A/N: Replies to reviewers:

Blue Eyes At Night - Eomer actually in a skirt? Now, would I do that!

Jazzcat - "evil plots"? What evil plots? This has just been the usual day to day stuff everyone goes through as they prepare to marry someone...

As for your question (from elsewhere) - maybe, maybe not! See below and see if you still think that!

I like Amrothos in this too. It's been fun writing him and his relationship with Lothiriel. She's just saying those things to him to tease him - he's usually doing it to her so she needed a chance to fight back. And guys are funny that way - they want to "do" certain things with their girlfriends that they'd kill any guy who even suggested doing it to their sister! And just like parents, sisters aren't allowed to know anything about sex.

As for the "swear word" in Truest Friends- that's it. I only put it in to show her extreme frustration, but probably I should try to find some ME equivalent instead that would fit better.

By The Book

Chapter 8

The next morning I slept in and no one disturbed me. As I dressed, I spotted the book and sat down to finish the chapter I had been reading.

Less than an hour later, I set it aside and went in search of food. It was a couple of days before I had a chance to read more. The ladies of both Gondor and Rohan's courts seemed to claim all my free time and I was quickly learning to plaster on a smile and tune out the voices hammering away at me. It seemed I mostly only saw Eomer from a distance, and I was beginning to wonder if we would even be left alone once we were married.

When again I found a few moments to myself, reading seemed like a relaxing way to pass the time and I settled in front of the fire once again. Several hours later, I slammed the book shut. "I will kill him!" I muttered. "He knew all along and did not tell me! I will kill him!" Then I sat back and thought for a moment. In all fairness, he had repeatedly encouraged me to read the book and, despite what it said, it didn't really change the way anything could have happened.

I quickly rose and took off down the hall, in search of my cousin. I found him in the Golden Hall, and even though my ire was somewhat eased by my rational thoughts on the matter, I still swatted his arm. "Hateful man!" I exclaimed. "How could you do this to me?"

He grinned, then caught my arm and pulled me away so no one could overhear our conversation. "How much have you read? All of it, or just the King of Gondor part?"

I gave him a quizzical look. "There is more? What more could there be?"

He chuckled. "No, no – I will not tell you. Find it for yourself. I recommend having a look at the chapters dealing with Rohirric customs." Then he turned and strode away from me, his laughter drifting back over his shoulder.

I stood there fuming for a moment, then glanced at the book and made a dash back to my room to resume reading. Amrothos put in appearance at one point, asking if I wanted to go for a ride with him, but I brushed him aside to keep reading. It took over two hours, but I finished all the chapters on Rohirric customs and raised my head with furrowed eyebrows. What was I missing? Clearly there was something in them that Faramir thought I should make note of, but I did not see anything of particular import. I began browsing through the chapters again, searching for any clue.

It was almost supper time, so I finally had to lay the book aside and change. When I arrived in the Golden Hall, Faramir was already there and I hurriedly approached him. "What am I supposed to see?"

He shook his head. "No, you have to find it yourself. Come on, Thiri, I know how quick you are. Read with an eye for information you might find useful right about now. I am certain you will find a way to use it advantageously." He annoyingly wiggled his eyebrows at me and moved to take his seat beside Eowyn, leaving me frustrated yet again. What was I missing?

As had happened the past three days, once supper ended, I was swarmed by well-meaning courtiers who sought to offer advice, warnings, guidance, personal stories and on and on. And just as before, it did not take long for my head to begin pounding and me to wish for nothing more than holding Eomer's hand alone in the moonlight. But he was cornered across the room, by men who seemed bent on doing much the same to him. The look on his face seemed impassive to others, but I knew him well enough to know he was merely tolerating this because he had no other choice at present.

I was beginning to think this wedding was going to kill the both of us. We had had virtually no time alone, or even to speak to one another privately, since my arrival in Edoras. Eowyn was more than willing to handle all the marriage arrangements and I was more than willing to let her, and relieve myself of that burden. But as my wedding day drew nearer, I found myself tense, tired and very unhappy. Somehow this didn't seem to be what I had expected. The wedding was in two days and I was almost dreading it – not being married to Eomer, mind you, just the wedding required to 'get there'.

Once I had tolerated the endless chatter all around me as long as I could, I feigned a headache and fatigue and the ladies readily encouraged me to go and rest so I would look my best on that 'special day'. I managed to hold the smile on my face until I was safely in the hall. I leaned against the wall, relishing my escape, then turned quickly and hurried to my room. I had some reading to do...

It was surely past midnight when I finally realized what Faramir had been trying to draw to my attention. And I lay awake at least another hour trying to figure out how I might make use of it. The thought finally came to me – Gamling. He could, and I thought probably would, aid me in my schemes. I grinned to myself with satisfaction and drifted off to sleep.

It was difficult to sit through breakfast, and I only managed it because it was one of the few meals where I was able to spend time with Eomer. Though not alone, we at least were in a smaller party, usually only family, and it was easier to relax. Generally we played a game of 'nudge and bump' under the table where no one could see, and though it was silly, I think it eased some of our tension over other matters.

All through the meal, Faramir kept glancing at me and I think he knew I had found what he wanted me to read, even though I did not tell him so. Eowyn drew him away before he could corner me, and I hastened to find Gamling and arrange to speak with him privately.

I did not get to see Eomer again until supper that night. He regretfully told us that he was going to have to ride out to a village the next day to resolve some problems there. Although it was our wedding day, the marriage itself was not to take place until early evening, followed by a feast. Eomer was certain they would be back in plenty of time so there would be no delay. He had been cooped up in meetings almost incessantly for over a week and I think he relished the idea of being back in the saddle. And even more so because it provided a temporary respite from the wedding preparations and 'helpful' well-wishers.

Naturally, the topic of conversation among the ladies that night was his trip, and I was forced to listen to endless not-particularly-related-in-any-way tales about trips their husbands or lovers had taken. Then there were the two camps – those who thought it dreadful that Eomer would go on such a trip on his wedding day, and those who thought it best to get the groom out of the way for most of the day so preparations would go more smoothly.

I knew it would be pushing my luck to plead another headache, so I had to endure this evening a lot longer. At least this time, I knew that the following day Eomer and I were to wed and soon we would be alone together. Only thoughts of that got me through this final night of planning.

At last, it ended and I was gratefully off to my bed. I slept in the next day; at least that is what Miren told everyone. I was actually awake, but I was jittery enough about the events of the day ahead, that I did not want to have to face the courtiers and listen to them any longer than I had to. I knew Eomer had eaten early and departed, so I wasn't going to see him at breakfast anyway. Not to mention, the ladies would have been up in arms about the 'bad luck' of our seeing each other prior to the wedding. So Miren smuggled me some food for breakfast and I whiled away a few hours in solitude in my room.

It gave me plenty of time to think about the day ahead, and make sure that I was ready. The words spoken at the ceremony would not make me feel I belonged to Eomer any more than I already did, but they were special to me as representative of our willingness to commit ourselves fully to each other.

Eventually, I did have to come out of hiding and let the ladies of the court fuss and bother over me most of the day. I did draw the line at all of them attending me while I bathed, assuring them I could do the job properly without their assistance. I lingered in the tub only because I was not anxious to face the mob again, but the water cooled and the mob grew restless, so I finally dried myself and let them set themselves upon me in preparation.

While three of them fretted over my clothing, four others began to work on my hair, and I closed my eyes in an effort to block out all the noise and find a moment of peace within.

We were all disrupted by a knock at the door and when one of them responded, it was to find my father standing there with a grave look on his face. He seemed hesitant to speak in front of the crowd, but apparently decided the matter could not be kept secret. Even so, he spoke softly, "Thiri, it is nearing time for the ceremony and Eomer has not yet returned. We are a little concerned."

I hugged him reassuringly. "Do not worry, Father. Eomer would not miss his own wedding day."

He tried to smile agreeingly, but I could tell he was not so confident as I sounded. Still, he nodded and excused himself. Some of the ladies had overheard our words, and immediately the conversation turned to the subject of missing grooms. I plastered a smile on my face and settled resignedly back onto a chair as they resumed their ministrations.

But an hour later, there was still no sign of Eomer and now most of the guests seemed to realize that something was amiss. I directed Father to stall for a bit, to give Eomer more time to return, but a half hour passed and there was no news. Now it was nearly time for the feast to begin, so I stood and moved toward the Golden Hall. The retinue of ladies were appalled, but had little choice except to trail behind me to see what would happen. Once there, I squared my shoulders and moved in front of the assembled guests. It did not take long to get their attention and secure their silence.

"My friends, it would appear Eomer King has been delayed in returning, no doubt with good reason. As all of you are planning to stay in Edoras at least another day, we will attempt this wedding on the morrow. For now, please enjoy yourself at the feast." I quickly turned and headed back to my room. Some of the ladies tried to follow, but Amrothos and Faramir had their wits about them enough to know I would not welcome company, and they headed off the pack. Miren hastened to follow me and soon had me out of the gown and back into comfortable clothes.

I pulled the pins from my hair and let it fall down around my shoulders, then turned to the girl who was almost like a sister to me. "Would you fix my hair tonight?" She nodded and moved quickly to take up a brush. In a short time, she had it styled in a pleasing but comfortable manner – one I was certain Eomer would find fetching.

I stood and gave her a hug. Looking her in the eye, I said, "I will turn in early tonight. Please make sure that no one disturbs me, not even my family. And will you bring me a breakfast tomorrow?" She nodded, though her eyes narrowed, but I escorted her to the door. "Thank you for everything, Miren."

An hour later, I slipped out my window and headed to the stable. A horse was already saddled for me, and Elfhelm stood by with his own horse. Silently, we both mounted and were quickly away. I kept my cloak close about me to hide my face so the guards would not see me riding out. It took less than an hour to reach our destination, a large cave near a wooded area. We found a party of soldiers camped round about the cave, keeping watch. I kept myself concealed, and because of Elfhelm, they let us pass without comment. We rode directly to the cave entrance where a soldier took our horses and Elfhelm escorted me inside.

Several fires had been built up to ward off the chill of the cave, and with the large number of furs placed on the floor, it was almost cozy. And there, waiting for me, was Eomer. I gave him a conspiratorial grin as we approached, and he quickly gave me a kiss.

Then looking to Elfhelm, he asked, "How is this to be done?"

Elfhelm retrieved some parchment from a pouch he carried and carefully opened the first one. He held it up where Eomer could see and said, "First, read this."

Eomer carefully read the words there, and then Elfhelm nodded. "Now, each of you speaks your vows to one another."

We had written lengthier vows to be spoken at our wedding in Edoras, so here we simply expressed our love and devotion to each other, and vowed to love no other. Then Elfhelm stepped back near us and placed a hand on our joined hands, and read from another scroll the words of the witness. When he finished, he gave us a grin. "And now my King...and Queen, I will take my leave of you until morning."

When he was gone, Eomer turned back to me and brushed a hand lightly and lovingly against my cheek. "Is it true? Are we truly married?"

"It is so, my love. We are married twice over. The 'blessing' King Elessar gave us in Gondor was a wedding in itself, and the ceremony we just performed makes it official in Rohan as well. We can either kill Faramir for not telling us we were wed in Gondor, or thank him for discovering that a King of Rohan can perform his own marriage as long as there is at least one witness to it."

Eomer seemed to be pondering the choice of Faramir's fate, so I added, "You may continue considering that, my lord, or you may contemplate the fact that this is our wedding night. I would hope to occupy more of your attention tonight than Faramir does!"

That was all it took to bring his 'attention' back to me. I had little doubt my cousin was safe from harm for providing us a way to have the joyous wedding we wanted, before suffering through the official wedding it was necessary we have. But that was tomorrow, and tonight there was only me and Eomer...my husband.