A/N: Hey! Come on - why's everybody so surprised about all the "wrenches"? Didn't I tell you in the summary their road to the wedding was going to be bumpy!

Jazzcat - Ardrion and Danwen? Maybe. If either is willing to relocate! Just so long as they give up their fixation with the unattainable! (see bottom of chapter for another note)

By The Book

Chapter 7

Unfortunately my reconciliation with Eomer meant he had to return to Rohan. His advisers had argued against his coming in the first place, both because they needed him there and because of the weather, but he would not listen to their pleas on the matter. Forgoing the trappings of King, he and his escort had traveled fast and light in order to make the trip as swiftly as possible.

And, so, we found ourselves saying goodbye yet again. I was learning to hate farewells tremendously, for they wrenched at me more every time I had to do it.

I stood in his room, watching while he closed his last bag and sent it with a servant to be packed. Then he turned to me and put his hands on my shoulders. For awhile, neither of us spoke, but then he said quietly, "Since you warned me to stay away from Danwen when last we parted, I think it only fair that I insist you stay away from Ardrion!"

I smiled reluctantly and told him, "Do not be silly, my love. My supposed involvement with Ardrion was nothing more than a ploy to see you again before March!"

He chuckled. "I almost believe that! Do you have other plans for January and February, or are you still working out the details?"

"I think Father is beginning to be suspicious. I may have to curtail my stratagems now. Though, if a good enough opportunity presents itself, I will not hesitate to take advantage of it!"

He smiled and rested his forehead against mine. "I trust your wisdom in such matters, but, please, no more former lovers threatening to take you from me. I could not bear to lose you."

"Nor I, you. But you should know that even when I was uncertain what my feelings were for Ardrion, I very much wanted them to be nothing more than friendship and to know that my heart was truly and completely yours."

He held me closer and we stood tightly wrapped in each other's arms. Finally, with a sigh, he whispered, "I must go. Everyone will be waiting and it is not the kind of day I wish to make them sit out in."

Before he could pull away, I reached for him and caught his lips in a kiss. As the kiss slowly ended, I murmured, "Let that keep you warm on your journey, my love."

And, too soon, I was watching him ride away. Once again my long vigil began.

A few days after their departure, I noticed, not for the first time, that Miren seemed to be smiling to herself a lot lately. I finally took the opportunity to ask her about it, and she happily confided that Kialmar, on this visit, had expressed an attraction to her and a desire to court her. She had not been at all averse to the idea, and I rejoiced with her in her happiness. But at least this knowledge drew us closer and gave us each someone to help us through this trying period of waiting.

We did not get a lot of snow in Dol Amroth, so it was difficult to remind myself that messengers between Rohan and our city would be hampered by such, even though I knew it to be true. Despite the circumstances of his visit, Eomer had brought me more letters to add to my collection, and once again I fell into the habit of starting, ending and enjoying during my day reading through them. I had not written any letters during the time between Ardrion's arrival and Eomer's departure, so now I resumed writing with a vengeance, determined to laden every courier with as many as possible.

Amrothos came upon me while I was writing one such letter and eyed the pile of letters from Eomer that I had beside me. "What could Eomer possibly have to write in that many letters? Surely his life is not that eventful!"

I leaned back and smiled at him. "No, it is not. He does not just write about what is going on in his life, but he tells me about himself – what he likes and dislikes, the things he enjoys doing, stories of his life and his growing up years."

Amrothos slouched in a chair and gazed sorrowfully at me. "Are you sure you really want to marry him and move so far away, Thiri? It will be dreadfully dull without you around here."

"I will miss you, too," I answered quietly, "but, yes, I very much want to marry him. Though I am sorry Rohan is so far from home. However, it will give you an excuse to come visit, and I expect you to do so often – but no sooner than six months after my wedding!"

"Why no sooner?" he asked, giving me a suspicious look.

"Because, dear brother, I know you too well! I want Eomer to myself for at least that long before I have to put up with you trying to keep us apart just to torment me! And once we are married, we plan on doing a good deal more than just 'smooching'!"

He rarely does, but even Amrothos blushed at that.

"There is a partial solution to the problem," I added.

He raised a questioning eyebrow and waited for me to continue.

"Find yourself a wife and then you will not miss me so much, though you will likely be appalled at the thought of Eomer doing with your sister what you will be doing with your wife!"

He laughed, and blushed even redder at the suggestion, but smiled longingly. "I would be very happy if I could find someone who would love me as you do Eomer, and vice versa. It just has not been my lot to discover her yet. Perhaps she lives in Rohan and I will meet her on one of my visits. Then I can move there and live next door to you and Eomer and annoy you on a regular basis!"

We chortled together, but then I fixed him with a serious expression. "Oh, my dear Amrothos, I think I will miss you most of all."

Not unexpectedly, he hastily stood, both embarrassed and pleased by my sentiment, and declared, "Well, now I am leaving if you are going to start that!" He strode quickly to the door but gave me a fond look before closing it between us.

xxxxx

I think I had almost convinced myself that March would never come – that Sauron had somehow managed to destroy it before his demise just to torture me. But, to my great pleasure and my great horror, it did finally arrive. And suddenly all the time I had to prepare was gone and I was frantically trying to get ready. Miren and I seemed to work from sun up to sun down, sorting through our belongings and packing any we did not need before or during the trip. I feared we would not be ready in time, but the morning of our departure, found us making a final hasty check and discovering we had indeed completed all the tasks on our lists.

We were scheduled to travel to Minas Tirith and join with a party from there for the journey to Rohan. The party of nobles making this visit was not quite so large as for Theoden's funeral, no doubt owing partly to the fact that the King of Rohan was no longer available. Even so, it was a sizeable group, since many of the nobles looked for any opportunity to socialize with royalty.

I had written to Eowyn in December, after Eomer left Dol Amroth, and explained the situation to her. I was relieved when she had completely forgiven me my confused feelings. I liked Eowyn a great deal and did not want there to be unpleasantness between us.

As we passed the border into Rohan, I found myself actually getting a little nervous. I had long awaited my wedding day and now it seemed to be coming much too fast and out of control. But I was certain about Eomer and wanting to marry him, and reassured myself that once the wedding was out of the way, things would be easier.

The weather cooperated for the early part of the trip, but as our second week on the road began we were met with heavy rains that stalled us for a few days. At last they let up and we were able to dry out somewhat and resume our journey. I hoped that would be the last obstacle to our reaching Edoras, but it was not to be. When we were still a day away from the city, we were attacked by a party of some twenty-five orcs. With soldiers the like of King Elessar, Faramir and my own father and brothers in our midst, they were quickly routed, but not before damaging some wagons and possessions, and setting the whole company on edge.

All were glad when finally we spotted Edoras in the distance the next day, and a party of Rohirrim rode out to meet us and escort us in. Gamling quickly had everyone settled in their rooms, but I did not have much opportunity to speak with Eomer until after supper.

Faramir had engaged the two of us in conversation and began walking away from the assembled host, without our even realizing it. When we were off to the side and not so readily noticed, he ended the conversation, gave me an amused grin and excused himself. At first I was puzzled by his peculiar behavior, but Eomer caught on more quickly and seized my hand to lead me to his study before anyone spotted us.

At last we were alone and in each other's arms. As he held me, he said, "I hear there was trouble on the road. Are you well?"

I nodded and sighed. "It seems, in addition to everything else, both nature and orcs conspire to keep us apart!"

He smiled, then asked quietly, "Do you take it to be a sign that we should not be together?"

I looked up into his eyes, that were reserved, yet hopeful, about my response. "I take it to be a sign that you and I will do wonderful things as the King and Queen of Rohan, and our children will do equally wonderful things. The forces of evil do not want that to happen, but I will not be dissuaded! Make no mistake about it, I will be your wife!"

He smiled, with relief and amusement. "Good! We have had such difficulty getting here that I was a little afraid you might not think it worth all the trouble."

I understood his feelings, and the troubles we had faced were daunting, but we loved each other and I was certain he did not wish to turn aside from our course any more than I did. Glancing up at him with a wily grin, I answered, "But I must marry you, Eomer." His eyes narrowed and I continued, "If I do not, how can I ever hope to see you barefoot in a skirt?"

He laughed heartily, and wiped tears away as he choked out, "If that is what is required to get you to go through with this wedding, then I do solemnly promise, you shall see me so!"

Alas, Gamling put in appearance and apologetically drew us back to the gathering, and so arm in arm, we returned to our guests.

As the evening wore on, I was looking forward to its end, and either getting to bed or finding an opportunity to slip away with Eomer and stay up very late talking and 'smooching'. As I lost myself in daydreams about the possibilities of that, I felt a nudge on my arm and turned to find Faramir standing beside me.

"So," he asked, "have you found any time to read that book I gave you last fall?"

I gave him a rueful look and confessed, "Not really. I glanced through it, but have not spent much time with it."

He nodded, a bemused expression on his face. Finally, he said quietly, giving me an intriguing grin, "I really think you will want to read it – sooner rather than later!" And with that cryptic remark he sauntered away, leaving me to wonder what he was up to.

At last the party ended and I could go to my room, Eomer having been waylaid by the men and dragged into a night of drinking and boasting. I knew my vague hopes of a romantic liaison in the moonlight were not likely to come to fruition.

As I undressed, my eyes fell on the book Faramir had given me. It was on various customs and traditions of different lands, with chapters about both Gondor and Rohan. I had flipped through the pages and it did look interesting, but I always seemed to find more important things to occupy my time and had never settled down to read it in earnest. I pulled it closer and turned to the listing of chapters, wondering what Faramir was so anxious to have me read.

Though I had been tired a moment before and inclined to get right into bed, my curiosity overcame me and I sat down by the fire and began to read. I dozed off at some point and when I awoke, I closed the book and climbed into bed.

Jazzcat - The reason I had Truest Friends end that way was to show Kareswen feeling vulnerable. She has always been in control, decisive and self-assured about everything until that point. Taking this step, even as much as she loves Eomer, scares her to death. And she hasn't had much experience with men, so having walked out on him, she isn't sure he will want her back. At any rate, for certain the Haradrim will have a part in any sequel. There's a lot that can be done with that and it was left totally open-ended. But like you said, she isn't apt to settle in as little Miss-Nice-Traditional-Queen anytime soon.