Disclaimer: Only the caracthers you don't recognize is mine. The caracthers from the Lord of the Rings belongs to Tolkien.

Things Worth Fighting For

Chapter 1

Lothíriel enjoyed to have breakfast. She enjoyed every meal with her family. It was a time when they all were gathered. She feared it would not be long they would enjoy such times together, as the war drew even closer. Her father and brothers would fight in the war, and leave the women of the family behind.

Not that they were so many women in the family. It was herself and Elphir's wife, Mariel. She really liked Mariel. She was both beautiful and intelligent. She was from Minas Tirith, daughter of a nobleman. They had married a few years earlier and their son Alphros had been born the year before.

Erchirion and Amrothos was talking in the lines of women and ale, much to the dismay of Imrahil. After all, they were born into a royal family, although it was often they did not act as royalties.

Elphir and Mariel talked to each other, their voices low. Lothíriel ate in silence, only listening to the conversations taking place. Imrahil did not say much either.

"So what are your plans for today?" Imrahil asked.

"I must take care of my duties, then spend some time with my wife and son," Elphir said with a grin.

Amrothos rolled his eyes. "Why even ask, Ada? He always answer that."

"He is no fun anymore," Erchirion added.

"Perhaps one day you will understand," Mariel said with a smile.

"And what do you have planned then?" Elphir asked, smiling at his brothers. He knew very well they had absolutely no plans.

"Well, we thought to go down to the beach and..." Amrothos started.

"We was planning to go into the city and..." Erchirion said at the same time.

Elphir simply nodded, Mariel and Lothíriel tried not to laugh, but failing. Imrahil managed to keep his face serious.

After breakfast Lothíriel made her way to her father's study.

She knocked on the door before opening it and entering the study.

"Ah, Lothíriel," Imrahil said with a smile. He was standing next to a young man Lothíriel had never seen before. He was quite tall, had dark hair and dark eyes. He looked quite handsome, but something in his eyes made Lothíriel freeze to the bone. It was something about the way he looked at her...

"Liriel, this is Lord Talon of Lebinnin. Talon, this is my only daughter, Princess Lothíriel," Imrahil said.

Talon smiled, and Lothíriel forced herself to walk against the two men. Talon took her hand and kissed it. "A pleasure to meet you, my lady."

"The pleasure is mine, my lord," Lothíriel said, smiling as best she could. He did not let go of her hand right away, something that only irritated her. She was about to say something to him about holding a lady's hand for too long could be seen the wrong way, but Imrahil silenced her with a look.

"Was it something you wanted, Lothíriel?" Imrahil asked.

"Oh, we can talk about it later, Ada," Lothíriel said and forced herself to smile to her father, while she forced Talon to let go of her hand. "I must go, I promised Mariel to help her with Alphros today."

"Of course," Imrahil said.

"I will see you later, Ada," Lothíriel said and walked out of the study, not offering Talon a look. She hurried out of the palace. She needed air. She knew the look in Talon's eyes. Lust. Desire. Yet there was something in his eyes she could not quite place, but she did not like it. His look frightened her, and Lothíriel hated to admit she was frighten. She would never tell anyone that. Never. She never told anyone she was afraid, but she could admit it to herself.

She did not like Talon of Lebinnin.

Imrahil gave Talon a glass of brandy.

"Thank you, my lord," Talon said. He took a sip, then smiled at the prince. "Your daughter is very beautiful."

Imrahil nodded and smiled. "Yes, she is."

"You must be very proud of her," Talon commented.

"I am," Imrahil said. "She is a beautiful young woman, intelligent and bright, but I fear she is very... strong willed." He was going to say stubborn, but thought better of it.

"Yes, well, all I can see is a beautiful, intelligent woman," Talon said with a smile. "My lord, I have a suggestion for you."

Éomer lead his men to Aldburg. His back was straight, his head held high. He rode proudly ahead of his éored, his second-in-command at his side.

He was looking forward to come home. His visit to Edoras had tired his mind. His uncle was worse, his advicor Gríma, son of Galmod, was never far away from the king, always near and whispering in Théoden's ear. Éomer's expression was grim as he though about the advicor. No one used his name anymore, few actually remembered it. He was simply known as Wormtongue.

Not only was Éomer concerned about his uncle, but he worried about his sister as well. Éowyn could take care of herself, but Éomer could not help himself. He worried for her. He knew he had always been protective of her, but what could you expect? After their parents died, it was only he who could defend her, he was the one who had to protect her. Now he was in Aldburg and she in Edoras, and Éomer worried about her. She was too far away for him to protect.

And it was not only thoughts of his uncle and sister that occupied his mind. Rohan was not in war for the moment, but Éomer was certain it would not be long until something happened that would lead Rohan to war.

"Éomer? Are you all right?"

Éomer turned at his second-in-command. Éothain was looking at him with concerned eyes.

"Of course," Éomer said. He had known Éothain since he and Éowyn moved to Edoras as children, and they had been friends for many years. When Éomer was appointed Third Marshal, he had made Éothain his second-in-command.

"Are you sure?" Éothain asked.

"It is nothing to worry about, Éothain. Let us get to Aldburg before dark," Éomer said and sent Éothain a look that told him that the discussion was over.

After one hour with Mariel and Alphros, Lothíriel made her way to the beach.

Val was sitting on a rock, watching the sea. She smiled at Lothíriel. "I started to think you was so caught up with your nephew that you had forgotten all about me."

Lothíriel smiled. "How could I forget about you? Who would I then go to with my problems?"

Val grinned. "Exactly, you need me to get you out of trouble."

"But when I am in trouble, usually you are too," Lothíriel said.

"True," Val said. "Well, anything you want to tell me?"

Lothíriel wondered if she should tell Valinea about Lord Talon, but decided against it. She was not going to think about Talon and she was absolutely not going to talk about him. "No, not really," she answered. "But do you think you can have dinner with us tonight?"

"Dinner? With your family?" Val asked.

Lothíriel grinned. "It will only be Ada, Mariel, my brothers and I."

"Hm... all your brothers?" Val asked, not meeting Lothíriel's gaze.

The princess tried not to laugh. "Yes, all of them. Amrothos will be very happy to see you."

"He will? Have he said anything?" Val asked. "I mean..."

"Well, no, but he will be happy to see you," Lothíriel said.

"Well, I suppose I can come. I do not think my father would mind, but if I have something else I must do..." Val tried not to show how much she wanted to have dinner with Lothíriel and her family. How much she wanted to have dinner with Amrothos. But Liriel knew Val said yes because Amrothos would be there.

Lothíriel and Valinea entered the hall and saw that the others were already there. They all seated themselves at the table.

Lothíriel started to take some food.

"Lothíriel," Imrahil said and Lothíriel looked puzzled at him. "Not before everyone is here."

"But everyone is here?" Lothíriel looked around the table and counted everyone. Elphir, Mariel, Erchirion, Amrothos and Valinea. Who was missing?

Imrahil was about to respond when the doors opened and Lothíriel's jaw dropped when she saw who it was.

"I apology for being late, my lord," Lord Talon said.

"Do not worry about it, Lord Talon," Imrahil said. "Please, take a seat."

Talon seated himself next to the princess.

Lothíriel did not know what to think. Why had her father invited him? What was going on?

Val noticed how Lothíriel tensed when Lord Talon seated himself next to her. She saw how Lothíriel avoided to look at anyone, how she concentrated on her food. She wondered what was wrong.

"Val? Are you all right?" Amrothos asked from her left side.

Val turned against him and smiled. "Yes, of course. I am fine. Nothing is wrong, do not worry about me." When all he did was nod, she turned away. She could feel herself blush down to the toes. Say something. Anything! "Hm..." she looked around and her gaze fell on the window. "Beautiful weather." Oh, of all stupid things to say you comment on the weather! Stupid! Idiot! How is it possible to be so stupid? She cursed herself and prayed that no one else had heard or seen her.

But of course she was never that lucky. Mariel was sitting across the table, grinning like a fool. Val hoped she didn't comment.

"Very beautiful," Amrothos said, but Val had completely forgotten what she had said about the weather. She smiled at him. "Thank you."

Amrothos looked puzzled at her, "For what?"

Her smile quickly disappeared, and again she felt herself blush. He hadn't given her a compliment! How in the name of the Valar would she get out of this one? "Hm?"

"You said 'thank you'. What did you mean?" Amrothos asked.

"Who? Me? Did I say that?" Val asked while she mentally kicked herself for being so stupid. He must believe I am a complete fool!

"Yes," Amrothos said. "Are you sure you are fine?"

"Yes. I am fine," Val said. She turned her focus at the meal and did not say another word.

Lothíriel hardly ate anything. She could feel Talon stare at her during the entire meal. At last she lost her patience and turned against him. "If you are going to stare at me all evening, you may at least tell me why you are doing so."

"Lothíriel..." Imrahil muttered, but Lothíriel ignored him.

"Answer me. Is there a reason why you are having a conversation with my father, while your eyes never leave me? Did you not know it is not polite to stare at people, or did your mother forget that when she tried to teach you manners? She failed miserably, I might add." While she spoke, Talon only looked at her, his face impossible to read. Lothíriel felt as if he looked right through her.

"I apology for that, Lord Talon," Imrahil said quietly, obviously embarrassed by Lothíriel's behavior.

"You do not need to apology, my lord," Talon said. Then he spoke to the princess. "It seems to me, my lady, that your mother failed to teach you manners as well."

Lothíriel glared at him. "I am not the one staring at other people all evening," she stood up."I will take my leave now." And she left.

Val excused herself and ran after her.

"I am truly sorry, Talon," Imrahil said. "Lothíriel can sometimes be..."

Talon cut him off. "Do not worry about it, Prince Imrahil. No harm is done. Your daughter is very beautiful and very strong."

"I am glad you see it that way," Imrahil said. "Nothing is changed then?"

Talon smiled. "All is still the same."

"All right, what is going on? Who is he?" Val asked.

"You know who he is. Lord Talon," Liriel said. They had gone to her room, Val had seated herself on the bed and Liriel was standing by the window. "And nothing is going on."

"If you are expecting me to believe that, you are stupid. Usually you do not talk to them like that before they have asked you for a walk or commented that you have beautiful hair," Val said. "When I think about it, 'talk' is not exactly the word."

"Well, he annoyed me," Lothíriel said.

"Come on," Val said. "I know there is something else."

"Well, I don't like him," Liriel said.

Then it softly knocked on the door and Imrahil entered. "Valinea, may I have a word with my daughter in private?"

"Of course, my lord," Val said and left.

"What is it, Ada?" Liriel asked. "Have you come to talk some sense into me now?"

"Do not take that tone at me, young lady," Imrahil said sternly. "I have come to talk to you about your behavior. Not only tonight with Lord Talon, but also about your behavior last night. It is not acceptable. Do you think you can get away with everything only because you are a princess?"

"No, of course not..." Liriel started, but her father silenced her with a look.

"You are not as normal people, Lothíriel. With your title comes also responsibility, responsibility you do not seem to take seriously," Imrahil said.

"I am sorry, Ada. I know my behavior has been... less than exemplary this last months," Lothíriel spoke quietly.

"Well, you can be happy that Lord Talon took no offence from your behavior tonight. If he did I fear I would never find you a good husband," Imrahil said.

Liriel stared at him. "Husband?"

"Yes," Imrahil nodded. "Talon asked me if he would have my permission to marry you, and I gave it to him..."

"You... you arranged my marriage?" Lothíriel felt sick and had to sit down. "I must... wed that man?"

"Talon is a fine man, Lothíriel, and I would be proud to have him as my son-in-law. He will be good for you," Imrahil said.

Liriel felt her blood boil and she stood up. "How do you know what is good for me or not?" dhe looked furiously at him. "How dare you? You had no right to agree to marriage without as much as talk to me about it!"

"I had every right!" Imrahil said and looked at her. He ordered himself to calm down. "I am your father, Lothíriel, and I only wish to do what is best for you. Talon is a good man and will be a good husband."

"Get out," Liriel said quietly. "Im baur an na erui."

Imrahil nodded and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I love you, Liriel. Get some sleep and tomorrow you will have some time to think about this. Some time to adjust to the idea." Then he left her.

Lothíriel stared at the door for a long while. How did he dare to do this against her? One thing was certain though. She was not going to wed Lord Talon of Lebinnin.

Éomer looked up as Éothain entered the hall. He had been on his way to his chamber, but the expression on his friend's face told him that rest would have to wait. "What is it?"

"Scouts report Orcs near the villages just north of here," Éothain said.

"How many?" Éomer asked.

"The scout was not sure. 50 or perhaps 100," Éothain said.

Éomer nodded. "Assemble the éored. We ride now."

Translations:

Im baur an na erui – I need to be alone

Author's note: Well, this was my first real chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. I am not entirely sure about this Elvish, but at least I tried.

I hope to start on the next chapter soon, but my laptop is not working right now, and I can't use the computer at home since I had to move to go to school, so I can only use the computer in the weekends. 

Thanks for all the reviews! It was great to see that someone actually read what I have written! I was sooooo happy to get them! 

Thanks all of you!