Sorry about breaking up the chapter, but I had to go somewhere. Anyway, I hope you like this one and let me know! Thank you for the reviews.

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


Chapter 20: A Reunion

Suddenly the sword jerked from the air and hit the dirt with a thud. Eomer looked back quickly to see the sword lying on the ground, Lilly alive and Roryn with an arrow piercing his right shoulder. The wildmen looked around slightly panicked. Legolas looked to his right and smiled when he saw Aragorn swinging his bow on his back and drawing his sword and Gimli right behind him as well as Faramir. Soon, the wildmen that held Eomer, Legolas and Lilly were destroyed. Faramir untied Eomer as Aragorn untied Legolas. Once he was free was he ran to Lilly's side. She still sat on her knees and was crying. He kneeled before her and cupped her cheek so she was looking at him. He kissed her lips lightly and smiled.

"You'll be alright," he whispered as Gimli untied her hands. "I will be with you in moments, just wait. There is something I must take care of." Lilly nodded and smiled at him through her tears Eomer stood and walked over to where Roryn had cowered. He had picked up a sword from a fallen Wildman and glared at Roryn. Roryn was already pale from the loss of blood from the arrow. Eomer spoke no words to Roryn; he just raised the sword and stabbed the man in the heart. As Eomer heard Roryn's last breath leave him he turned and went back to Lilly. Eomer knelt next to her and looked her over. "You are unharmed?" he asked as he cupped her cheek. Lilly nodded and he pulled her close to him and cursed when she took a sharp breath. "You are hurt." Lilly shook her head.

"Just a few bruises and a few tender spots, but I'll be alright," she said her voice sad. He cupped her cheek again and rested his forehead against hers. The fight was nearly over and the soldiers of Gondor had it under control.

"I would have given him the crown had you not made me promise you not to go with his wishes before I knew them." Lilly sighed and wrapped her arms around him. "You knew it would cost you your life." Lilly looked up at him and nodded.

"I couldn't let him get what he wanted. He said he would attack your villages but I knew you'd be ready for him because of the Rohirrim in the villages. The only loss I could see would be my life, and I didn't want Rohan to lose the one good thing it had." He shook his head and cupped both of her cheeks. He kissed her briefly and Lilly sighed on his lips and just held him. Eomer pulled away and stood, lifting Lilly to her feet. She was barefoot and the stone covered path would hurt her feet so he picked her up and carried her to the others who stood watching them. Legolas had heard everything and smiled at her, Aragorn heard most of it and smiled as well Faramir and Gimli just smiled because they were glad she was alright.

"The soldiers have either driven the wildmen away or destroyed them," Aragorn said. He smiled at Lilly and Lilly smiled back. "I am glad you are well."

"Thanks to all of you once again," she said with a smile. They all returned her smile and everyone regrouped while Eomer carried Lilly to Firefoot just outside of the encampment. Aragorn ordered some soldiers to stay and clean up the camp while others returned to Minas Tirith with him. The battle had only lasted a short time because the wildmen began to scatter as soon as they caught sight of Aragorn. Eomer sat Lilly down next to Firefoot and tucked her hair behind her ears. Lilly smiled up at him as he looked at her, his face unreadable. "Eomer?" she asked when she saw tears in his eyes.

"I thought I lost you," he whispered. Lilly furrowed her brow and wiped away the lone tear that escaped his eye.

"Eomer, you didn't. I'm right here." She took his hands and held them in her own close to her heart. "I'm right in front of you. He's gone and he can never hurt me or any of the others that we care for ever again." He smiled and nodded his head.

"When did you become so strong?" He asked as he removed his right hand from hers and ran his fingers down her soiled cheek. Lilly smiled at him and squeezed his hand that was still locked tightly in her own.

"The night you stayed with me, when I told you of my past. It was then that I realized that that chapter of my life was gone and done with, and I have many more to write. This place is so different from my world, Eomer, and I knew that in order to survive here I needed to put my past experiences behind me and I need to be even stronger than I have been. No more hiding and fearing those that mean no harm to me and those that do. I need to stand up for myself and fight." Eomer smiled down at her, she indeed had changed but he could still see the vulnerable fear hidden deep in her eyes and he would do his best to distinguish that.

"I love you Lillyana," he paused and took both of her hands and raised them close to his heart. "And I want you to be my wife." Lilly's eyes widened and a smile played at her lips. "When we arrive home at Edoras, I will make you my wife, Lillyana." Lilly removed her hands from his and saw hurt flash in her eyes but it disappeared when she threw her arms around his neck, nearly jumping in his arms, and kissed him. When she pulled away he smiled down at her and for the first time since seeing her realized she was dressed in her nightclothes and robe. He pulled the blanket from behind his saddle and wrapped her in it and smiled at her. Lilly shifted and stepped on a rock and cried out. Eomer looked down and frowned then remembered her slippers. He pulled them from his saddle bag and looked down at them. They had a small slash in the middle of the sole, but it was better than her being barefoot. "Here, lets put these on." Lilly looked as he kneeled down and watched as Eomer slipped on her torn slippers. She rested her hands on his shoulders as she balanced herself and she realized that it was like Cinderella. Lilly smiled at Eomer as he stood.

"Thank you, your majesty," Lilly whispered. Eomer smiled at her and shook his head.

"You are to be my queen, Lillyana. No more titles." Lilly smiled and nodded her head. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Faramir soon joined them and they all mounted their horses. Lilly rode in front of Eomer and was once again safe in the arms of her love and on her way to see her friends who were probably worried sick about her.