Chapter 7: Meetings and Greetings

Looking back on the events of that morning a mere few days later, Eomer would come to realize that not asking Elphir for his sister's hand in marriage that very moment was his first mistake. His lapse had left Lothiriel vulnerable to what would befall her later. But as the King of Rohan had not the gift of foresight boasted by the Queen of Gondor, he simply walked over to Elfhelm, giving his betrothed a few moments of privacy with her brother and countrymen.

"Hail, Eomer King." Elfhelm greeted his monarch, who was smiling softly as he watched Lothiriel laughing with her brother and Lord Tanith.

"Hail, Elfhelm." Eomer returned the greeting. "Did you sleep well?"

"Better than most." Elfhelm replied truthfully; Faramir had waited to send for him until he was reasonably certain that wherever the princess had taken herself off to, Eomer was probably with her. The Second Marshall marked to himself to express his gratitude to Faramir later on. That is, if the Steward wasn't taken to his bed.

Eomer's eyebrows rose at the cryptic reply from his normally direct right hand, but Lothiriel tugged on his hand and brought him over to her brother.

"King Eomer of the Riddermark," she threaded her fingers through Eomer's, "this is a very dear friend to us, Lord Tanith of Dol Amroth. Tanith's father is Prince Imrahil's closest advisor. And he has been an uncle to us."

"Why, Lothiriel." Tanith placed his hand above his heart, staggering backward in a mock show of sentiment. "I never knew you looked up to me so."

Eomer burst out laughing at the expression on his beloved's face. Obviously, the young lord of Dol Amroth had caught her by surprise.

"Pardon my impropriety, King Eomer." Tanith bowed before him, a glint of humor in his eyes. "But when a door is so clearly opened to me, I find it difficult to avoid walking through it."

"I would that my own council had your humor, Lord Tanith." Eomer shook the hand that Tanith offered. "The running of the Riddermark would be more tolerable, I believe."

Tanith nodded. "Elphir believes he can best you in a matching of swords." he remarked nonchalantly.

"You keep speaking and the only one who will be touched in the head is you!" Elphir threatened, trying to hide the fact that his face was reddening. "Touched with the flat end of my sword!"

Tanith would have stuck his tongue out at his friend, or done something even less worthy of an adult and a lord of Dol Amroth, if all of their attention wasn't called to the balcony at that very moment.

"What trouble is this that comes to my hall at first light?"

Everyone, including Eomer and Lothiriel, turned upwards to see the current occupant of the Hall leaning over the railing, with his wife beside him. Behind them, the King and Queen of Gondor watched the action unseen. Faramir offered a short prayer of thanks to Elbereth when he saw that his cousin and brother-in-law had returned in time to greet the newcomers.

"My lord Steward!" Elphir stepped forward, gesturing about him dramatically. "How do you greet your trouble?"

"Trouble in your likeness is so welcome that I would welcome trouble at any time of the day or night!" Faramir called back, starting down the stairs.

Grinning, Elphir started up the stairs, intending to meet his cousin halfway.

"Elphir's always been rather protective of Faramir." Lothiriel murmured to Eomer. "You saw it when he arrived in Rohan for his wedding. He usually gets a chance before that point to interrogate the bride-to-be, as he did for Erchirion's wife, Gaerial, but he didn't get the opportunity before we left for Edoras."

"I'm sure Eowyn was thrilled with the scrutiny." Eomer remarked sarcastically, looking the Amrothian man up and down. "He seems to have recovered from any physical injuries my sister may have dealt him."

"Well, he has had a year to do so." Lothiriel giggled, causing him to clamp a hand over her mouth.

"Princess Lothiriel." one of the knights stepped forward, taking her arm. "Allow me to escort you to your room."

Personally, Eomer thought the man was being just a bit too protective and the look in his eyes was just a bit too... duplicitous... for his taste, but Lothiriel merely shrugged his arm off and patted his shoulder.

"As you can see, my king, my father's guards take their responsibilities very seriously. Thank you for the concern, but it's not necessary." she easily sidestepped him, going instead to the stairs, where Elphir and Faramir were embracing each other happily.