Author's Note: Ahhh…it's been so long! But now that I've got this plot all planned out, this should be goooooood….

Faramir knew he was a perceptive man. He had a gift for reading people's faces as though they were the books he loved so much. Most of the time, though, he felt the emotions of others were none of his business, and he tried to turn the other cheek and keep his nose out of things. Yet he found himself strangely fascinated by his cousin Lothiriel's infatuation with the King of Rohan.

The young Steward felt a pang of guilt as he studied them. Somehow, the fact that they were both family made him feel worse than usual about being privy –unwitting though his knowledge was- to their personal struggles. But he couldn't help noticing the way Lothiriel blushed slightly whenever she met Eomer's eyes. He tried unsuccessfully to ignore how her face lit up when she talked to the Horse Lord.

And most of all he tried not to see that Eomer, oblivious to Lothiriel's feelings, felt nothing beyond companionable friendship for the young princess.

Eowyn said something and Faramir answered, his mind elsewhere. Then his betrothed leaned over to put her hand on his knee and startled him into looking at her.

"Faramir, what are you thinking about? You just agreed that I should wear my armor to the wedding." Eowyn's eyes followed that path that Faramir's had taken a moment before. "Ahh, I see. Eomer!"

Her brother turned. "Yes?"

"I want a private word with Faramir for a moment. Why don't you take Lothiriel on ahead. We will meet you shortly at the overlook."

Eomer nodded and turned back to Lothiriel, whom he had been talking to. "What say you, my lady? Shall we race? It is not far."

Lothiriel fidgeted nervously. "I had better not, my lord. I- I'm not much of a rider, you see, and I've never ridden this path before…" Her voice trailed off.

Eomer looked disappointed, but he merely nodded again. "Very well." He led her off in an easterly direction while Faramir and Eowyn hung back.

Faramir sighed. As soon as they were out of earshot he and Eowyn looked at each other again.

"She is completely taken with him, is she not?" He asked, knowing the answer.

Eowyn glumly agreed. "Yes, but you know Eomer…he will never even notice her." They sat in comfortable silence, both contemplating the situation, for a moment before Eowyn spoke up again. "Faramir, love, I know I probably do not need to ask you this, but please do not mention this to anyone else. Lothiriel is the closest thing I have to a sister, and her feelings are delicate. If she thought everyone knew of her feelings for Eomer…"

"I know." Faramir interrupted her. "She would be destroyed. Her pride reminds me of another woman I know." They smiled at each other, thinking not of the dark days when they had first met, but of the overwhelming light and happiness that had shaped their lives soon afterward.

"I would be only to happy to meddle in their affairs, you know, if only I weren't so sure that my dear brother, brilliant soldier though he may be, will never recognize Lothiriel's worth. But what thinks the man who can read peoples hearts?"

Faramir chose his words carefully. "I love my cousin, Eowyn. She is a dear girl. I have knowin her her entire life. She has always had just the kind of fiery spirit and stubborn will that Eomer needs. But something happened a few years ago. She changed. She is quiet now, and shy, and has taught herself to hide behind cynicism and hopelessness to keep from behind disappointed. She does not trust herself enough around other people. I do not know what caused her to become thus, but I know she could change…if she wanted to badly enough."

Eowyn smiled. Faramir shivered in the sunlight. He knew that smile. It meant Eowyn had a plan, but a plan for what he knew not.

"What say you we make a wager, my Lord Steward?" Eowyn grinned.

Faramir was suspicious. "And what sort of wager would we be making, my Lady?"

"Why, a wager concerning my brother, of course. That's the best kind, if you ask me. You see, I have come to know Lothiriel very well these past months, and if there is one thing I have learned about her, it is that the best way to get results is to get her mad. She is slow to anger, but when reaches a point, nothing will stand between her and her objective."

Faramir nodded. "Indeed. But what has this to do with a wager?"

"I will wager you anything you like that by the end of next summer, you and I will be attending another wedding."

Up ahead, at the ridge that provided an amazing view of the plains of Rohan, Lothiriel's heart was hammering in her chest. They were talking! Really and truly having a conversation with questions and answers and laughter and everything! It was a dream come true.

She had thought that with her reluctance to race she had ruined everything, but Eomer was of course too much a gentleman to hold that against her, so they had talked all the way there. She told him of her homeland, and growing up beside the Sea. He was very interested in the Sea. Then he had regaled her with tales of his antics with Eowyn before the darkness had covered Rohan, and of his plans to reform the country to be as prosperous as it had once been.

Lothiriel was filled with hope. She told herself again that it didn't mean anything- he was just being friendly, after all- but she could not keep the smile off her face,

Me Again: There's LOTS more to come with this, and it's not going to end up the way you think it is. I promise! At least, I hope it doesn't...