Chapter 19: How Dare You!
In the weeks that followed Lothiriel did everything in her power to see the outside of the Great Hall with Eodred. She would wake up, eat breakfast, converse with Éowyn and then set out for the outside world. She would meet Eodred at his family's shop and they would go for a picnic and have fun being regular people, a thing Lothiriel had never experienced before. Then she would come home in enough time to eat dinner and go to bed.
Word had been spreading throughout Edoras about Lothiriel's escapades and everyone seemed to hear the story of the handsome young man who had "stolen her heart away." It was still a strange situation for most people. Most of the nobles thought it trash, while the commoners found it to be a bit of hope. Either way, it seemed everyone knew about it. Except one very irritated young man.
"Where is Lothiriel?" Éomer asked impatiently as he slammed his silverware on the dinner table.
Everyone looked around wondering how to break the news to him. Everyone knew that Éomer had a thing for Lothiriel whether he admitted it or not. Legolas, however, knew there was more in his heart. He had seen it in his eyes when Gimli and he had arrived that first day. Éomer cared for her, he just didn't know it yet, or didn't accept it. Now Legolas, since he had been the first to see the young soldier and Lothiriel together, almost felt responsible for telling Éomer.
"My lord…" he began but got no further as the door to the Great Dinning Hall opened and there stood Lothiriel with a young man. The young man bent down and kissed Lothiriel's hand before turning around and leaving the smiling girl.
At the sight Éomer was immediately on his feet and out of the door after the young man.
Lothiriel, seeing Éomer, was not far behind.
Éomer was, in a word, furious. He was breaking a sweat he was so angry. He marched like a tiger about to prance on its prey. The young man was only a short distance ahead of him and looking cheerful. Éomer knew, with all certainty, that that cheery attitude would soon be gone. He was just about to catch the man unaware when a scream came from behind him, "Éomer! No!"
At the words the young man turned around to look upon Lothiriel and instead got a mouthful of Éomer's fist. The crowd gasped and Lothiriel was upon Éomer in seconds.
"What do you think you are doing, sir!" she yelled defiantly at the king, but he was not paying any attention to her.
"How dare you impugn her honor!" he yelled at the young soldier whose mouth was trickling out blood.
"My Lord, please…"
"You dare ask forgiveness? What did this young woman do to deserve such a scoundrel of intentions? You would kiss her hand in public and not call upon her? And what's more, you are a soldier, she is a princess, what says you to the impropriety of it?"
At this moment the guests of the house had come out, as had many of the commoners. The streets were littered with confused looks and angry gestures. The king was above all of them, but it did not secure their blessing in his brutal beating of one of their people. When Éowyn exited the Great Hall, however, everything seemed to change. She seemed furious and everyone around her seemed to be begging her with their eyes to fix the Kings mood. If anyone could do it, it would be her.
"Brother!" she screamed and all talk ceased, including Éomer's. "What are you doing?"
"Taking care of some business, sister."
"And what is this man's offense?"
"Insulting Imrahil's house, of course. You all saw what he did."
"I saw him kiss a young girl's hand. Do you not do the same when she exits a room?" Éomer's face went red and his eyes for a second darted to Lothiriel. "Oh that's right, you have not enough courtesy to do that honor. I must say, brother, that I see no offense here except your own."
His eyes went wide as he looked at his sister. His angry feet could not find sanctuary on the ground below him, so without his knowledge he began to approach Éowyn. "My own? You dare accuse the king of an offense?"
Everyone seemed scared of his sudden change, but Éowyn barely flinched at his approach. "Calm down brother. Your anger is making you sound arrogant. How about we adjourn this meeting until we can find a place to discuss it with far less visitors." She looked around at all the passers-by who stared in amazement. Éomer understood and started to move toward the Great Hall, but then something grabbed him and spun him around.
Before he even saw the brown hair and beautiful blue eyes her fist was in his face.
A/N: Ok, I'm bad and it is short, but I couldnt find a way to make it longer. I think its an interesting chapter, though. It's kind of the turn around point. Hope you like it, I promise because it is short I won't waste my time updating again soon. Thanks everyone for all of the reviews! I really really really enjoy reading them! Well, enjoy, cheers!