Disclaimer: All Lord of the Rings characters are property of the Tolkien estate. I am making no money off of this.

The sun had already risen by the time Karri opened her eyes. She stretched her arms over her head, and yawned. It had been a while since she allowed herself to sleep in. The dress Legolas gifted her was hanging near the door, still looking unworn and gorgeous. Legolas had insisted she keep it, sure she would wear it again. In the morning, Karri thought most about her previous life. She missed coffee and the lazy mornings where she would check her social media or watch the news. While she wouldn't readily admit it, the adjustment to not having a smartphone took a long time. It used to be a coping mechanism for stress and depression. Numbing everything around her and focusing on a game or Facebook had become the norm. It took a while before she stopped wanting to pull her phone out of a pocket. Today was one of those days. She had allowed herself to sleep so late that Lothiriel had probably arrived, or would be close. As petty as it was, she didn't want to see her. She didn't want to know what Eomer's future wife looked like. In her mind, she was faceless. It was less painful that way. She would be unavoidable at the wedding, but until then Karri could find a way to make herself scarce. Surely, Gimli and Legolas would like to ride around the lands. Liwin could use a ride, and she would make the time to brush him. The stable hands in Gondor were very capable, but it was nothing she couldn't do herself.

She got ready as quickly as she could, calling for Ina to take a message to Legolas and Gimli to meet her in the stables. She donned her light armor, pulling her cloak over her, and made her way through the Citadel. Her heart seemed to be racing, as she worried who could be around every corner, but she only encountered servants before the sun was on her face and the fresh air made breathing slightly easier. What a difference a year had made in Minas Tirith. The walls that had been destroyed were either completely or mostly rebuilt, and families were cheerfully making their way through the city, buying goods or enjoying the sunshine. A wedding was certainly a reason to celebrate. Karri often wondered how the people of Rohan were fairing. Hopefully thriving, though the pain of losing so many sons had to still be in the forefront of the families from both Kingdoms.

The stables were empty when Karri entered. First she gathered a saddle and placed it on the side of the stables. Next was getting Liwin out of his pen and finally she went about brushing him, letting her mind wander. She didn't hear the door open, or footsteps coming toward her. In fact, it wasn't until he was mere feet away that the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

"Karri..."

"Hello King Eomer." She answered as she continued to brush her horse. The King moved to stand next to her, his hand reaching out to lightly pat Liwin.

"I had a feeling I would find you here."

"Good instinct."

"Are you going somewhere?" Eomer indicated the saddle.

"I felt that Liwin could use a ride, and it is a beautiful day."
"I shall accompany you."

Karri shook her head. "It's alright, sire. You have people to greet, and I am sure a full day ahead of you."

"It's worth it for you." His voice was barely a whisper. "The only time we've ridden together was to war or when you were in my guard."

"Or your prisoner." She reminded him with a small smile. Grabbing her free hand he placed a kiss on her wrist. The bruises were long gone, but he remembered them vividly. Immediately Karri's eyes skimmed the barn, worried someone could be watching.

"Eomer. Someone might see." She pulled her hand away. He missed his name on her lips, and he longed to hear it again.

"Come with me. I know a beautiful place outside of the city. I found it on my last visit."

"Oh?" Karri asked, cocking her head to the side. "Where?"

"It is where the Erui meets the Great River. A small meadow is there, quiet and secluded. We can just be ourselves." Karri was very tempted to say yes. She missed the conversations she and Eomer had. Sitting by the fire, or walking together. Even that first night in Rohan where they first really talked, she missed his friendship.

"King Eomer." A servant came into the stables and he took a step back from Karri.

"Yes?" Eomer's voice was more commanding when he wasn't talking to her. The servant boy bowed deeply.

"A messenger has arrived for you. Lady Lothiriel will arrive within the hour." Karri felt her heart drop, as she turned her attention back to Liwin.

"Thank you." Eomer responded and the boy ran off again.

"I believe you have somewhere to be, sire." Karri looked into his eyes and just saw sadness. For a moment he didn't move, and she knew he was debating. However, duty won out in the end, as she was predicting it would.

"Will you be at dinner tonight?"

"No, sire, I won't."

"Please don't call me that." He asked and she stopped brushing Liwin to look at him.

"I told you last night, I have to."
"Karri... When it is just me and you, please let it stay that way. Don't bring formality into this." She clenched her jaw. "You are my equal in every sense of the word." She merely nodded as she felt tears threatening. "I hope you will be there tonight."

"I can't promise you that." Eomer's hand softly cupped her cheek and his thumb traced her cheekbone. There was so much he wanted to say, but it wasn't the time. Nodding slightly, he turned and walked out of the stables. Karri let out a small breath. The spot his thumb had traced was still tingling. His touch always did that to her. Taking a moment, she put the brush away and leaned on the door to a pen. As much as he wanted her there, she couldn't go to that dinner. She made a mental note to visit Eowyn before dinner, and apologize in advance for her absence. Though, she had a feeling her friend would understand. It was only a few more minutes before Gimli and Legolas arrived and the three friends set out, away from the city. The air clearing her mind, and allowing herself to forget about anything waiting for her in the city.

Eowyn struggled, to put it mildly, faking happiness at the arrival of her future sister-in-law. It wasn't that Lothiriel was anything other than gracious or kind. It was just hard to watch her brother so unhappy. As soon as Lothiriel arrived Eomer did his best to seem proper. He greeted her with a smile, and his arm outstretched to accompany her around. Though his eyes darted to all the guests lined up to see the future Queen of Rohan. Karri was no where to be found. Lothiriel's eyes made their way around the crowd as well. Eowyn didn't know his name, but she knew Lothiriel's former lover was from Gondor. Either he would be among the guests, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, or be like Karri and making a point to stay as far away as he could.

It was Eowyn's job to show Lothiriel around the Citadel, and the tour was long and boring. Most of all pointless. Lothiriel was from Gondor, she knew the area better than Eowyn, yet the tour was encouraged for Eowyn would be doing them for visiting nobility in the future. Today, just didn't seem the day. She loved her future home, but the wedding was coming on fast. A million things were yet to be done, and she only had three more days. She ended the tour as soon as was polite, though Eomer's eyes pleading with her not to leave made her feel guilty. Still, he brought this on himself, was her reasoning for ignoring him.

"I am sorry, this is where I have to leave you." She said with a faux disappointed tone. "I have to prepare for the dinner tonight."

"Thank you for the tour, Eowyn. You did a wonderful job." Lothiriel said with a smile.

"I will see you tonight, sister." Eomer reached out, to grab her hand placing a note in her palm. Immediately, Eowyn concealed it.

"Until later." She gave a small bow and headed down the corridor. The siblings used to pass notes when they were younger and bored during their uncle's political meetings. She turned the corner before she pulled the note in front of her.

'Eowyn, please give this to Karri'

Back in her room, she was about to begin getting ready for the dinner when there was a knock at her door.

"Come in." She called, and she couldn't suppress the smile as Karri walked through her door. "Where have you been?"

"Legolas, Gimli, and I went for a ride outside of the city."

"That sounds heavenly. Next time let me join you?"

"You've got it." Karri answered with a smile. "Though, I do have a favor to ask."

"Anything." Eowyn assured her.

"I need you to accept my apology for not coming to the dinner tonight." Karri's eyes were cast downward.

"Why aren't you coming?" Eowyn asked stepping closer to her.

"You know why." Karri answered. "I can't be around her, Eowyn. It's too much."

"I wish you would."

"I know, it's a celebration of your wedding and I should be there. I apologize so-"

"No, that's not why." Eowyn grabbed her friend's hand softly. "I understand the pain you are in, and why it is better for you not to be there. I want you to go to see them." Karri looked at her, her eyes hard. "If you did, you would see how unhappy they are."

"That's just it. I don't want to see Eomer unhappy." Karri confessed. "Being without him is painful enough. Knowing he's unhappy? It breaks my heart. I wish for nothing but happiness for him."

"He will end this engagement for you."

"He has said as much." Karri replied. "I don't know if that is for the best."

"He told me you're still trying to find a way home." Karri nodded. "What will you do when you leave here?"

"Legolas has invited me to travel with him and Gimli. To search for a way home."

"I have something for you." Eowyn grabbed a small piece of paper from her bedside and handed it to Karri. "Eomer gave me that today. I guess he knew you would be coming here."
"I told him I most likely was not going to be at dinner." Karri said quietly as she looked at his writing on the outside. "Did you read it?"

"No." Eowyn answered honestly. Karri had the choice to wait and read it when she was back in her room, but she trusted Eowyn and didn't want to wait.

'My dearest, Karri

I know you won't be at the dinner, but I would really like to see you tonight. I beg of you to meet me after. I long to see you and talk to you as we used to. Meet me, when they begin lowering the lamps, in the Merethrond. I will wait for you.

With love,

Eomer'

Kerri sighed and closed the note. "He wants me to meet him after the dinner."

"I had a feeling." Eowyn said with a nod. "Karri, a year ago I would have pushed and pushed for you to go. I wont do that now. This has to be solely your decision." Karri pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you." Karri pulled away and gave her a small smile. "I will see you tomorrow, Eowyn."

"I'll let Faramir and the others know you aren't feeling well."
"You would lie to your future husband?" Karri asked and Eowyn laughed.

"He'll know the truth, but propriety dictates there should be a reason you aren't attending."

"Of course." Karri said with a nod before she bowed. "Your Grace." Eowyn smirked by nodded at Karri before watching her leave.