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Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Lilly.


Chapter 7: Beginning of a Birthday

Lilly woke with a smile on her face. Eomer had freed Gamling from his duties for a few days and she had spent the last two days learning just about everything she could about Rohan and just talking with Gamling. However, as she sat up and looked around her room she smiled. It was her birthday and Eowirethien said she could leave her room. Lilly pulled the blankets back and slid on her slippers and wrapped her body in her robe. She walked over to the armoire and pulled out the deep blue dress that Eowyn had brought in for her the day before.

Lilly smiled as she looked at the dress. It was very simple, but she knew it would be. The collar was a v-neck and the sleeves were long and belled out. Eowyn had told her that this dress would bring out the color of her eyes perfectly and Lilly smiled when she remembered the fuss Eowyn made when she stated that Lilly had to wear the blue dress and not any other.


Flashback

"You simply must wear the dark blue dress tomorrow Lilly. You should look your best, after all it is your birthday," Eowyn said as she helped Lilly brush out her hair. It had grown at least three inches since she arrived in Rohan and now rested around her waist.

"Alright, I'll wear the blue one," Lilly said as Eowyn sat down the brush. Lilly turned and looked at Eowyn who smiled brightly at her. "Thank you again for the dresses they are all beautiful."

"They are but they are older ones of mine that we had shortened for you. Soon, you shall have dresses made just for you." Lilly shook her head.

"The ones I have shall suit me just fine." Eowyn smiled and stood.

"Now, remember I do not want to see you in any other dress but the dark blue one. The matching slippers are in the cupboard with the dress."

"I promise I shall wear the dark blue dress."

"Good. Sleep well, I shall see you in the morning." Lilly nodded.

"Good night Eowyn." Eowyn smile and left the room and Lilly silently laughing at her friend.

End Flashback


Lilly stood looking at herself in the mirror. She had bathed and dressed and now she was scrutinizing everything about herself. Lilly sighed and shook her head because she thought she looked terrible. She felt her skin was too pale and her hair too plain. She sat down in front of her vanity when there was a knock on her door. "Enter," she said quietly as she started to run the brush through her hair once more.

"You look lovely Lilly," Eowirethien said as she moved behind Lilly. Lilly looked up at her in the mirror and sighed.

"I don't know Eowirethien, I feel like I don't fit," Lilly said as she sat down the brush. Eowirethien shook her head and picked up the brush.

"Nonsense. You look beautiful. We just need to fix you hair." Eowirethien began to brush and tuck and twist Lilly's hair and the next thing Lilly knew, her hair was up from her neck and in a beautiful design held by pins. "There." Lilly looked in the mirror and was surprised. Her hair looked perfect up in the twist design and she turned and looked at Eowirethien with a smile on her face.

"Thank you Eowirethien." Lilly stood and embraced the older woman who wrapped her arms around her.

"Happy birthday, dear," Eowirethien whispered. Lilly smiled and pulled away from her.

"Thank you." Eowirethien smiled down at the young woman and nodded her head.

"Well, I need to lead you to the dinning hall. The others are waiting to have their morning meal with you." Lilly nodded and stood.

"Who all is waiting?" Eowirethien smiled as she opened the door and began to lead Lilly down the hall.

"Lady Eowyn, Lord Faramir, Gandalf, Lord Gamling, and King Eomer." Lilly nodded and paused right before they entered the dinning hall. Eowirethien looked at Lilly and smiled. "Come on, they are waiting." Lilly gave Eowirethien a nervous smile and nodded. Eowirethien stepped to the side and Lilly walked into the dinning hall. Everyone was standing around and talking but they stopped when Lilly entered and looked at her. Lilly gave them a smile and bowed her head slightly.

"Good morning, milords, milady," she said quietly as she stood straight and smiled at everyone. Eomer could not form words if he wanted to. He had not seen Lillyana awake since he left her room the day she had woken from her fever. His duties had kept him busy but before he would retire each night he would look in on her. Now, as she stood before him, she looked breathtaking dressed in one of Eowyn's old gowns and with her hair up and away from her face. He watched as Gamling stepped towards her and offered her his arm. Eomer swallowed hard as she began to make her way towards him and the others with her arm linked with Gamlings. Eowyn stepped towards Lilly and embraced her.

"Happy birthday, Lilly," Eowyn said quietly. Lilly smiled as she pulled away and looked at her.

"Thank you," Lilly said. Eowyn smiled and pulled her to the table. Lilly looked quickly at Gamling and gave him a slight smile before Eowyn sat her down to the right of the head table and sat next to Lilly. The men laughed quietly and made their way over to the table. Faramir sat at Eowyn's right, Gandalf sat across from Lilly, Gamling sat next to him, and of course Eomer sat at the head of the table to Lilly's left. The food was brought out and everyone began to fill their plates.

"Lilly, Eowyn told us that today is your birthday, is that true?" Gandalf asked as he took a bite of his eggs. Lilly sat her cup of tea down and nodded.

"Yes, it is true," Lilly said as she looked at the wizard whose eyes seemed to twinkle.

"If you don't mind us asking, how old are you?" Gandalf asked. Lilly heard Eowyn gasp and she laughed quietly as she looked at Eowyn.

"It's alright, Eowyn. I'm not old enough for that question to bother me," Lilly whispered to Eowyn before she turned to Gandalf to see him smile at her. "I'm twenty-three." Gandalf nodded his head and she saw Gamling's eyes go wide.

"You are older than I thought you were, Lilly," Gamling said. Lilly smiled and looked at him. He smiled back at her and she returned to her meal. However, as the others talked while they ate, Lilly felt eyes on her. As she finished her tea and pushed her plate away she looked at to her left and at Eomer. He was looking at her but when she looked at him he quickly turned away and looked at Gandalf.

"Have you decided when you shall take you leave Gandalf?" Eomer asked and Lilly furrowed her brow at him in confusion. She looked at Gandalf whose eyes sparkled at her and she became even more confused.

"I will stay another fortnight. I have much I would like to discuss with Lilly before I leave and now that she is well enough I'm afraid I shall be taking up most of her time," Gandalf said with a smile. Lilly gave him a smile in return and Eowyn broke the conversation.

"Lilly, let us walk through the city and then we can take a ride on the plains," Eowyn said. Lilly gave her a slight smile and shook her head.

"I will enjoy the walk through the city with you, however, I don't think I will ride with you," Lilly said. Eowyn frowned.

"Why not? Why won't you ride?" Eowyn asked and Lilly sighed.

"I've never ridden a horse before, so I'm afraid I don't know how." Eowyn and Eomer were surprised to hear that she had never ridden a horse and Gandalf and Faramir just nodded, and Gamling smiled at her.

"You do not know?" Eowyn asked. Lilly shook her head.

"Horses weren't required for travel where I am from so I never learned how," Lilly said.

"Well, we'll have to teach you!" Eowyn said with a smile on her face and she stood. Lilly shook her head as Eowyn pulled her up.

"Oh, Eowyn, I don't know, I mean, I've never even been near a horse," Lilly said as she stopped Eowyn. Suddenly she felt a strong hand on her shoulder and she turned and looked up at Eomer.

"I shall teach you, consider it my gift to you," Eomer said as he smiled at her. Lilly smiled and looked at Eowyn who was smiling at her.

"Very well, brother. Come with us," Eowyn said and soon Eowyn, Lilly, Eomer, and Faramir were outside by the stables all dressed warmly to fight off the October chill. Eowyn had three horses ready and she and Faramir mounted their horses. Eomer mounted the third and held out his hands to her. She hesitated and looked at the horse and then at Eomer.

"Do not worry Saradine is a kind horse, she will not throw you," Eomer said. Lilly didn't want to tell him that the horse didn't make her nervous it was the fact that she would be riding with him.

"We shall ride out into the plains first so you may learn how to ride and then if you are up to it we shall tour the city," Eowyn said as she looked at Lilly who still stood next to Saradine. Lilly nodded and looked up at Eomer. He gave her a kind smile and she locked her arms with his and he pulled her up quickly and then wrapped his right arm protectively around her waist. She stiffened when the horse moved slightly and at the sensation of his arm around her. Eomer's grip tightened slightly and she was pressed closer to him. He leaned into her as he had Saradine trot behind Eowyn and Faramir.

"I will not let you fall, Lillyana," Eomer whispered and Lilly fought the shiver that threatened her body but failed. Eomer looked at her concerned. "Are you cold?" Lilly shook her head, not daring to look at him at the moment.

"No, I'm fine. I think I just got a chill from the wind," Lilly said quietly. Eomer sighed.

"Perhaps it is too soon for you to travel outside." Lilly shook her head and looked back at him.

"No, no. I'm fine, really. I'd truly rather be out here than inside that room another moment." Lilly paused and felt the blush creep up her cheeks as she saw the smile that made its way across Eomer's lips. "I mean, my room is lovely but I was starting to feel closed in."

"I understand," he said as he turned his attention back ahead of them. "Believe me, I understand. That is why I wanted to join you as well as teach you to ride. It has been too long since I have ridden freely across the plains of Rohan, without worry of war or attacks." Lilly nodded and pulled her cloak a little tighter around her as they picked up speed and left the city. Faramir and Eowyn were far ahead of them but they quietly joined them where they waited.


They rode for some time, Lilly riding in front of Eomer just enjoying the feel of the wind across her face and in her hair. Her hair had started to free itself from its binding but only strands flew about. "Eomer when do you plan on teaching Lilly to ride?" Eowyn asked with a smile on her face. Eomer thought a moment and looked down at her as she looked up at him.

"Now, if she is willing," Eomer said. Lilly smiled and nodded her head.

"We shall see you later then. Faramir and I are going to return to the city. There are some things we need to take care of," Eowyn said as she and Faramir turned their horses and headed back to the city.

Eomer brought Saradine to a complete stop and dismounted her leaving Lilly on Saradine gripping the front of the saddle. "Take the reins," he said as he handed her the reins. She took them with shaking hands but he placed his over hers and Lilly looked down at him. "Do not be afraid, she will sense your fear. Now, gently urge her with your heals and motion with the reins the direction you wish for her to go." Lilly nodded as he removed his hands from hers and she gently nudged Saradine, causing her to walk in a slow trot.

Lilly jumped slightly and gripped onto the reins too tight. Saradine reacted and began to run. Lilly screamed as Saradine rose up on her hind legs and she let go of the reins. Lilly fell from the horse and landed on the grass with a thud. "Lillyana!" Eomer screamed and ran over to her. Lilly sat up and shook her head gently. Eomer kneeled next to her and touched the shoulder she landed on but Lilly didn't wince or make any show that it hurt. "Lillyana, are you hurt?" he asked concern evident in his voice. Lilly looked up at him and shook her head.

"No, I'm alright. I'm more shaken than anything. I'll probably be sore later on," Lilly said quietly. Eomer nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Lilly looked up at him and quickly found herself lost in the brown depths of his eyes. Eomer was lost in her eyes as well and began to lean into her. Lilly's eyes quickly moved from his lips to his eyes as he drew closer. His lips were nearly on hers when they heard horses galloping quickly to them. Eomer quickly pulled away and Lilly did the same, her cheeks blushing as she did so.

"Are you alright? We found Saradine galloping quickly towards the city without a rider, and Eomer yell. Did you fall Lilly?" Faramir asked as he dismounted and joined Eomer and Lilly on the ground. Eowyn was not far behind but as soon as she dismounted and began to make her way to them, she noticed Lilly's flushed cheeks as well as the hint of pink across her brother's. She furrowed her brow and stepped closer.

"I'm fine," Lilly said quietly. "I'm not hurt, really." Eomer and Faramir stood. Lilly followed and was a little wobbly on her feet and Eomer steadied her.

"Careful," he whispered. Lilly smiled her thank you at him and looked at Eowyn and Faramir with a smile. "Perhaps we should consider this our lessonfor the day, and return to the city." Lilly looked back at him and nodded. He helped her to the horse and he mounted first and pulled her up in front of him. Eowyn and Faramir mounted their horses and the four of them began their journey back to the city.