Éomer watched Lothíriel pass the threshold of Meduseld. Although her pace was rather slow, she moved so fluidly that had he not known of her condition, he would never have guessed that she was recovering – quite rapidly – from her wounds. When she was out of sight, he forced himself to turn and begin his trek through the town for the third time that day. With each step, he found himself thinking more and more on Lothíriel.

His feelings for her were somewhat contradictory, rather like the woman herself. She smiled and laughed with such ease and delight that he felt rather drawn to her, but there was also a fire within her that he had not expected. Not in a woman born and bred as a southern, Gondorian princess. If she had been a lady of Rohan, he would have expected as much from her, but perhaps his predjudices against southern breeding had colored his expectations of their behavior. Besides her intelligence, there was also something to be said about her odd transformation.

Horses were the lifeblood of Rohan. For a woman to become a horse, let alone show as much bravery and selflessness as she had – especially after he had heard she believed a woman and child were being attacked – it showed a sense of duty and being that was very attractive. He had spent many years throwing himself into battle after battle, bound by a duty and desire to protect his countrymen and women. But to be put in such a position where he couldn't even communicate properly who he was or what had happened to him, he wondered if he would have the capability to maintain his sanity both during and after returning to his rightful body. He was still pondering this when he heard a shout.

"There you are!" The voice belonged to his captain and best friend, Éothain. "You're supposed to be judging the races and then archery contests very shortly." He clapped Éomer on the shoulder. "Where have you been?"

"I was…escorting the princess back to Meduseld for a rest." Éomer shrugged the hand off and continued walking, picking up his pace. Éothain moved with him, keeping the pace easily.

"It's little wonder that you are late then." Éothian gave him a knowing look.

"Her wound was troubling her." Éomer met Éothain's gaze which faltered for a moment. Although there was nothing romantic between Lothíriel and himself, Éomer did not want there to be any sort of rumor going around that besmirch her honor and reputation as a highborn lady. Least of all, a careless joke made between friends. The two traveled together in silence until they reached the panel where a large wooden chair stood.

It was the same as his uncle had sat in for decades before his death. It was the same chair that no doubt his heirs would use during festivals of this sort. It had a high back and the very top of it had two horse heads meeting together directly above his head. Some of his people greeted him and he returned their salutation sometimes with a grin and nod, and sometimes with quiet words. He sunk into the chair as a line of horses stood before him. The riders varied between nobles and commonfolk, men and women. Taking his war horn, Éomer put it to his lips and blew. The deep call sounded for an instant before the horses bolted forward, each vying for the spot in the front.

As he watched, his thoughts returned to Lothíriel. She had raced like this. She had also beaten Firefoot. He felt a bit embarrassed as he thought of the fact he had considered mating the two of them together. After something like that, it was wonder that she had even spoken to him again at all. But it wasn't in her character to be deeply offended by such things. There was no way for anyone to know what had happened to her. Despite having a rather quick temper, she seemed to be the sort to just as quickly forgive others who had wronged her. That was something that he admired.

He knew his own temper was something most people both in Gondor and Rohan knew of, but his forgiveness was not easily given. Perhaps if he spent more time with Lothíriel, that quality would begin to rub off on him. Her father would no doubt arrive before the end of the week. He would make an effort to spend time with her before she had to leave his court and they could truly pursue a friendship with each other.

A/N: And I'm back to writing again! Sorry for the long delay. I've actually been working through a tiny bit of writer's block since the characters took a bit of a turn from what I originally planned for them and I had to work out how things are going to end up for this interesting couple.

I will definitely do my best to go back to updating daily if not twice a day. Thanks so much for your patience! I look forward to hearing what you guys thought of this chapter!