Disclaimer: I own nothing except my interpretation on how this lovely couple met. Oh, and I own Calaer, Ramniel, and the beautiful mousepad with Frodo and Sam on it...but that's pretty much it. Please don't sue me! I love reviewers!
Well, your reviews and wishes for more have gotten to me! I guess when an idea hits you, it will haunt you till you either write it down or think about it so much that it gets annoying.
Volinde: I honestly don't think I could ever write in Tolkien's style because his had something to it that I'll probably never be able to capture. And I don't mind a bit. I'm glad you liked it! Hopefully you'll like this, too! Oh! I read your bio and it said you wanted to try archery. I'm in it with a shooting sports club in 4-H and it is so fun! So if you have a club near you, try and join! It's especially fun once you get the hang of it which is relatively quickly . Hope that helps!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Like I said above, your wish got to me! Here you go! Hope you enjoy it and keep reviewing! I like reviews!
Eokat: I really love Éomer and Lothíriel and had to write something for them since Tolkien never did. And thanks for pushing me to write more with just one more comment! You're right, Éomer does deserve a category for fanfic, especially after everything he went through like the War of the Ring and what some fanfic writers do to him...::shudders::
Kristen: Thank you so much! I love it when people like my work that I slaved away on for months seriously! Here you go!
Ranwen: I see you've put my story on your favorites! You like me! You really like me! You thought it was adorable? I did too! And I have a feeling it's going to get even more adorable with the coming chapters...but I can't tell you what they're about, now can I?
And...sinny3: Yes! I'm saying something to you even though I see you almost every day! Thanks for putting this up here and for supporting my obsession with the best book trilogy imho ever written and put on film! Pep Band is the best...and Lurtz is Hott!
A/N: This takes place a few weeks after chapter one in the year 3021, 2 years after Éowyn and Faramir's wedding. And while surfing on the wonderful Encyclopedia of Arda, I noticed that Lothíriel's brother, Amrothos, comes on the family tree before she does. I guess this means that he's older and if that is true, then just consider the part in the first chapter about Amrothos being the little brother a teensy weensy bit AU. Now, enough with the chit chat and on with the story!
Preparations were being made in Meduseld for King Éomer's wedding as Lothíriel sat before one of the fireplaces in the Hall. The wedding was to take place tomorrow and Lothi was relieved to be out in the freedom of the Hall instead of cooped up in her room with Calaer chatting away. All of their belongings had been brought back from Dol Amroth and they began to feel at home in Rohan, much to Éomer's happiness, for he would hate to see his beloved unhappy. He had told her that after they were wed she would always be welcome to take leave and go home to see the Sea again. That thought brought a smile to her lips; the King may have been one of the fiercest warriors in the Mark, but he was also a gentle man who cared deeply for all he loved.
Then Lothi grinned even wider when she heard familiar voices echo in the Hall. She turned around and saw her family standing at the entrance, impressed with the progress of the decorating. She was about to go to them when a hand rested on her shoulder. "What do you think of the trimmings?" Éomer looked down at his wife-to-be and awaited her answer.
Lothi looked around and saw the green banners of Rohan hanging next to the blue banners of Dol Amroth, each embroidered with either a white swan or white horse. The pillars had wide white ribbons around them and shone when any kind of light reflected off of it. "It's gorgeous, just like I dreamed of as a child...only near the Sea, not Edoras." "And you always wanted to have gull feathers in your hair," a new voice said.
Lothi winced as her long-time secret was out of the bag. And her father had to be the one to say it. Turning around slowly, she said through clenched teeth, "It's good to see you, too, Father."
He laughed loudly. "Thiri, my Thiri. With that answer I am afraid that I shall always be under the threat of your wrath!" He hugged her tightly and despite her embarrassment, smiled anyway. She heard her brothers come up behind their father and ran to them.
"Elphir! How long has it been? How is Ramniel?" Ramniel was Elphir's wife for three years now.
Elphir smiled at his wife's name. "It has been too long, sister. Now you're following in my footsteps, I see. Ramniel is wonderful, as always. You should know that."
Lothi looked skeptically at Elphir, he seemed too happy for this one occasion. "Why is she not here? Is she sick?"
Elphir glanced at his other brothers before returning his gaze on his sister. "She's at home. Tending to the new addition of our little family." He could barely contain his excitement. "His name is Alpros."
Lothi stood in shock for a moment before the realization of becoming an aunt hit her. She gave a joyful shout and jumped into her brother's arms, while he twirled her around like the little girl she still was to him. Éomer walked up to the siblings and said, half-teasingly, "Now, now. Pretty soon I'll be the only one who can do that, so don't spoil the fun for me!"
"Ah," Erchirion spoke for the first time, "but she is our favorite sister."
Elphir set Lothi down right before she answered, "I'm your only sister, silly. And you," she turned to Éomer, "stop being so protective." She looked at him and winked subtly. "You're starting to sound like them!" Lothi gestured to her family.
Éomer jumped with surprise when he felt a light punch on his arm. "Yes, you need to stop being so overprotective of everyone!" He looked over his shoulder and saw the golden hair of no other than his sister, Éowyn.
A heavily pregnant Éowyn.
Éomer pulled his sister into a gentle embrace and lightly kissed the top of her golden head. Just for her to hear, he said, "You're a month away, sister. It is not wise to be up and about in your...'condition'." He smirked at her when she looked up at him, slightly offended.
"Well," she answered confidently, "be so kind as to tell me who, out of the two of us, was wed first. Then, speak to me of 'condition'."
Éomer shortly said, "No." He looked behind his sister and saw none other than her husband. "Lord Faramir! Welcome back to Rohan! I see you have let my sister have her way, much to my disappointment." Smiling, he led all of his guests to the numerous benches seated before the fireplaces.
Still speaking with Éomer, Faramir defended himself by blaming everything on his wife. "You know her, My Lord. She likes to get her way. And she also told me that you are her favorite brother and she wouldn't miss this wedding for the world...or the birth of our child!"
Éomer laughed whole-heartedly. As the two Lords spoke, Lothi went to the kitchens to see if there was anything to sneak before lunch was served. She walked through the hallways, bustling with people, until she found a familiar face at the soon to be scene of the crime.
"Lady Éowyn!" she whispered urgently. The expectant criminal nearly dropped a handful of cherry tomatoes when she realized that she had been caught in the act. Once she realized it was only Lothíriel, she sighed in relief. At least in wasn't one of the cooks or she would have gotten a tongue-lashing.
"Lady Lothíriel," Éowyn nearly gasped out, "you surprised me! But now that my secret love of stealing food from the kitchen is out, I fear I must kill you immediately, lest you report to the authorities!" She saw that Lothi was slightly appalled and smiled at her to show that she was joking. "Tomato?" Éowyn offered.
Smiling, Lothi gladly took the stolen food and looked at Éowyn's swollen belly. "So you're a month off from getting rid of that burden."
Éowyn glanced at her stomach and smiled. "I don't call it a burden. Nay, 'tis a blessing. For I know that this babe has been created because of mine and Faramir's love. But to be honest, I am getting a little anxious. The child can ask for too much every time it--" At that moment, the life inside of Éowyn's womb forced a kick and took the White Lady by complete surprise, causing her to lose her grasp of the tomatoes. Lothi saw it coming and quickly held out her hands and caught the stolen items.
Éowyn leaned against a wall and sighed. "Every time it does that. Thank you for catching those!" She motioned to the tomatoes that Lothi was holding and let her have a few. So they walked out of the kitchen and into one of the dimly lit hallways where Éowyn continued the conversation.
"I take it you already have a dress for tomorrow? If so, I would love to see it!" Lothi took Éowyn into her room where the wedding gown was hanging up in an unused corner. It was in a princess line style, with a fitted bodice and A- line skirt. The gown itself was made of white satin and the thick hem was made of a dark green velvet. The sleeves were bell-shaped and also hemmed with the green velvet and the neckline was embroidered with swirls of silver thread.
Éowyn studied the dress in awe and spoke slowly in reply. "This is absolutely gorgeous! Where did you get it?"
"Éomer had it made a few days after he was well enough to tell everyone of our betrothal." Lothi smiled, happy that her soon to be sister-in-law loved the gown. "A seamstress near Edoras made it in just a little more than a week."
"'Tis a beautiful thing," The White Lady said to herself.
"I know. When the dress arrived I was so excited that I barely kept myself from shoving everyone out of the way just to get to it!"
Éowyn let out a quiet giggle. "As much as I believe you, it wasn't the dress I was speaking of."
Lothi stopped smiling and looked at Éowyn with a questioning glance. "Then what were you speaking of, may I ask?"
"Love. Five years ago, I never would have thought of such a thing, but Faramir showed me a different view on it. He showed me that it doesn't matter what everyone thinks of us, just as long as we love each other. And look at us now! Happily married and awaiting the birth of our son or daughter. I can't possibly be any happier. Now Éomer has found love in a woman from the shore." She winked at Lothi.
"What is he like? I mean, what would he do for those he loves?"
"He loves you, Lothíriel. He will fight for you if it ever comes down to that, and even die for you. He has always been that way for me and I don't see why he wouldn't do it for the love of his life. He is generous, both in politics and love, and cares first and foremost for his family, friends, and people. If you are having pre-wedding doubts, Lothíriel, stop now for it will do you no good in the morning!"
The two women laughed merrily and didn't notice Calaer slip in, looking for her princess. "And just what is so funny that you have to make a racquet about it?"
Lothi and Éowyn looked at the maid and laughed even louder at her obliviousness. "Oh, nothing important," Lothi said after catching her breath. "Let's go back out to the fesitivities, shall we?" The trio made their way back to the Hall and sat down on the benches, Lothi next to Éomer, Éowyn next to Faramir, and Calaer next to Imrahil. As the conversation between Éomer and Faramir died down, Lothi heard a voice in her ear, belonging to Éomer.
"Gull feathers, eh?"
Just for the record, yes, Éowyn has better table manners than Papa Denethor. She can actually eat a tomato or a grape without painting her face with the juice!