Notes: Thanks for the reviews! I love hearing your feedback, each and every one of you. My mom is taking me to see 'A Lot Like Love' tonight, so I'm hoping to get some ideas from that movie. ;)

Notes two weeks later: Sorry for the delays. It was hectic this month, and then I couldn't get the disk to work to move this from one computer to another...

Eomer was confused. His memories of Lothiriel involved a quiet, pleasant girl who looked like she should still have a governess. Could this vibrant woman really be the Princess? He examined her approaching form more closely.

The horse was first under his scrutiny (Eomer was King of Rohan, after all). A finely-bred snowy mare, dappled with silver and distantly descended, if he didn't miss his guess, from a Meara or two. Quick legs, head held high…really, a beautiful animal. Firefoot would beat her in a race, he thought loyally, but she's nothing to sneeze at!

And the girl's not bad, either. No, I have to start thinking of her as a woman now. A Princess at that! For Lothiriel did indeed look the part. Her hair was smoothed and coiled around her head, with curls framing her face. Thinner after a year, her features were more defined, though still freckled. She was wearing a light green riding habit with…by the Powers! Lothiriel was wearing breeches underneath her skirt.

Eomer found himself wondering where, besides her face, Lothiriel had freckles.

By the time Ulthasos had noticed that Lothiriel was wearing breeches under her dress, it was too late to send her back to the Palace to change. He settled for a harsh lecture on decorum, which she grimly turned a deaf ear to. As she came closer to the visitors, however, Lothiriel began rethinking her decision. It wasn't exactly ladylike.

He thought you a little girl! She reminded herself. Straightening her shoulders, she smiled and greeted the party.

"Welcome, my friends, to the great City of Dol Amroth! I am sorry my father could not be here to meet you himself. He was detained by inclement weather on Lebbaini Island, but he should return by tomorrow night at the latest. In the meantime, I hope you will allow me to guide you to the Palace, where you will stay as our guests for as long as you desire." Lothiriel took a deep breath, "And now that that formality's over it's wonderful to see you all again!"

Eowyn went forward and enveloped the Princess in a hug. "Lothiriel! You have changed so much since I last saw you. You look magnificent!"

Lothiriel blushed and thanked her friend. Death, taxes, and blushing, she thought wryly. "As do you. Marriage must be treating you well."

Faramir and Eowyn shared a smile and joined hands. "I have missed you, cousin. It has been too long," Faramir said. He scrutinized Lothiriel, looking pleased.

"Faramir," she warned. He raised his hands in a gesture of innocence. Eomer cleared his throat. Heart pounding, Lothiriel turned to the King.

"My Lord, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again."

"Lady, the pleasure is all mine," Eomer said sincerely, inclining his head. He smiled at her.

Every tender feeling Lothiriel had ever held for him and thought she had grown out of came rushing back in one fell swoop. She blushed again, mentally berating herself for the show of approachability.

"I owe you an apology, my lady. My memories of you did not do justice to your beauty," Eomer continued. He lowered his head in a gesture of true remorse, but when he raised his eyes they were alight with intent. Lothiriel recognized the look. It was the same one her brother Erchirion had had on his face when he had first seen Jullin, the courtier who had within a month become his wife. The gossips were still talking about it, though the events occurred years ago, but at least it was kind talk of the 'beauty of love' and how nice it was that the charming Erchirion had found such happiness. The look was much different when one was receiving it than when one was observing it, however.

Valar protect me from reverting to my old self, Lothiriel prayed frantically.

Her plea for heavenly assistance was cut short by Ulthasos. The guard suddenly rode forward, hand on his sword, until he was between the Princess and the King. "His highness is too forward in his manner, Princess," he said to Lothiriel, but his eyes were on Eomer.

Angry at his interference, Lothiriel started to order Ulthasos back to the City, but she was cut off.

"And who are you to tell say so? Your Princess knows how to receive a compliment graciously, perhaps she can teach you how to hold your tongue. I have no fear that if she is displeased with my conversation, she will hesitate to tell me so in no uncertain terms"

Lothiriel was horrified to see Eomer's hand gripping his sword hilt as well. His eyes were narrowed, and he looked exceedingly dangerous. Again, she tried to intervene and again she could not get a word in.

"Compliment? I know of you, Eomer of Rohan. Think you I would allow the Princess to ride outside the City to meet visitors I had not thoroughly researched? You compliment no woman without intending further liberties." Ulthasos rode closer to Eomer, blocking Lothiriel's view. Her mouth hung open in shock. What was Ulthasos doing?

"I see by your livery that you are of her private guard. Very well, then, when I pose a threat to your Princess' life or her health you may, with my blessing, attack me. But word play is hardly cause for intrusion into the conversation of your liege, and a dangerous rationale for threatening me. You insult my honor. Not only that, you insult your Lady by suggesting that she would allow any 'liberties,' as you call them."

Eowyn was looking from her brother to Ulthasos and back again. Faramir had a small smile on his face and one brow raised slightly. Halathain looked amused, and Erulehton was grinning outright.

"PARDON ME!" Lothiriel shouted.

Eomer and Ulthasos turned to look at her. Ulthasos fell back a short distance until Lothiriel could see both men, looking defiant and thoroughly unrepentant.

"Ulthasos, you have well overstepped your bounds." Lothiriel glared at her guard. "My Lord Eomer," she added crisply, "is a family friend, a King and a better soldier than you will ever be. I counsel you to take that into consideration before you speak rashly again. Your punishment will be dealt with privately."

She took a deep breath and turned to Eomer. "But I would like to make clear to BOTH of you that I thoroughly resent being discussed as though I am neither capable of defending myself nor even present at all!" Lothiriel turned in a triumphant huff to Eowyn and Faramir. "Lord Faramir, Lady Eowyn, I trust you are ready to reach the City? You must be fatigued from your long journey."

Eomer wondered how it was possible for someone to flounce indignantly on horseback. He had never before witnessed such a phenomenon but, her nose held high in the air, Lothiriel seemed to be accomplishing it.

"Well, my friend, it appears you have made another stunning conquest!" Erulehton interrupted Eomer's thoughts when they were out of earshot of the rest of the party. "Offending a lady within five minutes of meeting her…that is a new record, even for you!"

Eomer looked over to see his friend laughing his head off. "I was only trying to put that idiot guard in his place," he grumbled. "She took it the wrong way!"

"And how was she supposed to take it?" Erulehton asked.

They were very near the City gates now. Eomer studied the beautiful masonry and delicate metalsmithing. Gates like that, he observed, were more decorative than functional. He hesitated before answering Erulehton.

"I…that is….'Lehton?"

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Just let it go."

Erulehton grinned widely. "Not another word about it!" Eomer sighed in relief before the ambassador finished, "at least not tonight, anyway."