Lothíriel meandered down the street slowly. Éomer walked behind her, greeting everyone they passed. While most of those people greeted Lothíriel as well, some would stare at her with a strange expression. She would have thought on it more had they not come across several stalls lining the main road.

"My lady," one of the vendors called out, catching Lothíriel's attention. "I have many fine wares for you to see." He held out a few carvings and pointed to colorful shawls.

"These are beautiful," Lothíriel whispered as she inspected one of the figurines. She was not surprised that the imaged depicted was a horse but the detail on the creature was astounding. It was rearing back on it's powerful hind legs, it's tail and mane billowing in the wind. Each muscle was perfectly carved to the point that had Lothíriel not known better, she might have thought some magic had frozen a real horse. She reached out and touched the wood, though it was smooth as butter. "You are truly a master of your craft. I love this, though I don't believe anything I could do with it would do it justice."

"Many thanks for such high praise, my lady." The vendor bowed slightly, his grin growing. "I have other things as well if you would care to look?"

"Of course." Lothíriel nodded. The vendor pulled out a simple, smooth box. He opened it and she saw something she had never seen the like of in Gondor before. Tiny pendants, rings and bracelets all made of wood and polished until they gleamed like marble lay in place. She picked up a bracelet and held it up to the light. All along it tiny carvings of the yellow flowers that Lothíriel had seen as a horse. She couldn't help but smile to herself as she ran her fingers over the carvings.

"You have a very fine eye, my lady." The vendor waited for Lothíriel to place the bracelet down. "That is the rudbeckia, a symbol of pride to our people, though less seen in our regular carvings."

"It is truly lovely." Lothíriel couldn't stop herself from touching it again. "How much is it?"

"Three silver pennies." The vendor's tone turned from salesman to haggler.

"Surely not!" Lothíriel gasped, "I cannot believe that something like this is three pennies!" She could feel Éomer stiffen behind her.

"I believe it to be a fair price, lady."

"I don't!" Lothíriel put her hands on her hips. "For something like this, which I imagine must have taken a great deal of time and effort to make as perfectly as you have, I would pay two gold castars." The vendor's eyes bulged as she named her price and behind her, to her surprise, she heard Éomer laugh.

"In all my years, I don't think I've ever seen, let alone heard of, anyone haggling to increase the price of what they are buying." His guffawed laughter brought attention.

"Well I've never come across anyone who undervalues themselves so much as to only ask for a few pennies!" Lothíriel rounded on Éomer, lifting her chin stubbornly into the air.

"Lady," the vendor's voice was a bit shaky as he spoke. "Most people cannot pay for my wares if I were to charge so much." This calmed Lothíriel somewhat as she turned away from Éomer who was working to stifle his laughter.

"Of course, but perhaps you'll accept a higher price for the bracelet." She smiled using every bit of her charm. "You wouldn't say no to a princess, would you."

"I…um….well…" The vendor shuffled nervously for a few moments before sighing. "If that is what you wish to pay for my work, I appreciate your patronage."

"Wonderful," Lothíriel opened her coin purse before handing over the two coins. The vendor handed over the bracelet, shaking his head with a smile. Lothíriel returned the smile before turning away. As she walked, she noticed that Éomer was no longer walking behind her but to her side. Though he was no longer laughing, he still looked amused.

"I believe you are the worst haggler I've ever come across." He said lightly as they walked.

"Perhaps I'm simply too naïve." She said before letting out her own short laugh.

A/N: Hello everyone! Hope you enjoyed that little exchange. I'm sure the vendor did (haha)! I should be posting another chapter later on today, so look forward to that!

See you soon!