**To Love a Woman**
After the bride and groom left the feast, the party continued. Ẻomer and the riders would be leaving in the morning, and they were reluctant for the celebration to end. Ẻomer was having a discussion with the sons of Elrond, but Elladan was distracted by Izabel.
"My good Elf, your companion is quite fair, but you have failed to answer my question," Ẻomer said.
"Forgive him, he has been smitten," Elrohir said quietly. "You gaze upon my future sister-in-law."
"Well, congratulations then," Ẻomer said with a smile, "Alas that I do not have so fair a companion at this table."
Ẻomer suddenly felt lonely in the midst of so many who were finding brides in Gondor. He sighed and took another drink of ale. He glanced around the room and gave his sister a smile. She sat with her betrothed, Lord Faramir, and beside her were the Prince of Dol Amroth and…a vision. Ẻomer was completely entranced by a woman so fair she stole his breath. Her hair was dark and her eyes were a mysterious blue-gray. He watched her as she smiled at something Imrahil said and then gracefully lifted her goblet to her full red lips. She seemed suddenly aware of being watched and their eyes met. The woman looked at him curiously and unwaveringly, but after a moment a blush darkened her cheeks, and she shyly looked away.
Ẻomer turned to Elrohir and asked, "Who is yonder lady seated with the good Prince?"
"That is his eldest daughter, Lady Lothiriel," Elrohir said as he noted the King's interest. "She only arrived this morning." Elrohir watched Ẻomer's expression as he gazed at her in admiration, and he just sighed. Another warrior had discovered beauty, and soon Rohan would have a queen.
"Go and introduce yourself to her," Elrohir said. "She has been watching you all evening."
Ẻomer looked at the Elf in surprise, "Really?" he asked hopefully.
"Indeed," Elrohir said lightly. "As you will be leaving on the morrow, I suggest you go and make an impression."
Ẻomer finished the last swallow of ale and crossed the room to greet his sister. He made a friendly comment to her and Faramir and then casually greeted Imrahil. But Imrahil was not fooled by his demeanor, and knew at once what he was up to.
"My lord Ẻomer, allow me to introduce you to my joy, Lothiriel, my eldest child," Imrahil said with a smile.
Ẻomer took her offered hand, bowed and greeted her, "My lady is the fairest flower at the feast."
"Nay sir," Lothiriel said. "None present could outshine the bride."
"My lady is too modest;" Ẻomer said lightly, "The bride has departed, and in this hall filled with fair folk there is no one to outshine the fair Princess of Dol Amroth."
Imrahil smiled, for he liked Ẻomer, and approved of his obvious interest in his daughter. "I believe I will go speak to Elessar," Imrahil said. "Won't you take my seat and keep my daughter company while I am gone?"
"It would be my pleasure," Ẻomer said as he accepted the offered seat. He gave Imrahil a nod as he left, and then looked back at the radiant beauty beside him.
"Tell me, my lord king, what is your country like?" Lothiriel asked politely.
"Moments ago I would have told you it was a fair land of rolling plains, surrounded by snow kissed mountains and filled with fine folk. But now for me there is nothing fair or beautiful to compare with you, lady Lothiriel," he said seriously.
"You need not flatter me sir," Lothiriel said in annoyance. "My father favors you."
"I am pleased to have his goodwill, but it would mean nothing if you do not like me," Ẻomer said.
"I neither like, nor dislike you King," she said. "We have only met, and I know nothing about you save rumors of battle."
"Then walk with me in the courtyard under the stars and ask what you will," Ẻomer said.
Lothiriel looked into the eyes of the warrior King before her. She saw sincerity in his eyes, and desire. He seemed kind, but it was annoying to be judged for beauty alone. She had little patience for men's flattery and praise. But this King of Rohan seemed different than the other buffoons that came to her father's house spouting bad poetry to impress her. There was something in his eyes that made her want to hear what he had to say.
"If my father grants me leave, I will walk with you," she said.
Ẻomer smiled in satisfaction, rose and offered her his hand. Imrahil returned just as they stood. "I would like the pleasure of your daughter's company for a walk in the courtyard, with your permission," Ẻomer said formally.
"Granted," Imrahil said with a smile. Imrahil leaned down and whispered something to his daughter and then waved the pair off.
Ẻomer led her from the hall, and out to the courtyard where he quickly removed his cloak to wrap around her. "Come sit by the fountain and ask me what you will," he said.
The pair sat and Lothiriel looked at him thoughtfully. His golden hair was gleaming in the moonlight and he was quite handsome. "What do you want of me?" she asked him.
"I want to know what you are thinking when you smile, or what makes you blush as you did in the hall when our eyes met. I would know what brings tears to your eyes, and then I would dry your cheek and offer you comfort. I wish to look into your eyes and see into your heart, and I hope to be there in time," Ẻomer said softly.
"Because I have a pretty face?" she asked.
"You are fair, my lady, fairer than any I have ever seen," Ẻomer said. "But I have looked into your eyes, and I can see that you are much more than a lovely face. I would know everything about you."
Lothiriel looked away and laughed softly. "That would take more time than a short walk in the courtyard."
"It would take a lifetime," Ẻomer said seriously as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
Lothiriel closed her eyes. Why did this man affect her so powerfully? She opened her eyes and he was looking at her intently. She sat motionless, and Ẻomer reached over and gently touched her cheek.
"Do you dislike me, lady?" he asked.
"No," she said breathlessly.
"Do you like me?" he pressed as he leaned closer.
"You seem nice," she said softly. "My father likes you."
Ẻomer was within a breath of her lips. "Do you think that you could love me, in time?" Ẻomer whispered.
Lothiriel looked into his eyes, wild and passionate yet gentle and searching. She couldn't decipher the torrent of feelings that suddenly flooded her, but she heard herself say, "Yes."
Ẻomer kissed her tenderly, without demanding, but full of desire. He did not touch her, save the hand he clasped. He wanted this to be her choice, and it was. She leaned into the kiss and her free hand clasped his. Ẻomer quickly broke their kiss before he lost control of his desire.
"What is wrong?" she asked.
Ẻomer cringed, "I must return home, and I do not want to leave you."
"You have responsibility to your people," she said. "You must go."
"Are you promised to anyone?" he asked.
"No," she said.
"If I speak to your father…" Ẻomer started to say, but she interrupted.
"Yes," she said. "Speak to him."
Ẻomer kissed her again, and then he led her back to the hall. Miranda had been right; Lothiriel was the woman he had been waiting for. It was so obvious that he had known the moment he laid eyes on her. It would take time, but he had found his queen, and he was ecstatic. Tomorrow would be far more difficult than he'd expected now.
*****
Elladan and Izabel were heading to the courtyard as Ẻomer and Lothiriel were heading inside. The two men exchanged nods of greeting as they passed. Elladan smiled to himself, remembering that not very long ago Ẻomer had looked at Miranda that way.
"I will miss you," Izabel said, breaking into his thoughts.
Elladan pulled her into a hug, "Not as much as I will miss you."
"But you will be reunited with your family," she said brightly. "That will be good."
"Izabel, sweet," Elladan said nervously. "I should tell you something about my family."
They sat down by the fountain, and Izabel looked at him expectantly.
Elladan sighed, "My father is called half Elven, and so was given a choice to live as an immortal, or as a mortal. The same choice is given to his children. My sister has chosen to marry the king, and has made a choice for mortality."
Izabel looked away suddenly. She had not realized he was making this kind of choice. She thought perhaps it was not acceptable, and that he might be ridiculed, but…mortality?
"Your father is broken hearted over her choice," Izabel said softly. "And you would tell him about us…"
"I would," he said. "And I would wed you on my return."
Izabel stood, "No."
Elladan quickly stood and put his hands on her shoulders, "This changes nothing; it was always thus, only now you know the full truth."
"Had I known before, I would have refused you," she said. "You have a family that loves you. Do not burn your bridges for me."
Elladan turned her to face him and he looked into her eyes. "I would choose mortality either way, for without you, I would surely die of loneliness."
"Why? Why this choice? Why me?" she asked with a hitch in her voice.
"Because I love you," he said softly. "Elves are very steadfast creatures, we do not take love lightly, nor is it easily won."
Izabel's eyes grew misty, and a tear fell down her cheek. "If I say yes, I am selfish," she said sadly. "I love you too much to say yes."
"Oh, Izabel do not now choose to be cruel," he said as he kissed the tear from her cheek. "I would die at your feet if you refused me now."
Izabel threw her arms around him and he wrapped her in the warmth of his arms and his cloak. "I do not deserve such love as you have given me, I could not refuse you."
Elladan held her as though his very life depended on it. He could not find the words to tell her how she deserved more than he could give. He kissed the top of her head and a tear fell down his cheek. His heart was torn between joy and sorrow. He felt joy that she now knew the truth, and accepted his choice; and sorrow that he would be leaving her behind tomorrow.
"I will miss you," he said. "But I look forward to returning to my bride."
Izabel blushed, "When you return, there will be a wedding feast for the King and your sister. It would not be proper to wed then, you must get your father's goodwill first."
Elladan closed his eyes and cringed. She was right, of course, but he did not want to wait. He opened his eyes and looked up to the tower where Haldir and Miranda's chamber was. He was happy for them, but he was anxious for his own celebration.
"Elladan?" she asked.
"Yes, Melamin?" he said.
"Do you think he will like me?" she asked nervously.
"Yes," he said softly. "My brother likes you, and he and my father are alike in many ways." Izabel was unlike most women he'd met. They were often vain and self indulgent, never thinking of others, but Izabel thought first of others. She was more concerned with everyone else's needs than her own. He admired that in her, but would gladly remind her that she also had value. "Come, it is late," he finally said. "I will escort you to your room."
At her door, Elladan knelt before her and kissed her hand. "I will count the minutes until I can see thee again," he said.
"I will see you off in the morning," she said. "You will see me then."
Elladan stood and looked down at her. "In the morning it will not be appropriate to do this," he said as he took her in his arms and kissed her breathless.
She was pinned against her door, and he felt every luscious curve pressed against him. His thoughts drifted to a day in Ithilien when he would have given anything for a peek through the bushes at this beauty bathing. His imagination would not do her justice, he knew, but for now that was all he had. He broke their kiss and stepped back. She looked up at him with a blush on her cheeks and lips full and red from his caress. Her eyes were blazing with blue fire, no doubt reflecting the passion in his. He wanted nothing more at this moment than to follow her into that room, but he could never dishonor her.
"Goodnight, my love," he said and started backing away. He watched her open her door, but neither could tear their eyes away from each other.
"I will wait for your return," she said. She stared after him, trying to memorize his features. How did he so completely steal her heart? As he finally disappeared around the corner, she entered her room. Miranda was gone to the tower with her new husband. Izabel smiled…husband. Izabel couldn't wait to call Elladan husband, but wait she must for he was leaving. She fell down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. It was going to be very lonely here until he returned.