A/N: I'm not sure if this qualifies as being magnanimous or not, but I'm posting this chapter a bit early. You still have to wait for the final chapter to find out the resolution though! Sorry!

Was kind of surprised that no one accused me of making Imrahil rather "movie Elrond-y" with his 'She belongs with her people!' speech! And, utsuri, I've already got an idea about what do with Eothain and finding him a girl. After this chapter, he deserves one even more!

Chapter 6

There was more than a little uproar going on at various places in the upper levels of Minas Tirith. When Lothiriel left Faramir, she was not aware of any place in particular that she was going, but found she ended up in the garden behind the feast hall. That early in the morning there was no one around, and she stumbled in as the tears began to slip down her cheeks.

A circular bench had been built around a tree in the back recesses of the garden, and she had always enjoyed its solitude. That was where she went now, her head leaning against the tree as she wept. In truth, she was not entirely certain why she was crying. Of course she was sad to see Eomer leave, as they had become rather good friends during his visit, but... Wiping at her damp cheeks, she gave a sigh. No, that was not entirely true.

Eomer had been handsome and charming and larger than life. And without either of them realizing it, he had completely captivated her. She had thought she so diligently aided him in having a good time during his stay in Dol Amroth because she wanted to be a good hostess. But if she was perfectly honest with herself, her feelings ran far deeper than that. Every laugh, every smile he had expressed had sent a thrill through her, and fed in her the desire to give him cause for more such expressions. He had consumed her thoughts both day and night, and looking back she could see how many things she had done just because she knew it would please him.

Then when he had kissed her, in this very garden, she had dared hope that he might care for her in return. So, why then, two days later, had he suddenly ridden away with no intent to even say goodbye to her? Had she somehow disappointed him? Had he decided her too young and innocent to hold his interest? Had the kiss been merely a reward for all her help, with no real feeling or meaning behind it?

More tears escaped at that thought. Yes, she was young, and foolish, but she had not thought that mattered to him. Apparently she had been mistaken. She had been mistaken about a great many things. Numbly, she sat trying not to think or feel or care. He was gone, and she would return home to whatever fate brought her. There was no comfort in that thought.

xx

Faramir had immediately sought his wife. As it turned out, by the time he reached her, she was dressed and had already learned of her brother's abrupt exit from the city. She met him in the hall, and he caught her elbow, guiding her to the privacy of his study.

"Faramir? What is going on? Eomer's note said little about why he has done this, about why he did not even come to farewell his sister."

Faramir rubbed the back of his neck, and sighed. "I am not sure. I do not believe he told Lothiriel of his plans, and when she accidentally found out and went to see him before he left, he would not say why he was leaving." He sat down heavily in the chair at his desk. "She was devastated, Eowyn. She would not say so, but I saw it in her face."

Eowyn moved behind him and encircled his neck with her arms, kissing his head. But she had little comfort she could offer him. This was as she had feared, and all evidence suggested Eomer's leaving was connected to Lothiriel in some way.

At length, Faramir arose decisively. "I will ask around and see what I can learn. I cannot believe he left without saying anything to anyone. At the very least, he would have said something to the king. Perhaps we can piece together more information if we talk to the others." He looked down at her. "After breakfast, see if you can get my cousins alone and find out what they know. I...do not recommend speaking with my uncle just yet. I am very much afraid this may have something to do with him."

As it turned out, neither Imrahil nor Lothiriel came for the morning meal. Erchirion looked up as Amrothos entered the room, surprised since his youngest brother was usually the last to put in appearance for the first meal of the day.

With some concern, he asked, "Where are Father and Lothiriel? Are they unwell?"

Amrothos flung himself irritatedly into a chair. "Not exactly."

Both Eowyn and Erchirion watched him, waiting for him to continue.

Scowling at the table, he finally told them, "Last night, as the party was dispersing, Eomer and Lothiriel were headed out to the garden and Father followed. A moment later, Lothiriel returned to say goodnight, but Father and Eomer went off to another room. I do not know their conversation, but I can guess. They were only in there briefly before Father stormed out. A while later, Eomer left also, and obviously furious."

Erchirion closed his eyes in discouragement, adding, "And Eomer left Minas Tirith this morning."

Eowyn hadn't realized he knew about that, and it was clear his brother hadn't. "What?" Amrothos exclaimed. "Oh, Father, what have you done?"

The two lapsed into a morose silence while Eowyn contemplated this new information. Finally, she offered, "There is more." Both looked up at her with a bit of trepidation.

"Lothiriel was up early enough to happen upon Eomer before he departed. He would not tell her his reason for leaving, but when Faramir found her a short time later, he could tell she was distraught by the course of events," Eowyn explained.

Erchirion's jaw tightened. "Where is she now?"

Eowyn shook her head. "I do not know. I suspect she has gone somewhere to be alone – and cry."

Amrothos slammed a hand down on the table, startling the others enough to make them jump. "How can Father do this to them?" he asked angrily. "Eomer is a good man, and I am convinced they care about each other! We cannot let this happen!"

Wearily Erchirion answered, "We have tried, Amrothos. He will not listen to us, or to Elphir. And she cannot marry without his consent."

Amrothos stood so suddenly his chair slammed over backwards behind him. "Then we will try again, and again, and again. We will keep trying until he gives in. He cannot do this to her, Erchirion. It is not right."

Quietly Eowyn interjected, "You are not alone in this. Faramir is trying to see what he can learn also. He believes if Eomer told anyone much about his departure that it was the king. Perhaps at dinner we will be able to find out more, once Faramir has had a chance to speak with Elessar."

Though they were not certain why, Imrahil kept to his room virtually the entire day, having servants bring him food there. He at last put in appearance shortly before they were due to join the king for supper. It surprised him to discover the table laid for a meal at home, and when they were all seated, Faramir explained, "Elessar cancelled the feast tonight. There seemed little point now that Eomer is gone."

Imrahil's hand paused as he was raising a wine goblet to his mouth, not having known this before about the King of Rohan's departure. "It is for the best," he murmured impassively, taking a sip and turning his attention to his plate.

With the exception of Lothiriel, the others cast glances at one another, more convinced than ever that Imrahil had had a hand in that departure.

Lothiriel kept her eyes focused on the table, and pushed a few morsels of food around her plate but showed little inclination to actually eat anything. Before everyone else finished the tense meal, she excused herself, pleading a headache, and went to her room. If Imrahil noticed the dispirited demeanor of his daughter, he gave no indication, and left the table soon afterwards himself.

xxxxx

Not long after supper, Eomer disappeared into his tent and the men began settling in for the night a short time later. Once most of the camp was silent, Eothain made his way to the king's tent and the guards announced him. Eomer's grunt was hardly an invitation to enter, but Eothain stepped inside anyway.

Eomer was sitting by the small fire pit in the middle of the room, staring at the embers that were slowly dying out. Eothain dropped down beside him in silence and mimicked his posture for several moments. At length, he asked, "Why, Eomer?"

At first, the king ignored him, then gruffly responded, "Why, what?"

"Why, for pity's sake, are you sitting here when Lothiriel is in Minas Tirith and that is where you want to be?" Eothain queried bluntly. He had known Eomer far too long to bother with niceties.

Rising and moving away from him, Eomer replied, "None of your business."

Eothain stood as well. "Then I am making it my business, you oaf. Whatever happened back there, do something about it! Make it right, whatever it takes! I have never known you to slink away in such a cowardly manner!"

Eomer wheeled on him and hissed, "If you were anyone else I would hit you!"

"If you were anyone else," Eothain retorted, "I would have already hit you, and tried to knock some sense into you! The Third Marshal I served with would not have given up so easily on the woman he loved!"

Angrily Eomer turned away, all too aware of the truth in Eothain's words. Never before had he run from a fight.

"You do not know what you are talking about," he mumbled.

"Why will you not fight for her?" Eothain demanded. "I know you love her!"

"Because!" Eomer exclaimed vehemently. "Because I do not know if she even wants me to fight for her. I could challenge her father only to have her reject me! Yes, I have kissed her – once. She seemed to enjoy it, but that proves nothing. She has been charming and helpful, but she is the daughter of a Prince. She has been well schooled in courtesy and diplomacy toward foreign dignitaries, so that proves nothing. She has done nothing to suggest she harbors any fond feelings for me, and Imrahil has made it plain that he would not have me as her husband. I will not fight for a woman that I do not know if she loves me! Is that what you want to hear?" Eomer stood glaring at his friend, slightly out of breath, his fists balled at his sides.

For an instant, Eothain just blinked at him in surprise, then as the words registered, he replied, "Oh, for pity's sake!"

The next thing Eomer knew he was sitting on the ground rubbing his jaw, and Eothain was rubbing his knuckles. The two glared at one another for several minutes, and then the fire went out of Eothain's eyes as he flopped down next to his friend.

"Eomer, I have seen the two of you together. There is something there. Both of you are drawn to each other, and I am certain – absolutely certain – that the lady cares for you. And you care for her – you love her. How can you just quietly slink back to Rohan and leave her in Gondor? If you do this, you will regret it all your days. Throw me in the dungeon for striking you, and let me rot there, but listen to me now. You must go back to Minas Tirith, and do whatever it takes to convince Imrahil to let you wed her."

The king shifted his position, and rested his elbows on his raised knees while he considered Eothain's words. Lothiriel did care about him, of that he felt sure, but would she go against her father's wishes if Imrahil refused his consent? And what of Elessar? How would this affect their relationship if Imrahil and Eomer became at odds over it? He couldn't very well steal her away to Rohan, nor would he do anything to dishonor her and force Imrahil to allow their union via that avenue, which meant that Imrahil must be persuaded to agree. But how?

Lothiriel's face came into his mind and he could not stifle a smile at the thought. Perhaps she had not said it in so many words, but Eothain was right. She did care for him. Her efforts in his behalf had gone far beyond what any sense of duty should have dictated. It had simply brought her pleasure to see him happy; that had been all the reason she needed. Eothain was right about another thing also – he would regret it all of his days if he didn't fight for her love. Perhaps it was doomed to failure, but he had to try.

Rising suddenly, he told Eothain, "Gather six men to ride with us. And send Garod to me. I will have him take the remainder on to Edoras. If we are not riding under the king's banner, we should be safe enough along the road without the full escort."

Eothain stood and nodded, a slow grin spreading over his face. This was the Eomer he knew so well. "When do we ride?" he asked, suspecting the answer.

"We leave within the hour. Take care not to wake the camp as we prepare," Eomer instructed.