Once the great host had returned to Edoras, a memorial was planned for those that had given their lives for Rohan's cause. Every man, woman and child able to attend, were invited into the Golden Hall to honour their sacrifice. As was tradition, there was no formal arrangements in the hall so table and chairs had been crammed into the large room in all manner of places and ways. It wasn't a party, so no room was spared for dancing, it was an evening meant for mainly drinking. Drinking to commemorate, drinking to remember and drinking to forget.

As the hours wore on the room and the people in it became more lively and raucous. Drinking games, card games and bets had broken out all over the room. Gathering those interested in them into smaller groups. On the dais sat Theoden King in conversation with his niece. They talked about many things, reparations of the kingdom, household plans for the near future and of their situation with a Gondorian princess. They talked about her as they watched her mingle with the ladies of court.

"I would not blame her if she did not want to stay." Theoden said gravely.

"Since she has arrived all she has witnessed is grief."

"She is stronger than you think Uncle." Eowyn put defensively.

"Most women would not have done what she has...if put to it. She has a woman's courage."

"You think highly of her Eowyn?" Theoden asked quizzically.

"Yes my lord. Who knows what brought her here...but given the choice to stay...I believe she would."

Eowyn took a large sip from the goblet she was holding and peered across the room to the woman in question. She watched as she walked over to her brother and engaged him in conversation.

"My lord Eomer...may I speak with you?" Lothiriel tried to keep her tone even and sound calm.

Eomer had been drinking and chatting with Legolas and Gimli. They were laughing loudly like everyone else was that evening. The ale flowed fast at their table, quicker than most other tables around the Golden Hall. The room had become a cacophony of mirth, singing and excitement and the once hardened soldier seemed like he had no care in the world and was determined to enjoy the evening's entertainment.

When he heard the soft tones of the princess he turned his head towards her but refused to face her completely.

Sensing something was amiss, it was Legolas that responded, "Don't make the lady beg Marshall."

Eomer exhaled heavily and placed his tankard of freshly poured ale onto the table in between his companions and he. He hated how perceptive and intuitive the elf was. He turned to face Lothiriel, bowed politely and gestured towards a quieter part of the hall.

They walked in uncomfortable silence and found an empty nook at the end of the Golden Hall far away from the bustle and noise. Lothiriel leant against the solid wall for support as she felt her knees wobble as they turned into the opening. Her hands were trembling terribly, so she kept them hidden in the folds of her dress, behind her back.

Eomer in contrast seemed to be completely cool and almost steely. He folded his great arms across his chest and fixed his jaw firmly. He would not look at her and pretended to watch the revelries in the centre of the room.

"What do you want?" He sounded exacerbated.

"Just a few questions."

Eomer shuffled his feet and forced the lump in his throat back down to his stomach, he knew this conversation would come but hated it none the less, "Ask your questions then."

"Are you alright?"

Lothiriel was genuinely concerned. Her pride was hurt that Eomer had not sought her out the minute the battle was over, still she wanted to make sure he was okay.

"Is that your question?" He scoffed back.

Lothiriel felt her will begin to crumble but held her tears back well.

"I just wanted to be sure..."

"I'm fine." He said harshly.

Eomer wasn't truly annoyed but found his head and heart fighting an unbearable challenge. He was mourning for what had happened with this woman. He knew before it had started that whatever feeling he held for her were wrong. However when she had willingly reciprocated them, with one's just as strong as his own his was complete. Seeing the hurt in her eyes now invoked a deeply protective side in him. He was a fierce warrior who would stop at nothing to protect those he loved, but when it was he that was causing the woman in front of him pain, he thought the best thing to do was to portray aloof silence. They could not be together, not after what had happened, however strong their feelings were.

"Are you done?" He coldly asked,

"Just one more...and then I will be silenced forever."

Eomer stared Lothiriel down as she spoke.

"Did you ever care me..truly?" Lothiriel did not dance around the subject. She had determined answers were needed.

The soldier coughed painfully making sure his true feelings did not betray him. He refused to respond despite knowing the answer to the question.

"Eomer I know the guilt you carry. The same torment is in my heart. I do not pretend it to be worse than yours but I understand. I am not sorry for what we did...but I regret the way it happened...and if things had been different they would never have happened. But they did and neither one of us can change that."

"Excuse me I have many things to do."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Yes." The hurt man started to walk away from her.

Not content with his answers Lothiriel pulled at his arm as he turned away, "Why did you not come to me… when the battle was over?"

She was angry and finally let the tears flow down her cheeks as she spoke.

"I could...we cannot," He could only stammer.

"Eomer?"

Eomer was torn. He wanted nothing more than to take Lothiriel in his arms and tell her everything was going to be alright. He couldn't. He didn't know what was going to happen or how either one of them could move on, as if nothing had happened.

"We are cursed you and I." He said severely, "Don't you understand Lothiriel...what we did...what we felt," Eomer could not bring himself to say it, "We must pay the price for our betrayal."

Lothiriel's voice caught in her throat and she could only mumble the next thing, "Eomer...I…"

The wounded man brushed past the princess and left the hall.

Eomer briskly walked through the doors of the Golden Hall and onto the terrace outside. The night was dark and heavy clouds veiled the stars, giving the evening an ominous feel. It was an atmosphere that matched his mood completely. He stared towards the sky and tried to find some peace. It was hard, as the din from the hall behind him punctuated his thoughts every now and then. There was no way out of this mess and nowhere else to go. The soldier knew he couldn't run back to Aldburg like last time, he had been named heir to the King and Edoras was his home. He knew deep down, despite the laws of the land, Theoden would never send Lothiriel away. They were destined to live together in uncomfortable heartache.

The door to the hall behind opened once more, the noise and laughter pouring out into the cold darkness of the night.

Eomer glanced cautiously behind him and spotted his sister exit the hall and walk cautiously towards him. He exhaled heavily and spoke harshly to her,

"Don't say it Eowyn."

"Say what brother? I have no idea what you are talking about."

Eowyn attempted a wry smile and wrapped her arm around Eomer's crossed ones, resting her head against his shoulder. The brother and sister stood there like that for some time, looking across the city.

"Remember Eomer, it is not wrong to follow where your heart takes you."

She looked up lovingly at her brother as she said this. They both knew that phrase well. Their mother and father had used it so often in their youth. It reminded them both of their parents.

Eomer planted a chaste kiss on top of Eowyn's head and drew her into a sideways embrace. He wished he could believe it.