Reply to reviewer:
Runa from mheraandco - "isn't the -ir suffix masculine? I mean, Elphir, Haldir, Aerandir, and Caranthir are all men. So naming the Elphir's wife Alcathir might be kind of weird" - In general, you are correct, however, a website I found points out that "few endings are exclusively masculine or feminine" (though some are exclusively feminine). Still, that proves nothing, so I went the Encyclopedia of Arda and visually scanned for names ending in -ir. ALL of them were male, EXCEPT for one - Emeldir (the wife of Barahir). So the vast majority of the time an -ir ending would be masculine. In fact, the root ending -dir is supposed to mean "man", but clearly it was given to a woman by Tolkien in at least one instance. Since I was able to find a precedent to support the name, I think I will keep it. It is supposed to mean something like "radiant face" (alca is Quenya and means "ray of light" and thir is Noldorin and means "face"). But thanks for keeping me on my toes! If I hadn't been able to come up with a woman's name ending in -ir I would certainly have changed it. Later in this story there is a character I named Lord Dorlien (since -iel was feminine I assumed -ien was the masculine form - it isn't - it's also feminine). Before I started posting the story I discovered that mistake and changed it to Lord Dorlion (-ion means "son of") (Anyone interested in knowing the websites I used, email me and I'll send them to you.)
Chapter 7
Eomer and Lothiriel arrived at the doors to the King's council chambers, and the guards admitted them, curiously eyeing Lothiriel. There was a similar reaction inside the room. Elessar looked up in puzzlement. "Lady Lothiriel, we were not expecting you to join us."
Her father was shooting her a questioning look as well, clearly unable to comprehend any reason for her to be there. Lothiriel shifted her gaze to Eomer and deferred to him. With a slight nod, he announced, "My lords, I have asked the Gondorian Ambassador from Dol Amroth to accompany me, and speak in Rohan's behalf on certain matters."
Just barely, the gathered men kept their jaws from dropping, and Imrahil rubbed his temple with an anxious motion. What in the world was his daughter up to now?
Avoiding making eye contact with her father, and restraining a smirk, Lothiriel seated herself in the chair held by Eomer. A moment later he was beside her and they looked calmly to Elessar to begin the meeting.
Overcoming his astonishment, Elessar cleared his throat. "Yes, well, we welcome the Ambassador from Dol Amroth and look forward to hearing what she has to say."
Under the table, Eomer nudged Lothiriel's leg with his knee and she bit back a smile. The two of them were enjoying this immensely.
Elessar covered various general matters and then turned to Eomer. "So, my friend, we come to the subject of Rohan. What is the situation there and how may Gondor be of assistance?" He managed to keep his gaze fixed on the other king, though he suspected the answer would come from another source.
His suspicions were confirmed when Lothiriel cleared her throat. All eyes shifted to her and she gave them a disarming smile. "Gentlemen, last August my father requested I remain in Edoras as a goodwill Ambassador to that land, and make myself useful to the king in his recovery efforts." Faramir began coughing, which all knew was likely caused by his attempt to hold back his laughter, and Lothiriel paused while he salvaged his composure.
The next moment, she launched into an outline of the circumstances in Rohan, the measures that had already been taken and their assessment of needs at this point in time to see them through the coming winter. When she finished, none could deny she had made an excellent presentation.
Elessar considered her words carefully, then glanced at his Steward. "Faramir?"
Faramir pulled himself from his mental calculations and nodded. "We can meet their needs, my Lord. It will take a bit of time to gather all that they request, but it can be sent in several shipments so they can begin dispersing the goods as needed. I will make the appropriate arrangements. The first shipment should be able to accompany them on their return home."
Gondor's king turned back to Lothiriel and inquired, "Do you believe this is a one-time request, or will further aid be needed in the future?"
Lothiriel thought a moment, and looked at Eomer. A slight jerk of his chin indicated she should give her opinion. "For the moment, my lord, we believe this will be sufficient. Once the winter is past, we can determine how much of the land will allow crop growing. Mud bricks or sod have been used effectively in homes in Gondor, and could possibly be implemented to make up for the lack of wood available. Rohan already makes use of some peat for fuel. We will continue to seek alternatives to the usual methods in an attempt to become self-sufficent as soon as possible. Already, soldiers are assisting in planting for the spring where the soil is unscathed, and the villagers have been relocated closer to Edoras for the time being."
"Then we will wait and see what the future brings. Clearly no fault can be found in your own efforts to provide for yourselves, and we will gladly assist wherever there is a need beyond what you can do," Elessar assured them.
With that, they turned their attention to other matters, and Lothiriel leaned back in her chair, letting out a slight breath of relief. She had not doubted that Gondor would provide aid, but she had been nervous about taking the lead in the request. While she had sat in council meetings with her father, usually she took a fairly inactive part – more a presence than anything else. This was her first real taste of direct involvement, and it had proven frightening, but satisfying.
When the meeting ended a short time later, Lothiriel attempted a quick escape, but was not surprised when she heard her father's voice ring out. "Lothiriel, may I speak with you?"
Arranging her face into an impassive expression, she turned to him with a smile. As she did so, she saw Eomer watching her out of the corner of his eye from where he was speaking with Elessar. "Yes, Father?"
Imrahil gave a sigh as he eyed his daughter and queried, "You took me at my word, then?"
Smiling sweetly, she reminded him, "I did only what you asked, Father. You instructed me to make myself useful to Rohan and I have attempted to do so. As it turned out, the king welcomed my assistance in petitioning Gondor for supplies."
"You know very well that this is not the sort of thing I had in mind when I mentioned that to you, young lady!"
"Perhaps not, but you should have been more explicit if there were things you did not wish me to do in accomplishing that purpose," she answered mildly.
Eomer suddenly appeared at Lothiriel's side before Imrahil could respond, and announced, "I cannot thank you enough, my friend, for the loan of your daughter. Her assistance has proven invaluable, as you have seen."
Imrahil glanced at his daughter and then shrugged in defeat. "I am glad she could help, Eomer. And I must thank you for all you and Rohan have done to put the smile back on her face." Then he added sarcastically, "And given her back her sense of humor!"
Faramir joined them just then, catching Imrahil's final remark, and grinned at his cousin. To his uncle he commented, "Well, certainly, you must admit...she is the loveliest ambassador Gondor has ever known!" Imrahil reluctantly smiled and participated in the laughter.
xxxxx
With that meeting out of the way, the party from Rohan was at their leisure until the wedding. Lothiriel divided her time between Eowyn and her family. Despite her father's misgivings, she also made it a point to go riding each day, especially since she wanted to stay in shape for the ride back to Edoras. She still hesitated to mention it to her family, knowing they would argue with her about it and she did not want it to dampen the festive mood leading into the wedding.
Since Eomer wanted to keep in daily touch with Eothain and the Eorlingas camped on the Pelennor, he accompanied Lothiriel to the camp so that Eothain could continue her riding lessons. Usually, Eomer would ride along with them and take care of business with Eothain as the three of them rode.
Amrothos was the only one who really complained about Lothiriel's time spent with the Eorlingas, having assumed once she arrived at Minas Tirith her sole focus would return to her family. She had tried inviting him to join them, but he declined that, and she knew he was trying to make her feel guilty enough to stop going. In exasperation, she finally told him, "Amrothos, these are my friends and I enjoy their company. I also enjoy riding. You may join us if you wish, but I will not stop spending time with them and doing something I enjoy simply because you are behaving like a petulant little boy!"
His next tactic was to start accompanying her, but then he became a heavy-handed chaperone and began taking offense at every little thing that Eothain said or did. He did not quite dare do the same with Eomer, but his actions toward Eothain were sufficiently annoying. The third time he showed up to join them, Lothiriel drew the line. "You are not coming with us, Amrothos. Not unless you can manage to bite your tongue. I do not want you to say one word to Eothain. Glare at him all you wish, he will not care, but you will not take him to task about his behavior with me!"
"It is my duty to–" he began, but she cut him off.
"I do not want to hear it! You will be silent or you will not come!" she declared.
The two stood glaring at one another several moments before he finally stomped away in annoyance. When he was gone, Eomer cautiously exited his room that was right next door to Lothiriel's. He had been about to go and meet her when he heard their altercation in the hallway, and had thought it wise to remain out of sight.
Lothiriel gave him a weak smile and informed him, "Amrothos will not be joining us today." Turning on her heel, she headed briskly down the hall, and Eomer quickly moved to follow her.
He considered mentioning the matter to her, but thought perhaps it would be wise to let her anger subside first. Even so, her ire had not dissipated by the time they had ridden down through the city and out onto the plains. When they joined Eothain, Eomer quickly gave him a look that recommended he not comment on her ill mood. Once they were away from the camp, Eomer suggested a gallop and led the way. The exhilaration of their speed and freedom did what words could not, and when they finally reined in, Lothiriel once more had a smile on her face.
On the way back, she told them, "I apologize for Amrothos. He and I have always been close and done just about everything together. It is difficult for him to accept that I might choose to do something that does not involve or focus on him. And I am very sorry he was so rude to you, Eothain. Please forgive him."
Eothain grinned at her. "Not to worry, my lady. Were I your brother, likely I would be just as jealous and protective of you!"
She made a face at him. "Liar! But thank you for understanding."
xxxxx
Fortunately, the day of the wedding had arrived, and petty differences were set aside. Despite everything, Eowyn was a bundle of nerves right up until the moment she joined Faramir to stand before King Elessar. One look in the eyes of her betrothed settled her, and the two gazed so lovingly at one another they at times became oblivious to the proceedings and had to be nudged verbally by the king.
At length, the happily wed couple were presented to the assembled well-wishers, and the celebration began in earnest. While there had been much celebrating when the king was married to his queen, the people of Gondor had a special place in their hearts for the Steward, and partying was taking place throughout the city. Elessar had suggested that the couple ride through the streets to greet the people and so they followed his instructions, to the delight of the Gondorians.
Without prompting, Faramir took it upon himself to stop frequently and favor the crowd with a kiss for his new wife, which was met by loud cheering. Eowyn did not seem to object to this in the slightest, even initiating a few of the kisses herself when he seemed to be leaving too many people out of the fun.
Their ride had been expected to take close to two hours, but they didn't reappear at the Citadel until more than three hours later. By then, the feast was set up and waiting, and immediately began upon their arrival. It lasted long into the night, but well before it ground to a halt, the happy couple slipped away to enjoy their union in private.
The Rohirrim had made attempts to keep the couple apart, in an effort to torment them, but they had failed to take into account that they were dealing with the Steward of Gondor who was in his home territory. It turned out that Eowyn had warned Faramir what might be attempted, and he had arranged an escape route, utilizing some little known tunnels and secret passages in the city. Eowyn's countrymen were disappointed that their fun was so quickly routed, but found great solace in the excellent ale provided for the occasion.
Normally, Eomer would have participated in harrassing the newly wed couple, but as Eowyn's brother he felt obligated to abstain in this instance. Instead he watched the proceedings with a bemused expression, and once they had made their escape, he slipped out into the gardens off the terrace.
Lothiriel had been observing the revelry from a table where she sat with Erchirion. He rose to ask a young lady to dance, and Lothiriel took the opportunity to follow Eomer outside. She found him standing in shadow, leaning against a pillar and staring at the stars.
"Are you well?" she asked softly.
He did not seem surprised by her presence, and slowly turned his gaze to her for a moment. Dropping his eyes to the ground, he nodded. "I suppose so, but I will miss her sorely. For a long time, we were as close as two people could be. Then as we got older, and I joined an eored, I was gone a great deal. We were still close, but the distance made it difficult. And all the worries about our uncle and Rohan and Mordor made everything...harder. When the War ended, we had a chance to become close again. I will miss that – having her near to talk with, having her guidance, having...Eowyn." He shifted with embarrassment at his sentimentality.
"She feels the same way, you know," Lothiriel answered quietly. "I am sure it seems as though her attention is solely on Faramir, and that in her happiness you are forgotten, but that is not so. She has told me how hard it is for her to leave you, and Rohan, despite her great love for Faramir." She paused, then added, "I thought you should know."
He nodded slightly. "Thank you."
In the darkness, she could just barely discern him wiping at his eyes, but she pretended to take no notice. Slowly she walked over beside him, and slipped her arm through his to offer what comfort she could. A few moments later, he slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his side.
They stood a while in silence, and then he ventured, "When will you tell your family that you are returning to Rohan?"
Letting out a sigh, she scuffed the ground with her foot. "Tomorrow, I suppose. I have put it off long enough, but I did not want to face the arguments and risk them spoiling Eowyn's wedding festivities."
"You think they will object then?" he asked, with some surprise.
"Amrothos certainly will!" she exclaimed, and he laughed in agreement. "Elphir and Erchirion may raise objections as well, but they will not be too difficult if it is what I choose to do. Father is the one I am not certain about. Though it was his idea initially for me to stay and visit with you, I am not clear on what he might say about this. He may believe it a good thing, or he may feel it would be inappropriate, with Eowyn no longer there. I do not know."
"And what if he disapproves?" Eomer asked reluctantly.
She did not answer immediately, considering the question seriously. At last, she looked up at him. "I would do all that I could to change his mind. I did not make the offer lightly, and I mean to honor it if I possibly can. Father could refuse to allow it, but I can be most determined when I wish to be. He knows he will regret opposing me if I feel strongly about something. He has already seen evidence of that here!"
Eomer pondered her words then told her, "I do not wish to cause problems between you and your father, nor do I wish to make an enemy of Imrahil. If it comes to it, I would rather release you from your offer than cause a rift in relations. Know that, and do not let the disagreement get too far out of hand."
She nodded slowly, then looked up with a grin. "Enough of this depressing talk. Will the king of Rohan dance one final dance with me before I call it a night?"
Eomer smiled in return, then got a mischievous look on his face. "I can hear the music quite well from here. Must we go back inside?"
With a laugh, she curtsied to him. "Not at all. Here will do just fine. In fact, I think it might be preferable!"
They stepped toward each other, grasping hands as they began the slow movements of the dance. When it ended, Eomer offered his arm and they strolled back to their rooms. At her door, he bent and kissed her forehead, murmuring, "Thank you for your friendship, Lothiriel. It means a great deal to me."