A/N: this week with personalized reviews...which can be found at the end so you don't have to scroll through them to get to the actual story.

::disclaimer:: i don't own it, je promets! not even the twilmish, which is property of jeffery ford.

Chapter VIII

The beach was surprisingly empty. Éomer and Lothíriel were totally alone, a fact that Lothíriel was enjoying. "You picked the best time to come to the beach," she said, grinning widely. "There isn't a soul around. Go ahead, kiss me all you want."

Éomer looked alarmed. "If I'd known, I would have suggested something else, I can assure you."

"You lie."

"I do not!"

"Éomer, dearest, we slept together last night. Now, honestly, how can you say that you don't want to kiss me?" She leaned closer to him, shutting her eyes. Éomer stood quickly and moved away. Lothíriel opened her eyes and pouted. "You don't love me, after all. It was all a lie, wasn't it? You just wanted to bed me!"

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, WOMAN!?!" Éomer wanted to shake her into her senses, but was unsure of the possible consequences.

"Nothing of importance, I assure you."

"You are maddening."

"So I'm told." She grinned and flopped onto the sand. "So what do you want to do now that we're at the beach? Swimming is lovely this time of year. Of course, neither one of us is really dressed for swimming, so perhaps we should just wade. Or we could build a sandcastle. Erulehton and Aela and I used to make marvelous sandcastles!"

Éomer considered all three options, weighing the dangers of each. "A sandcastle sounds nice."

"Wonderful. Shall we get started? It could take a while."

Several hours later, the sun was high in the sky and Éomer was beginning to wonder exactly what he had gotten himself into. Lothíriel had him digging trenches and building walls—neither of which Éomer minded, except for the fact that the walls were far enough apart that two people could sit inside them with room to spare. Éomer wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at what they had accomplished. The castle was phenomenal. They had built it on a bank so that there were two levels, the upper with a great hall and the lower with various small buildings and step-like levels. Indeed, it reminded him of Helm's Deep.

"What should we call it?" asked Lothíriel, stirring him from his thoughts.

"Call it?"

"Every fort has to have a name, even if it is only made of sand. Otherwise, the Twilmish cannot live in it."

"The what?"

"Twilmish. They are the sea spirits that live in sandcastles and forts once they have been built. What is the point in building something if nothing will live in it?" Her logic made so much sense, that Éomer saw no point in trying to say that Twilmish did not exist. "But we have to name the castle before they can come. So what should we call it?"

"It looks like Helm's Deep in the Westfold. It is built into the valley and is one of our best places for defense."

"We can't call it that, though."

"Why not?"

"Helm's Deep already exists. You can't have two of them. It would confuse the Twilmish."

"What about Helm's Deep in Elvish? Can you translate it?"

"Maybe, though it's hard when a name is involved."

"You're being picky on purpose aren't you?"

"I knew you'd catch on eventually. Besides, the Twilmish are even more picky. If they don't like the name, they won't live in the castle, and then it won't last as long."

"Oh." Éomer was beginning to think that Lothíriel was over-doing the Twilmish belief, but he knew better than to try to reason with her.

"Caradhon Anor," she said suddenly. "The Castle of the Sun. What do you think?"

"Ceaster Æfnung." He scratched his beard as if considering it and grinned. "It sounds beautiful in all three languages. It's perfect."

"But which one do we call it officially?"

"The Elvish one...Caradlon Anar?"

"Caradhon Anor. And yes, that fits well." She grinned. "And speaking of the sun, I believe it's past noon. Elphir will be wondering what has happened to us."

"We should go, then."

It turned out that Elphir had seen them building their castle and knew that they would be late for luncheon. Being such a kind and considerate brother, he had their meal postponed until Lothíriel and Éomer returned.

"I am sure you two enjoyed your morning in the sun?" he said as they walked into the hall with sand in their hair.

"Of course, dear brother, though it appears that he--" she gestured to Éomer "—got a little too much sun."

Elphir looked at him and grimaced. "You'll want to put something on that."

"What?"

"Your face," Lothíriel said, "it's sun-burned. I'm sorry, I should have told you to put something on it earlier." Éomer put his hand to his face. It was considerably warmer than usual, and it wasn't because Lothíriel had embarrassed him this time. "I'll get you some aloe for it, but let's eat first, alright?" He nodded.

Lunch was fairly quiet, with just the three of them. Saeriel had chosen to eat earlier so she could put Alphros down for a nap. Éomer hardly spoke, allowing Lothíriel and Elphir to dominate what little conversation they had.

"Father will return in a week, you said?" asked Lothíriel.

"Aye. They're negotiating with the bandits, trying to work out a compromise that everyone will be happy with. Erchirion is leading the endeavour to reach something, of course."

Lothíriel smiled. "He ever was the pacifist."

When Elphir spoke again, it was quietly and only to his sister. "Lothíriel, I want you to be careful not to get too attached to yon horse-lord. There are rumors that the Rohirrim have been giving aide to the shadows in Mordor. Father does not believe them, but Lord Denethor...." He glanced at Éomer as he trailed off.

"Brother, I do not believe anything that our most esteemed uncle deems truth. You know that." She paused and then continued, whispering, "Besides, I just wanted to make him comfortable while he waited for you and Adar. It would have been quite odd to let him wander around the palace for two days without any companions."

"You could have sent one of the pages or squires to show him around the palace."

"All of whom are at least ten years younger than he," she replied heatedly. "Brother, do not doubt my judgment. I am not a little girl anymore. Now if you'll excuse me." She threw her napkin onto her plate and left the room.

Elphir took a deep breath and released it in a cough. "We can begin negotiations on the morrow, I think. You need some salve for that sun-burn." Éomer nodded silently, wondering what had set off the princess so. Though he had known her for only three days, he was certain that she did not anger easily. He shook his head and excused himself to go to his room.

A/N (again): and now for those replies i promised.

soccer-bitch: thank you!

elegant couture: thank you, as well, and i'm glad you like her.

lariren-shadow: my summer crush was a ballplayer for the rookie team we have...he's gone back to rohan (er...illinois). on names: there's a baby-name site that i use, but if you're talking about aela, i came up with it myself. i get the elvish names from councilofelrond's name database (they have both elvish and rohirric names listed).

lotr-nutcase: no fishing...that's your story..lol. and if i knew how she was so at ease around him, i'd be the first to use her method. if she ever reveals the secret, i'll be sure to let you know.

shallindra: a real trip it is!

rana ninque: i don't know that she's perfect, but thanks anyways. and yeah, tmmdts is darker. glad you like elphy!

lirima tindomiel: slackers of the world unite! lol..i haven't been slacking on purpose, just been very busy.

eokat: yeah...deep-sea horse-lords???

lionel joseph: you are my hero! thank you thank you thank you for the info on horse-breeding. now i know what time of year would be good for eomer to be in dol amroth..lol. thank you again!

childofGod-4ever: thankies, and i know this isn't exactly quickly, but i'll try to get the rest up faster.