All the usual disclaimers apply. I don't own any of the LOTR characters.

Chapter 1 - Duty Before Love

(Eomer's POV)

The garden was quiet until I heard voices. It was coming from the hedges behind the bench I was resting upon.

I instantly recognized the voice. It was Eowyn. She was giggling and whispering to someone. I didn't want to alarm her and searched along the hedge where I might see her without being spotted.

There was some moonlight and I could make out her companion was. It was Faramir.

The two of them were talking in hushed tones and giggling endlessly. Then they stopped and spent what I felt was a long time just staring and smiling at each other. Faramir seemed to be speaking into her ear and then she started kissing him on the neck.

I continued to spy on the two. I was happy for Eowyn, now that she is married to someone she loved.

But I felt very alone and thought about myself.

What does one get as the King of Rohan? The work of rebuilding the country. The life of the people to be made better. And eventually a queen whom he'll marry for the good of all.

But love? How will that happen for one who has to consider duty before love?

My heart was resigned and weighed down by a certain dread. And if I do not love her? Or cannot love? Duty before love, indeed. Life was much easier before I was King.

The next day was a just another series of long council meetings in the courts of Minas Tirith. As King Elessar spoke endlessly about strengthening alliances with Gondor's neighbours, I saw Prince Imrahil looking in my direction many times during the day.

I smiled and acknowledged him from afar. I owed that man more than I can imagine. Afterall, if it were not for him Eowyn would have been left for dead in Pelennor. He, being a ruler of Dol Amroth was also wise in many things concerning governance and gave me counsel in many things when I first became King.

When the meeting adjourned, I walked over and spoke with him. We started discussing the progress of the rebuilding projects in Rohan and then Imrahil asked about the Queen.

"I am afraid there is no Queen in sight. The rebuilding keeps me busy and there is no time for this." I said with a laugh and in a rather matter-of-factly manner.

"The growth and prosperity of Rohan will always be upon you Eomer …. But as rulers we must also think of continuity…someone who will carry on when you are gone. " he stated knowingly.

I nodded in agreement mostly but I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying. The subject of marriage kept me wondering if it were ever possible to marry for duty and love.

And then his words "Eomer, please consider my proposal." struck me like a bolt out of the blue.

What did he just say? I stared at him, desperately recalling what he just mentioned.

"Please Imrahil, there are too many things on my mind and I have lost you somehow. What is this proposal you are referring to?" I asked.

Prince Imrahil looked at me with a hint of exasperation "I asked that you consider my only daughter, Lothiriel to be your wife, the Queen."

I was shocked. What! An arranged marriage! How did our conversation come to this? I don't even know if I ever met her much less marrying her. The prospect of the arrangement made me feel caged. The idea of marrying a stranger was revolting.

To make matters worse, Imrahil seemed very keen to pursue his idea further. He kept talking endlessly about his daughter. I was unsure and afraid of offending him. What should I say?

My mind was working furiously. How I could get out of this trap?

"Prince Imrahil, I am most honoured by your offer but it is not simply my private decision as concerns Rohan" I finally mumbled. "I need to have a word with my advisors. And besides what does the Princess make of such an arrangement? Is she agreeable to an arranged marriage? Does she not marry for love?" I continued steadily.

There I said it hoping he gets the hint to go back to Dol Amroth to work on the princess. That should buy me more time to work out how to escape this diplomatically.

"I have spoken with her before I came and she knows her duty is to her country. She is even willing to meet you at Rohan to get to know you before the wedding" came Imrahil's quick reply.

He continued talking very passionately like a father who knows best. I smiled but I wasn't listening.

"And you are right Eomer, you cannot decide on your own. ... But remember as the rulers, we all have to do what is best for our country."

Oh yes, duty before love indeed.

(Lothiriel's POV, ten days before in Dol Amroth)

" Ada, for the last time – I will not be sold to this horselord! Don't you care that I do not know or love him?"

"But you will – if you give him a chance. He is a fine man….and please trust me that I would never do anything that is not good for you" came my father's reply. His voice was tense and trembling, coming close to the point of boiling over.

Really, of all the things in Middle Earth, why must he choose to be adamant on whom I should marry? This is the most important decision I would ever make for myself and he has taken that away from me. And why this King Eomer of Rohan? I know that his sister is married to cousin Faramir. But I don't want to marry this…this northerner and horseman.

And what of love? How could I marry without love?

I appealed again. " Ada, please I don't wish to be like Aunt Finduilas who..."

"Don't you dare bring her into this discussion! Your aunt married both for her country and love. If you had more sense, Lothiriel you know that I am not trying to send you to your death. And my decision is final. You will marry Eomer, King of Rohan for the good of Dol Amroth and eventually for love."

I have never seen my father so resolved and unyielding over any issue. He looked very depressed and broken – it was frightening.

I could not help but cry. It was hard to keep my tears back. On one hand, I only want to marry for love but on the other I can't bear to see my father in this state. The idea of marrying a stranger sounds revolting. And this talk about duty before love. Oh Valar, this is cruel.

But I knew my crying will not bring any answers. I need a plan and fast.

(Imrahil's POV)

I was pleasantly surprised when Lothiriel stopped her crying and suggested that she visit Eomer at Rohan. I know she will come to her senses eventually but I didn't expect it so soon.

Her plan to travel as one of her ladies to Rohan will give her the time to know Eomer. Why, she may be convinced that Eomer was a man worthy of her love. I am sure that Eomer will make a good impression on her. After all, marrying her off to Eomer is the best way to stop the other "potential" suitors from Harad and even Umbar from sending their proposals. I had always managed to counter them diplomatically by telling them Lothiriel is still a child. Besides we were at war mostly. But now the days of peace are here and Lothiriel will be turning twenty one in six months. Alliances must be forged and I cannot hold them off forever.

I will also write a brief letter for Lothiriel's introduction and agreed with her that the detailed plan should be only communicated personally to the king when she sees him. She is truly intelligent and thoughtful and was concerned that our approach may be seen as too forceful and would scare Eomer.

On my part, I will approach him when I see him in Minas Tirith in the next few days. I just hope that Eomer will be more open to the idea of an arranged marriage than Lothiriel. He is a straightforward and easy man and I am sure he will not say no.