To Snufflehelm, the Valiant Bed-wetter of Eastfold : You know, I've never been called a "sporkworthy pencil monster"… but I like the sound of it! Thanks! 0) Hehe actually it's ringing in my head now. Probably will use it everywhere from now on, if you don't mind.

To Laririen-Shadow : Physics tests are evil!

To everyone else : Thanks for your reviews! As for the revising of my old stuff, I think I'll do it after I'm done with this fic and have nothing else to occupy my time with!

Chapter 42 : Lothíriel Helps

Lothíriel lay down in bed, pulling the blankets over her. It now felt strange without Éomer by her side, but it was all right. He would be back before she knew it. Instead, she turned her thoughts over to her son. It had been so obvious that Elfwine and Meren had fallen for each other; it was plain in the way they both tried so hard to impress and please each other, even if they did not notice it themselves. But they justcould not recognise the facts themselves!

How about you, Lothíriel? Didn't Isindil have to point out to you that you were in love?

Well… that was definitely true. One could not blame the two youths for not recognising something they had never felt before. After all, the road to discovery was something everyone had to go through! She would just have to be patient and wait, helping as much as she could along the way.

She grinned into the darkness. At least I've set things in motion properly, she thought.

Elfwine buried his face in his pillow, trying to get some sleep, but the image of Meren's face kept coming back to him. She had looked so beautiful under the moonlight, but perhaps it was because she was talking about Elboron? He sighed. He wished he could stop feeling so awkward around her, and behave as confidently as Elboron. Then perhaps she would find him as interesting. But he couldn't seem to help it. Every time he was around her, he had absolutely no idea what to do, how to behave, what to say. It was as if all his common sense had flown out of his head.

But why was it so only when he was around her? Why not with other people? And if he felt so strange when he was with her, why did he want to be with her so much?

It made no sense whatsoever.

Meren lay awake in bed, a smile on her face, thinking of dinner. She was glad that the queen had turned out to be so friendly and kind. It was, after all, Lothíriel's continuous conversation that put her completely at ease. But the best part of the meal was how Elfwine had seemed to open up. She wished that he could be that way more often, then perhaps she would not need to worry about how she behaved about him. The thing was, she was caught between wanting to meet his standard of behaviour, and just letting loose and being herself. She was afraid that if she really was herself, she would do something silly that would disgust him, and she would lose his companionship.

Why was it this way? She had never worried about how other people saw her before, so why did she start now? What was so different about her friendship with Elfwine, that she would worry so about herself?

It made no sense whatsoever.

"Elfwine?"

Elfwine looked up from the book he was reading. "Yes, Mother?"

Lothíriel did not answer for a moment, taking her time to add up the figures in the record book. Then she looked up at her son again and asked nonchalantly, "What do you think of Meren?"

"What do you mean?"

Lothíriel shrugged. "She seems a nice enough girl. Friendly and kind. I like her. I was just wondering what you think about her."

"She's my friend."

"I know that, but it doesn't answer my question, does it?"

Elfwine shifted in his seat. "What do you want to know, then?"

"What you think of Meren." Something that seemed very much like frustration was beginning to appear inside Lothíriel. Honestly, are all men clueless to what they feel? Or do they have such pride that they just refuse to admit it even to themselves?

"She's… she's… friendly."

"Only friendly?" Lothíriel frowned. "It would seem to me that after spending time with her, you'd have more of an opinion."

"She's… pretty?"

It took all the self-restraint Lothíriel had to keep herself from throwing her hands in the air in defeat. Men really were hopeless. She would get nowhere with her son.

"Alanna, may I borrow your niece for a moment?" Lothíriel smiled and took Meren's arm by the elbow, leading her out of the kitchen. "I won't keep her too long."

"What can I do for you, my lady?" Meren asked once they were out of the kitchen.

Lothíriel was now considering where she could take this girl. Éomer's study would be too frightening. "Would you like to accompany me to see Elfwine training, Meren? I could do with some youthful company before I grow too old." She said it with a light laugh, easing the tension Meren was sure to be feeling.

Meren smiled. "You'll never be too old, my lady," she said. "But of course I would love to accompany you."

Lothíriel nodded, and they both went out to the training grounds behind the stables. "Let's not get Elfwine's attention. I think he always fights so much better when he doesn't feel as if he has to put on a show for someone," she said. "Have you seen him train before?"

Meren nodded. "Yes, I have. He's very good."

Lothíriel smiled with pride at that comment. Yes, it was true. Elfwine was very good. Éomer would have never settled for anything less with his son, and whenever he had time he would train his son personally. Otherwise, Éothain did a wonderful job. With Elfwine's own determination to become the best, it was definitely no surprise that he was 'very good'.

Elfwine was already in the field, but his back was turned to them as he got his things ready. Éothain noticed them, though, but said nothing when Lothíriel waved and put a finger to her lips. Meren was looking around as if wondering where they could sit. Lothíriel went straight to the back of the armoury, and sat down on the ground, leaning against the wall. Meren looked surprised to see the queen sitting so on the ground, and Lothíriel almost laughed. Honestly, some people thought that the royalty could not do the same as other people! "Don't just stand there," she said, smiling. "Come and sit down."

Meren sat down next to Lothíriel as Éothain and Elfwine began their practising. "I always marvel at how he can be completely focused," Meren said. "My mind always wanders."

"He must have got it from his father," Lothíriel replied. "My brother Elphir always said that the only reason I could not fight properly was because I was always thinking about other things when I fought."

"You learned how to fight?" Meren's eyes widened.

"It was a long time ago. I haven't picked up a sword for many years." A wave of nostalgia came over her as she thought of the old days in Dol Amroth. "Elphir taught me when I was seventeen. It wasn't common for girls to be able to fight, but my father didn't see how any harm could come from it. He even encouraged me. But I never got very good at it." Lothíriel shook her head. "Anyway, that's enough of me. I didn't drag you away from your work just to reminisce about my younger days. At dinner last night I couldn't help but notice that you and my son are on very good terms. What do you think of him?"

"Begging your pardon, my lady?"

Lothíriel smiled at Meren. "A mother sometimes wonders what people thinks of her child."

"Well there's no need to worry about your son, my lady," Meren said. "Elfwine is a wonderful person."

Lothíriel feigned surprise. "Really? Tell me, what do you see in him?"

Meren hesitated. "I see… I see a young man who is eager to be the best that he can be. I see a young man who cares so much about his duty and destiny, and would do anything to keep himself from letting his people down. As I said, Elfwine is a wonderful person."

"A little daft and blind, though," Lothíriel said matter-of-factly.

"My lady?"

Lothíriel patted Meren's arm. "Don't you worry about a thing. I had to be kidnapped before his father even figured out what he was feeling. Things will come round in the end." With that, she got to her feet and walked away calmly, leaving the girl in a stunned silence.