A/N: so sorry this took so LONG! lost it for a sec. but yay! new chappie! enjoy!


Chapter 2: Advice

"Come along, brother!" Eowyn laughed over her shoulder as she and Eomer rode back toward Edoras, Eomer a few strides behind her as they brought their horses from a gallop to a trot as they entered the main gate, now side by side. "You've gotten cautious, Eomer. There was a time you when you would not have thought twice about out-running me."

"Perhaps I am worried more about my neck than yours, sister?" Eomer shot back, causing the blonde to fake offense as she leaned over and pushed his shoulder, making him laugh. They slowly rode into the stable as two men came up to take their horses to let them dismount. Eomer got off of his horse first and stepped toward Eowyn to help her down as the two men stabled the horses and they strolled toward the manor arm in arm.

"Brother?"

"Yes?"

"What did you say to my handmaiden last night?"

Eomer tripped on a piece of uneven earth, making Eowyn laugh as she caught him from falling and he straightened, clearing his throat as he looked to his sister and she smiled knowingly.

"Forgive me, Eowyn, but is it entirely necessary that you know every aspect of my private life?" he retorted as they began walking again.

"I believe so when it involves my handmaiden, don't you?" she smirked as he gave her a sideways glare. "Was she the one that distracted you after your coronation yesterday?" Eomer's eyes widened at her before he looked away and Eowyn's smile widened as she laughed, "Worry not, dear brother. Your secret love is safe with me."

"Love?" he echoed, drawing her attention to him and she frowned at him but he didn't look at her. "Do you truly believe this could be love?"

"There is such a thing as love at first sight, is there not?" Eowyn wondered and he finally looked at her with wide eyes. "Are you not a believer in that sort of thing?"

He frowned at her in thought before scoffing and giving a slight shake of his head as they continued walking.

"I am sure it is only infatuation, sister," he smiled. "And I am sure it is such for the both of us."

"I would not be so sure, Eomer," his sister warned as they entered the hall. "She has asked about you all morning."

That caused him to stop as she stepped in front of him and he stared at her with wide eyes as he breathed, "Has she?"

Eowyn nodded with a smile as she excused herself and strolled off toward her room, telling him she would see him in a few moments. He only nodded before sitting on one of the benches, staring into space as he thought.

He hadn't told her, but he had been thinking of Isolde all day, even as he spent time with his sister. He considered it fortunate that he hardly had to consciously guide his horse, the animal knew the trail they rode so well. Still, even as he thought of her, did he truly think he was in love with her? He hadn't even considered it when he'd first seen Isolde. He simply felt drawn to her and he had no idea why.

"Your majesty?"

Eomer jumped from his thoughts and looked up to see one of his advisors stepping toward him. He wanted to sneer in disgust. It was never good when one of his advisors came looking for him. He stood quickly and tried to walk away, but the advisor, a scrawny, middle-aged man, stopped him by placing a hand on his arm.

"Your majesty, there is something urgent myself and the rest of your advisors would like to speak to you about," he reported, quickly.

"Can it not wait?" Eomer sighed, turning to the man. "My sister is here for a mere week, and I wish to spend as much time with her as I can before she leaves for Minas Tirith."

"Yes, my lord, I understand," the man replied, hesitantly. "However, this matter will only take a moment."

Eomer sighed and after a moment nodded in defeat. He'd actually wanted to try to see Isolde, but he supposed that would be unwise, as his sister was probably changing. He allowed his advisor to lead him through the Great Hall and into a room where the rest of his advisors sat around a long, rectangular, stone table, chattering until he stepped in and gazed at all of them.

"Alright, what is this urgent matter you wished to discuss?" he asked, indignantly and his advisors looked around at each other before looking to him.

A few men opened their mouths to speak but realized their voices were failing them at the moment and closed them quickly. Finally, one of them cleared his throat and sputtered, "Your majesty, you are a young man, but many a young men have been struck down in their prime. Take your cousin, Theadrid-"

"Get to the point," Eomer snapped, not wanting to be reminded that his uncle and cousin had been killed too soon, and knowing they were going to talk him to death if he let them.

The advisor shrunk back before another spoke up, saying, "We think it wise that you marry as soon as possible, my lord."


Evening...

"My brother and I will be dining together tonight, Isolde," Eowyn smiled as she stood at the window and brushing her hair, Isolde helping her.

"Very good, my lady," Isolde nodded meekly, her focus on her hair.

"He has invited you, as well," Eowyn smirked, giving her handmaiden a sideways glance as the other girl froze, mid-brush and stared her wide, sea-green eyes at her lady in disbelief. "Apparently, you've made quite an impression on him."

Isolde's eyes widened for a moment before she shot her gaze to her hands as she resumed brushing Eowyn's hair, a deep blush smearing over her face as she muttered, "I was unaware that I had done anything to make an impression, my lady."

"And it's exactly what has made an impression, Isolde," Eowyn grinned, whirling around and placing her hands on the shorter girl's shoulders. "You are exactly what my brother needs, even if he does not know it yet."

"My lady?" Isolde frowned in confusion as Eowyn continued grinning.

"Worry not," she murmured, leaning closer to whisper, "The only thing you need do is continue being your sweet, shy self." She held her handmaiden out at arms length and looked her over as Isolde frowned in wonder before looking down at herself then looking to Eowyn as she explained, "We will need to find a proper dress for you."


Dinner...

Eomer sighed as he sat at the table in the banquet hall, holding his forehead in his hand. He'd spent most of the day with his advisors discussing his marital status. Apparently, they thought it best that he marry now and quickly produce an heir, and while he saw the logic in it, he couldn't get his head around it. He wasn't even used to being king yet, and now he had to be married? The discussion had been giving him a head ache which was nearly at its peak as he sat waiting for Eowyn and Isolde.

He couldn't believe he'd invited the handmaiden, but he didn't regret it. For some reason, he wanted to see her, talk to her, get to know her. Perhaps Eowyn was right about his feelings for her? But he couldn't understand how it had gotten to that point so soon. He only met her the night before!

"Brother!"

Eomer jumped at hearing his sister's voice and quickly stood as she approached, arms stretched toward him for a hug and he smiled warmly at seeing her own radiant grin. Her hair was pulled into a braid with a golden band around her forehead and she wore a forest green dress trimmed with gold embroidery that flowed around her, the sleeves wide and hanging almost to the ground.

Her wide, light eyes caught his strained, tired expression, making her frown in wonder as she observed, "You look troubled. Has something happened?"

"Not exactly," Eomer replied, vaguely but before he could explain he caught another figure behind his sister. Her frown deepened as she turned around, but it instantly fell to a smile as she noticed who was behind her.

Isolde slowly stepped toward them, hand clasped in front of her and her gaze down at the ground. She wore a pale blue gown embroidered with silver flowers on the bodice and the front section of the skirt, the sleeves closed around her arms, her hair pulled back to keep her chaotic curls out of her face and draping down her back with a silver comb.

Eowyn glanced between the two as Isolde stopped in front of them and gave a slight curtsy, never lifting her gaze as she murmured, "Good evening, my lord."

Eomer's sister looked up at him with a slight smirk as his jaw seemed to be unhinged, his eyes about ready to pop out and fall to the floor. He suddenly snapped his jaw shut and swallowed, but his eyes were still as round as saucers as he nodded and lifted a hand toward her, catching her attention but she only looked at his hand.

"Good evening, Isolde," he greeted in return, waiting for her to take his hand. Isolde lifted her hand hesitantly and gently placed it in his as he stepped close enough to lift it to his face and lightly kiss her knuckles. The contact made her shoot her gaze to him, her eyes as wide as ever as a blush spread over her pale cheeks when Eomer lowered her hand but did not let it go. "I am glad you were able to done with my sister and I."

"I…" Isolde breathed, trailing off for a moment before she felt his grip on her hand loosen and she pulled it away, averting her gaze from his again. "I-I dare not turn down an invitation from my king, your majesty."

"There she goes again," Eowyn sighed, stepping next to Isolde as Eomer pulled his hand back, rubbing his thumb to his palm, nervously. "Isolde, I've told you, there is no need to be formal with him."

"Forgive me, my lady," Isolde nodded, not lifting her gaze. "I only wish to convey the proper respect to those who have earned the right."

"I doubt I have earned it," Eomer muttered as he stepped toward one of the chairs and waved one of the servants off to pull the chair out himself. "Have a seat."

"I believe that poor servant boy you just ran off will be punished for leaving his post," Eowyn smiled, stepping toward the chair and allowing him to seat her.

"I have explained everything to the servants already, my dear sister," Eomer retorted with a playful smirk as he stepped toward another chair to pull it out. "I doubt anyone will do any harm to him." He looked to Isolde as she stood across the table, her yes wide in wonder at the scene as he gave a small smile and gestured to the chair he stood behind, entreating, "Won't you have a seat, Isolde?"

She swallowed and looked at the chair as she approached it, not meeting his gaze again and after he seated her, out of reflex she looked up at him to thank him but found her voice had left her at seeing him leaning over her so closely. Her mouth opened and closed several times before she gave up on speaking and shot her gaze to her lap to twiddle her thumbs.

Eomer gave a small smile before leaning over and whispering next to her ear, "There is no need to thank me, little one."

Eowyn smiled, mischievously as she noticed Isolde's face flare up into another blush as Eomer stood tall and walked toward his own chair to sit.

Dinner was served as Eowyn told her brother all about her life with Faramir as a representative of Rohan in the Aragorn's court, and Eomer seemed content to just listen to his sister, every once in a while glancing at Isolde as she picked at her food slightly before eating it. It seemed to him that she felt herself out of place there, and even though Eomer had hardly spoken a word throughout dinner, she had said nothing at all.

"Brother, did you hear me?"

Eomer shot a wide-eyed gaze from Isolde to Eowyn who only smirked as he asked, "What?"

"I asked: What was troubling you earlier?" the blonde smiled and Eomer recalled his earlier mood as he straightened in his chair. He noticed Isolde lift her head from staring down at her lap to look at him. Of all times, she picked now to stare at him with those gorgeous eyes of hers.

"My advisors think it wise that I take a wife and produce an heir as soon as possible," he sighed, reluctantly and saw Isolde shoot her gaze down again out of the corner of his eye. "They have suggested a lady of court would make a suitable wife. Perhaps a lady from one of the outlying provinces to unite the lands?"

"But, you have only just been made king," Eowyn breathed with wide, ice blue eyes. "It is plain as day that you've yet to adjust to that notion."

"How gracious of you to notice," Eomer retorted, slumping forward to lean an arm on the table.

"You know it is true," Eowyn shot back then sighed, "But, I can see why they would advise you in this direction."

Eomer nodded reluctantly before looking at Isolde who still held her gaze to her lap and leaned closer to her to call, "What do you think, Isolde?"

Her gaze shot to his in wide-eyed wonder before she looked to Eowyn then down at her lap again as she mumbled, "It seems to be a sound suggestion, my lord."

"Seems to be?" Eomer echoed with a slight smirk as she lifted her gaze to his again. "One would argue that you do not like this plan cooked up by my advisors."

"Cooked up?" Eowyn chuckled, drawing their attention. "You sound as though your advisors are scheming miscreants."

"They could be," Eomer muttered before turning back to Isolde and asking, "Do you think I should go through with this, Isolde?"

She blinked in surprise at his sudden interest in her opinion but managed to pull her gaze from his again to look at her hands as she held them in her lap and murmured, "The decision to marry must be your decision, and yours alone, my lord. That is my opinion."

"I agree with Isolde," Eowyn nodded, drawing his attention back to his sister. "I also think that who you chose as your wife is your decision as well. However, since they wish you marry as soon as possible, perhaps you should ask them to give you a deadline on finding a wife?"

"A deadline?" Eomer echoed, and didn't fail to notice Isolde stab a piece of her food rather viciously with a fork.

"Yes," Eowyn nodded. "Ask them to give you, say…a year to find a wife."

"And let me pose this question to you, sister," Eomer retorted, sitting up in his seat a little more to face her and Isolde. "Say I find a suitable woman to be my wife, and marry her, and all is well…until, I meet someone else…" He trailed off for a moment and Eowyn gave a small frown but it soon disappeared as she noticed him look to Isolde who slowly looked up at him with wide eyes as he continued, "Someone with eyes as deep as the sea, and glitter like the stars." He swallowed when they kept each others gazes as he resumed, "Eyes that take my breath away every time I look into them. What then, Eowyn? What if I fall in love with those eyes?"

The clatter of wood on wood made the siblings jump and look up at Isolde as she bowed her head, her hands clasped in front of her as the two looked at her with confused frowns.

"Forgive my interruption," she shuddered, not looking up at either one of them. "I am not feeling well. Please, excuse me."

She gave a staggered curtsy and nearly bolted out of the room as both watched her, Eomer shooting to his feet but not moving as he only watched her figure flee the room.

"Well, dear brother," Eowyn crooned, making him shoot his gaze to her as she smiled up at him. "What are you waiting for?"

He gave a frown before looking back at the place where Isolde had disappeared from. After a moment, he squared his shoulders, set his jaw and marched out the door as Eowyn laughed, softly.

"You're excused," she murmured to herself as she stood to saunter out of the room to wander around the manor.


A/N: yea, sappy. i don't care. lol! reviews?