Chapter 33 : Reminiscing

Maura arrived at Dol Amroth the next day, and everyone was eager to meet her, including the two boys who were very interested in seeing who was this remarkable woman, such that Elphir would want to spend the rest of his life with her.

Maura could not be said to be a beauty, but she was pretty in her own right, with her light brown hair and hazel eyes. She was shy meeting so many new and important people at first, but quickly opened up, accepting the fact that soon they would be her family. It was clear that Elphir loved her dearly, and that the feeling was mutual.

That night, the two children were not allowed to sit at the table, and were whisked away by Freda to eat in their room, for punishment of having tried to steal cakes from the kitchens.

Éowyn shook her head, smiling. "Perhaps the two of them should be separated. I have no idea what to do with them."

"You don't have to do anything with them, they're doing very well to me," Erchirion said.

"It's because you think they're doing very well that makes us even more worried, Erchirion," Lothíriel replied. "We already have enough trouble with you and Amrothos, we don't need contributions from Elfwine and Elboron as well!"

Imrahil laughed. "You don't need to worry, my daughter. After the wedding, Elfwine will be in Edoras, and Elboron in Emyn Arnen. If Erchirion and Amrothos together are unable to destroy the city, I don't suppose your son would be able to do very much mischief alone in Edoras!"

"I think the two children are absolutely delightful," Maura said. "I've only just met them, and I think that they are extremely bright boys."

Éomer grinned. "I have to say, Maura, you definitely know how to get into people's good graces!"

Maura laughed. "Children are always the keys to the hearts of the parents. It does not take a genius to discover that. But I was not trying to get into anyone's good graces, I was simply stating my observations!"

"Then you are very observant indeed," Faramir spoke up. "Unfortunately, our two well-loved little mischief-makers apply their admirable intelligence to the wrong sort of activities."

"I hardly think stealing cakes can be called the 'wrong sort of activities'," Amrothos protested. "It's just innocent mischief; I've done so quite a few times myself. Of course, I was never caught, which simply means that the boys have a lot more to learn…"

"No!" Éowyn exclaimed. "You are not going to teach Elboron and Elfwine how to steal cakes."

"Actually," Imrahil mused, "I rather remember doing that myself, a very, very long time ago."

Everyone laughed, trying to imagine the responsible, wise and brave Prince of Dol Amroth as a child, trying to steal a cake from the kitchen. The image was highly amusing, and not one that could be gotten rid of quickly.

Lothíriel slipped into her old room, closing the door gently behind her. Éomer looked up at her from the bed where he was reading a book by the candlelight.

She smiled at her husband. "They're both asleep," she said, taking off her shoes and beginning to change into her nightdress. "They look like little angels when they sleep!"

Éomer laughed. "Just an illusion, Lothíriel, it's just an illusion."

Lothíriel smiled, and went over to sit next to her husband. Resting her head on Éomer's shoulder, she said wistfully, "It seems just like yesterday that I was here in this room alone, just a girl."

Éomer closed the book and made as if to leave. "Would you like to relive the memory? I can always go…"

Laughing, Lothíriel held on to his arm. "There isn't anywhere in Middle-earth that I would rather be alone instead of with you."

Blushing as their lips met, they seemed more like newlyweds than husband and wife of seven years.

Just a short little fluffy chapter while I dream up more mischief!