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First off, I would like to thank all of my faithful and new reviewers, you guys' words have made me happy, and though I am so slow and promised to update sooner, I hope you aren't disappointed that I (once again) was slow to post this. However, here it is, and the next chapter will be the last. Yes, I know, it is extremely fast, but I told you it would not be a terrible long story. I hope you enjoy it, and please drop a review off at the end.
Nan75: I couldn't resist not stopping there! It just happened to fall into place, aren't you lucky? Well, you are now because you are getting the answers to the cliffie. Thanks for the review! I hope you like this one as well.
SmaryK: Well, here is the next chapter I hope you enjoy it.
leslienicolespeaks: You don't know for sure that she is going to tell him the truth, now, do you? Perhaps she is just going to avoid it and they will never be happy…well, I guess you'll just have to find out now! Thanks and here's more.
Lady Arian: I'm glad you got it all straightened out (the chapters I mean). Yes, Lothí was distressed, but rest assured, Éomer was too! Lol, here's the next, I hope you enjoy.
Kia: Sorry you lack patience, you know it is a virtue, (lol!) Here is the next to quench your impatience, I'm glad you like this so far, hope you like more!
wondereye: Finally someone who enjoyed the cliffhanger! You'll just have to see to find if Éomer gets trapped in his own lies! I'm glad you liked it, hope you like the update.
Jazzcat: Thank you so much! Your words of praise are so kind, I hope I deserve them as much as you imply I do! I'm so happy you like this story, here is more, and you will finally get some answers.
ArcherGal2932: As you can see the "update today or tomorrow" did not work. Sorry, I'm just a tad slow. I'm thrilled that you are enjoying this, and I'm glad your first Éomer/Lothíriel story was mine. Hopefully you like it enough to try some new ones! Here is more, hope you enjoy!
Shadows of Moonlight: Lol! Thanks, and glad you like it, here is more.
LothirielofGondor: Yep, the first words are the hardest (I hope at least!) Thank you for your praise, and I hope you like this chapter as well as the last.
Taima1: Huh, how "could I stop there?" Kinda like how I stopped at this chapter's end. I'm kidding…or am I? Guess you'll just have to read and see! Glad you like it, thanks for the review.
fleur137: You think it will be fine? Well, for your sake I do too, lol. Here's more, hope you enjoy.
Athaira: Evil cliffhangers are my specialty. :-) Hope you like this chapter as well.
Ilmatar: Lol, "lack of communication" perhaps that should have been the summary. 'What happens when two people are married and do not talk? Cut to: Éomer and Lothíriel!' That would be amusing. I'm glad you think this story is refreshing, I hate stuff that is so old and boring. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Jen Lewis: I tried to make it as realistic as possible, I know I wouldn't be completely open if I just got married to a man who I never knew before. Here's the next, hope you enjoy.
steelelf: Here is the next chapter, sorry the hurrying didn't work out (surprise, surprise). I hope you enjoy it!
Blue Eyes at Night: Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard when I read your review. You are hilarious, thank you for the humor. I totally agree with you about Théodric! I hope you enjoy this chapter as well, and feel free to 'humor' me again!
Z.: Yes, it is a fix, isn't it? I hope you enjoy the rest, and thank you for your kind words.
quizzabella: Yes, they are oblivious to the truth, but we'll still love 'em, huh? Glad you like it, hope you enjoy the rest.
madrone: Yes, Éomer is awful great, huh? Well, we'll just have to see about that 'tender moment on the horizon.' Hope you like this chapter, there's one more to come! Thank you for your praise, too.
lindaholyland: I'm glad I sound like I know what I'm talking about of horses. I've had them since I was 5, so I had better! I'm happy that you like my story, and thank you for your praise.
Without further ado, here is the next chapter, though I bet many have skipped my A/N for the story. Am I right?
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"I am the one who hurt Aefentid."
Éomer looked at his wife, whose eyes were a brilliant red, her hands shaking as she tried to dry the tears. Her words only seemed to affect him a few moments after she spoke them. How could it be possible that his timid wife hurt Aefentid? Moreover, why would she hurt one of his favorites of the mares? Shaking his head free of any disbelief, he managed to speak.
"And how did you hurt her?" Éomer tried to keep all emotion from his voice, making it sound callous and uncaring. He had always shown sentiment, but he knew that currently, anger at his wife's unexplained actions would do much more harm than good.
Tears began to pool inside Lothíriel's amber eyes, and she hid her face in her hands for a moment, trying desperately to calm herself. When she had regained slight composure, she revealed her face, looking at Éomer shyly. Her voice cracked when she talked. "I had thought you would like me if I learned to ride."
At this, Éomer began to speak but Lothíriel cut into his words once more.
"Please, let me finish." Éomer's silence was willing, and Lothíriel took a steadying breath before she finished her story. She told him of her trial with Éowyn's help, from morning to mid afternoon, to try to learn to ride. She had fallen, thus she had received nasty bruises, and she must have somehow hurt Aefentid. At the time, Lothíriel spoke honestly, she had not noticed the mare having any discomfort, but she was a beginner so perhaps she did not see something. Her voice had steadied during her speech, and though she did not seem confident in any way, her voice held perseverance for only truth, making Éomer immediately proud of her.
"I apologize, my lord, for I truly do not know what happened when I rode Aefentid. I am horrible with horses, but I thought that perhaps I could change my ways, but I did not. I ruined your horse, my favorite of all of the horses in the stables, and I know apologies cannot change the aftermath, but I truly have never been any sorrier. Is there anything I can do to right my wrongs?" tears were beginning to drop from her eyes when she finished speaking, and Éomer felt her sorrow.
"Dry your eyes," he said, reaching forward to wipe aside her tears. Lothíriel flinched at his touch, and Éomer's eyes instantly went downcast. "There is nothing to fear," said Éomer, in reference to both the circumstances involving Aefentid and himself.
"But, Éomer," Lothíriel protested, her eyes widening to shock, "Aefentid has laminitis, and I caused it!"
He raised a hand, and said soothingly, "Now is your turn to listen to me."
Lothíriel fell quiet; her eyes straying to the floor, and Éomer spoke on.
"One of the many reasons why one should not ride a horse without permission is because the owner knows everything about their horse. For example, did you know Aefentid had soft hooves that bruised easily?" Lothíriel's wetted eyes seemed troubled as she shook her head. "No, of course you do not. She is not your responsibility, and you do not know everything about her, nor does Éowyn for this is the first time she has seen Aefentid. I know many things about Aefentid for she is my mare, after all. I have found that if you do not thoroughly clean out her hooves after you ride her, Aefentid becomes sore, and lame. Since I did not think any person had ridden her, I immediately jumped to the next conclusion which was a disease that could be brought on by small feet, laminitis."
Lothíriel did not appear convinced. "But Éowyn and I cleaned her feet when we finished riding. I do not know how much more 'thorough' we can clean, but we tried. How can she still get a sore if we did this?"
For a moment, Éomer was pensive, but he began to speak in a moment, "No one does any job perfectly. I have made errors too, like cinching the girth on Firefoot's saddle too loose, and having it tip me off at a full hand gallop. I do not think Éothain has laughed harder, nor has my backside ached so much as a consequence."
Lothíriel seemed slightly less dispirited, but still not completely won over.
"Be you a novice, expert, or an amateur, Lothíriel, you can still make mistakes. Why, Éowyn was with you, but she has been riding for her whole life and she did not catch your error. You might have removed the rock, but it had already bruised Aefentid's feet when you were riding. Another reason why I was thinking of giving her to another was her delicacy. She could never be a long distance runner, but she could be a pleasure horse."
Éomer looked at Lothíriel pointedly, but she did not seem to understand.
"So Aefentid does not have laminitis?" Lothíriel asked after a moment.
"One can never be positive, but I would say no. Éothain, the grooms, and I will pay special attention to her for the upcoming week. If no other leg bothers her, and the bruise goes away in time, then no, she does not have the disease. A stone bruise is exactly like a bruise we would get if we hurt ourselves. It goes away in time, leaving nothing but a memory, if that." Éomer offered a genuine smile, and Lothíriel brushed off her tears, looking extraordinarily relieved.
"Oh, thank goodness," she spoke, sighing. For a few moments, Lothíriel sat, thinking upon all of the horrible thoughts that had appeared in her mind before she had spoken the truth. How she had feared Éomer would hate her. She spoke her belief, and Éomer became surprised.
"I would never hate you, not for anything, Lothíriel. You did not know this?" he asked. She became silent, and he realized she had truly believed he did not like her. "You are very beautiful both on the inside and out and this has proved it further. Rohirrim judge one another based upon how they treat their mounts during war. Although we are not in war, you truly upheld my sentiment that people good in their heart, care unquestionably about any horse, be it theirs, or their husbands.
"If you still wish to learn to ride Aefentid," Éomer continued, "I will teach you myself. I am sure Éowyn would not mind lending me her student." Lothíriel's eyes widened and a silly smile spread across her face.
"I would enjoy that very much, thank you."
Truly touched, Lothíriel felt a knot of anxiety slip from her shoulders. At times, Lothíriel deemed Éomer was the most proud and daunting man in the world. However, the man in front of her currently was the exact opposite. He was soothing, genuine, and amenable. This side had already made Lothíriel feel a deep passion of feeling towards her new husband. However, it departed at her thoughts of earlier that day when she had thought him avoiding her. Why did it seem that he would not take her to any diplomatic meetings, and why did he skip the meals except the final? Was it in desperation to separate him from her?
Éomer stood, offering his arm to her.
"Now let us go to dine."
His wife shook her head. Éomer was shocked at her obstinacy. What else was there to be angry with?
"I want to know one more thing," she said, her voice cracking in anxiety that her fears would play out. Éomer nodded, mutely urging her to speak of her feelings. Taking a deep breath and trying not to display any of her feelings, Lothíriel said, "Why have you been avoiding me for the past week?"
The question had brought surprise to Éomer, though he should have known that his quiet and observational wife would have realized that he tried to push her away from him. He was clearly unable to lie once more to her, when she had spilled so many truths to him even when she was apprehensive and afraid that he would be hateful. He despised the thought in showing her the surprise before it was finished, but he knew he had to. She would never forgive him if after she had made herself submissive to his wrath, he would say lies as appreciation in return. Therefore, sucking in his pride, Éomer revealed a plan he would have given his all to protect.
"Before we feast, I want to show you something…I have not been completely honest with you either, and I wish you to know the truth to why you have thought I was avoiding you these past few days, and why I knew you did not trip down the western stairs of Meduseld."
Curious, Lothíriel nodded, and together they walked to the small room that had caused such problems in such a small amount of time.
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"Oh!"
Éomer could not help but grin at the complete astonishment that beheld his little wife's face. When she saw the just started construction of his, her eyes had widened, and a smile had spread across her face in pure happiness. Her appearance had been exactly what Éomer had imagined, even though the journey to the bliss did not seem to match his first idea. Still, Éomer wished the building had been finished, for her ecstasy would have been greater. However, desperate moments called for desperate actions, he supposed.
"Do you like it, Lothíriel?" asked he, smiling down upon the astonished face of his wife.
"I could not have imagined a better place to draw in. Why look, Éomer, seated here," Lothíriel acted as if she was in a chair facing the beautiful plains of Rohan and the brilliant pink sunset, "I can paint the sunset and the plains. Then here," she turned to face the town, "I can sketch the Rohirric people, and their everyday lives. This spot is majestic, Éomer. I truly love it. Thank you for this!"
"I had hoped you would," Éomer said.
"You ever had doubt? Is that why you made it a secret?" asked she.
"I had wanted to surprise you…I thought you would be pleased."
"Am I not now?" Smiling despite himself, Éomer shrugged, the beam broadening on his handsome face.
Looking at his handiwork, Éomer continued. "Éothain, Elfhelm, and I have been working on this for the past few days. I wanted them to construct this with me, because I thought it would be more…valued if the builders were those that were closest to you in your new home. Your father told me you had a room to draw in at Dol Amroth, and I knew you must have one here. It has been harder to keep you from here than I had expected, and I am only glad you did not fall upon this and realize without me present to see your reaction."
Lothíriel smiled, imagining the result, and feeling her heart squeeze in glee. If Éomer had spent so much time building this for her, it must mean that he felt she was worthy to be his wife and perhaps they could grow to love one another. A surge of energy pulsed through her veins, and Lothíriel had not been happier in months. She spoke her thoughts to her husband diligently, promising herself never to lie to him again.
"You are such a wonderful person; forgive me for not acknowledging this sooner."
With that, she flung her arms about him, in a tight embrace, startling her husband more than she would have imagined. After his first instinct to stiffen from disbelief, Éomer reached his arms about his wife, trying not to show how awkward he felt, and loving her displays of affection more than he would admit to anyone – but her.
When Lothíriel and Éomer parted, Lothíriel's face glowed from the soft illumination of the sun, and she had never looked more striking to Éomer. In a trance, he reached his hand and touched her cheek, smiling at the tears of joy that had filled her eyes. Éomer silently praised any force that had guided them together at that moment.
"Can we walk?" she asked in breathlessness. "I do not want to go inside yet. I feel so content here…"
Éomer completely agreed with her, for both were fearful the happenings were just some sort of mirage, or a dream, and they did not want it to fade. "Of course," he said, offering her an arm, which she took willingly. "Let us go to the gardens, they are especially beautiful in the evening."
They began to walk, and found that words hardly sufficed the exquisiteness of the gardens. The couple felt as if they were walking in heaven. It was like a dream, Lothíriel deemed, and she had given herself to a man she had never known before, to make it come true. Yes, she had shed tears many times in panic of unhappiness, but all of the pain seemed to release as she wandered through the heaven-like illusion.
"Let us never keep something from the other," Éomer said in due time. "For though this escapade ended fairly, I have doubt that any further time spent lying to one another would have only brought hurt feelings." Lothíriel nodded, her eyes glimmering in mirth.
"I cannot believe I had thought you hated me," she whispered with tender lips. "When you were gone so early and late from our chambers, I had anticipated you to tell me of indifference at our marriage, and a life filled with disappointment and frustration for us both."
"Had you?" Éomer looked astounded. Éowyn had always told him he did not show his emotions adequately, that many could not distinguish whether he liked or loathed them. Perhaps it was time that Éomer showed Lothíriel exactly how he felt.
"Yes," Lothíriel said after a moment of contemplation. "I had thought that the only reason why you wedded me was to…well," the thought sounded so silly now, Lothíriel was nearly embarrassed to say it, "to have a warm bed at night and an heir in spring."
The gardens echoed the king's burly laugh, and Lothíriel flushed elegantly at his amusement to such a serious and ghastly thought. She was not angry at his find of humor in her truths; for she was glad, he was not offended! Éomer shook his head and stopped his laughter before he spoke. "Even I must admit both of those findings are plusses to having a wife, but no, that is not the main reason why I wished for a wife."
Lothíriel's eyes glittered coyly as she decided to give him a taste of her own dry humor. "Aye, I was wrong, unabashedly. You married me because your advisors told you to."
"That as well is why I married you, but again, not the main reason."
"Then pray tell why you married me and not any Rohirric lady."
A twinkle in his eye caught his half-truth while he spoke earnestly. "I have always preferred women with darker hair rather than lighter."
Lothíriel's laughter echoed throughout the night air like chimes, and she shook her head whilst she smiled good-naturedly. "You married me because no other woman would take you."
"Lady, you hurt my heart so, I hope you know!" Éomer exchanged a smile with his wife, who was trying hard not to show any of her apprehension for showing Éomer her true colors. He once again felt a surge of pride, knowing that she was trying so hard to allow him into her world. "In all honesty," said he evenly, "I married you because I hoped that you would fill a place in my heart that had emptied when I found myself alone in Meduseld." His eyes looked bitter when he continued. "No sister, cousin, or uncle, only me and my advisors."
Lothíriel was struck by an odd sensation in her bosom while she remembered that she had had four men with her throughout her whole life. Her mother died when they were at war, but she had always been safe, guarded either by their security or the walls of Dol Amroth's shores. Perhaps that was why she was so timid. She had never left the protection of her childhood haven, and now she was married to a man who she found completely startling in both attractiveness and manner. She had never seen a man with such golden hair, or a man with such pride and stubbornness. At first, she had been terrified, then it had lessoned into a precaution for showing her inner beauty, but now she held a feeling in her heart that he would place her confidence deep inside his heart, and he would cherish her.
Éowyn was right, Lothíriel decided, in telling her that no matter the tasks produced, (in her case the ability to ride horses and his, to provide a room to draw in) first, they had to become more acquainted with one another. Lothíriel should have known better than to believe that her father would arrange a marriage with a barbaric person. Her fear had been uncalled for, and she was ashamed of it. Still, she felt self-conscious, but not to the point where she would not speak her mind to him.
They paused in their walk and Éomer saw in front of him a bush of roses, all a deep red, but one in particular stood out to his sight. It seemed to him to be much more beautiful than any other, though they all were all appealing. It at once reminded him of Lothíriel, for women were all beautiful but she in his mind was better than the rest, just as Éowyn was to Faramir, Arwen was to Aragorn, and Forleaswyn was to Éothain.
Éomer's fingers picked the rose without thinking, the rose crimson in color and dewdrops apparent from the falling dusk. The stem was long and the thorns grew sparse at the bottom and thick near the head. It seemed to smile upon the whole world in its ethereal beauty, and Lothíriel felt her heart skip a beat by the tenderness now replacing the once hardened warrior mask of her husband.
Placing her hands around a part of the stem that had no thorns, Éomer smiled his genuine grin. "In the past," Éomer began, "the rose had always been the symbol of love, and a single rose meant 'I love you.' I hope you will accept this small gift."
Feeling her throat tighten, Lothíriel could sense every nerve in her body trembling. She could merely nod as she let go of his arm with her other hand to hold the rose in her fingers. "I have nothing for you, I am sorry," she managed out after the shock that a man as mighty and valiant as her husband would say such words to her.
Éomer leaned forward, their faces an inch apart, saying, "There is one thing that I desire."
A red that matched the rose sprinkled across Lothíriel's face and she locked eyes with him. "And where can I get what you want?" her voice queried. Éomer merely smiled.
"Look deep inside your heart; you know what I want."
In the next moment, both leaned forward and locked lips, the sweet sensation bringing a tingling sensation to Lothíriel's lips and knocking the wind from Éomer just like a hard fall from Firefoot. Before Lothíriel remembered her timidity, the kiss had already deepened, she wrapped her arm about his neck still holding the rose in her other hand, and he tangled his fingers in her hair. Éomer was stunned by the intensity of the kiss for merely a moment, forgetting the awkwardness of before. Pulling back slowly and gasping for air, she felt almost mournful for the break. Éomer's smile was deep as he placed one of her hands on his arm, and they began to walk once more, acting as if nothing happened.
That is, until Lothíriel spoke, her voice no louder than a murmur, "You still need a gift, milord, for I enjoyed that just as much as you."
Éomer wanted no other gift, however, for to hear those words escape from her lips was better than he could have wished, the reality of it all only enhancing the night's greatness.
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Up above the scene of the newly wedded couple speaking and laughing as if they had always been friends, Imrahil paused at his bedroom window. He surveyed the scene; unable to distinguish any words, but his face grew into a knowing smile. Imrahil still proceeded to amaze himself, for he had known, someway, somehow, the couple would work. Lothíriel needed someone to take care of her when he was gone, for he knew he would die in due time, and Éomer needed someone to help him with his kingly duties, and keep him from slipping into a deep depression from the aftermath of the War.
At the proposal to his distraught daughter, Imrahil had thought that the two would be doomed and that he had never failed more as a father. Then, at the wedding when Éomer-King's eyes fell upon Lady Lothíriel in her wedding gown, so white and pristine in an illumination of splendor, Imrahil had noticed how Éomer looked at his daughter, and some of his anxiousness had fallen from his mind. The hard part was yet to come, because Lothíriel was so timid, but Erchirion had helped Éomer know more of Lothíriel.
Imrahil had not known of either of the new couple's trials to please the other until that morning when Forleaswyn and Éowyn had found him and spoke to him of them. He had calmed the two ladies who were fussing more than the tiny baby that lay asleep in the new mother's arms, and told them that the fates had an odd way of fooling all, and producing a merry finale. Never doubting his first instinct, Imrahil had waited until that night and saw his precious daughter was finally breaking through the invisible wall that had separated her and any other person outside her family.
Oh, he would miss her more than any other thing, but Imrahil was pleased. He had feared that his only daughter would be alone if he were to die soon.
Now, all Imrahil had to worry of was his two sons. However, the watchful father had seen Erchirion with a beautiful woman of the Rohirric Court, Helena, and Amrothos had already pronounced the love of a Dol Amrothian beauty, though Imrahil highly doubted the girl knew of Amrothos' undaunted love yet. If the love of Éomer and Lothíriel was possible, Imrahil held no doubt in his mind that his two sons could find loves as well.
Sighing contentedly, Imrahil took his cloak from his room and tied it about his shoulders, gazing one last time to his daughter, and then he exited his room and to the dining halls, ready to make the king and queen's apologies of not being able to attend the meal.
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Soon, it grew to be the day that the rest of the wedding's guests were leaving, and Lothíriel stood strong, crying in despair, but smiling in hope that she would meet her family more in the future. The day was a lovely day, the sun was brilliant and warm, smiling down upon all that were present to say farewell. The mood amongst the crowds was sorrowful, though there was no foreboding pressure on anyone, and all were expectant to meet once more in the near future. Imrahil embraced his daughter tight, looking into her eyes as they stood back. He placed a hand on her cheek soothingly, and she smiled against his touch.
"You will be happy here," he told her assuredly.
"I know."
Her words held such confidence that Imrahil smiled despite the knowledge she did not need him anymore. It was a bittersweet feeling, but there was more good than bad, he deemed. Éomer was saying goodbye to Éowyn and Faramir, while Erchirion and Amrothos waited to say their farewells to their sister after Imrahil. It had been arranged already that Helena was to join the Dol Amroth party to their home by the sea, as Erchirion had not wished to say adieu to her, nor had she.
"We will see each other again," Lothíriel said, pressing her lips to her father's cheek. Imrahil smiled at the humor that his once distraught daughter was consoling him. "When Erchirion marries Helena, no doubt." She giggled despite her tears.
"I will be expectant to see you soon," Imrahil nodded. He surveyed his daughter through his own tears. "If you are ever in need of me, just look into the sky, and know that at that moment I will be looking into the very same sky, thinking of you. But do not keep your hurting from Éomer, for he is loosing his sister to distance as well."
Lothíriel nodded. "I will do as you wish, father." A drop slid down her cheek, but she tried to smile nevertheless.
"You look so much like your mother, Lothíriel. I know she is as proud as I am of you," Imrahil said. Lothíriel nodded as she closed her eyes in want of stemming the even flow of tears tracing down her face. She turned to her brothers, murmuring her love of them with compassionate lips. Nothing had ever proved to be more difficult than to see Amrothos mount his horse, and Erchirion followed suit after kissing his sister's cheek, and promising to come if she ever yearned to see him.
Then, Lothíriel turned to her father, tall and clad in silver and blue. He wrapped his arms about his daughter once more, kissing her forehead, and smiling to her. "Dol Amroth will always be your home, daughter, if you need her, do not feel unwelcome." He paused and smiled, Lothíriel tried to stay strong. "Dol Amroth did not lose her Princess, Rohan merely gained her Queen."
Lothíriel smiled in return. "And Rohan's Queen wishes you to know that she expects visits. It would be far too peaceful without my family to reside here for a spell during the near future."
After finishing their goodbyes, Imrahil mounted his horse, and Lothíriel found Éomer awaiting her at the head of the farewell party, watching Éowyn smile to him on her chestnut mare beside Faramir. Orders called amongst the riders, and Imrahil, his two sons, Éowyn, and Faramir led the group down the paths to their own homes, away from a part of their family they hated to leave behind.
It was nearly unbearable for Lothíriel to see a part of her heart leave her new home, to extend many miles before her in the land where she was born into. However, when the last of the horses of the leaving party escaped human eyesight, she turned to her husband, tall and strong, the backdrop the beautiful golden hall of Meduseld, and she knew she had found her place, as Queen of Rohan, and wife of Éomer Éadig.
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