::disclaimer:: did you know i'm a long-lost descendant of tolkien? yeah, my dad was kidnapped and taken from england to east tennessee. and if you believe that crap, you're more gullible than i thought.

Chapter X

They spent the rest of the afternoon in the library, Lothíriel reading stories from a book of Númenor and Beleriand to Éomer. With the combination of the lazy afternoon and Lothíriel's decadent voice, it should be little surprise that he fell asleep with his head in her lap.

It was some hours before he awoke. Lothíriel had shifted so that her legs were upon the couch and her head rested upon his chest. Éomer smiled in amusement as she snored quietly. He considered moving, but decided that she was much too serene to be disturbed. Besides, he enjoyed feeling her warmth against him. He lifted his head slightly and looked at her. Serene, indeed. She looked ethereal, her hair splayed about her. Éomer brushed a lock from her face, causing her to stir.

She yawned and sat up. "That was a lovely nap," she said sleepily, "but I fear my legs have fallen asleep."

"I am sorry." Éomer sat up, trying to remove his weight from her legs. Unfortunately, Lothíriel moved at the same time, and their heads collided. They both sat rubbing their foreheads and burst into laughter.

"That should teach us to fall asleep together," Lothíriel said, smiling. "Are you alright?" She leaned closer to him.

"I'm fine, thank you," he answered, leaning slightly forward.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Quite sure. Are you alright?" She shook her head. "Let me see, then," he said. "Where are you hurt?"

"Here." She pointed to her forehead. Éomer brushed her hair out of the way and felt for bumps.

"You'll have a knot, but other than that, I think you'll be fine."

"But it hurts," she breathed.

"What do you want me to do about it?"

"Make it better." She grinned impishly.

"And how am I--? Oh." He sighed. "Very well." He lowered her head slightly and kissed her forehead. "There. All better?"

"No."

"Where else?"

"Here." She pointed to her temple. "And here." Her jaw line. "And here." Her lips.

Éomer complied with her wishes, lingering on her lips. She returned the kiss, deepening it almost instantly. She moved slightly, shifting to a more comfortable position on the couch and releasing her hold on Éomer for a split second. That brief moment away from her was all he needed to return to his senses. She began to kiss him again, but he quickly pulled away. "No," he said huskily. "We cannot."

"Why not?" she asked. "We already have."

"Lothíriel, you are a princess, and I am just a soldier. It wouldn't be right. Especially not with your brother hating me as he does. Besides, we hardly know each other."

"But we've slept together!" she exclaimed. "Twice!"

"That doesn't mean anything, Lothíriel. We didn't really sleep together."

"Hmph," she sniffed and moved away, crossing her arms. "I suppose you are right. You men always let reason get in the way of good fun. I wonder what time it is." She changed subjects so quickly, Éomer almost did not realize it. She stood and went to a window, pushing the shutters open. "The sun is low," she said, gesturing toward the west. "It is probably near time for dinner. Shall we go?"

Éomer's stomach growled in answer. He stood and offered her his arm, but she did not accept it. "We should probably come from different parts of the palace, otherwise Elphir will know that we have been together all afternoon. You go straight there, and I will go to my rooms and wait for a few minutes before coming down."

"I will see you at dinner, then," he said, and wandered off toward the dining hall.

"Éomer," said Elphir as he walked into the dining hall, "I haven't seen you all afternoon. Where have you been?"

"I was reading in the library and fell asleep." Though it was not the entire truth, it was definitely not a lie.

"Ah, a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Tomorrow you shall have to join me at the training grounds. I am very interested in seeing the training methods of your people." Éomer could detect a slight threat in the words of the Prince's son.

"I shall be there," he answered.

"Good evening, Lord Éomer," said a voice from behind him. He turned and was greeted by the sight of Saeriel holding her son. "I am glad to see you will be joining us for dinner. We missed you last night."

He smiled uneasily at the reminder of his earlier illness. "I am glad to be joining you, milady. But please, call me Éomer, I am no noble lord."

She laughed slightly. "You are far too humble to be nobility." She glanced around. "But where is Lothíriel? She appointed herself your guide, did she not?"

"I have not seen her for some time, milady," he answered as the three of them sat at the table.

"Elphir?" she asked, looking at her husband. "Have you seen her?"

"Not since lunch, my love." He looked at Éomer with ill-concealed suspicion. "I would assume that she went swimming or riding."

"You would guess correctly on both accounts, brother." Everyone at the table looked up to see Lothíriel in the doorway, her hair damp and curly. She was dressed in a simple frock, slightly dirty, that clung to her arms and legs, accenting her figure. "It was far too lovely a day to stay inside, so I took Manbechír. I meant to ask if Éomer would join me, but he was not in his rooms, so I went on my own." She came into the room and took a seat between Saeriel and Éomer. "What are we having?" she asked. "I'm famished."

"I think it's chicken with noodles and potatoes," answered Saeriel. "They have promised not to make any seafood dishes without having an alternative."

"That is kind of them," said Lothíriel. "What have you done today, Éomer?" she asked, turning to him.

"I fell asleep in the library, reading about Túrin Túrambar. It was not dull, but the atmosphere was so relaxing and the couch so comfortable that I could not keep my eyes open."

The meal was pleasant. Éomer ate to his heart's content and then wished that he had not eaten quite so much. Their stomachs full, Elphir, Saeriel, and little Alphros retired to their cottage, bidding the other two good night. "Do not forget we have an appointment on the practice field tomorrow," Elphir said as he left.

"I await it with great anticipation," answered Éomer. Lothíriel turned to him with a question in her eyes. "He asked me to join him," Éomer explained. "I could hardly decline."

"I suppose not," she said quietly. "I do hope that Adar returns soon. Elphir takes good care of the city, but Adar remembers the smaller details."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, it's nothing," she said. "I will see you tomorrow, then? I wanted to go down to Saberman's and visit Aela." She stood to leave.

"Lothíriel, wait!"

"Yes?" She turned around.

"What you told your brother, about you riding and swimming, how did you manage to make it appear so?"

"Oh that?" she laughed. "I just pulled one of my riding frocks from my dirty clothes and wet my hair in the bath. It's an easy enough cover for when I have been...misbehaving."

"And would you have honestly asked me to go with you, if that had been your true plan?" he asked.

"Of course," she replied. "The city is beautiful, but you have not had a chance to see the plains surrounding it. There is more to my home than marble and ocean."


A/N: and there you have it. sorry this has taken so long. we had our first band competition yesterday, and things have been very busy the past couple of weeks. plus, i've got an idea for the story, but i need your opinions! i'm thinking about writing two endings to this story. the first one (which will be included in this no matter what) will be the book-verse lothiriel and eomer get married, have kids, etc. the other one will be much darker, and feature some very AU stuff (including the death of eowyn and the fall of rohan). so what do you guys think? should i write them both or stick with just the happy ending?

Review Replies:

lariren: the 21st is always a good day for many reasons: number one, it's erulehton's jersey number, as well as his age. number two, it's the legal drinking age. number three, it's my lucky number (because of number one). and there are several other reasons too long and complicated to explain here.

eokat: you aren't supposed to like him. and i rather expect you'll begin to despise him as the story progresses.

nutcase: yeah, that was my second poor attempt at foreshadowing (the first being the dream).

blue eyes: i love your username! and thanks!

soccer: as always, thanks! you've been a very faithful reviewer for a long time.

hotdogfish: elphir's not gonna kick him out (though i daresay he might try if he knew what lothiriel's cooking up). thanks for the suggestion anyways..lol.

prettyfoot: of course there will be a reunion! they have to wait until after the war to get married!

rana: blushes thank you. my story isn't all that well-planned, though. i needed a reason for elphir to not like eomer, and i remembered the rumors. and that twist about making allegiances? it was spur-of-the-moment, so i didn't expect it either. i'm glad i fooled you, though.

as always, thank you to everyone who reviews. you guys are deeply appreciated. much love to all!