DISCLAIMER: I own none of these characters! Lothiriel is a character from the Tolkien Universe and wholly sprung from the mind of this brilliant man!

I merely gave her the red hair, because I wanted her to contrast both Arwen and Eowyn in appearance (who were both played by amazingly striking women in the movie version) and make her unique in her very own way.

NOTES:

Before I start this chapter, there is something I need to address at this point: I usually refrain from removing reviews, because I think criticism is good and usually helps the writer improve.

However...I did remove one review just recently, because I think there is a big difference between constructive criticism ( be it appreciation of one writer to another or pointing out certain mistakes and helping to set them right) and simple, mean- spirited bashing. I usually take the good with the bad and ...if necessary even the ugly, but I draw the line at somebody simply bitching about whether they think that a story is a Mary Sue or not, being deliberately hurtful and insulting just for the sake of it, without contributing even one single meaningful insight on how to improve whatever it was they did not like! Especially if said person does not even have the guts to submit a signed review, because anonymous trashing is obviously much more fun. I do not think that this kind of insulting behaviour qualifies as criticism and therefore removed the review. I hope you others understand and don't take it as censorship of other ppls opinions. It is not meant to be.

(I DO NOT think and NEVER thought that Mary Sue stories are not as good or can not be well thought out and beautifully crafted stories. There are a lot of Mary Sues out here that I thoroughly enjoyed! I just don't write them because I know my limits and don't think I'm any good this particular genre.)

SISTERS

Lothiriel sighed, allowing her head to tilt backwards to rest upon the edge of the wooden bathtub. Closing her eyes she tried to drown out the sounds of busy feet on the stone floor and of the womenbustling all around her, adding scented oils, more hot water, airing a variety of dresses....

By now she wasn't entirely sure what exactly her bathwater was supposed to smell like. She watched a small fleet of dried herbs and blossoms floating atop the surface, the water had taken on a milky white colour and steam rose all around her. The tub itself was big enough to give four grown men enough space to enjoy a relaxed soaking, for Lothiriel the inside had been laid out with white linens, before the busy maids and ladies in waiting had begun to fill it with water. Now the hot, scented liquid engulfed her up to her neck, it was very pleasant but the sounds of her women fussing and the sounds of the hasty preparations for the night's feast made it impossible for Lothiriel to give her mind a rest. The messengers had been sent out to Dol Amroth and Gondor, to bring the news and invitations to her brothers.....to the queen Arwen whom the king was obviously already sorely missing.

The princess turned at the sound of the heavy wooden door opening behind her. Upon seeing Eowyn entering the room in a simple, light blue gown, Lothiriel gave her a relieved smile.

The other woman let her eyes wander around the room, accessing the situation with one quick glance.

"Leave us, please....ladies." she said in her warm voice, waiting until they had filed out of the chamber before pulling up a chair.

"Thank you..." Lothiriel breathed, dipping her head back to insure that all her hair was soaked.

"Here, let me help you." Eowyn said, reaching forward to massage another mixture of soap into Lothiriel´s hair. "Did I have time yet, to thank you for becoming my sister?" she asked lightly.

Lothiriel leaned her back against the cloth covered wood, sighing contently. She was very fond of her cousin´s wife, who had become a fast friend soon after they had met. Being even tighter tied to this remarkable woman, who had defied the witch- king of Angmar on the battlefield, was an honour Lothiriel took very seriously. It was not just Eowyns inner strength and courage, which Lothiriel had found to be inspiring; the white lady also had a kind heart and a generous soul. The prospect of being her sister- in- law warmed her heart.

"I should be the one thanking you, Eowyn." The princess answered, biting her lip as a more unpleasant thought crossed her mind.

"I wish my brother would look upon this match with your friendly eye."

After her talk with her father, Lothiriel had been looking for her brother, only to find that he had taken his horse out for a ride.

Eowyn laughed, her fingers still sifting through Lothiriel´s hair in order to dispense the soap evenly. "One would almost expect this reaction. I still remember my brother's face all too vividly ....for a moment I thought he might throttle Faramir on the spot!"

Lothiriel turned to look at her friend's face in surprise, ignoring the water splashing about from her sudden movement.

"I thought your brother was fond of Faramir?"

Eowyn gave her a bemused smile. "Ohhh, but he is ...he was then too! He liked him well enough as a warrior and ally, even as a friend and drinking companion ....but as my intended husband, that was another matter entirely."

She cleaned the soap off her hands and stood, her eyes searching for something.

"Eomer was quite pleased to find that the wedding traditions of Gondor were a lot stricter than those of Rohan. He was especially delighted about the long engagement period! No Rohirrim wedding for me!" she added good naturedly, walking over to inspect the large metal cans that stood lined up against the far off wall. They had been used to deliver more hot water and Eomer´s sister was satisfied to find two of them still filled with warm water.

"If only they would have let us gotten married the Rohirrim way! Instead me and Faramir had to sneak around my brother, the king and queen for almost a year....to have only a little time to ourselves!"

Lothiriel tried to hide her smile behind her hand, but the sparkle in her eye gave her away.

"You and Faramir, sneaking around?" she asked in amused awe.

Eowyn gave a soft laugh, her eyes bright and shining as her thoughts wandered back to the many occasions she had successfully evaded her brother or chaperone to spend a moment with her beloved.

"It was by far less scandalous than it might sound....and quite vexing at times, you cannot begin to imagine. But it was also exciting.....the secretive glances, stolen kisses ...." She smiled; carrying the heavy can over to the tub with an effort. "You will see..." Eowyn said mischievously with an amused twinkle in her blue eyes.

"Tilt your head back... we need to rinse your hair out now, or it will never dry in time..."