Éomer sat atop Firefoot, watching most of the Rohirrim who had not already cleaned and packed their stalls, attending to them in preparation for a journey home. He was glad that with the end of the war, travel between the cities and towns in Rohan had grown safe enough to increase trade. It would only do his people good. He was still thinking on this time of peace and prosperity when he heard the clop of hooves against the road behind him. He turned to see Lothíriel, once again dressed in Rohirrim clothing, only this time it was a dress meant for riding a horse astride rather than the sidesaddle most southern nobility were wont to choose.

"I apologize if I made you wait, my lord." She dipped her head as a courtesy for a moment. Her eyes looked at his saddle before looking back up at him. "I see that we won't be skipping the midday meal." Hanging on either side of his saddle were two bundles containing cold meats, cheeses and bread along with a bottle of sweet mead. "I must admit, I'm rather relieved. I believe after the morning that Éowyn and I shared I could eat as much as a horse." The look on her face as she made the pun was so comical that Éomer couldn't help but laugh.

"Worry not," he spoke when he finally managed his laughter, "so long as you are with me, I will see your every need is cared for." He shifted his weight before lightly urging Firefoot forward, leading Lothíriel out of the city. They rode in silence for a few minutes before Lothíriel spoke.

"These plains are a temptation all their own to my horse and to me, though I would not have though so before my transformation. Now I see them and want nothing more than to run freely amidst the wild grass and flowers, feeling the wind blow through me." She flushed, and looked at Éomer sheepishly, "I suppose that's an odd temptation."

"Not at all," Éomer reassured her quickly. "It's something that I, as well as several other Rohirrim I have met over the years, yearns to do nearly every time we go out." Lothíriel's relief was clear as he spoke. "Would you perhaps like to indulge? I can promise you it is safe enough, and if you're to gallop away at any time, I would suggest it be before you have your stomach full."

"I think I will." She nodded. "Will you join me?" He nodded and she smiled. "Then I propose we make a race out of it." She scanned the horizon before pointing to the edge of the forest nearly a mile away from them. "First one there wins?"

"And what should be the prize for winning?" Éomer asked.

"The winner will be granted a favor, or a wish or whatever else you'd like to call it." She grinned.

"That sounds fair to me." He returned the grin before settling into his seat, ready for the mad dash.

"Ready," she copied him as she bent forward slightly, "set, go!" The word was hardly out of her mouth before the two kicked their horses forward, towards the trees. Éomer urged Firefoot to go faster. He was thankful he was wearing nothing more than a leather jerkin, for the bundles of food were heavy and such weight along with a rider in full armor would have slowed him down. As it was, halfway to the trees he began to move ahead of Lothíriel's steed. By the time he reached the tree line, he was a full body length behind him. He pulled to a stop, turning round to see as she just arrived.

"I was a fool to think that I could outrun your Firefoot, no matter the burden." She laughed. "It would seem I'm far better at winning races when I am the one actually doing the racing." Éomer dismounted and held his hands up to Lothíriel, hoping to help her down. She balanced herself into his hands, letting them fit round her waist as he gently put her down on the ground.

"Well, as I am the winner, I am owed a favor." He turned and untied a large blanket from his saddle and laying it on the ground. She took a seat and looked up at him.

"And what is your wish, my lord?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I haven't decided yet." He brought down the bundles of food and laid them out before sitting beside her. "Perhaps for now we might just enjoy the day and each other's company before I make any decisions." He poured the mead for her to drink.

"I await your decision with anticipation."

A/N: Hello everyone! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Life has been busy as usual and it seems in the future it's only going to get busier, but one must always find time to write.

Please leave me a review so I know how you liked the chapter. It seems like there's only a couple of them left for this story. See you next chapter!