Lothíriel blinked up at the ceiling as she heard a knock on the door, waking her from her dreamless sleep. The previous day had been enjoyable, especially after Amrothos had returned from his journey to the kitchens. Together with her brother, Lothíriel had told Éowyn some of her misadventures in Dol Amroth and Minas Tirith. In such company, the time had passed quickly before the healer had returned and declared that Lothíriel should sleep.
Now, growing more awake with each passing moment, Lothíriel found some of her strength had returned. She pushed the blankets off of her before pulling herself – someone gracelessly – to a stand before making her way to the door. Pulling it open she glanced out before letting out a short gasp. Just outside the door stood Éowyn accompanied by Éomer. Before Lothíriel could say anything Éowyn stepped forward.
"Good morning," she chirped in rohirric. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better." She added in Westron.
"Good morning," Lothíriel repeated the rohirric greeting before reaching for a shawl hanging on a chair. She reached a little too far and her body gave a spark of pain in protest to the stretch, causing her face to grimace from the pain. For a brief moment, Lothíriel thought she saw Éomer's face change. 'Is he concerned? Surely not. I must be imagining things.' "What are you doing here?"
"The festivities are about to begin and Éomer is going to be joining me, but I thought before we go, I might see if you were fit enough to join us." Éowyn smiled.
Lothíriel glanced up to Éomer, trying to gauge his reaction, but when she was unsatisfied she gave a small shrug. "I am feeling better, but I have yet to be dressed for such activities. Besides, the healer needs to check my wounds again before anything. Surely you will enjoy yourselves more without having to wait for me to ready myself." Éowyn's face showed her disappointment.
"That's unfortunate," she sighed lightly, "after yesterday, I was looking forward to showing you around."
"Once I am ready, I have every intention to see the festival. Should you still be about when I do, I can join you then, so long as you still have the mind to lug around a rather slow, and naïve princess." She saw Éomer's cheek twitch though the rest of him remained determinedly stoic.
"That is a fine idea," Éowyn nodded. "We will make sure to keep an eye out for you." She pulled on Éomer's arm. He complied with his sister's direction, nodding once to Lothíriel.
Lothíriel shut the door, leaning on it for a few moments. 'I don't know what to make of that man! First he's kind and gentle, then he is rude and declares I'm unfit to be queen, then he shows up with his sister and behaves indifferently?' She shook her head and stood up straight, making her way silently to her bed.
She wasn't there for long before another knock on her door sounded, though it opened before Lothíriel could stand. The healer and her maid, Calarel, walked into the room, greeting the princess quietly.
"It's good to see you up, my lady." Calarel was carrying a dark green dress that Lothíriel briefly remembered packing. "We passed Lady Éowyn and King Éomer on our way and they mentioned that you would be joining them later?"
"I would advise that you not push yourself too hard this morning, my lady." The healer pulled off the poultice once the nightdress had been removed. "Your wounds have completely closed, though too much strain and they may reopen." She stood and handed a small vial to Lothíriel. "If you in too much pain, drink some of this and return to bed quickly."
"I will be careful, I promise." Lothíriel nodded to the healer, taking the offered vial. The healer smiled before leaving the room. Lothíriel turned to face Calarel directly. "And I think I'll see to having something to eat before making my way outside. While I'm more than eager to join Lady Éowyn, I would hate to any discomfort to the king by being present." She couldn't help but feel a bit petulant as she spoke the words.
"Nonesense, my lady." Calarel began to pull the green dress over Lothíriel's head. "I doubt any man would find being in your presence to be a discomfort unless you planned on being one ahead of time."
A/N: Hooray, another chapter bites the dust! So happy to have received a few reviews from you guys, glad that my story has been entertaining thus far! I'm actually really surprised that it's been taking so long to finish. When I first started this, I was expecting it to take 10-15 chapters to come to a decent conclusion, but the characters are taking their time.
The next chapter shouldn't take too long to write out, so see you soon!