It was far bigger than Théodwyn had expected, and it made her come to a stop, her eyes darting up to Éomund's with some trepidation.

Feeling her hand tug against his when she stopped, he turned his head to give her a smile. "Is everything alright, my love?"

With an embarrassed smile she replied. "I simply was not prepared for this." She looked away, down at the ground. "I am afraid I was foolish."

When she did not continue he asked softly. "Have you changed your mind then?"

A furrow appeared on her brow as she looked up at him. "Why would I have changed my mind?"

His brow creased as well, "If you do not wish to…"

Her head tilted a little to one side. "Of course I wish to! I did suggest it, after all."

Brow creasing still further he asked "Then why did you stop?"

She turned her head a little, and looked first at the ground to her side and then back up at him with brows lifted.

"I do not understand, Théodwyn."

A small sound of frustration escaped her lips before her expression suddenly cleared, and she looked back at him with a smile. "Truly, I am a fool. Forgive me, love."

With a small laugh she lifted the hem of her skirt just enough to show her soft slippers, and his expression turned into a grin as he finally understood. "Surely you expected there to be puddles after the storms last night?"

She lifted a shoulder, but a hint of color came to her cheeks. "Of course I did. But I did not expect any that would be so large I could not avoid them in some way."

Glancing at the puddle again, he noted that it did indeed stretch across almost the full width of the street, and the mud about it came very near the walls to the houses on either side. He had known his feet would remain dry in his boots, and so had not truly noted its size before.

He chuckled as he returned his attention to her. "Shall I carry you across then, my lady?"

The color in her cheeks deepened even as her smile widened. "I would be in your debt, my lord."

Slowly, he moved to stand in front of her, returning her grin with a roguish one of his own. "Well… I am sure we could find some way for you to repay it."

As he spoke, he placed his hands on either side of her waist, and her breath grew shallow as she looked up at him. She was still not used to having him so near, especially not with such an expression on his face. And to have his hands on her this way... That was completely new.

She saw a gleam of mischief come into his eyes as he lifted her from the ground, and her fingers instinctively tightened on his shoulders.

When he moved her as if he was going to throw her across his shoulder as he would a sack of grain she gave a small shriek. "Éomund!" Her fingers tightened still more, "Do not dare….!"

As he set her back down on the ground again he began to chuckle softly, but it quickly grew into the booming laughter that she loved so well. "Ah, Théodwyn, the look on your face…"

With her hands on her hips, she shook her head at him, though she could not prevent her smile. "For Vana's sake, Éomund."

Still chuckling, he swept her off her feet, cradling her easily against his chest. Instinctively, she put her arm across his shoulders for balance, giving a breathless little laugh as she blushed yet again.

Once she was settled he turned and slowly walked across the puddle once more, making sure that they were well clear of any mud before coming to a stop. As he slowly, carefully, set her on the ground again his eyes met hers, and all the sounds around them faded away as the world contracted to contain only the two of them.

Her hands lingered on his shoulder, and his stayed on her arm as they looked at one another.

She had just started to lean into him, standing on her toes, when Bernulf hailed them, making her stop short and bringing the reality of where they were come crashing back.

With a small smile, tinged with both longing and regret, she stepped back, allowing her hand to drop to her side. He reached out to take that hand in his, lacing his fingers through hers again as he returned the smile.

Together, they turned to join their friends in the bustling marketplace.

AN: Many thanks to the ladies of the Garden for their feedback and suggestions on this one!