with murmurs of names and places, some of which he knew and some of which he knew of, but of them all, he wrapped his arms around her when she uttered the name of her cousin, his brother-in-law.

"Oh, love." he sighed, drawing her into his arms. He rocked her slowly, murmuring soothingly into her ear, hoping that she would awaken on her own.

Eomer knew exactly where she had been during the Siege of Minas Tirith. What she had not told him had been filled in by his Halfling brother Peregrin Took, the wizard Gandalf, and Lothiriel's brother, the Ithilien ranger Elphir. She had made the journey to Minas Tirith at the behest of Prince Imrahil, who would follow with a large contingent of Swan Knights, both by land and by sea. Those coming by sea almost did not come at all, due to the traitorous Corsairs, plague of the sea community for generations, and their sneak attack by the river. As it was, Imrahil's fleet had paid a dear price for the treachery, losing a third of their men before they had even arrived at Pelennor.

Pippin had told him that Lothiriel had not been present for the former Steward's final descent into madness, for she had been called to the Houses of Healing by then. But she had been in the room when he ordered Faramir to his death in Osgiliath. Eomer could not imagine how she had felt. When Theodred had departed for his last battle at the Fords of Isen, there had been a chance that he would return. Eomer could not imagine his uncle, even as weakened as Theoden had been at that point, ordering Theodred into battle and knowing that, barring a miracle, Theodred would not return.

Eomer was no fool. He knew very well that had Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas not taken the Path of the Dead, the war would have turned out very differently for all involved.

Looking at Lothiriel now, he realized just how differently.

"Thiri." he whispered, shaking her slightly. "You must wake up."

It took another moment or two for Lothiriel to open her eyes, which registered surprise when she remembered where she was. Drawing the blanket around her, she sat up. "It's late."

Eomer nodded, but stayed where he was. "I'd imagine Elessar and Faramir will have my head for keeping you out this late." he remarked, propping himself on an elbow. He had no idea how he was going to proceed.

"We should go back." Lothiriel reached for her underclothes. "I do not know when my father and brothers arrive. They may be in the city now."

"Lothiriel." Eomer decided to take the direct approach. He would deal with the frightening thought of Lothiriel's father and brothers later. "You were not crying for fear of my sister."

His words had the desired effect. She turned and looked at him, her underclothes and petticoat forgotten. She bowed her head in shame when she realized that Eomer had heard her.

Eomer drew her nearer to him. "Tell me." he urged.

Lothiriel wiped the tears from her face. "What do you want to know?"

"I want to know the same thing you did when you brought me out here." Eomer said emotionally. "I want to know what is hurting the woman I love so grievously. You are too young to be crying in your sleep, my princess. You spoke the name of your cousin and your brother Elphir. They seemed to agitate you the most."

In one motion, Lothiriel was back in his arms, burying her head against his chest. He stroked her hair. Elessar or no Elessar, he intended to stay out here as long as he needed to discover what ghosts still haunted her.

"It's all right." he bestowed a kiss on her hair. "You can tell me."

"Faramir made Elphir stay behind!" Half a sob, the words came out. And more followed. "After my uncle had ordered him to retake Osgiliath, Faramir came and told us what he would do. Elphir had ridden with him and his Rangers since coming of age. We begged him to reconsider, but he would not. He told Elphir that because he was Amrothian and had not taken a formal oath to Gondor, he would not permit him to join them. Elphir was furious. At first he refused to be left behind."

Eomer did not know Elphir well, but he knew him well enough to know that the man, about his age, would never run from a fight, even if it was a hopeless one. And Faramir! The man must have been half-mad with grief for his brother to even consider following such a foolish order. Eomer's jaw clenched involuntarily, thinking of the man who had ended his sister's despair. The thought that he wouldn't have been there to do so... If the Steward Denethor was in front of him right now, he would have torn the raving fool apart.

"I refused to let either of them go." Lothiriel continued, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I was so terribly selfish, I said terrible things to Faramir. I told him to think of the men he was condemning to death, those men who had parents and brothers and sisters and children and friends. Faramir told Elphir that for my father's sake, he must stay behind and look after me. Elphir finally agreed, he understood in a way that I could not. I told Faramir to go and die if he wished it, but I would not wish him a good death." she broke down and wept. "I have never forgiven myself for that. I don't think I ever will."

"Oh, my love." Eomer sighed. "Your cousin knew, and knows, you did not mean your harsh words to him. They were spoken in a moment of panic and desperation."

"So many harsh words he has endured." Lothiriel said, shaking her head sadly. "And I added to them. Denethor sent for me, but I would not go to him." she murmured, oblivious to his hands rubbing her back. "Perhaps I could have done something to stave his madness, but I was too furious with him. I didn't even realize he was dead until after the Siege, when Mithrandir urged my father to take up the rod until Faramir was well."

"Denethor's death was his own doing." Eomer said. "You cannot blame yourself for that. Nor can you blame yourself for taking up a sword in the Houses of Healing."

"I do not blame myself for taking up Faramir's sword." Lothiriel replied. "I blame myself for ordering others to do so. Side by side we fought, but their deaths are on my head."

"No." Eomer cupped her face in his hands and raised her chin until she was looking at him. "Those who were killed gave their lives performing a most precious service. There is no greater man than he who would give up his life so that others may live."

Tears streamed down Lothiriel's cheeks. "I would have given my life to save them!"

Tenderly, Eomer kissed her cheeks, wiping her tears away.

"And I am glad, so glad, that you did not need to make that sacrifice." he took both of her hands and kissed them. "Without you, I am incomplete."

"Oh, Eomer." Lothiriel buried her face in his chest again and let him console her.

They would not be returning to the city tonight, Eomer decided. Some of the memories were too close to Lothiriel. No, they would stay in this place until morning, at which time he was sure that Elessar and Faramir, not to mention Imrahil and Lothiriel's brothers, would demand an explanation.

They would receive one.

They would be told that Eomer King of Rohan would marry Princess Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, the sooner the better. For he had told her the truth. Without Lothiriel, his life was incomplete and meaningless.