A/N; God, you guys must be about to kill me! I am SO sorry I did not update sooner, but after I got back from the beach, I had to move. Meaning my computer was all packed up. Sucks, I know. But things are fine now, and I give you a new chapter! Don't worry, I've almost finished the next chapter too, so take that as my peace offering!

The beach was so much fun. It gave me a really great idea for another E/L story, but I have to finish this one before I post it! :B

Also, I've started a new journal for anyone interested in my idea's on writing. Just so that if you guys want updates on what I'm going to put up next, and what not. For the link, go to my profile.

Please forgive the delay!

- Elegant Couture

Disclaimer; Riiight. :P

Word had reached Lothíriel that the king had seemingly passed out, and instantly she had hurried to the room he was at. She was hesitant to enter, though, for the memory of their previous fight was still fresh on her mind. Which was why Eowyn found her hovering outside the door nearly an hour later.

"Lothíriel?" She stood with her hands on her hips, watching the younger girl with confusion.

"Eowyn! Is he all right? What happened?"

Eowyn escorted the nearly distraught queen away from the door and towards her own chambers. "Éomer is fine.. The good news is that he has regained some of his memories and the healers are certain that his amnesia is merely temporary." Lothíriel began to speak, but Eowyn cut her off quickly. "Now, go to bed and rest. It is late already and I have let your advisors know that I am taking over for you tomorrow. Take a rest.. Go horse back riding, anything. We cannot have you dragging yourself around, half dead!"

Before Lothíriel could argue, Eowyn had shoved her into her room with a simple "Good night!" and the door slammed shut.

Lothíriel rose slowly from the bed, her eyes groggily looking to the massive window. It was a cloudy, over cast day and by the looks of it, she had slept well past breakfast. She released a sigh and instinctively turned to where Éomer should have been lying. And then she remembered. She sighed unhappily, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

"Please let him remember me." She whispered as she crossed over to the changing rooms.

Moments later she was dressed in a simple riding dress, her hair tied back neatly. She felt much more refreshed, though she still could not get a full nights rest with the bed so empty.

She had to escape. If only for a few hours. She wanted to taste the open air and she knew of only one place where she could get some form of peace and rest.

She hurried down to the stables, hoping that no one would see her. She wanted to avoid a 'Royal Escort,' today; surely she would be fine on her own. She had a small dagger with her, and she felt safe in her country. The stable boy tried to protest that she needed to have at least someone with her, but she would not allow it and he was silenced as she rode off.

She rode quickly out of Edoras, wisps of her dark hair caressing her face as she let her horse gallop across the fields. She knew of the best place for her to find peace and to her mind be at ease.

The stable boy looked up as the King entered in to the stall area. He closed his eyes for a moment, praying that he would not be questioned as to why the Queen was able to leave with an escort and he cursed her good looks and charm for having manipulated him so. Glancing back to the King, he smiled and bowed to him as he approached, sweat breaking out on his forehead. "How may I help you, your majesty? Will you be taking Firefoot out today?"

"Yes," his answer was short, and he watched the boy eagerly ready his stead. He glanced around the familiar stalls but halted when he saw the empty one. It was where Éowyn's horse used to be held, but he knew that her horse was elsewhere. So who had left? He frowned for a moment but promptly forgot to ask as the stable boy led Firefoot to him.

"There you are, your Majesty. He has been very well taken care of while you were ill. The queen has been bringing him apples quite frequently." The boy smiled as he gave his information.

"Has she?" Éomer mumbled to himself, and quickly covered up his thoughts but giving the proud boy a smile. "Well, I suppose I shall have to thank her." He turned Firefoot around, preparing to leave. "Be sure there is fresh water and hay for him when I return. And some brushes, as well." And with that, he trotted through the gates.

Before long, he was leisurely crossing the plains. He was mindful of his wounds, which were now mostly healed. He had to escape that room, for another moment in it would have left him insane. The fresh air tasted so sweet to him. The weather was crisp and clean from the recent rains that had left the ground muddy. He had never felt so refreshed.

He approached his destination swiftly, and paused along the tree line as he spotted another horse. It was a honey brown, and beautiful. He gently slid off of his horse, cautiously studying the other. It was a lithe female, clearly a steed of Rohan, and the saddle was of Rohan as well. He walked past it and into the trees, frowning at the thought of someone discovering his favorite spot. He came near the clearing and instantly hid behind a tree, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

His heart froze. The spot was beyond beautiful. It was a clearing of trees with a crystal pond in the middle, which was shoulder deep at best. A small brook fed it, which twisted out of sight behind the thick trees. And there, in the middle, stood the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He recognized her instantly, this woman who was his Queen. She wore naught by her shift, the water having already soaked it thin, and her hair fell in thick black curls down her back. She was humming, and she almost looked elven at that moment. She was so graceful, so elegant. He could not turn his eyes away, he could not breathe.

He must have shown her this spot, for only he and Eowyn knew of it. She looked so at peace that he loathed to interrupt it, and clumsily he turned to go.

As he did, he stepped on a twig and it broke loudly. Turning back to look over his shoulder, he saw that she had heard it. She had frozen in the water and her eyes wildly searching everywhere. If he did not show himself, he knew that she would panic.

Stepping out in to the clearing, her expression relaxed and then quickly tensed again. "My lord, what are you doing out here? Should you not be resting?"

She captivated him. The shift clung to every curve, and left little to his imagination. How had he managed to marry this woman? What had he done to deserve something so wonderful?

"Forgive the intrusion, my lady. We both seemed to have escaped the cages of Edoras. I found that I would lose my mind if I did not get some fresh air and stretch my legs." He mumbled, turning his eyes away from her sight.

She walked out of the water, the shift dragging around her ankles, and she gave him a small smile. "I see." She whispered, her eyes studying him. If only he knew how many times they had come to this place together, and what had happened each time, he would not have looked so shy and modest. She knew it to be the exact opposite of his true behavior.

She felt bold for the moment, her hand slowly reaching out towards him. He took it, his lips placing a kiss upon her cool skin and his eyes remain lowered. She stepped to him; her body so close that he could have sworn electricity flowed between them.

"Will you not look at me, my lord?"

Her soft voice instantly undid him, and he brought his eyes to meet hers. Instantly they were focused upon her soft, pillowed lips. How badly he wanted to kiss her.

Before he could move, she was on her toes and her lips were on his. Every thought flew from his brain as his eyes snapped shut and his arms instinctively wrapped around her. She was cool and wet, but her lips were burning. He could have sworn that he had in fact died and this was to be his heaven, this woman in his arms. The memory he had regained and the perfect feel of her in his arms left him with no doubt as to how he felt about her.

As her lips parted, he crushed her to him, his hands grasping to her hips and then tangling in the mess of wet ebony curls. She whimpered against him and the noise forced him back to reality. He loved this woman, he was married to this woman; nothing was stopping him. Yet, he could not force himself to this. As much as his body cried out for her touch, for him to take her there upon the forest floor, he would not disgrace her. What if his memory never returned? This would then, essentially, be the first time he was with her. And he wanted her in his bed -- Their bed.

He stepped back from her, and the confusion and hurt in her eyes almost broke his resolve.

"My lord?" She whispered, her brow furrowed as she let her hands fall to her sides. "Have I done something wrong?"

"No, Lothíriel," He replied, his hand gently tracing the curve of her cheek and jaw. "I do not remember everything about you, but I remember the first time I realized I loved you. That memory is powerful enough for me to not want to take you like some common tavern wench. If this is to be our first time together, I would wish it to be perfect."

She looked up at him, shivering slightly at the loss of his warmth. Her heart warmed at his words, and a smile tugged to her lips. He did still love her, he remembered something. She sighed and bowed her head, agreeing to his will. Before she could speak, he slipped his cloak around her and placed a chaste kiss to her lips.

He feared being near her anymore, for his body was screaming for her. But he would not, he would make this special. A second honeymoon, he thought with a smile.

"Will you return to the Golden Hall, now?" He murmured, looking down in to her shimmering eyes.

"Aye, not at this moment, but soon. You take your leave?"

He frowned. He did not want her out alone, for with the threat of the Dunlendings and the Orcs, he did not know how safe it was. "My lady.."

"Shh." She frowned as she gathered her clothes. "I shall be fine on my own. I am not far from Edoras and I have seen no tracks of Orc or Man. You worry too much. Go." She smiled simply and watched as he bowed his head to her and left.

An hour later, she remained in that sacred spot. She lay back on the grass, her lips still tingling from his kiss. She was half asleep, her eyes lazily shut as she listened to the sounds of the forest. It was then that she heard it, a horse galloping towards that spot. She rose hastily and threw her clothes on, fearing it would not be Éomer this time. She was aware of the dagger hidden in the folds of her simple dress, and she watched as a courier approached through the woods.

"My lady, the king has been injured by Orcs! Lady Eowyn bade me to you, to bring you. They fear the worse." He was out of breath and instantly Lothíriel was on her feet and hurrying to her horse.

"Where?" She gasped, her breath nearly gone. He was badly hurt.. Tears sprang to her eyes. No, not again. She thought.

"Follow me." He said hastily and took off through the woods, and she was eagerly following him.

They came to a clearing, some distance from where they had started. She slowed her horse as the courier stopped and slid off his saddle, but she remained seated.

"Where are they?" She hissed, her gaze nervously taking in her surroundings.

The look on the couriers face frightened her as she looked in to his eyes. "Right behind you." She turned to look over her shoulder when her horse spooked suddenly, rearing up. She clutched the reins to hold on, but they snapped easily and she was thrown, her body landing roughly on the ground with a thud. She moaned slightly, her vision blurring as she stared up in to a face that was unfamiliar.

Before she could open her mouth, she was backhanded so hard that stars exploded in her vision and she was rendered unconscious.

The gathering darkness worried Éomer. It was near nightfall, and still the Queen had not returned. He was walking down towards the stables, to get his horse and search for her, when he spotted something moving on the plains. His heart froze when he saw it was her horse slowly making its way back to Edoras, and notably rider less. He hurried down the slopes and to the gate, opening it and running to the horse. He studied the mare, surprised to find the reins were broken. They looked like they had been cut, except where a small part showed that it had been snapped. He hurriedly brought the horse back to the stables and handed her over to the boy. "Ready my horse!"He shouted.

A/N; Don't kill me for the cliffhanger :B! REVIEW and i'll update sooner! Bwha. Kisses.