AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Here I go with the fourth chapter. Hope you like it. We get to know more of their growing relationship.
Read and review please!
THE JEWEL OF DOL AMROTH
IV
AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY
Everything that has a beginning has an end, and Lothiriel's trip to Rohan was no exception. Four weeks after her arrival to Edoras, Eomer received a letter from Prince Imrahil, asking him permission for his daughter to leave the country, due to some "private matters" the Prince needed to discuss with her. Eomer made no objections and ordered a feast to be held in honor of the Princess, before she left.
He had to admit of him being fond of the Princess's company. If fact, these days, an idea had come to his mind. He didn't know her very well; their daily conversations were centered in politics, differences between Rohan and Dol Amroth, the weather, and stop counting. And, surprisingly, he decided that he wanted to know the woman behind the lady, or at least have a glimpse of her. Why? He didn't know.
It had been a long, busy day. First, a plan to enforce the safety of Edoras, which thanks to the good advice of the Princess, had been well received by the members of the government council. Then, he had to approve some new laws and decrees. Lunch came after, with Gamling and Eothain, since the Princess had requested to go somewhere into the city. She was probably living up to her fame, thought Eomer. "Let her be", Eowyn had said and he had a promise to fulfill.
The Marshals left and he was alone, again, in the Golden Hall. Alone, with nothing to do, since there was not any meeting the next day, and any plans to prepare or speech to rehearse. A sudden desire of going to the Barrowfield took him, perhaps moved by the memory of his uncle, or the less frequent, but still present headaches he got every time he met his advisors.
Théoden's grave was covered in simbelmynë, as he remembered it. However, he saw something he did not remember in there. Was it a rock? No, it could not be. When he got close, he distinguished a hooded figure, seated in the grass, unaware of being watched.
As he went nearer, he noticed that the figure was speaking slowly, in Rohirric. He couldn't help feeling pride when the voice pronounced each word. Carefully, he managed to hide behind a tall bush and catch a glimpse of the face behind the grey hood.
It was Lothiriel.
A rush of blood came suddenly to Eomer's head. For the woman seated in the grass seemed very different from the Gondorian lady he had welcomed into the Golden Hall a month ago. Her gaze always fixed in that ubiquitous little brown notebook, she looked so pale, almost transparent. Even so, he could tell she was excited, by the way her cheeks flushed now and then, as she read every sentence. Some strands of her raven hair fell softly over her forehead, but they couldn't stop her from being concentrated. So concentrated, in fact, that for a moment Eomer thought that she was conjuring some sort of spell.
He reminded himself that she was only reading the song of Eorl. And he also reminded himself that he had never noticed that the Princess of Dol Amroth was a beautiful woman. Graceful, smart, elegant, elven-like, but not beautiful.
Somehow, he must have made some kind of noise, because the next thing he saw was a quite surprised pair of green eyes staring at him.
"Mae govannen, my lord. I did not expect finding you in here…" she said as she got up and hurried to do a curtsey, her face now flushed with embarrassment.
"Well met, lady Princess", he replied. Still not recovered from his discovery, Eomer told her "I did not expect coming here, myself. An impulse took me and here I am. It is been a while since I visited the resting place of my forefathers."
She must have felt confident, because her face looked less pink than some minutes before.
"I come here, from time to time, to practice my Rohirric. I suppose I'm not causing trouble in coming here…"
"You are most welcome in this place and in all of Rohan" Eomer assured her, sitting and gesturing her to sit again. "I am most sure that my forefathers are more than pleased to hear a young female voice learning our beloved language… as I am".
Lothíriel blushed again and now Eomer felt uncomfortable. He was fully aware that this was their first non-political conversation ever since the Princess arrived to Edoras. They were talking not as a king and his advisor, but as a man and a woman. And unfortunately, he found he did not know what to say.
She knew, however.
"I remember you said something abut racing across the fields, my lord. Perhaps you have forgotten…"
"Oh, yes, my lady, now I remember" Eomer answered. Silently he thanked Lothíriel for this new topic of conversation. "You said that your Falma can hold herself against any horse of the Mark".
"Including your Firefoot" she said with a grin.
Eomer stifled a laugh. "Are you sure, lady Lothíriel? For my Firefoot is a war horse and more powerful that many horses in this land. I do not want to sound offensive but…"
"Yes, I know what you are trying to say…" Her smile was so delightful that Eomer almost failed to listen to her words. "I suppose I forgot to tell you she is only deadly at short distances".
"Much like some Dwarf we know" Eomer murmured. That made Lothíriel laugh quietly, and he laughed as well.
New topics arose every minute. He told her about his childhood adventures with Eowyn, when they used to escape from their lessons and came to play in the forest, and almost always Theodred and his eored found them and took them back to the castle, and then they would come up with some hilarious "revenge". Lothiriel laughed harder with this. In return, she told him some mischiefs she and her favorite brother, Amrothos, had plotted, always concerning their older brother.
"It seems, my lady, that we have played the same games in our childhood" Eomer stated, as they both laughed.
"I would pay to see Elphir the same way you left Theodred that day!" she answered. His face became stern for a while, remembering his late cousin, but he went on telling her some more adventures.
They continued talking until the sun began to hide after the hills. Her laughter was like the sound of ringing pearls. Now wait a second, he thought. What is going on in here? Why is his heart beating so fast, his tongue willing to speak more so she may laugh again and again and again…?
"It is getting darker. We should return" she noticed.
They returned, as the last rays of the sun covered the mountains. and Eomer gave her his cloak in order to protect her of the cool wind. Back in Meduseld, he still felt that the Hall was windy, and his heart had an empty space.
The next day, the feast in honor of Lothiriel was held. Some hours before, the servants were running to and fro, managing to get everything that was needed for the feast. Hild, as Chief Housekeeper, was the one in charge of the preparations. She seemed distracted and even annoyed while she gave orders.
She was giving some instructions to a girl when Eothain, her husband, appeared. Appointed Second Marshall of the Mark by the king, he didn't see his wife very much as he was always traveling. But, instead of being cheerful for his coming, Hild greeting him coldly.
"Don't you think I haven't seen you", she said.
"I don't understand you, my darling" he replied, taking off his coat. "Come, give me a hug". But she refused.
"I've seen you, Eothain of Aldburg, the way you look at that girl" Hild said, angrily. "And the way you talk to her. And the way she talks to you. I'm not deaf!"
Eothain looked puzzled.
"What girl, my dear?" was all that he could say. Hild started sobbing hysterically:
"That girl, that one! The King ought to know about this! I will tell him myself!"
"Tell me what?"
Eomer was standing there ever since he heard some loud noises.
"Mistress Annis" he said to one of the women "take mistress Hild to the healer's room and make sure she feels calm. Eothain, I want a word with you. In my study".
When they arrived to the study, Eothain was almost in tears.
"I've never, ever been untruthful to her, Eomer" he said. "You know me…"
"I know you, my friend", Eomer answered, "yet I still don't know how come your wife has made such an accusation. Now, let me ask you, who is this girl?"
"That, I don't know. All I can tell you is that you must trust me, Eomer".
"I trust you. Now, please, sit down and tell me."
One day, while he was returning home, Eothain thought that his wife would like some treats, and he went to the market to buy some cakes and sweets. As he walked, he felt a soft tap on his shoulders.
"Excuse me, sir", said a hooded woman. "I know that you are a close friend of the king, and I would like your help."
"I could help you, my lady", he replied, "but I can't talk to a hood", added, smiling to himself. Then the hood disappeared, and instead he saw the Princess of Dol Amroth.
He bowed deeply.
"Lord Eothain, I must trust you a secret, and I hope you can handle it well" she said. "It is my wish to prepare some robes for the king, as a gift, before I return to my homeland. So, as I'm not that familiar with the customs of the Rohirrim, I would like you to help me to design them. Can you do it, my lord?"
"I will do whatever I can to help you, my lady, and to honor my king", he answered.
"I spent that day with her, choosing fabrics and telling her about some facts of history. She was particularly interested in our emblems. I don't know if she ever made those robes but… I imagine that Hild saw that and…" Eothain seemed more depressed.
"It is alright, friend" Eomer laughed. "I would have done the same in her instead. Being young and pretty sometimes makes people suspicious. And being foreign makes it even worse. It is my fault, mostly, for haven't prevented her. But I appreciate her "secret". And I'll make sure that tonight Hild would have understood and forgiven you."
The feast was magnificent, and all the attendants were happy. There were plenty of food and plenty of ale, the music was excellent, and Eomer was pleased. And the Princess seemed pleased, too. Here and there, people were holding toasts. However, the moment in which Gamling cleared his throat, the entire hall was filled with silence.
"Blessed be thee, King of the Eorlingas", he shouted. "Hail, Eomer Eadig!"
"Hail!" roared the entire crowd.
Never in his life, had Eomer been so cheered like that.
"It seems that you are being a good king, after all" said a soft voice. It was Lothiriel. She was wearing a light blue dress, and her wavy hair was loose and fell like dark cascades over her shoulders.
"It is you who I must thank for the service you have done to me and my country, Princess" Eomer answered. "I asked you once how I could repay you. I'm afraid I must repeat it again".
"You have repaid me enough, my lord. In this month I have walked all through Edoras, met your people, admired your land, learnt your language and even" and in her cheeks was a touch of pink "contemplated a sunset in some entertaining company. There is no more than I can ask, only permission to visit Rohan again, if I can".
"There is nothing I could do to forbid you the entrance to the Riddermark, my lady. You have won that permission all by yourself."
She smiled at his words.
A servant came, bringing some glasses with wine. Eomer took two glasses and handed one to the Princess. As they drank, he noticed that she was trembling.
"Are you cold, my lady? I can ask for a cloak if you need one…"
"Nay, my lord. Perhaps I'm a little anxious to travel back to Dol Amroth. But right now I'd wish to speak to you about some matters".
Eomer noticed then that Ceolwyn, the maid, was right behind them, carrying a package.
Lothíriel took it and gave it to Eomer.
"For you, my lord", she said. "Ceolwyn and I have prepared it and hope it would be of your linking."
Eomer opened the package and found some green robes. The fabric was the softest he had ever touched, of the finest velvet that has ever been found in the Mark. The delicate golden embroidery seemed waved by the Elves themselves, and he couldn't help but staring at the lady's hands, those hands that had sewn the clothes he was holding. He was touched by this gift of a woman who, being herself royalty, didn't mind to sew for a man she barely knew.
Giving the package to a servant, Eomer looked to his companion.
"Would you accompany me, Princess?" Eomer said. "I need some fresh air".
He led her to a small garden. The moon shone proud across the dark sky. Proud and wise, like her eyes. Almost elven.
"Before you leave, there is something you must know. There has been a misunderstanding between lord Eothain and his wife. She thought that he and you were… flirting".
Lothiriel laughed mockingly. Then, as if remembering with whom she was speaking, she was silent again.
"Flirting? And what is you opinion in the matter, my lord king?"
"I have already talked to Eothain, and he has told me about the market and your "secret"" Eomer stated.
She laughed softly.
"And I suppose now you and Eothain's wife have to work out this misunderstanding."
"That I will, my lord" she said. "It is my fault, perhaps, for being too friendly with people. It will not happen again, I promise".
He nodded, as an answer.
Eomer felt he had to thank her for the gift but she interrupted his thoughts.
"Perhaps you are wondering why I bothered myself to sew you some robes, including a misunderstanding with some wife" Lothíriel said. He looked at her.
"I saw you there, in the House of Healing. In those days I was helping the healers. You used to sing to Eowyn, before she recovered from the Black Breath. I was deeply moved by your love for your sister, and I promised myself that, if we ever met again, I would do whatever I could to help you, for it seemed to me you were a good man".
Perhaps that was the best compliment he had ever been given in his entire life.
"You are truly the jewel of you people, Lothiriel of Dol Amroth".
"Nay", she said, "I seem to be witty now and then, but I have my silly times too."
"Now that I know you better" Eomer answered "I can say you are more witty than silly".
They both smiled and went back to the hall.