A/N: Elwen of Lorien asked about this in her review, and I thought some of the rest of you might also be wondering - "Wouldn't the guard notice if two people rode in on horses and only one rode out?" Yes, he would. The way I am picturing all this, is that there are various access points to the beach - the stairs down from the palace itself, stairs to the town and a road/path down from the palace grounds. Each of these would be guarded since all would be access points to the royal family/palace. (There might be others that I didn't bother to think about since I didn't need them for the story.) The guard on the road/path gate wouldn't be concerned about Eothain riding out with the two horses since he would assume the Princess had merely gone back to the palace another way and left Eothain to care for the horses. Hope that helps clarify what I am envisioning!
Have you noticed a trend toward me including Eothain in my stories lately? I am becoming quite fond of him! And there two more bits with him in this story (one below). I'm thinking, though, I need to give him a girl! Poor guy is always there and helpful and wonderful but no one loves him!
Chapter 4
After a light breakfast, taken early, the party set out for Ithilien. They had only been riding an hour when Eomer noticed Lothiriel fidgeting in the saddle. Dropping back to ride alongside her, he asked, "Is something the matter? Are you unwell?"
She gave him a rueful grin. "I fear I am not so accustomed to riding as you Rohirrim are. Just that little bit yesterday has made me sore and I am sure I will be even more so by the time we get to Emyn Arnen."
Eomer frowned, wishing there was something he could do to ease her plight, but knowing he could not. "Perhaps we should have brought a carriage for you…" he began to suggest, but she cut him off.
"I grant you I am in some discomfort, Eomer, but I do not wish to be sequestered away in a carriage for this entire journey. There is far too much to be seen that is better seen from horseback than from a carriage window. I assure you, I will manage. Do not concern yourself on my behalf."
Realizing the sensibility of her reasoning, he gave in, but he remained at her side and they talked of Ithilien and Emyn Arnen, which Eomer had never seen before.
When they camped for the night, Eomer discovered just how out of her element Lothiriel was in the wilds. All her experience was within a household and she was ill-prepared for outdoor living. It rather pleased him to be able to return her kindnesses to him by taking the lead in organizing the camp and seeing that all were comfortably settled in for the night. And in spite of the primitive conditions, Lothiriel still managed to prepare a tasty meal for their supper. Eomer had expected they would bring along servants to do the cooking and other chores, but none of the Dol Amroth crowd seemed to expect favored treatment and all pitched in to do what was necessary.
Likely without Lothiriel along, the pace could have quickened and they would have been to Emyn Arnen in twelve long days, but the slower rate her presence dictated put them in the yard of Faramir and Eowyn's home the afternoon of the fourteenth day.
It seemed to Eomer as if he had not seen his sister for many years instead of a few months. He was reluctant to release her after their embrace and, perhaps sensing his feelings on the matter, she even refrained from teasing him about it. Even so, it was evident to Eomer how truly happy Eowyn was, and it was equally clear that Faramir doted on her just as much now as he had prior to their wedding.
Eagerly they welcomed their families into their home. The Dol Amroth relations had already seen most of the house, with just a few new things since their last visit, but it was all new to Eomer, and Eowyn delighted in showing it to him, room by room. While they took their tour, Faramir led his own family to his study and provided refreshment so the siblings could be alone together. They passed the time, waiting for Eomer and Eowyn to join them, by catching up on the news.
Upon their appearance, Eomer was reminded of Lothiriel's difficulties traveling by horseback and softly suggested to his sister that she might appreciate a hot bath. When he told her the reason, she quickly whisked Lothiriel away to see to her needs and left the men to talk further.
Eventually mention of Lord Gamulf came up and everyone regaled Faramir with their particular objections to the man. For the most part, Eomer kept somewhat silent, not wanting to reveal too much of what Lothiriel had done lest her father disapprove, but finally he could keep silent no longer. "I must say, Faramir, your cousin is a marvel," he announced, pouring himself more wine.
Faramir arched an eyebrow at the comment, and her family turned curious eyes to him, as Faramir questioned, "Indeed? How so? I know I think her quite marvelous, but what is your reason for thinking so?"
Eomer hesitated, wondering if he had stuck his neck out too far, then carefully explained, "I have never seen anyone so skillfully keep someone at bay as she has done with Gamulf, and half the time the man was practically thanking her for doing so! She provided just the right amount of flattery with enough fine words that she had him believing she was the most charming hostess he had ever encountered. And all the while, she was thwarting his many attempts to keep me working every waking hour! I have already told her I intend to kidnap her and give her Gamling's job." He chuckled as he remembered the circumstances in which he had uttered that declaration.
Lothiriel's brothers were passing looks between them at the king's hearty approval of their sister, and Faramir couldn't miss what route their thoughts were likely taking, but her father's demeanor was altogether different. At Eomer's words, he had stiffened, and then brusquely announced, "I am happy to lend you my daughter while you are in Dol Amroth, Eomer, but do not think I will so easily part with her when you are gone."
His words hung in the air, leaving a chill, and Eomer blinked in surprise at the cold response. Attempting to lighten the frosty atmosphere, Erchirion chimed in, "Forgive Father, Eomer. He absolutely dotes on our dear sister, and would not know how to manage without her. He will be hard pressed to share her with any man, even in marriage."
The others chuckled nervously and Eomer responded, "Alas, I was only jesting. I know full well Imrahil would never allow me to steal away his precious daughter. I am sure she must prove equally useful to him."
Despite the pleasant banter, however, Faramir noted there still lingered a tinge of tenseness. He had always been good at reading situations and men, and there was far more going on here than the spoken words had revealed. Clearly there was much to discuss privately with his cousins during their visit. In the meantime, he turned the conversation to other, safer topics and the relaxed feel eventually returned to their company before they were summoned to supper.
Over the next few days, Faramir and the men frequently rode out to show Eomer the surrounding country, and even to do a bit of hunting. Lothiriel was content to be out of a saddle, and ease her aching bones and muscles for a time before they continued on to Minas Tirith. Eowyn knew well that it was best to keep moving, and even ride a little, while overcoming her discomfort, so she made it her project to keep Lothiriel busy in ways that her muscles would be used, but not excessively. If the girl sat still too long and stiffened up, they might never get her back in the saddle when the time came.
Progress had been made on laying out Eowyn's garden, and Lothiriel gladly worked with her getting plants in the ground and preparing the soil for further plantings.
Faramir had made Eowyn aware of the somewhat tense exchange that had taken place after Eomer's idle comment about Lothiriel, so she took occasion to chat with the girl and learn what she could of the situation. Eventually, Lothiriel confessed to her what she had been doing, but admonished her not to make it generally known as her father might not approve.
When Eowyn related Eomer's comment about kidnapping her and Imrahil's reaction, Lothiriel sighed. "I know. Father is torn. He knows I must marry and leave home one day, but he fears that day tremendously. I very much suspect that is the real reason I have not been allied with some man yet. I am certain there have been offers made, but he has rejected them all. Amrothos claims he finds some trivial reason to do so as an excuse not to part with me." She paused, then looked sadly at her cousin's wife. "I think in me he sees my mother, and losing me would mean losing her all over again. I would someday wish to marry and have a family of my own, but I confess I am reluctant to do so since I know it will break his heart when I go."
Impulsively, Eowyn hugged the girl tightly. After a few moments, she declared, "Then we will just have to help him get used to the idea. You should not be held hostage to his memories."
Lothiriel smiled wanly at her, but gave no response. She was torn on this matter – by what she wanted to do and what she did not want to do. How could she secure her own happiness at the expense of her father's? Ever since the War ended, and she became aware of his struggle in the matter, the problem had gnawed at her, with no possible resolution evident.
xxxxx
The visitors had intended originally to stay only a few days and then move on to the White City, but Eomer was in no hurry to depart knowing that Gamulf was awaiting him in Minas Tirith. There it would not be so easy for Lothiriel to assist him, and he was determined to get in as many days of freedom as he could before then. He had sent word on to Minas Tirith, advising of the delay and claimed it was due to Lothiriel's need for a longer recovery from the trip before attempting the next leg of their journey. Eomer had not consulted her about using her as an excuse, but he did not think she would truly mind as no one would think ill of her for such a thing.
Nevertheless, the day after sending the dispatch, he sought her out. It took a while to locate her, curled up on a bench in the unfinished garden, reading one of Faramir's books. Not being one much content with just sitting, Eomer suggested they go for a walk and she readily agreed. They walked in silence for some time before Eomer confessed what he had done, using her as an excuse for lingering in Emyn Arnen.
She laughed at his sheepish expression. "So? I am still assisting you in eluding Lord Gamulf, am I?"
He chuckled and looked at the ground. Finally he shrugged. "I could think of no other reasonable excuse, and since he holds you in such high esteem, I thought he might be tolerant of that particular justification."
Smiling, she took his arm as they continued moving down the path. "It is alright, Eomer. I do not mind. I did vow to help you escape your cage. And take heart, for I have been considering a few thoughts on what might be done once we reach Minas Tirith. I am not without knowledge and influence there as well, and if I enlist the aid of your sister, you just might be surprised at the havoc I can wreak on Gamulf's plans for you!"
xx
Faramir found his wife at an upstairs window staring somberly at something. He moved up alongside her and followed her gaze, discovering Eomer and Lothiriel chatting in the garden. Slipping an arm around her waist he pressed his lips to her temple, murmuring, "What are your thoughts, my love?"
Eowyn sighed, searching for the right words. "I...I very much suspect that my brother may be falling in love with Lothiriel, but after what you have told me of Imrahil's reaction, I am concerned that such a thing would damage their friendship and hurt my brother in more ways than one."
Faramir exhaled a heavy sigh of his own, moving behind her to wrap his arms around her shoulders and lean his head against hers. "Aye. And I think Lothiriel could love him, also. But I think she knows how her father feels, and I am not sure she would ever challenge him on this. Erchirion and Amrothos both say they have tried nudging Imrahil to let her marry, and they even once suggested Eomer as a possibility, but he refused to discuss it with them. As much as he likes Eomer, he does not like any man so much as to want to give up his daughter to him."
Eowyn turned in his arms and looked up at her husband. "Could you talk to Imrahil? You have a way of persuading people like no one else I know, and perhaps he would listen more to you than to his sons."
Faramir smiled at her confidence in him. "I am not so sure even I could persuade him but, yes, I will see what I can do. I think there will be great unhappiness for many people if no one can get through to him."
xx
Eomer could get used to living like this, he thought. Riding, hunting, being with friends and family – and not having to worry about an entire kingdom of problems.
Riding beside him, Eothain chuckled and the king looked over at him questioningly. "You are wrong," Eothain commented, noticing the look he was being given.
"Wrong about what?" Eomer asked. Eothain had an annoying habit of seemingly reading his mind, likely born of all their years of friendship and then serving together in an eored.
"You think you would enjoy a quiet life such as this, but it would drive you mad ere long," Eothain asserted.
Ignoring the fact that Eothain had again correctly determined his thoughts, he asked, "What makes you think that?"
"You are not a man of leisure, Eomer. You never have been. This idyllic existence might tempt you for a time, but soon you would want more of a challenge."
"And worry, and problems, and annoying advice from just about everyone?" Eomer inquired, giving him a pointed look.
Eothain merely laughed. "Well, perhaps not the annoying advice, but you would be bored without all the rest. You just need to find a woman to stand at your side and ease your cares at the end of the day."
"Fine words from a man who is not married," the king observed.
"But I am not king!" Eothain chuckled, digging his heels in his horse's side and moving away.
They were nearing Faramir's home after the day's hunting. As the house came into view and he thought of his sister's happy marriage to the Steward, he could not deny Eothain's solution had merit. He would gladly welcome finding someone whom he could love, and who would love him in return as the other couple did. But meeting such was not so simple a matter anymore. If he had married when he was only Third Marshal, and never expected to ascend to the throne of Rohan, he would have had a better chance of wooing such a lady. But as king, he now faced the constant challenge of finding love rather than merely fulfilling his duty to find a bride and produce an heir.
His advisers were more interested in political or social advantage as the result of his marital alliance. They were not overly concerned about the king's personal feelings. Already they had been putting forth names of women they considered 'good choices' within Rohan, and he knew some of them had been seeking information on eligible women in other lands by which a political union might be formed. Love was nowhere on their list of requirements for the lady.
Ever since he was made king a year ago, it had become clear that women now viewed him as a desirable prize to be won. He knew he was not an unattractive man, and had never suffered for female attention, but now the look in their eyes was that of hunters after prey. They were pleased his looks were appealing, but they were not particularly interested in knowing anything else about him. He was a king, and therefore a good catch. Elessar had been fortunate in being allowed to marry the woman of his choice and avoiding such a thing. Eomer doubted he would be so lucky.
His good mood of earlier had evaporated. And if the morose musings Eothain had spawned with his conversation were not sufficiently bad, he knew he could not delay much longer departing for Minas Tirith. Once there, he would again be at the mercy of Lord Gamulf – well, unless Lothiriel had her way, that is.
At the thought of the lady, he could not restrain a grin. She had claimed to be thinking of ways to help him at Mundburg, and he had learned what a mistake it was to underestimate her. Lothiriel. Now that he thought about it, no one had ever suggested a marriage alliance with Dol Amroth through her. As the daughter of a prince, and technically of a separate land from Gondor, he might have expected her to be first on most lists presented to him, and yet she was not. Ironically, at the moment, she was the only woman he could think of that he might not object to wedding. But her father's response to his admiring comment when they first arrived did not suggest Imrahil would accept any suit he might offer.
Eomer sighed. Why did things have to be so complicated?