As the end of the War of the Ring really sunk in, the city slowly cleared of guests. The Elves returned to their homes (minus Legolas of course), Aragorn and Arwen settled into routine as King and Queen, and the Rohirrim began preparing to take Theoden home to bury him and officially crown Eomer as king. Needless to say, there was little time just to relax for anyone involved in any of these events. Lothiriel had finally settled into her favorite chair in the Citadel's library when she heard the murmur of approaching voices.

"I thought I might find you here." Faramir said, appearing from behind a bookshelf. He was holding hands with Eowyn, who was looking around the library in awe.

"Your people have rooms just for…books?" Eowyn asked. Faramir and Lothiriel laughed.

"Yes. I spent many a night in here, trying in vain to hide from my precocious little cousin who always wanted just 'one more bedtime story, Fara, one more!'" Faramir teased.

"It's not my fault the stories were better when you told them. Amrothos would get distracted, Erchirion would fall asleep midsentence, and Elphir only wanted to read sad stories! I was actually just about to read my favorite." Lothiriel nodded to the book in her lap. Faramir picked it up, scanned the title, and chuckled.

"A Collection of Love Letters. Why am I not surprised?" Faramir said, giving his cousin an affectionate look. Eowyn raised an eyebrow in questioning.

"Eowyn, you must make Faramir read a few letters to you. He has the most wonderful reading voice, especially when reading Letter 206…" Lothiriel said. Eowyn smiled as Faramir's face flushed slightly.

"I'm sure I can put that to good use later, Lothiriel, but Faramir and I actually have a favor to ask of you." Eowyn said, giving Faramir a gentle nudge. Faramir handed the book back to Lothiriel and cleared his throat.

Oh dear, Fara is nervous…chances are I'm not going to like this.

"I asked Eomer for Eowyn's hand today. This morning, in fact." Faramir said. Lothiriel gave a happy squeal, and leaped to her feet to hug them both.

"Well this is wonderful! Congratulations! When is the wedding? Where will it be?" Faramir and Eowyn exchanged a bemused look, and Lothiriel stopped in her questioning. "What?"

"Lothiriel, he didn't say yes." Eowyn explained, suppressing a laugh. Lothiriel's eyes widened in indignation.

"You're joking!" She cried.

"Let me be more specific; he didn't say yes, but he didn't say no. He didn't really say much of anything, except that he needed to think." Faramir clarified. Lothiriel shifted from indignant to furious, and Eowyn felt that she needed to intervene to protect her brother from bodily harm.

"And when Eomer says he needs to think, that means he is going to ride Firefoot. And since you two get along so well," she paused to give Lothiriel a pointed look, "we hoped you could possibly go talk to him. Convince him that he would not be losing me," Eowyn's face darkened at this (clearly Eomer had said those exact words to her), "but would be gaining a brother?" Lothiriel cringed at that particular argument, and Eowyn laughed. "Or something less corny. He likes you, Lothiriel, and is far less likely to be angry if you're the one he talks to about this." Lothiriel's eyes had widened again and her cheeks were beginning to flame; the only thing she had gotten out of Eowyn's last sentence was that Eomer 'liked her'.

Get a hold of yourself Lothiriel! You're behaving like a twelve year old!

"So I am being used as…bait? To an angry Rohirric King on a horse, nonetheless. And here I thought you two loved me!" Lothiriel teased. Eowyn took her hands in her own.

"So you'll do it?" Faramir smiled slightly and Lothiriel saw his true worry in his face; he did not think Eomer would say yes. She sighed and gave Eowyn's hands a squeeze.

"Which way did he ride, Faramir?"

oOo

Luckily for Lothiriel, by the time she reached the stables, Eomer was riding back to them. She could see the gates being opened and let out a sigh of relief.

Well that saves me a good deal of searching. Now for the fun part. Since it usually took a rider a few minutes to get to the stables from the main gates, Lothiriel turned and began brushing her own horse, Niniel. Niniel was completely black, save a white strip on her forehead; she had been Lothiriel's horse for five years and was by far her favorite. Lothiriel pulled an apple from her pocket and was rewarded with Niniel's happy whinny.

"Does her master know you're feeding her?" Lothiriel nearly jumped a foot; she had been so focused on Niniel she hadn't heard Eomer come in.

"Her master is holding the apple." Lothiriel said, looking around her horse to give Eomer a teasing look. Her heart almost stopped in her chest when she caught sight of him. His golden hair was wind-swept and messy, that teasing smirk she had memorized was on his face, per usual, and he looked completely at ease.

He's never looked better. No other man is going to even begin to seem attractive to me after him. Lothiriel gave her head a shake. Stay focused Lothiriel! You're here to help get Eowyn promised to Faramir, not admire his arms…by the Valar, stop! While Lothiriel had been internally hyperventilating, Eomer had put Firefoot back into his stall and had begun brushing the other side of Niniel's neck.

"I didn't know you knew how to ride." Lothiriel shot Eomer a look.

"Of course I do. I've got three brothers; the only way to keep up with them was to ride. But that's not why I'm here." Lothiriel gave Niniel one last brush before moving so she could look Eomer in the face.

"Why else would you go to the stables if not to visit your horse?" That grin again.

"To talk to you about Eowyn and Faramir." Lothiriel said, her eyes never leaving Eomer's face. The change was remarkable; the grin vanished, replaced with an angry scowl, completed with dark, stormy eyes.

"That would be unwise." Eomer growled, in a tone that all of his men knew as the "say-anything-else-and-you'll-be-going-home-in-pieces" tone. Lothiriel, who had never heard this tone before, bristled. How dare he write off her cousin just because he didn't want to lose Eowyn! It wasn't as if Faramir was going to lock her up and throw away the key; they loved each other, they should be together! Lothiriel crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"So that's it then? You've made your decision?" Eomer blinked in surprise.

"And what if I have?"

"I think you're making a huge, selfish mistake then." Eomer froze.

How dare she!

"I don't," he walked over to Lothiriel, towering over her, "give a bloody damn what you think." Lothiriel glared back.

"What about Eowyn then, hm? You think she's going to be happy with you deciding who she may or may not marry! I'd love to be there for her reaction." Eomer stiffened, part of him knowing she was right. Lothiriel took her opportunity to continue. "She loves him, Eomer! And he loves her too, more than he's ever loved anyone. You can see it in their faces, hear it when they talk, practically feel it filling the room whenever they're together. What right do you haveto say that love can no longer be?" Eomer cursed in Rohirric hand punched the nearest wall.

"She's my sister! My little sister, the only person left in my entire bloody family! You think I'm just going to marry her off to some stranger, some foreign Steward who hardly knows her? My entire family has been killed by this war, and I'm not about to give up the one piece I have left." Lothiriel was still staring at him, eyes narrowed.

"You wouldn't be losing her, you silly man! Faramir isn't going to lock her in the dungeon and throw away the key! Anytime she gets the least bit homesick, the second she mentions the green hills of Rohan, he would ride with her there! Faramir is not a stiffly traditional man; he will not force her into the Gondorian rolls of a trophy instead of a wife. He loves her, Eomer! He loves her enough to ask you for her hand, even though he knows you are going to say no! As to hardly knowing her, they have scarcely spent a minute apart since they've met. If I ask a question about the other, they know the answer. They are in love, something that both of them never thought would happen for themselves. Can't you see that?" Lothiriel was on the point of desperation now; how could he be so blind to a love that everyone else had seen? Eomer still looked angry.

"It is my decision. Not yours, not hers, not theirs." Eomer spat the last word.

"How can you say that? You say you love Eowyn, you want what's best for her, and yet you still say no!" Lothiriel crossed the stable to stand in front of him, and we he turned away, she followed, unknowingly being sandwiched between him and the wall.

"Marrying someone she hardly knows is not what's best for her!"

"You are a fool!" Lothiriel cried, and before she knew what she was doing, her hand was moving to slap him. His hand shot up and pinned the offending hand to the wall behind her. "Let go!" Lothiriel cried, now furious, and she moved her other hand. It received the same treatment as its twin, and she was now virtually immobile. Eomer glowered down at her, his dark eyes as stormy as she'd ever seen them. Both of them were breathing heavily, still staring at each other with resentment. Then, it was like a lightning bolt, something changed.

Lothiriel saw the anger drain from his eyes, and she was suddenly aware of the callouses of his fingers on her bare wrists, the raw strength that was radiating off of him, and the tickle of the air on her face when he breathed out.

Bema, she's beautiful when she's mad.

Up close Eomer could truly appreciate the freckles sprinkled across her cheeks and nose, the rich color of her eyes, the pink of her lips. It was her lips that held his attention, and he leaned closer and closer…she did not stop him.

Two seconds into the kiss, Lothiriel forgot why her hands were pinned on either side of her. Ten seconds in, she forgot why she was in the stable in the first place. Fifteen seconds, what was her name? It didn't even matter. She had never, ever, ever been kissed like this before, and was fairly certain she would die if she was never kissed like this again. He had released her hands to pull her closer, and she tangled her fingers into his hair as if it were the most natural thing in Middle Earth to be kissing a Rohirric warrior king. Eomer was vaguely aware of how easily she fit in his arms, how the over one foot height difference was actually a benefit, and how good she smelled (some sort of flower), but his prevailing thought was "Why did I never think of this before?"

She finally pulled away (because we all have to breathe sometime, though Eomer was currently cursing the need for oxygen) and stared up at him with those grey-green eyes. She opened her mouth to speak when voices floated in from outside. They sprang apart as if an Orc had just appeared between them; Eomer was cursing in Rohirric and attempting to fix his hair (Lothiriel had had a firm hold) and Lothiriel had returned to brushing Niniel, as if nothing had happened. Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Sam entered, in the midst of laughing.

"Good morning, my lady!" Pippin said, spotting Lothiriel.

"Good morning, Pip! What are you four doing down here?" Lothiriel asked, her voice bright and cheery.

"We've come to feed our ponies. They've got to be ready for the journey tomorrow." Frodo explained.

"Theoden was a good man. I miss him. He showed me even Hobbits were worth their stuff in battle." Merry said, addressing Eomer. Eomer gave the hobbit a nod in thanks. Lothiriel gave each of the hobbits a kiss on the cheek before making her exit.

"Oh and Eomer, I hope you do reconsider." Lothiriel said, meeting Eomer's eyes directly. Then she was gone, quietly shutting the stable door behind her.

"Reconsider what?" Pippin asked. Eomer muttered a curse and suspected Lothiriel had known exactly how the inquisitive Hobbits would react.

oOo

There was another ball that night; one of farewell. It was in honor of Theoden, for his ultimate sacrifice. It was for Eomer and the Rohirrim; in honor of their courage and saving Minas Tirith. It was for all that were leaving with them to bury Theoden; Eowyn, Aragorn (who would leave the city under Faramir's watch while he was gone for the funeral), Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Merry, Pippin, Sam, and Frodo. Even Imrahil and Amrothos were going; Imrahil and Theoden had been friends for many years, and Imrahil insisted upon going. Elphir and Artanis (and their son, Alphros) would remain in Minas Tirith until their newest child was born, leaving Erchirion and Lothiriel in charge of Dol Amroth for the time being. But that night was a night for celebrating friendships. Fewer people were there (unfortunately Lady Teleri had managed an invitation, much to Lothiriel's disgust), and the tables had the same seats. Lothiriel was amazed as Eowyn and Faramir sat across from each other, looking blissfully happy. Eowyn motioned for Lothiriel to come to her.

"I am forever indebted to you, Lothiriel. Eomer has given us permission to marry. His only stipulation was that we wait 6 months, but that seems like hardly any time at all!" Eowyn whispered, giving Lothiriel a tight hug. Lothiriel hugged her back.

"This is wonderful! When will it be? Where?" Eowyn launched into details, and Arwen joined the conversation, equally excited for the couple.

"Eowyn, if you want any kind help with planning, I'll be glad to help. I understand dear Lothiriel already did her part, and I would enjoy being as much of service as she was." Arwen said, smiling softly. Both women smiled back at the elf, and Lothiriel realized that even though Eowyn would be going back to Rohan in the morning, she would most likely have a friend in Minas Tirith from now on. Lothiriel returned to her seat and gave Faramir a tight hug; the relief and happiness was evident in his face. The dinner was bigger than usual; perhaps the cooks were trying to ensure full stomachs for all of the travelers. The musicians started up again, and much to Lothiriel's surprise, Gimli appeared.

"Would you honor with me a dance, lassie? I would not bother you, but it appears that all the other beautiful women have been stolen away from me!" Lothiriel looked around the table; Gimli was right. Arwen and Aragorn were already dancing, Faramir had just pulled Eowyn's chair out for her and they were making their way to the King and Queen.

"I would be delighted, Gimli." Lothiriel said. She rose and danced with the dwarf, who told her enchanting stories about his travels and, of course, dwarves.

"There's this silly rumor going around that there are no Dwarf women! And therefore, we Dwarves have no idea to behave around them!" Lothiriel let out a laugh; Eowyn had already laughingly told her all about Dwarf women, and Aragorn's explanation of the confusion ("It's the beards." He had said.). Gimli chuckled as well.

"May I cut in?" Lothiriel looked up from Gimli's head to the new voice; Legolas. Gimli gave Lothiriel a deep bow and kissed her hand.

"You must promise to visit me, lassie! Moria will be beautiful when it is rebuilt." Lothiriel curtsied, smiling.

"Simply send word and I will make an appearance. I have always wanted to see the mines." Gimli winked and bustled away to claim Eowyn; Legolas took his place and gently lead Lothiriel in a dance.

"You make friends easily, Lothiriel of Dol Amroth." Legolas said. Lothiriel beamed.

"I would like to think so, yes. I would be honored if I could count you among that number." Legolas gave her a light spin; dancing with the elf was like floating, effortless and calming.

"I am honored that you would ask." The two fell into a comfortable conversation about the Sea, which Legolas had never seen but always longed for, and Lothiriel was all too happy to talk about her beloved ocean. After Legolas gave her another twirl, Lothiriel was aware of a pair of eyes on her. Eomer was staring at her in the same way he had before he kissed her…just the thought of that was enough to make Lothiriel turn bright pink. Then, she saw Lady Teleri, standing beside Eomer, tossing her hair coquettishly, and smiling prettily. And Eomer was not sending her away! After the music finished, Lothiriel excused herself. Legolas kissed her hand.

"Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale' quenle." Lothiriel smiled.

"Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva." Lothiriel replied, before crossing the hall and going outside.

Of course Teleri has to go after him; he's the highest ranking noble in the room. Curse her! I wish those Ringwraiths were still alive, perhaps they could've shrieked the mean out of her.

Lothiriel leaned on a column, looking at the moon. At night, Minas Tirith looked like a giant sand castle, and it made Lothiriel miss Dol Amroth all the more. She heard approaching footsteps, and looked over her shoulder. Eomer, of course. She whipped her head back around. He stood behind her.

"What did that pointy-eared bastard say to you?" He hissed. Lothiriel's eyes widened and she turned around to look at him incredulously.

"Don't call Legolas that! We were talking about the sea. He said a farewell in Elvish because he knows I speak it. And why should I have to explain my conversations to you?" Lothiriel retorted. Eomer looked blind-sided. For some reason, that only made Lothiriel angrier. "Wouldn't you rather continue your lovely chat with Lady Teleri? You seemed to be enjoying yourself plenty before." Eomer looked as angry as had in the stables earlier.

"I was coming outside to ask if I might write you while I am in Rohan, but clearly I was a fool to think you would write back!" Eomer turned to leave, but a small hand caught his elbow.

"You want to…write me?" Lothiriel asked, and Eomer turned back to look at her. He nodded. She took a step closer. "You swear to me you will write."

As long as it takes until I see you again. Until I know what this is between us. Every day.

"As much as I can, yes."

"Well, what shall we write about?"

The two sat outside for at least an hour, answering questions about one another. Eomer told about his childhood, how he had come to live with Theoden and Theodred, how Eowyn had always been precocious and stubborn, how he became Marshall of the Mark. Lothiriel told about the death of her mother, how Elphir's marriage had changed him greatly, how close she and her brothers had been to Boromir and Faramir. As yet another servant walked past, Lothiriel realized the party would be ending soon.

"My brothers will be looking for me soon." Lothiriel rose from the bench they had been sitting on. Eomer stood as well.

"Good night, then." But neither made any more movements. Lothiriel sighed and began to walk away; Eomer caught her arm.

"Eomer?" He didn't say anything, but merely pulled her to him and kissed her again. Her arms went around his neck and his around her waist; he lifted her and felt her surprised squeak. He broke the kiss to look at her. Her eyes were sparkling, and he could see the smile on her face even in the dark. Eomer put her down gently and she pulled her face down to hers and kissed him again. Then she pulled away, giving his hand a light squeeze.

"Good night, Eomer-King."

As he watched her walk back inside, Eomer shook his head.

When they had been younger, Eomer had been mortified of Theodred's pursuit (and love) of women.

"I'll never fall in love! Look what love did for my mother and father!" An angry 16 year-old Eomer had told Theodred. Theodred had laughed, thumping his cousin on the back.

"Just watch yourself, little cousin. Some girl is going to come along and knock you off your feet!"

Theodred, wherever you are, I know you're laughing at me.

Author's Note: This is my favorite chapter so far, just because of all the fluff. It's been a blast writing this, and I hope everyone's still enjoying it!

Translations: When Legolas and Lothiriel say good-bye, Legolas says

"Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale' quenle." which means "May thy paths be green and the wind on thy back."

Lothiriel says: "Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva." Which means "Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet."

I love Elvish, and Tolkien is so amazing to have created this language.

P.S. I rewatched The Two Towers and the Return of the King, and GOD how I love those movies. If you haven't watched them in a while, you should. It really rekindled a love for ALL of the characters for me.