The activity in the camp was lively, but Lothíriel hardly paid attention as she watched her father's tent in the center of the encampment grow closer with each step. Eventually all came to a halt, and her strange instinct called her to halt as well. As they were announced, Lothíriel saw the flap of the tent move as her father and eldest brother exit. Éomer and his party dismounted and her father and King Éomer joined hands jovially.
"Good morrow, my friend!" Éomer's tone was light and friendly. He clapped Elphir lightly on the shoulder. "I am glad to see you this morning. I regret that I was unable to greet you properly after you arrived last evening."
"The sun had already dipped past the horizon by the time we had set up camp, and it is better to see a friend when one has had a few hours of sleep to rely on." He father laughed. "I see that you have brought a whole entourage with you, and perhaps," he paused, looking carefully at Lothíriel, "a gift?" Seeing her father's attention, she whinnied lightly, hoping to somehow express to him who she really was.
Éomer laughed at the quizzical expression on her father's face and shook his head. "She was standing unattended at our front gates and we wondered if she belonged here."
"I have never had a horse so fine in my life," he returned the laugh, "though part of my wishes it were in my nature to lie and claim her for myself."
"Well, in the land of Rohan, honesty is a commodity that is valued as much as the food in our larders and the mead in our halls." He stood silently for a few moments. "I've actually come with the hope to meet your daughter without all the formality of being in the court. Is it likely that she is awake? I know the hour is rather early."
Her father waved his hand. "I'm sure she will be rousing herself soon enough. Perhaps while we wait, your horses can be tended to and you can join me as I break my fast." Éomer nodded and the rest of his party dismounted from their own horses. With a fluidness that bespoke years of performing the task, a Amrothian man stepped forward, guiding the horses – and Lothíriel between them – towards a large fenced in bit of open grass, just past the large tent. While inside, Lothíriel immediately spotted her own horse, Starlight, the white mare who had been by her side since she had first learned to ride. As she approached Starlight, the mare sniffed Lothíriel with interest for a few moments. Before anything else could happen, the same young man carried two large buckets to the trough before dumping the clear contents into it.
Without realizing what she was doing, she began to trot over to the water, and just as she was bending down her head to the water for a drink she realized what she was doing. Lifting her head with a snort, she looked around embarrassed. 'I'll never be able to convince anyone who I am if I behave like an animal!' She sniffed a few times and she felt the pangs in her stomach from hunger. The carrots had not been nearly enough to satisfy her. 'What is there to eat?' She looked around and saw that most of the horses were grazing on the green grass. 'Oh no! There has to be something other than that around here.' But after a cursory search she saw that there was nothing else to be had. She began to look somewhat longingly on the grass. 'Perhaps if I get some attention from the stable boy.'
She trotted closer to the tent and began to neigh, nodding her head a few times. After being ignored, she looked at the fence and began to wonder if it would be best to just leave the enclosed area and search for something on her own. She inspected the length of the enclosure and resolved that there was not enough room for a proper running start. 'If only the people were a little less proficient at tending to their animals.' She sighed inwardly.
Her thoughts on her empty stomach were not there for long. She saw her maid running from what had been Lothíriel's tent towards her father's.
"My lord!" She sounded frantic. Within the tent, she could hear – many thanks to her enlarged ears – the people standing and she could have sworn she heard a sword being pulled from its sheath. As the maid entered, Lothíriel heard her father's concerned voice.
"What is it, Calarel? What is wrong?"
"She…My lord," Calarel began to stammer, her breath heaved.
"Calm yourself," her father spoke gently. "Bring me a chair." He waited for a few moments before saying, "Now seat yourself and tell me what is the matter."
"I cannot my lord." She sounded calmer now, though there was still a tremor in her voice. "Princess Lothíriel is gone!"
"What do you mean she is gone?" She heard King Éomer's voice. Lothíriel hated that she couldn't see past the fabric and watch the conversation unfold.
"I went to go and wake her for the day, and when I entered, I saw that she was not in bed. That did not alarm me at first, as the princess may have awoken to, erm," she paused and her voice grew quieter, "relieve herself." But when I exited, no one had seen her since we made camp last night. So she must be gone!"
"Try to be calm." Her father spoke gently to the maid. "Remain here and I will send some guards out to search for her. I'm sure that she is fine." She could tell by the tone of his voice that his words were meant to calm her. 'I'm sorry for worrying you, Father. I'm sorry Calarel.' Lothíriel gave a silent apology.
"Éothain, gather some of the Dol Amroth guards and search the surrounding areas." King Éomer's voice spoke with the clear tone of authority. "I will remain in Edoras for the time being. If she still has not been found by noon, we will make further plans." She watched as Éothain exited the tent and barked orders to another Rohirrim before approaching and instructing a group of Swan-Knights. They stood at attention and moved into action within moments.
"Imrahil, my friend," Éomer spoke calmly. "Éothain is one of the best trackers I have ever met. Unless the princess sprouted wings, he'll find her."
"Even if she sprouted wings, I'll bet he'd find her just to please you, Éomer." Éowyn's tone was calm, but she could sense a tension in her tone.