A/N: I'm hard at work on By The Book and have done more than half the chapters (5 of the 9) on a first run-through. Then I proof and tweak and all that stuff, but it should be ready fairly soon after this one ends. Eomer is a bit more angsty in this one (I realize now how much I made the poor boy suffer), and as I expected, there is a lot more new stuff because of the nature of the story itself. But with a long hot weekend ahead, I'm not going anywhere or doing much of anything but trying to stay cool!

wondereye - Thanks! Yeah, it is fun to finally know what was running through that handsome blond head all that time! He was so good about not pushing her, even though he was totally smitten, rather patiently waiting for an indication from her that his feelings might be returned.

Elwen of Lorien - Thanks for letting me know you are enjoying it. It helps an author to know if they are on the right track, even if the reviewer doesn't have helpful advice or questions. If no one else is enjoying my stuff, why bother going to the trouble of posting it? But if others are getting pleasure out of it too, then I'm happy to share. Hope your team is winning the football games!

utsuri - "especially considering Lothiriel's thoughts keep popping into my head." - good! Part of the reason I have been keeping so much of the wording identical, even in the non-verbal parts, is so that it would hopefully bring to mind what you had read before, and you could now look at the same scene but with new information added (sort of my own personal Extended Edition!).

shie1dmaidenofrohan, julia - Glad you enjoyed knowing what he was up to during that kiss! He had been so doggone good up til then, that he deserved at least a tiny little reward! One of the interesting things about this story is that, even though he knows she doesn't yet love him and he almost doesn't dare hope that she ever will, some part of him is utterly convinced that eventually she will "catch up"with him and love him in return. Guess it's that warrior personality that he can conquer anything!

Chapter 5

Over the next few days, the guests began to trickle out. King Elessar and Queen Arwen each departed with large groups for Minas Tirith and other destinations, as the King had much that still needed doing in rebuilding that city, and surrounding towns of Gondor. Faramir tarried a bit longer, reluctant, I think, to be parted from Eowyn. Once he returned to Gondor, they would not see each other for a few months and both already seemed to be dreading the separation.

Imrahil's family remained as well, as my guests. He and I had become friendly after it was Imrahil who noticed Eowyn was still alive on the Pelennor and sought aid for her. I expressed a desire to entertain his family without the spectre of the funeral hanging over things and he accepted the offer, spending much of the time choosing some new horses for their stables.

I didn't tell Imrahil that my ulterior motive was to keep Lothiriel here longer, and give me more time to win her affections. She still had given me no indication that she felt anything more for me than friendship, nor had we discussed ever seeing one another again after she left Edoras. I was beginning to feel a little desperate, and had almost reached the conclusion I would have to risk confessing my feelings to her and hope for the best.

Despite their remaining, it was difficult to find much private time with Lothiriel, and I was frantically trying to come up with some acceptable excuse, when Lothiriel herself played into my hands. She had been bemoaning to Eowyn how little she had seen of Rohan, other than Edoras, and Eowyn hatched a plan for a picnic. I knew Eowyn's main goal was to be alone with Faramir as much as possible, but she realized I'd never allow just the two of them to ride out together. Taking me and Lothiriel along provided chaperones, did a bit of matchmaking and no doubt she was hoping to find an excuse to escape our prying eyes at some point on this outing.

Eowyn broached the subject at supper and it was met with far less resistance from Lothiriel's family than I expected. Her brothers were invited to join us, but showed no interest in berry picking, and since they were due to leave within a week, I readily agreed to set aside time for the excursion. Gamling was concerned at the idea of our going without an escort, but it was difficult to press the point with two battle-tested soldiers as part of the party, and even Eowyn could boast victory in combat.

It was decided to go the following day and Eowyn happily arranged the whole thing. I rather wondered just how much we would see of the two lovers once we reached our destination, but since I was looking forward to time alone with Lothiriel, I wasn't bothered by the idea that they might make themselves scarce. Though it might be inappropriate to let them wander off alone, I knew Faramir to be honorable and a gentleman. He would not force anything on Eowyn, and if she chose to be indiscreet with him, he would surely protect her reputation as zealously as I would. They were adults and they were to be married soon. I trusted them…well, Faramir, anyway, to use sense and judgement.

We departed mid-morning, and there was every indication we would enjoy a beautiful day. All of us were armed with swords, in case there was any trouble, though Lothiriel assured us that she was more likely to injure herself with it than do damage to someone else. I think if Faramir hadn't been coming along, Eowyn would have seized that opportunity to give her a lesson in self-defense, but I suspected she wouldn't let herself be distracted from the man she loved since he would be leaving with Imrahil's family when they returned to Gondor.

We took our guests to a few of our favorite spots, showed them the view from various vantage points and finally we ended up on the edge of a wooded area in which berry plants grew. By then it was time for the noon meal, so we set up our picnic and ate before looking for berries. As soon as we were done with our meal, Eowyn jumped up, took Faramir by the hand and said, "We will go pick in this direction and you can go in that direction. Between us, we ought to find plenty of berries."

As soon as they disappeared from sight, I started laughing. "My sister is not exactly subtle, is she? I wonder just how much time they will actually spend concerning themselves with berries!"

Lothiriel laughed too, but reminded me, "What does it matter? It means we have plenty of time to talk without anyone overhearing, or suspecting anything." She stood up and held out a hand. "Come on! Show me around – this is your country. Tell me all about it."

I faked a groan and slowly rose. "I was rather looking forward to a nap after that meal..." The nap part was true, but sitting there in the shade of the trees, rather than berry picking, seemed a better way to pursue conversation that might lead to more.

"You can sleep later. Right now it is sightseeing and berry-picking! You must entertain your guest!"

I rolled my eyes at her, but took her hand and led her off into the woods, telling her whatever came to mind to mention. I wasn't sure what she wanted me to tell her but, luckily, she asked a lot of questions which helped a bit. The only thing I really cared about was that she hadn't pulled her hand from mine once we began our sightseeing. It seemed a shame to waste all that time alone with her just on talking about Rohan. I should much rather have spent it with her wrapped in my arms, kissing her senseless. It was difficult to concentrate on trees and rivers with that thought running through my mind.

After a while, we did locate the berry bushes and set to work filling our buckets, though I ate far more than I was collecting. When the buckets were full, we took them back to our campsite. I still hoped to sneak in a nap, preferably with my head in her lap, but she left me lying on the blanket and went to walk along the smaller stream that branched off the river. "Do not go too far," I called as she walked away. Perhaps she would soon get bored and return to my side.

Over an hour later, Eowyn and Faramir came back and decided they were ready to set off for Edoras. Reluctantly, I rose and told them, "Go on ahead. I will get Lothiriel and we will catch up to you." They packed up as much as they could carry and started out, while I made my way to find her. I didn't have far to look and, though she was disappointed that the day had to end, she turned to move back to the horses and help pack the remainder of our things.

Both horses were loaded and we were just getting ready to mount, when three orcs burst from the woods and ran at us. Fortunately, Lothiriel was standing near me at the time and I quickly drew my sword, pushing her behind me. She drew her sword as well, though she seemed so frightened she could hardly hold it.

The orcs came at me and I killed one almost instantly, and wounded the other two, but one of them got in a lucky strike with his blade, stabbing me in the side. I silently cursed my lack of armor. What should have been a glancing blow that barely affected me was far more serious. I was able to remain standing until the two bolted back into the woods. Only then did I drop to my knees, bleeding considerably. Struggling for control, I looked at Lothiriel as she ran to my side. I had to get her out of here in case they returned, and if I did not get help soon I knew I would be in trouble. "Get on your horse, and ride as fast as you can back the way we came. You will find Faramir and Eowyn fairly soon. Tell them we were attacked by three Orcs."

She took one step and then looked at me. "You are coming with me, are you not?"

Still on my knees, I was struggling to keep a clear head, but managed to tell her, "No. I cannot ride like this. Go and get Faramir. He will know what to do. Go!" I desperately hoped that for once she would do as directed and not argue. Time was of the essence.

She got onto her horse and then looked back down at me. I feared I would pass out from blood loss at any moment, and knew I had to get her moving immediately. "What are you waiting for?" I gasped. "Go!"

She hesitated another moment and then, to my chagrin, rode over beside me and dismounted. "No. I will not leave you here. We will go together. I will help you ride."

"Thiri, this is no time to argue. This is not a game. Get on your horse and go. Now!"

Stubbornly, she shook her head. "I will not leave you here alone. We go together or we stay together."

Under other circumstances, I would have been thrilled by her devotion to my welfare, but right now I needed her to do as I told her. I looked pleadingly at her, but she refused to be swayed.

Seeing she would not be persuaded, I struggled to rise and she moved to assist me. I couldn't imagine how we would survive this, but I would die trying to get her to safety. I leaned against her and hobbled over to Elrothiel's side. It took considerable effort, and more than one attempt, to get me into the saddle, but we finally did. She then led the horse over to some rocks that she could use to mount behind me, and we were at last on our way.

I was dangerously close to becoming unconscious and she held me as tightly as she could between her arms as she guided the mare back to the city. As I struggled to remain alert, I had the fleeting thought that if I must die, perishing in her arms might not be so terrible.

I became aware of Lothiriel calling my name and asking me something, and with a tremendous effort I was able to focus long enough to understand her question, and let her know that we were going in the right direction. She was beginning to panic that we hadn't found the others, so I tried to reassure her.

Finally, she saw the other two riding ahead and began to shout to get their attention. At last they heard, and looked back, hastening to our aid.

Had I not been so close to unconsciousness, I am sure Faramir would have transferred me to his much larger, more powerful horse to ride with him. But since they would virtually have to move my entire weight alone, Faramir thought it best we stay as we were. Eowyn took off at a run for Edoras to alert the Healer and have riders come to meet us. With Faramir's help, we struggled on toward the city, and I found myself desperately hoping I would live long enough to tell Lothiriel how I felt about her. I did not want to die and leave it unsaid. She should know that at least one man loved her, with all her quirks, and could not care less about her status at birth or the position of her family in society.

Faramir had torn up a blanket and fashioned something of a bandage, so the bleeding was contained, but my condition stayed much the same. It seemed to take forever for any kind of help to arrive, but at last we saw riders galloping toward us. Taking Faramir's place, a rider fell in on either side of us, and each extended an arm to assist in holding me in the saddle. I was grateful for their relieving Lothiriel of the burden. I was sure trying to hold me on a horse must have exhausted her.

At long last, we rode into Edoras and straight to Meduseld. Guards of the Hall came forward to ease me down from the saddle and carry me inside. I was vaguely aware of being laid in my bed, and then I must have passed out.

For a long time, I must have been completely out, and then I floated at the edge of consciousness. I could hear voices around me and feel hands tending me. I wanted to know where Lothiriel was, that she was well and safe. And I wanted to reassure her that I would be fine. I knew her enough to know that she would worry about me until I awoke and, though I fought to do so, it was like trying to swim against a powerful current and I could not quite break the surface.