Chapter 8-Remembering and Running

Time went by, but this day found Lothiriel sitting in her study reading. She didn't know her reasoning but she had picked up a book on Rohan history. She felt it was important. However, she had trouble getting interested. It was so different as far as how it was written that she couldn't concentrate. The talks of the first King of Rohan were interesting, though. Eorl was the whole basis of their nation and she found it fascinating.

She was much more interested in the Third line of Kings, though. In other words, she was more interested in Éomer. She had to admit that she found him to be…what is the word…dreamy? No, and yes at the same time. Not in a silly little girl way, but in a respectful and admirable way. He was handsome and kind, and gentle with her. Oddly enough, she felt like she knew him. It felt like they had met before. She remembered him saying something very similar when they first met. She couldn't place it, so she tried not to think of it.

At that moment a knock came at the door and she was shocked to see the person on the other side.

"Éomer?" He looked back at her question and smiled kindly. There was sadness in his eyes and it disturbed her a little.

"My lady…would you like…I mean…" he was stumbling, and it made her nervous. "Would you like to go for a walk with me?"

"Of course." She smiled sweetly. Was it possible to wish that he might care for her as well? They had only known each other a short time, but could he actually be interested in her? He took her arm and led her out the room with a smile. Oh, how she hoped.

She had walked this path before. It was a long time ago, or at least it felt that way. They walked in symphonic melody almost in a trance. But it didn't comfort her, quite the contrary. She felt that such a path should be more memorable. She was uneasy and nervous.

The path strayed a little and Éomer continued to follow it. The sudden change of stones on the floor hinted at the change of levels. She was headed one level down. Éomer didn't look at her once, but she felt his stare somehow.

"My lord, where are we going?" she asked anxiously.

"I wanted to return to a place I haven't seen in some time. I was hoping to face some of my demons."

His focus was elsewhere, but she could feel his concentration. It was full of tension. "Why am I here, then, my Lord?"

"Moral support, I suppose. I was hoping that you would find some solace in the place as well."

"My Lord, you are scaring me." He knew her secret. She was certain of it.

"It is alright, my lady, I hold no harsh intentions."

They walked a while longer and Lothiriel began to notice the opening to a separate section of the normal road. It led into an open alleyway. To either side were many doors in which healers seemed to be freely rushing between.

Forgetting her fright she looked around at the tired faces and enveloped herself with all the emotions she felt at her last experience with this place. "You can hear the cry of the lost past."

"What, my lady?"

"Nothing," she said taking herself out of the trance. "But, the houses of healing? Why here?"

"I almost lost my sister here."

"What? Éowyn?"

"Has your father not told you? He was the one who found her on the pelennor. I thought she was dead but Imrahil, not clouded by emotion, saw the life still in her. She destroyed the Witch King—did you know that? Of course you did. You know everything of my family," he smiled at her, but then was very serious. He looked very sad and heart broken. "That day was the start of the rest of my life, but it was also an end to a life I had always known. In this place I saw my sister come back to life with a heavy heart and no intent to live. It killed me to see her that way, even more so because I wasn't able to save her. Faramir did that, not me."

She felt her heart breaking for him, but she also felt herself getting very anxious about the conversation choice. Why did he have to bring her here? She was already nervous enough about him knowing her secret.

"My lady, I would have you tell me what you remember of this place."

"What do you mean?"

"You were here, my lady. Of that I am sure."

"I was not here. That would have been going against my fathers wishes."

He suddenly understood. She was hiding from her past because it was forbidden to her. How could she have kept such a thing quiet so many years, he wondered. He wasn't about to let go so easily though. He asked the question that burned in him. "Who was he, Lothiriel?"

She stared dumfounded. "What are you talking about?" She was furious with him; they both knew it. He stared at her waiting for an answer. She stared back with pleading eyes.

"Please, my Lord…" she whispered. A flash of something came to her mind—a man in a bed barely holding on to life.

"Lothiriel, I just want to help." A long pause followed as Lothiriel began to feel tears stream down her face.

"Want to help?" her voice rose to a shaky uncontrollable tremble as she stared at him. She could feel her blood boiling. "How exactly do you propose to do that? Trample all over me with concern for…" she trailed off and he saw tears were forming in her eyes. Another flash showed the face of the man in the bed: her once love, Beorn.

"I'm sorry, my lady," he tried to comfort her but she was out of control now. He put his hand on her arm, but she yanked away.

"No, don't tell me how you are sorry! I have spent too many years trying to fix the choices I made."

"But, my lady-"

"NO! It's my turn, my lord." She was going through so many emotions that she couldn't think. "Do you want to know what I remember most about this place? I remember my whole world falling apart. I loved him, I did, and he ruined everything. I…" she stopped. Another flash came. This time it was not the man in the bed but Éomer that she saw. Concern was written all over his face, and then he leaned in and…she looked around for an escape, "I have to go."

She was overcome with every emotion she had always suppressed. She didn't even know she felt such distress over the issue. She had always forced herself to be grown up about it and think logically on it. Now she knew that she felt something akin to heartbreak. She couldn't help but look away from this beautiful man that she had embarrassed herself in front of. She ran. She ran until her feet wouldn't run anymore.

Oh, Éomer, can it be true?

A/N: Sorry it has been a while. I'm slow. Please review! That really gets me into updating.Thanks everyone who continues to read!