A/N: For those of you just joining us, this is a parallel view of my story By The Book. BEFORE you read this story, it is best to have read (in this order) No Mistake, By The Book and No Mistake: Redux. That is the order in which they were written and they will make the most sense. You could read this side-by-side as you read the first two, but I think you will enjoy it more if you read them in order. In this story, Ch. 1-6 correspond to Ch. 1-6 of No Mistake, and Ch. 7-15 correspond to Ch. 1-9 of By The Book.

Turned out that Eomer's version of things was several pages shorter than Lothiriel's version. That means that none of the chapters are more than 3 1/2 pages long. I could drag this out and take 9 days to post it, but I think you might like to read a bit more, even if it ends sooner. Therefore, I will be posting 2 chapters a day and then end with 3 chapters. (There are 9 chapters coming.)

Chapter 7

Lothiriel had been gone for a week - a very long, miserable week. This was going to be much harder than I had anticipated. With all the change in my schedule during Theoden's funeral march, while the guests were here for the funeral, and then Imrahil's family's visit afterward, I had gotten out of the habit of constant meetings with advisers and worrying incessantly about the welfare of my people.

Given a choice, I should much have preferred to ride Firefoot out to a secluded spot to lie on my back in the sun and daydream about Lothiriel, our wedding and our life together. But all of that was a long way aways, and my immediate concerns were to get Rohan ready to weather the coming winter, and try not to throttle Eowyn, who was aggravating me mightily with her planning of my wedding.

I had tried suggesting to my sister that Lothiriel might like to plan her own wedding, but Eowyn gave no evidence that she heard me and continued blithely on. Additionally, she was constantly changing the plans and then making me listen to her detail them to me. Every few hours, she would return with "a new plan" and the whole process would begin again.

What I wouldn't give to merely ride to Dol Amroth, sneak Lothiriel away in the night and ride to some obscure village where someone had the authority to marry us. But kings and princesses are not allowed such frivolous behavior. I let out a sigh and moved to my desk. At least if I could not be with Lothiriel, I could write to her. I had already written three letters, whenever the mood would strike me, and they should be home now so I could add one more before sending off a courier to Gondor.

I had to make my missive brief, for Gamling was soon at the door advising of matters needing my attention, so I sealed it and handed it to my Doorward with the other three from my desk, instructing him to get them sent on their way. With another sigh, I settled down to work once more.

xxxxx

A week later found the town gearing up for the Harvest Festival. Winter would be upon us soon and we were especially grateful for whatever we were able to harvest after so much devastation to our crops. My worries that supplies would be sufficient to see us through the winter dampened my enthusiasm for the celebration, but as king I was expected to be there and participate in the festivities.

The ladies of the court had been greatly disappointed when it was announced that Lothiriel and I were betrothed. One in particular, Danwen, did not seem ready to give up on me yet. She was a pleasant enough girl, and we had gotten along prior to this, but she seemed to dog my footsteps now, determined to change my mind. I did not think I had ever done anything to give her the impression that I was particularly interested in her romantically, but there was almost a desperation to her attempts to win my favor.

She made herself so ever-present, that I began to feel I was back in battle, using my skills at stealth to avoid detection by the enemy as I tried to avoid letting her corner me. A few times, I caught a glimpse of her looking over the assembly to locate me and she appeared quite frustrated. I almost felt sorry for her, but she needed to understand and accept that my heart belonged elsewhere. Until she could accept that and return to mere friendly terms with me, I saw no alternative but to avoid her.

As it turned out, I underestimated her desperation. A few days after the festival, she put in appearance at the Golden Hall, seeking an audience with me, and Gamling, unaware of my dilemma, had granted it. Once he had excused himself, she made it clear that she still sought a liaison with me, pressing the matter, despite my protests until finally I angrily exploded at her.

"I tell you for the last time! I am betrothed to Lothiriel of Dol Amroth. Do not persist further! I want no other wife or queen but her!"

She winced, then recovered and asked, "But will she still have you, my lord, now that she has been made aware of your dalliance with me?"

I stared at her in astonishment, and exclaimed, "What dalliance? I have done nothing but avoid you for nearly two weeks now!"

"My letter indicated otherwise. Do you think she will still have you when she knows other women are warming your bed, even now?"

I was speechless at her audacity. "What have you done?" I hoarsely asked, certain I did not truly want to know, but that I must know.

"I merely wrote her a letter after the festival and informed her of your great appeal to the women of Edoras, and one woman in particular," she answered.

Later I was much angrier than at that moment, but just then all I could think about was Lothiriel and how such lies would hurt her. "Get out!" I growled, and she must have realized that was a wise move from the expression on my face.

When she was gone, I frantically paced the room. The letter was already written and gone. It would be too late to intercept it. I could write to Lothiriel as well, but what could I say in a letter that would undo the damage of Danwen's words? Would she even read my letter, or would she be so angry as to throw it in the fire at once?

I turned and charged to my study, seeking solitude. Gamling had reappeared and tried to approach me, but my countenance apparently convinced him I needed some time alone. Once in the study, I flung myself on the couch and hung my head in my hands. I could NOT lose her! My head jerked up and I searched the room with my eyes, as if thinking there might be some clue there to guide me in what I should do.

But the only thought that came to mind was a memory of sitting on this same couch with Lothiriel after Theoden's funeral, when I had stolen my first kiss from her while she slept. I could not bear to think I would never again hold her in my arms or taste her sweet lips. I needed her – I realized it now more clearly than ever. She had given me so much happiness in our short time together. How could I live the rest of my life without her at my side, easing my worries, providing wise counsel and, perhaps most importantly, making me laugh?

But all I could do was wait to see what her reaction was to the letter, and then try my best to convince her it was a lie. I saw no other course open to me. I did not mention the matter to anyone; neither Gamling, nor even my sister.

And, so, I waited. I ate very little and slept fitfully, as nightmarish scenarios of Lothiriel tearfully breaking off our betrothal gave me no rest. I could tell that Gamling and Eowyn were concerned, and both kept asking what troubled me, but I would not tell them. If she rejected me, too soon they would find out.

xxxxx

A week and a half passed with no word from Dol Amroth. I could not even be certain how far the repercussions of this would reach. If Lothiriel rejected me, what of Imrahil? Would that turn Dol Amroth against me? Surely her family would stand behind her in the matter. And what of Gondor and Aragorn? How would he deal with such a conflict between Rohan and one of his loyal subjects? It was possible he would feel he had to stand behind Dol Amroth also, and we would be back to where we were before the War – Rohan and Gondor operating as separate and suspicious neighbors. Thus, I suffered the agony of waiting and watching for a sign, a letter, a messenger – something to tell me if my life had ended.

I am not certain if I was actually surprised, alarmed or just wary when Gamling interrupted a council meeting to tell me that a party of riders approached, bearing the flag of Dol Amroth.

Nervously, I inquired, "Is the Lady Lothiriel in the party?"

He narrowed his eyes at the question, wondering why I would not know whether or not she was coming to visit, but answered, "The guard said there was a woman at the head of the column, but he did not identify her, my lord."

I nodded, and told him when they entered the city to get me from my study and I would greet them on the terrace. After he left, I temporarily adjourned the council meeting, to the curious looks of my advisers, telling them we would reconvene shortly, but that I had a matter to attend to for a short time.

I strode quickly to my study and tried to calm my nerves. I had little doubt that if there was a woman in the party that it was Lothiriel, but what did she mean by coming here unannounced? Did she wish to confront me in person and break our betrothal, or was she accompanied by her father, who might accuse me of misusing his daughter?

I took a deep breath and tried to think rationally. Lothiriel was not given to hysterics. She might be angry, but there was a slim possibility I might be able to convince her to hear me out. Perhaps I could satisfy her that Danwen's letter was a lie, and make things right with her. But more than anything else, I wanted to remove any hurt she had suffered in this matter. She had given me so much; she did not deserve to be so cruelly used.

Too soon Gamling was at the door, summoning me, and like a man sentenced to death, I made my way toward my possible doom.

I watched them ride up the hill and approach Meduseld. It was, indeed, Lothiriel heading the column, and her brother, Amrothos, rode beside her. I tried not to be too reassured that Imrahil was not the one accompanying her. Dare I believe that was a good sign?

A group of onlookers had gathered, no doubt wondering what brought Dol Amroth back to our city so soon after departing, and I idly wondered if Danwen had come out to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Lothiriel and Amrothos dismounted, and with questioning eyes I watched her climb the steps, giving her a hesitant smile. Nothing in her face gave any clue to what she might be thinking, though I could not discern any anger or hurt in her eyes. But I also knew how good she was at hiding her feelings when she chose to do so. I must wait until she spoke to get my answers.

Amrothos trailed behind Lothiriel and stopped on the step below her. She had come fully to the top, looking straight into my eyes. Amrothos gave the standard greeting, and though I nodded in acknowledgement, my eyes never left Lothiriel, and I realized I was holding my breath.

And then a slow smile crept over her face and she took a step forward. Reaching up, she pulled my head toward her and gave me a long, lingering kiss for all to see. I became lost in that kiss – surely it could have no other meaning than that she trusted me and still loved me.

Eventually, we heard Amrothos give a discreet cough and whisper, "Perhaps you two would like to take your hellos inside?" Lothiriel pulled back and, with great purpose, possessively slipped her arm around mine as we turned to enter the Golden Hall. I didn't know whether Danwen was in the crowd, but word would soon spread about Dol Amroth's greeting of their king. Soon enough, she would know she had failed to accomplish her purpose.