AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Haldir's…, here is the answer to your question.

Some of the scenes in this chapter must seem to have been taken from other fanfics, but I want to assure you guys that it was absolutely necessary for the plot to have such scene in this story. After all, a warrior without strong reflexes would seem very unrealistic.

THE JEWEL OF DOL AMROTH

IX

FORGIVENESS

Next morning, after breakfast, Eomer sought Lothíriel out for a ride.

"We could test your statement about your mare being faster than my stallion" he said, smiling. She could not deny her wish for a ride, so they both left the house and went to the nearby fields of Ithilien.

Lothíriel considered herself a skilled rider, and Eomer seemed satisfied by that. She had been taught to ride astride by Elphir when she was very little, and she had never been bothered to ride with a side-saddle since riding was not something she usually did. Of course, a woman riding astride in Gondor was seen as an obscenity, but Lothíriel did not care about the comments.

Falma was faster than Firefoot in the first miles, as she had predicted, but at last the winner was the Rohirric stallion. She felt her heart jump when she saw Eomer, his eyes bright with the look of victory.

"You said there was a prize, my lady" he said, as he helped her to dismount.

"And a prize there is…" she replied, and kissed his cheek. It was a soft kiss, meant to be only a sweet expression of gratitude from a maiden, but Lothíriel dreaded that he would consider her a flirt… However, Eomer's eyes had no price. He looked just like having been given a trunk full of gold. And he was blushing!

After some moments, he seemed to get himself together and invited her to sit for a while, and contemplate the lush forests of Emyn Arnen.

"Have you slept well yesterday?" Lothíriel asked him. Eomer looked somehow tired.

He seemed to hesitate, but answered:

"To be honest, I did not sleep well last night. Your cousin wanted me to stay at the party, after I walked you to your chambers, but I refused. As a matter of fact, I have been thinking about… us… and the circumstances."

"Oh, I see" was all that Lothíriel managed to say.

"Can I lean my head on your lap, Lothíriel?" he asked out of the blue. "I really need some rest."

She pondered his request. It was not entirely appropriate, and it seemed a little forward to her. However, as they were alone and away from the whispering court ladies and lords from Gondor, she allowed Eomer to place his golden head in her lap.

It did not feel uncomfortable; in fact, his head was quite warm and she was able, for the first time, to touch his hair. Lothíriel was amazed at the fascinating blend of colors; some strands of hair were golden, others were light brown, some others were even red. Her caresses seemed to sooth Eomer, as he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.

Could she learn to love this man? She did not know. What she knew was that she did not want to marry him only to escape from her duty, a duty that had been laid on her shoulders in a very inappropriate way. Lothíriel had decided, the night before, that she would try to reciprocate his feelings, because of her growing affection for him. If she failed, she would return to her home, and focus on her new role of Heiress to Dol Amroth. Having him so close, though, was an excuse to learn more from him.

There was a short scar in his forehead, and his nose was lightly crooked, no wonder because of a punch. His beard tickled her fingers, and she enjoyed playing with it, making some circles around his chin. After all, she was not used to being so close to a male, and she was enjoying her exploration. Her fingers touched accidentally his lips. This was the first time that she ever focused at them. They looked soft and full, and Lothíriel wondered how it would feel being kissed by them… though she had no basis for comparison, since she had never been kissed.

Trying to touch him as lightly as possible, she finally dared to take her fingertip to his lower lip. Before she noticed, there was a massive body on top of her, and a pair of strong hands was around her neck. Eomer's eyes were in flames for a while, and then he got up and walked away from her.

Lothíriel's neck was hurting, but she knew she was to blame because of having forgotten about how warriors react when woken in a sudden way. Her brothers often told her not to disturb them when they were sleeping, because they could not control themselves and could even hurt her. Eomer did not seem to think the same, though.

"It is my fault, Lothíriel. Some part of me still believes we are still at war. With time, perhaps, it might change."

"It would not be very advisable for a warrior to forget his reflexes, I think" she answered, managing a smile.

His hand touched her neck, and his eyes widened when he saw the bruises in it.

"I am deeply sorry… I never expected this to happen…" he murmured.

"And I forgive you, Eomer…" she said, caressing his cheek, the one she had kissed earlier.

His eyes darkened, and Lothíriel began to feel uncomfortable. She dreaded his next words. Why did she feel that way, when she should be flattered, even pleased? Was it not wonderful to be loved? Maybe not, she thought, when you do not love in return.

"I truly thank you for this morning" he said, lifting her chin. She smiled, and he kissed her hand. For a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her.

To be honest, Lothíriel thought it was better that he had not.

Eowyn and Faramir were sitting on some couches in a hall, and seemed to be having an interesting conversation, judging by the way each one looked to the other. Eomer was sorry to interrupt it but his question could not wait.

"Faramir, have your cousin Elphir and his father had some sort of… disagreement… ever?"

"That is a very amusing question. May I know why you ask?" the Steward answered.

"It has to do with Lothíriel, actually" Eomer stated.

Eowyn laughed, but was silenced by Faramir's stare.

"I trust you, brother, being you my wife's kin, but what I will tell you must be kept as a secret for the time being. It would not be very wise to betray my family by divulging one of their best hushed quarrels."

Eomer nodded, and let Faramir began to explain.

"Elphir, as you know, is the mightiest warrior of Dol Amroth, and the leader of the Swan Knights. He is renowned as a skilful swordsman and rider and as a strong commander as well. But he is sometimes too much impulsive and does not think of the consequences of his actions.

"My uncle loves him, as he loves all of his children, but their relationship has always had its ups and downs. He was born in a time when my uncle was often out riding with the Knights, dealing with the Corsairs. Thus, he truly began to spend time with him when Erchirion was born, and Elphir was about four or five years old. My cousin was raised first by his mother, and later by the stable hands and sword trainers. He loves his father as well, but will never forget that he never taught him to ride, or to wield a sword.

"They sometimes did not agree about tactical dispositions and attack styles, but there is a quarrel that I will never forget. It happened before my brother regained momentarily Osgiliath…"

Faramir was silent for a while, perhaps thinking about his brother. Then he continued.

"There was a warning of attack to one of the cities of Dol Amroth, but it was not entirely clear. My uncle considered it to be a threat of ambush, but my brother did not agree with him and, against his orders, went to that city. With him went his most trusted men, some of the finest soldiers of Dol Amroth. It turned out that my uncle was right, and each and all of them were slaughtered savagely, save from my cousin, who was rescued barely alive.

"When he recovered, my uncle scolded him so badly that Elphir was not the same again. My uncle himself told me, later, that he repented from doing it even in front of his wife. Lothíriel does not know this, by the way. She was in Lamedon at that time, visiting her mother's kin.

"Last time I saw him, he looked as good-humored as always, but there was some sadness still in his eyes."

Faramir stopped speaking, and Eomer said:

"You have told Eowyn and me a secret, and now I will tell you another. I only hope not to betray the one who told me, but since she trusts you both, perhaps you can help her in a way that I cannot see.

"Elphir has resigned his right to be the next ruler of Dol Amroth in secret, and you uncle has agreed that Lothíriel takes his brother's place as an heiress."

After hearing the full tale, Eowyn gasped and Faramir shook his head.

"He has not yet forgiven himself, then… from what happened." He said at last.

"Lothíriel told me she does not understand why her brother would do such a thing. She feels that Elphir's motives are not entirely clear." Eomer replied.

"We know, Eomer, how you feel about her" Eowyn said, taking his hand. "It was clear for us last night, and we are really happy for you both. I don't know if my opinion can be of help in this matter but I think that it would be better for a man to speak with Elphir, rather that Lothíriel or another woman."

Faramir smiled to him.

"In many things, Elphir and you are very much alike. He will listen to you and reconsider his decision. If you succeed, Lothíriel would be thankful to you all of her life. She loves her eldest brother very much. In fact, they were very close, until he married."

As Eomer took his leave, he added:

"Treat Lothi carefully, brother. She may be still innocent, but she is as canny as any lady of the court of Minas Tirith. Smart women can be both a blessing and a curse."

Eowyn did not waste time and hit him with a pillow, saying: "You have to admit it is more of a blessing!"

Eomer laughed soundly, as his brother-in-law managed to say:

"I… do… admit it! Now let me go!"

Pillow fight had just begun.