My dearest darling computer has always found the most "appropriate" situations to break down in, and this is definitely no exception. So now my computer is in the shop, together with my stash of HTML codes, my photos, my MSN icons, and the half-written chapter 5 of this story. I don't know whether I'll see them again. Oh dearie me.
Anyway, that's why I'm re-writing chapter 5. I've received a lot of reviews (I was scared by the amount of emails I saw in my inbox!) and so I want to say thanks and I've also taken some comments into consideration and will be attempting to improve in this chapter. But please be a little forgiving since I'm using my mum's laptop and it's on my computer table and because of fittings and stuff, I'm typing with my arms straight out which is not only uncomfortable and painful, but also very inspiration-killing.

Chapter 5 : Letters

My Lord Éomer,
We had a very uneventful and safe journey back to Dol Amroth, and so you need not have any worries. I would also like to thank you for your hospitality while we were in Rohan. But that is not the purpose of my writing to you.
I would like to apologise for my behaviour while I was in your country, especially for what I said to you on that last day. It was not my place to say so, and furthermore, I did not mean a word of what I had said. You see, there was a misunderstanding between my father and I. I had overheard him speaking with someone and had jumped to wild conclusions, and you were made a victim of my foolish behaviour. Therefore I hope that you will no longer be offended or insulted by my behaviour, and will be willing to forgive me.
Many apologies once more,
Lothíriel

Éomer looked up at the messenger sent from Dol Amroth, then re-read the letter, wondering if this was all a dream. The messenger confirmed that it was reality by clearing his throat as politely as possible in inquiring if there was to be a reply.

"You've travelled far, my good man," Éomer said, smiling. "Go now and rest, and find yourself a hot meal, and the reply will be passed to you after I've written it."

The messenger bowed and hurried off on his way to obey instructions. Éomer crossed the hall and sat down at the table, reading the letter yet again. Well, perhaps women aren't as strange as I thought, he finally conceded. He reached across the table for some paper and the quill that Faramir had left the night before (sometimes he wondered if his brother-in-law wrote books instead of letters), and began to write his reply. After many crossing-outs and changes of paper, he finally wrote a reply that he was reasonably satisfied with.

Lady Lothíriel,
I am most glad to receive word from you, and also to hear that you are all safely back in Dol Amroth.
I accept your many apologies. Misunderstandings are certainly not uncommon, and I have been guilty of them before. Thus I can safely say to you that I am neither offended nor insulted by your words. In fact, I am delighted that you did not mean a word of what you said; I had begun to worry about my people's feelings over having a sneaky, conniving king. Thank goodness now you have revealed that you do not think me one.
I shall be going to the Westfold tomorrow morning, and Éowyn and Faramir will begin their journey to Minas Tirith. She does not yet know that you have sent word, but I am sure that she will be most relieved to hear that you are safely at home.
Sincerely,
Éomer

He read the letter again before folding it, wondering if he had used too familiar a tone. Then he just shrugged to himself and went off in search for an envelope (despite leaving out a stack of paper, ink, and a quill, Faramir had somehow neglected to leave out some envelopes).

Éowyn stood by the flag of the Rohirrim, looking out over her country, her home. Or at least, it was today. Now that she was married to Faramir, Gondor would eventually become her country and her home. But she would never forget her life in Rohan, and never forget her love for this country.

"You'll miss Rohan when you're gone, won't you?"

She turned and smiled at her brother. "That goes without saying, Éomer. But I'll be back to visit, don't you worry. You can't be rid of me so easily."

"Oh dear." Éomer laughed, coming to stand beside her. "Anyway… I'll miss you when you go tomorrow, sister."

Éowyn nodded. "I'll miss you too, just like I will miss seeing this country everyday. But Faramir says that Emyn Arnen is very beautiful, and when everything is made ready for us there, it will be one of the most beautiful places on Middle-earth. Then you must come to see us. I made Lothíriel promise that she would."

Éomer cleared his throat. "Speaking of Lothíriel, I just received word from her today. She says that they had a very good journey home and everyone's fine in Dol Amroth now."

"That's good," Éowyn remarked. "That day, when we were riding, she just left. After you came, I noticed. What did you do to make her angry? You must send your apologies."

"Well, actually, she sent her apologies… that's the main reason of why she wrote. But should I have said that I was sorry as well? Oh… I didn't write that in my reply…" Éomer frowned.

Éowyn watched her brother curiously. He seemed so worried, so confused, so much like a little child trying to make up his mind about something. That thought amused her so much that she could not help but laugh.

Éomer's frown deepened. "What's so funny?"

"Does Lothíriel confuse you so, my brother?" Éowyn gasped out amid peals of laughter. "You look so worried!"

Éomer just stared at his sister, still not comprehending what it was that was so amusing. Then he sighed. "Women are such strange creatures!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "They just can't make anything clear and simple!"

Lothíriel sat down on her bed, and opened the envelope carefully. She read the letter, and then read it again, then heaved a sigh of relief. At least he forgives me! That was definitely good news. She had been so worried that he would think all girls from Dol Amroth were uncouth, rude creatures, which was very far from the truth indeed.

She thought back about his behaviour towards her in Rohan. He had been friendly, and kind, and she had just been so cold to him, thinking that he had had an ulterior motive. Even now as she thought of it, a blush crept into her cheeks. It was most embarrassing indeed.

Éowyn had insisted that Lothíriel made the journey to Ithilien once she and Faramir were settled in, and Lothíriel had been giving that some thought, reluctant as she was to leave Dol Amroth for somewhere foreign again. But now she almost looked forward to it. Éomer would probably be there, and this time she could get to know him without trying to force herself to dislike him. It would probably be most enjoyable, she told herself.

And this was the very first time Lothíriel decided to leave her own country without needing her father's coaxing.