Chapter 2: First Impressions

(Lothiriel's POV)

I left my father with the impression that I was warming up to his idea of the arranged marriage. Of course, this is far from the truth. I learnt long ago that the safest place is always nearest the enemy. And I had to get closer to this King of Rohan to find out how I could work out my freedom.

I told my father that I should go to Rohan to meet the man I was to marry. Playing on the fear that I may be kidnapped and used as ransom by our enemies, I also suggested that my visit to be a low profile one. I was to assume a different identity - as one of the ladies-in-waiting of Princess Lothiriel who will help the Princess document the life at Meduseld. The information was needful so that she will be better prepared for her future duties at Golden Hall - which was very true. I would go to Rohan only accompanied by Lana, one of my actual maids-in-waiting. There will be no other persons from Dol Amroth with us when we are at the Golden Hall.

My father bought into the idea very easily and quickly and did not object to my plan. Afterall, this would only reflect well on Dol Amroth and it will also allow me to know this King Eomer better.

We arrived at the gates of Meduseld. And now it all begins.

(Eomer's POV)

It has been nearly a week since I returned from Minas Tirith. The rebuilding of Rohan has always been on my mind but it has been more so these last few days. At least it keeps me too busy to think about Imrahil's proposal.

But the matter could not be delayed forever and was finally tabled to my advisors. I was hoping that they would object to the match and then I can be a free man again. But I was wrong and was dismayed that they too shared the opinion that Imrahil's proposal was beneficial to the country.

"But I am talking about marrying a princess from a foreign land. Don't you prefer a noble woman from Rohan to take this place next to me?" I asked my advisors.

"But she is a princess from Dol Amroth. We understand that the blood of the Numenoreans run true there…." And what followed sounded like recitations from a horse breeding handbook. I sat there listening to my advisors extol the virtues of marrying this princess of descended from high men of the West and how it will "refine" the bloodline of the Eorl. I can't believe these people!

As we spoke, a guard came and announced the arrival of two women from Dol Amroth with a letter from Prince Imrahil.

"What should I do with them your Highness" asked the guard.

"Bring them in here" I said looking at my advisors who were most surprised since we were in the thick of discussing Dol Amroth.

The two ladies entered the hall and approached me with a grace which I can only accord to the Elves. Both had raven black hair and skin as fair as ivory. One of them passed me a letter from the Prince which I read quietly on my own. I understood from the letter that the Princess would be making a trip but more was to be revealed to me privately in person regarding the visit. When everyone was dismissed except the two ladies, I asked

"May I know more about the Princess' intended visit?"

"She is already here, milord" said one of them.

The ladies promptly introduced themselves and explained to me what the visit was about. I learnt from them that the Princess was disguised as a lady in waiting on the pretext of studying and documenting the life of Meduseld for her mistress. They requested that for security reasons, this knowledge be kept a secret and that the princess be treated like ladies in waiting or servants.

"It sounds like a very intelligent plan" I commented "And whoever who came up with it, must be very clever".

"Why thank you, your Highness you are most kind with your words" replied Lady Ariel as she did a curtsy.

I was surprised by Ariel's forwardness and lack of humilty. She is certainly not shy and coy like most of the ladies in waiting I have encountered in Gondor. She also appeared to be very confident and was not afraid of looking at me either.

"Lady Ariel is very intelligent and learned. Sometimes, the Prince – my father would seek her counsel in some of his decisions. I wouldn't know what I would do without her" began the Princess, who was to be known as Lady Lana.

"Then I would say Dol Amroth is blessed with the good fortune of such a beautiful and intelligent advisor." I complimented looking at Ariel closely. "I wish I could say the same of my own advisors."

Ariel laughed and then said "But they are all men from what I see. I am sure you find them intelligent but not beautiful I hope."

I was never good with words and did not know how to reply to that witty remark. I kept silent and looked serious while the princess and her lady laughed with each other. When they realized that I did not join in, they stopped and apologized.

"So you are the Princess Lothiriel who is to be known as Lady Lana and you are Lady Ariel" I pointed out once more, making sure I remembered who was who.

It was indeed hard to distinguish the two as they did look very alike. But truthfully, I think I was more distracted by their beauty as I found them very pleasing to look at. I made a mental note that Ariel the more exuberant and lively of the two. She also reminds me of Queen Arwen who is a beautiful and intelligent advisor to King Elessar.

Then I kept my eye mostly on Princess Lothiriel who was the quieter of the two, the one intended for me.

(Lothiriel's POV)

So this is the man my father has been pushing me to marry. On first glance, he looked more like a savage warrior than a learned king. He was a big, very muscular man and looked very fierce. His eyes were grey and piercing which I found to be very penetrating as he looked at me from time to time. He also looked rather sullen and cold and seemed wary of us. He didn't talk or smile much. But despite the stotic and icy exterior, he was very well mannered and didn't have much airs. He seems also rather straightforward when it comes to words. Eomer, I gather is a simple man.

That evening, when we had dinner with the King, I took the opportunity to study him more closely. He looked very different in the evening. He wore a green robe and a belt engraved with horses. He also loosened his golden hair which was tied up in the day and wore a simple circlet on his crown. He smiled a little bit more which was rather attractive. And I could see a certain sort of grace emerging from this man of the north as he spoke to Lana.

I was wondering if I should he should better depicted as a wild and unsophisticated Elf or a horse - for both were strong, fierce and yet graceful. I smiled to myself as I thought about this. And he caught me.

"What are you smiling about, Lady Ariel? Did I say something funny?" he asked.

"Oh" I started feeling a little embarrassed. I couldn't tell the King directly that I was thinking about him. And then I quickly said "I was thinking about horses." seeing that horses were engraved all over the pillars in the dining room.

"Horses?"

"Yes, what you shared reminded me of horses" I said rather carefully wondering where it might lead to.

"And what did I share that remind you of horses?" he asked softly and looked at me with great interest.

I took a deep breath and said "Actually it was not really what you shared, milord. It is just how you shared and told the stories of your people…that reminds me of the strength and grace of horses."

Then I went on making up (as skillfully as I could) what one might call a thesis on horses and the King of Rohan. At the end my discourse, both the King and I were looking very satisfied with the conversation. I was obviously so proud of my own wit to flatter Eomer in the highest way. And Eomer of course was so blown away to know that a lady of the sea would see him as horse.

The conversation then went into other things. Eomer kept talking to Lana mostly but there were moments I noticed Eomer's eye looking long toward me. I could see that he was very taken in by what I said.

I must be careful not to flatter him further or it ruin everything.

I will wait for the right time to bring him into the next part of my plan.

(Eomer's POV)

I lay awake thinking of Lothiriel. I was glad that the princess was beautiful, polite and gracious. I reckon she would make a good queen.

My thoughts also strayed to her maid Ariel who was witty and intelligent. I also found her exposition on the horses very intriguing. It tells me that she was quite learned of Rohan's customs which will be of great help should I wed her mistress.

But the question on my mind was love? Do I love the princess?

Perhaps, not yet. Even Eowyn took time to accept Faramir as her true love and she was even in love with someone else. Yes, it is a question of time and knowing the princess.

Now if I was to marry for love, perhaps I could try to nurture some romantic feelings for the princess. But how does it happen?

So I closed my eyes and visualized myself and the princess in the situation where I found Eowyn and Faramir a month ago. Yes, I could see it all happening but somehow there was a sense of distance within my heart.

What was I doing? Could I make myself fall for the princess? I mustn't force myself. It will come to me eventually. In time.

Then in my dreams, I saw myself again in a similar situation but the lady was Ariel. It felt delightful yet forbidden. My heart was beating very fast as if I was running away from something. I woke up and muttered some foul Rohhiric to myself before lying down again.

Where did these thoughts and feelings with Lady Ariel come from? It must have her intelligent remarks about horses and me early in the evening. I better not think about Ariel least I fall for her instead. What am I going to tell the Prince if that should happen? I mustn't and cannot fall for her.

I better watch myself.