Life in Edoras changed drastically over the next few days. The Golden Hall that had once been the centre of all life in the city was abandoned, as Theoden King held his war councils and meetings in his private quarters. Mealtimes were much more crowded than usual with the King's new guests and the added arrival of two Hobbits. The newcomers had been a delightful addition to the party, despite all ill that they had witnessed, their mirth and humour was a good distraction to everyone that lived in Meduseld. Discussions at the dinner table however grew more serious as the days went on, and more so when Gandalf announced that he would be leaving for Gondor.

Lothiriel found some delight in his announcement, she thought this the ideal opportunity to accompany the wizard and return to Gondor herself. She approached the wise man the evening he made the announcement whilst he was deep in conversation with Aragorn the ranger.

"I would very much like to accompany you Gandalf. Minas Tirith was my home for many years and I would like to see it again."

"I understand my lady...but the journey will be fraught with danger." Aragorn said seriously..

"I know...but there is nothing left for me here now. I would like to go."

Lothiriel glimpsed a look over the Ranger's shoulder towards Eomer, he appeared not to be listening to their conversation.

"If you wish it my lady. However...if my plans are fruitful there maybe no need for you to return to the White City." Gandalf put mystically.

Lothiriel stared at the wise man.

"If I am successful...you can be safely escorted back to Dol Amroth."

The princess beamed slightly, that was a better solution. Although she would love to see her cousins again and the Citadel, it had been so long since she had seen her father and brothers that this plan was infinitely better.

Recognising the spark of hope in her eyes, the Wizard became somewhat grave,

"Although my Lady... it maybe some time before this can be arranged."

Gandalf bowed to the princess and left her company silently, leaving Lothiriel and her thoughts and Aragorn.

With his keen mind and acquaintance with heartache, Aragorn sensed the princess' unhappiness. He fiddled with the edge of his pipe and looked at her knowingly.

"You are pained my lady."

The young woman looked at the ranger and replied, "Is it that obvious?"

The older man chuckled slightly and stood up from his seat. He placed a fatherly hand on her shoulder and spoke much more softly,

"I believe all our troubles should soon be over. There is still time my lady...there is still hope."

With that, Aragorn left Lothiriels side. Unbeknownst to the maiden Eomer had watched their little exchange and his brow furrowed as he watched them separate. He spotted how the corners of her mouth had turned slightly upwards and how close Aragorn had been to her. The soldier couldn't understand the feelings he was having at that moment, the only reasonable conclusion was jealousy.

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Gandalf was soon gone from Meduseld and reluctantly Lothiriel had remained behind. If the wizard was right then she soon would be reunited with her family and she would be able to move on. Willingly she put her trust in the powerful man. No news was heard over the coming days and so life carried on normal. The princess felt some of the tension lift from her, perhaps because she knew that she was leaving. Despite the respite she had started to enjoy the sickness that had begun to plague her at Aldburg continued with a vengeance.

Sleep had returned thankfully and the young woman was no longer awake and restless at some ungodly hour of the night. However an equally fierce ailment plagued her now. Lothiriel managed to keep her distress secret, partly through fear but also out of worry she would become a burden. The calmness that had swept through Edoras following the battle had ebbed and the princess didn't want to add to anyone's concerns. So silently she endured the illness that took hold everyday and remained in her quarters until it had passed. This was beginning to prove difficult, as the sickness seemed to last longer each passing day, and despite her best efforts her absence from court had been noted.

Eowyn had been informed of Lothiriel's wish to leave. She was saddened by the decision, but understood some of why she wanted to leave. Lothiriel was young and extremely beautiful. The white lady knew that one day soon she would find another that could give her everything she wanted. Deep down despite Eomer's outwardly indifference to her, Eowyn knew that he was more than capable of doing this. Determined to make them both see how perfect they could be for each other, the young woman set upon Lothiriel's rooms early one morning to discuss and try to amend their apparent differences.

Eowyn knocked sharply on her friends door and called out to her.

"Just a moment." Came a weak reply. What followed was an unholy sound of retching.

"Lothiriel!" Eowyn threw open the door called out in the darkness, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." The princess called back weakly. Her shutters were still drawn and the room stank of bile.

The sound of heaving filled the room again. Eowyn dashed behind the dressing partition to find her friend knelt on the floor over a bucket.

"Please Lothiriel… you are not alright." She said worriedly as she knelt beside her, grabbing a cloth from the water bowl on her nightstand.

Lothiriel brushed her damp hair away from her face and graciously took the cloth from Eowyn. She wiped the foul taste from her mouth first then folded the fabric over to bath her face and neck.

"It's okay...the worst is passing now."

"This is happened before?" Eowyn asked concerned.

"Yes..the past few days."

"You should have said something. Come back to bed immediately."

Eowyn picked up her friend from the floor and guided her back to the bed in the centre of the room. Lothiriel sat gingerly on the edge of the covers determined not to lie down. The sickness was worse when she lay. Eowyn poured a cup of water from the nightstand and passed it to her. Taking small sips from the cool liquid the young woman felt the nausea fade slightly.

"I will fetch a healer…" Eowyn said seriously,

"No!"

The white lady looked her friend shocked.

"Why not? You are not well."

"There is nothing a healer will tell me that I do not already know."

Lothiriel peaked at her friend and realised she had no clue what she spoke about. This made her titter slightly. Of course she didn't know. Eowyn was well versed in all manners of battle and tactics but being a lone women in a family of men she was not schooled in these things. Lothiriel had seen many women in her family go through this and understood what it meant. However, Lothiriel was wise to know that the predicament she was in was precarious. Knowing better she lied to her friend.

"It's a stomach complaint..nothing more."

Eowyn didn't seem to believe her so she added, "Bad meat from the feast I fear."

The white lady seemed satisfied by her answers but the worried look did not leave her face. Eowyn sat by her friend and was grappling with how to tell her what she felt she must. Boldness got the better of her and eventually her thoughts spilled out without measure,

"Lothiriel I need the truth from you. If I am truly your friend...you will not lie to me."

The princess was horrified, clearly she had given away more than she thought. She answered carefully,

"I am your friend Eowyn...but It is hard to answer when I do not know the question."

"Do you love my brother?" She asked bluntly but the princess did not respond.

"Please. I know that he cares for you and it kills me to see him so wounded."

"Whatever feelings he once held...I am assured have been buried. Any I had for Eomer...have been wholly rejected."

Eowyn tutted and shook her head.

"Don't you see Lothiriel...it is his pride... not indifference he grapples with."

Lothiriel snickered when she heard Eowyn's words.

"I wish that were so."

"What else could it be?"

"If I were to tell you...you would not so easily call me friend."

Eowyn grasped her hands firmly and looked at Lothiriel with kind eyes. The words came so freely from Lothiriel's mouth. She told her everything that had gone on, since she fled the capital and arrived at Aldburg. Her account filling in the blanks of Eowyn's story and observations over the past few weeks. The white lady did not interrupt her nor offer any thoughts of her own, she sat listening in non judgemental silence.

"You love him don't you Lothiriel?" Eowyn asked boldly.

Lothiriel looked at her worriedly, she had no right to claim his affection even if he had once offered it so freely.

Eowyn sighed deeply and shook her head in an attempt to clear her senses. She stared down at the floor and it suddenly hit her. She looked at her friend with muted shock then spoke frankly,

"The child is his…isn't it?"

Lothiriel stared at her in shock. She had clearly underestimated Eowyn's perception, she then felt the first tear down her cheek.

"What will I do?"

Eowyn sat their poised to give her response. She opened her mouth to speak when she heard a cry from outside the door. The voice was in earnest and a fist followed it loudly on the door. Eowyn quickly opened it and saw a Rider dressed in full armour standing outside.

"Forgive me my lady...but I have orders from the King."

"What is it?" She replied calmly.

"We are to leave my lady...with all due haste."

"Leave? Leave for where?" Lothiriel picked up.

"Gondor your highness. We ride now."