The dining hall was mostly empty when Lothíriel entered, though she could see some people sitting at tables, talking with each other over a light breakfast of bread, cheese and fruit. Not feeling very sociable, she put together a plate with enough to take away the edge of her hunger before finding a place at an empty table near the entrance. From her seat she could see outside and through the opening she could hear the boisterous conversations all melding together. As she stared absently, a familiar scent caught Lothíriel's attention. She groaned inwardly as Othil and Cidinneth stepped over the open threshold. The two women noticed Lothíriel immediately and began to walk towards her.

"Princess!" Othil's voice was somewhat shrill and a bit too cheerful. "I am so happy that you are well. After hearing of your ordeal and how scandalously you returned to your, er, true form, we feared that you would hardly be fit to rejoin society for some time."

'Just what would have benefitted you.' Lothíriel had spent enough time in the Gondorian court to hide her reaction. Instead she returned the smile, though it was a cold. "It's always nice to hear that some news has added to a friend's joy." She spoke, her tone dismissive. Whether the sisters didn't realize the intention or chose to ignore it, Lothíriel didn't know, because they took a seat directly across from her.

"Truly I can't think of how mortified I would be to have been carried back across the fields of a foreign country by a foreign, unmarried king with nothing but a cloak surrounding me." Cidinneth reached across and took a small piece of fruit from Lothíriel's plate.

"When you are bleeding and in pain, there are other things on ones mind." Lothíriel sat back, choosing to ignore the meal. Othil nodded, her face a mask of sympathy.

"Of course you were. It's such a good thing that King Éomer was able to whisk you back here to Edoras before you had died." She placed her hand over her mouth delicately. "Oh the thought just causes me to shiver!"

"Then think it no more." Lothíriel worked to maintain her pleasant expression.

"You know he was so anxious as you were being tended to, one might have thought that there was an agreement between the two of you." Othil spoke quietly, "Though I've heard it declared that there is nothing between the two of you."

Some sort of pang resounded within Lothíriel but she managed to suppress it, instead choosing to stand. "We have no agreement between us, now if you ladies will excuse me, I would like to see some of these festivities for myself."

"Don't bother," Cidinneth chuckled, "we thought to explore the events and stalls but most everything is so rural and cheap that anyone of fashion would find themselves quite bored."

"Perhaps that is true and perhaps not,". Lothíriel turned away from the sisters, "but all the same, I wish to see them for myself. Good day." She walked as quickly as she could without causing pain in her side.

It didn't take very long for her to step out into the sun and see multitudes of rohirrim bustling around. Some were sitting in circles singing songs or weaving tales – though most were a combination of the two. From her place atop the hill she could see that outside of Edoras there were races and other competitions occuring. 'Perhaps had I remained a horse I could have raced and won in such competitions.' The thought made her chuckle.

"Is it so rural and cheap that it warrants being laughed at?" A deep voice spoke from behind her. Lothíriel turned around suddenly to see Éomer. The motion brought the brunt of her pain to the surface. 'How long has he been standing there?'

Taking a moment to compose herself she took a deep breath and shook her head. "Not at all. I've been looking forward to witnessing these celebrations for quite a long time. I am simply glad I wasn't made to miss it." Éomer's hard expression softened in slight surprise.

"Well, I am glad you are able to participate as is your wish." He nodded.

"Where is Éowyn?" Lothíriel looked around, searching for her new friend.

"She instructed me to wait for you while she fetched something for you outside the city and then escort you there." He gave a slight smile. "I think she believed you would have not joined us earlier if you were not properly encouraged."

Lothíriel chuckled, "She may have been partly right. I had intended to wander about before adding myself to any particular party." She blushed slightly, "Besides, I don't want there to be any sort of awkwardness between us when we should both be enjoying the beautiful day."

"Hmm." Éomer's expression was thoughtful. After a few moments of silence, Lothíriel decided to lighten the mood.

"I'm actually somewhat surprised you did wait for me. What sort of king follows the orders of his people, let alone his sister?" She grinned up at him.

Éomer seemed surprised again at the question but quickly understood that she was teasing him. "What is a king if not a servant to his people, and beyond that, what is a brother meant to be if not to be directed by his sister?"

"That is something to ponder on, I'm sure." Lothíriel shrugged. "You may escort me if you'd like, though I still intend to wander about before joining your sister." Éomer nodded, his expression returning to the determined stoicism it seemed to adopt regularly.

"Lead on, Princess."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed these little exchanges. I realized as I was writing this that I am not very good at writing passive aggressive banter. Hopefully it came across well.

Let me know how you liked this and I should see you all very soon in Chapter 20!